Rahf

I'm going to be incredibly reductive here:

You either love Kojima's knock-you-on-the-head writing and ludicrous need for excess, or you detest the pandering. I don't view him as an auteur with clear ideas, but rather the kind of guy that wants to be, or even believes he has really good things to say.

But what I really dislike is his writing. I find it at times juvenile, so incredibly--insanely overwrought, and far too in love with itself.

I'm on the bandwagon, you guys. First time in a long time.

Crazy Rich Asians

I had minor expectations going in, and feel like they were fulfilled. It is a romantic fantasy, supported by a generally fabulous cast, that is so far removed from everyday life it becomes more because of it. It feels like Romcom 101, and I'm no fan normally. But tacked on are some cultural eccentricities and a wonderful cast. The film knows its strengths, and embraces them--every veneered smile and perfect East Asian face.

I really enjoyed it. Well and truly. It balances the aspects of Asian culture very well to a Western eye, at least to mine. So you're not necessarily left out, but you can spot aspects of behaviour and culture that are both alien and reminiscent of something we know. The only exception is mahjong, which is fine because the actual game in that particular scene is still presented to the point where you instinctively know what a certain move signifies, because it's still standard romcom.

Really enjoyed it. The glamorous approach was excellent fantasy escapism for a 30-something guy like me.

TL;DR: It's Asian Entourage in terms of glamour, the good-looking people, and nothing else.

Earl is nothing without ToeJam, and they are a t'ight package duo. TJ drops some funky lines and his fat hype man brings it way back up.

Funky!

@brian_: man, I'm almost becoming Dan in my adamancy.

I haven't seen or heard any negative or tepid reactions on Death Stranding, before the crew got their hands on it. Remember that Kojima's last game was a serious GOTY contender, ending as runner-up. Then the lingering memory of MGS4, which tells me they loved it--despite or because of the lunacy.

@nutter: perhaps, but Dan is potentially the proverbial bull in a china shop with Death Stranding.

@nutter: Crackdown 3 will be in the mix, but it didn't ever have any buzz about it. Especially not among GB staff.

Some will advocate for Anthem, which means Dan will get the opening to have another RDR2 moment. I cannot see Death Stranding losing this one. It's fresh in our memories and had oodles of interest due to Kojima. Anthem was getting side-eyed before release, I'll say.

@geirr: if we're gonna go by that logic, Link's name is one of these: "Hiia!" "Zik!" "Whua!" "Waaaaaah!"

Guys, the thread was necrobumped by a bot.

@jaykuschert: There's plenty of content. Now, if that's content you want to watch is another matter, but your statement is, unfortunately, untrue.

@mellotronrules: but it has also never been a favorite among the staff. Patrick Klepek tried it years ago, and I remember him enjoying the overall concepts but not gushing over the series as a whole.