27/07/23 - Thinking Time

 

So..... Today was a day! I slept in till 10:30 (that's A.M for the Americans out there) and got the missus to ring the doctors for me about my feet. Prognosis could have been better for them I suppose but It's not life threatening. He said that I still need creams and other med's. The doc said I still can't walk on them for an extended period of time, they still bleed and crack whenever they want (usually in the mornings). I was given a really strong anti-fungal / Steroid cream to put on twice a day. I feel like a bit of a scum bag having a foot fungal infection in both feet but I do work in a factory and have to wear really cheap steal toe-cap boots. I did buy my own ready for when I got back and have treated them.

Anyway........ after that, I had to try find said cream, which was really an ointment apparently. I went to every bloody pharmacy I could to find except the one right next to the doctors. Why didn't I go there first!? Probably because I expected it to not have it because it's so close (Sods law). I went to ASDA Woolstanton first, They didn't have it and could't order it, not in there suppliers list. I Tried every one back to the where I live until I got back to the doctors I originally came from. The pharmacy next door to it had it to my surprise! 

It's now 01:48 (thats A.M again for our American friends). Other than that all I did was go shopping at ALDI in Biddulph. We split our shopping between different supermarkets to get the best deals we can, Bloody cost of living crisis! We didn't get much for £54 but it wasn't bad. I would hate to be somebody who only shops at M&S, you would have to remortgage the house every month.

I'm about to play DooM, because I'm old....................

The PlayStation Plus Essential Titles for August Unveiled

 

Immediately following the revelation of August's initial PlayStation Plus Extra catalog game, PlayStation has announced the trio of games that will be available for PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers during the month. This interesting mix will be a thrill for those who enjoy the intensity of difficult games or the thrill of creating them. There's also something for golf fans.

Here's what's in store for Tuesday, August 1st:

PlayStation Plus Essential Games for August 2023:

PGA Tour 2K23

Put your golfing prowess to the test in PGA Tour 2K23 and aim to become the next FedExCup Champion. Compete against professional players and forge new rivalries. For the first time, both male and female professionals, including Tiger Woods, are playable in online and local modes. Boost your MyPLAYER with new abilities and archetypes and show off your style on the course with new licensed gear. Create and manage your own online societies for tournaments and seasons, or put your abilities to the test against friends in Divot Derby and Casual mode. The Course Designer allows you to design the course of your dreams with thousands of customizable objects and cross-platform sharing.

Dreams

Dreams is an expansive, ever-evolving game universe by the award-winning Media Molecule, makers of LittleBigPlanet and Tearaway. In it, you can explore community-created games from around the globe and learn to craft your own. Dreams is the latest incarnation of the studio's "Play, Create, Share" philosophy, providing a platform for your creativity to shine. Use its innovative, user-friendly tools to breathe life into your ideas and share them with a worldwide community. Whether you wish to create games, music, paintings, animations, sculptures, movies, or anything in between, Dreams is a phenomenal digital playground where everything is possible.

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Moreover, as part of Dreams joining PlayStation Plus, Tren, Media Molecule's newest game, will be available to play within Dreams. Tren is a sentimental adventure that lets you control an extraordinary toy train, telling a personal story about maturation and the transformative power of play.

Death’s Door

Engage in a dark yet hilariously grim narrative, utilizing melee weapons, arrows, and magic to conquer an impressive array of beasts and demigods in this isometric action-adventure. Customize your character's stats, master obtained abilities and upgrades to gain an advantage as you navigate a world filled with twisted inhabitants and numerous secrets. Bring hope to the quirky and charming characters you encounter on your journey.

PlayStation Plus subscribers have until the end of July to claim the current offerings, which include Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Alan Wake Remastered, and Endling – Extinction is Forever.

Breaking Barriers: 'Sea of Stars' Sets a New Milestone with Simultaneous Launch on PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass

 

We're stepping into uncharted territory with an unprecedented release happening this August 2023. 'Sea of Stars', an indie RPG that fans of retro gaming will love, is set to make its debut on both Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus on the same day. This event marks the first simultaneous launch on both subscription platforms, opening up new possibilities for future game releases.

Drawing inspiration from iconic SNES RPGs like 'Illusion of Gaia' and 'Chrono Trigger', 'Sea of Stars' exudes a nostalgic aura with its stunning retro pixel art style. Brought to us by Sabotage Studio, the same creative minds behind the 2018's acclaimed 'The Messenger', 'Sea of Stars' is a turn-based RPG that revives the charm of classic JRPGs, complete with a Zelda-like top-down perspective.

Sabotage Studio isn't merely rehashing the past; they've stepped up their game by collaborating with legendary composer Yasunori Mitsuda, the man behind the unforgettable scores of 'Chrono Trigger', 'Chrono Cross', and 'Xenoblade Chronicles 3'. Given the lofty standards set by Mitsuda, we can anticipate an exquisite, immersive audio experience to accompany our journey in 'Sea of Stars'.

The confirmation of a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass was announced last month, but it was PlayStation's recent Twitter announcement that truly took the gaming world by storm. PlayStation Plus will also be getting 'Sea of Stars' on its launch day, August 29, a first in the history of gaming subscription services.

Details of how this simultaneous launch came to fruition remain a mystery. Generally, day-one releases on one platform's subscription service preclude a concurrent launch on a competitor's service. Yet, in this intriguing situation, we see a glimpse of a future where more titles might launch across multiple subscription services as they gain prominence in the gaming industry.

'Sea of Stars' is entering a highly competitive late August release window, alongside heavy-hitters like EA's 'Immortals of Aveum' and FromSoftware's much-anticipated 'Armored Core 6'. Fellow indie titles 'Goodbye Volcano High' and 'Under the Waves', published by Quantic Dream, will also be sharing its August 29 release date. Even amid such stiff competition, 'Sea of Stars' might just have a unique advantage being the first-ever game to debut on both Game Pass and PS Plus on the same day.

With the stage set for an August 29 release on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, 'Sea of Stars' is ready to capture the hearts of retro RPG fans and set new trends in the gaming world.

The Resurgence of Retro Gaming: A Dive into the Xbox Retro Games

 

For those who long for the simpler gaming days of the Amiga, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum, we have some good news for you. Retro gaming isn't merely a remnant of the past; it is alive, well, and experiencing something of a renaissance.

In a major coup for gaming nostalgics, Antstream Arcade, in collaboration with Phil Spencer, has brought over 1,400 classic games to the Xbox ecosystem. This selection of beloved titles, now known as the Xbox Retro Games, provides a delightful trip down memory lane.

Retro games offer something truly special. If you're a modern gamer who's been venting about the challenges of current titles, perhaps you should spend some time with the original 1986 version of The Legend of Zelda. It might make you appreciate the 'easy' difficulty of your modern gaming pursuits!

While many of these old-school games might not ring any bells for younger players, there are certainly some iconic titles in the Xbox Retro Games list. Fans will appreciate the inclusion of classics like the original versions of Mortal Kombat, Double Dragon, Rampage, and Gauntlet. These games hail from an era marked by vibrant colors, exaggerated silhouettes, and over-the-top concepts – a stark contrast to today's hyper-realistic graphics and immersive storylines.

To access this treasure trove of retro gaming, you'll need to download the Antstream Arcade app. The app is compatible with Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, adding another layer of value to the already impressive Xbox Game Pass services.

Of course, retro gaming on an Xbox Series X|S isn't without its challenges. While having 1,400 titles to choose from sounds great in theory, not every game is a gem. In fact, your enjoyment will largely depend on your personal preferences and whether you have a taste for the retro aesthetic.

Furthermore, the lack of keymapping could frustrate modern gamers accustomed to customizing their gaming experience. This limitation is a hot topic in the retrogaming community, especially amongst those who prefer to emulate games. While owning an assortment of retro controllers can enhance the nostalgic feel, the practicality of connecting them to your PC or Xbox console can be a hurdle.

Thankfully, there is a workaround: simply connect a keyboard and mouse to your Xbox console. Microsoft has made this process straightforward in recent years, offering some relief from the keymapping woes.

Despite the hurdles, the addition of Antstream Arcade's offerings to the Xbox ecosystem will surely spark joy for retrogaming fans. It might not be perfect, but it's a significant step forward in preserving and appreciating the games that laid the groundwork for the gaming industry we know and love today. So, if you've ever longed to relive the glory days of retro gaming, now is the perfect time to dive in!