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Destiny 2: Shooter Looter Chaos and Companionship

I still remember the sentiment surrounding my joining the world of Destiny 2 and the impressions I had framed in my mind. I remember the storyline of the game and the characters that came with it. I remember the planned group activities with friends where I would come for the game and laughter, and enjoy the melting pot of cultures that I would experience. Dystopia would contribute to the cultural side of the game. I would remember the game for the positive memories of the friends I would meet.

We've finally one-phased the raid boss, a perfect symphony of debuffs, buffs, and sustained heavy weapon fire.

I would experience the game for the people's memories, for the friends I would meet. Madness in the romance, I would only be in for the people. There is madness in the romance; I would only be in for the people. There is madness in the game; I would only be in for the people. suger

A Game of Two Halves: Wonder and Frustration

Spectacle is Destiny 2’s calling card, and there is no better place to see that than in the stark and beautiful war-torn zones of the game. The blend of the celestial and the terrestrial is well balanced. The game’s environments ooze atmosphere, whether you are in the crumbling and scarred landscapes of the EDZ or in the illusory woods of Nessus. The game does well to instill in you the perspective of the vast and indifferent universe that surrounds you, the little spark-wielding guardian, the universe that surrounds and watches you.

The new dungeon's secret chest requires a perfectly executed platforming puzzle off the main path.

It’s frustrating to see the wide gaps in the lore after seasonals and plot drips. It’s like trying to complete only one half of a jigsaw puzzle, and the rest is in a completely different house. My background in the genre as a traditional JRPG player made the gaps hard to appreciate. Destiny 2 does not have storylines that are traditional, and that’s one of the things that has to be appreciated most: the ambition. Unfortunately, the game does not seem to provide the lore or the rich storytelling to back that ambition up to the extent that a player deserves.

Weapons and Loot: The Double-Edged Sword

Ah, the loot. It’s the carrot on the stick that keeps Guardians grinding through strikes, raids, and gambit matches. But here’s the thing: not all loot is created equal. The doubtless lucrative rewards complain. When Early Destiny 2 started, it lacked truly enticing pieces. Yes, there were a few outstanding weapons and some sets of pieces of armor, but more often than not, after a long, exhausting activity, I’d receive a piece of gear that was.

I'm running triple Shotgun with the Tractor Cannon for a meme build that's somehow working in the Crucible.

Bungie, to some extent, has resolved this issue. These weapons, more than tools of killing, are statements. Yet there’s room for more. Destiny 2, for all its outstanding gear, still lacks top-tier enough high-end gear to truly reward its most loyal followers who buy cheap PS4 games. There are far more hours than I’d like to admit spent chasing God Rolls than there are high-end pieces of loot to reward that effort. Available loot should match the depth and complexity of the gameplay.

Social Glue Destiny 2

Destiny 2 without its social aspects? No thanks. It wouldn't even be enjoyable. This game is, no doubt, about its community. Be it a raid, nightfall, or just crucible, gameplay is enjoyed even more with a friend or group. Numbers do change the fun, but it is still the moments in gameplay, or the Leviathan in my case, that stick with you. Six hours, dying and laughing, with a group, only to win in the end, the value is in the collective enjoyment, even in defeat. Little moments create and force repetitive gameplay. They make you do it. They bring you back.

The Trials of Osiris match is 4-4, and it's all down to my last-gasp snipe in a one-versus-one scenario.

Adversely, social aspects can be a burden. Group content boundaries mean the best parts of the game for solo players are lost. Solo gameplay has its own content and parts to engage with, if you buy PS5 shooter games that are action role-playing first. It wouldn't be unreasonable to give more ends and means to the lone Guardians in the endgame. They should be able to engage and appreciate the boss or grind. It isn't just the friends that count.

The Road Ahead

Destiny 2, like any live-service game, is still a work in progress. Its first year was rough, marked by questionable design choices and a community that felt increasingly alienated. But there is one thing that Bungie has proven. They will listen. The Year 2 expansion, Forsaken, reworked systems and breathed new life into the game. Even with the stumbles, there is a commitment from the developers to evolve the game.

My vault is a disorganized mess of 598 out of 600 items, filled with rolls I'm "saving for later."

Destiny 2: Beyond Light

At this time, the primary story campaigns have been made free, but the high-level, permanent activities like Raids and Dungeons are bundled in "Packs," so you will still have to get one of those. Destiny 2: Beyond Light, released in 2020, the fifth extension, introduces the Stasis subclass, the first ability set tied to the Darkness. The endgame content is packaged in the Beyond Light Pack (a paid purchase), which includes the Deep Stone Crypt Raid, certain Nightfall Strikes (The Glassway and Proving Grounds), and access to over 15 Exotic weapons and armor pieces associated with the expansion.

Destint 2: Shadowkeep

In 2019, we had Destiny 2: Shadowkeep extension, the fourth major expansion for Destiny 2, marking the game's Year 3 content. The endgame content is packaged in the Shadowkeep Pack (a paid purchase), which includes the Garden of Salvation Raid, the Pit of Heresy Dungeon, the Scarlet Keep Nightfall strike, and access to over 15 Exotic weapons and armor pieces associated with the expansion. The endgame content is packaged in the Shadowkeep Pack (a paid purchase), which includes the Garden of Salvation Raid, the Pit of Heresy Dungeon, the Scarlet Keep Nightfall strike, and access to over 15 Exotic weapons and armor pieces associated with the expansion.

I'm using a sword to perfectly "skate" across the Vow of the Disciple opening section, leaving my team behind.

Destiny 2: Years 5 to 8

The Witch Queen (2022, Year 5) proposes the confrontation with Savathûn, the Hive God of Cunning, and the introduction of the Light-wielding Hive and the new weapon crafting system.

Lightfall (2023, Year 6) is a chase after The Witness to Neptune, uncovering the hidden city of Neomuna, and the introduction of the new Strand Darkness Subclass.

The Final Shape (2024, Year 7) is the epic conclusion to the "Light and Darkness Saga," as Guardians enter the Traveler to face The Witness. It introduced the Prismatic Subclass.

The Edge of Fate (2025, Year 8) is the most recent "medium-sized" expansion, which began a new saga for the game. It is part of Bungie's new content release model of two expansions per year.

There is so much potential with so many ideas that feel just shy of fully realized. As someone who has fallen in love with this game, Bungie is a developer that I hope will balance ambition and execution. Until then, I’ll be there chasing the next raid clear, the next legendary drop, and the next moment that makes it all worthwhile.

Defending Reverie in NBA 2k26 Innovation ProPLAY & Motion Engine

A New Era of Realism

I have been playing NBA 2K for several years, and my primary complaint was not with the proficiency of the offensive gameplay. It was more with the rather rudimentary and monotonous shooter capabilities, or the painfully slow ball handling, which, throughout the years, tended to annoy me more. It is also how, with the passage of time, defending in the game seemed a lot more like an afterthought.

Executing a perfect "Size-Up Escape" to create just enough space for a step-back three over a lockdown defender.

Last year's edition was good, and I wrote a review of NBA 2K25 if you are interested, but like all previous releases, it did not have the features I will talk about. I have witnessed countless instances when defenders skated around the court like, in an attempt to position themselves into a stream of an offensive player, simply and came to an augmented reality conclusion. The defenders in these instances do not position themselves based on the game logic, and unfortunately, the basketball game 2K2, like its predecessor from a long time back, 2032, simply does not contest the points put forward.

ProPLAY Movement Engine: Defending Using Actual Steps

No longer will I stand by these remarks, as with the introduction of ProPLAY Motion Engine, I have recognized and felt the change. I distinctly remember the time when 5 out of 7 match points in most games depended purely on the offensive gameplay. And I was not the only player of the game to think that this was a painful arrangement. IT was a while back, I also heard 97-98% of the player base of this game, from my sources, had agreed on the statement that this change is the most profound and biggest leap forward we have had since version 15 of 2K.

The "Ergonomic Grip" feature on the new controller is the only reason I can consistently hit green releases on leaners.

ProPLAY is much more than a marketing buzzword – it is the reason for NBA 2K26’s difference. One of the first things you see when you step onto the court in NBA 2K26 is the movement of the players. Gone is the era of defenders ‘sliding’ on the court as if they were magically tethered to the offensive players. ProPLAY has introduced actual foot moves, which in itself is a gigantic step forward. Defenders in basketball now shift, settle, and adjust their positions in a more realistic fashion. When you cut off a driving lane, you notice how different it is from just the animation – it’s in the timing and accuracy of the position.

This both makes on-ball defense easier and harder at the same time. In previous games, “cheating” was possible through using sluggish movements and strong defense assists. Now, you’re forced to pay attention, determining the ballhandler’s intentions, and responding with your stick moves. The responsiveness is unmatched, and the feeling of shutting down a quick guard or forcing a bad shot is phenomenal.

Collision Detection: Physical Play That Finally Makes Sense

NBA 2K has consistently disappointed me when it comes to how bad collisions are. Players on the offense tend to glide through defenders like they are invisible. Defenders tend to get trapped in bad animations where they look useless. Finally, fellow basketball fans who buy PS5 games, things have changed because NBA 2K26, in collision detection, the change is monumental.

My MyTEAM's "Chemistry" rating just plummeted after I added a third ball-dominant superstar to the starting lineup.

Now, when you bump up against an opponent in the paint, you can actually feel the physicality. Players of larger stature do batter and move in, but it is not unstoppable—defenders of some skill can hold their ground, and position themselves properly to contest the shot without getting into foul trouble. Distant, ‘perimeter’ players wannabe, and bump animations feel less and less random. It has something to do with momentum, position, and the timer. You are able to cut off drives, redirect slashers, and contest post-up attempts with a level of control that has not been achieved in this series before.

The most impressive part of this system is how it works with ProPLAY’s motion capture. The collisions do not resemble canned sequences; they are seamlessly integrated into the gameplay. A bump leads into a recovery, a contest into a battle for the rebound. Every single one of their interactions seems to be in the moment and not something that has been added afterward. To me, this is one of the most important things that draws the line between NBA 2K26 and sticks to its predecessors, and why it feels more ‘alive’.

Defensive AI: Smarter Help, Real Rotations

Like movement and collisions, in basketball, there is more to a defense than individual matchups to consider; simpler elements such as rotations, help defense, and team schematics. This is also one of the areas in which NBA 2K26 has done remarkably better than previous ones. AI has improved significantly, and now, the game mimics a team sport more than in the past, when it resembled a game of pickup.

The "Adaptive AI Coach" has just benched me for taking a contested, early-shot-clock jumper despite scoring 20 points.

Help defenders anticipate driving threats more and more and, as a result, shift to position more convincingly. Closeouts feel better: they’re sharper and more purposeful, and players have more discipline in staying with their assignments. When you double-team, teammates recover, and, instead of leaving the corner threes wide open, players are positioned to guard the shooters. Fans who buy PS5 sports games should know that it is a work in progress, no doubt, but there is no question that running a team-centric style of play is now more achievable than ever.

The most interesting thing to me is how it still rewards basketball IQ. If you make the correct reads offensively, you can still beat the defense, but it won’t be a free-for-all like the previous years, vice versa. If you’re savvy on defense, positioning your players well, predicting passes, and rotating on time, you’ll actually get results. That blend of user control and AI makes the game feel like real basketball more than ever.

Contests That Feel Earned

In older NBA 2K titles, the most frustrating thing was how inconsistent contests could be. You’d put your hand right in a shooter’s face, yet still watch them drain the jumper like you weren’t there. More frustrating, you’d be barely in the play, yet somehow register as a heavy contest. NBA 2K26 fixes this with contest logic that feels fair and responsive.

My MyPLAYER's custom jump shot has a new, barely-perceptible hitch after taking a hard foul in the previous possession.

The ProPLAY engine integrates contest animations in positioning and timing. If you’re late, you’re late—you’ll see it and feel it in the result. But if you rotate, get a hand up, and time it properly, you are respected. Shooters still can make tough shots, but they feel like exceptions instead of the norm. This level of fairness, in my opinion, is critical. It aligns with how I believe the game should reward offense and defense, smart basketball.

Off-Ball Defense: Finally Engaging

Another area that’s been overlooked is off-ball defense. Way too often, it felt like a waiting game while having little control and little satisfaction aside from spamming the passing lanes. In NBA 2K26, off-ball defense seems to actually matter. ProPLAY gives defenders more believable movement when fighting through screens or shadowing their man.

I'm exploiting the new "Fatigue-Based Defense" system by relentlessly attacking a star player who's been on the court for 10 straight minutes.

This changes off-ball defense from a merely passive undertaking, placing it at the center of a strategic chess game. For someone like me, who buys cheap PS4 games and appreciates the game’s rhythm and not just the highlight moments, this is fantastic news.

How Defense Influences The Game

Improved footwork and collision systems, better artificial intelligence, improved shot contests, engagement off-ball, and other aspects do not simply make defense better. They alter the pulse of the game itself. NBA 2K26 feels quicker and more competitive because every possession is vital. Scoring is still enjoyable and rewarding, but it now feels more justifiable. You can’t just isolate over and over and expect to be successful. That is the type of basketball I enjoy, and that is the reason this year’s game feels like a real comeback.

My new "Playcall IQ" perk is highlighting the exact moment to call for a backdoor cut against an overplaying defense.

The shooting is more accurate, dribbles feel crisper, and all animations improve because the defense can hold its own. The equilibrium makes every match a competition of skill and basketball IQ, not simply who can find the newest exploit in the gameplay. For the first time since NBA 2K15, I find myself smiling at the game for how natural it feels on both sides of the court.

Final Thoughts: Defense Finally Gets Its Due.

More than a shiny new feature, NBA 2K26’s ProPLAY motion engine is the center of a fundamental shift in gameplay. Coupled with the redefined movements and collisions and the newly designed AI, for the first time, the development team has achieved a defensive experience that is just as satisfying as the offense. The first footwork to get in front of the opponent, the satisfaction of being the defender in the paint, the smart help defense, and the generous contests all combine to something that we have wished for, for years.

A perfectly timed "Anchor" badge activation to meet the driving dunk specialist at the rim for a game-changing block.

Defense used to be a chore; now it’s a full-on basketball experience. That alone makes NBA 2K26 special. I have been itching for the refined return to core aspects of NBA 2K15; this is the payoff I’ve been looking for. If realistic, well-rounded, and cooperative gameplay is what you are looking for, NBA 2K26’s defense will leave you speechless. It’s ProPLAY beyond the green window that has truly reshaped everything.

The Callisto Protocol: A Polarizing Descent into Sci-Fi Horror

The Fragility of Survival

There's something about a survival horror game that's supposed to make your palms sweat and your pulse race, right? You expect to feel like you're barely scraping by, adrenaline coursing through your veins as you limp toward your next objective. 'The Callisto Protocol' tries hard to deliver on that promise. It places you in the blood-streaked boots of Jacob Lee, a man whose only goal is to escape the hellish prison of Black Iron on Jupiter's moon, Callisto. But here's the thing: for all its spine-chilling aesthetics and brutal combat, this game isn't quite the nightmare fuel I wanted it to be.

A tense stealth section where I'm slowly shimmying past a dormant, but still twitching, Biophage nest.

Instead, it's more like a beautifully made haunted house where the scares never quite land, but the lights and set design keep you walking through anyway.

The Atmosphere: Chilling, Yet Not Quite Terrifying

If there's one thing The Callisto Protocol nails, it's the vibe. Every corner of Black Iron Prison feels suffocatingly oppressive. The air hangs heavy with tension, and the distant hum of malfunctioning machinery makes it clear you're trapped somewhere that's long past redemption. The snowy expanses outside are just as grim. Callisto itself seems to exhale an icy breath, with wind whipping around you as snow piles on dilapidated structures. The lighting deserves special mention—whether it's flickering fluorescents in a dark hallway or the faint glow of bioluminescent spores in an alien-infested tunnel, every scene feels meticulously crafted.

My character's breath fogs in the sub-zero processing plant, a small detail that adds to the constant dread.

But for all its craftsmanship, I never truly felt afraid. Unsettled? Sure. Occasionally tense? Yeah. But scared? Not even once. And for a survival horror game, that's kind of a problem. Fear is the beating heart of this genre, and The Callisto Protocol's atmosphere, while gorgeous, feels more like a heavy blanket than a shocking jolt to the system.

Combat: A Bloody Grind

Now, let's talk about the combat—the meat and bones (sometimes literally) of the gameplay. Right off the bat, melee combat takes center stage here, which is unusual. Normally, melee is a last resort in survival horror, but The Callisto Protocol flips the script. You're constantly dodging and countering, feeling every swing and impact like you're actually there. And I'll admit, those first few encounters feel raw and visceral in a way that's hard to shake.

I'm using the narrow prison cell block to funnel enemies into a choke point for my baton's crowd control.

But then it starts to drag. The dodge mechanic, while intuitive at first, becomes predictable, almost mechanical. Most enemies telegraph their moves so obviously that fights turn into a rinse-and-repeat cycle of "step left, swing pipe, repeat." And don't get me started on the GRP, the telekinesis glove that's supposed to add depth to combat. Sure, it's fun at first to hurl enemies into strategically placed spike walls or industrial fans, but after the 20th time, it starts to feel like the game's designers just couldn't think of more interesting ways for me to use it.

Resources are scarce, and every encounter feels like a gamble. Do you spend your last few bullets now or save them for a bigger threat later?

The Story: Enough to Keep You Going (Even If Thin by My Standard)

Jacob's journey through Callisto isn't exactly a narrative masterpiece, but it gets the job done. The basic setup—a prison outbreak leads to horrifying mutations—is nothing new, but it's the grim atmosphere that keeps you invested. As Jacob, you're constantly scavenging for scraps of information about what caused the outbreak and why. Jacob himself is a pretty blank slate, and while the supporting cast tries to inject some emotion into the story, their arcs feel more like set dressing than meaningful threads. And honestly? Sometimes that's enough.

The monster's mutation animation is my only chance to reload and reposition before its next, deadlier phase.

The Gore: A Matter of Taste

The Callisto Protocol doesn't shy away from violence. It's the kind of gore that makes you wince the first few times but eventually feels more like a gimmick than a genuine shock factor. Personally, I found it less horrifying and more gross, where I would have certainly preferred the other way around. While this observation is probably a matter of test that should not stop those who buy PS5 horror games, I believe that it doesn't really add to the atmosphere, and I couldn't help but feel like it was trying too hard to impress me with its blood-soaked brutality.

A scripted escape sequence has me frantically dodging falling debris and snapping pipes in a collapsing tunnel.

In the End, Does It Worth the Struggle?

Debatable. I prefer survival games more like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and horror games more like Resident Evil 4. The Callisto Protocol is not for everyone. Its visuals and atmosphere are top-notch, creating a world that's as stunning as it is oppressive. But the gameplay—especially the combat—starts to feel like a chore after a while. And without genuine scares to keep the tension high, the whole experience feels a bit hollow. Just don't expect to be looking over your shoulder when you turn the game off. Because for all its effort, The Callisto Protocol feels more like a chilling stroll than a heart-pounding sprint through the dark.

Forza Horizon 5: A Love Letter to Cars and Culture

When you play Forza Horizon 5, it’s not just a racing game. You experience a sun-drenched Mexico where you can endlessly explore, while every mile is celebrating car culture. For me, the game is perfect because I have spent countless hours obsessively building my dream garage in Forza Horizon 4. However, the game is not a rehash of familiar roads. There is a special electric feeling that keeps you wanting more.

My custom-liveried car, designed to look rusted and abandoned, is a hilarious mismatch for its S2-class performance.

The Thrill of the Open Road (and Even Off It)

Of course, Forza Horizon 5 is primarily about racing, but the main focus of the game is exploration. The map has humid jungles, arid deserts, sleepy villages, and wild coasts, and every inch of this virtual Mexico is begging you to drive. If you are like me, you will take every opportunity to drive off-road. In the past Horizon titles, when the standard was to buy cheap PS4 games, it always felt that the fastest way to earn points was to stick to the main roads. Here? Not even close. Smash a patch of cacti, throw your car into a riverbed, and charge down a mountain. The more reckless, the better. There is something amazing about skidding to a stop in a dusty cloud, yanking a barn door open, and finding an old car that is just waiting to be restored.

The Pulse of Mexico’s Roads.

There’s something deeply intoxicating about cruising down a sun-drenched highway, the horizon shimmering with the promise of the unknown. Whether you’re drifting through a dense jungle, tearing through arid desert plains, or weaving through cobblestone streets of colorful villages, the world feels alive and personal. It’s not just a map—it’s an experience.

Executing a perfect landing after the airport danger sign, keeping all four wheels tucked in for maximum style points.

The team at Playground Games has designed a Mexico in Forza Horizon 5 that is not only personalized but also vast; a Mexico that has postcard views and a Mexico that has little treasures begging you to stop and appreciate. Every little detail is accounted for, like when you speed through a tropical storm and sunlight reflects off your car and paint, and you appreciate the sunlight. They are extremely chaotic but comforting; a good reminder that natural machines are just as important as the storms and the other machines you are controlling.

A Collector's Dream

Having stored numerous cars and having built a dream car garage in Forza Horizon 4, I Forza Horizon 5 fulfilled my needs in ways I didn't know I needed. I could spend hours in Forza Horizon Vista in the car observation mode just to check the car and interior details. The detailing down to the aggressive lines of the Lambo Huracan and the rich and shiny leather of the Jaguar E-Type is impressive. Some players who buy PS5 racing games enjoy making shifts to their customization settings. Customization is incredibly satisfying. There is nothing quite like the feeling of tuning the handling of a Ford GT to match your every nerve and command.

A brutal sandstorm has rolled in, reducing visibility to zero and forcing me to rely solely on the minimap's racing line.

While the interaction with the simulated car is satisfying, it also experiences the most refined and improved car interaction. The driving experience has improved with a greater connection to the road and the vehicle being driven. There is a single spot for every driving experience that can be achieved by a driver, whether the driver is a casual driver or more serious.

The new Horizon Arcade mode replaces the structured Forzathon Live events and offers a more organic and untamed multiplayer experience. It’s not flawless—some events in Forza Horizon 4 are more memorable—but the variety is enough to keep things interesting. There are plenty of high-speed sprints to salt flats and plenty of designed technical tracks to urban centers of the country.

The Essence of Mexico

However, the finest thing about Forza Horizon 5 is the Mexican culture it represents. Most certainly, the main story missions, even when they are somewhat cheesy to partake in, narrate deeper stories about the culture. One of the more memorable moments involved a barn find of a venerable Volkswagen Beetle, forked in a race, that the finder restored to its former glory. There was personal history in the story beyond the car, and plenty of rich culture and people.

Glancing at the map not for the road, but to see the live position of a "Forzathon Live" event starting at the festival site.

Cars, Cars, and More Cars

Each car has a personality, like a McLaren 720S that begs to be driven at top speed, or a Baja Bug that is unstoppable in the dunes. Customization is unbelievable. I have spent—actual hours—doing liveries, tweaking suspension, and adjusting power-to-weight ratio. While the design tools are complex, the designers made them user-friendly to the point where they can save you from getting frustrated. My favorite moment? Creating a custom paint job for a classic Mustang and then watching it shine while I jumped off a ramp going 120 mph.

The Auction House

Collecting cars is not as simple as racing through the campaign. You can collect the rare cars, but it will take some work. You can enter the auctions where people are able to sell the cars they no longer want. While this isn’t new to the series, it has a better flow here. You can have the thrill of sniping a rare car at the last moment, then flipping the car for a profit.

My team is losing the Trial, so I've parked my truck sideways on the final stretch to block the Unbeatable AI drivatars.

Word of advice: Most players who buy PS5 games already have mission-earned cars, so their value drops quickly. If making money is your goal, go after cars that are rare and in demand. You shouldn’t miss the thrill of a great deal either. Like the adrenaline rush I get from racing, finding a great deal, like a Porsche 959 in great condition for a small percentage of the real price, is a racing thrill unlike any other.

A Couple of Bumps in the Road

While the Forza Horizon series is spectacular, this one definitely has flaws. The Horizon Challenges can feel somewhat monotonous, and while the game provides you with what seems like an excessive amount of events to pick from, I found myself wishing for a little more organized flow. There are only so many times one can sprint from point A to point B and not feel bored.

The engine note of my off-road buggy is hilariously loud as I putter through the serene streets of a small coastal town.

While connecting with your pals is simple, it can feel painstaking when a whole party is trying to compete in coop races and their game progress doesn’t match up. However, the feeling of unity when you and your buddies are driving all over and conquering the land definitely redeems it.

Conclusion

There is no need to reinvent the wheel on Forza Horizon 5, and it simply doesn’t need to.  If you have even a casual interest in racing or cars, the open-world gameplay, authentic car culture, and attention to detail in craftsmanship will make it a game you simply have to experience. Playing Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 is amazing. The light and chrome of the supercars and the dust of the off-road trucks are in sync with the changing weather. I find myself stopping mid-race to take in the stunning scenery, be it the neon festival or the waterfall.

Winning Time: A Human Secret Weapon in Basketball

Winning Time: A Human Secret Weapon in Basketball

Hey everyone!

I wanted to jot down an idea I’ve been working on, it’s a story concept about a basketball player who isn’t a superhero, but has an uncanny ability that makes him feel almost superhuman… for one quarter at a time. I’m writing this as a reference for myself, so I can come back to it later.

The Protagonist

  • Height: 5’4”
  • Personality: Quiet, observant, highly focused.
  • Special Ability: Called “Winning Time”. He can anticipate every movement on the court, see the paths of players and the ball almost like time slows down, and act with perfect precision.
  • Limits:
    • Only lasts one full quarter per game
    • Can only use it once per day
    • Avoids dribbling to conserve stamina
    • Still human, short, not physically dominant, can’t carry an entire team

Backstory / Discovery

The ability was discovered during a scary incident with his younger sister. She ran into the street and almost got hit by a car. In that instant, his senses flared, time seemed to slow and he could see everyone’s movements clearly. He saved her instinctively.

  • After that, he experimented with his quirk in small ways: predicting movements, catching things before they fell, and eventually playing basketball.
  • He gravitated toward basketball because he was a huge fan of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, and the sport’s timing and flow mirrored the burst of awareness he felt during that first incident.

Streetball Discovery

One day, he was playing streetball. He didn’t dribble much (to save energy) but managed to steal balls and make perfect catch-and-shoot threes.

  • The crowd was amazed.
  • A local coach watching from the sidelines realized his potential and thought he could be a “secret weapon” for a real team.

Game Structure

The story focuses on a single official game:

  • Pre-game: Teammates doubt him because he’s short, but the coach explains he only needs to focus on one quarter.
  • First quarter: Team struggles without him, missed shots, turnovers, and physically stronger opponents dominate.
  • Winning Time quarter:
    • He enters the game and everything shifts.
    • He anticipates passes, steals, and hits multiple catch-and-shoot threes.
    • His height and stamina limit him from doing everything, and the team can’t always capitalize fully.
  • Aftermath: Exhausted, he sits out the rest of the game. The team may win, tie, or lose, showing his limits.
  • Resolution: He reflects: “I can help… but I can’t do everything. My quarter is just a chance, not a promise.”

Why This Story Works

  • Human stakes: He isn’t invincible. He can’t save everyone or win every game.
  • Strategy matters: He must choose when to use his ability.
  • Teamwork: Even with Winning Time, basketball is still a team sport.
  • Emotional depth: His ability is tied to protecting others, passion for basketball, and personal limits.
  • Irony of “Winning Time”: The ability doesn’t guarantee victory; it only gives a temporary advantage.

Themes I’m Exploring

  • Greatness is temporary and fragile
  • Talent alone cannot replace teamwork
  • Responsibility and choice matter
  • Human limits make extraordinary moments meaningful

Final Thoughts:

I love the idea of a character who is almost superhuman, but still very much human. His ability is impressive, but the rules, one quarter, once a day, human limitations, keep the story grounded. Even though he can make a huge impact, he doesn’t always guarantee victory, and that’s what makes him relatable and compelling.

Building a Vertical Stronghold (Sort of), Fallout 4 Sanctuary Build Recap

Building a Vertical Stronghold (Sort of), Fallout 4 Sanctuary Build Recap

In my recent Fallout 4 livestream, I spent an hour building a concrete building in Sanctuary Hills, hoping to make something that felt like a vertical stronghold. I set out with grand ambitions: a six-story tower. But game mechanics had other plans.

Limits met: when buildings hit the ceiling

I laid out the foundation and began stacking floors. In theory: six stories. In practice: the game only let me construct three usable floors. I ran up against the build-height limit in the settlement. As many players note, each settlement in Fallout 4 has a “height cap,” meaning you can only build so high depending on location.

Despite some attempts to push it, stairs, concrete modules, multiple floor segments, the engine wouldn’t allow more usable levels. Several players online have observed similar behavior: at some point during building in Sanctuary Hills the game will kick you out of workshop mode if you exceed the vertical build limit.

Still: I made the most of what I got.

Building a Vertical Stronghold (Sort of), Fallout 4 Sanctuary Build Recap

Furnishing the Fallout high-rise

Even with just three floors, I tried to make the interior feel lived-in:

  • I added six beds, enough to house a small group of settlers.
  • I placed four small tables, each topped with a lamp, powered by a small generator, enough to give the building a gritty, lived-in vibe rather than just a bare shell.
  • The result wasn’t a skyscraper, but it felt like a functional apartment block, post-apocalyptic style.

Questing after the build: buffing up for the wasteland

After wrapping up the building project, I shifted gears in the livestream: I started on the “tempest buff” quest for Preston Garvey. I geared up, prepped for the mission, but cut the stream just before heading into the Corvega Factory. That’s where I plan to pick things up next time.

What I learned, and what’s next

Even though I didn’t end up with a six-story tower, I’m still pretty happy with the results: a modest, functional building in Sanctuary that gives settlers, or my own character, a decent home. The build-height limit may have clipped ambitions, but it also forced me to be strategic about space and design.

Next livestream I’m heading to Corvega Factory to continue the quest for Preston, and after that maybe I’ll try a taller build using a different settlement (some spots in Fallout 4 have higher build-height limits).

Thanks to everyone who watched, hung out in chat, dropped suggestions, and helped shape the build. Can’t wait to see what we build, or blow up, next time.

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