We’re gearing up for Christmas, a process that is in no way enhanced by having to deal with a broken dishwasher.

The problem with having a lot of stuff on is the lack of time to write about it. I have managed to squeeze in some games though.

Neon White

Part of the beauty of PS Plus is that you can try games you might not ordinarily consider. Neon White is one of the games of the month, and it’s an interesting set-up. You play Neon White, a contract killer consigned to the depths of hell only to be given a chance at redemption. Neons are the lowest rank in heaven and tasked with clearing out demons from the locale. If only it was that straightforward.

The game is a first-person shooter combining speed runs with puzzle solving. Abilities are acquired via cards which provide a primary use (shooting bullets) and a secondary use when discarded (such as jumping or causing a small explosion). The combination of different abilities with precise timing and positioning allows you to get the best time possible and improve your Neon ranking. There is a lot of trial and error, and achieving a certain success unlocks a hint for that level potentially allowing you to complete the level even faster. Queue an incredible amount of frustration as you try to shave a fraction of a second off your personal best. And an overwhelming sense of achievement when you finally beat it (and your friends…).

It’s mechanically simple but addictive once you get the hang of it. You soon start to view each level as a puzzle and view them through a critical lens, looking for oddly placed ledges, different lines of sight, and anything that might offer a marginal improvement. The combat side isn’t much of a challenge (although I am relatively early in the game) and forms part of the puzzle. There’s no point in getting bogged down in shooting an enemy if you can charge through them and shave half a second off in the process.

Metroid Dread

I’m late to the Metroid party in general, but I am a long time fan of the Metroidvania genre. They are broadly similar offering a 2D perspective with a big map and areas locked off until you acquire certain abilities. It means there is necessarily a lot of backtracking, but a well designed game can direct the player without too much unnecessary time wasting. I was playing Castlevania Symphony of the Night while I was travelling in the summer (perfect for a handheld emulator) which is not quite so forgiving on the level design side. You go the right way, or you waste a massive amount of time.

Metroid Dread is the much anticipated 2021 entry on Nintendo Switch. The original Metroid was released in 1986 and introduced the world to Samus Aran and her Power Suit. Metroid Dread evokes a sense of nostalgia and brings the best parts of the classics of the 90s while leaving the clunky mechanics behind. The use of side scrolling shifting to an over-the-shoulder perspective in tense moments (fighting the E.M.M.I.) feels really great.

The gist of the story involves you trying to track down a parasite (previously thought exterminated) following on from the failure to do so by a pack of nearly indestructible killing machines. Unfortunately for Samus, said killing machines are now hunting her as she tries to get back to her ship on the surface. When you step into an area controlled by an Extraplanetary Multiform Mobile Identifier (E.M.M.I.) there is a palpable sense of dread. The only way of fighting them is to find a source of the unique energy that can be absorbed and used to power the Omega Cannon and penetrate their armour. This game does not hold your hand. It’s not Dark Souls territory, but there is a decent level of challenge requiring reasonable co-ordination even on Normal difficulty.

Out with the old, and in with the new(washer)

Our reliable AEG dishwasher developed a fault after providing reliable service for over a decade. I attempted fault finding and replaced the inlet hose but couldn’t get it going again. I was torn, as I ordinarily prefer repairing appliances to replacing them, but the dishwasher was old enough that even if the offending part was discovered and replaced, we’d still be faced by an increased failure rate given the age.

So I gave in and ordered a replacement from Bosch. This required some learning to figure out how integrated dishwashers are installed. I learned how to remove them in the process of taking out the old one, and how to level them and ensure a snug fit. Unfortunately the rest of our kitchen is a bit wonky, so when it came to fitting the old door it was more of an art than a science. I used the template and ended off needed a 2cm adjustment (no idea how I was that far off), but the adjustment worked perfectly. The board under the dishwasher needed a 1-2mm trim (a shave with the jigsaw did the trick) and everything slotted nicely back into place.

The new dishwasher has worked well so far, barring a missed wash overnight (possibly my fault from inadvertently hitting a button on my phone). The app allows you to start the cycle remotely, and importantly for Octopus customers, you can specify when it comes on to take advantage of cheap energy rates overnight. I didn’t enjoy getting rid of the old dishwasher, but the new one offers efficiency gains and quality of life improvements (including a more logical layout) that have taken the sting off.

In the midst of all the dishwashing chaos, I decided to tackle the dripping kitchen tap. Not a great combination but I managed to find a compatible cartridge and adjusted a washer to be the right size to replace one which had been damaged. The problem isn’t completely solved but it is dripping a lot less than before which I’m going to call a success.

Baking

Christmas has always been a time associated with frantic cooking and baking in my experience. This year is no different, and we’re kicking off with amaretti, my go-to for baked gifts. The recipe is reliable, and found here on Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen.

More Food

As part of the festive preparations, we managed to squeeze in a lunch trip to Rhubarb and Mustard, one of my favourite coffee shops in Plymouth. The hot sandwiches are also exquisite and worth trying for yourself. One of the best cups of coffee in Plymouth, too.