Pheran

So the Series X I bought on launch night from the MS Store that was shipped out last month and supposed to be delivered 12/16 randomly showed up today (a month later). This is after FedEx confirmed they lost it and MS refunded me my money. I'm guessing MS will end up recharging me at some point since they opened an investigation. I'm just happy it came today (assuming it works, given how long it was in transit) because the return period on the Series X I bought at Best Buy to hold me over is up today.

I don't know, sounds like you might've just gotten a free Series X.  I'll guess you'll see.

I do not think I could ever beat the final boss on Star Wars Fallen Order on any other difficulty than easy. I was frustrated playing it even then. Not dying but just frustrated with sort of the cheapness of a lot of the moves. Still the ending was pretty great and it leaves the story in a good place also.

 

Edit: I may need to check my left bumper because I just watched someone do it on Grandmaster without taking damage and his block seemed way more effective than what I was getting. I felt like my block was broken way too often. 

I finished the game on normal (or whatever it's called) but I made sure to max out my character before the end section because I figured it would be ugly (it was).  The boss on normal with all stims and skills isn't too horrible - took me a few tries, but the improved heavy attack can really do some serious damage once you've broken the boss' guard.
 

How about a force user who just happens to be a Bounty Hunter? Doesn't even need to tie into Jedi or Sith, just give us force powers to use as we want and some semi decent gameplay.

I just watched a Clone Wars episode where your description exactly applies to Ventress.

Yeah, I was just thinking this could be Assassin's Creed: Jedi.  But that's not necessarily a bad thing if it's well done.

Nice, Borderlands is shelved in my backlog. I will try to get that one in while the 10k is up. 

Tales from the Borderlands is not only good, it's practically mandatory to play between Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3.  Many of the characters introduced there reappear in Borderlands 3.

Sounds like the Indy game is a ways off, like it might have been announced pretty quick after the deal was signed. I'd guess this means they'll wrap up the modern Wolfenstein with 3(D?) Before the whole team shifts to it.

I wonder if it will be exclusive, I feel like those announcments will come shortly after the acquisition is finalized.

A brand-new IP would be the perfect place to invoke exclusivity without pissing everyone off by taking away an ongoing multiplatform series.
 

Can our eyes even see the difference at that point?

Nope.  8K is worthless in the vast majority of consumer situations.  You might get a small benefit on a huge (e.g. 85") screen if your viewing distance is close enough - except that consoles can't handle this resolution for games (despite claims to the contrary) and there's no real video content out there either.

Is there anywhere with decent pricing on XBL subs right now? I was considering reupping mine (it's been lapsed for a year or two), and thought I'd try to pick up a cheap sub and convert it.

$50 at Newegg with promo code EMCEHEA39

If you are a Costco member, they have 2 years for $95.

I ran across this today and thought it might be a personal attack on CAGs.

JFC that game lmao. I had forgotten all about no fast travel and the endless supply of ponchos. Having just played Demon's Souls and Valhalla (still playing actually), I can safely say my decision to quit that shit cold turkey 10 hours in was justified. It wasn't even close to deserving all that mouth service it got, and IDC how damn desperate reviewers were to call a Star Wars game good again.

 

Star Wars: Unleashed was even a better game, hands down.

I thought the same when I was playing, and even posted a negative review here partway in, but the game gets better as you go.  I'd say the first third is annoying, the second third is decent, and the final third is really fun - and I loved the ending (no spoilers).

But yes, the lack of fast travel (it should at least unlock after you "beat" an area), the stupid sliding parts, and some other janky bits definitely mar the game experience.  And Cal's wardrobe has the worst fashion sense imaginable - collectible ponchos that are all ugly, thanks a lot.

Oh boy, the January bonus round punch card implies there will be another 10K achievement rewards starting January 6th.  I don't know if I can do that again after burning up that last 10K of relatively easy games.

Newegg deals today:

12-month Gold for $50 with promo code 84LCFHD273

$100 Xbox gift code for $90 same promo code 84LCFHD273

I finished WW84.  I see where they were trying to go there, but wow, what a ham-handed mess.  So disappointing after the first great film.  I guess the curse of DC is back.

PS: Don't miss the post-credit scene, it might be the best part of the film.

So I know 3 years is the limit for Xbox live stacking. My sub expires in like a week so I assume I have to wait until them to actually add 3 years total since it would otherwise be over 3 years by a few days, correct?

Correct, you cannot redeem any code that would make your subscription exceed 3 years.

@Samsung TV aficionados, I'm eyeballing this TV:

 

https://www.bestbuy....p?skuId=6401717

 

I know it doesn't support Dolby Vision and the price just went up by $100, but I don't see the TCL Series 6 75" TV coming down to this price range anytime soon.  Does anyone have experience with the Samsung 8 Series TVs?  I plan to connect an Xbox One X and then (whenever I can get one) a Series X to it.

I wouldn't go for this TV if you want real functioning HDR.  The TU8000 has no local dimming and doesn't have sufficient brightness to actually support a decent HDR picture.

Wow, WW 1984 was bad! Watched it with the family and nobody liked it

I'm only about 2/3 of the way in so I can't render final judgement, but I agree it's not up to the quality of the first film.

Come on guys, we are supposed to argue about The Last of Us 1 & 2, not Nintendo games and The Beatles.

Those are the greatest games of all time but also totally overrated and they suck.  I think that covers it.