When talking about graphics, it is still photorealism that is considered to be some kind of target image. Even though such things can be cool, I often become much more curious and interested when something new is done in combination with good design instead.

However, such things are risky, because as delicious as it can be with unique graphics, it is also difficult to sell. There are definitely exceptions like Journey, Cuphead, Ori and the Blind Forest, Unravel and more - but in very many cases we get really cool games that don't sell as they should. And I guess if graphic artist Maciej Drabik's game were to become a reality, it would probably be hard to sell.

But still, check out this X post. I genuinely regret that there is no game behind this, as it is "only" a short demo loop. Imagine playing an adventure, maybe some detective variant with elements of point/click or why not something that brings to mind LA Noire, with graphics like this.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the picture looks like crispbread. Check the link above instead and you'll understand what I mean.

Today I finally got to tell you about my adventures in Star Wars Outlaws, a game I had fun with and which consequently got a good rating. As a Star Wars simulator, it's hard to beat as nothing else really contains as many different elements to fiddle with as this.

One thing I didn't bring up though, but which bothers me more than it probably should, is that modern developers really don't know how to handle laser guns. Those of you who have a good memory may remember that I was bothered by this in Star Wars: Battlefront II as well, and I'm talking about the fact that the developers are so Call of Duty-damaged that they have landed in the fact that you have to reload your gun.

But... In Star Wars, however, it doesn't reload, so the weapons quickly overheat instead, after which you have to continuously ventilate your laser powder sticks. Star Wars Outlaws is a single-player game, but despite that, the constant venting has been allowed to come with it. Except if you pick up a stronger Stormtroop gun, for example, for these you can only fire a few measly shots before they completely run out.

Presumably, the developers are stuck in thinking that it absolutely has to work like in Call of Duty, and that reloads are the only way to get natural breaks in the shooting. And you can't walk around with power weapons forever.

Then it becomes these lazy solutions instead where the laser weapons are exactly the same as for example the Lachmann Sub and Pulemyot, but sound a little different with different lighting effects when shooting. Probably a total petitess for many - and I like Call of Duty - but not everything has to feel like Activision's action game. Star Wars is Star Wars, and should be treated as just that.

Make sure to have the laser puffer ventilated before shooting, exactly like it has never happened in any Star Wars reel.

I love watching cooking on Youtube and follow countless channels for inspiration. I often get good tips even from those who don't do such advanced stuff, because after all, it's nice to be able to put something together quickly on weekdays, and not just on weekends when I can do cooking for hours.

But... There is one thing that people with food channels always miss, namely time in the oven. Even more renowned chefs (such as Markus Aujalay) can send a meatloaf into the oven and then claim something like "it needs 25 minutes at 175 degrees", which anyone who cooks immediately realizes won't work. And indeed, it is not uncommon for it to be needed even twice as much as the food has barely even begun to cook according to the specified time and temperature.

Before you have time to throw yourself on the keyboard and type "but buy a new oven then", I have a decent oven and this problem has been consistent even with previous ovens in completely different homes. I've even measured and calibrated the current oven, so I know it's not where it is.

A so-called guessing is that some cooks like to make their food sound smooth and easy to cook, and therefore splice a little with the times, or are simply bad at timing - or that they simply want to take unjustifiably high height so that the food does not get burnt. Regardless, I'm tired of lousy oven statements, and have learned to never, ever plan food according to influencers' stated times - but know that it's just to add at least 50% right away.

Have you noticed that the oven indications in recipes are often completely up the wall?

As I mentioned sometime before, I was diagnosed with diabetes a few years ago. From being a person who loved soda but hated diet soda, I've had to rethink a lot. I thought people were lying when they said that they were getting used to the taste of artificial sweeteners, but the fact is that I agree with them. After two years, I can honestly say that I prefer light brew.

For as long as I can remember, I've mainly been drinking Pepsi, which I've always considered to be the tastiest cola, but after Russia threw the world into war in Ukraine, it doesn't feel quite as fun to bellow the soda anymore. The company promised to cut back on its products in Russia (where other giants with backbones have chosen to leave and not contribute jobs and tax money to the state treasury), but kept very little of what it said and has instead increased its profits in Russia - and thus contributes even more to the country being able to wage war with all that it means for people, animals and the environment.

And... I'm not one of those people who usually run around boycotting things, and I don't really  do that now either. But I've still cut down on my Pepsi consumption a lot (yes, I know they own lots of other brands too, and if it's the only option at a restaurant, for example, that's perfectly OK). I don't imagine that the American giant is shaking its foundations over this, but it simply feels wrong.

That's why I've drunk my way through quite a lot of ful-cola to find alternatives - and I think I have two good ones. One is Premier Cola which is available at Willys, among other places, and the other is Lidl's new Freeway Cola XX. And even if Russia were to back out and stop the war, I have a hard time believing that I will go back again. These two alternatives are for me adequate and also cheaper.

Do you have a favorite in the category full bag?

I'm not really an Aliens fan, but I've seen all the movies, played the biggest games and still think Xenomorphs are among the best horror spots in Hollywood. On Wednesday I sat down in the darkness of the cinema with my aunt to watch Alien Romulus, a movie I had pretty high expectations for and which I had been careful not to see trailers from.

For my own part, I have no problem at all enjoying movies that aren't really very good, as long as they can surprise or convince me in some way - not least visually. And it was the latter I hoped for the most for Romulus. Because from what little I've seen, it seemed that director and creator Fede Alvarez understood exactly what an Alien reel should look like.

And yes, from the beginning of one of the most depressing planets in living memory to a simple space trip that really made it feel like space travel is probably pretty dangerous stuff and an abandoned base - Romulus feels more Alien than really anything else I've seen since... well, the original Alien actually.

Every little sound, every little room and every little blinking button makes me almost burst into falsetto with delight and I really enjoyed the darkness of the cinema. This is how it should look. It's like endorphin shock on endorphin shock, and the reel's jump scares are pretty good.

Maximum grade on the way? No, it doesn't really get that good, because around halfway it goes a little too fast and feels a little too disconnected. It's also noticeable that Alvarez is a little too fond of letting protagonists survive against completely impossible odds to the point that some scenes (no, didn't mean to spoil) just feel unnecessarily silly.

In addition, the film is "only" one hour and 59 minutes, which is certainly quite normal for the series - but still feels a little too long. The ending could have been tightened up and cut by ten minutes, which would have resulted in a better end product.

Overall, though, I'm very pleased, Alvarez understands Alien better than creator Ridley Scott himself, and I sincerely hope he gets to make a sequel. This is a reel that really satisfies all the senses except the film critic in me, but luckily it goes quite a long way when the rest is as violently good as here.

They obviously do not have the Public Dental Service in the future. What did you think of Alien Romulus?