u/Electronic_Weather26

Shrek: One of my favourite childhood films that still holds up pretty well today. As a kid, I didn’t really remember or watch the second half of the film because I didn’t find it as interesting as the first half. But now as an adult, I can watch the whole movie front to back. The charm is what brings me back to this movie and how nostalgic this film is. I can avoid viewings for a while and then come back and be reminded of what made me love it so much in the first place.

Shrek 2: When I first watched it as a kid, I thought it was better than the original. But nowadays, I don’t enjoy the film as much on repeat watches. I really want to love it as much as I used to but I just don’t. I find the film a bit too fast paced and not as much time to really breathe in what’s going on. I think now I understand the story more as an adult, it feels like a lot of the story beats from the first movie repeat themselves but just in a different way. There are element of charm still there but I’m disappointed not to like it as much.

Shrek The Third: I saw the film, had books about the film and played the video game. I was really shocked to discover how people hated this movie as I always really liked it. It does still technically hold up as an adult. That being said, I think I do understand this movie’s flaws. The princesses are an absolute joke and have no reason to even be there plus the Immigrant Song/Barracuda scene was so cringe. I didn’t mind Arthur but Fiona’s never mentioned by him at all and I don’t think there was even a scene sharing them both. It’s more of a guilty pleasure film to laugh at.

Shrek Forever After: I liked this film in cinema but then I rewatched it and didn’t like it for how dark and how much you have to watch it it is. But over time, this film has really grown on me. The charm is oddly forced in this movie. I don’t actually think this movie is as much of Its a Womderful Life than people say. First of all, Donkey still never shuts up even though he does take a more serious role. Fiona is still a badass ogre warrior but takes more leadership and the character is still the same. Shrek may not recognise the world but a lot of it is still the same technically. Seeing the different ogres was a nice change of pace and Rumpel was actually a really great villain. Puss In Boots is so cute in this movie, becoming more overweight and feral. The ending is super touching when Shrek realises what he has; it feels like a really nice cherry on top.

The Beast: I actually recognised Mark Labbett for originally being on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Even though he is Welsh, he has an English accent but maybe he grew up in Wales younger maybe. Me and mum saw him on Celebs Go Dating where he starting drinking a candle. You can tell he's lost a lot of weight. On The Chase, he can be a sore loser but he has mellowed down over the years.

The Dark Destroyer: He has a very dry sense of humour that you can't help but love. Like him reading the top offer twice when announcing it or his infamous one question shootout line. Apparently, he is the only chaser who will speak to the contestants after the show has finished filming. I met him in Leyland. I find his general knowledge to be that he tends to get really obscure facts like 0.01% of people will know correctly but then he'll get really easy ones wrong. He does tend to have more gaps than a few other chasers.

The Governess: She's a fellow candidate with autism along with myself, which is unsurprisingly part of how she's 3rd best female quizzer on the planet. I felt sorry for her in I'm A Celeb as it really showed a more vulnerable side to her. My mum thinks she's the cleverest but she's a bit of a dark horse to me.

The Sinnerman: I saw him in Leyland on Easter this year and we saw him having a wee (luckily not out of the wrong end lol). I bet many people wouldn't have that as their claim to fame 🤣. My mum likes him as he likes Prince. He looks completely different in casual clothing than he does on Chase. He has a smooth way of talking and he's very nice.

The Vixen: She used to do my heading a lot but I've warmed to her more now. She's got a great singing voice. She also looks completely different when she's not doing The Chase. I think she's lethally clever, she is very sharp in her tactics. She's the best one for giving advice to players in terms of what offers to go for and feedback on the final Chase.

The Menace: Obviously the newbie and former contestant. He just now fits in as a regular Chaser to me. He is quite monotone but he's really nice. He's also good at giving advice to players. He does tend to lose final chases a lot. He also supports Liverpool which is a bonus. I don't think anyone can get over his 80s hair do.

First time I finished it on PS4. This time, I managed to snag it on Xbox Series X|S for £1.83 (no I'm not joking lol).

I didn't 100% it once again, I just wanted to experience the game more without a guide. I managed to do it though it was difficult on a couple of occasions.

The new button layouts took some slight getting used to but managed well enough.

While I still find the game charming, I found the jank controls to get me overly frustrated on certain parts of the game such as the boss fights against the milk lady, phantom and getting confusion grenades to land on final card fight in Black Velvetopia (not the one with El Odio at the end).

Meat Circus I actually pretty much breezed through this time, when I didn't have much trouble on PS4. Don't get the hate but it's probably from the OG PS2 version. I do have that version but the long load times put me off during Milla's Dance Party.

I finished the Coach Oleander punching mini game. The 40 in 60 seconds one was brutal and took me numerous attempts but I did it without the pause glitch as I didn't think it helped that much. The 50 in 75 seconds I managed to finish like 4th attempt lol.

So, yeah, still very much like the game but may take a break from it a bit.

I still get intrigued what draws people back to it constantly and why they find it so magical. Might go back to the 2nd game as I've finished that once but I'll have a think.

Maybe 100%ING both games is the optimal way or listening to all convos. You guys tell me

I like how they picked songs that all used the same word haha.

Well, they used two of the most popular The Cure songs in earlier games, why not pick the third one as well?

Glad to see Radiohead make an appearance once again. Just is actually popular but not a super obvious pick. Paranoid Android would have been sick but Just is a fine inclusion.

Bad Omens was fine, nothing more to be said.

Can’t wait for next week!

Jay, have you played Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time?

Jay: Completed it, mate. Did all dev relics first time.

What about Super Meat Boy?

Jay: Completed it. Did all levels one try with no deaths.

What about Yooka Laylee and The Impossible Lair?

Jay: Completed the final level in one go with no bees

*Gives Jay Dark Souls to play but dies within 30 seconds*

Jay: That's not fair. They gave me no chance. This game is rigged

Well, here's my verdict on the three new songs dropped:

- With Mastodon, the only songs I knew were Blood and Thunder, Colony Of Birchmen, Curl Of The Burl and Oblivion so I'm glad The Motherload was a song I hadn't heard from them yet. Might take me a couple more tries to get into it

- Mammoth does sound like a familiar band name, The End was catchy enough

- I had never heard of Beast In Black. But OMG, I was blown away with Blind and Frozen. Wow, this song is a banger! I would legitimately say its my favourite song on this soundtrack so far, from the tracks that I hadn't discovered yet at least.

You know, it's hard to say that this will be the best rhythm game soundtrack ever made but despite some early sceptism, so far I am actually now really impressed. I can't wait to actually play these songs when the game comes out!

Rock on 8/5/26 🤘

What exactly happened to the 9 year old kid after Jay pushed him into the pool? I found it so strange that he was led face down at the bottom and wasn’t floating. Also, how could 2 strong men have not been able to pull him out?

I get it’s a film but I always wondered that was the case. We never knew if he got out alright. I know he was only a side character but seems kind of dark for a comedy film that we never knew what happened to him.

Calling is my favourite song by them and the only one I can emotionally connect to. It was Guitar Hero Warriors Of Rock that made me fall in love with it.

I've listened to the entire discography and I like some songs more than others but aside from Calling, the band just doesn't click for me.

Maybe in a year or two, I'll give the discography another listen but as for now, Calling will still be in my regular Spotify rotation.

I played Psychonauts on PS2 but I finished it on PS4. I haven't 100% it.

I finished Psychonauts 2 on Xbox Series X but didn't 100% it.

I watched the Rhombus Of Ruin on YouTube.

I know a lot of people are Psychonauts fans and even find the games very magical. I want to understand the hype between the games more and understand more of the lore. I don't have the patience to 100% either game but I was thinking of restarting both games and just really taking it in.

All the different voices of dialogue etc... Just being casual and getting enough figments etc for ranks.

What do other people think works best for both games? Do people believe it's worth investing time in or in different games entirely? I have a lot of interest but want to know the appropriate way to do it.

First of all, the title screen is fine but I preferred the one in the first game where Raz walks around the brain. I did really like the montage recap so people who never played the first game or hadn't played it a while, won't be going in totally blind.

Dr. Loboto was an interesting tutorial level. I liked the one part where the room moved forwards as you did and wouldn't let you get closer. I liked the side scrolling on the X rays, same with the book pages later on.

The game took me around 13 hours, 36 minutes to finish. I do think the controls are a lot smoother but I miss the weight that the first game had, even though it was jank. I like how you can have majority of your moves right from the get go and you can now rank your moves in any way you like.

The game's levels do look really good but I think it's slightly too clean. I miss how unique the first game looked and how Tim Burton it all looked. I do think the levels were creative and presented fresh ideas but I do think they all kind of blend in.

I also find the levels overstay their welcome. It makes the game feel shorter than it actually is. I would rather have more levels with less time in them. The first game managed that balance a lot better. There are way too many subareas and it becomes tedious.

I also found myself dying more frequently and lots of moment where inertia ruined platforming segments. Combat is also a lot heavier in this game. I ended up turning easier combat and invincibility on just so I get through the story easier and I feel glad I did.

The characters aren't as memorable this time around. A lot of the characters were so memorable in the first game like Bobby and Dogen but aside from Hollis, Truman, Nona, Nick, there's no one that really stands out.

The Motherlobe is an interesting hub with a lot of outside areas to explore but it just feels like busywork to maneuver round. The campground was more tight and to the point while still having a slight awkward layout.

The voice acting is still pretty spot on and the music is good, even though I don't find it particularly memorable. There were a lot of moments this game had me scratching my head so I had to rely on YouTube tutorials.

I would say I definitely appreciate Psychonauts but I wouldn't say I find it magical like a lot of people say. I haven't 100% either game but I've played it through. Maybe there's something missing you guys can help me out with.

Psychonauts 2 was brilliant for what it was as it was a needle in a haystack for Psychonauts to even get a sequel in the first place but if I had to choose, I think the original game wins.

It's not a perfect masterpiece but I just feel the weird zaniness of the original fit well within that era whereas this game tried so hard to be modern and clean that it kind of missed the point.

Feel free to agree or disagree in the comments below!

Does anyone happen to know of a YouTube channel where they have a walk through of the Meat Circus before 2011, most brutal version, ideally PS2?

All the ones I'm seeing on YouTube seem to be the patched versions or maybe the Meat Circus in general just seems exaggerated.

I did it on PS4 and I genuinely didn't find it that hard.

Does anyone know when applications are open again for Beat The Chasers?

- Torn - Hands Like Houses
- Runaways - Eclipse
- Land Of Broken Dreams - Dynazty
- Hear My Call - Ari Koivunen
- Every You Every Me - Placebo
- Love Me Dead - Ludo
- Hell Yeah - Rev Theory
- Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver - Primus
- Mr Invisible - Thank You Scientist
- Land Of Confusion - Disturbed
- Vicinity Of Obscenity - System Of A Down
- Peace Of Mind - Boston
- Refugee - Tribal Ink
- Night Of The Hunter - Thirty Seconds To Mars
- In These Arms - Bon Jovi
- Rock Of Ages - Def Leppard

A lot of songs are done to death for requests like Iron Maiden or Motley Crue choices. For Quiet Riot, I can’t decide between Cum on Feel The Noize or The Wild and the Young. A lot of these I’ve chosen before but I’ve tried to go for less known songs which I think will blow people away. The top tracks (near the top) are more recommended and niche.

Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver would be an insane choice for Groove and Vicinity Of Obscenity would be a great engaging unpredictable song to keep newcomers on their toes, even vocalists

Siren felt a bit spooky and gothic in a way but it was very grunge, stoner rock vibe to it. Castle Rat's vocals were quite ambitious in a way but also very interesting. Looks like we got our first taste of a hard guitar solo as well.

I love Rise Against and it was Re-Education (Through Labor) that won me over. It is mainly the golden trio (Siren songs, suffer and appeal) I listen to and I've never listened to their newer stuff but I'm glad we've got a newer track in this setlist and one I'm not as familiar with as well.

Psychosocial was on Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock. But this is going to happen. However, this is one of my favourite tracks and it's always a good time. I am still happy about this inclusion.

Can't wait for next reveal on 28th July. There are some criminally underrated hidden gems I've suggested!

P.S. This is for Stage Tour in case anybody is wondering

I love The Chase and it's one of my go to quiz shows with my mum. But, I can't help but feel the show has started to become very repetitive.

In the earlier seasons, more people went for the higher offer. Plus, in the Final Chase, there were way more times Teams got higher scores 20+.

But nowadays, a score like 23 is once in a blue moon. It's like the teams are too afraid to jump in with answers and are playing too cautiously. It's like they are watching the show and trying to follow the advice of the show nowadays.

A lot players tend to do really well in cashbuilders and head to head but there's always gaps in knowledge and people being slow. It's like they fluff at last hurdle. 95% of the time, teams rack up a score of 17/18 and Bradley always says they're 3 light.

It might just be me but I just feel the show in its earlier seasons had more frequency of higher Final Chase targets between 23 and 27 but it's like show has become too streamlined and Chasers lose on smaller steps.

But then when they win on smaller steps, they say they had time to think. I may be overthinking it but the show has become really repetitive.

There's only been 2 times in the show where the team has scored 28. Funnily enough, the chasers both got 27. I am hoping one day a team can score higher, like maybe a 30. It's pretty likely the chaser would lose, but I would love a clever clogs be able to rack up a high score.

I have never heard of any of those three songs before adding them to my Stage Tour playlist on Spotify last night. I listened to them and they're not really my cup of tea.

However, I do appreciate that the devs are appealing to the whole crowd so some people might listen to them and really enjoy them. I respect them for including more modern songs and I'm hoping in the near future, I can find a song to discover and really like.

I will say so far that there are a few songs I do really like and some I'm not as enthusiastic about. I am willing to trust the process and I really hope that the setlist and the game as a whole sticks the landing.

In the trailer, Donkey sings Roxanne - The Police in jail. However, Eddie Murphy does the exact same thing in both 48 Hrs films, but not in a jail cell. Do you think this was intentional, writers running out of ideas or by complete accident?

The Kill was the first song I heard from Guitar Hero: World Tour and I loved it. I listened to their first album and I loved the sort of spacey atmosphere it has and the album cover with the kid in spacesuit really does clash well.

A Beautiful Lie was more mainstream but the album cover still felt in line with the band and it was still a decent album.

This Is War is the album I want to talk about and I don’t have interest in the later albums. I do honestly think the album cover is a bit of a downgrade but weirdly suits the charm of the album, with the face of the Lion/Tiger. My favourite track is Night Of The Hunter.

This Is War has a really good groove on the verse and has a good military sense but I just feel the chorus doesn’t hit for me emotionally. Closer To The Edge doesn’t click for me either.

But Kings And Queens is the one song that I’ve listened to multiple times and I want to love but sadly, the emotion doesn’t kick in for me. The rest of the song is fine but I feel the chorus is really weak, a lot of the lyrics just feels a bit too choral and choir like and a bit simple. I personally think this song should have been more ambitious and not afraid to not be verse, chorus, etc…

I’ve seen the music video and the song still doesn’t click for me. I’ve tried turning lights off and closing my eyes and it doesn’t work.