Let's deck into the BLOODNET (Undead Version)

[ghostdog]

Since IMAGESUCK has put codex on the black list, in order to see the images you must do this : LINK


In my crazy quest to play old forgotten gems, I decided to take another shot at Bloodnet (1994). You know what that means... LP. Maybe. The thing with Bloodnet is that many years ago, me and a friend played this trippy game quite a bit at his Amiga. Not that we got to finish it or anything, I don't think we even managed to advance much, it was just great to spend time in that mysterious futuristic city.


The setting, the dialog and the characters is what makes Bloodnet such an interesting game. It manages to blend Cyberpunk, vampires and noir with surprisingly good results... Yes, you heard correctly. It's about 80% Shadowrun and 20% World of Darkness. As for the gameplay, it's a non-linear Adventure/RPG with a lot of choices and consequences. So, if it's such a great game, why is it mostly unknown? Well, because it takes a lot of effort to get the hang of it. The UI sucks, combat is clunky, and the game can be unforgiving.


Hell, I had already played it in the past and I was at loss in the beginning. I couldn't even find the damn inventory, because while everything else is accessible via mouse interface, in order to get to the inventory you have to press "1". ORLY? Not to mention that I got stuck in cyberspace for a while, trying to find the stupid menu that lets you exit. And that's nothing. Your character has two meters called Humanity and Bloodlust. As time passes, your bloodlust increases. Get 100% bloodlust and you loose the game. Suck some humans dry to ease your bloodlust and your humanity decreases. Get zero humanity and you loose the game. You bit the neck of a plot-critical NPC ? -You're fucked. You stayed too long in cyberspace ? -Your brain melts. A party member dies ? It stays dead for good, no revivals, no resurrections, rest in peace brutha/sistah.



But as soon as you get the hang of things, you realize that the developers really poured their souls into this game. As I said, the setting is superbly realized and the characters are very well written. On the other hand the box covers weren't that great. What the hell is that ? A vampire with a surgically implanted cell-phone ? A failed experiment of Dr. Mengele ? Maybe that's why he's in such a bad mood.

Hmm, that's a bit better. But not much. How do you expect to sell games if you don't have semi-naked goth babes with cyber bikinis on the cover ?

Bah, let's start the game already.

Yep, those people developed some good titles during the Incline™... Ahh, that's it at last. A blood-red bat with a circuit-themed background, simple, effective and right to the point. It has blood, it has bats, it has nets... yeah. I'd prefer a cyber-Ozzy eating a bat, but ... whatever.

It's time we entered the BloodNet.






HUBS:

• -PROLOGUE
  [*][II]-ON.A.COLD.EVENING.IN.MANHATTAN
  [*][III]-YOU'RE.NEXT.STARK
  [*][IV]-HACKING.AT.THE.EDGES
  [*][V]-INTO.THE.ABYSS
  [*][VI]-A.FINE.SPECIMEN.OF.ULTRAOMNIPOTENCE
  [*][VII]-DISCARDED.COGS.FROM.THE.MACHINE
  [*][VIII]-THE.LOST.KIDS
  [*][IX]-MEAN.DISPOSITION
  [*][X]-CALLING.ELVIS

PS1: Let me now if you actually want to see this LP.
PS2: Just so you know, this has been partially under the influence of Alcohol.
PS3: If you're Bloodnet veterans, share your wisdom.

 

[ghostdog]

-=-PROLOGUE-=-

BloodNet occurs 100 years from now in a dystopian high-tech future, a future our world is coming to. The BloodNet world is an information tyranny ruled by the TransTechnicals megacorporation. The Company controls access to, and use of, cyberspace. Only those who are registered with the company can access the information and services in cyberspace. In theory, that is...

New York teems with people who illicitly surf the edge, in the quest for information freedom. This unaffiliated mix of isolated hackers, data angels, anarchists, street gangs and tech gangs are collectively known as the Underground. In the background, an constant war between TransTech and the Underground is taking place.

Manhattan 2094 is a dystopian necropolis in which a high-tech elite thrives amidst a claustrophobic urban nightmare. A place where the difference between night and day is lost in the perpetual glare of fluorescent lighting on the toxic pollution lingering throughout the city. The city is secondary. Cyberspace has become the locus of human economic and leisure activity. With people leaving the real world behind, Manhattan (and the rest of earth's cities) have fallen into disrepair.

You are Ransom Stark. Some years ago you were a low-paid employee of TransTechnicals. The Company forces its employees to stay in Cyberspace far longer than it is safe. The extended and repeated exposure to virtual reality resulted in your contracting the Hopkins-Brie Ontology Syndrome, a condition in which the sufferer has difficulty distinguishing between the real and the virtual world.

You were summarily dismissed from TransTech and begun wandering the mean streets of Manhattan. You surely would have died a beggar's death, had you not been discovered by a teenage street gang and taken to Deirdre Tackett's clandestine workshop. From this hidden laboratory, Tackett pursued her private vendetta against the Company. Tackett rescued you by inserting into your brain a neural implant designed to modulate your perceptions and enable you to retain your grasp on reality.

Given a new beginning you established a reputation in the city as a reliable freelance. But you never forgot Deidre Tackett, the woman who was your savior.

In the year 2094, New York City suffers from a new threat of urban violence, a new wave of paranoia - the Vampire Plague. The streets are abuzz with talk of these hellspawn creatures and reports of their attacks fill the media daily. Rumors fly and people are unjustly accused. People have seen the damage they have done, but never the vampires themselves...

Ok, time to create a character. You either get to pick some pre-made ones or go for the manual generation. In the manual mode you don't get to actually distribute points to your attributes but you are prompted to answer questions and your answers will determine your stats.

Even if you can't create a character exactly like you want, I find this way of character generation quite fun. There is a degree of randomness in it and some of the questions are hilarious.

As you can see I'm picking mostly the badass answers. Apart from the obvious fact that , yeah, I'll be playing a badass dude, I want answers that will lead to good fighting stats.

You need good physical and combat skills to survive in Bloodnet. Ranged weapons seem like the best choice. I'm not sure about blades, I'll try them out at some point.

FACT: Most locations and people mentioned here exist within the actual game.

You can recruit other party members to do jobs that require cyberskills or mechanic skills. So no worries if you suck at hacking.

Hmm, is the INCUBUS a legend, or does it actually exist ? Incubus rhymes with succubus, doesn't it ?

Agility also seems like an important attribute since dodging danger is a must.

Ok, enough with this. We've answered the 20 questions and we won this guy right here. We're offered another 20 points to allocate. I put them on Agility and Observation, these two seem important especially for fighting vampires. Actually this guy sucks compared to NPC's you can recruit. Any guy you create will suck. Accept it and move on.

We can also pick a portrait. Naturally, I picked the one with the x-treme smug expression. Yeah, this is definitely Ransom Stark.

 

[Luzur]

i havent played this since the Amiga days, go on.

 

[lightbane]

Good luck, you will be raped in every orifice possible before you even notice (and yep, myself didn't knwo how to exit cyberspace as well )

 

[ghostdog]

"and yep, myself didn't knwo how to exit cyberspace as well"

Yeah, the ingenious menu appears only if right-click on the far-top part of the screen. It's one of those games that require a lot of trial and error to proceed.

 

[thesheeep]

Hmm.. please go on.
I always wanted to play that game but somehow ended up never doing so.

 

[Angthoron]

Please go on, never played it but it's looking promising.

 

[spekkio]

Great idea, please continue.

 

[Martin]

Good game, not much of an rpg per se but good game. Have some good memories of it.
Very good atmosphere and dialog in general. Definitely deserves an LP.

 

[Yeesh]

Why was MicroProse so awesome, and how can we get it back?

 

[Brother None]

I played a little of this game ages ago but never got into it, for obvious reasons.

Hells yeah to this LP

 

[Satori (original)]

Fuck. Yes.

 

[ghostdog]

-=[II]-ON.A.COLD.EVENING.IN.MANHATTAN-[II]=-

Notice the old-fashioned black cape and blood-red hills. Dead giveaway. This is either a whore or a vampire. My money are on vamps.

I chose the correct portrait, alright. Smugness all the way.

Melissa Van Helsing ? ...Mindfuck.

My lucky day. The name's Ransom Stark.

I know. I've heard of you. Looks like clients aren't exactly beating down your door, Stark. I'm here to make you an offer. Pays fifty grand. Interested ?

Fifty grand ? There isn't much I wouldn't do for fifty grand.


TIP: don't try the cd-version with the speech, the voice-overs suck. Thankfully, you can turn them off. You also get a cool cyberspace video with the CD version... not. Fuck it, just download the 7 MB version. Listen to me and you'll prosper.

Just do what you're hired to do, Stark. You'll get your money. Then we'll talk.

Where do I find you ?

Uptown at 666 W. 125th Str. The penthouse. I'll be waiting.


666 the number of the beast, hell and fire are soon to be released. Word.

FACT1: We're professionals.
FACT2: We're fast and loose, yeah.

Relax. You'll get what's coming to you.

That's what I'm counting on.

You've got real attitude, Stark. Too bad we hadn't met under different circumstances. I'm not usually one to got for low-rent mercenary types.

Don't knock it until you've tried it. Besides, you're not exactly standard issue. What's your story anyway ? You come out of nowhere with the most unusual , captivating looks I've ever seen in a woman, Then offer me a fortune, for a job I could do in my sleep. I couldn't wait to get up here to see you again. I'm not sure I like what you're doing to me.

Don't knock it, till you've tried it, Stark. Come here.

Yeah. A woman pulled me out of the gutter and saved my life with that thing.

Another woman, Stark ? I'm almost jealous.

She was a friend. A good friend. I haven't even talked to Tackett in years. Heard she was somewhere in the Greenwich village warrens. I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for her.

huba huba

Hey, are those fangs or are you happy to see me ? Or both ? And what's that evil figure in the distance? Is he , like, your daddy and thingies ?

You do not yet see the seriousness of your position. You shall.

Naaa, I think I'll be seeing the door.

No, Stark, you will not leave this room until I have tasted of you.


What the... You dirty old faggot ! You faggy old dirtot ! You... YOU... you beautiful bastard ...

At least he just wanted us to feel his mouth. Stark can survive vampirism if his manhood is intact... Kinda.

But however you look at it, Stark is screwed. No let me rephrase that... Stark is FUCKED. period. 'Nuff said. R00fles.
TRANSFORM !

...

...

But...But... why?

I can use a freelance with your talents. When we 've captured Tackett and taken from her the information that we need, I will be but one step from attaining power over Manhattan, Cyberspace, and beyond.

And you think I'm gonna help you ?

You already have. Giving me Tackett is like handing over the INCUBUS --the ultimate icebreaker-- to me. Come, you must be weak after what you've endured. Let us venture outside and select your dinner.

Sorry, Abe, After-death experiences always turn my stomach. I ain't hungry.

Hahaha, you don't really have a choice, you're under my com-


:SMACK:

A good old-fashioned punch out of nowhere always does the trick. You didn't expect that Abe, did you ? Nor did I, but who am I to complain. I'll just get the hell out of here...

Ok now, we're at Tackett's Laboratory. Things don't look good. Hey, what's this ?

It seems our neural implant can talk. Either that or Stark has gone bonkers.

I feel both awful and great. My whole body aches but I feel strong enough to kick through a wall... My teeth... they are sharper... I....

Get a grip on yourself, Ransom. Current inputs are confusing enough. I need less babble and more analysis.

Hey, I'm doing my best here... Analysis ? I'm becoming a Vampire, it seems. Except for some reason, I'm able to resist Van Helsing's domination. Maybe you have something to do with that ?

You're saying I'm not damned yet ? There's still hope ?




Yes, dear Stark, there may still be hope. You're not entirely screwed. You may have only have like no more than 3% possibility to survive. But, yes, there's still a glimmer of hope.

Fuck yeah.




That's my Stark.

 

[Angthoron]

Sweet stuff. Interesting though, looks like cyberpunk games have a frequent theme of a helper, like Metal and Blackbird? Or is it more of an exception?

 

[RK47]

This is a wild game. I finished it once. And what a blast. I was literally so close to losing to the time limit mechanics of this game.

And yes, what the implant said is true. You will succumb to the Vampirism if you continue to waste time and it's Game Over. It seems like a trademark of Microprose games like Champions of the Five Realms.

How I wish modern games implement such a mode.

 

[ghostdog]

Well, the implant isn't as talkative as other helpers. From now on it will mainly pop up to tell you you're close at getting fucked by : bloodlust/cyber-exposure and other imminent hazards.

As for finishing the game, yeah, I'm not sure I'll manage to reach the end.

 

[SCO]

Be careful of the time limit (though its kinda fun - i fucked up and literally had to go back a while to rush the ending - and still ended with about 40s to die). Also make you character very resistant in combat. Don't say i didn't warn you at the end.

Edit: I actually did a prolog solver for one of the cyberspace puzzles. Its just a little system of equations but i wanted to see if prolog could handle it descriptively (without implementing reduction rules or anything - it could with the import of a module).

 

[Rabidredneck]

I acutally owned this game so many years ago, my sisters friend gave it to me. It's not just a clunky UI you have to deal with, it's really easy to fuck up quests. If you add on too many cybernetics you can go vamp and game over.

I think it took me a couple months but I finally beat it. Then I uninstalled and never looked at it again.

 

[Brother None]

The "you've given us Tacket" angle is...kind of weak. But hey, punching out Vampire Lords for the win!

 

[ghostdog]

The "you've given us Tacket" angle is...kind of weak. But hey, punching out Vampire Lords for the win!

But... but... they had to lure him into their lair (where they are more powerful) and dominate him ! OK. The intro is probably the weakest part of the game when it comes to character interaction.

Also my hopes for finishing the game are renewed, I just found a large supply of blood vials, so now I don't have to bite young virgins and loose humanity. Hooray. (Although I kinda liked sucking young-virgins dry)

 

[ghostdog]

-=[III]-YOU'RE.NEXT.STARK-[III]=-






Deidre is nowhere to be found and the place is a mess. And if Stark somehow doesn't get the message, it's written on the floor to make things crystal clear. I mean the next best way to make this messages clearer would be a bullet in the head. And we don't want that. Do we ? No.

Let's have a look around.

The fact that there is a cyberport here, means that we can connect to the net if we want. Any items that can be taken are pretty obvious, since they stand out on the screen. They say : "Hallo I'm here , take me !" and other perverted stuff like that.

We grab the INERTIA SENSORS, the DECKING UNIT CASE, the RADIATION SCREEN, the DERMAL FILAMENT, the NEURAL IMPLANT PLANS and the 4TB MEMORY CHIP. I don't have a clue what most of these are for (probably components for assembling something... a cyber-dildo probably ... or a cyber-pony-tank-torpedo... you never know.), but the plans are important and the memory chip is of immediate use. Let's check out our decking unit.

...And replace the 1TB memory chip with the 4TB one. 4TB, mister ! This is da future ! Ya. Anyway. The "Soul Box" component you see in the upper-left part is essentially the avatar that we use to enter cyberspace. The one we have is crappy, we'll need to find a better one if we want to travel to certain cyberspace areas.

So, let's see what this cyberspace is all about...

:connects:

This 3D was THE SHIT back then. Ok. Let's search around. WELLS are like hubs or sites. FATS is our mozilla. In order to get to a well we need its address.

Our trusty implant informs us that staying more than 10 minutes will result to serious brain damage, aka gameover. aka get a fucking life. The net is vast and limitless, but not for Stark. And definitely not for us.

Hmm, we find a data angel. They're something like hackers. Everyone that enters cyberspace uses an avatar according to his Soul Box. This guy is better than us. He's oldschool/hardcore. It's like he's been in the codex from 1985 and we're just some noobs that just registered and post about how much we like Valkyria Chronicles. N000bZ.


It seems he wants to talk.

Yeah, well, if you don't mind I'll wait to meet him before I start getting intimidated.

Well, you have reason to be, believe me. He's done damage here that's unprecedented. He's actually into damaging angels in here, pulverizing their decking integrity. I'd stay out of his way if I were you.


I'm sure we'll bump onto this Zeus guy sooner or later. For now, let's check out the FATS system. Thankfully it's nothing like the VATS system. hurdur.

Damn, the codex is too high-tech for our low cyberskills... We'll need to find a good decker if we want to enter Deidre's Well, "Hope". Let's exit. And if you're wondering how you do that, well, you have to use the ingenious menu that can be accessed by clicking on the upper-most portion of the screen. I call it the "Phantom" menu.

Now we're out, why don't we check our micro-computer ? Stark always has this nifty gadget with him. With this he can watch his daily porn, check his contacts, his money and replay previous dialogs. Useful thingie. It's like an eeePC, but better.

Let's check out our money... aha! It seems they're still using virtual dollars. Yeah, last time I played virtual monopoly I earned like 100000000 virtual dollars. That's,like, a shitload of virtual dollars. I just hope that 130483 is a good sum in the year 2094, and not , you know, just enough for a burger, a coke and a bj.

Now let's check our contacts... There's a lot of stuff in here. It will help us as we proceed. We have some info about Deidre. Whooo, she's a naughty girl, isn't she ?

We also have info about friends, ex-lovers, money lenders, and other upstanding members of society.

Most of the people mentioned here can be recruited in your party... Another note of interest is Stark's old gang, the Flux Riders. Maybe we should look them up sometime.

There is more stuff in here, but that's enough for now. I'm wondering how Ransom is doing. Press "1" for the elusive character/inventory menu.

Our Humanity and Bloodlust meters are good, for the time being. Let's see our inventory. We have a Kevlar vest, a laser pistol and a Sawed-off shotgun. Naturally I'll equip the shotgun. If you equip the laser gun you're a faggot, just so you know.

Ok, we're all set. Let's head out to the dark and gritty city.

Manhattan 2094, here we come.

 

[wjw]

Truly interested in your Lp's as always!

ninja edit/ Fresh updates! Tasty.

 

[lightbane]

What the...Are you a codexer and yet you have an innocence score (how does it work btw, does it change the dialogues' options)????


And you lack of faith is disturbing


Continue it, please.


PS: And lasers>>>> lead.t

 

[ghostdog]

Innocence determines how much humanity you loose when you feed on other humans. the more you have, the more humanity you loose, so it's good we're not that innocent. Innocence will decrease if we use narcotics/drugs, so it's bound to be decreased somewhat in the future.

Faith on the other hand determines how good we are at using holy relics against other vampires, so I guess we'll rely more on our firepower, than crosses.

 

[relootz]

Good LP.

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAR