#PC Cleaning Optimizer

[pccleanerexperts]

Best Fast PC Cleaning Software to Optimize and Protect Your Computer

Your computer is like a well-oiled machine, but over time, it can slow down due to accumulated junk files, and outdated software. That’s where fast PC cleaning software steps in to save the day. In this article, we’ll explore the best PC cleaning tools designed to optimize your system and keep your computer safe from threats.

Why Use PC Cleaning Software?

Before diving into the top picks, it’s essential to understand the benefits of using PC cleaning software:

Faster Performance: Removes junk files and clears cache to boost speed. Enhanced Security: Scans for malware and protects sensitive data. Optimized Storage: Frees up valuable space by removing unnecessary files. Extended Lifespan: Reduces hardware stress for a longer-lasting computer. Top Picks for Fast PC Cleaning Software Here’s a roundup of the best tools to clean, optimize, and protect your PC:

Rabid Cleaner Best for: Comprehensive PC cleanup and easy-to-use interface. Rabid Cleaner is a household name in PC cleaning software. It removes temporary files, clears browser cache, and manages startup programs to enhance your PC’s performance.

Key Features:

Real-time junk file removal.

Browser privacy protection.

Registry cleaner for smooth performance.

Advanced SystemCare Best for: All-in-one optimization and real-time protection. Advanced SystemCare by IObit offers a user-friendly experience with powerful features like system optimization, malware protection, and a deep PC cleaner.

Key Features:

AI-powered system scan.

Real-time malware protection.

Boosts internet speed by managing bandwidth.

CleanMyPC Best for: Intuitive design and deep cleaning. CleanMyPC provides a clean interface and focuses on optimizing your system without compromising security. It’s perfect for users who want a lightweight yet powerful cleaner.

Key Features:

Secure file shredder for privacy.

Registry maintenance.

Multi-language support.

Wise Care 365 Best for: Budget-friendly PC cleaning with professional features. Wise Care 365 is an excellent option for users seeking affordable yet reliable cleaning software. It offers deep system optimization and enhances overall performance.

Key Features:

Fast junk file cleanup.

System health monitoring.

Privacy protector to remove sensitive data.

Glary Utilities Best for: Advanced users who want manual control. Glary Utilities is a versatile PC cleaner that offers over 20 tools to optimize your computer. Its one-click maintenance feature makes cleanup quick and straightforward.

Key Features:

Duplicate file finder.

Disk defragmentation.

Startup manager for faster boot times.

How to Choose the Best PC Cleaning Software?

With so many options, selecting the right PC cleaner can be overwhelming. Here’s what to look for:

Ease of Use: Choose software with a simple interface and intuitive navigation. Features: Look for tools that offer both cleaning and protection, like scanning and optimization. Compatibility: Ensure the software is compatible with your operating system. Customer Reviews: Check reviews to gauge user satisfaction and reliability. Pricing: Compare free and paid versions to determine what fits your budget.

Tips for Maintaining PC Performance

Using a PC cleaner is just the first step. Here are additional tips to keep your computer running smoothly:

Update Software Regularly: Ensure your operating system and applications are up to date. Avoid Overloading Storage: Keep at least 20% of your storage space free. Uninstall Unused Programs: Remove unnecessary apps to save resources.

Conclusion

Investing in fast PC cleaning software is a simple yet effective way to optimize your computer and protect it from potential threats. Whether you’re a casual user or a professional, tools like Rabid Cleaner, Advanced SystemCare, and CleanMyPC offer reliable solutions for better performance and security. Regularly cleaning and maintaining your system ensures your PC stays in peak condition for years to come.

[yamicsoftwindowsrepair]

Unlock Peak PC Performance with Yamicsoft’s Windows Optimization Tools

Is your Windows PC running slower than usual? Experiencing long startup times, unnecessary background processes, or storage bloat? With Yamicsoft’s powerful Windows Optimization Tools, you can bring your system back to life—faster, cleaner, and more efficient than ever.

Whether you're using Windows 10 or Windows 11, Yamicsoft’s suite of utilities provides comprehensive system optimization in one convenient platform.

🚀 All-in-One System Optimizer

Yamicsoft’s optimization tools are designed to make your Windows system:

Faster – Reduce startup times and increase responsiveness

Cleaner – Remove junk files, broken shortcuts, and registry clutter

Smarter – Monitor resources, tweak services, and streamline apps

Safer – Enhance security and privacy with real-time protections

You don’t need to be tech-savvy—Yamicsoft provides user-friendly dashboards and one-click solutions for deep system management.

🧰 Core Features of Yamicsoft’s Optimization Suite

🧼 1. System Cleaner

Erase temporary files and cache

Remove old Windows updates and logs

Clean registry errors without risk

🚀 2. Startup Manager

Control which programs launch at boot

Improve startup time significantly

Eliminate hidden startup bloat

📁 3. Disk Analyzer

Identify large and duplicate files

Optimize drive space usage

Track disk activity in real-time

🔐 4. Privacy Protector

Disable tracking features

Clear browsing and usage histories

Secure sensitive data

🧠 5. Smart Optimizer

Automatically adjust Windows services for better performance

Tweak internet and network settings

Customize system behavior and appearance

🔄 Keep It Automated

Don’t want to run tasks manually? No problem. Yamicsoft supports scheduled optimization, so you can set it and forget it. Cleanups and tune-ups can happen daily, weekly, or monthly based on your preference.

👨‍💻 For Everyone—From Beginners to Power Users

Whether you're a casual user looking to clean your laptop or an advanced user customizing every setting, Yamicsoft adapts to your needs. Every feature is carefully explained, with safe, reversible actions to protect your system integrity.

✅ Why Choose Yamicsoft?

✔ Trusted by millions of users worldwide ✔ Designed specifically for Windows 10 & 11 ✔ Regular updates to keep up with Microsoft features ✔ One license, lifetime use options available

📥 Get Started Today

Reclaim your PC’s speed, security, and stability with Yamicsoft.

👉 Visit www.yamicsoft.com to download Windows 10 Manager or Windows 11 Manager and start optimizing in minutes.

[filehulk]

PrivaZer Download - Clean Junk Files & Protect Privacy

PrivaZer is a free tool with an optional premium version that acts as a privacy protector, registry cleaner, and junk file remover for your PC. It helps users safeguard sensitive data by eliminating unwanted traces left behind during regular computer use. PrivaZer goes beyond typical cleaning; it can securely erase data, making it nearly impossible to recover. This feature is especially…

[newspatron]

10+ Epic Ways to Speed Up Your Laptop for FREE

Did these tips help your laptop zoom? Share your experience or ask questions in the comments below! 👇

🐢 Feeling the Need for Speed? Turbocharge Your Laptop – for FREE! 🚀 Hey there, fellow laptop warriors! Ever feel like your trusty machine is dragging its feet? 🐌 You’re not alone. Whether you’re battling the dreaded spinning wheel of doom or just wishing your laptop would wake up faster than a teenager on a Monday morning, we’ve all been there. But hold on tight, because I’ve got some good…

[tricksfunn]

Advanced SystemCare Pro v17: Tune-Up Your PC for Peak Performance (Free License)

Is your PC feeling sluggish? Taking forever to load programs? Advanced System Care Pro v17 aims to tackle these woes and breathe new life into your machine. Let’s explore what this recently released optimization suite has to offer. Boost Speed and Clean Up Deep Advanced SystemCare Pro v17 boasts an AI-powered cleaning mode that identifies and removes junk files, temporary data, and leftover…

[pckeepcleans]

PC Keep Clean is a website for tips and tricks about Windows maintenance and cleaning your computer. Both physical computer cleaning, such as screen and keyboard cleaning, and also cleaning the Windows operating system.

[vallification]

armin arlert headcanons!!!

notes: au/noncanon oriented, some apply to canon too, maybe a few mature themes!!!

let me know your thoughts!!!

armin’s eyes are bright and clear uranian blue (#afdbf5)

obviously armin is scary smart, but even when he doesn’t know something he can guess with about 95% accuracy.

nerdmin is real.

his “nerd thing” is fantasy stuff. skyrim, renaissance faires, dnd, etc.

armin is the pc gamer god, so much so that eren and jean both plainly refuse to play against him. if they’re not on armin’s side they won’t play.

armin, sasha, jean, and connie have a stardew co-op farm. he’s achieved perfection on his own in five different loads

he played soccer from middle school to college. the privilege of playing college ball was a crazy surprise because he was weaker and smaller than everyone on the team— however, he was definitely quicker.

armin does calisthenics now because he greatly appreciates the control it gives him over his body. since he doesn’t workout for muscle growth you wouldn’t be able to tell from appearances, but he is incredibly strong

the movie perfectly captured my hc for his aesthetic, maybe a bit more mature looking than that but it’s otherwise perfect

armin wears a cheap casio digital watch

armin really hates that he’s seen as cute and sweet and not hot by most people. he feels this especially when he’s at a party or event with eren and jean.

black chuck taylors are his every day shoe, they’re very worn but still very clean

armin needs his glasses to function optimally, but he’s not helpless without them.

armin loves biology and all of its subjects, but marine biology and the ocean have his heart

despite his low self esteem and saint-like patience, he refuses to let people treat him like a doormat.

armin is everyone’s friend, but naturally eren and mikasa are his best friends. jean is close though!

he likes to do his own thing in social situations, but after a few drinks he’s a social butterfly

armin wears a silver ring on his left middle finger and a silver charm style bracelet with his watch.

he drives a dark blue 1991 mazda rx7. it belonged to his father once, and he fixed it up to mechanical and aesthetic perfection with eren and connie’s help.

i’m really not sorry, he’s also bisexual.

armin is a huge eavesdropper

he has ONE very small tattoo of a star on the back of his arm, just above his elbow, courtesy of jean via connie’s amazon tattoo gun

he hates when people wallow in self pity, so he’s rather ashamed of his insecurity and low self esteem.

armin has lots of little moles, they’re everywhere. face-wise, he has one on his left cheek and to the left of his mouth!

armin is a super dry texter, texting him is literally like exchanging work emails. he does enjoy imessage games though

[evol-astraea]

Desperate PC Tenno calling for help!

Calling all the tech-savvy players here on Tumblr who may hopefully lend me and tech support a hand. Yes, the situation is that bad. More under the cut to spare a lengthy wall of text!

I've been experiencing totally random and sudden crashes with WF since a month and half, by now.

The game first freezes for less than a minute, then crashes to desktop bringing up the window to report crashes. This happens literally anywhere and anytime in the game. During mission, at the end of the mission, while idling in the Orbiter/base of operations, sitting in the pause menu, checking the settings menu. All kind of possible scenarios. Ah, and DX11 or DX12 make no difference either.

It's driving me - and tech support - insane. Because it is so HARD to pinpoint the root cause! Every log file so far has reported some kind of General Protection Failure (GPF) error followed by different numbers.

I'm running the game on a brand new, pre-built computer from Megaport. Which I moved to from my old potato of a PC back in late November. Specs are the following: Windows 11 Home (build 24H2) Intel Core I7-12700KF, 8x 3.60 Ghz + 4x 2.70 Ghz ASUS Prime Z790-A Wifi DDR5 NVidia GeForce RTX 4070 Dual Palit 12GB 2x 32GB Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 1 TB SSD 1000 Watt PSU

I have done everything tech support has suggested me to do and: - Uninstalled and re-installed the game, - Update drivers. Being a new computer, everything is pretty much up to date. I had to do a clean install for the GPU drivers only using DDU, though, - Verified game files, - Emptied the shader cache on the drive game is saved to, - Repaired Steam library, - Lowered graphic settings, - Attempted to launch and run Warframe in Clean Boot mode to exclude background programs/services <- unsuccessfully; Steam didn't work at all (which I kind of figured would happen) and trying to launch the game straight from the launcher...triggered a download of the game files in the App Data folder on main (C) drive. O_o The random crashes don't even appear in the Windows Event Viewer. Nowhere to be found. And believe me, I have looked into every single category. I've been keeping track of the time(s) of the crashes but, alas, found nothing that could possibly be related to those. (also, I'm not a computer expert so perhaps I'm doing things wrong)

So far, the only weird thing I've noticed is...Most of the times there seemingly is a "break" in between each series of crashes. A few days at worst, 10-12 days at best. Yes, I checked even the Task Scheduler utility on Windows. Found no program/app that runs automatically that matches with the timing/days when the crashes have occurred so far.

Really losing my mind to this. It's frustrating, it's unnerving, it's making me genuinely terrified of playing the game. And the reason I got this PC in the first place was being finally able to play my favorite game without worrying about being unable to because of my old (and obsolete) machine! Because I don't know when the next crash shall decide to happen and oh boy it's gonna be so fun losing progress. Or having a couple of players reasonably angry at me for suddenly poofing as host. I'm really sorry about that, folks.

I'm already considering the option of total formatting this computer, should there be no other way. But not before entirely giving up. And maybe make things a little less complicated for tech support team.

I can't thank these guys enough for their help and most importantly patience over the past month and half. This mess has been handed to three different people already and a solution hasn't been found yet.

So, if there are fellow Tenno on Tumblr who have either experienced something like this before and found a fix or are just more knowledgeable about computers and whatnot, your help would be GREATLY appreciated. ;.;

EDIT: I forgot to mention a few important things! - Hardware temperatures are within optimal range while in game (CPU never above 65°C, GPU has been running ice cold and has rarely exceeded 50°C so far, RAM is chilling at 45°C average). - GPU memory usage averages around at max (peak) 77% on HWInfo. - CPU usage I honestly need to check! D: - Ran disk cleanup, scans with sfc, chkdsk and DISM (all through command prompts ran as admin) and no issues were found. - Checked RAM health as well with Windows' memory diagnostic tool. However, it seems to give many false positives even on perfectly functional RAM banks. Looking for a more reliable alternative. - Warframe is the only game that keeps crashing on this PC. I haven't been getting any with other games/programs (Hades II; need to test how Ultrakill performs) or any warning signs (BSODs, freezes, sluggish PC, etc) that could suggest hardware failure.

[daily-nikki]

Optimization Preview | Version 1.5

From the Official Nikki Website.

Breaking News: Version 1.5 Drops MASSIVE Optimizations + FREE 10 Pulls!

Keep Reading for more in depth coverage of what's in store.

[Camera] Optimization: Enhanced Photography Experience!

Momo's Camera is getting a major update in Version 1.5!

Version 1.5 will introduce vertical photo mode for PS5 and PC platforms. For mobile devices, due to the wide range of models and screen specifications requiring extensive optimization, this feature is still under active adjustment and will be released once fully polished. We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of our mobile players!

The new update will also allow you to save and share up to 20 custom photo settings. Preserve your favorite configurations, then effortlessly share them with friends.

On top of that, we've addressed feedback about limited composition options due to Nikki's fixed poses. After the 1.5 update, Momo's Camera will debut a free movement mode, enabling Nikki to move freely during photoshoots. This "small step" for Nikki could lead to a giant leap in capturing stunning shots—get ready to immortalize even more dazzling moments with her!

*This is an in-development version of the game. Please refer to the actual in-game content.

Leila has arrived! The previously teased camera merchant Leila arrives in Version 1.5! you can use camera modification tools to unlock 8 new photo poses, including "Drowsy Yawning," "Play the Pipa," and "Graceful Floating." In the future, Leila will also offer additional poses, filters, and other photography goodies for purchase or exchange—so stay tuned!

After snapping your shots, you'll now be able to rotate photos and edit them with stickers and text! Experiment with a variety of stickers to personalize your memories and craft dazzling keepsakes!

*This is an in-development version of the game. Please refer to the actual in-game content.

Embark on an Adventure with Nikki: New Storyline Unlocked!​

Version 1.5 Bubble Season brings a thrilling new chapter.

What begins as a lighthearted graduation trip soon spirals into an epic journey. Guided by a mysterious stranger, Nikki witnesses a world in crisis and steps into a rift in time and space, venturing toward the primordial Sea of Stars. There, she'll uncover secrets about her past, present, and future—and encounter countless versions of herself from parallel worlds.

A brand-new multiplayer map will open, featuring unique gameplay mechanics and co-op challenges. Co-op is entirely optional—solo players can enjoy the map at their own pace, with a focus on relaxed, stress-free exploration. Dive in and savor the adventure!

Alongside the update, Nikki's MV "Echoes of the Stars" will debut, where Nikki will tell the story of her celestial journey. Follow /@InfinityNikkiEN for updates—prepare to be swept away by the harmonies of the Sea of Stars!

But the adventure doesn't end there! Nikki will visit the secluded Serenity Island, where she'll meet new Piecey companions and unravel long-forgotten tales. Immerse yourself in the island's rich bathing culture and leisurely charm—a perfect respite before your next cosmic quest!

Unleash Boundless Creativity With Custom Ability Styling!

As Nikki's journey across Miraland unfolds, she gets better at harnessing her Whim. After collecting a set number of Ability Outfits and completing their story quests, Nikki will be able to use abilities freely, unbound by specific outfits.

Once an Ability Outfit is fully collected and its power unlocked, head to the Ability Setup interface to customize its appearance. Mix and match your favorite aesthetics to create unique looks for each ability.

Some abilities require specific items to function (e.g., handheld items). For these, you can swap the design of the required item (e.g., choosing a different style of cleaning brush for the Default: Animal-Grooming ability) but cannot replace it with an item from unrelated abilities (e.g., scissors from Tailor: Animal-Grooming, fishing rods, or bug-catching nets).

Some outfits, like ​​"Daughter of the Lake"​​ and ​​"Spectral Mist,"​ feature special effects. These are tied to their full sets and can only be activated by wearing the complete outfit.

*This is an in-development version of the game. Please refer to the actual in-game content.

Visual Upgrades & Ability Enhancements!

With the launch of customizable ability styling, we've upgraded the visual effects of select Ability Outfits to make their powers stand out even more! The following outfits have received art upgrades and ability refinements: "Crystal Poems," "Froggy Fashion," "Breezy Tea Time," "Shark Mirage," and "Forest's Fluttering." The "Crystal Poems" outfit now features a special purification animation: Nikki will wield her wand to cast Purifying Orbs, accompanied by a shimmering snowfall effect around the wand. While many stylists requested customizable orb colors, these hues are tied to future story developments—stay tuned for Nikki's evolving abilities on her adventure! The "Froggy Fashion" outfit has been upgraded to the new [Croaker Chorus: Whimsicality] ability, allowing Nikki to summon four Croakers for a lively choir session. This ability upgrade will debut alongside the [Croaker's Whisper] rerun event during Version 1.5's 4-Star Resonance period. Outfits available in the permanent Resonance event like "Breezy Tea Time," "Shark Mirage," and "Forest's Fluttering" also receive polished ability animations. Upon acquisition, their ability items—a bug-catching net, fishing rod, and cleaning brush—can now be swapped for exclusive new designs during use!

Glow Up & Recolor! Enhanced Benefits Await!

An upgrade will elevate the Glow Up experience: 5-star/4-star outfits and pieces unlock new color variants after being fully glowed up. For 3-star outfits and pieces, glowing up won't unlock new colors directly, but you can now use materials in the dyeing feature to unlock additional unique hues.

Starting in Version 1.5, fully glowed up outfits will grant color variant pieces directly via the Glow Up interface. More outfits will gain this feature in future versions.

*This is an in-development version of the game. Please refer to the actual in-game content.

Interaction & Gameplay Improvements​

We have been continuously enhancing visual performance across mobile and PC platforms. Detailed improvements will be announced separately via our official channels.

In addition to visual optimizations, we have also optimized button interactions during gameplay. We've added ​​X/Y-axis inversion for keyboard/mouse and controller, and the ​​custom keybinding system​​ will now support ​​combo key customization​​ (e.g., assigning keys for the ​​Timeless Melody's​​ exclusive skill).

Additionally, we have reduced grind for the two PS trophies ​​"I Swear, This is the Last Time"​​ (using Surprise-O-Matic 1,000 times) and ​​"Heart Full of Wonders"​​ (100 Iridescent Eurekas), allowing everyone to obtain Platinum trophies within a more reasonable timeframe.

Other Ongoing Optimizations

Album Sorting Fix

The display order problem in Momo's Album will be resolved in Version 1.5. Thank you for your patience!

​​Streamlined Main Interface + Immersive Mode

In Version 1.5 Bubble Season, a function hub button will be added to declutter the main interface, grouping and organizing secondary features into a tidy menu.

Additionally, a new immersive mode hides all UI elements (except an exit button) and interaction prompts while retaining shortcut functionality. Perfect for distraction-free exploration and photography!

Whim Calendar

Track event progress and manage Vital Energy efficiently with the new Whim Calendar on the main interface. Plan your adventures smarter!

The path of optimization never ends—future updates will bring even more refinements to your adventure. To all our beloved stylists, thank you for your unwavering support of Infinity Nikki. Your feedback and passion have been the guiding stars lighting our way forward. As a token of gratitude, 10 Revelation Crystals will be gifted to all players upon the launch of Version 1.5 Bubble Season. Let's set sail toward new horizons together!

The celebration of creativity goes on, and our pursuit of excellence never rests. Ahead lies the boundless Sea of Stars, where every twinkling star holds a story waiting to be heard. Together, we shall march onward, embracing a future sparkling with endless possibilities. Here's to brighter days ahead!

[blissfullyunawares]

5 Days of Helping You Outline Your Next Novel

Day 5: Obsidian for Outlining

Find all 5 installments of the mini series: helping you outline your next novel

*I have added a layer of “static” over my screenshots so they are distinctive enough to stand apart from the surrounding text

did you miss this series? here you can find all posts here: [day 1] [day 2] [day 3] [day 4]

Do you use Obsidian?

What is Obsidian?

A note-taking and knowledge management tool that allows you to create and connect notes seamlessly.

Uses a local-first approach, meaning your data is stored on your computer, not the cloud (unless you choose to sync).

Features bidirectional linking, which helps create a non-linear, networked way of organizing ideas—great for brainstorming and outlining.

Why should you use Obsidian?

Flexible & Customizable – Unlike rigid writing apps, you can design your own workflow.

Distraction-Free Writing – Markdown keeps the focus on text without extra formatting distractions.

Ideal for Outlining & Organization – Connect story ideas, characters, and settings effortlessly.

Obsidian for Writing

Outlining

Creating a One Pager

Create a single markdown note for a high-level novel summary.

Use headings and bullet points for clarity.

Link to related notes (e.g., character pages, theme exploration).

Here’s an example of an outline I’m currently using. This is what my website will have on it (and what goals I hope to achieve w my website)

Using the Native Canvas Tool

Use Obsidian’s native Canvas tool to visually outline your novel. (Best on PC)

Create a board with columns for Acts, Chapters, or Story Beats.

Drag and drop cards as the story evolves.

Writing

Why Write Directly in Obsidian?

Minimalist interface reduces distractions.

Markdown-based formatting keeps the focus on words.

No auto-formatting issues (compared to Word or Google Docs).

Why is Obsidian Great for Writing?

Customizable workspace (plugins for word count, timers, and focus mode).

Easy to link notes (e.g., instantly reference past chapters or research).

Dark mode & themes for an optimal writing environment.

Organization in Obsidian

Outlining, Tags, Links

Each chapter, character, important item, and setting can have its own linked note.

Below, for example, you can see the purple text is a linked page directly in my outline.

Use bidirectional linking to create relationships between (story) elements. Clicking these links will automatically open the next page.

Tags can be used for important characters, items, places, or events that happen in your writing. Especially useful for tracking.

Folders for Efficient Storage

Organize notes into folders for Acts, Characters, Worldbuilding, and Drafts.

Use tags and backlinks for quick navigation.

Creating a separate folder for the actual writing and linking next (chapter) and previous (chapter) at the bottom for smooth navigation.

You can also create and reuse your own internal templates!

Spiderweb Map Feature (Graph View)

Visualize connections between characters, plot points, and themes. Below you’ll see the basic mapping of my website development project.

This view can help you spot disconnected (floating) ideas and create bridges to them.

Exporting

Why Export?

Ready to format in another program (Scrivener, Word, Docs, Vellum, etc).

Need a clean version (removing tags, notes, etc) for beta readers or editors.

Creating a backup copy of your work.

When should you export?

Personally, I like to export every 5 chapters or so and update my live version on Google Docs. This allows my family, friends, and beta readers to access my edited work.

After finishing a draft or major revision.

Before sending to an editor or formatting for publication.

Where should you export?

Personally I copy and paste my content from each chapter into a google doc for editing. You may also want to make note of the following export options:

Markdown to Word (.docx) – For editing or submitting.

Markdown to PDF – For quick sharing

Markdown to Scrivener – For those who format in Scrivener.

To Conclude

Obsidian is an invaluable tool for novelists who want a flexible, organized, and distraction-free writing process.

Try setting up your own Obsidian vault for your next novel! Comment below and let me know if this was helpful for you 🫶🏻

your reblogs help me help more ppl 💕

follow along for writing prompts, vocabulary lists, and helpful content like this! <333

✨ #blissfullyunawaresoriginals ✨

[itsbenedict]

Games I Played In 2024 And Whether Or Not I Thought They Were Good (Part 3/4)

[1] - [2] - 3 - [4]

More of them! I've been doing these roughly in chronological order so I'm going to have more to say about these ones probably.

Another Crab's Treasure

Haaaaaah. Mixed feelings on this one!

The idea is that it's a Dark Souls game, only, like, vibrant and colorful and ocean-themed. You're a hermit crab who's trying to get his shell back! Cute!

First off: if you get this game, do not get it on the Switch. It is broken on Switch. Like, crashes regularly, freezes up on simple object interactions, drops frames all the time... it's rough. I've seen LPs of people playing the PC version, where it looks and plays much better, so that's probably what you want to do instead. I'm shocked Nintendo let them release it on their store in this state.

And... that kind of colors my perception of the gameplay, too, because it turns out soulslike difficulty gets way more frustrating if you're usually dying to the game freezing up during an enemy attack, or the camera getting stuck where you couldn't see the tell animation, or some other technical issue that completely wasn't your fault. I was fighting the game every step of the way.

That said, I can easily see the version of the game that works, and the gameplay's pretty fun! The various shell powers, the rolling mechanics, and the smart enemy design make it really smooth to play when it's actually running at full FPS. The environment design is also really good, and overall it's very well-executed.

Hated the story, though. What a mess. It's... totally thoughtless doomer nonsense, whose primary message is "capitalism bad!" while completely failing to depict any capitalism and instead having the government be bad. It's all half-formed ideas from people with no model of how the world actually works- just a vague sense of anger at powerlessness and disenfranchisement, directed at incoherent strawmen. The speech where the evil corrupt mayor tells you that laws exist to make it legal for him to kill anyone who defies him is especially eye-rolling- as is the strawman of techno-optimism who shows up as the surprise final boss. Just idiotic stuff.

None of its metaphors even work on its own terms- like the thing where pollution is a nebulous force of corruption caused by greed in the hearts of the crabs who hoard trash, except that the greedy trash hoarders live in the clean colorful heights and the poors with no trash live in the polluted undercity with too much trash. Wait, what? Yeah.

Fun though.

Loop Hero

This one was really cool! It feels like there's some potential it had that it didn't realize, but I enjoyed it as a smaller experience anyway.

The idea is... the world's been destroyed, and you can sort of bring it back by remembering. As you walk along this desolate looped path autobattling enemies in search of a boss, you can put down tiles that change it- biomes that spawn different types of monsters, buildings that give you buffs, and terrain with global effects. As you progress, you unlock more types of tiles, and learn synergies between different types of tiles that create new effects.

There's a lot of these, and they're really cool. Like, put down nine mountains or hills in a square, and bam, you get a tall peak that spawns harpies to fight. Or put forests next to a lightning tower, and get burning forests that, uh, I think lower everyone's HP or something? Place a light source next to a field, and it blooms with flowers, doubling its XP bonus or whatever it is those do.

My problem I think is just that there's not enough of them. Each type of tile has between two and four different kinds of interactions with other tiles, and you don't really get too many elaborate combos. Most types of tiles ignore each other. I kind of wish there'd been a little more depth to these systems, with more surprising interactions with older terrain types as you unlocked new ones. Let me run a river past a spider nest and get diving bell spiders, or put a storm tower next to a vampire castle to spawn frankensteins! The surprise tile synergies were the most exciting part, and there was definitely room to include more of them.

The story had some kind of cool things to say about, like, the weight of creation, passing judgment on the world, deciding what has the right to exist. I don't know that it really explores it fully, but there's something there!

Hades II

Yep, this thing's in early access! And no surprise: it's good as hell. I've wasted far too much time in it.

Gameplay-wise, it's going to be pretty familiar if you've played Hades, but there's a few major changes. The most impactful, I've found, is that you only get one dash. No upgrading it with the mirror or getting more from Hermes- you get one, and then can hold down the button to run slightly faster if you gotta move fast. This makes Melinoe play very differently from Zagreus, who favored getting in close and overwhelming foes with a flurry of blows before zipping back out with dashes when things get hairy. Melinoe needs to stay safe a lot more than Zag does, and relies on her ranged options to do so.

(There's also a few other tweaks- every attack comes with a charged version that costs mana from a mana bar, olympian calls are replaced with "moon blessings", and of course all the weapons are new and take some getting used to- but the dash is the biggest thing.)

The story, this time, is fascinatingly weird. It concerns a war between the gods and the titan Chronos, and... it's not entirely clear if you're on the right side of it. They play up how callous and evil the gods are with respect to mortal life, and have multiple supporting characters who put this concern front and center where Hades 1 kind of sidelined it. But Melinoe is this weird, uptight honor student type of character with a strong sense of propriety and familial loyalty, and kind of doesn't care about that compared to her quest to rescue her family.

It keeps, like... dropping hints that you're not really on the right side, here? Chronos is personally unpleasant and loathsome, but you keep getting little hints that what he's actually doing is an improvement over how the gods were running things. Various character arcs seem to be headed in a "the gods suck and you should stick up for your non-god friends" direction, but...

...I mean, they can't actually do that, can they? Just, structurally! It's a roguelike, meant to be infinitely replayable! Hades 1 had a pretty elegant resolution to that problem, reframing the gameplay as something that can fit without the central conflict, but I can't imagine how Hades 2 could possibly do that. An entire section of the world takes place on a fleet of ghost ships sailing to join the war effort! Even Melinoe failing to grow and just winning seems incompatible with the game continuing. A good chunk of the game doesn't exist without the conflict! I don't see how they can possibly put a bow on all this, and I'm excited to see how they try.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

My favorite game from my childhood has received an updated rerelease on Switch... and they did it right. You gotta check this out.

I've talked about why TTYD is great before- I think one of the first posts on this blog, waaaaaay back in the day when my posts were bad and you shouldn't go looking for them? But the upshot is: the battle system uses small numbers, and you can figure out exactly what kind of damage you can dish out and take in a given turn, and plan your risk-taking and resource management around it precisely- in a way you can't really do when you've got big damage numbers with RNG ranges of outcomes. All the risk is in the execution of your guards and special moves, which let you attempt harder inputs in exchange for more favorable outcomes, with a chance that you'll fail because you fucked up,

Going back to it after so long... honestly, with fresh eyes, the writing isn't quite as lively as I remember? Like, I remember a big reason I was disappointed by later PM games was that there were no partners, or that the partners didn't really talk or figure into the story. But... honestly, TTYD does have that same problem, outside of the chapters where those characters are introduced. Once someone's In Your Party, their relevance is kind of over, and they all deliver pretty similar filler lines while out. That's something they could maybe improve on in a proper sequel.

Still, the writing generally remains sharp and very funny, and the variety of scenarios it throws at you are great. And the remake adds a few things that really enhance the experience- like new remixes of the battle theme for every chapter, and extra animations for every character, even the random background nobodies. You can hit NPCs with your hammer and they'll play a little "hey, ow!" animation now! Different characters get different dialogue bleep sounds! And they added a warp hub for backtracking, so the General White quest isn't so tedious! And a warp pipe between Creepy Steeple and Twilight Town, to cut out like an hour of pointless backtracking! All the changes they made were really smart.

(Including: putting Vivian's trans stuff back in the script, after it was cut in the original localization. Good on you, Nintendo!)

Pokérogue

I was weak. I held out two months, and then gave in. And I regret everything.

This fucking thing ate multiple months of my life. It's... infuriatingly addictive. It boils the Pokémon experience down to this ultra-tuned flow state, with accelerated levelups and mechanics to streamline the game into a roguelike form factor, and it's so goddamn tight. Every moment of it is setting you up with a thing you can do next, so there's no stopping points- just new goal after new goal after new goal. It totally hijacked my brain until I beat the damn thing into submission, doing absolutely everything it's possible to do in it.

Except "ever voluntarily using Skwovet", because fuck that thing.

Don't play this. It's bad for you.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Technically not a new game, but the DLC is basically an entire new game, with a map about the size of the base game and its own progression system and story.

I don't have too much to say about the DLC itself! It's More Elden Ring. Miquella's story is cool and tragic, the final boss was a terrifying surprise, and the new environments and enemy designs were sick as hell. If you liked Elden Ring for those things, there's more of it here! 'Nuff said.

What stuck out to me was... I started a new character and a whole fresh playthrough of the game, because I didn't know what the entry point to the DLC was. And while last time, I built a strength-focused warrior with tons of HP, this time I decided to try out a totally different build and play a squishy wizard with ranged attacks. And the game was so different like that! Still balanced, still fun, but completely a different game.

Instead of being about getting in close, staying in close, and sticking around for a long time while finding openings to attack, it became about staying at a safe distance, dodging projectiles, and retaliating with nuke spells to end fights before bosses could get much of a chance to hit me. Some areas that were a huge problem for me before were trivialized by my reusable ranged blasts, and some areas that were no trouble were suddenly a difficulty cliff because there was no way to be effective at range. I'm surprised at how much of a transformation it was! Impressive feat of design.

WEBFISHING

This is a cute little multiplayer fishing game based off Animal Crossing's fishing system. It's a relaxing little second-screen game without too much going on! Not too much to say about it- it does what it sets out to do. Kinda wish they'd tried a little harder for some of the fish "jokes", though- a lot of them are anti-humor about not having a joke for this one. I will retaliate by... not having much of a review for this one.

DEATHLOOP

This thing was fuckin' cool. You're an amnesiac trapped in a time loop- but not just any time loop. The people on this island came here specifically to trap themselves in a time loop, where they could kill each other and live out hedonistic fantasies with no consequences, but something fucked up and now only you and a crazy lady who's trying to kill you are actually experiencing the loop. For everyone else, it's their first day, and they don't take kindly to you trying to break the loop and ruin their fun.

In order to break the loop, you have to kill a bunch of important assholes (called "Visionaries") who've somehow anchored the loop to themselves. But you've got to do it in a single day, and they're scattered all over this huge island- so you've got to come up with a plan. Find ways to manipulate where they'll be at what times, when they'll be vulnerable, and line up that perfect killstreak.

It's fun stuff. Initially, it seems impossible- they're too spread out, too inaccessible, too heavily-defended. But as you work on figuring them out one at a time, you learn lots of little details about gaps in their defenses, ways to fuck with their routines, and traps you can set for them so they'll die without you needing to be present. It's like a mystery game, even though the minute-to-minute gameplay is a pretty standard stealth action shooter.

(Said gameplay's pretty fun on its own- though weirdly, the starting pistol pretty much kills everything in the game in one headshot and has perfect accuracy, so I'm not sure why they bother giving you other guns. I upgraded to Frank's SMG which is basically the same gun but it reloads instantly, and basically never needed to use anything else.)

The story's... a little weird. It tries to focus on the relationship between Colt and Julianna (your also-looping nemesis trying to stop you from breaking the loop), but like... she's not... there, except as an annoying random superboss encounter that sometimes spawns in the middle of you trying to do other shit. She's just a voice over the radio that snarks at you and doesn't have any relationships with any of the other characters.

So like, ultimately you learn a twist about who she was to you before you lost your memory, and she explicates her reasons for wanting to protect the loop, and there's like, some decent character work being done there?

Buuuuuut, in attempting to foreground this character dynamic and make it the main resolution to the game, they kind of forgot to give a satisfying resolution to anything else. Like, these seven people you spend the whole game obsessively stalking and learning everything about so you can efficiently murder them in one go... don't really get a resolution other than being anticlimactically murdered. And there's like no resolution to like, what is the loop and how does it work and why did it get fucked up and what are the stakes here. It's all so meticulously done that I get the impression some writer somewhere answered these questions while plotting it, but they just either didn't put any of it in the game, or I missed something huge.

One negative I will say is: this thing made my old computer overheat like instantly. I had to build a proper gaming PC before I could run this thing- and that was in fact my main motivation for building it, was because I wanted to play this game without my laptop melting. Not really playable on smaller machines, even on minimum settings.

-

One more coming down the line, for the games I played but didn't beat this year, and that should do it!

[1] - [2] - 3 - [4]

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[deadspitfaedm]

I am home after work, it is 101° and we do not have air conditioning (nor do I want it) so I'm going to nap, wash, and clean and then when the temperature dips slightly in the evening I'll write. Firing up my PC in this weather despite the cooling it has is not an optimal choice. Besides this I have refugee tomatoes from work that need a lot of attention to salvage.

I'll return with a book write up, a blurb on The Serviceberry, a few more photos from the week's festivities and a snack hopefully.

Until then..... Zzzzz.

[thesims4blogger]

The Sims 4: New Game Patch (May 28th, 2024)

There is a new game update for The Sims 4, to prepare the game to the upcoming kits. Read it all on the blog post below.

If you have auto updates enabled in Origin’s “Application Settings”, the game will auto-update once you open Origin. If you have auto-updates disabled, you will need to manually update by clicking the game in your library.Advertisement

To ensure your game is up to date, check the game version found in Documents > EA > The Sims 4 > GameVersion.txt. Your game should now read: PC: PC: 1.107.112.1030 / Mac: 1.107.112.1230 / Console: 1.92

Sul Sul Simmers! It’s time for some late Spring cleaning! Let’s fix some things and make a few improvements. We’ve got quite the spread, with a host of resolutions for base game issues as well as addressing a wide assortment of packs. There’re also some performance gains, gallery updates, and DirectX 11 previews. We squeezed lots into this release, but there’s still more to come! Talk to you soon!

-The Sims 4 Team

Bug Fixes & Updates

Base Game

Oh you thought you could hide, dishes? We will find you and we will wash you. Dishes left in corners will no longer be ignored when cleaning up.

Begone weeds! Plants won’t grow weeds when Out of Season. If a plant has them when it becomes Out of Season, the weeds will be removed until it’s In Season again.

Campfires will stop causing so many fires on the lot. Campfire spreadfire was triggering a 50% chance every 10 sim-minutes to burn objects other than chairs in the area. We removed that to only focus on when Fireworks trigger (which we all know is the real danger).

“A Trash Can Is Required“ message will no longer display when trash cans are present on the active lot. Get that garbage outta here.

Skills will not randomly increase or change when leaving the lot or editing the household. If your Sim knows, they know.

The skills list is arranged in alphabetical order and my eye will no longer twitch when looking at it.

TS4 Packs are listed in the right order in the Build/Buy filter. Get back in line For Rent, Home Chef Hustle and Crystal Creations!

Careers will no longer have a blank daily task menu.

Summon Grilled Cheese interaction will no longer drop from the interaction queue.

Sim will no longer get stuck in the ground and continue to Swim Laps if the pool is removed in the middle of it. Because physics. Now the Sim will reset. Because magic.

Calendar notification light will remain on after traveling. No forgetting those important events.

Customizable pronouns were adjusted to appear correctly on a few of the Romantic Relationship phone calls and will no longer display improper usage like “ask their out.”

Sims can properly merge or move households with NPC Sims “not in world“; the merge/move button is now accessible. It’s all about bringing families together!

Console

After switching to build mode from world map a red bar will no longer display in the upper right corner.

Performance

We’ve made some optimizations so the game uses less memory. You may experience fewer crashes, better frame rate, and/or more responsive simulation.

We’ve improved the lot load process so it should happen a bit faster.

Cats & Dogs / City Living

Small dogs, puppies, and kittens will properly use the elevator to go downstairs from Penthouses. They can finally go potty! Poor little things.

Cottage Living

Hatchable and spoiled eggs will now remain visible in the Chicken coop whenever the Sim travels to the lot.

Dine Out

‘Order For Table’ interaction will properly clear from the interaction queue after the waiter delivers food to the table.

Home Chef Hustles players can now add Waffles to the Restaurant Menu. More menu additions to come.

DirectX 11 Preview

DirectX 11 is available on The Sims 4 on an opt-in basis and will be rolled out fully in a later update for Simmers running Windows. If you opt to run The Sims 4 using DirectX 11, you will potentially experience enhanced game performance and graphics quality. This update is designed to increase the overall gaming experience, with improved rendering capabilities that will allow for more details and immersive environments in future releases! We would appreciate your feedback and any issues you experience on our DirectX 11 Answers HQ thread.

Simmers running Windows and have DirectX 11 compatible hardware can now enter the argument -dx11 into the EA App or Steam to switch to using this renderer. You will be able to see which DirectX version The Sims 4 is using in your game version information displayed in the bottom right corner of the Main Menu.

You can find all the information you need to check if your PC is DirectX 11 compatible and learn how to enter launch arguments for both EA App and Steam here.

While DirectX 11 is available for those Simmers who want to try it, you may experience visual issues with mods so we recommend disabling all mods while using this command line argument.

Eco Lifestyle

Nose rings will no longer break when paired with brow piercings from this pack.

For Rent

Property Ownership of “Tam Nang Sands“ lot will be recognized in the owned rental tab.

“Unpleasant Surroundings“ Moodlet no longer triggered from the Pressure cooker and Kettle.

Tourist location icons will now appear correctly when hovering over the Tomarang world select screen.

Gallery Server

All profanity filter false positive reports sent to us via  The Sims 4 Gallery Profanity Filter Feedback survey up to May 1st have been reviewed and changes implemented. We appreciate all the reports and responses and will continue to update our systems based on your feedback.

Non-anonymous Gallery users appearing in the Following and Followers tabs will once again display the number of Followers each user has.

Get to Work

Aliens will stop having noticeable changes in facial structure (placement, size, etc) when aging up. No more morph faces.

Growing Together

The “Had a Baby“ Milestone now triggers from having a Science Baby or giving birth at the hospital rabbithole.

High School Years

Teens cannot send flirty messages on Social Bunny to adults or household family members.

After a teen high school Sim completes all tasks and aces exams, they will also be promoted to a better grade. They’ve earned it!

Horse Ranch

We all know how cute they are, but Sims will no longer autonomously want to buy mini goats (causing the UI to pop up).

Nectar value is now properly increased when selling to the mysterious rancher.

Horses will no longer get stuck while sleeping too close to the Horse training ball.

Island Living

Mermaid Conservationists can now complete the “Snorkel in Mua Pel’am“ job task.

Seasons

During winter, the weeding animation will no longer repeat and the Sim will actually remove all the weeds surrounding the plants. Checkmate weeds!

[simstorian-blog]

The Sims 4: Performance Resources

You cannot be lazy and want to have a modded Sims 4 game. This is how a lot of your games get messed up. You HAVE to keep up with patches and batch fixes of CC.

Also, have a decent knowledge about your computer and its specs so that you know your limitations.

(1) Remove any mods that are no longer supported or obsolete. Here is a website to check if mods are broken, compatible, updated, or obsolete (I realized that I did not post on my regular timeline):

(2) For those who do not know how to detect sims 3 files in your sims 4 mods (they will prevent your game from starting and yes this still works -- I've use it monthly):

(3) When updating gameplay mods, ALWAYS delete the > localthumbcache.package < file found here: Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4 (PC)

(4) When downloading CC: unmerged > merged

(5) Program for batch fixing CC and so much more. I advise that you read through what they have on the website. (Required to have a user account)

(6) Sims 4 Tray Importer - can be used to view CC in its 3D form, clean broken items, etc. Plenty of lovely simmers who have videos on it on youtube.

(7) Clean your C drive of temp files and optimize it as well! This is a great "no fluff" video to help you out if you have never done it.

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