but they got NIMBY’d by property owners who wanted a bigger setback

What kinda property owners? Do you happen to have a news link or some such? Were those landowners or what?

Yeah, that’s what I meant. There’s other stuff, like logs from other ships bemoaning having to respond to the distress beacon, because of how notoriously shoddy company ships are

Not entirely sure how to translate the term. Google suggests “troubles”, but it’s missing the notion of unclarity of the original. The historical period is quite interesting, so it’s a real shame the game got panned. We’re talking time between Ivan IV dying and Mikhail Romanov getting crowned (thus starting the now notorious Romanov dynasty). Strange times. Polish invaders, false kings, boyars scheming. And technologically too, it’s early XVII century - gunpowder ahoy, but still plenty of cold weapons, bows and whatnot

Subnautica is a really fun game, atmosphere wise. Even if I don’t really vibe with the whole “corporate space” stuff it has in the background. Good luck with survival!

Funny thing, actually! So a buddy showed me this website that allows one to buy games on steam despite the sanctions (steam currently prohibits purchases from Russia, for the record). If anyone is wondering “why not just pirate” - I wanted some specific games and their pirated versions had compatibility issues.

Anyway, bought myself Sleeping Dogs. Apparently (I didn’t know it originally) it’s part of the True Crime series, which features undercover cops infiltrating gangs and such. I suppose this premise alone might turn many comrades off.

This specific title is set in Hong Kong. There’s some western chauvinism sprinkled here and there (for example, in the club location there’s an ad for “Gulag vodka”). A good amount of characters are westernised, having western names (Jackie Ma, Winston Chu, etc). Protagonist’s boss is white even. That said I feel it’s doing a decent-ish job of not whitewashing either the gangs or police. Aforementioned boss for example is shown faking evidence at least once so far in my progression and is generally a cold git. Gangs talk a lot about loyalty and family, but also murder and steal with no regards to anyone but themselves.

Anyway, regardless of the plot, gameplay is quite pleasant. It’s an open world TPS, similar to GTA and Mafia series, but with less emphasis on shooting (“guns are rare in Hong Kong”, as one character says) and more emphasis on hand to hand fighting. There’s mechanics for grappling, throwing, blocks, kicks and punches. Fun stuff, if you’re into this kind of games.

Overall, it’s obviously striving to envoke action movie feel. Something from John Woo, or perhaps those Van Damme flicks. Not bad to unwind after work.

Question of the week

Admittedly I don’t even know what is coming out this year, and most of it would likely melt my wee potato laptop anyway. I was kinda looking forward to Smuta, which is a Russian game, set in 1600’s. It had a prominent (online) and openly Marxist historian as a consultant. Unfortunately, the game is apparently shit. Mechanically, plot-wise, just in general. Folks are now mocking said historian in comments to his videos.

Probably not. AFAIK the devs are Swedish. Which means they’re too chickenshit to commit to the bit

In totalitären RuZZia you get five years for embezzlement of government funds.

I’m free, democratic Japan you get five years for modding a game and minor scamming

I play NMS, although less so nowadays than before, but I would like to visit

cant recommend you to support them financially

Why not?

Ah, my bad. Thanks!

Is “Oxygen not included” the one about surviving in space with an immortal chicken?

So the issue seems to be private ownership of land, not the locale

21 hours in is “not feeling engaged”? It took me less to finish Mafia 2 main story!

Why is it expensive?

Welcome back!

Holy cow, Makan returned?!

On topic, I actually have something to say this time. I’ve recently finished Mafia (remastered one) and Mafia 2 (original). And good golly gracious are they something else! I’ve not felt this invested in a story in a long time. Feels like I’ve watched a high quality movie or TV series. The endings don’t pull punches and while you come into the game expecting heartbreak, it still slaps you in the face. Excellent stuff, even without communist themes or anything remotely close

Bob

Rival faction in the Combine

No way in heck is Russian income higher than China’s

Does Red Faction count?