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Let's board the Orient Express (Completed)

Fafnir

Liturgist
Patron
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
874
Location
Sweden
Grab the Codex by the pussy
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Redshirt #42

Augur
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
337
Update #2

Now this update is a bit larger. Took me at least 3 fucking hours to upload, transcribe and copypaste it. Maybe I should have split it up, but it contains little of the main story and most of the dialogues are completely optional.

Anyway.

uowinodwedtyler0.jpg


uowinodwedtyler1.jpg


Farewell, Tyler. We hardly knew ye.

uowinodwedtyler2.jpg


+5 Renegade points

uowinodwedtyler3.jpg


They see me rollin', they hatin'.

uowinodwedtyler4.jpg


Must be difficult to lose an old friend.

uowinodwedtyler5.jpg


Or maybe not... Maybe your alignment affects Cath's facial expressions.

uowinodwedtyler6.jpg


Also, time to change the jacket.

uowinodwedtyler7.jpg


uowinodwedtyler8.jpg


Somehow, this reminds me of the Dark-Side player character's posture on the character screen in the KotOR series.

uowinodwedtyler9.jpg


He looks at Tyler's body one last time... (actually he's just looking at his bloodied jacket, flying in the wind)

uo00beforeleavingcompar.jpg


There's an empty chest in Tyler's compartment. Looks like something is missing. Maybe the murderer has stolen it?

uotowel0.jpg


You can find a scarf underneath it.

uotowel1.jpg


The owner is unknown (but it's probably not Tyler's).

uotowel2.jpg


Smells like...

uotowel3.jpg


... mystery.

uo00beforeleavingcompar.jpg


Above is a small suitcase.

uo00beforeleavingcompard.jpg


Inside is a letter from Cath to Whitney.

uo00beforeleavingcompar.jpg


Still angry about the noodle incident.

uo00beforeleavingcompara.jpg


And there's an old scroll.

uo00beforeleavingcompar.jpg


uo00beforeleavingcompar.jpg


Unfortunately, it's filled with moonspeak, so Cath can't understand what's it about.

uocompartmant1glass1.jpg


Also, there's a glass in the bathroom.

uocompartmant1glass2.jpg


When you click on the rim, you'll get a different perspective (that's the view from the lamp above the sink). I'm not sure if there's any reason to do that.

If you linger too long, René will come and knock on the door.

uo0ahitztheconductormon.jpg

- Monsieur Whitney, Herr Schmidt is waiting for you in the front car. -

Now, let's get back to the corridor.

uowyrmlord.jpg


All doors are either locked, or inaccessible. But knocking on any of the last 4 doors pisses Wyrmlord off (actually his real name is Mahmoud Mahkta, according to the passenger list). You can't really talk to him, since he repeats some sentences in Persian over and over again if you keep on bothering him.

The second sleeping car is pretty much the same. So we'll go to the smoking compartment.

uotrannies1.jpg


Here you can listen to the discussion between the two young ladies (who pretty much ignore you). Btw, the woman who played the lady in red and blue clothes is according to IMDb a porn acctress (she played in some Ron Jeremy movies, in example).

rebbeca0.jpg

The French are so funny. Madame Caillaux seems to become some sort of national heroine. Somehow shes been transformed from an insignificant women enslaved an overshadowed by her husband, into a passionate avenger.

sophie0.jpg

If the middle classes are going to start writing history, we're all in trouble.

rebbeca1.jpg

That's just the kind of thing a little aristocrat girl would say.

sophie0.jpg

Stop it. You even said yourself that she was like Madame Bovary.

rebbeca0.jpg

What counts is that she’s acted. She's the very opposite of Madame Bovary. More like Joan of Arc, really.

sophie1w.jpg

Whom the English burned at the stake.

rebbeca1.jpg

Must you always bring that up?

sophie0.jpg

Well, it happened.

rebbeca0.jpg

What really interests me about Madame Caillaux is the way French scandals develop so differently from English ones. Like the Dreyfus affair in England. The Jewish... -

We move on to the dining car.

uoschmidtwagon1.jpg


Inside, we're approached by one of the waiters (definitely the more outspoken one).

uoschmidtwagon2.jpg

- Bonsoir Monsieur, we have a nice table for you here in the corner. If you will please, uh, follow me. -

uoschmidtwagon3.jpg


uoschmidtwagon4.jpg


uoschmidtwagon5.jpg


You can look around and see the other passengers eating. For now, let's talk to Schmidt.

uoschmidtwagon6.jpg

- Ah, Herr Whitney? You are different than I imagined.

uoschmidtwagon7.jpg

Sorry to keep you waiting. I ran across an old friend.

uoschmidtwagon8.jpg

One does have the most unexpected encounters on trains.

uoschmidtwagon9.jpg

Shall we get down to bussiness. Have you brought the gold?

uoschmidtwagon10.jpg


schmidtpissed.jpg

First you kept me waiting, now you don't answer me! I have kept my half of the bargain. If something has gone wrong I would like to know it.

cath0.jpg

Nothing has gone wrong.

uoschmidtwagon11.jpg

I'm glad.

schmidt2.jpg

I trust that you will not mind if I asked to see the gold.

uoschmidtwagon12.jpg

I trust you won't mind either if I asked to see what I'm buying.

uoschmidtwagon13.jpg

To see it? But you know that is impossible! The merchandise will be put on the train at Munich. It is what we agreed.

uoschmidtwagon14.jpg

Good. Then we're even. Herr Schmidt, it's been a pleasure. We'll talk again, after Munich. -

Diplomacy check successful. Cath talked his way out pretty well considering that he had now idea what they were talking about. Maybe we can find someone else to talk to in the wagon.

uoalexeieating1.jpg


Let's disrupt this guy's peaceful dinner.

cathcurious.jpg

Mind if I join you?

uoalexeieating2.jpg

Why not? -

He's not a very talkative fella. He prefers to enjoy his potato soup.

uoalexeieating3.jpg


uoalexeieating4.jpg


uoalexeieating5.jpg


Suddenly he stops eating.

cath0.jpg

I didn't mean to scare you off.

uoalexeieating6.jpg

For me about this is enough. I can't take no pleasure in food while millions of my countrymen go without bread. Good evening. -

And he leaves. I guess this is not a very good time for potato in Russia. In all the drama, he forgot to take his book.

uozhatarustabook.jpg


uozhatarustabook1.jpg


uozhatarustabook2.jpg


Looks like he's planning to do something after the train arrives in Galanta. An important hint later on.

We retun to the smoking car. This time the ladies actually notice Cath.

sophie1w.jpg

Look at the handsome man who walked in!

rebbeca1.jpg

Sophie!

sophie0.jpg

Don't worry, he won't understand. He's an American. If we don't look at him, he'll never know were talking about him.

rebbeca0.jpg

Good Lord.

sophie0.jpg

Isn't he impressive? He seems to have just come in from outside, not at all like a European. Jacket open, hair mussed...

rebbeca0.jpg

I'd say he could use a wash.

sophie0.jpg

Listen, if you are not interested in small details, you'll never become a great writer.

uotrannies2.jpg

Look at his sad eyes. He could be a model for the hero of a novel. -

In the sleeping wagon corridors, we find a small brat running around with his whistle.

uoboutarelfrancoiswhist.jpg

Francois! Come here! Stop that right now!

madameb1.jpg

If you don't stop, I'll put you off at the next station in Germany. Would you like that?

francois1.jpg

*cries*

madameb1.jpg

Where did this whistle come from?

francois1.jpg

I found it.

madameb1.jpg

And where?

francois1.jpg

On the floor.

madameb1.jpg

Why are you hiding it? Let me see it.

francois1.jpg

No! I found it, it's MINE!

madameb1.jpg

You're impossible. You can keep it, but only if you stop blowing it!

francois1.jpg

I promise. -

A few seconds later.

francois1.jpg

I saw a man go through the window. He rolled along the tracks. -

OH SHI-

madameb1.jpg

Really?

francois1.jpg

Yes, he rolled and he was DEAD.

madameb1.jpg

Please, go play with your toy.

francois1.jpg

He’s dead… he’s dead… he’s dead.

madameb1.jpg

Francois, stop singing! It’s unpleasant. *Francois starts crying again* You can cry, go ahead, cry. Your life is so hard, I’m a horrible mother who makes you suffer… what’s going on? Why are you crying? You’re not as sad as that. Dry your tears. It’s all right, it’s over now. -

Fortunately, they don't notify any authorities.

By the way, I forgot to mention that there were matches in Tyler's jacket. There must have been a lot of them, since we can smoke over and over again.

cathsmoke.gif


I'm not sure if that is useful for any other thing than to pass time when you're bored.

Furthermore, when the second conductor (the fatter one, I think we haven't met him yet) moves around the compartment, you can find his sketchbook under his chair.

uosketches0.jpg


uosketches2.jpg


uosketches3.jpg


It contains useful hints. Sometimes. Well, actually I can't remember it being useful more than once. But it helps a bit if you're lost and don't know what you should do or where you should go.

After some time, you can meet an another lady in a fine red dress in the corridor.

uoannameetingsmoke2.jpg

-Excuse me, got a light?

uoannameetingsmoke1.jpg


uoannameetingsmoke.jpg

Thanks, haven’t we met somewhere before?

anna1.jpg

It is possible. I don’t think I would have remembered. -

:?

We'll follow her as she enters the dining car. We stop for a while to listen to yet another dialogue in the smoking wagon.

sophie0.jpg

Come on. Let's go back.

rebbeca0.jpg

Aren't we going to dinner?

sophie0.jpg

Of course not, that's not how it's done on luxury trains. It's only eight o'clock. We must wait for second service. If we eat now, afterwards we'll be bored. Look who's gone in. Only old and impossible people. Trust me.

And they leave. Inside the dining car, we see Pascale the waiter, trying to impress our acquaintance.

uoannavspascal.jpg

- Ah, Madame, welcome.

anna2p.jpg

Good evening.

waiterpascale.jpg

Madame's presence is a great honour for us. Your usual table is ready. If you will permit me...

anna2p.jpg

Thank you.

waiterpascale.jpg

If I may say so, Madame is like a shining star, we're all basking in her light. I am your servant.

anna1.jpg

Thank you, Pascale.

waiterpascale.jpg

Enjoy your dinner, Madame. -

uoannadinner1.jpg


Now it's our turn.

cathcurious.jpg

Mind if I join you?

uoannadinner2.jpg

That's bold. Is it customary in America to be so forward?

uoannadinner3.jpg

In certain circles, it's not unheard of.

uoannadinner4.jpg

I must have been moving in the wrong circles. -

uoannadinner5.jpg


Success! :D

anna1.jpg

I hope you find somewhere to sit.

cath0.jpg

*disappoint*

An another waiter comes and she odrers dinner.

uoannadinner.jpg

- Oui madame?

anna1.jpg

Yes, I'll have the... beef fillet.

unnamedwaiter.jpg

Very good. Is Madame dining alone?

anna1.jpg

Yes.

unnamedwaiter.jpg

Very good, madame. -

The waiter leaves and we use our opportunity to talk to her again.

uoannatowela1.jpg

- Excuse me, I think you've dropped this.

anna1.jpg

It's not mine.

uoannatowela2.jpg

My mistake. I wonder who's it is. -

Bitch is surely lying!

uoannatowela.jpg

- Are you sure this isn't your scarf?

uoannatowelb1.jpg

Quite sure. -

There's not much to do for a while so we might aswell sit down. And listen to other conversations, of course. There are some Russians sitting next to us - they must have been eating for hours.

uorusskies1b.jpg

- Did you obey all the covenants of our church?

tatiana0.jpg

Yes, Grandfather.

countvasili0.jpg

Do you like your dish?

tatiana0.jpg

Yes.

countvasili0.jpg

I think it's remarkable.

tatiana0.jpg

You're feeling good. -

Boring. But at least Schmidt finally finished dinner, the fat pig.

uoannavsschmidt0.jpg


And he stops by the lady in red.

uoannavsschmidt1.jpg

- Excuse me, Fraulein Wolf? I could not leave this room without paying you my compliments. I'm sure you do not remember me. My name is August Schmidt.

anna2p.jpg

But I do remember you. It was at Mrs. Lauder's in London, wasn't it?

schmidt1.jpg

Yes! You played Brahms' violin concerto.

anna2p.jpg

Oh, lovely of you to remember. And you were with an Englishwoman. Was she your wife? -

uoannavsschmidt2.jpg


Time for Cath to join the conversation.

uoannavsschmidt3.jpg

- Um, yes, um. That is, eh...

uoannavsschmidt4.jpg

Ah, Miss Wolf, may I present my colleauge from America, Mr. Tyler Whitney. Herr Whitney, Miss Anna Wolf.

uoannavsschmidt5.jpg

I -- I'm sorry, I didn't catch the name.

cath0.jpg

Tyler Whitney. Have we met before?

anna1.jpg

I seem to remember hearing of a Mr. Whitney years ago in New York. You were trying to raise money to start a revolution in Cuba, isn't that right?

cath0.jpg

Mexico. And it wasn't me. It must've been some place else that we've met.

uoannavsschmidt6.jpg

Herr Whitney is well known as a champion of freedom and justice in countries other than his own.

uoannavsschmidt7.jpg

But please don't let us interrupt your dinner.

anna2p.jpg

Not at all. You're both very kind. One does get so bored on these long journeys. Good evening.

uoannavsschmidt8.jpg

A beautiful woman.

cathsuspicious.jpg

Is she?

uoannavsschmidt9.jpg

And a brilliant preformer.

uoannavsschmidt10.jpg

To look at her, you would never think she was Jewish. Until Munich, sir! -

So she's a Jew. Obviously a hint telling the player that she will be dangerous! We had better not trust her. Schmidt leaves. We can follow him into the smoking car again. The Russian student we've met before (the one eating potato soup, whose screenshot I forgot to take this time) is waiting for someone. Let's see if he can translate the moonspeaking scroll we've found in Tyler's compartment.

cathcurious2.jpg

Excuse me. Could you tell me what this paper says?

alexei1.jpg

It's a Russian fairy tale. For children.

cathcurious.jpg

Could you translate it for me?

alexei2.jpg

Do you know what a fairy tale is? It's one of the ways the exploiters make the people forget that they're enslaved. For a hundered years Russian peasants have told their children this story of a hero who plucks the tailfeather from a Firebird. Child goes to bed with an empty stomach and dreams of a hero who will never come.

cath0.jpg

Sorry I asked. -

What a fag. Afterwards you can go inside the sencond sleeping car, to Compartment D (where the French family is) and listen to an another conversation.

madameb1.jpg

Francois, get ready for dinner. My God, what’s that floating in my cologne?

francois1.jpg

It’s Eugene. I had to embalm him before we left.

madameb1.jpg

Eugene…?

francois1.jpg

My praying mantis. He died.

madameb1.jpg

How horrible. You should have thrown him in the garden. Claude speak to him!

claude1.jpg

Francois, you must not touch your mother’s things or use them in your experiments. You did quite well however, to use the cologne. The alcohol does have a preservative effect.

francois1.jpg

My scarab whistle died too, but he didn’t fit in the bottle.

madameb1.jpg

Claude, you really must speak to him. This obsession with death, does it seem normal to you in a seven-year old boy?

claude1.jpg

Why not? It is a natural process like any other.

madameb1.jpg

But a toy whistle, how can it die?

francois1.jpg

It’s dead! -

And they leave for dinner soon. Since there's nothing else to do, we might aswell follow them to kill some time.

uoboutareldinnerintro.jpg


francois1.jpg

It smells!

madameb1.jpg

Sit down Francois! And keep your opinions for yourself.

madameb1.jpg

Fracois, sit still. You're in a restaurant now, with adults, and I expect you to behave. Claude, tell him to sit still.

madameb1.jpg

Claude!

claude1.jpg

Look out of the window, Fracois.

francois1.jpg

I want to go home. When are we going home?

madameb1.jpg

Don't be silly. You know we are going away for a year, maybe more, to live with your father at Abadan.

francois1.jpg

Why?

madameb1.jpg

Because your father is going to work there. At the oil refinery.

francois1.jpg

Why?

madameb1.jpg

Claude, tell us what it is like, where we are going. I know Fracois would like to hear more about it. Tell us about the town.

claude1.jpg

The town? I don't have any idea. I'll be spending all my time out at the construction site, or surveying the surrounding desert.

madameb1.jpg

But... are there many shops? What about the schools? What is our house like? And our servants?

claude1.jpg

These things are your province, my dear. I would never interfere.

madameb1.jpg

When we arrive, you must introduce me to the wives of the other engineers.

francois1.jpg

Shall we ride camels in the desert, Papa?

claude1.jpg

Of course.

madameb1.jpg

Absolutely not!

uoboutarelsdinner.jpg


The waiter comes and they order dinner. Afterwards the Russians sitting at the table finally leave. However, they are interrupted in the smoking car.

alexei1.jpg

Vassili Alexandrovitch.

tatiana0.jpg

Grandfather.

uorusskiesvsalexei1.jpg


alexei1.jpg

Vassili Alexandrovitch. I am Alexei Dolnikov. I believe you knew my father.

countvasili1.jpg

I knew a Dolnikov. Pyotr Nikolaievitch. He was a good man, a pious man. He had a son...

countvasili2.jpg

...but that son brought shame upon him and upon his family. Come, Granddaughter. I am a bit tired.

alexei2.jpg

Vassili Alexandrovitch. How many thousands have you condemned to prison and torture in the name of your piety? -

He says that in English, to prove that he's a real drama queen.

uorusskiesvsalexei7.jpg

- Or have you lost count? -

uorusskiesvsalexei8.jpg


Let's talk to him, to see if he's still pissed.

uorusskiesvsalexei9.jpg

- Well, I think you've made a pretty good first impression. -

uorusskiesvsalexei10.jpg

*glares*

Now we can go back to the dining car, where the waiter has already brought the Boutarels' food.

unnamedwaiter.jpg

Here's the Chateaubriand with the Béarnaise sauce for madame. -- Well-done for young man. -- And for you, sir.

madameb1.jpg

Thank you.

francois1.jpg

That is not what I wanted.

uoboutarelsteak.jpg

Of course, it's a steak. It's exactly what you ordered.

unnamedwaiter.jpg

Thank you, sir. Enjoy your meal.

francois1.jpg

I went all the way to the end of the train and I saw a lady with a snake.

madameb1.jpg

Don't be silly, Francois. Eat your dinner.

francois1.jpg

It was a big snake all wrapped around her. It was as ig around as a boa constrictor.

madameb1.jpg

Claude, you really ought to say something to him. He invents the most outrageous stories.

claude1.jpg

Imagination is very important for a scientist. Many great discoveries were greeted with skepticism at first.

madameb1.jpg

He's seven years old. I doubt he's going to make any world-shattering discoveries on this trip.

francois1.jpg

I want a crepe with chocolate sauce!

madameb1.jpg

Sit still and eat your dinner. -

After a while, the conversation continues.

francois1.jpg

Papa, are there insects in the desert?

madameb1.jpg

Don’t bother your father, Francois.

claude1.jpg

Insects are everywhere, Francois. You should do your research before asking questions. Have you looked in your book?

francois1.jpg

Mama doesn’t want me to read at the table.

madameb1.jpg

Francois, sit still. You are not at home now. -

They sure talk a lot. Let's go back to our sleeping comparment.

uohisexcellencyendp21.jpg


There were approached by René, the retarded conductor.

uohisexcellencyendp22.jpg


uohisexcellencyendp23.jpg

- Monsieur Whitney, excusez-moi. His Excellency wishes to receive you in his private car.

uohisexcellencyendp25.jpg

Hmm, 'His Exellency'.

uohisexcellencyendp26.jpg

Yes Monsieur. He's waiting for you. -

Edit: Fixed some typos. Hopefully, all of them.
 

SCO

Arcane
In My Safe Space
Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
16,320
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Behold the best narrative game of the 90's (that means the best ever). The game is actually voice acted in the appropriate languages.
 

Darth Roxor

Royal Dongsmith
Staff Member
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
1,878,404
Location
Djibouti
Sure is a colourful bunch in that train. A porn actress, a jew, a nazi, a rabid commie, a pope, a paranoid kid and a few retards. And that's just the beginning!
 

ghostdog

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Dec 31, 2007
Messages
11,079
Not to mention events happening real time like you're actually inside the train. It's one of the most impressive games ever made.
 

Andyman Messiah

Mr. Ed-ucated
Joined
Jan 27, 2004
Messages
9,933
Location
Narnia
Yeah, Last Express is pretty awesome.

Too bad you threw your friend out the window. That kid is going to fuck up your plans something dreadful, you just know it!
 

SCO

Arcane
In My Safe Space
Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
16,320
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
How are you going to deal with the ending credits (if you've ever seen them) - lots of screenshots or a movie? A simple idea for such a large thematic impact.
 

Andyman Messiah

Mr. Ed-ucated
Joined
Jan 27, 2004
Messages
9,933
Location
Narnia
Yeah, it's pretty obvious that the girls are really close friends. Not that the game ever spells it out directly (to my knowledge), though, but... Heh.
 

SCO

Arcane
In My Safe Space
Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
16,320
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
One of the really irritating things about this game is that it was supposed to be a series. But due to retarded average gamers, and their stupid interests - helped by inadequate marketing - this game tanked.

TANKED

Plunging Jordan fucking Mechner into returning to work for the man (tm) making prince of persia games again.
Derp.
 

SCO

Arcane
In My Safe Space
Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
16,320
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
BTW i found this, a anthropology sketch of a paper based on the game. It completely spoils the whole game, so don't read it unless you finished the game.

It is a anthropology tract, so it very much sucks in parts, but i thought it interesting to read after beating the game.
 

Drakron

Arcane
Joined
May 19, 2005
Messages
6,326
Andyman Messiah said:
That kid is going to fuck up your plans something dreadful, you just know it!

The little shit should also be thrown out the window.

Also is it me or does the main character looks like "angry" Anakin Skywalker?
 

Brother None

inXile Entertainment
Developer
Joined
Jul 11, 2004
Messages
5,673
uo00beforeleavingcompar.jpg


Looks like a story about the жар-птица, The Firebird of slavic lore. It's written in the old, pre-communist Cyrillic alphabet, so it's really hard to read, except picking up stuff like "grey wolf". Seems to be a fairy tale.

The alphabet is a nice touch. It's too often you see media forget that the Russian alphabet used to be different.

EDIT: oh, faggy Russian explained it.
 

Malakal

Arcane
Glory to Ukraine
Joined
Nov 14, 2009
Messages
10,266
Location
Poland
Looks good and I hate adventure games. But this one has great art style and setting seems more than fine. If only our hero wasnt some Kwan fag and instead was a proper gentleman...
 

Sergiu64

Arcane
Glory to Ukraine
Joined
Jun 8, 2010
Messages
2,636
Location
Sic semper tyrannis.
Brother None said:
uo00beforeleavingcompar.jpg


Looks like a story about the жар-птица, The Firebird of slavic lore. It's written in the old, pre-communist Cyrillic alphabet, so it's really hard to read, except picking up stuff like "grey wolf". Seems to be a fairy tale.

The alphabet is a nice touch. It's too often you see media forget that the Russian alphabet used to be different.

EDIT: oh, faggy Russian explained it.

Here's my best attempt at translating it:

Firebird

Each night in far away lands a Firebird stole golden apples from the Royal Gardens. So the old Tzar Ukan(sp?) said: "You, the Prince, must go to find the Grey Wolf. You and him must discuss how to bring me the Firebird. I wish to hear her sing me a song."

Grey Wolf asks: where are you going to go on two legs? You should get on my back and I'll carry you into the heart of southern deserted and empty lands where a cage with silver bells is carried on red stone - dream-seen shapes from times long past set the stone there.
So Ivan grabs the Cage - the bells ring and the Firebird - is long gone.
----------------------------------------------

I'm not sure if those were fragments of the story being put together or what, cause it definitely seems to jump from event to event.
 

SoupNazi

Guest
Honestly, you're playing a gigantic douche in this game, but somehow it's still great. Just by reading the LP I can feel the suspense... looking forward to more.
 

Radisshu

Prophet
Joined
Jul 16, 2007
Messages
5,623
Wow. This game looks awesome, and the LP is really well put together so far.

:salute:
 

SCO

Arcane
In My Safe Space
Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
16,320
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
The game is also noteworthy by it's notion of time, not only that it is real-time, but that there are no saves as such. Instead they used something (speaking of implementation here) called memento in software engineering. Instead of saving a snapshot of the state, so it can be reconstructed later, they saved the actions done by the player (you can have parallel timelines - red, blue and green i think). If you do a mistake you "turn back the clock" and watch the line of the orient express turn back too in the "loading" screen. It's not as smooth as a save system if you fucked up lots of actions before, but it's a interesting technique. This notion of discrete time is also reflected in the characters themselves. There are normally no animations (exceptions: intro and ending) just frozen moments that progress to a slightly changed figure, like a very spaced stop motion animation. Some people don't like this (tell it doesn't immerse them - dumbfucks) but i liked it, and you do forget about it.

This is, in a sense the predecessor to sands of time.
 

Erebus

Arcane
Joined
Jul 12, 2008
Messages
4,763
I'm watching the beginning of the game on Youtube again. I really appreciate the fact that the french characters are played by actors who speak the language perfectly. I wonder if the same can be said of the characters with other nationalities ?
 

SCO

Arcane
In My Safe Space
Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
16,320
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Are you playing the dos version perchance? I think the subtitles have some rendering artifacts i don't remember being so bad.

It's strange to think about it, but this may be the best of the FMV games.
 

Redshirt #42

Augur
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
337
Twinkle said:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0355819/

Such a shame. She had a pleasant voice. Btw, imo all of the actors did a great job in this game although most of them have never played in any other movie or video game except The Last Express (theatre actors maybe?).

Sergiu64 said:
Here's my best attempt at translating it
You didn't have to.

Later on, one of the passengers will actually translate the whole thing for you.

SCO said:
Are you playing the dos version perchance?
Nope.

SCO said:
It's strange to think about it, but this may be the best of the FMV games.
I agree.

SCO said:
How are you going to deal with the ending credits (if you've ever seen them) - lots of screenshots or a movie? A simple idea for such a large thematic impact.
Yeah the credits are great. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them yet. I've got screenshots of them, but there's also a video on the internets.

Also, the next update is finished. I'll post it tommorow (since I'm going to try to make 1 update every day).
 

Redshirt #42

Augur
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
337
Update #3

The private car of 'His Excellency' is at the end of the train. Before the entrance to his comparment is a door on the left, which is locked, and on the right

uonudeportrait.jpg


tits.

uokronnosdlg1.jpg


Knocking on the comparment door makes a niggress appear.

uokronnosdlg2.jpg

- Hello. It seems I've been sent for by someone named 'His Excellency'. That wouldn't be you, would it? -

uokronnosdlg3.jpg


She doesn't respond but she let's us in and goes inside the other room.

uokronnosdlg4.jpg


Let's see if we can steal some goodies in the meantime.

uokronnosdlg5.jpg

- What an unexpected pleasure.

kronos2.jpg

Mister Robert Cath.

uokronnosdlg6.jpg

Usually people call me Tyler Whitney.

uokronnosdlg7.jpg

You should take care when choosing a name for yourself. Names have power. The most primitive cultures understood this. But of course, it will be as you prefer.

cath0.jpg

Not everyone has the luxury of choosing his own name mister...

kronos1.jpg

Kronos. Whether you are Cath or Whitney is a matter of indifference to me. I am prepared to continue the disscussions begun by my agent in Paris.

uokronnosdlg8.jpg

Is Kronos your first name or your last name?

uokronnosdlg9.jpg

I have no time to continue these… delightful discussions of names.

kronosamused.jpg

I have brought with me a rather heavy briefcase. I would like to know now if the proposed exchange interests you and if you are capable of completing it.

uokronnosdlg10.jpg

Not just at the moment, but I have hopes of being able to do so.

uokronnosdlg11.jpg

In that case we have nothing further to discuss.

kronos2.jpg

I myself must leave the train in Vienna. In case we don’t see each other again, I wish you a pleasant journey to Istanbul and continued success in evading the British and French authorities.

uokronnosdlg12.jpg

Have a pleasant evening, Mr. Cath. Kahina will show you out. -

uokronnosdlg13.jpg


So, Tyler was supposed to give something to the sandnigger for the gold, and then buy something else from Schmidt. I'm sure we will eventually find out what that was. Let's go back to the dining car to pass time.

uowyrmlordsbedvsconduct.jpg


Also, the conductors start making beds in the compartments. This would have obviously caused some trouble, if we hid Tyler's corpse under the sofa.

uowyrmlordsbedvsconduct.jpg


René doesn't have a lot to do, because when he tries to enter the comparments numbered 5 - 8 (someone's private harem), Wyrmlord the eunuch comes and shouts at him in Persian (so René obviously has no idea what the fuck to do).

uotranniesdinner.jpg


Back in the dining car, we listen to an another lenghty conversation between Sophie and her *close friend* Rebecca.

waiterpascale.jpg

Mademoiselle, I have saved your favourite table for you. What a pleasure to see you tonight with your charming friend. Never have I seen two such beautiful young ladies in one space. You are the queens of the Orient Express.

sophie1w.jpg

Thank you, Pascale.

rebbeca1.jpg

He does lay it on a bit thick, doesn’t he.

sophie1w.jpg

Pascale? He talks like that to everybody. You are beautiful tonight.

rebbeca1.jpg

Sophie, you’re embarassing me.

sophie1w.jpg

Why? It’s true. You don’t believe me? Turn around and ask our American if he finds you beautiful. I know he’ll agree with me.

rebbeca0.jpg

Sophie!

sophie0.jpg

I’m sorry, I forgot he’s not your type. You wouldn’t care if he likes you or not. So let’s ask the woman in red there, behind me. She’s gorgeous, isn’t she? “Tall, slender, grieving, such majestic pain”. -

[Intelligence] She's talking about Anna.

rebbeca1.jpg

Sophie! Everyone can hear you.

sophie0.jpg

So what? What difference does that make to us? Why travel if you’re going to worry about the same things as home. You’re free. You just don’t know it yet.

rebbeca0.jpg

You make it sound so simple. If only you knew how difficult it was for me to get on this train. -

A few minutes later.

rebbeca0.jpg

... all of Russia may go in revolt.

sophie1w.jpg

After a month on the island you won’t think about such things. Why don’t you write a play when you get there. It could be briliant. One of your amusing little pieces like the one you did on Reginald. I’ll be Ariadne, you’ll be Theseus. Josephine can be the Minotaur. Although you are so stubborn, that should really be your role.

rebbeca0.jpg

Josephine!

sophie0.jpg

Oh yes, didn’t I tell you? She wrote just at the last minute and positively demanded to come. She hates to be left out of anything. Oh, don’t make such a face! Of course you and I will be together. After all, we can’t spend all our time just staring at the sunset. -

As you can see, Rebecca and Sophie are just friends and *definitely* nothing more. Let's leave them alone for now and go back to our compartment.

uomilosknocking.jpg


But wait. Someone's there, knocking on the door. He's asking for Tyler Whitney (I don't know what exactly he's saying since he's speaking Serbo-Croatian). And as always, he just opens the fucking door and walks inside. Jesus, it would have really been nice if Cath could actually ask the conductor to lock his door (as every other passenger does - even René is competent enough to do it, I've seen him open/lock Schmidt's door a few times, no kidding). Let's knock on our own door.

uomilosknife.jpg

- Yes, who is it? -

Alternatively, if Cath is inside his comparment already and the guy knocks on the door, Cath says

cathcurious2.jpg

Don’t bother to knock, just walk right in. Everybody else does. -

Touché.

Anyway, once inside, the shitstorm starts.

uomilosknife1.jpg

This is my compartment. Who are you?

milos1.jpg

This is Tyler Whitney’s compartment. Where is Tyler? -

Uh-oh. Guess this guy's Perception is slightly higher than the conductor's (although, winning against René's great observation skill is hardly worth a medal).

uomilosknife2.jpg


René, in example, will never notice the abundance of blood on the carpet.

uomilosknife3.jpg


I've made an oopsie on the floor, please, don't bother.

milos2.jpg

Ubica! -

Well, this line isn't translated again (Cath cannot into Serbo-Croatian remember), but Google Translate says it means 'murderer'. And the guy pulls out his knife.

Fuck.

uomilosknife4.jpg


:ACTION:

uomilosknife5.jpg


The fight isn't very difficult. You just have to press the mouse button at the right time to dodge his attacks. After a few successful dodge checks, he does a special attack (not that it would be harder to avoid, it's just a different animation). When you dodge that one, you can quickly click on his hand to disarm him.

But if you fail to evade them...

uostabbed.jpg


... or ...

uostabbed2.jpg


Cath sure doesn't have a lot of hitpoints. What is more, should he kill you, you won't get to see an epilogue narrated by Rebecca - instead you get to the Menu screen, from where you can continue and do the fight from start again.

Anyway, good thing Cath's so skilled at Unarmed Combat.

uomilosknife6.jpg


uomilosknife7.jpg


He should have stabbed the fucker.

uomilosknife8.jpg

- As I was about to say, I didn’t kill him.

uomilosknife9.jpg

Who are you?

cathcurious.jpg

My name is Robert Cath.

uomilosknife10.jpg

So you are Cath! Tyler spoke of you.

uomilosknife11.jpg

He was afraid you were angry with him. -

Still angry about Cuba, alright.

uomilosknife12.jpg

- He shouldn’t have worried, that was a long time ago.

cathcurious2.jpg

You’d better tell me what’s going on. Tyler had a meeting with someone named August Schmidt. What was that about?

uomilosknife15.jpg

Where's the gold?

cathsuspicious.jpg

What gold? I saw a wooden box and a hell of a mess.

uomilosknife16.jpg

Then we’re lost! How can I tell this to the general... and to the others.

cathsuspicious.jpg

What general?

uomilosknife19.jpg

You must tell no one about this. No one!

cath0.jpg

Not even the train conductor?

uomilosknife20.jpg

You’ve been warned, Crna Ruka, the Black Hand. -

And he leaves. So Tyler was working with the Serbian Black Hand to acquire some 'merchandise' from Schmidt for them. Unfortunately, someone killed him before he could do this elaborate transaction.

Finally, the plot thickens!
 

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