In a world where games are scored across a full spectrum 0-or-1 to 10, then yes - anything 4-6 would be considered middle of the road.

However, due to a number of factors - that’s unfortunately not the reality we find ourselves in.

Firstly, “mid” is hard to define as it can mean anything from ‘mediocre’ to ‘fine, but forgettable’.

Secondly, ratings/scores tend to skew upward as people tend to reserve 1s for outright scams, broken games and review bombs. With 2 & 3 often used for ‘asset flips’ and similar non-games - so we end up grading on a curve from 4-10.

This also works well for mainstream outlets as it keeps advertisers happy, due to arbitrarily inflated scores.

Lastly, in a world of cumulative media (new releases don’t cause older ones to stop existing) - even ostensibly good games will fall by the wayside as players have access to 10/10 titles from previous years.

So all things considered, a 7/10 is well and truly “mid” in this topsy-turvey IGN-eque world

Conspiracy Theory: All that hubbub about an $80 base price was just to deflect from the fact that most sales are likely going to be funneled to the $100/130 editions…

Honest question; was it not possible to mod the original JoyCons to add hall-effect joysticks?

Yes, end users should not be responsible for having to do this - but if a cottage industry exists to repair/upgrade drifting joycons that would be awesome to see.

Yes, it was developed by Curt Shilling’s 38 Studios - but it was actually largely financed by the state of Rhode Island, and the studio ended up defaulting on payments!

Honestly, the story of the game’s development was more interesting than the story within the game itself!

Oh no doubt, my (vague) memories of it are definitely in vivid bright colours.

I originally got it as I was looking for a single player World of Warcraft-like experience, and I did play through a significant portion of the main story - but eventually went back to WoW as it didn’t quite scratch that itch enough.

I probably should revisit it sometime in the near future - hopefully on the Steam Deck (haven’t checked compatibility).

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Had all the individual makings of an exceptional game (with input from Todd Macfarlane, R A Salvatore and Grant Kirkhope), and while it was definitely enjoyable enough - it lacked any wow-factor whatsoever, winding up an otherwise forgettable 7/10.

Maybe the scientists behind the blackest-black wanted a new challenge, and decided to try and develop the whitest-white? Sure feels like they picked Hard Mode!

Undoubtedly; I guess I’m more pointing to the point that I think the ‘neo-liberal’ cancer metastasised within the DNC.

Carrying forward with the analogy, it will take a significant commit through radiotherapy (primary challenges to corpo-Dems), chemotherapy (promoting radical left-wing policies), and surgery (forgoing corporate funding in favour of grass-roots support) in order for the party to survive.

I honestly think that the Dem’s big tent policy from the Obama administration (remember the Blue Dog Dems?) has caused them to become infected by ‘temporarily embarrassed Republicans’ who have slowly but surely used their money and influence to shift the party rightward.

Think of all those ‘Never Trumpers’, and where they’ve wound up - hell, Kamala was spruiking Liz Cheney!

Australia is going through its own self-destruction of our mainstream right-wing party - but at least they had the good graces to split into their own loose coalition of ‘independents’ (Teals) instead of infecting our Labor party.

I agree with each and every point that you’ve made above, however I disagree with your original statement that Iran is a paper tiger.

A paper tiger would have crumpled already under that level of sustained pressure. For better or worse (and I would definitely argue the latter), Iran is far tougher than we in the West tend to give them credit for.

Looking forward to when my office moves into a new building; I will then have an hour-ish commute by train where I can whip out my Steam Deck and catch up on my backlog.

Until then, it’s basically just getting whipped out for a couple 15-ish minute sessions most days.

As a non-American, I find that whole concept absurd - and that’s before learning of its ties to monarchy!

Qualified immunity; because there is no explicit guidance against police “shooting blonde, female Australian news reporters live on the air while covering an LA protests against ICE on a weekend” - he will be let off with a stern talking to, and a wink.

Hogan putting cancer over doesn’t work for me, brother!

1. Largely yes, though there are a number of titles which are currently experiencing issues: Official Compatibility Guide

2. Yes: Official Guide to Transferring Data from a Switch to a Switch 2

Being the usual suspects:

Front Mission, if you like tactical RPGs (ie. where you move characters on a grid game map during battles).

Sad woo noises…

There’s a lot of noise and disinformation floating out there, here’s the simplest explanation:

The Switch 2 will launch with three different types of physical cartridges denoted by serial numbers to describe their purpose:

LB - The cartridge will work on Nintendo Switch 2 consoles only.
LP - Game Key cartridges in which a digital download is required.
LN - The cartridge will work on both Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.

Echoing everyone else’s sentiments in saying thank you for the write-up - we really don’t get enough Tas-specific news here, even just across the strait!

What do you think is the likelihood of Labor winning a majority/minority Government as a result of a potential snap election?

That explains the YouTube short from the ABC? which came across my feed earlier today.

Their coverage is woeful as always, is there a succinct summary of what’s happening for those of us outside Tasmania?