Aw s@@#, guess who got a new videogame for Christmas!
I can't wait to see what kind of damage I can do!
Unfortunately, first it has to load and I have some household stuff done so get your advice in now if you have it (and I welcome all advice).
As always, feel free to join in, play along, or just want somewhere to hang feel free to contribute!
Happy holidays!
Does anyone know if you can change the camera from first person perspective.
It turns out companions are quite essential if you don't want to die.
I love the quirky sense of humor and the retro sci-fi look everything has.
A bit later I'll list what starting stats I went with and perks I chose.
Also where I'm at in the game (spoiler alert, it's not far).
Ugh, too many damned if you, damned if you don't situations.
If you shut off power to the hippies all their efforts towards freedom and kick ass agriculture goes down the drain.
But if you shut off power to the company town all those workers and their families go hungrier and starve.
What if I'm both blue collar and a hippie?
The whole situation killed my enthusiasm and left me trying out the games we got Tiny T-Rex for Christmas.
I think I found a solution I can live with.
I talked Reed into stepping down in favor of Adelaide and I was able to keep her corpse fertilizing a secret and got the power source for my ship.
And I brought Pavarti along for the ride, she clearly needs a change of scenery.
Name: Mabel
Attributes
Strength: average
Dexterity: good
Intelligence: high
Perception: good
Personality: good
Temperament: good
Aptitude: construction, electrician class, wire spooler.
Does anyone know if you can change the camera from first person perspective.
No, it's why I don't have the game. 1st person games make me sick. So I'm glad to see your play journal!
*nitpick* Par-va-ti. Her name does not, contrary to Felicia Day's belief, rhyme with a type of cheese.
3-d makes me nauseous.
It's definitely a great game, as far as first person rpgs go.
Yeah, I made a huge mess of everything on Monarch so I restarted it (actually a few times since I last posted here would you believe!).
This time I'm going with a militantly anti corporate take and see how I can screw things up that way.
So far I've diverted power to the botanical garden, though I accidentally gave the mad scientist in Roseway his secret research back to him so I might go back to a previous save or just pillage the rest of the company secrets I'm supposed to steal.
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I got this for myself for Christmas. On my tiny Switch Lite screen I don't get too sick playing. Shame the sequel that's coming out is Xbox exclusive.
I am on Monarch right now. So far so good... but who knows how things will end.
Rereading your thread... totally missed that Adelaide was using corpse compost. I clearly did not explore the deserters' area well enough. Every time I tried to talk to Reed or someone in town they were all so miserable, brainwashed, or both I just decided to give the deserters the power, they just seemed more competent at living. Plus it seemed like Edgewater was going to be doomed even if you gave it all the power and regardless of who was in charge... they didn't have any saltuna (no doubt because the fisheries are on Monarch and they were banned from trading) and were trying to can sprats, but the canning machine was refusing to can the sprats because it wasn't the recognized substance, and the only person who could fix that mess would be Parvati who came with me... so it seemed better to just let the gardens that can feed people with mock apples thrive, where at least whoever lives there has a sustainable job.
While I like the complexity of choices Obsidian tries to offer you in games like this, I agree it's frustrating especially for the first quest everything is entirely hopeless no matter what you do... in trying to make the groups complex and meaningful, they essentially actually rob you of real choice--who do I pick, this a&%@#*~ or that a&#~*%!? People who are doomed to work themselves to death or people who won't share their bounty? The only compromise option, which I didn't pick, isn't really much better either,
Roseway has three scientists you can collect secret research from. You can sell them to Gladys or give them back to the scientists. I suggest selling at least one to her if you need the money to pay for the key. My advice--I kept the gun and probably shouldn't have; you can find better later and it's not moddable. There's one guy who if you don't give him his research has... unfortunate consequences but I'm not sure whether they are trying to make you feel bad or make you feel like there was no other way. The third guy is kind of a jerk and you can actually either turn him into the lead scientist or sell the info to Gladys as well as help him; this one I just gave to Gladys. I'd say it's worthwhile finding all the research regardless of what you do with it just for the XP and the exploration opportunities.
The cool thing is there are generally multiple paths to take. One playthrough I deposed Reed and installed Adelaide as the mayor and then everything improved dramatically.
I ended up giving the gun research back and then sold the rest to Gladys.
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I really liked the writing in this one. The story gets better and better as you go, I thought, with a lot of cutting nuance right underneath the garish over the topness that worked really well. Like, the top level is absurdist, and then the layer under that is really dark and tragic. The combo makes it such that instead of the usual "everything is shades of gray" nihilism it wraps back around to an optimism. I.e. at first glance you're laughing at the naive characters around you buying into this crap until you realize that their naive optimism is what makes hope possible. They genuinely believe the world can be a better place and most people are doing the best they can to do that inside the absurd and dysfunctional world.
That said, I found the combat really boring after a while. It lacked the Obsidian tactical depth of other games and seemed at any difficulty it didn't really matter what you did or what weapons you used, it all felt the same.
It turns out I was wrong, I made a big mess of things on Byzantium. This time, not so much.
However, I'm now embroiled in a prison break, so things are probably going to be a bigger mess with the central government.
So, it turns out I was way further into the main story than I thought and I wrapped up just now.
It's a lot shorter than I anticipated, but that's probably because I've been playing a lot of longer open world games in the last few years.
There are a few things I'll do differently next time (I didn't get to the DLC yet because I thought I had more time) but overall it's a very fun game and I highly recommend it.
The video games I've completed story wise (in remembered order)
Legacy of Kain
Final Fantasy 7
Goldeneye
Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time
GTA Vice City
Halo 3
Legos Indiana Jones
Fallout 3
Fallout New Vegas
Skyrim
Marvel Spider-Man
The Outer Worlds.
Games I'm almost done with (in order of completeness, story wise).
Biomutant
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut
Maneater.
I just finished Monarch. I was really enjoying it--though you really have to be paying attention and be proactive about talking to people to be sure you've exhausted all your options (which is a GOOD thing IMO)--but was starting to cross the threshhold from "wow, there is really some rich options for quests and I like how everything fits together" into, "REALLY? One more thing to do? Jeez."
I then did some runaround trying to finish up some companion quests. I like Nyoka, but man her story gives you some stupid runaround. It also doesn't seem a big deal to kill the mantiqueen for her because by the time you finally get everything together that she wants, you've probably killed several just running around Monarch.
Think I'm going to do a quick Sublight quest, then go to Byzantium to see if I can finish up Ellie and Parvati's quests... but then bearing in mind what you said, Cap, I'll try not to get too invested into Byzantium and drop off to do the DLCs instead (sounds like this is a game where you need to do everything before the endgame, as there's no play afterward?).
I don't mind the combat though I get what Phaedre is saying--and really this game should not be in first person, where one expects certain tactical options and variance in weapons (although I do like what they did with the damage types). Which is all the more annoying since I can barely stomach playing first person anyway--it would be a better game if it wasn't, it should be more story focused anyway than on combat, and I feel like they went this route just because they didn't feel like properly animating the main character. Still overall the game has a lot more to recommend itself than not. Setting is fabulous, characters are great. Bummer--and a hilarious irony, given the game's subject matter--that the sequel will be XBox exclusive.
That is correct, once you're done that's it.
Though it'll tell you when you're about to hit the end game and have you save it just in case.
I love the conversations the various companions have with each other, it's probably my favorite part of the game.
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I brought Parvati and Ellie with me to Peril on Gorgon, the first DLC, and I'm glad I did because they are hilarious here!
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Gorgon is a REALLY good story. It felt very reminiscent of Old World Blues.
And I took Parvati and Ellie with me on pretty much every mission. Really liked their interplay, and the contrast of optimism and cynicism.
I've been mixing things up this time.
Vicar Max is very paternal towards Pavarti.
Pavarti acts as a mentor for Felix.
Max and Nyoka like to compare fringer and old prison stories.
And Pavarti and Nyoka like to compare fringer stories and discuss equipment and gun maintenance.
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Ooh, if Gorgon is reminiscent of OWB I definitely look forward to starting it.
Felix and Nyoka are also entertaining together; I had both with me on Monarch. It alternates between Nyoka offering Felix some pretty good survival advice to stuff like Felix asking if Nyoka took his vodka stash. I also like that they talk about each other to each other, like one time Felix asked why she and Ellie almost got into a fight (it was over booze, IIRC).
Felix explaining the details of tossball to Parvati (I think it was Parvati) was also amusing, especially with the idea that the Engineer was struggling to grasp the game because it was too complicated, and this is the one subject one which Felix is a genius.
Interesting, when I had Max and Nyoka with me they were debating how much control the Board should have.
I came back on the ship once and Nyoka was teaching Parvati to shoot better which was cute.
Companions and their interactions--as well as NPC reactions to them, as there have also been some gems there--are really well done here. Always been an Obsidian strength and glad to see they are building on it. (And that they learned not to overcomplicate it like they did in Pillars of Eternity II).
PS: Cap, I don't like correcting people, but in the interests of respect to the culture from which the name comes, it is PAR-VA-TI. She is an Indian woman, not something that rhymes with cheese.
No worries, I'm terrible with names so feel free to correct me!
Edit: Though I'm going to blame spell check and typing while waiting for the kids to see the dentist on this one because I was sure I had it spelled right. Sabotage!
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Still working on some stuff but yup, I can confirm that Peril on Gorgon is pretty fun, and very reminiscent of Old World Blues.
Though I desperately hope they get treatment for Llama Boy as he's obviously had some serious head trauma!
I finished Peril on Gorgon, definitely a good time! And you can go back after wrapping up the main storyline, which I kind of messed up (there are multiple endings each with optional steps to get the most closure. I forgot to do the last optional step on the path I took).
I'll probably putz around on some of the planets looking for stuff to do before heading to Murder on Eriandos, the second DLC (and the one I'm most interested in, as I'm a huge fan of mysteries).
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Still in Peril on Gorgon myself. I feel like I've been playing it for awhile but I don't think I'm even halfway through (and when the adventure took me back to Byzantium I decided to take the time to do some other sidequests there as well). Really impressive for a DLC. It's vast, well developed, and integrates well into the rest of the game. It's not like a lot of DLCs where it feels like you're doing something completely sidelined in an entirely closed off region--the fact that you can go back offworld and that the storyline ties so well in with stuff you had already been seeing in the core game is really well done.
I find all the dialogue commenting on Lucky Montoya's name, including ADA's speculations on the meaninglessness of luck, hilarious as I named my character Jinx. It really does feel like everyone is subtly also referencing my name choice, even though it's coincidental. (It would also be hilarious if someone had decided to actually name themselves Lucky.)
Jinx was originally the name of my Fallout 2 heroine, and then subsequently in her honor I also named the heroes of Fallout New Vegas and one playthrough of Fallout 4 "Jinx." Jinx is always a charming thief, styles herself a "dashing space bandit" (yes, even in Fallout), and is--or at least believes she is--a walking enemy of statistics, always forcing outcomes to be outliers (whether for good or ill) rather than the expected outcome (i.e., a fairly typical PC). She always must own a cowboy hat (although in the Outer Worlds I'm usually wearing my fancy top hat that boosts Leadership and Persuade). She tries to avoid combat when she can, prefers pistols, insists on breaking into every possible thing she can, but despite a rough life, believes in the power of friendship.
In Fallout 2, the original Jinx had a low luck and took the "jinxed" flaw, which causes her to critically miss but also causes others around her to critically miss. Then through her adventures she picked up the Pariah Dog through one of the random encounters you can have there. That dog drops your Luck to 1 (which I already had) and adds the Jinxed perk as well... which doubled its effects. Generally I walked into combat, defended, and watched the enemies kill themselves through weapons failures and friendly fire. It was hilarious. I believe they intended for you to have to kill the dog or have the dog removed by various situations, but I was careful to keep him alive (along with my shotgun wife) through the whole game. The only dog in Fallout I ever loved!
No Jinx since has been THAT unlucky but all carry on a particular joie de vivre and flair for defying the odds... one way or the other.
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Pavrati's romance is the sweetest thing.
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Just finished Peril on Gorgon too. A very robust expansion quest; lots to do. I actually could have done with fewer combat speedbumps and more reasons to explore. I found what was the ideal ending for me.
Do *not* take Parvati to HIA (or do). She reacts... well, like the way a decent human being and I got the feeling I kind of broke her. Mostly I took Max for his hacking bonus, who feels outraged but philosophical, and Ellie for knowing Lucky (though that information stops early) and being jaded (and for her medic skill boost; she has good asides but I wish they would have written some of her observations on the planet from being a surgeon rather than as a plucky ne'er do well). But as I aimed for an ending that would try to make things right, I took Parvati with me on those final tours, to give her a chance to help me right things, and she participates in the appropriate dialogues like she really does contribute to the outcome which is cool. I know in the underlying code I am sure it doesn't matter if she's there, but I like in general how well they often fold in companion interactions so they aren't just pixel blobs you often forget are behind you.
I think I picked up on an unmarked quest on Gorgon that I have NOT completed. As good as I think the DLC is, exploring on the planet is so frustrating between the actual walls and the monster walls. But I may go back later and see if I can find the other doodads and see what story it tells me.
Not sure if I will drive straight into murder on Eridanos or do some other stuff.
I love the various interactions people have on the ship.
The other day I came across ADA getting aroused by SAM's cleaning and she's all like "Oh, Captain, I didn't see you there! Can you give us a moment alone".
And then later I came back to the ship and Nyoka was yelling at Max through the bathroom door for taking so long.
I went through the last dungeon in the main game full combat. Had Nyoko and SAM shooting flaming acid everywhere and it was great.
So, Murder on Eriandos is pretty interesting, in a good, though somewhat frightening way.
So far, I've picked up my magnifying glass laser, accidentally contaminated the pool even worse then it already was, and started poking about the gardens and met the chief gardener, who is a happy fellow!
I love the setting for Murder on Eridanos. Of course it's very reminiscent of a lot of murder mysteries. It's nice to be somewhere that's only moderately covered in dead bodies. The visuals are awesome.
The "corporations doing stuff that kills its employees horribly" is getting a little samey by now though. I get the whole idea is that the universe involves such a hypercapitalist world that people are literally seen as expendable "human resources," but after seeing what goes on on all the other planets, it'd be interesting to have a different twist on things rather than "oh ha ha they let their employees die of these killer bugs and parasites." Like there is the subtler twist that all of Rizzo's employees are encouraged to consume company product so all the employees are drunk all the time... that could have been played up instead and led to different sorts of horrific shenanigans.
I am only about halfway through the investigation. I have a crazy theory...
I think that Ruth Bellamy is alive, and the person who was killed was a stunt double. There were wigs in her room, and she was ordering enough food for multiple people. People said they only ever saw her come out of her room but what if those were body doubles? (The only question is how did they get there in the first place, but clearly the Mascot got in somehow...) And that the murderer may in fact be Ruth Bellamy!
We'll see how off I am.
It would seem you were mostly right.
I finished Murder on Eriandos, it did not disappoint!
However, like the rest of The Outer Worlds I was left wanting more.
Which isn't a bad thing for a video game.
Honest Game Trailer!
That was pretty good, but I wonder why it wasn't the usual Epic Voice Guy?
And agreed, the most important goal in the game is ensure Parvati's date goes as well as possible.
I finished Murder on Eriandos, it did not disappoint!
I just finished last night. Agreed! I was really shocked that I was sort of right! But it kept making more sense the more I went on. I made the correct accusation at the end but I wonder how the endgame plays out if you don't? Also, I wish I could have accused Burbage.
And I basically play my character like she's always pretending she's in a pulp adventure anyway (I mean, she is...) so this was really good.
There are things I could nitpick but overall I really liked Eridanos as a setting and the variety of NPCs and challenges you faced. I wish there would have been more opportunities to truly snoop and use, say, your holographic doohicky to sneak into unauthorized places. Loved the endgame part of it too. The murderer's manner of demise I did not actually expect so that was hilarious.
Now what is my character going to do with all this spectrum she collected? She's gone off vodka. Maybe just leave it all in Nyoka's room?
I thought it was really cool that if you did the optional quest where you starred in a brief serial episodes, some of the actor characters comment.
However, like the rest of The Outer Worlds I was left wanting more.
Which isn't a bad thing for a video game.
I feel like it was enough. Am heading toward final game now so we'll see how things go.
Coming soon! MWAAAAAAA!
Now exclusive only on Spacer's Choice SCBox!
When this announced this past summer I took notice of that. I hope many are able to get it and I hope the game is good, but I won't be able to play the game because I can't play a first person game on another platform 'cause it'll make me sick (plus my gaming PC died). And the irony just kills me. Obsidian while independent makes this awesome game blasting the entitlement and all consuming power of major corporations and then they get bought out and forced to produce the sequel exclusive to their new owners' platform. It feels like it SHOULD be a marketing joke for the game, but isn't.
Finished the whole game. Seriously enjoyed it. I'd place it among my top five of Obsidian games I've played.
I do not get the frequent complaints I've seen online that it's too short. Silly exploity efforts to speedrun the game in 15 minutes aside, there is plenty of content. I did nearly everything I could do--but I know there is stuff I skipped or missed or didn't milk--and put in 80+ hours. The bulk of that was real content--exploration, dialogue, problem solving. To me that's a great length of a game. Long enough you get a fully fleshed out story and a lot of different approaches to things, not so long you don't hit an "are we there yet?" mentality... or loads of filler. The latter is important. When I think of games that take longer to play, the difference between those games and the Outer Worlds isn't significantly more gameplay.... in the longer games it's more elongated combat (not what I'm looking for in a story-based RPG), endless samey dungeons that take forever to get through, or meaningless "quests" a la Bethesda's radiant quest system that have no impact on the game and give no really meaningful extra content.
The one thing that felt samey was how, once you dove into the misdeeds of specific corporations, the corporations acted. To some sense, yes, all of them are extreme capitalist with no sense of human decency and so they are going to have some similarities... but the dark side of Rizzos should not felt exactly the same as the dark side of Auntie Cleos should not have felt exactly the same as Spacer's Choice. They each should have had some more unique quirks and ways in which they were awful. (SLUG in Eridanos was a good example of a heartless corp that still felt different).
I didn't mind the combat, but it wasn't what I was here for. I think the fact that they went for a shooter feel detracted from the incredible setting and theme of the game, and felt very tacked on to satisfy those who are looking for a combat game. At the same time no one who just wants to just play a shooter (and it's fine to just want to play a shooter) is going to want to deal with a dialogue-heavy game like this. Given the pulp feel of the game, a simpler system that complemented the showiness of the game would have done better (and preferably in 3rd person, where you can see your pulp hero in action). I may also be sacreligious in saying this, but there was actually way too much loot in this game. Again with the pulpy feel I would have liked less random loot and ammo and generic stuff and just finding the occasional cool, unique thing like the science weapons and unique/rare weapons and armor. Exploration could be rewarded by finding more cool items for your ship (a gameplay gimmick that didn't last, excepting quest rewards, beyond the first planet, which was odd). There was surprisingly little filler in the games, but it made the few times you really did end up on a bizarrely long fedex quest (including at least two literal fedex quests) quite noticeable.
But nonetheless I haven't seen an RPG with so much real content in so long--great companion interactions, great dialogues, really well fleshed out factions. I can't get over how good the DLCs were--best DLCs I think I've played ever? I mean if they had been released as separate, short games they would have felt complete. Soundtrack and sound design good, and terrific companion system--the work they put into their incidental dialogue, interactions, and quests was again some of the best I've seen in a long time. Everything also integrated so well into each other. All in all a solid showing and I'm glad I found a way to play it.
As for Vodka and Spectrum, my character was stuffed to the gills with drugs, booze and pig tumors before any significant combat. No doubt the piles of food is there for survival difficulty.