Jeremy

After some frustration yesterday, I am now very satisfied with #PopOS. I successfully have it skipping the login screen and opening Steam automatically on boot. I don’t have it launching into Big Picture Mode as it’s annoying to get out of if I want to do something on the desktop but with a press of the Xbox button on my controller it jumps right into Big Picture Mode.

I was having an issue with certain games not entering full screen properly yesterday but that isn’t a problem today for some reason. When I exit a game, Big Picture Mode is windowed instead of full screen but I actually think I prefer that.

Ultimately, I can get in and out of games without needing a keyboard/mouse, which was my main goal, so I’m happy! And I really like how the new COSMIC desktop environment of Pop!_OS looks, especially after I figured out how to customizing it to my liking.

#popos #linux

Just installed a 100” #projector screen in our guest room (which also doubles as my office). Now I’m going to gather some speakers and wire them up for surround sound and we’ll be ready to watch #TheSuperMarioGalaxyMovie for the first time, as it’ll be available to stream online in less than 9 hours.

I’d like to play games on this home theater setup as well, but I’d definitely want a better projector as the one we have is pretty cheap.

I updated my profile with a list of all the games I’ve finished this decade in chronological order. Thought I’d share it since it took a good chunk of time to put together.

2021
Final Fantasy X (PS2)
Final Fantasy XV (PC)
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux (3DS)
Final Fantasy VII (PC)

2022
Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE Encore (Switch)
Persona5 (PS3)
Shin Megami Tensei V (Switch)
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (PC)

2023
Persona4 Golden (PC)
Soul Hackers (3DS)
Soul Hackers 2 (PC)
Final Fantasy XIII (PC)

2024
Persona5 Strikers (PC)
Final Fantasy XVI (PS5)
Persona3 Reload (PC)
Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS)

2025
Final Fantasy VIII (PS1)

2026
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster (PC)
Astral Chain (Switch)

Getting very close to the end of #AstralChain! I think I’m on the final boss battle. It seems pretty tricky and I ran out of restorative items again…

I’ve also been making steady progress on getting the True Demon Ending in #SMT3. Been trying to open all the doors in the Fifth Kalpa. Got Uber Pixie and Black Frost and just beat Metatron!

I played some of the #ResidentEvil4 remake demo yesterday and all of the #ResidentEvil2 remake demo today. I really got the hang of aiming by the end of the RE2 demo thanks to these games both allowing me to invert the X and Y axis. I don't like relying on that feature to be able to enjoy games and I was thinking about training my brain to aim without inverted controls, but I think I'm too far gone at this point.

Anyway, I really enjoyed RE2 and there is a bundle that also includes RE3 currently discounted on Steam. I don't really need new games right now but I can make an exception in this case as I think it's beneficial for me to play more games that aren't RPGs.

I also downloaded the GameCube version of #ResidentEvil to play on my Razer Edge alongside the Wii version of RE4. All that should satisfy me for as long as this kick lasts. I love the fact that they are shorter games. It would be awesome if I finish at least one this year.

I’ve been very happy during my first 2 1/2 months using #Linux on my primary gaming PC. I managed to get all my games and mods working, with just one exception: the Xbox 360 emulator #Xenia, which I only use to play #LostOdyssey.

I’d rather not use #Windows again on this computer but I guess it’s appropriate that I have to in order to play an Xbox-exclusive game.

I also have save files on my Windows SSD from my games that don’t support cloud saves (most notably FFVII); so today I decided to cross enemy lines and rescue them!

I unplugged all the cables going to my PC, opened it up, uninstalled my graphics card, air-dusted everything, installed the Windows SSD, reinstalled the graphics card, closed up the PC, and plugged everything back in.

When screwing in the m.2 SSD it looked like it was bending and then I realized I should be using the standoffs that were in the bag with the SSD screws. Much better fit! I added a standoff to my new Linux SSD too. I’ve watched a lot of #PCbuilding videos and never saw standoffs used with m.2 SSDs.

I broke in my new Pop!_OS install by using it to flash #LineageOS on my #RazerEdge!

I ran into some hurdles along the way, seemingly because the USB-C port on my Edge is faulty, but I persevered!

I really need to stop messing with my devices and work on my large list of home improvement projects, and I think I’m just about ready to do that.

I would like to get #Bazzite on my SFF HP ProDesk at some point since it’s in the living room and it has a GTX 1650, which I recently learned can utilize Steam Gaming Mode unlike my GTX 1080. However, I need to make sure it can run Minecraft mods for my kids.

I do think I can hold off on that until Windows 10 support is officially over.

I managed to finish 4 games in just over 4 months (FF8, SMT3, Astral Chain, and FF9).

My only goal for the rest of the year is beating #FinalFantasyVIIRebirth.

Just got back from my trip to the Washington DC area. I stuck with the plan and brought my Switch and my new Anbernic RG40XX H. I kept the latter in my pocket throughout the trip and it worked out really well. I had several chances to pull it out and play #FinalFantasyIX which was great. Finally got through Ipsen's Castle and made it to Terra!

During the 8-ish hours of total plane time and a couple other occasions in between, I played #AstralChain on my Switch. I really struggled with a boss fight on the plane ride there, but it was a good challenge as it made me better understand the mechanics of the battle system (which I love).

Managed to get through that and then got stuck at a motorcycle sequence. After countless attempts, I decided to lower the difficulty level at the beginning of the plane ride home, which allowed me to finish File 9. Afterwards I realized that I haven't upgraded my legions in a very long time so I was very underleveled, which explains the difficulties I was having.

I'm now deep into File 10 and have been appreciating how awesome this game is. Very balanced and varied gameplay, great performance, and it even looks good when the resolution drops.

I got my new #Anbernic RG40XX H #emulation handheld on Tuesday. Installed #Knulli (a custom firmware) on it and then spent way too long figuring out how to import my #FinalFantasyIX save file. It should've been easy since I've done it so many times but unfortunately not.

Things I like about this device:
-Looks awesome (I'm a sucker for rainbow RGB on black)
-Great ergonomics (the d-pad and joysticks are both easily reachable)
-Very pocketable
-Quiet face buttons
-Good sized 4:3 aspect ratio display with minimal backlight bleed that seems to get bright enough to use it outside

Things I don't like about this device:
-It's just barely too underpowered to play FFIX at 2x resolution without slowdown during some battle animations
-Speakers aren't great
-Bumpers and triggers are very clicky and loud
-Colors aren't very vibrant and blacks aren't very black

Overall, I'm happy with this device and plan to keep it. Definitely worth $50.

Instead of ignoring the exploration and side quests of #FinalFantasyVIIRebith, I have found that tackling that more mundane kind of stuff while I work is excellent, and have recently been making very steady progress in the Corel region!

I really like #CachyOS

Made it out of Midgar in the original #FinalFantasyVII and into Chapter 9 in #FinalFantasyVIIRebirth!

I now have some freedom to do side content in both games. I did everything in the first two regions of Rebirth and there is a ton of stuff left to do in the third, but I think I’m going to fight the temptation to check off boxes and beeline it to the next story beat in my newly acquired buggy.

Hit the 50 hour mark in #FinalFantasyVIIRebirth as I entered Corel Prison. About to do some chocobo racing at the Gold Saucer!

One of these days I’m going to get the 7th Heaven mod manager installed for the original #FFVII, which I had set up nicely before I switched to Linux. Last time I played I was making my way through the Shinra building. I’d like to get caught up to where I am in Rebirth.

I got the original FFVII for Switch not too long ago but I’d much rather play with mods.

Just made it to the Gold Saucer in #FinalFantasyVIIRebirth, which I am finding very cool.

I often take for granted the fact that the video game I played and enjoyed more than any other during my childhood is being remade at such a high level of quality.

I don’t love a lot of the fluff they’ve added to these games but seeing areas like this modernized is such a treat!

Now that I’m done with Astral Chain, I plan to return my focus back to #FinalFantasyVIIRebirth.

I’m tempted to use my morning game time to play something that I’m closer to the end in, like #TalesOfBerseria, since I’ve enjoyed the rapid shortening of my backlog lately, but I think I’ll try doing that while I work, after I beat #SMT3 again. That shouldn’t take long, as soon as I decide what demons to fuse before reentering the final dungeon, which I’m currently struggling with.

I beat #AstralChain!!

That final boss battle offered the perfect level of challenge. It took me over a dozen attempts. I didn't have any items that replenished my health, which made it harder, but luckily I did have items that gave me more lives. I had 8 total and I needed every single one of them.

I started this game at the beginning of 2022 and my save file says my playtime was 30 hours, but my Switch says I've played it for 40 hours or more. I think that is the perfect length, especially since there was still a ton of side content I didn't do and a bunch more just introduced in File 12, which becomes available after the credits roll. There is also a ranking system and you can retry missions if you wanted to get the highest rank.

Highly recommended Switch exclusive!

Making another attempt at playing Steam games on my Razer Edge with #GameNative.

I gave up on using GameHub a while back as all I could get running was Hades and it always crashed multiple times before successfully booting into the game.

I don’t expect great results from playing most of my Steam library on here since the Razer Edge isn’t all that powerful and I have very limited storage, but I think #TalesOfBerseria would be a perfect fit. If it doesn’t work, my next pick would be Final Fantasy XIII-2.

UPDATE: I tried very hard but I couldn’t get Tales of Berseria to boot. I managed to clear up just enough space to download FF13-2. We’ll see how that works. The more I mess with this, the more I realize how unnecessary being able to play Steam games on a handheld device is for me…

Just got an email from #DekuDeals saying that the Switch version of #Persona3Portable just went on sale! Perfect timing as I can now take it on my upcoming trip to DC without bringing the cartridge.

Made it to the Fifth Kalpa in #SMT3! Glad I used a guide for this instead of trying to figure it out myself as the stuff you need to do after beating the boss of the Fourth Kalpa is very convoluted.

I'm happy I didn't move on from this game without finishing the Labyrinth of Amala. Also happy I got to see what it was like to beat the game before the enhanced rerelease came out that added the content I'm going through right now.

I think I've got myself into a dopamine bender. This happens from time to time. I recently have had the urge to buy something, and with my interests and self-imposed budget, that again has led me to obsessively shopping around for a new gaming handheld.

I find it helpful to have something to think about throughout the days to keep my mind occupied, but at a certain point that well runs dry and I become exhausted trying to get more out of it. Then I start having a hard time getting things done that I should be doing.

That's where I am currently. Today I should be receiving the RG40XXH I ordered off AliExpress 5 days ago. The wait has been rough for me, but I saved $30 over ordering it from Amazon and getting it the next day. Hopefully I like it.

I'm mainly thinking about optimizing my free time on a trip that me, my wife, and 4-year-old are going on soon. Although I often end up with decision paralysis when I pull out a handheld to play during those times. My goal is to just play Final Fantasy IX at those times, so I don't have that problem.

During the 4-hour flights I'm thinking about bringing my Switch and working on Astral Chain.

I am fully committed to finishing #FinalFantasyVIIRebirth as soon as I can.

Having my PS5 on my desk instead of in my bedroom like it was at my old house makes it so much easier to play on a daily basis.

I was going to stick to just the required content in the game but I do enjoy some of the side content, like playing Queensblood and piano. It’s mainly the open world exploration stuff that I don’t enjoy.

I tried to play Episode Aigis while I worked yesterday but I kept wanting to pass turns without losing them like I got so used to in #SMT3 and not being able to do that really bothered me, so I exited P3R and loaded SMT3.
I found my latest save file before the ending was locked in and got to work on completing the Fourth Kalpa. True Demon Ending here I come!

I also decided to start #SMT4Apocalypse for the first time on my 3DS yesterday. I usually play #DevilSurvivor on the rare occasions that I use my 3DS but I have been stuck on the same battle for a very long time.

I’m going out of town soon and may end up with more time to play it. I was looking for another pocketable device to purchase but have been struggling to find something better.

Decided to play #FinalFantasyVIIRebirth this morning. Was treated to a good boss battle and some interesting story beats. I’m about halfway through this game. I’d like to get into it again but I should just stick to the required stuff from here on out. I can’t say I enjoyed doing all the side content in the first few areas.

I could get into #Expedition33 instead, or try to go back and forth between both, but I like the idea of focusing on the games I’ve already spent a bunch of time on.

I’ve been making progress in #Persona3Portable. Just got through the June full moon. Some of the character drawings and voice acting in this game (mainly those of Fuuka and Akihiko, who just joined my party) seem very strange to me as someone who has played a lot of Persona 3 Reload.

It’s too bad that the audio quality is so bad in this port. Makes me wish I had the game on PC so I could mod it, but it runs so well and looks so crisp on Switch.

As I have been re-setting up my Razer Edge after installing LineageOS on it, I have been trying to get my most recent save data from #TheLostStory off my hacked #Wii.

I thought it was on the USB drive I had plugged into the back of the Wii, but that drive currently has a Debian install image on it…

I don’t think I would’ve formatted it without backing up the data, but all I can find that could be the backup is a folder called “wbfs”, which just has games in it.

I also checked the SD card in the Wii, but that doesn’t contain any save data either.

My last hope is that it’s in the Wii’s internal storage. So I pulled a TV with component inputs out of the garage and connected my Wii to it. I am currently transferring the wbfs folder back onto the flash drive and if I’m lucky, I’ll soon be able to load the save file I’ve been looking for.

I don’t think there is much more than an hour’s worth of gameplay I’d be missing out on, but for whatever reason, going through all this to find it is worth it to me.

I’ve been thinking about upgrading from 5.1 to #DolbyAtmos but there just aren’t very many games that utilize height speakers. There’s also the problem that Atmos doesn’t support #Linux. It would cool to experience it with #FinalFantasyVIIRebirth on PS5 though.

While waiting for the RG40XXH handheld I ordered from AliExpress to arrive, I impulsively bought the #RG505 from Amazon since it was one of the few that would arrive next-day and it seemed like it may fit my requirements of being pocketable and having quiet buttons. Plus, it’s OLED!

Well, I got it yesterday and it seemed like something I may want to keep. I was happy with the buttons and the overall build quality but it was barely pocketable. However, I thought having the OLED panel would be worth the bulk… until the sun went down and the mura effect on the screen revealed itself.

I probably should have expected this as I had the same problem with the RG503 I tried out a year or two ago and they both use the same OLED panel.

Anyway, I’ll be sending this back as I wouldn’t be able to enjoy playing it in bed.

This was a learning experience, though, as I now know exactly how pocketable a device of this size is. And I also realized the Switch Lite is technically pocketable…..