Sorry, I won’t be able to help since I don’t have Blue Dragon, but when you mention making changes to config files, is that in reference to info in this thread / google sheets?

As enjoyable as ever to read!
I think you might have missed the link to Nightdive Studios’ future endeavours? Or Voyager is not showing it at least.

I almost didn’t mention my game of the moment - I’ve been diving deep into Hollow Knight on the Deck, I just wish it supported HDR but otherwise it’s an experience like no other.

That’ll give a good reason to take the Pocket out of its case :)

shmups.wiki is pretty awesome, especially when you’re trying to optimise scoring

I found this Proton issue specifically mentioning issues with Death Stranding: Director’s Cut.
FWIW, Death Stranding (non Director’s Cut) doesn’t support the DualSense either way AFAIK.

That sounds encouraging, thanks!
I’m not concerned about coil while, since I’d also be playing with headphones on, but that’s noted.
I read about recent developments wrt FSR4, it sounds like that’s potentially close to functional indeed.
RT performance is a downside, however AFAIK that’s par for the course with AMD on Linux?

I’m somewhat torn between getting a 9070 XT now, or getting a cheaper, used GPU while the experience and/or drivers get ironed out. My only real worry is GPU prices going up as a result of US tariffs, so I’m leaning towards 9070 XT rather than the alternative .

Thanks for your write-up!
About a month later, would you say the experience has gotten better? Did you encounter any issues?
I’m able to get a 9070 XT close to MSRP ($949 CAD + 12% tax), but I’ve seen conflicting reviews regarding current performance (or crashes) on Linux, so I’m not 100% sure this would be an ideal choice.

Yep, thanks - so far I’ve avoided any guides and went in completely blind, I’m starting to explore the map again for what I might have missed.

Rated playable even before any release date was announced, interesting.

I’m still playing Divinity: Original Sin II.
I also picked up Hollow Knight recently and I’m making progress, albeit painfully sometimes haha.

Thanks for your advice!

I looked a bit more into x3d CPUs and was able to find a 7800x3d for a great price on ebay, I snagged that.
I will be on the lookout for used GPU options.

I’m slowly continuing my playthrough of Divinity: Original Sin II and absolutely loving it.
I also recently bought Stardew Valley, finally, and started playing it a bit.
Last one, Mushihimesama as the c/shmups Game of the Month.

Voyager works perfectly fwiw

• Castlevania: SOTN
• 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

I didn’t think I’d enjoy SOTN so much, as I tend to have mixed feelings towards metroidvanias, but it delivers in many areas - I’d say it’s too easy, but then again it’s a matter of adjusting your equipment to make it more difficult.

I’m attempting another playthrough of 13 Sentinels, I’m not sure why I bounced off of it a couple years ago but I’ve been getting into “gameplay-lite” games lately with great results.

Blue Revolver

100%, their “Famous Burger” is really not bad and a sizeable portion too

Ruby and Sapphire, 100% because of nostalgia as I haven’t played either in 20+ years - those were the last games my grandpa gifted me so they hold tremendous sentimental value.
Gold and Silver would be close seconds, since my sister and I played those games when growing up and I have great memories from back then.

I’ve used canhost recently and can’t complain - they offered fairly cheap .ca domains compared to what I could find elsewhere.

Either option sounds great to me - I’m playing through my backlog of shmups (and shmup adjacent games) this year and would love to share some scores, 1CCs or just have a common goal, so to speak.

No?

Realistically, as you mentioned with FF XIV ARR now being a classic but also being a pain to get into is true for any other older FF, many people simply have rose tinted glasses to keep them from seeing all the flaws present in those prior entries.
I also started with FF VII, but 25 years after its release, and let me tell you that it did not age well (at all) imo.

Had I not picked up FF XVI, I probably wouldn’t have given the series another chance.
I now played both FF VII remakes to date and absolutely loved them, especially Rebirth, and am going through FF VI, which I also think is a masterpiece tbh.
FF IV didn’t work out for me, but that’s fine.

All that to say, video game series evolve, ARPGs have been quite popular for a while and FF went that route - for now. That doesn’t make for bad games, and the series will keep evolving.