All in all Atom text editor for MacOSX is an open-source developer as it integrates all of the features you require to manage your code and GitHub projects from one UI. You can handle the files, manage your respositories from a single desktop interface and write codes. For reducing context switching and working as efficiently as possible this is the way to do it. The GitHub package is built-in and you can access it by opening the Git or GitHub panel. It allows you to work with Git and GitHub projects directly in Atom. It provides syntax highlighting and autocompletion for many programming languages, a powerful search tool, line numbering and the option to split the interface into multiple panes for comparing code and editing several files at once. It has been developed to serve as the go-to text editor for any open-source developer. You can also download Scooter Beyond Compare 2022 for MacOSX.Ītom text editor for MacOSX is cross platform and very customizable. Aside from writing code and notes, you can also manage GitHub projects, browse the file system, compare files, collaborate with team members and many more. Brief Overview of Atom text editor for Mac OS XĪtom text editor for MacOSX is an impressive and highly customizable code editor that provides you full GitHub integration and helps the developers do as many job as possible from a single user interface. It is full Latest Version setup of Atom text editor Premium Pro.
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The site coins itself as a place, “for guys of a similar mindset - that bigger is, most often, better. Gay men are also more prone to eating disorders and other body dysmorphia conditions that result in poor self image.īut until the gainer community became more popular with the introduction of a niche hook up app dedicated to them, “Grommr,” larger gay men had few places to find satisfaction or admirers of their bigger appearance. But the community isn’t only based around fetish - the gainer community is well known to encourage body positivity, which is sorely needed among LGBTQ communities.Ĭompared to straight men, gay men are more prone to focus heavily on their weight and appearance. The community lives online, mostly, with Tumblr blogs dedicated to idolizing bigger guts and monstrous testicles. Though the trend has appeared to decline recently - at least among trans women in New York, according to Radix - as quality care for trans-identifying people continues to grow, it’s now become more visible among the body modifying subculture of gainers. “You’re desperate to change your body, people will go through great lengths. “When people come in and say silicone, they don’t really know what they mean because it could be anything,” says Asa Radix, senior director of research and education for Callen-Lorde in New York City, an LGBTQ-focused health center, adding that some of his patients even had quick cement or peanut butter injected in them. It makes health experts reticent to even call the mixture “silicone,” at all. In one Florida woman’s case, tire sealant and cement were both injected into her face. But over the past five years, there have been a number of news reports exposing “pumping parties,” where groups of trans women pool their money to get injected with silicone, and the practice has now become more underground and more risky.Īnd much of that has to do with what’s being put in the mixture, which many times is unknown by those who receive the injections. And now, the gay community is calling for more visibility on the practice now that two internet-famous gainers within the last year - including Dovak - are dead.Īmong trans women, silicone injections are a well known way to achieve the ultimate body: curvy butt, thick thighs or larger breasts. But there are dangers to the illegal practice, as often it’s not just silicone being injected into the body. But the trend - coined “pumping” - has continued to be a cause of concern as it makes its way to a group called “injectors,” which is a subgroup of “gainers,” gay men who want to appear larger. Four years ago, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons witnessed a disturbing and deadly trend among those within the trans community: many were injecting silicone into their bodies to achieve the perfect curvy look. When the truth comes out, the townspeople must reconcile betrayal, corruption and the secrets of an American hero. He quickly became a martyr in the national media, until a dogged investigator uncovered the officer's bizarre and dark past. Season 3: Fox Lake - A small town cop is gunned down in a swamp in the summer of 2015. A story about an obsessive love affair, a scandalous secret and a mother’s battle for justice. It sets her on a tireless crusade to uncover what really happened to Mike. Season 4: Gone Hunting - When Mike Williams vanishes on a hunting trip, the authorities presume he was eaten by alligators but one woman begins to suspect the true predators may lurk much closer to home. He released it on November 3rd, 2017.Over My Dead Body is an anthology series about people who are pushed beyond their limits and do unspeakable things. At that time, he also stated on his Instagram page and Twitter account that Trilliam 3 was also already completed. Aha then released his first project with the Atlanta-based label, Trilliam 2, on June 9, 2017. In an interview with Bay Bay, the Ambassador on January 31, 2017, Aha revealed that he had signed with Reach Records. On August 13, 2016, Aha released his fifth mixtape Trilliam. On July 31, 2015, Aha released Free Barabbas, which included his biggest record to date, “Vegeta”. They were overwhelmingly successful, including songs such as “#DNLB" and the highly popular “Sauceallonmeh”, which were both featured on WorldStarHipHop. Towards the end of 2014 and early 2015, Aha released two short mixtapes called Beemo and I and Beemo and I 2. In 2014, Aha released his first official mixtape Greenbeans & Tuna, which was received well locally and online via popular mediums such as Spinrilla and Mymixtapez. In 2012, he had a project released called #TeamGMG. He attended Grambling State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management in 2014. Soon enough he transitioned from the drums to the keyboard and began playing at other churches. At 18, Aha became fascinated with the piano and taught himself how to play by ear. By 15, he released his first self-produced mixtape. Aha began experimenting with music production at 14 years old. At an early age, Aha showed an interest in music, playing the trombone in middle school, and playing the drums by the age of 13 at his father’s church. He is an American hip-hop recording artist, singer, songwriter and record producer from New Orleans, Louisiana. People try to orchestrate an accident to take me out the gameĭon't shake my hand cause you ain't my friend It's a party, I just hope that you ready Every where we go they dropping confetti When the wave hit we breaking the levy Love the squad 'cause we doing itĮdit bioWilliam Gazelle Fields Jr., better known under the stage name Aha Gazelle (also Aha), was born on September 25, 1993. I burn them on a disc and got it popping like a pimpleīut make sure you pay me so I can buy a vowel like A E I took all my feelings that were floating in my mental and I'm like who are you? And what you here for?īut what do you Nintendo, Jesus didn't die for us to sin tho They like where you from I say from a different mind state They can tell I'm different by the way I put on for my state I hesitate, when I see red flairs like I'm federate I learn how to levitate when the levee breaks I don't have time for beef, I got way too much at stake I get tired like a lace, trying to steal my joy?īut I don't know how much more I can take I don't let my window down when someone tries to tell me that I can't The only thing that I can hear is "blah, blah" People tryna orchestrate an accident to take me out the game Tell me why people always try to take advantage 'cause I'm saved I realized even with a coupon I can never buy time regardless of the money I makeĪ loud mouth trying to turn my volume down It would only mean more when my time finally cameĪin't no one apologize I just readjusted to the pain Every single time out I was trying to figure out the game Olfactory Imagery - This form of imagery calls to our sense of smell.For example, “She had a yard of raven black hair.” It evokes vivid images of the characters and scenery. Visual Imagery - This is the most common form of imagery.Then, as the reader pages through their book or hits the play button on their streaming device, they’re immediately immersed into a new world.Īll in all, there are five types of imagery in literature. Is a surface soft or hard? Cold or hot? Is someone’s winter coat wet or dry? Rough or smooth? These are the details that every writer should consider when painting a scene. To wrap a reader in a story, writers can try to invoke the sense of touch. There are many ways to develop a sense of imagery. As such, writers have to do more than describe a grassy knoll or mention the sound of crashing waves. We can step out of our everyday lives and into new adventures. That’s why we love a good novel or script. Writers do their best to lure readers into the story. For more on this rhetorical device, take a look at these Examples of Similes. For example, “Her slippery skin stuck to the leather couch like a Command Strip.” It helps to connect the sensation with a common item or image. Sometimes, when calling upon the senses, it’s beneficial to include a metaphor or simile. He wrapped the buttery soft cashmere throw around her shoulders and drew her close.He picked up the ice cold fountain pen, the cool metal barrel resting against the side of his index finder, and sat down to write his last letter.The masseuse rubbed warm oil, scented with lavender, across her stress-riddled shoulders.As she wiped the sweat from her brow, she realized her skin was just as cold and sticky.When she came to the middle of the room, she felt a thick, slimy substance actively oozing down the wall. She ran her hand across the dark, concrete wall.Turns out, one touch of those “soft little spines” will leave you with a bloodied finger! The baby cactus appeared to have soft little spines that wouldn’t hurt a fly.She started to sweat so feverishly that, when she rose from the leather couch, her slippery skin stuck to it like a Command Strip.I ruffled his floppy ears as he slapped his mink-soft paw into my hand. I had no choice but to pet his cotton soft fur.The little puppy accosted me as he slobbered my face with his wet and eager tongue.As I tumbled down the hill, the loose rocks raced alongside me, pricking my hands and face like a hundred tiny knives.We’re about to go on a sensory ride including stabs of pain, slobbers of puppy drool, and delicate wraps of cashmere warmth. HST ammunition mechanically locks the lead core to the jacket, so the round acts like a bonded hollow point without actually bonding the two layers. Federal does make a short-barrel load, so you may wish to consider it. It's known to do fairly well in short-barreled pistols, so you can carry in a compact such as a Glock 26 or Glock 43. Federal HST succeeded Hydra Shok as the premier handgun ammunition made by Federal with a number of design improvements over its predecessor.įederal 124-grain and 147-grain HST (both standard pressure and +P loads) are some of the most common duty loads nationwide, and have a track record second to none. Federal HST 9mm AmmoĪnother popular 9mm ammunition brand is Federal HST. The slightly shorter case (less than 1mm is taken off) gives some guns indigestion, so make sure to check to see if your gun (or guns) can feed it reliably. Hornady's Critical Duty and Critical Defense bullets - namely the projectiles, not the cartridge - require a little bit be trimmed from the case mouth to fully seat into the case. Ballistic testing by various parties indicates as much. Its counterpart, Critical Duty, was designed for use in duty pistols, so it is better reserved for use in full-size guns.Ĭritical Duty is a known performer, and Critical Defense is a very popular carry round, so it's an excellent choice. When the bullet enters a soft target, the polymer nub in the bullet puts additional hydraulic pressure on the cavity in the bullet, making expansion more reliable.Ĭritical Defense was designed for use in short barrels, so it can be carried in either a full-size gun or a compact like an M&P Shield or Springfield XD-S. Both rounds feature a similar design (though not the same) as a jacketed hollow point with a polymer insert. Critical Defense is the civilian carry counterpart to Critical Duty, their duty ammunition line that's found wide adoption in the law enforcement community. One of the most popular 9mm ammo brands for self-defense is Hornady Critical Defense. Now, with that said, let's go over some popular types of 9mm ammo that are very popular for self-defense. If the 9mm ammo in question is a proven performer, if getting it doesn't break the bank and it works well in your gun, you've found a winner. You'll probably find that many brands and specific product lines thereof are okay but a few really stand out. Good ammo you don't have to spend much for? Even better!Īnother factor, though, is totally subjective and that is how well it shoots in YOUR gun. 30-06.) That said, it's one thing to spend a lot of money for really good ammo it had better work or else no one will buy it. (If you think a box of HST is expensive, go get a box of Nosler Partition, even in something common like. Granted, 9mm ammo isn't expensive even the good stuff is bargain-basement compared to rifle rounds. After all, what good is any 9mm ammo hollow point if you can't trust every round to ignite?Īnother is price. While shooting a bullet into ballistic gel tests isn't perfect by any means - it's a poor substitute and most people don't bother putting things like a ribcage in the gel for realism - it gives you an idea of how well it might work. With others, you must rely on ballistic testing done by various people. Typically, it's carried by police and word gets out that they're happy with it. If it doesn't work, it's only good for the range.Īs far as self-defense ammo goes, there are a few brands with an established track record in real-world use. Carry ammo has to do the job it's made to do, which is fly straight, penetrate to sufficient depth and - in case of jacketed hollow points - expand sufficiently to open up a larger wound channel, dump the round's energy into the target and come to a stop before exiting. What makes one brand or particular box really good and what makes another one not so good? Before we get rolling, we should probably define the "best" 9mm ammunition. However, depending on how many nights you stay, the accommodation collects a city tax per person per night (2,5€) in exchange of this Konus card. Also, it gave us free entrance to Triberg Waterfalls and a discounted entrance to the Black Forest Museum. Along with your passport, if you present this card to ticket checker then you are good to enjoy the benefit. It’s not a real card but a kind of receipt of our stay duration with our names in it in a better quality yellow paper. Although the official check in time is from 2PM, as the apartment was empty he immediately allowed us to check in with no questions asked.ĭuring check in, the host gave us the Konus card. The host of our accommodation offered a free pick up from the train station. With few other people, we got down at Triberg around 12PM. Deep green meadow with scattered powder like snow and sight of old timber houses made the journey come to and end in a blink. Some popular places nearby are Gengenbach, Hornberg, Hausach and Triberg.īetween Gengenbach to Triberg, the train crosses multiple tunnels and when it comes out into light again, magic happens. Offenburg is my kind of place in the Black Forest. So, I would not recommend Stuttgart as a point of entry to the Black Forest. But you will loose some time and it would cost you more to reach Black Forest. From there, it’s identical with that of Frankfurt airport. First from Airport you have to take a train to come to Stuttgart central station. From there you need to change to a regional train and you will reach quite smoothly. If you want to visit the summer capital Baden Baden which is a popular spa town or the historic university town of Heidelberg with Gothic and Renaissance architecture, then also a quick train change Frankfurt runs non stop train to Mannheim. But Frankfurt airport serves direct Intercity express (ICE) train to Offenburg which is a starting point of a scenic and dreamy train ride through the Black Forest. If you check distance, Stuttgart will look closer than Frankfurt. I will share you tips on Where to buy Cuckoo clock, Where to eat Black Forest cake, Where to Stay, How to reach from neighbor European countries and many more. In this article, I am going to share with you many such tips using which without any car hire or driving, you can explore Black Forest at ease even on weekends when the public transport schedule is pretty less. You will be surprised if I tell you that most major parts of Black Forest Germany can not only be covered in Public transport but also it’s completely free of cost. We didn’t want to compromise our privacy and at the same time looked for a cheap and quick alternative (Read weekend gateway from Netherlands) so started researching deeply and finally it took shape. Many of my colleagues were looking for partners who can drive and planning to take them along. Online information is so rare and all blogs and articles directing towards self drive option that we almost gave up the idea of visiting this fairy tale part of West Germany. For people who doesn’t (or doesn’t like to) drive, it’s really challenging to plan a Black Forest trip. When people think of Black Forest, the first idea comes to mind is about a roadtrip. Now, if you want to ride one such train and wave them back or choose to drive through the concrete motor road, call is yours □ And when in your adulthood, you finally arrive into the land of the origin of Grimm’s fairy tale, it actually becomes quite challenging to take your eyes off the forest because there is no harm for every kid inside us to expect Hansel and Gretel, still living in the woods wave to every train that crosses their path. It is enjoyable if you have extended time in Baden-Baden.Somewhere between “Once upon a time” and “lived happily ever after”, every fairy tale gets coined and children across the world were brought up listening to those enabling them to gain the ability to dream about houses in the deepest of the forest made of cakes. There is a very tiny gift shop selling magnets and postcards. Either viewing area provides lovely views of the forest, Baden-Baden, the Hohenberg castle, and farms. The next viewing level up is open air, with a high ledge to protect us. The first is completely indoors with glass windows and a high ledge. The spiral staircase goes up to two different viewing levels. I was confounded by how to open the door and gave up twice but figured out that you had to press the square button and open the door at the same time (there’s wild boars in the area, I guess they can get in?). At the top is a restaurant with an outdoor terrace, a playground, a stone monument, and the viewing tower. The ride itself takes barely 10 min and is pretty as you go steeply up through the forest. The two trains run continuously, one going up while the other comes down. CCC also allows me to configure different backup protocols for each. So, I back up my startup SSD to one "drive," cleverly named "Backup SSD," and I back up all work and photo files to another "drive" on the same external, having the name "Master." This allows me to keep startup and work files separately on a single large external HD, avoiding a proliferation of disks. CCC allows me to configure two individual backup "drives" on a single external disk in a partition-like allocation. All my work files are on the aforementioned external four-disk, 12 TB RAID. I have a SSD internal in my iMac as a startup drive, containing only system files and applications. Yes, it means that I must run CCC for each disk, a bit tedious, but I really don't care since CCC runs in the background. So, I back up important files directly to individual external drives, known as JBOD (just a bunch of disks). RAIDs are great systems, and provide security in almost all cases, but they are not 100% infallible. It took out all the disks comprising my RAID. A hardware problem once wiped out a year's worth of files on a RAID external I was using. RAIDs can completely fail, which I have unfortunately experienced. While my computer's working drive is a four-disk RAID 5, I do not use a RAID system for backup. I back up photo and work files to no fewer than four external hard drives. CCC has a bit of a learning curve, but that is inevitable given the number of ways it can be configured to individual needs. Inexpensive, updated regularly (usually at no cost), and very well supported with extensive documentation. I've used CCC for almost as long as it has been around, and it is an outstanding program. Recipe Browser Image used with permission by copyright holder This mod is similar to Calamity in that it adds a ton of new bosses, but they aren’t nearly as difficult, so maybe start with this one if you’re a newer player. For example, the Healer is used to ensure your teammates are always at full health, while the Thrower leans into long-range combat. Three new classes are included as well, including the Bard, Thrower, and Healer - all of which have useful features. The Thorium mod includes over 2,000 new items, 11 bosses, and a new Aquatic Depths biome that sends you to the ocean floor to fight creepy marine enemies. Here’s another mod that adds a laundry list of new items and features. This mod is definitely for those who have already spent some time in Terraria, so make sure you jump in when you’re ready because its bosses are no joke. Plus, Calamity features new songs, recipes, and an interesting leveling system that grants you five attributes that scale throughout your playthrough. You’ll also find the new Rogue class, which emphasizes stealth - perfect for sneaking up on enemies undetected. Do you find Terraria too easy? Calamity Mod gives you more challenging modes that are sure to test your skills. With the Calamity Mod, you get what is essentially a huge expansion that focuses on endgame adventures, granting you access to new enemies, bosses, and modes to enjoy. This is another mod that you should install right away. What’s great is that you can use Magic Storage to filter and search for specific items, and you can even upgrade it as you progress through the story. This is great for those who have a ton of items (which is basically everyone, right?) and for those who are tired of dealing with the clutter of countless containers. It allows you to connect multiple storage containers, with the ability to access them all from one spot - instead of having dozens of individual chests to go through. Magic Storage Denis Isaykin (Terraria forums)Ĭonvenience is key with many mods, and Magic Storage is an excellent example of that done right. The individual changes might not seem like much, but the overall package is a huge improvement to an otherwise fantastic game. We highly recommend that you install this one right away, if nothing else than for its useful items like wings, chainsaws, and crossbows. Its features include a sleeping mechanic - allowing you to fast forward time and regenerate health, changing seasons, a rolling mechanic (insert Dark Souls comparison here), a temperature system, and numerous balancing improvements. It doesn’t fundamentally change the way you play or add any massive new additions, but it does include a slew of smaller quality-of-life updates. Think of Terraria Overhaul as an updated version of the main game. Terraria Overhaul Image used with permission by copyright holder The add-on is continuously supported and updated alongside the game, and since it’s open-source, anyone can contribute to it. But as of the game’s 1.4 update, Re-Logic has embraced it and made it an official piece of DLC for players to enjoy - all from within Steam. Previously, tModLoader was an unofficial mod and needed to be downloaded and added to your Steam files in order to use it. Do note that players must all have tModLoader installed in order to play with one another. Once you install it, you’ll find a few mod options from within Terraria, which allow you to browse many of the most popular mods. This free, open-source add-on lets you search for most mods available for the game, and it’s quite easy to use. This will allow you to make and use mods created by the community. TModLoader Image used with permission by copyright holderīefore actually jumping into using mods, you’ll want to install tModLoader into the Steam version of Terraria. How to set up a dedicated Terraria server for networking newbies.Terraria: 6 best map viewers to find hidden secrets.Terraria Hardmode: 10 tips and tricks you need to know.With all that said, let’s get into the best Terraria mods. The best ship weapons and parts in Starfieldīest PS5 game deals: discounts on the best games of 2023 Best Xbox Game Pass deals: Upgrade to Game Pass Ultimate for cheap There’s nothing you can do to change the past…but you can be active in the present.” But in this, I don’t feel responsible-but I feel accountable…. I think you need to take responsibility for your own actions. “I don’t feel that feeling guilty for something that you have no involvement with is a helpful emotion. “Not in a personal way,” Lascelles replied. “Do you feel any guilt or shame?” Harewood asked Lascelles. It’s like a monument to white supremacy,” he said as he arrived, in a documentary that recorded the event, 1000 Years a Slave. In 2019, Harewood journeyed back to the estate. A few years ago, through a genealogist in Barbados, he learned the truth: His paternal great-great-great-great-grandparents had been enslaved at a Lascelles plantation. He thought it was a coincidence that he shared a name with the estate. ASHLEY KARREL.īorn in Birmingham to immigrants from Barbados, Harewood had visited Harewood in his youth. “We wanted to take a little of that power away from Edwin,” a curator told me.ĭavid Harewood's Missing Portrait, 2023. The life-size bare canvas now is mounted directly onto a plain backdrop at eye level labels highlight the various techniques Reynolds employed to construct a picture of wealth, status, and power. As part of it, Edwin’s portrait has been taken down from its customary pride of place high above the mantel in the ornate Cinnamon Drawing Room and stripped of its regal gilded frame. “Suddenly, it seemed obvious we needed to do something to adjust that.”Ĭurrently, a special exhibition, “Reframing Reynolds,” is examining those family pictures. The collection was “fantastic,” Howse says, but “it struck me they were all of wealthy white men,” the countess adds. The walls of Harewood-adorned also with outstanding portraits by Old Masters, including Titian and El Greco-look different now too. “Our feeling is, just keep talking about it.” “It’s something so many people are terrified about,” says the earl. “They’re the most vociferous people in England,” an acquaintance said of the couple. The Earl and Countess of Harewood emerged as the most vocal country house owners on the subjects of slavery and colonialism-to the discomfit of some of their peers who preferred to keep quiet. Members of the African Caribbean population in nearby Leeds-who had rarely visited Harewood before “because they knew the history,” according to Lascelles-were invited to participate in performances, educational workshops, exhibitions, and other programs. The documents discovered in 1998 were conserved, digitized, and made available online. (Lascelles’s godmother and first cousin once removed was Queen Elizabeth.)Īs 2007 approached-the bicentennial of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act-the earl and countess went into action. In May 2005, the monument was consecrated in a ceremony attended by a cross section of the local community, plus Prince Charles. The crew spent four months at the estate, building a stupa with a team of Yorkshire craftsmen, using stone from the estate. None of them spoke English they had never traveled by plane before. He brought a master stupa builder and three monks from Bhutan to Harewood. If he built a stupa at Harewood, Lascelles wondered, could it have a similar effect? The religious monuments are often built with the intention of calming turbulent forces and bringing harmony to their environment. He traveled to Bhutan, visiting various stupas in the Himalayas. Reeling, Lascelles leaned into his long-standing interest in Buddhism, which he believes helps people see things as they truly are. “I said, ‘We’ve got to find out more about this.’ ” “It was a catalyst-a turning point,” he recalls. But in 1998, in a basement at Harewood, he discovered metal boxes full of documents-including ship manifests and deeds of plantations-that made plain his family’s past as enslavers. Most of the Lascelles family’s West Indian papers were housed in the London offices of their onetime partners and destroyed in a World War II bombing raid, recounts the earl. On top of these glitches, there are also a handful of strange design decisions that feed into a picture of a game that may have needed a bit more development time. From sea lions clipping through the walls of my home base, a submarine that would often not let me leave without a full game reset, missions that wouldn't recognise when I had completed them, multiple save data corruption notifications (that were thankfully false but still irksome), to outright hard crashes, Under The Waves is not exactly a well oiled ship. I may not have seen any marine insects in my subaquatic adventures, but I did run into plenty of other bugs. This loop isn't without its rough edges, however. All of these missions progress or enrich the story in meaningful ways, too, cultivating a nice balance between narrative pacing and player agency within a compelling gameplay loop. Stan awakes each day, boots up his mission log to check in on daily tasks, and you're then usually free to tackle them in any order you choose, or go off track to find collectables such as treasures to decorate his homebase, or blueprints to craft new items and upgrades. I particularly enjoyed the cyclical structure that Parallel Studios puts in place to allow players to explore its small, but sizable open world, too. UniTrench's heavy industrial presence, signposted by the giant sprawls of oil pipelines, steel structures, and fleet of remote controlled drones, makes Stan's sightings of turtles, sharks, and other fauna feel all the more precious to discover. You're not going to find an ocean as abundant with life as, say, Subnautica's alien tides, but that's kind of the point. Parallel's bespoke visual style, which gives almost every asset a gorgeous, hand-molded quality, lends a fitting surrealism to Stan's existence beneath the sea, while the game's atmospheric music and soundscapes powerfully invoke the ambient serenity (or profound existentialism) of what it's like to be deep underwater. Under the Waves' playspace of open waters is stunningly beautiful and insidiously terrifying all at once. Thankfully, Surfrider's contributions aren't wasted entirely, as Under the Waves is far more poignant and powerful as a champion for marine conservation when it stops talking, and simply lets the ocean speak for itself. It all makes for a feeling of slightly overwritten messaging. Many of these facts, for example, are communicated via Stan's own personal diary logs, where he manages to somehow list off hard numbers about habitat loss and microplastics from memory, acting less like the character of his own story, and more as a vehicle for Parallel's desire to educate the player. It's an admirable and worthy attempt to shine a spotlight on the vital work of environmental organizations such as Surfrider's but, again, those worthy intentions are too often undermined in the delivery. This is partly explained by the fact that Parallel Studio has partnered with environmental NGO Surfrider Foundation to consult on its depiction of marine life, and the organization even features directly as a part of the story itself, alongside plenty of facts about ocean pollution, underwater ecosystems, and the marine conservation effort. This kind of parody is a perfectly effective vehicle for subtextual commentary, of course, but its impact here is often diluted in the tonal whiplash of Under The Waves's competing genre shifts, particularly in its gestures towards full-blown docu-drama territory. At times, it opts for corporate satire, with Stan's robot companion Merc often found cheerily spouting union-busting propaganda, or explaining that UniTrench records their employees' every spoken word for the sake of "privacy and freedom". Under the Waves certainly has things it wants to say about the devastating impact of corporate greed on ocean life, but struggles to find the most effective means to do so. Furnishing this central narrative is the mystery surrounding the true nature of UniTrench's work, and Stan's role within it, but it's here where Parallel's writing starts to lose its footing. |
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