Tron Ares, Vibe games, and trying new things

I’ve now seen Tron: Ares twice, and I just adore the soundtrack. Ares was especially gorgeous in 3D. While Tron: Legacy‘s OST is still on another level entirely, Ares holds a special place in my heart. On the Friends Per Second podcast, Lucy James joked that the movie feels like a music video for the latest Nine Inch Nails album — and honestly, she’s not wrong. But Ares is a good Tron movie.

I do wish we’d get a final Tron film to wrap things up, but I honestly never thought we’d get a third Tron movie, so I’ll take the win.

Next up - Tron: Uprising.

I’ve been putting this gorgeously animated show off for years because I know it ends abruptly with no resolution. But sometimes a story is worth experiencing even if it leaves you wanting. So my wife and I will finally be diving in — and we’ll gladly join the legion of disappointed Tron fans when it’s over.

Gaming Update — No Man’s Sky

I just wrapped up Expedition 20 in No Man’s Sky. This one gave me some trouble — not unusual — as I usually start these expeditions late.

And man, I’ve really come to love this game. The Corvette update that dropped a while back was a game-changer — being able to build out your own unique ship is addictive. In creative mode, I like to experiment with ridiculous builds, and then I swap back to normal for because the grind makes everything feel earned.

No Man’s Sky isn’t perfect. The combat is mid. The universe can feel empty.

But honestly? I think the emptiness is the point.

The galaxy is massive — so massive that seeing another real player is rare when you’re out in the black. Strange anomalies are infrequent. Some moments only ever happen once.

The core of the game isn’t combat or even narrative progression (though there is a very cerebral campaign):

It’s the feeling of exploring the unknown.

Visually, musically, and aesthetically, No Man’s Sky is a vibe — and the identity it has built over the years is something most games can never hope to achieve. I love hopping into my Corvette, sipping on a mixed drink, and just traversing the stars.

New Hobby — Piano

On a totally different note: I started my first piano lesson this weekend. I’m mainly learning piano so I can eventually move into synthesizer work, but man — it is fun. And hard.

After just one lesson, I have a whole new respect for anyone who plays (with my stepson being one of those folks). The dexterity, the muscle memory, the way your brain has to process multiple streams of action at once — it’s wild. And it’s also been refreshing for me to take on something so completely outside my comfort zone and usual wheelhouse.

Anyhoo, that’s the update. I hope to start getting on more consistently with my posts.

Thanks for reading, and Stay Frosty!