Completed Let's become daemon cops in Unavowed (Finished)

[Darth Roxor]

well, frankly it doesn't look so bad in motion, or at least you don't notice it

 

[Alpan]

"But. He. Fails. Hard." is a weird way to describe that level of success. We're talking about someone who makes enough to own a house in New York City, jets around the world to deliver speeches to packed convention halls of admirers, releases best-selling and top-reviewed games, gets to work from home and spend all day with his family, and does all this while writing exactly the stories he wants, exactly the way he wants, without ever going through crunch times or satisfying a corporate hierarchy. We should all be so lucky as to fail like that... In many ways, it's what Avellone should have, rather than having to do piecework on other people's projects.

From what I can see, no one's denying (or begrudging him, for that matter), Gilbert's success. But the Codex is, after all, one of the rare corners of the internet where being successful does not automatically equate to being held high regard -- if anything, the denizens here find the implication antipathetic. I am with Roxor on this -- Gilbert is very far from talentless but I don't think he particularly stretched his writer's muscles for this work.

As for MCA, I think he does have that capability right now -- but he's never struck me as someone who actually would prefer to spearhead his own game. His appreciation for development hierarchies (as professed in his pre-ObsidiLeaks interview) betrays a desire to be a follower, rather than a leader. Which is of course perfectly fine, it's just that I don't think he's the right comparison.

 

[MRY]

Yeah, I get that, my point isn't that the game is above criticism, only that there's a real disconnect between the criticisms being leveled in this thread and the universal love the game gets on Steam, GOG, etc. Even the rare negative reviews praise the writing as extraordinary. So, really, my reaction is that he's not writing for this audience, he's writing for himself and for his audience. I might feel differently if I saw even one or two of the game's actual players echoing these complaints, but I just don't.

Sometimes, when an author at last has creative freedom, the result is that fans of earlier work are disappointed -- like, I really enjoyed The Matrix but didn't particularly enjoy any of the Wachowskis' later work; I really enjoyed QFG but Hero-U doesn't appeal to me much; pretty much every fantasy novelist worsens over time in my opinion. So it may be that you guys enjoyed Dave's earlier games more than his current project. My point is that you can't really call it a "failure," though, if he is telling the story he wants to, the way he wants to, and is winning money, fame, and friends in the process. So I think the lines of criticism here are just off. It's one thing to say that Unavowed lacks psychological plausibility, moral nuance, meaningful narrative twists, clever turns of phrase, whatever -- I'm not sure those criticisms would be correct, but they would not be subject to the response, "But his game is a gigantic success and he's having fun." By contrast, criticisms like, "He's dumbing his game down, he's failing, he's a bad writer," etc. -- those seem necessarily inapt to me because they relate either to his subjective state of mind (which seems to me to be free and happy) or to his ability to reach an audience (which seems to me very effective).

 

[Storyfag]

Yeah, I get that, my point isn't that the game is above criticism, only that there's a real disconnect between the criticisms being leveled in this thread and the universal love the game gets on Steam, GOG, etc. Even the rare negative reviews praise the writing as extraordinary. So, really, my reaction is that he's not writing for this audience, he's writing for himself and for his audience.

The writing is objectively bad and insults the spectator's intelligence. It is only when the spectator lacks intelligence, which is true for about 95% of Mankind, can one find any appreciation for the hole ridden plot of Unavowed.

I might feel differently if I saw even one or two of the game's actual players echoing these complaints, but I just don't.

So Darth Roxor is not an actual player of this game?

 

[Alpan]

Yeah, I get that, my point isn't that the game is above criticism, only that there's a real disconnect between the criticisms being leveled in this thread and the universal love the game gets on Steam, GOG, etc. Even the rare negative reviews praise the writing as extraordinary. So, really, my reaction is that he's not writing for this audience, he's writing for himself and for his audience. I might feel differently if I saw even one or two of the game's actual players echoing these complaints, but I just don't.

Sometimes, when an author at last has creative freedom, the result is that fans of earlier work are disappointed -- like, I really enjoyed The Matrix but didn't particularly enjoy any of the Wachowskis' later work; I really enjoyed QFG but Hero-U doesn't appeal to me much; pretty much every fantasy novelist worsens over time in my opinion. So it may be that you guys enjoyed Dave's earlier games more than his current project. My point is that you can't really call it a "failure," though, if he is telling the story he wants to, the way he wants to, and is winning money, fame, and friends in the process. So I think the lines of criticism here are just off. It's one thing to say that Unavowed lacks psychological plausibility, moral nuance, meaningful narrative twists, clever turns of phrase, whatever -- I'm not sure those criticisms would be correct, but they would not be subject to the response, "But his game is a gigantic success and he's having fun." By contrast, criticisms like, "He's dumbing his game down, he's failing, he's a bad writer," etc. -- those seem necessarily inapt to me because they relate either to his subjective state of mind (which seems to me to be free and happy) or to his ability to reach an audience (which seems to me very effective).

I don't have much to say to that, though I did actually play and finish the game. Part of my own disappointment (and my reaction to the tame themes and writing) comes from the wonderfully gory and brooding opening sequence of the game, which looked as if it were going to set a tone different to that of the Blackwell series and the The Shivah. I'm not a gore-fag, but it was executed well, and the fact that it very quickly morphs into the standard Gilbert style was what I felt to be a huge missed opportunity.

 

[MRY]

So Darth Roxor is not an actual player of this game?

Of course not. He's a performance artist who is also playing for an audience. That I consider him among the finest game analysts "working in the field right now" doesn't change that fact.

 

[Koschey]

From my impression a good portion of the people participating in the thread have actually played the game before or are playing along now. Other than Alpan above, I did as well, I seem to recall ERYFKRAD mentioning it, I assume baud did, since he checked alternate scenes for the other companions' therapy sessions and there's probably one or two guys more I'm not able to recall right now. What more would it need to count as 'one or two actual players echoing these complaints'?

 

[Tigranes]

I think the issue is simple - whatever kind of sensibilities and audiences this guy is now writing for, he's clearly very successful with them. And clearly very few people on the Codex find it worthwhile in the least.

'Successful' doesn't mean good, and if someone wants to get into establishing objective qualities of adventure game writing and why this fails along those lines, no doubt they can. I'm not the person to do that - but at the same time, that doesn't mean I'm going to say "oh he's immensely successful with some people, that must mean he's making something good." It doesn't mean that at all. It just means this (in my opinion) rubbish has buyers.

 

[MRY]

Koschey Sure, although I was being slightly tendentious. But why don't Codexers leave reviews? I have to say that the thing I value most as a developer is reviews, positive or negative -- both let you know you're not shouting into a void, and negative ones serve as both a memento mori and a map to improvement.

Tigranes Fair enough.

I guess I'll stop derailing the thread by white knight for Dave. He reads the Codexs and posts when he feels necessary, so he can chime in if need arises.

 

[Tigranes]

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the thoughts - and it's worthwhile to try and understand why somebody might love something you hate (and vice versa). But here it really does seem like the guy isn't really interested in 'adventure gaming' per se, but more or less a visual novel inspired by and riffing off a variety of TV cartoons and such in a pretty formulaic way. I don't even watch a lot of TV or superhero movies (and no doubt someone who does will tell me how Unavowed isn't the same as all that).

 

[lightbane]

Now that we've sent Amos into the wild blue yonder...

Did that change anything? An achievement unlocked at least, or not even that?

Thank GOD!

Yeah, seeing a GREEK DIVINITY!! say this is quite stupid indeed.

Hadouken!

Soo, is there a scream of pain or something like that, or just a lame fade-to-black?

You know, I get that the party members are supposed not to have any agency with regard to these ~moral dilemmas~ but this kind of total cuckery on their part is just stretching it way too far.

Funnily enough in (older) Bioware games your teammates DID disagree if your actions went against their convictions, potentially leaving you at the worst moment possible. Nothing here.

But was he even human anymore? I dunno. A debate for another time.

Convenient self-deception. I wonder what would Manndana think if she heard you say that.

Hello. I am Logan. I am defined by nothing more than two stupid shticks.

MRY: "It's okay, the writing is totally good!"

Soo, the game is going for a Silent Hill-esque thing for the final level? Let's see how it goes.

Yeah, I get that, my point isn't that the game is above criticism, only that there's a real disconnect between the criticisms being leveled in this thread and the universal love the game gets on Steam, GOG, etc. Even the rare negative reviews praise the writing as extraordinary. So, really, my reaction is that he's not writing for this audience, he's writing for himself and for his audience.

Dood, as mentioned repeatedly, just because people like it it doesn't mean it is objectively good. Oblivion, Fallout 3 and even Life is Tumblr were considered to be good enough to have "best writing awards", which you'll agree that's untrue.

Successful' doesn't mean good, and if someone wants to get into establishing objective qualities of adventure game writing and why this fails along those lines, no doubt they can.

Also this. Shit and flies, yadda yadda.

I guess I'll stop derailing the thread by white knight for Dave. He reads the Codexs and posts when he feels necessary, so he can chime in if need arises.

In before he self-ejects himself.

 

[Darth Roxor]

Did that change anything? An achievement unlocked at least, or not even that?

obv not

Soo, is there a scream of pain or something like that

nope

 

[CappenVarra]

when will the torment end

 

[Jaedar]

What a cliffhanger ending. At least we have reached the fortress of regrets.

 

[Darth Roxor]

by my estimations, we are roughly 3 updates away from the end

men,

fasten your beltseats

 

[lightbane]

Will you show the multiple endings, if any? I know there's one bad ending at least.

 

[Darth Roxor]

all in due time

 

[baud]

Now that we've sent Amos into the wild blue yonder...

Did that change anything? An achievement unlocked at least, or not even that?

There's Steam achievements for all decisions. So we can see that there's twice more people who chosed to keep Amos as a muse rather than killing him or giving back the power to Calli.

 

[Storyfag]

Now that we've sent Amos into the wild blue yonder...

Did that change anything? An achievement unlocked at least, or not even that?

There's Steam achievements for all decisions. So we can see that there's twice more people who chosed to keep Amos as a muse rather than killing him or giving back the power to Calli.

 

[Darth Roxor]

Forward, you dogs!

Spoiler

@_@

phallic imagery

We're... we're not in New York anymore, are we?

No. We made it into the pocket realm. It is a... twisted version of our city.

That building. Look at the energy pouring out of it.

That must be where our quarry lies.

Mel steps forth.

Um, are you all right?

Oh, of course.

Call now upon the unholy power of the Chaos Gods!

Denizens of darkness. COME!

The warp does my bidding!

but actually nothing happens

Damn it. Why isn't it working?

Focusing on dat darkness

screen starts shaking a bit

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Also, you'd think these cretins would tackle Mel to the ground immediately upon losing control like this, but well, the Unavowed are not known for their sensibility.

Okay, she's back, everyone relax.

You blacked out for a minute, you started chanting. What happened?

Codexia was trying to cast a spell. I can cast it now too.

convenient

A spell? What kind of spell?

Maybe I should cast it and find out?

It sounded like a spell of... summoning.

Whatever it is, maybe turn the other way the next time you cast it?

Wise! It's always a good idea to stand 10+ meters away from the psyker lest perils of the warp be triggered.

We have received the bronze sphere. Let's see what it does.

@_@

That's a very... specifc list of things. Let's focus on feuer first.

o hey zordon

I can hear you. Kind of. Where are you?

Jordon? How are you... doing?

Fine, master. A bit lonely, but... fine. There are lots of people here, people like me. I don't understand the language yet, but I'm learning. How... how are YOU doing? You sound different.

I've learned... a lot. A lot about myself. I'm not human.

We... always suspected that, master. But we were all too chicken to ask. But still, I'm happy for you. It looks like we're both figuring things out.

I'm not anyone's master, Jordon. Please don't call me that.

Old habits die hard, master. Even in this place.

I need your help, Jordon. Can I summon you here?

You mean... transfer me across the void again? It wasn't a pleasant experience, but I do owe you for helping me. So yes. I'll help you. Just the once. What do you need?

I'm not actually sure yet.

Oh well. Once you know, feel free to ask.

Goodbye for now, Jordon. It's good to talk to you.

Same here, master. You... take care of yourself.

Next up is wasser. Who could it be?

of course, this git.

I am in the middle of BATTLE. You are distracting me! Speak quickly!

How goes the war?

Small talk is the key to success.

It... continues. I must hurry back to it. Tell me what you want of me.

I'm sorry to disturb you again, General.

Hmm, you sound sincere. In fact, I'd say you sound DIFFERENT.

I've learnt I'm not exactly human. It's complicated.

Of course you are not human. You bested ME. And showed compassion and mercy when I deserved neither. Now... what do you want of me?

"You bested me!" he says as if it were more complicated than doing a drive-by on a motorboat.

We could use your help, General. Could I summon you here?

My... help? I suppose I owe you a boon, in exchange for sparing my life. What do you want of me? And be quick!

but I thought he could no longer be summoned to this plane without Harrison alive

I'm actually not sure yet.

Then stop wasting my time!

burn

So long, General.

I must return to the war. Goodbye, summoner.

Sayonara.

Nature is next on the list.

Guess that would be Galene. Alas, she's too stoned to come by. Hóhóhó.

The art of war.

... oh no

not you again

Oh, come on! You wanna bug me NOW? It took me MONTHS to get these tickets.

Hi, Calli, it's been a while.

Has it? Time goes so much FASTER than it used to. Except when it doesn't. Mortal lives are weird. Anyway, what's up?

Are things... okay?

Okay? I've gone to six Broadway plays, read the complete works of Shakespeare, and entered the hotdog eating contest at Coney Island! It was incredible! I threw up twice!



We could use your help. Can I summon you here? Just temporarily?

Umm, I suppose? I guess I do owe you one. Whaddaya need?

I'm actually not sure. We only just got here.

Then call me back when you ARE sure! Are we done? They're about to sing "Farmer Refuted".

Goodbye. Sorry to bother you.

Byeee!

Fuck you!

Blood on ice.

Figures.

What? Who is that? Oh, it's YOU, Melkhiresa. Have you come to collect your favor at last?

I'm calling to collect that favor. We need help.

Well, a bargain was struck. I WILL honor it. To... the best of my ability, of course. Now, what do you seek?

What do you mean, the best of your ability?

Oh, didn't you know? My powers come from the UNSEELIE court. The fae of winter. My abilities are not unlimited. Still, one does one's best.

Why didn't you tell me about these limits before?

Should have read the fine print, Mel.

You didn't ASK. Now, what do you need?

I'm actually not sure what we need. We only just got here.

If I was a devious sort, I'd call "wasting my time" a favor and be done with it. But... Robin Goodfellow's no welcher. So I'll pretend I did not hear that.

Goodbye, Robin.

Off he goes.

Dorkness is all that remains.

Why the dergon would be darkness, I do not know.

Can I summon you here? I need your help.

You... showed me a kindness when you had no reason to. But in your world, I have no tangible form. I only exist in the world of the dead. I will be of no help to you.

So it goes.

Goodbye. I am sorry to disturb you.

Hmph.

That's it for the summoning spell. Seems we'll be able to call for blackup when we get to face Codexia's malicious traps.

And now, let's proceed to the rickety-looking bridge.

Cozy.

Jesus. Listen to that CREAKING. This thing is being held up by spit and staples.

And maybe a prayer or two.

This bridge was created out of sheer force of will. It is only as stable as the one who created it.

I can build bridges with my will. I can unmake you.

Yeah, that's not exactly encouraging.

There's also shit on the other side.

This arch leads off the bridge, and you hope to stability.

A metal girder hangs suspended by a thin cable.

Looks like an easy enough obstacle to pass. Bandana can probably jump across.

The gap is wide, but not... entirely insurmountable. I will just... get some distance.

Big distance.

Are you SURE about this?

I am not.

There she goes.

Meh, would have been funnier if she didn't make the jump.

Since Bandana can't reach the girder (wuxia not powerful enough), we have Vicki shoot it down.

That's some really fucking powergamed accuracy to get it on the first shot.

Sorry!

*Sigh*

Time to turn this mush into muscle.

The camera conveniently pans to the side to skip the awkward animation

Freedom!

(WO)MAN DOWN!

That... was... bracing.

Are you all right?

I will... manage.

Let us spearhead the assault.

This looks promising. The compass on the map keeps switching from ENSN to WWWW all the time.

Phew. Glad to be on solid ground again. Not that anything in this place can be called "solid".

Where are we, anyway?

[Perception] The map says... you are here?

That doesn't answer my question. Where is "here"?

That is what we must find out.

You can't make heads or tails of this map. Helpful.

No other way but to go forth.

What a dump.

Everything's boarded up. Did anyone live here?

Doubtful. This was created for... appearances. As for why and to what purpose... I do not know.

Up the street we go.

Come on. Really?

Er, right. Sorry, KayKay.

The ways out are again left, right, up. Up and away we go.

[Intellection] So it's a maze. Wooo.

Um. How did we end up back here? I don't remember doubling back.

No. We most definitely did not.

Going right again...

and again...

Well then.

No matter which path we take, we always just keep bouncing between the same three areas.

Maybe there's some kind of twisted logic to this maze, but I certainly can't be bothered to try to figure it out.

So let's call for blackup.

At first I thought Goodfellow would be the goy for the job, since fairies are tricksters, but he says he cant do shit. Which, for whatever reason, leaves us with...

What do you want? They're about to sing "The Story of Tonight".

We're a bit lost in some kind of maze. Can you help us?

Yeah. Someone created that maze, so I should be able to sense the purpose behind it.

... seriously?

that's some gigantic mental gymnastics.

Fine, bring me over. I just hope my date doesn't think I ditched her.

accursed greek sodomites

Eugh. This place STINKS.

Just shut up already

I do not smell anything.

Not LITERALLY. I mean it stinks as a MAZE. It's not a maze, there's no way out. It's a trap.

A trap?

Duh. That's what I said. Now let's see here... did you try pushing that button over there?

Button? What button?

That map thingy. It's not a map. Not really. There's a button hidden in the image.

so there is

Do you see it? It's pretty obvious once you know it's there.

How on earth were we supposed to see that?

This almost makes me think like it's a jab at pixel hunting.

Um. That was the POINT. You weren't supposed to see it at all. Anyway, I gotta get back. See you around.

don't you ever dare return

Oooooh, button!

Zing. The wall fades away, revealing a passage.

Not to mention COLD. I should have packed a warmer jacket.

Fortunately we have a flammenwerfer.

That's right, bomb that gate to hell :patriot:

Um. That gate is several feet thick. This is going to be... difficult.

Difficult but not impossible?

No, not impossible. I CAN do it, but it'll drain me. Like, a lot. But if there's no other way... well, just say the word.

No. We'll find another way.

Okay. Phew.

Seems like this is just the thing to call reinforcements to.

Can you open this ice gate?

I am a fae of the WINTER COURT. Of course I can open a gate made of ice. But... be sure. Is this the favor you want from me? You WILL NOT receive another.

Let's not be so hasty.

No, we'll find another way.

That is your prerogative.

There's one more option to consider.

A giant ice gate is blocking our way. Can you melt it for us?

You want something melted? Sure, I can do that. Easy. But... are you sure that's what you want me to do? I only want to do this once.

Seems like a majorbigimpactful choice!

What will it be, ye Codex? Will Eli blast the gate, will Zordon melt it, or will Goodfellow haxx0r it open?

 

[ERYFKRAD]

Doesn't fucking matter.

 

[Jaedar]

but I thought he could no longer be summoned to this plane without Harrison alive

Guess are aren't in this plane any more.

The muse lost her powers, but it seems she was a diviner(5)/muse(10), so it's k.

Let us use ignus, that way he will have less power when tno summons him to betray us later on.

 

[MRY]

Button on public transit map opening secret passage might be a Primordia reference.

 

[MRY]

Also, that art is pretty spectacular.

 

[orcinator]

Just go with the first option on the list until we reach the part where we pick an ending.
Then go with the first option on the list.