From Humble Beginnings to Thriving City – MEMORIAPOLIS Step-by-Step

It took me a while to get a good start building a city in Memoriapolis, but watching TheOnlyL0nzY's full playthrough, helped me gain valuable insights into how to tackle the game’s unique challenges and develop an efficient city with minimal missteps. 

Here, I’ll share a structured, detailed breakdown of the main steps he outlines in his play through, the choices, and strategies that TheOnlyL0nz went through in much details, in his two hours and forty minute long playthrough. You read that right - his full play through is almost 3 hours long!

If you don't have time to watch the full play through, this guide should give you a solid foundation to build upon, whether they’re new to Memoriapolis or are looking to improve their city-building skills. 

The Official Teaser for "Secret Level" is out, and it looks amazing!

As Amazon Prime Video gears up to launch its anthology series Secret Level, it feels like a dream come true for anyone who's ever lost themselves in these worlds we've poured hours into. If you're anything like me - a gamer with a love for the narratives that have captivated us, and one who's been collecting "The Art of" books from his favourite games for years - this show is bound to be an immersive experience.

Secret Level promises to pull us into the universes of our favorite games, but with the added magic of cinematic storytelling. Each episode dives into a different game world, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane for some and a fresh perspective on modern classics for others. It's not just a showcase of the mainstream hits; the series also highlights some underappreciated gems, making it a treasure trove for both casual and hardcore gamers.

The Calm of Creation: Why City-Building Games Are Perfect for Gamer Dads

 

As a gamer dad, life can get a little chaotic, right? Between work (or trying to find my next role), family, and the general madness of daily life (soccer practices and games, lifts to here and there, the dog, etc.), finding the time to sit down and really immerse yourself in a game can feel like a luxury. 

That's where city-building games come in, and let me tell you, they've been a game-changer (pun totally intended).

The Magic of the Pause Button

First off, let’s talk about one of the biggest perks of city-building games: the ability to pause or stop the game whenever you need to. Whether you're deep into a session of Cities: Skylines meticulously planning the perfect road network or trying to ensure your colonists survive another day in Surviving Mars, you can hit pause and step away without missing a beat. No need to worry about respawning in an FPS firefight or letting your team down in the middle of a MOBA match (I could write a whole posts on all the insults I've taken from World of Tanks players). 

These game wait for you, not the other way around.

Duel of the Fates vs. The Rise of Skywalker: Which would have been a better Episode IX?

Having explored the details of Colin Trevorrow's "Duel of the Fates" script, it's hard not to feel a pang of what could have been. 

His version offers a darker, more consistent tone and gives characters like Finn and Rose their due, allowing them to shine in ways they didn't in "The Rise of Skywalker." Rey's character arc is more nuanced, and her double-bladed lightsaber is a fitting evolution of her weaponry and skills. Kylo Ren's journey is also more compelling, depicting him as a true, unrepentant villain haunted by Luke's ghost and seeking power from an ancient Sith master. Not a Romeo in the making that he became in the released version.

Now THAT is an Alien movie! | "Alien: Romulus | Official Trailer"

A Plea for the Soul of Star Wars in the Age of Disney Simplification

Beghast's "STAR WARS De-Infantilized (It Works)" resonates deeply with many adult fans of Star Wars, myself included, as it captures so elegantly a sentiment of disenchantment with the franchise's direction in recent years. It articulates a shared experience: the magic and awe of the original and prequel trilogies give way to a sense of dissonance as the saga transitions into a realm that feels overly simplified, seemingly tailored more towards younger audiences than the broad demographic that has long cherished the galaxy far, far away.

This sense of oversimplification, where narratives feel like they're holding the viewer's hand too tightly, mirrors content designed for very young children, diminishing the saga's depth. Yet, hope shines through with the acknowledgment of "Rogue One" and "Andor" as standout examples within the new wave, praised for their complexity and mature themes. These entries demonstrate that the franchise can still offer stories that resonate with adult fans without compromising its universal appeal.

Hellcat Chronicles: Turning Casual Play into Tactical Triumph in World of Tanks

Jumping back into World of Tanks after long hiatus, and a big update felt a bit like a cold splash of water yesterday - especially when I dove straight into battle with my Super Hellcat and ended up more like a skittish kitten hiding in the bushes (literally) than the fierce TD I should've been. 

Yep, my gameplay was rusty, and the match didn’t go well at all. The feedback from my teammates? Let’s just say it was far from encouraging and leave it at that. 

Honestly, I can’t blame them; I really wasn’t at the top of my game.

So, I figured it was time for a little self-reflection and improvement. I decided to pull together some straightforward tips and tricks to keep me from making the same mistakes next time. Along the way, I stumbled upon some cool playthroughs that actually showed me what I should be doing. The guide below is what came out of that little project. 

Hope it helps you dodge the newbie moves and maybe even enjoy the game a bit more. Let’s get back in there and show them what we’ve got!

World of Tanks || Super Hellcat - Tank Review

The Sands of Arrakis Beckon Again: Dune Part Two Unveiled

Tonight, for me and a few millions aficionados, the desert planet of Arrakis comes alive once more in the highly anticipated sequel to Denis Villeneuve's epic adaptation of Frank Herbert's masterpiece, Dune: Part Two. After the groundbreaking success of the first installment, expectations are sky-high, and from what I've gathered, the sequel is set to not only meet but exceed them.

Dune: Part One left us on the brink of monumental change, with Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) stepping into his destiny among the Fremen of Arrakis. Part Two promises to dive deeper into the political intrigue, the battle for the control of the spice mélange, and Paul's journey towards becoming the prophesied Muad'Dib. The storyline is expected to explore themes of power, betrayal, and destiny, with a focus on the complex dynamics between the Atreides (what's left of them), the Harkonnens (Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen), and the native Fremen (looking forward to seeing more of their way of life showcased). It's this intricate narrative, combined with the breathtaking landscape of Arrakis, that sets the stage for a cinematic experience of epic proportions.

Exploring the What-If: A Review of William Gibson's Unproduced 'Alien 3' Screenplay

Sigourney Weaver in Alien 3. Photograph: 20th Century

William Gibson's unproduced screenplay for "Alien 3" offers a narrative that diverges significantly from David Fincher's 1992 film, potentially providing a sequel that aligns more closely with the thematic and tonal elements established in "Alien" and "Aliens".

Gibson's script set the stage with the Sulaco entering a sector controlled by a cold war-esque Union of
Progressive Peoples (U.P.P.), whereupon Ripley, Newt, and an injured Hicks find themselves amidst a new set of challenges. Unlike Fincher's version, Gibson's screenplay maintains the survival and continuity of key characters from "Aliens," notably Bishop, Newt and Hicks, and introduces a plot revolving around the militarization and genetic modification of Xenomorphs.

Tolkien's Paradoxical Stance: A Deep Dive into His Love and Aversion for the Roman Empire

J.R.R. Tolkien remains a figure of intriguing complexity, and in some cases contradiction. As a devout Roman Catholic and a lover of Roman languages, Tolkien's aversion to the Roman Empire stands out as a remarkable paradox. As one explores Tolkien's complex relationship with the Roman Empire and its influence on his work, one cannot deny his deep-seated values of localism and traditionalism.

In Tolkien's Middle-earth, we find a reflection of his ideological battle—a world where the preservation of diversity stands as a testament to the resilience of local cultures against the tides of conquest and cultural erasure.

Tolkien's Ideological Conflict

At the heart of Tolkien's paradoxical stance is his deep admiration for the Roman people and their culture juxtaposed with his disdain for the Roman Empire. This aversion did not stem from a dislike of Roman achievements in engineering, governance, or the arts, but from the empire's approach to conquest and cultural eradication. Tolkien, despite his affection for Latin and Roman Catholicism, viewed the empire as antithetical to his cherished principles of localism and traditionalism.