T w e n t y S i d e d
DM of the Rings Remastered CXXXIII: Strategifications
By Peter T Parker
Posted Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Filed under: DM of the Rings Remaster, Random
4 comments
Wednesday Action Log 09-24-25
This week has been quite mundane.
I played a bit of Risk of Rain Returns. Nothing new there.
I also played a few Itch.io horror games. The only one worth mentioning is Microbial Sector. You are analyzing a bunch of objects and marking what microbes are present. that’s mostly it, it’s pretty short but got a good spook.
How are things for everyone else?
DM of the Rings Remastered CXXXII: Wheels Within Wheels, Man
Wednesday Action Log 09-17-25
This week I’ve started to get back into Risk of Rain Returns.
It had a small update recently, and I’ve been trying to find the two new items without just using the command artifact.
Other than that. I’ve played some more itch.io horror games. The highlights this week are: ThePale. You play as a replacement lighthouse keeper, and while you’re getting settled in you accidently brake some unknown machine, and shortly after that a large storm starts to roll in. It has the first resident evil’s style of controls, and camera, which is a little clunky at first, but I think it worked in it’s favor. It’s just a demo right now, but the moment it has a full release, I’m going to play it.
Next is Descending. You’re playing as a drill operator that has to keep the drills running for “war efforts“. It’s not exactly clear what war, but It’s one of those games were you’re operating a console with a bunch of buttons and dials as most of the game play, which might not be for everyone, but I love hitting a bunch of buttons as the primary gameplay.
Last is. A Place, Forbidden. A game where you wake up from a nap to find yourself in an unknown library, and while trying to leave you keep stumbling further into the library. This one I don’t think I can do much to explain it more than that because a lot of the story comes from reading the books throughout the library.
I know my pitches for the games are a little lackluster. I’m slowly working on trying to write better, but it’s slow going.
Anyway, What’s everyone else doing?
Some Musical Observations
I’ve had a couple of musical ideas filed away to talk about, one for quite a while. But it didn’t tip over the edge until earlier today, when I saw something that ground my gears a bit. So I have three things to mention, one of which is a bit of a rant. That was the thing from earlier today. Although, as an introduction, I will tell you about the word “Cromarty.” I knew this word exclusively from Cromartie High School, the English title of the manga and anime Sakigake!! Kuromati Koko. Or literally translated “Forging valiantly ahead! Cromarty High School!” The use of “ie” instead of a “y” seems to be derived purely from common practice, rather than author’s prerogative. “Kuromati” is a Japanese phonetic pronunciation of “Cromarty,” a Scottish word that is likely derived from combining the Gaelic words “crom,” “ard,” and “bati” meaning respectively “crooked,” “heights,” and “bay.” Given the nature of the manga story, “crooked” is certainly applicable in multiple senses. What led to this odyssey was the newest Rex’s Hangar video about the “Cromarty,” the Short Brothers first flying boat, which of course led to all the other Short Brothers flying boats, especially in WWII and the 1950’s. Some still claim the Short Brothers manufactured the first “production airplane” in 1909, despite the Wright Brothers having entered into contracts to produce airplanes based on their Flyer III in 1908. (The argument is valid because the airplane produced to be sold under those contracts was the Wright Model B, which became available in 1910. But likewise the first “production” Short is claimed by some to be either their No. 2 or No. 3, both of which were “ordered” by someone else in quantities of ONE EACH; in 1909 and 1910. It’s also worth noting, I think; that the Short designs were based on the Wright’s Flyer.
Continue reading ⟩⟩ “Some Musical Observations”
DM of the Rings Remastered CXXXI: A Profound Lack of Swooning
Wednesday Action Log 09-10-25
This week I’ve has been more of the same.
Balatro continues to be a good time waster, nothing new about it.
I haven’t played any Rainbow Six Siege this week, and I only played a bit of Project Zomboid.
I have been doing something more interesting this week. Playing random Itch.io horror games. Some of the highlights I can remember are Carbon Steel, a game where you are collecting samples from unknown monsters in a cage, using weird equipment.
CleaningRedVille, a game were you collect trash at night.
and DREAD FLATS, a game were you are playing as a paranormal investigator looking for ghosts in a well known haunted apartment building.
What’s everyone else doing?
From The Archives:
Quakecon 2011 Keynote Annotated
An interesting but technically dense talk about gaming technology. I translate it for the non-coders.
Gamers Aren’t Toxic
This is a horrible narrative that undermines the hobby through crass stereotypes. The hobby is vast, gamers come from all walks of life, and you shouldn't judge ANY group by its worst members.
Best. Plot Twist. Ever.
Few people remember BioWare's Jade Empire, but it had a unique setting and a really well-executed plot twist.
The Game That Ruined Me
Be careful what you learn with your muscle-memory, because it will be very hard to un-learn it.
The Best of 2015
My picks for what was important, awesome, or worth talking about in 2015.
Who Broke the In-Game Economy?
Why are RPG economies so bad? Why are shopkeepers so mercenary, why are the prices so crazy, and why do you always end up a gazillionaire by the end of the game? Can't we just have a sensible balanced economy?
Free Radical
The product of fandom run unchecked, this novel began as a short story and grew into something of a cult hit.
Crysis 2
Crysis 2 has basically the same plot as Half-Life 2. So why is one a classic and the other simply obnoxious and tiresome?
The Dumbest Cutscene
This is it. This is the dumbest cutscene ever created for a AAA game. It's so bad it's simultaneously hilarious and painful. This is "The Room" of video game cutscenes.
Shamus Plays WOW
Ever wondered what's in all those quest boxes you've never bothered to read? Get ready: They're more insane than you might expect.