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Brian Sunter
cf7c3849ce324fbac4b08c6794a406a8a9abe6fc27e65c62061b3036cd686e47
Software Engineer and AI enthusiast. Sharing what I build and learn.

The challenge is to choose 20 games that greatly influenced you.

One game per day, for 20 days. No explanations, no reviews, no particular order.

#retrogaming

#retrogame

#videogame

#gamingart

#gamingcommunity

#gamedev

#gamedevelopment

#gamingindustry

#gamedesign

#indiegame

Day 1

Super Mario Land

https://m.primal.net/NuTD.mov

Replying to Avatar fiatjaf

All comments on this thread failed to suggest a decent note-taking app that isn't super convoluted.

I used Telegram as a way to quick jot notes for future use, reminders and whatnot, but I am trying to move out of that, so I started using https://simplenote.com/, but what a weird app. It logs me out if I don't use it for like 2 days, I don't like the fact that it has these titles because I don't need titles, I just need a place to paste content, and also it's not chronological like Telegram messages but also I can't reorder the notes as I wish, they are shown by most recent updated first, which is weird.

Anyway, all of that was ok if it wasn't for the weird syncing issues that started to happen recently: it takes sometimes hours for updates made in one device to be synced to other devices, I don't know, it looks like their server is broken or something.

nostr:nevent1qqsqqqqclq2ruh9cv4m3hhetvn3nracyeggrj6hg2hmcwa8qypzq7aqppemhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mp0qyghwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnhd9hx2tcprfmhxue69uhhq7tjv9kkjepwve5kzar2v9nzucm0d5hs7zjj8d

I don't know why I'm writing this note anymore, but I think we could easily have a note-taking app with private notes writing to private relays on Nostr.

Logseq

I wanted to like Octopath Traveler so badly, but I’m abandoning it. Too grindy.

Landed hits on this boss for like an hour and wiped. Twice.

The 3D pixel art style is great though.

Experimenting with making my own Nostr relay.

Very pleasantly surprised that I was able to implement a Twitter-like backend in about 30 minutes (NIP-1, NIP-2, NIP-11)

I put my custom relay URL into a standard client and it just works 🤯

2025 planning based on Ali Abdaal 's life areas.

Second year in a row I've used these areas to categorize my goals and projects.

15 minute language learning routine: One graded reader with audio and 10 mins of Anki flash cards per day

Surfers at Waikīkī Beach #hawaii #surfing #travel

https://m.primal.net/NMCb.mov

Ozembic ad attached to my pizza delivery box.

Ka'ena Point - Oahu #photography #hawaii

The average American gains 30+ lbs of fat in their 20s and 30s.

That equates to an average caloric surplus of 16 calories per day.

So the caloric equivalent of 2 gummy bears per day is the difference between gaining 30 pounds vs not.

I just finished Outer Wilds! One of the best games I've played in a while. Here's my review:

What's it about?

It's about exploring a small solar system in your spaceship while trying to solve a mystery. I don't want to give spoilers since figuring things out yourself is a huge part of what makes it special.

Who would like it?

If you enjoy puzzle-solving, space exploration, and games that trust you to figure things out on your own, you'll probably love this.

What is the gameplay like?

The core mechanic is flying your spaceship using realistic zero-gravity physics - "an object in motion stays in motion," so you need to think way ahead about slowing down before reaching planets. Just navigating properly, landing safely, and not losing your ship are engaging challenges. It's like playing lunar lander but in a full 3D space environment.

Does one specific element of the game stand out to you?

The completely nonlinear design really sets it apart. Progress comes from solving puzzles, reading texts, and understanding how various mechanics work. Something you discover early on one planet might be crucial for solving a puzzle on another planet hours later. These "eureka moments" when everything clicks together are incredibly satisfying, especially since solutions often work together in surprising ways.

What elements did you like?

I love how it handles being an open world. Unlike many games that feel empty and sparse (like the new Halo and Zelda's vast fields), Outer Wilds strikes a perfect balance. It gives you complete freedom but keeps every planet densely packed with unique and interesting things to discover. Another great touch is all the Easter eggs and creative achievements - there are tons of unexpected things that can happen while exploring.

What elements did you dislike?

My only real frustration came about 30 hours in when I got stuck and had to check a guide. Some of the steps to finish the game felt pretty non-obvious.

How does the game compare to similar games?

Unlike typical open world games that can get boring with too much empty space, Outer Wilds keeps things focused and meaningful. Every planet feels carefully crafted with creative stuff going on. It manages to deliver both exploration freedom and purposeful design in a way I haven't seen before.

https://m.primal.net/MxfL.mov

So close to beating Outer Wilds. Amazing game.

I keep failing the final mission 😕

There’s a few things that felt impossible to figure out though. Had to consult a guide for some of the final steps.

Kahe Point State Park (Electric Beach) - Oahu Hawai’i #hawaii #photography

Kahe Point State Park (Electric Beach) - Oahu Hawai’i #hawaii #photography

Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout, Oʻahu

I’m reading Carl Sagan’s cosmos. One thing I learned was how long bacteria were the only life on earth. They were the main form of life for billions of years

4.54B years ago: Earth forms.

3.8B years ago: Life begins with bacteria.

541M years ago: Cambrian explosion makes complex life.

2M years ago: Genus Homo emerges.

300K years ago: Modern humans