Lurker > CaptainOfCrush

I didn't touch alcohol the third night, and I regretted it after starting to feel everything ache during the Powerglove/Protomen concerts.

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Yoblazer
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foolmo, me, Wigs, Extha

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Yoblazer
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LordoftheMorons posted...

As someone who grew up in NoVA, I definitely dont identify as a Southerner...!

There's a statue here in Alexandria honoring Confederate troops. My family spent Christmas in a rental cabin near Shenandoah National Park and saw several homes proudly flying the Confederate flag. I've never explored the South outside of quick trips to New Orleans and Nashville (do those count), so what I've seen in VA was brand new to me and decidedly "Southern" for anyone who grew up on the west coast.

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Yoblazer
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What an awesome experience - so glad I did this and I'll definitely try to be back next year. Huge thanks to @WiggumFan267 and @ExThaNemesis for showing me the ropes - can't believe we finally got to meet after 15 years! And great meeting up with @foolm0r0n again.

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Yoblazer
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Day 1 was a blast!

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Yoblazer
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I certainly understand; I'm still quite obsessive about certain gaming accomplishments (900 Koroks in botw guy over here), but I'm not sure I have the stomach for thousands of failures.

I quit Smash Ultimate a couple weeks after launch because the community had evolved so much and I really didn't want to exert the effort needed to keep up. I went from winning like 80% of online games in Brawl to 20% in Ultimate.

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Yoblazer
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I don't think I can do that type of gaming anymore.

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Yoblazer
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In. Currently playing with my niece in Alexandria but I'll uber in and out. Also, the more lax west coast laws have spoiled me; I've forgotten that many Southern states - including VA - make purchasing alcohol more difficult.

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Yoblazer
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This is probably the most overwhelming Game of the Decade favorite since SMB in the 80s.

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Yoblazer
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It's possible that I was more hyped for the RedLetterMedia review than for the actual movie.

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Yoblazer
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One issue with Skyward Sword is that it made such heavy (perhaps onerous) use of the Wii's motion controls that I'm not sure if it can be properly played with a traditional controller. I imagine this prohibited a Wii U port, but don't each of the Switch's joycons essentially function as a Wiimote*? A remaster might be possible now!

*I may be wrong. I've owned a Switch for a year and have used the joycons for maybe five minutes.

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Yoblazer
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Congrats! Glad things seem to be going so well.

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Yoblazer
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That's one of its major flaws.

1. Handholding
2. Questionable pacing/filler
3. Overused motion controls (I remember swimming and bomb rolling as particular annoying and unnecessary)

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Yoblazer
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Skyward Sword had some of the best dungeons in Zelda history, and I maintain that some of the motion controls worked well enough to enhance the experience. Unfortunately, the game was bogged down with a lot of crap. Some of the highest highs and lowest lows of any Zelda game, imo.

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Yoblazer
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Sounds interesting if they would have dropped hints and foreshadowing for the first two movies. They've never done a good job conveying that Rey/Luke were actually tempted by the dark side. For both of them, we assume it can happen only because The Emperor said it would happen. There was nothing convincingly pulling them in that direction. That only happened with Anakin in the PT and holy shit I think I actually like something from the PT more than the OT

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Yoblazer
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I can honestly see that if you simply aren't willing to suspend disbelief enough into buying the Palpatine return. Not only is it ridiculous, but it does cheapen Vader's sacrifice and redemption imo. I think most people acknowledge this, but we also accept Palpatine's role in this movie because it's hard to think what any writer could have done after Snoke was killed off (neither Kylo nor Hux could have carried a final installment as the big baddie).

My opinion is still torn - it would be much easier to hate on Palpatine's return if the character himself weren't so awesome and fun.

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Yoblazer
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Alright, the freshest thoughts I've put to writing:

• The movie felt its length. This wasn't 2:30 that just whizzed by; if anything, it felt longer to me, and that wasn't due to fatigue from a late-night showing.
• The focus for the first half was very strange. The big trio's adventures ran so long, but there wasn't any explanation as to how Palpatine returned. This is the main plot point and Abrams presumably thought any explanation would have sounded ridiculous, but I probably would have preferred something over literally nothing.
• Again, the Rey/Finn/Poe adventures were too lengthy and I think a good chunk of it could have been trimmed. Unlike RotJ's first act in Jabba's palace, these scenes weren't nearly as fun and unneeded to pad an already long movie. They were also stupidly paced, like half a dozen locations in the first 40 minutes. I've already forgotten why much of that stuff was important.
• This might be an unpopular take, but I still have trouble buying Leia as this incredible leader. The performance from Carrie Fisher, god bless her, just didn't pack that kind of presence. I saw a frail old woman for three movies.
• I really began to see the problem many people have with Abrams as a director - feels and melodrama over sensible plotting. There was so much stuff in here that didn't make sense (beyond Opening Crawl Palpatine, which a viewer has to immediately accept, lest I can't see them enjoying the movie). Example: Kylo Ren, on the cusp of vanquishing Rey, hesitates and allows himself to be struck down because his mom used the Force to call him "Ben" once. Why would that be powerful enough to turn a guy who killed his dad like a year prior?
• I thought Kylo's sacrifice was well done. That kiss, however, was not. I didn't see that coming AT ALL and am pretty shocked they threw it in there. That wasn't a part of Ben/Rey's relationship. An overwhelmed embrace would have made way more sense.
• Keri Russell looked amazing in her suit. I think she just leapfrogged slave Leia and any other Star Wars heroine in the rankings.
• I was pleasantly surprised to see Harrison Ford back for a scene, and somehow looking younger than he did four years ago imo.
• A lot of the nostalgia was so on-the-nose but I couldn't help be drawn in. The Jedi voices speaking to Rey at the very end was a very special moment.
• Prequel stuff! Palpatine rehashed one of his most famous prequel lines, and they brought in Hayden fucken Christensen are you kidding me
• My single favorite scene in the move: Wedge. I can't explain why, but seeing Wedge was the ONE moment that sent chills down my spine and tears in my eyes. More than Han, Luke, or Lando. I did not expect Wedge and it hit me like a truck.

Overall, I felt it was a very flawed and messy film, but I don't think I'll grow to dislike it more over time like I did with TLJ. If anything, maybe the opposite will be true, but who knows. Palpatine as a whole is a tough pill to swallow, and maybe I'll grow cold to his introduction once time has simmered my opinion down.

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Yoblazer
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Sitting in the theaters chatting with my group as the end credits roll.

Is this the most nostalgia-heavy movie in history? I feel there could have been 100 nostalgia bombs.

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Yoblazer
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Can someone please make an "official" Board 8 discussion topic with the spoiler tag?

I just got to the theater. Waiting for my friends and expecting this to suck, but I do wanna discuss it immediately. I imagine this will be the last movie I care to see at midnight for years.

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Yoblazer
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Trump's been President for three years and the country hasn't burned to ashes in a smoldering fire, the economy - regardless of your metrics - hasn't collapsed, and we haven't entangled ourselves in any new wars that have resulted in the deaths of thousands of young Americans. Enough of the country has been conditioned to accept this pathetically lowered standard, and because of that, he'll be tougher to beat in 2020 even if he faces a stronger opponent than Hillary. The incumbent's advantage won't simply disappear.

Speaking more specifically, I still believe this election is overwhelmingly about the Midwest, and if anything I feel Trump will be stronger there than last time. He won't be ceding WI, MI, IA, and PA so easily (and OH is red).

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Yoblazer
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I think you get it in 3-3. My assumption is that the second most common place to pop it is the 2x Wolverine room, which is also a good idea because that room can be hell.

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Yoblazer
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While the interpretation of "addiction" is up to you, when creating this poll, I'm envisioning less of a medically diagnosed condition and more of an over-reliance/dependence on something that you personally felt was very unhealthy for you.

Also, if you have felt an addiction to more than one of the above, please vote for the one you feel was the most severe or inhibiting.

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Yoblazer
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Punnyz posted...

well duh, AVGN is a exaggerated cartoon character. But they usually have a point. This feels like he wanted to Talk about MM, forgot he used his AVGN persona, and the "anger" felt like an after thought and he had to play catch up and came up with these.

I think he just liked the game less than he anticipated, and he found enough things he disliked to really jump on. Let's not forget that not every AVGN episode is about nerd rage. People are comparing this one to his Earthbound review, but he was far more lavishing of praise on EB, which suggests he simply liked it more.

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Yoblazer
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Regarding AVGN's proficiency as a gamer: if the years of footage indicate anything, he's probably a lot better at the 2D oldies than anything in 3D. Dude beat Ghosts n Goblins; unless his frustrations with MM were completely staged for humor, he's just an old NES gamer who rarely gets into anything from the last two decades.

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Yoblazer
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My post in another topic:

Majora's Mask is quite beautiful in its atmosphere and the way it presents themes like death and sadness. That atmosphere and emotion is what stays with a player throughout the years, so it makes sense that the game is venerated now while its flaws are largely glossed over.

I expected a largely positive impression from James (similar to Earthbound), so I'm surprised that he didn't seem to enjoy it much, but I'm glad we finally got a negative take on this one. I fucking treasure my memories with MM, but thinking back on the subpar dungeons and the padding, I'm not sure how much I'd enjoy it today.

Also, MM and OoT are different enough that not many criticisms really apply to both imo.

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Yoblazer
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RE2 got zilch? Can't say much since it's literally the only 2019 game I've played, but I still feel the sting.

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Yoblazer
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pjbasis posted...

Don't you get something for killing him normally or not?

The same Crown Jewel no matter how you kill him. And yeah as stated, he's the biggest bullet sponge in the game (and probably the most difficult boss), which is why I save the rocket for that moment.

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Yoblazer
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Verdugo is almost always what I use the 3-3 rocket launcher on.

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Yoblazer
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The bolt action rifle and standard shotty? Totally doing it if so.

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Yoblazer
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Dammit now I gotta do a replay. Please give me any three weapons and I will use only those (no overpowered NG+ stuff plz).

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Yoblazer
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Congrats, my friend. Thrilled for you both!
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Yoblazer
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Yeah I kinda wanna do something crazy like shotguns only.
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Yoblazer
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Julia Voth Jill remains the GOAT character model... although this new Jill design looks alright, I guess.

Gotta say Nemesis looks less imposing and more derpy, which isn't the best sign.
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Yoblazer
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LadyVyxx posted...

The original REmake is cheap these days I believe and the best starting point

Having "rediscovered" REMake since the HD Remaster, I was a bit surprised as to how well it has aged. It is hauntingly beautiful - sometimes resembling a series of dark paintings - and the mansion remains a pinnacle of level design. I don't think it's a stretch to consider it an all-time great game. It is so, so much better than RE0.

However, the one point which makes me hesitate to recommend it to a first-timer is the difficulty. Every zombie is a real threat, and inexperienced players can quickly find themselves overrun and out of ammo. While the modernized control scheme should help new players along, it might not be a bad idea to "tune up" with an easier entry to the series. I think RE2 fits that bill best.
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Yoblazer
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I honestly think RE4 is mislabeled as the "death knell to classic RE horror" because half the internet has invested a dozen playthroughs and forgotten their first time with the game. Back in 2005, the village (especially at night) was just as scary as RE2's police station. I'll argue that point with anyone forever.
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Yoblazer
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LeonhartFour posted...

I mean, I've got RE0 from when it was free on PS+

I say this as your friend - please don't start with 0. It's not really a "bad" game, but it is absolutely NOT the best that the series has to offer.
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Yoblazer
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Definitely, 5-3 is amazing. Krauser is the star attraction, but I've really come to appreciate the U-3 fight as well. The fight itself was so good that I feel the game did it a disservice by shoehorning it into the "Krauser chapter" as an afterthought. U-3 should have had Chapter 5-3 all to itself (with a little more buildup), and Krauser should have had 5-4. As it stands, 5-4 and 5-5 are probably my least favorite chapters of the game, and the only parts where RE4 starts to feel its length imo.
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Yoblazer
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70-80% is probably the sweet spot. That buttery bitterness of cocoa is without parallel imo. Of the two extremes, I definitely prefer the intensely dark 90%+ over milk chocolate.
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Yoblazer
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I feel there's enough gameplay variety to keep most of the game fresh.

Chapter 1 - Intro. Most encounters are tense because everything is new. Capped with a unique boss fight at the lake.

Chapter 2 - The village at night, which I feel is about as unnerving as most classic REs. Introduces Las Plagas to up the tension, as well as El Gigante and the fantasic cabin fight which keeps the game straddling that fine line between horror and action. Capped with the unnerving Mendez fight, which imo is as creepy as anything from RE0-3. This is probably my favorite chapter.

Chapter 3 - The pacing does dip here since 3-1 is so long, 3-3 is perhaps the shortest chapter in the game, and 3-4 is Ashley's chapter (which will naturally turn some players off). Nonetheless, the setting is completely changed with the introduction of the castle and the creepier zealot enemies. Novistadors and Garradors (the giant insects and blind claw-men) also keep things fresh. By this point, most enemies have attacks that can easily decapitate Leon, who fights back with the addition of a SUPLEX to his arsenal of attacks. Still, there are no climactic boss fights here and the sub-chapters are inconsistent, so I don't think this is one of the game's strongest parts. In its defense, here is where the game's campy reputation is best established thanks to Salazar.

Chapter 4 - Makes up for Chapter 3 in spades. This is where Leon truly begins to explore the castle's secret areas, uncovering lava chambers, death traps, an elaborate network of underground tunnels, and a literal mine cart roller coaster. Waves of enemies are tossed at the player, and the quickly changing environments and setpieces (coaster, massive Salazar statue, lava areas) keep things interesting. By this point, the game has evolved - or devolved, depending on one's perspective - to focus much more on action than horror, but moments like the brilliant Verdugo fight maintain a subdued atmosphere of unease.

Chapter 5 - This one is messy and a little all over the place. Regenerators are probably some of the creepiest enemies in a video game. They are formidable, awkward, and practically pulsate with discomfort. Everything about them - from the music, to their labored breathing, to their unnatural animations - is designed to unnerve the player. They are encountered one at a time and NEVER as part of an enemy wave. When these guys aren't around, however, innumerable soldier grunts are thrown at Leon - many now wielding armor and long range weapons. While I'm not sure, I get the feeling that Chapter 5 might allow Leon to rack up more kills than the first four combined. The game still tries to blend action and horror, but it feels a little inharmonious here, and I feel some players resent the game's final hours because they essentially do serve as the precursor to RE5 and 6. Additionally, the final boss kinda sucks.

So yeah, RE4 does labor a bit across the finish line, but that does little to detract from its reputation as an all-time classic, and I honestly feel it usually keeps things fresh enough to justify its length.

2 > 4 > 1 > 3 = 5

Sorry for the novella, but I'm having trouble sleeping and can chat about this game all day - LEON PLAY IT.
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Yoblazer
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It's fine as long as you're an actual functional adult and wait for her to make the first move.
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Yoblazer
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Punnyz posted...

Waluigi1 posted...

Time is more important than money imo.

This creates a weird situation

Time is Money

but should you spend money to save time?

or sacrifice Time to directly obtain the money?

Laugh... and grow fat.
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Yoblazer
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RE2 and Sekiro seem to have had the best mix of critical and fan reception. I feel that if RE2 could have been a big favorite had it released now instead of January.
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Yoblazer
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Surprised the OP gave my state (Nevada) such a respectable rating. If you can keep from developing a gambling addiction, it's really not a bad place to be.
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Yoblazer
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Jakyl25 posted...

The chicken is worth funding bigotry

It's overrated imo.
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red13n posted...

It feels like its been longer than that tbh. Hes always been works at gamestop guy(But apparently not).

I remember Pun's first GameStop topic. IIRC, he had another job, was offered a position at GS, and accepted while originally viewing it as more of a side job.
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Yoblazer
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Looks like a half-funhouse, half-warehouse

ie: ugly as hell.
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Yoblazer
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SF is the most expensive city in the country, and judging by your first post, it seems that a "massive amount of debt" is a concern in your life, so I hope you've prepared for the cost of living there.

That said, I don't want to signal too much doom and gloom, so congrats!
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Yoblazer
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Maybe I'm being very surface-level with my thinking, but wouldn't invisibility be most useful/used to violate people's privacy or break into places unauthorized? The fact that it's almost winning depresses me a bit.
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Yoblazer
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Also must admit that I'm geeking out at BotW hitting the top of every one of these lists the past couple years, seemingly regardless of criteria or perceived bias.
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Yoblazer
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Ludwig (Bloodborne)

Honestly like half the Bloodborne bosses.
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Yoblazer
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