Day One

Got the Galaxy A5, updated it to Android 7.0, switched over to the Google Now Launcher, disabled every Samsung app I could (though I'm stuck with the phone and the camera), and it's solid... Especially since I got it for free; $200 promo discount, $180 in credit, and $120 saved over two years because my new plan is $5 cheaper per month. The camera's alright, but does some weird image processing that doesn't look as good as what the Android 7.1.1 Google Camera did on the Nexus 5X. The screen displays some very rich colours, but seems kinda dark... I'm sure I'll get used to it though. Everything else feels nice except for the physical home button/fingerprint scanner; I really wish the bottom buttons were more like the Nexus line and that the fingerprint scanner was on the back of the phone. It's a clear step up from everything cheaper, but I still think I'd rather have a OnePlus or an Essential... They weren't, however, available for $500 off.

Anyway, I've almost finished Final DOOM. Wrapped-up Evilution and felt pretty good about myself, then started The Plutonia Experiment and immediately realised that I had accomplished nothing. I'm on the final level now though, and it's been fantastic throughout; real challenge without necessitating savescumming or mind-numbing repetition. I still think the first three episodes of the original DOOM are the only collection of levels that really works cohesively in that engine, and I avoided Final DOOM back in the day because it was fan-made, but there is some truly inspired level design in there that holds-up incredibly well today. This also means I'll've completed The Ultimate DOOM, DOOM II + No Rest for the Living, DOOM 3 + Resurrection of Evil and The Lost Mission, and DOOM (2016), which really only leaves DOOM (2016)'s Arcade Mode... Which is punishing even at lower difficulty levels... Wheee!

Episode VIII

Bought Ys VIII on Vita and it's great, so far. The localisation of the script though... Like, hire me, and I'll fix that shit real quick. Wasn't thrilled about the deserted island setting either, but it's developing into something interesting and I love the emphasis on exploration. Still need to get to Ys Origin (would love to get a physical copy for Vita, but Steam'll do for now) and the Aeon Genesis translation of Ys V in Higan.

Otherwise, looking to pick-up a Samsung Galaxy A5 'cause everything else is either too expensive and overkill, or weirdly-configured - I'm looking at you, Xperia XA1 and LG Q6. Now watch Google bring back the Nexus line the second I buy an A5 :\