I loved this one, too. Super weird story, but I was hooked. I didn’t even object to what I sort of remember as a deus ex machina kind of ending. Seemed fittingly weird for the vibe.

I really wish this had been one for me, but I’ve never been able to make it more than halfway through despite a few good faith attempts. I am really glad you had a great time with it, though!

Agreed. I thought it was a competently made game, even if not groundbreaking or best in class for shooting. I think people’s expectations are often their biggest obstacle to enjoyment.

It’s a reaction to a storytelling choice; you’ll know when you get there.

Edit: Just saw your other comment in here, and seems you got to the switch already. I share your opinion!

I agree with you. I think 2 is better than 1, and it’s not close in my eyes. Audacious storytelling, but (IMO) they pulled it off really well.

deleted by creator

I appreciate the thoughtful response - I haven’t noticed that trend specifically with BI, but have seen the general tendency you’re describing in media at large. For this specific article, I find the concept of a dumb phone more intriguing than “Lifehack: Eat Gruel!” Type stuff – see my other comment in this thread if you’re curious about why – but also did roll my eyes at the person who has three such devices for different purposes.

Thanks for elaborating!

I agree with you in concept, but I think in practice people struggle with the self discipline, and that’s kind of the fundamental problem with apps (and particularly algorithm-based social media). I’ve set timers to limit my usage of certain apps, including my Lemmy app, to encourage mindful use, but I can understand why someone might want or need more of an enforced limitation.

You might not replace your current phone with a “dumb” device, but when it’s time to get a new device eventually, you could ask yourself if less-smart device might meet both your functional and other needs.

Edit: I guess to me this is kind of like: why are people overweight? They can just not eat as much. And while that’s technically true - and advice I follow - it’s apparently not that easy for everyone. If it was, we wouldn’t see problems as pervasively as we do.

Genuine question - can you speak more on how this article would promote a social trend in a “serflike” direction? I’ve been thinking about switching to a “dumb phone” for the same reasons as the person in the article, and I’ve seen it as a potential reclamation of my time and attention to the present moment.

BI definitely publishes a lot of nonsense, but I feel like I’m not fully understanding your meaning.

Counter Strike was way better when this was the vibe. I am so tired of competitive this and gun case that. I’ve never been interested in 5v5 scrimming in any serious way, but that’s all CS2 wants me to do.

I want gun game, I want wc3, I want ZM. I want quirky custom maps (glass!) and quake sounds and !bet ct all. I want to fuck around with new friends on a server for an evening, not to sweat my balls off throwing practiced smokes on dust2.