Short Review: Day of the Tentacle Remastered

So lets talk about something that I do feel positive about: Day of the Tentacle.

A short while ago I mentioned on this Blog that I learned of a remastered version of Day of the Tentacle, my second favourite point & click adventure game (Sam & Max: Hit the Road was my number one). Well I finally got to play it and it is everything I wanted in it.

So apart from a menu screen, the rest of the game plays much like it did back in the 90's, though it's been designed for a wider screen and the items menu is now a clickable side bar which does make the experience much more enjoyable. While the story is still the same, the graphics have been re-done and the sound improved. It's such a joy to finally play this again, given my old CD copy is very difficult to run on modern computers and this is the reason I do enjoy remastered games.

It's comedy is a little dated (given it's a remastered version of a 90's game) and the characters are very steriotyped, though that isn't a bad thing. The game is a comedic sequal to the classic game Maniac Mansion, of which we see the return of the nerdy Bernard as he returns to the mansion to stop one of Dr Fred's creations called Purple Tentacle, who has gained arms and become super evil after drinking toxic sludge which was being pumped into a river. What starts as a simple plan ends up as a time travelling adventure gone wrong. You start by conrolling Bernard, but eventually also get access to his housemates Hoagie (a rockin' Roadie) and Laverne (an unstable Med student).

As far as difficulty goes, it's much easier then the more moden point & click adventures, but it does also come with Maniac Mansion (just like the original Dott). The gameplay is quick to get the hang of, with the mouse really being the only tool you'll need, though keyboard shortcuts are there. Given that I'd played it years ago, I still knew what to do so I completed it in around two hours, so if you have a few puzzle troubles game wise it will take you between three to four hours to complete (the game does lack a hint system). Also, if you don't know what the hidden achievements are, you may find yourself replaying it at least once to get them. As far as bugs are concerned, I've rarely encounted any except one in which George and friends jump out of the window and in the original they yelled 'Fire', but they didn't when I played it (twice so far), but I can't tell if it's a bug or they just didn't put it in.

Overall, if you played the original and liked it then this is a must have (at $15US it's worth it) or if you want to play a light hearted game that's a point and click adventure (or even if your new to them) then I will recommend at least giving it a thought. Personally, I'm just happy to be able to play this again.

Now if I could get a Sam & Max: Hit the Road remastered game.

A Sad Retrospective

So over the last few weeks I've uploaded a number of posts which may come off as negative or rage inducing. Having spent time away on Easter break with family, I've had time too sit back and think. My problem is that as much as I am passionate, I'm also very emotional and have a strong sense of justice. The problem is justice in an unjust world.

Depression and Anxiety leave one in a very negative state and in turn let's more negative emotions come through. This means that when I get passionate about a subject, I also get very angry. Then we get stupid reactions from a load minority which only push me further. But I don't want to be angry, I just want to get my opinion out in a way that comes off more like a thought out discussion instead of a rage induced rant. As a result of the last few weeks (seriously, the stupidity is reaching ridiculous levels at this point) this has put my in a rather bad state and has effected my mental and physical health.

So my plan is to try and cut back on these rage filled posts (until I can find a better way to write them out) and try to focus more on positive and useful topics. I apologise if the blog has gotten a little off track...

What are you talking about? What track were we on to begin with?
~Zargooran 

...but those posts will remain as I do still stand by most of what was said. Also gives me something to consider when writing future posts as a sort of standard to do better.

Trendy VS ARK

Given that I play Dungeon Defenders 2, I now feel that I have to give my opinion over the lawsuit of Trendy vs Ark: Survival Evolved. From what I've gathered over the details, it has to do with a particular individual who left Trendy and signed a non-compete contract. Apparently this happens all the time in the industry, but got big notice with Konami vs Kojima. What it means is that a person agrees to signing a contract (usually terminating a current one they have) allowing them to leave, but can't work on video games for a set period of time. In this context, this lawsuit is partly over that individual breaking that contract.

Given that this individual was already slapped with a cease and desist letter shortly after leaving means they were already walking a fine line and the involvement of this individuals wife with the company that created the ARK game does sound rather suspicious, though what all this implies I'll leave for the legal experts in the court case to decide. In regards to such a case, I would probably agree that breaking a contract should be taken to court, though if both claims are to go ahead, then obviously Trendy would be bringing more information to the case as currently it does look like some parts would be harder to prove then others.

However, what concerns me is not the case (like I've stated, if this individual has broken the contract then Trendy has the right to sue), but the reasons why the individual left in the first place. If the reports are true, then it was in regards to the poor working conditions that they left in protest. Poor treatment and workplace harassment is something I am wholeheartedly against and if these are correct, then I am very disappointed in Trendy. Such a thing would leave me very concerned and has left me wondering about whether I should keep supporting one of my favourite games or leave in disgust over such reports.

Now to be fair in all this, I'm getting mixed reports about the individual in question. Some state he was standing up against the poor conditions, but others are stating that he was the reason for those conditions (and a bit sexist too if one persons post is to be believed). As for Trendy's current working conditions , I don't know. If they have improved then there really is no need for me to get too worked up about. What does get me worked up is the stupidity of people demanding left, right and centre for Trendy to cease it's lawsuit, some even going so far as to say that they don't care if those they are suing are guilty, they should stop cause ARK is a popular game. Given previous lawsuits in the gaming industry thus far, why do people only now try to bring that up? Cause this company isn't a triple A developer?

Honestly, I don't care about that. Didn't see a huge boycot of Metal Gear Solid V over the Konami vs Kojima incident, they still made huge sales. I don't see why all of a sudden this has become the issue. As far as my view on the ARK game is, it's another survival game, just with multiplayer elements. The only difference between it and others is dinosaurs. To me, Don't Starve will always be at the top of my list. I play games for fun, not to run a massive Youtube channel, so I have absolutly no interest in that game.



Moral of this story, if you don't like what you see, write a negative Steam review bitching about how evil that company is with no actual review of the game.


Before anyone get's the shits that I don't like ARK, it's called an opinion. I have mine, you have yours and theres nothing wrong with that. I have nothing against the game, it's just a game that doesn't appeal to me and so I have no interests in playing it. However, if I end up hearing about how riding dinosaurs is some great new idea again, I will redirect them to a toy line and cartoon from the 80's called Dino-Riders. Surviving on a strange world using dinosaurs as weapons is not some new idea, stop pretending it is.

Sorry, it's just that what I'm trying to say is that the game isn't for me and I have no interest in it. If I was a Youtube Let's Player it could be a good game to get views, but I'm not and so we'll leave it at that.

That 'Wyrd' Design

So Wyrd is building the Twisted Alternatives, which is the equivalent of taking beloved childhood story characters and making them...well...twisted. It isn't a new concept (hell, just look up Alice in Wonderland and you can see a variety of twisted variants), but it would be a concept I could associate with a company with 'Wyrd' in it's title. I love the look of the Tortoise, reminds me of the Ninja Turtles, though that Hare scares me.




Seriously..........that Hare is the stuff of nightmares.

The Jim Sterling Lawsuit

Article Here

I originally did write a large article on my Blog about this, but I'm now altering this due to just how much space I was wasting on all this. Instead, I'll break it down into a more simpler format.

Digital Homicide damaged their own reputation through their own actions. They could have walked away and focused their energy on making a better game to prove Jim wrong, but they didn't. Their tweets, their own actions in the interview with Jim Sterling show that they clearly are making these attacks personal and this lawsuit is a last desperate bid to make any sort of money and to silence criticism.

Fact is, their own actions will be taken into account and that I feel that this case will be thrown out before the first word is said. I hope Digital Homicide have thought this throw, cause as such it can easily go the other way and they could end up having to pay for Jim's legal costs (along with their own) instead. As such, a number of us are keen to see how this turns out.

Aionus Update

So now on to something lighter, I've spent some time and I'm almost finish the base for Aionus. It took a few goes to get the idea right and in the end I'm going for a simple design. The real problem now is painting Aionus himself as I'm not sure if I should stick to his colour scheme or do my own, though I'm leaning towards going in my own direction. Word has it the weather won't be as hot this week (yeah, Summer in Australia has been hotter then normal. It be that global warming I tellz ye!), so hopefully I'll might even finish it be the end of the week.

Assuming I don't get too caught up playing that Mordheim video game, little too addicted to that over the last few weeks.

The Truth of Elections

I must apologies for this rant in advance. It is about politics and as such if you are not interested (which is perfectly fine. I don't blame you, if I could skip it I would too) you can ignore this post. Trust me, this is just me letting off some steam and it may offend some people. That's what politics is sadly.

So we just had council elections with the added bonus of a state referendum and the results are this.....people are stupid. Having spent a number of years trying to understand the political system in this country (Australia for those who are new), I have learn much and that much is what is constantly being covered up. Sadly, people are still under the impression that when you vote for your representative in your electorate, that person will represent your electorate. The thing is, they don't.

Now I hate talking about politics cause it just pisses me off now (the side effect of trying to get to the heart of it sadly), but it seems I just need to keep repeating myself. When a candidate is part of the party, you are not voting for a representative, you are voting for a party. The same goes with voting for a Premiere or Prime Minister, it isn't the person your voting for, it's the party. Or perhaps I'm wrong and people are voting for the party cause they keep believing the shit that keeps getting spun. I mean hell, we spent three years under that moron Campbell Newman (I still don't know how he became Premiere, since he was one of Brisbane's worst Mayors and yet people still voted him in) and now people voted for a Four year term while telling me that if they can't govern then we can just have another election. Umm...no, it doesn't work like that. That would only apply to a minority Government and only if they went to the Governor-General to ask for one and only if the Governor-General approves it. In other words, unless your willing to force it through mass protests to the Governor-General (and lets face it, no one protests that good in this country these days), the people really don't have much power to make that happen. That and people somehow think a change in leader means a change in policy.

What do I mean? Well, Australia has coped a bit of flack for it's continuous jumping of Prime Ministers, which is fair. I believe that if you are chosen to lead then you must lead or throw another election. Recently we changed from Tony Abbott to Malcolm Turnbull and everyone was somehow thinking that this would fix things. Thing is, the parties stance and policies didn't change. The party had a new face, but it was still the same Government. They used media spin to make people believed that they were are fresh new Government, but the didn't fix their broken election promises nor did they change stances on important issues of the people. You can paint shit gold, but that doesn't change the fact that it's still shit.

We still have a great many problems that are not being addressed or are being shoved off in the 'We'll get to it if we win the next election' basket. I'm sick of being told about how they plan to fix things next time, but then when they get voted back in by those dumb enough to believe that, they still don't fix it and say they do it next time. How many times can people sit there and listen to the same crap over and over and tell me that they believe it. I may sound bitter, as if my political party didn't win, but the truth is that as the years have gone on I've noticed a shift away from Democracy and more towards Dictatorship when it comes to things like policies. Hell, the law is if you don't vote you can go to jail and that is your democratic right.

They say your opinion matters, but if that's so then why has the last few federal budgets attacked low and middle income families, the elderly and disabled. Why doesn't the Government do more to fix the taxation system, the legal system and domestic violence. Why has it been that only ones to benefit are the extremely rich and powerful, while those that are below the poverty line who ask for help are treated so badly. The ironic part about the Brisbane election was that on a number of corners were people asking you to vote for their parties, while on the other corners were the homeless and poor begging for a few bucks and yet the homeless issue was never addressed. One could say it was out of councils power, but not once did anyone say they would petition the State Government for help. Too much talk about traffic and I don't even own a car.

Sorry, I get emotional on this topic. It's just that when I started studying politics years ago I actually had the intention of becoming one and fighting for what the people wanted. Years later I've seen the lies, the cover-ups and the corruption and I've become so disillusioned by the whole thing. I've talked to those who see through it and those who are ignorant of it and it just annoys me. The recent changes to the Senate was to reduce the number of Independents to make way for more main party members, when it turns out that most Independents actually base their voting decisions based on their electorates feedback. You know, doing the exact thing you were voted in to do.

I love my country and it just makes me sad to see the direction it's going in.


Update: So the Senate change was to basically bully the Senate into passing the Governments bill or they'll force an election and some of those people will loose there spots. Funny thing is, the bill is to create an organization to stop building Union bullying. Hypocrisy at it's finest my friends.

#TheTriggering

I'm liking this guy more and more. There is so much truth to his words, as it's difficult to talk about important issues without some asshole forcing their opinions without fact or reason and if you disagree, they attack you by any means necessary. As a feminist, the fight for equality is constantly under attack and being discredited by those who can no longer tell the difference between those who fight for equality and those who are extremists. This goes for other areas in our society, which is a shame as so much good can come from these call outs on the Internet, but as so often it is the minority who drown out all that good with their loud calls of hate.

While I get that part of #TheTriggering is to just post offensive stuff in defence of free speech, one must also remember that parts of free speech we are trying to protect. Apparently, society has now become 'pick and choose', meaning that anything that powerful groups don't want to hear, they simply shut down. There is a difference between hateful speech and actual facts, but it seems that everyone accept the first, yet tries to hide the latter. Powerful people trying to protect their power or perhaps 'My way or no one's way' would be the better example. As an individual with strong opinions I know that the truth is a powerful weapon, but this sort of silencing isn't limited to simply Government or Religious agendas, but all aspects of social and economic society as well. It's as if people don't want to hear that their little world is imperfect, that perhaps a few of their choices are wrong or even denying when the facts are in front of them that those facts exist. It might be a scary thought, but until we accept this worlds problems, we can't start the steps to fix them and the longer we delay it, the worse it will be when it finally backfires on us.

We can make the world a better place and I agree, to do this we just need to start pissing off the wrong people, because they're the wrong people.

Where did all the Skaven Slaves go?

So when I wrote the Mordheim post I was unsure if I had gotten Globadier right (honestly, I don't know where my army book is right now and I haven't played Skaven in a while), so I decided to check the GW store. Apparently, Clan Skryre has gone through with some re-branding, as the Globadiers are now Acolytes. The have a bunch of new scrolls to give you the 'new' rules for all these Skaven, but apart from the last Thanquol model, no other character has a name and those that had names now just 'count as' normal hero. Admittedly, Ikit Claw has been renamed simply 'Arch-Warlock', so I must now assume that he's dead too. In fact, it would appear that apart from Thanquol (in which the novel stated he was indeed killed by the Lord of End Times himself) may be the only named character alive.

But what's really got my goat (or rat's tail as it were), is that any reference to Skaven Slaves is gone. They only have a scroll for Clanrats and that's it. Now this confuses me greatly, as slaves have been a vital part of Skaven society. They are used as troops, food, trade and even experiments, yet now it seems to suggest that they no longer use them. Since when was being caring and nice a part of the Skaven way, cause I'm sure The Great Horned Rat hasn't become an all caring God yet. Last time I checked he was still trying to steal Slaanesh's throne since the Elves ran off with slither tongue. Unfortunately, I'm unwilling to pay the $56 for a book with a few pages of fluff and a page of Skryre based rules, nor will I tolerate the insult of Clan Pestilens getting their own book. I mean, what gives. You want Plauge monks? Then stick them with Nurgle. Clan Skryre's Techno-Sorcery is far different to what the rest of Chaos has to offer and they deserve their own book.

...and Slaves...


...and new weapons...


...and constructs...


...and something insanely bazaar....

Deathwatch Overkill

So apparently Games-Workshop has decided to release another boardgame: Deathwatch Overkill.

So what do I think of it? At $280AU, it seems to me as an expensive risk, but unlike other GW products, this one will pay off for them. Why? Well, after denying players Deathwatch kill-teams for so long and the silence surrounding Genestealer Cults, fans will pay just to have something they have waited years for.

Don't get me wrong, I love the lore for both of these sides, but I doubt this box has anything to do with making an exciting game. At least GW had the decency to release rules for these guys, meaning that they can be used in 40K games (to a certain extent anyway), which was a smart move. The miniatures look good too, keeping well to the lore in that visual sense.

As much as I love the miniatures, I doubt I'll get it. I've waited a long time, but I simply can't afford $280. That's just too much to ask for. If they show up cheap enough on Ebay I might grab a few (both sides could work well with my Inquisition warbands), but this is just another product out of my reach.

Aionus - Special Edition

Been looking foward to getting my hands on this and now it's finally arrived. Glad that I don't have to cut, clean or glue parts of this together (it gets kind of annoying), though I admit I still am not sure what to do about the base. Work in progress I guess.

As for the character, he's a 12 Soulstone model, an Outcast henchmen who is also a mercenary. He has good defence and wounds stats, but has little in the way of defences (like armor), though he does take half damage from CA attack actions. His real focus is on dishing out Slow and can grant nearby minions/enforcers/henchmen the Fast condition by discarding a card that is higher then their Soulstone cost. It also just occured to me that the Viktoria of Blood has a 0 Soulstone cost, so any card could be discarded to give her Fast.

He only really has one damaging attack and it's melee (though he does get bonus damage if they have Fast/Slow condition), though it ignors armor and can even target buried models. His other focus is on scheme markers as triggers can replace enemy ones with his own and his tactical actions revolve around moving them.

Overall, I like him. Can't wait to start painting him. Now what to do about his base.....

Short Reviews: Mordheim - City of the Damned (PC)

So first I must admit, I've never played the table top game before, but I have read the rules and it seemed like it would have been fun. Create a Warband, complete missions to earn rewards, have characters gain great skills, but also suffer negative effects from battles. For me, this sounded like fun and it seems that this game has all that. A character turn-based game with four factions so far including my beloved Skaven, but also Human Mercenaries (Empire basically), Sisters of Sigmar and Cult of the Possessed (Chaos).

I did play the Early Access version of the game and like most things in early access, it went from good, to bad, to good etc. Trying to create game balance isn't easy and it takes time. While I haven't played multiplayer since it officially released as a complete game, it was fun, though I imagine it's gotten a lot harder as players have characters with different gear and skill options, probably making it a bit harder to balance.

Some of the features I do like from the start of it is the Veteran system. In this, you complete objectives over time to earn XP, but unlike leveling a warband, this is account base. As such, you can level it up further even if the warband you were playing as had disbanded and you started a new one. The more it levels, the more gold you start off with when you create a new warband. As such, I do find myself constantly looking back at it's list to see if there are any ones I can focus on to help level it up.

Another one is the Smuggler's Den. It is here that you can send your collected Wyrdstone to various factions where you earn reputation and gold. Reaching a certain amount of reputation gains you a level rank with them and unlocking each rank grants your warband a bonus. It is here that you will also encounter  certain challenge and the first faction (since I'm Skaven it's the Murderlord of Clan Eshin) will sometimes demand a certain weight of Wyrdstone to be sent to them and gives you a time limit to complete it. This may not seem bad at first, but if your leader gets taken out and needs time to recover, then you can end up wasting valuable time waiting for him to recover. As such, ranking up that one early for the extra day can be quite useful.

Much like the table top game, there is a certain element of risk and chance involved. Do you jump into a mission with random set-up or do you want to do it yourself (though there are a few missions where you don't get that choice)? Do you focus on Dodge or Parry as your defence skills? Do you risk casting that spell knowing there is a possibility that the backlash may kill the caster? It may sound complicated, but it isn't that bad. You'll find that after a few games you do start to get the hang of your crew and learn to use them better. So far my problems revolve around simply having bad luck at times, but then I've only ever fired one warrior due to them being too much of a risk for my warband and have yet to actually have someone die from their injuries.

It's hard to say how to recommend this game, as unless your a fan of Mordheim or a fan of the various factions in the game, some might find it not to their taste. It's dark and Gothic in it's style, the gameplay is in a turn base-style and it's story isn't exactly Shakespeare. That said, for someone like me, it gives me a decent enough challenge and Skaven fun that I can enjoy myself for hours.

Oh yes, they have also started adding paid DLC characters to the game, with a Clan Skryre Poisoned Wind Globadier for the Skaven. I've had a blast using these guys.



Finally, a chance to speak-squeak. Though this take place long ago, Mordheim filled with much-much glory for Skavendom. Still, why Eshin have own Sorcerers.....hmmmm, me sense treachery afoot.
~Grey Seer Skratchnsniff

Outrage to the Extreme

Well said Sir, well said.

Deponia Doomsday

So here's something that completely slipped under my radar. Despite the Deponia trilogy wrapping up the story of Rufus and Deponia, turns out that there is now a forth game. Just recently been release, this game is clearly made for the fans who were not happy with the trilogies ending. Personally, I was hoping to see Rufus in more spin-offs, but a sequel to a trilogy was not what I was expecting.

So far I'm into the whole time traveling part, with the main Rufus being the one prior to the Deponia trilogy having the visions of his future self, but already screwing things up. Even the introduction of the game spells out that people didn't like the ending and that this is basically the chance to have a better one or perhaps there isn't one? It this kind of attitude that I like from this series. They even through in a more Sci-Fi type theme song, showing just how far the madness is spreading.

The game still has it's awkward moments, but that's to be expected. I'll play through it some more (or even finish it) before I can give a full opinion on it.