Completed Let's Play: The Blackwell PENTALOGY!

[Azael]

So, what's better, this or extreme Judaism?

 

[Angthoron]

Both are good but in different ways. Extreme Judaism is certainly more logical and better written though - at least the path that we saw. I'm slightly irked by things like the phone call and the forgetful guard, but otherwise very much enjoying the LP.

However, that same question straight to the Darth! Which did you enjoy playing more?

 

[Darth Roxor]

:fanfare of trumpets:

Welcome to... the showdown.

Today we'll be bringing the central case of Blackwell Legacy to an end, so without further addendum, fasten your beltseats and enjoy the show.

Spoiler

Destination: Bellevue Hospital.

Oh well, looks like we have to wait until tomorrow.

No can do, toots. You remember what she said? The Deacon comes to her at night when she's sleeping. Waiting until tomorrow won't do us any good.

What, you think we can just waltz right into Susan's room?

Sure. Just improvise, sweetheart. That's what this gig is all about.

There's a fusebox on the left wall, it'll be important in a moment.

Looks like a fusebox. Judging by the flickering lights, it must be broken.

I need to speak to Susan Lee. Can I see her?

Visiting hours are over, miss. She's probably sleeping by now, come back tomorrow.

[subterfuge]

You're kinda cute.

I'm flattered miss, but I'm gay.

D:

D: !!!!!

So, which codexer is this?

Oh, I'm sorry.

Oh yeah? Well, then it's time to use X-TREME measures :evil:

Look, you'd better let me pass, or...

Or what? You'll keep glaring at me?

Dammit, how did he know?

Forget it miss, don't threaten me again, or I'll have you escorted out.

Oh, nevermind.

There are some keys on the side of the guard's post

Some small keys. One of them is labelled 'F.B.', I assume that means the fusebox.

We can't snatch it, though, because the guard has high spot checks, and Rosa didn't invest a lot in stealth.

However...

When Joey gets near the radio, the transmission gets wonky, and the guard keeps fiddling with the antenna...

What do you want, sweetheart?

What was it like staying here?

Like? I was on a different floor, but it was all the same. Twenty-five friggin' years. Hovering over your aunt's shoulder, staring at the ceiling. You wanna know how many cracks there were in that ceiling? FIFTY FOUR! Or maybe fifty five, I was never sure about that last one.

How well did you know Dr Quentin?

That quack? He'd come into your aunt's room, poke her, prod her, try to get her to speak. He didn't know from nothing. I'd just as soon never see him again.

What was auntie's condition like?

She was a rotting vegetable, sweetheart. They kept her so drugged, that she could hardly move. Which is probably for the best, come to think of it. Without the drugs, she... wasn't pretty.

What happened with that radio? When you got near, the signal got interrupted, was that you?

Yeah.

How do you do it?

No idea, although your aunt never let me get near the TV during 'Days of our lives'. I'm sure there's some scientific explanation, but I have no way of knowing, and frankly, who the heck could we ask?

So we return to the guard, wait till Joey floats near the radio and watch the guard fight with the antenna, which gives us enough time to take the key.

Fuse box key? I could probably use this.

Next stop -> fusebox

Zzzzzzzing.

You'd better find a place to hide, quick.

So we use a neat trick we learned from Prisoner of Ice once, and hide...

... in a dark corner.

The guard failed his spot check, and by the time he got the fusebox working, we already get away.

She's asleep.

Yeah, like a baby. It won't be long.

Before what?

O SHIT TEH SUSPENSE

This is it? The Deacon is just a ghost of... A HOBO?

Can't you help me? Please? I don't know what to do! I don't wanna burn. The others are gone, you're the only one! PLEASE! You can't hear me here, but you can hear me in your dreams! Please, wake up and help me!

Hey!

Ignore them, Susan. Listen to me, help me, please.

I'm talking to YOU, clown shoes.

You're... you're talking to ME?

Yeah, so you can calm down long enough to tell me what the hell's going on?

I... can't. You're like me.

What do you mean?

Dead like me.

Wait a minute. Just a goddamn minute. You know you're dead? Well that certainly saves time. We can help you.

No, get that away from me!

What the hell is wrong with you? You need saving, we're here to save you, what's the problem?

I can't!

What are you so scared of? You're stuck, right? We can help you move on.

No, I don't want to.

You don't... want to?

No, I... I'm afraid.

Oh, you're afraid, are you?

Hm, I guess Joey's the pro here, let's enjoy the show.

All right, Mac. Spill. You've scared these girls literally to death, and I wanna know why. What are you so afraid of?

I... I don't wanna burn.

Burn? Oh, I get it. You think you're going to hell.

The devil himself, he told me! Please don't make me go!

You're scared of the devil, huh? Yeah, well, I don't see any devil. There's just you and me, and you know what?

COLLAR

GRAB

I'm worse than any devil you'll ever see. I've been doing this for forty years, bucko. Every ghost I meet goes to their final rest, one way or another. You're scared? I don't give a rat's ass. Two people are dead because of you, so take the damn tie and let's this over with.

No, you can't make me. Don't make me burn, please! Uff.

Joey throws a punch

Hurts, don't it? Ghosts aren't supposed to feel pain, but I've learned some tricks. Now take the damn tie.

Joey, stop it.

Hell no, there's no accounting for X-TREMISM.

Kid, stay out of this, this is between me and the spook. So, are we gonna do this the easy way, or the hard way?

Please, no, what are you gonna do to me? Please don't let it get me, I don't wanna go to hell.

Hell, shmell. You wanna stop talking crap?

Stop! Let me talk to him, okay?

Hmmmm...

Nah

Stay out of this, kid.

I don't believe in hell, buddy. But you have two choices, the slight possibility of an eternal torture in hell. Or the dead certainty of eternal torture with ME.

But... you can't!

Sure I can, you gonna stop me? Make your choice.

I...

Wrong answer!

You're hurting him, Joey.

Yeah, that's the idea. Got any better ones?

Let me talk to him.

Ok...

or wait, no

WELL?

Fine, just stop hurting me, please.

Good boy, take the tie.

This WHAT? It got the job done, right? Now yank this loser out of here so we can go home.

Good riddance.

Ow.

Please send me back.

I don't think that's possible.

He forced me here, I...

ITZ...

Whoa...

NO! I told you, there's no escape!

Crap indeed.

Joey? JOEY! Get me out of here!

Stay away. STAY AWAY.

There's nowhere to go. You can not return to the mortal world. You can only go through me. Accept the punishment for your sins and come with me.

Help me, please! YOU brought me here, you have to save me, you have to!

Fool, no one can save you now. I will give you a moment to prepare for the eternity to come, but then you are mine.

This is NOT happening!

Please, you've got to do something.

Let's chat with the demon.

Excuse me...?

Converse with me not. My issue is not with you but with this wastrel here.

How did you get here?

What is 'here'? It is but an abstract concept to one such as I. I move at the power of thought, at the speed of death. Once my business is concluded, I shall trouble you no more.

Why are you after this man?

For his sins. All his time, he has not renounced them. Even after many years of death, he still carries them with him. He has killed many with his madness. His sins weigh him down even as we speak. Ask yourself, does he deserve mercy?

Uh... well, can't say he does.

No, you might be right.

WHAT?

She speaks wisdom, worm. You are totally without redemption, and you know it. Collect yourself for the time comes near.

What IS that thing?

I don't know! It haunted my dreams when I was alive, and wouldn't leave me alone after death. And now, there's no place to run.

What is that in your pocket?

My flask?

Yeah, what's inside?

Nothing. It's just a... force of habit, I guess. Used to keep whisky in it, when I was alive.

So what can I do, what does he want?

He wants ME. I... I don't know why.

There's a rather distinctive stone lying around, let's take it for shits and giggles.

The Deacon is 'carrying' his sins... and the Deacon is 'carrying' his flask. Could this be... symbolic?

Get rid of that flask!

My flask? Why?

Just do it!

But... I can't.

Why not?

Because... it's my flask!

Jew.

You want to be free of that demon? Trust me.

Well, okay.

But they still taint this place. That isn't enough to save you.

There's nothing really special about it except that it belonged to a ghost. It's kind of... vibrating.

Beware, mortal! The sins this man carried with him are still tainting this place. Touch them, and they taint YOU as well. I am content with taking my quarry, but I have no claim on you. Take this man's sins upon yourself, and I shall be forced to take you as well. You do not want that, and neither do I.

It is done. The sins have been abolished from this place, and my claim on the dead one is gone. Move on in peace and be troubled no more.

I think so.

he's gone, I... I'm free of him. I'm really free. All this time... It's... all so clear to me now. Like my head was full of cobwebs, and now they're gone. All those people who died... They killed themselves because of me.

And what do you think about that?

I don't know. I didn't know what I was doing, but that doesn't excuse it. I spent most of my life as a drunk, and most of my death as a murderer. I was worried about going to hell before, maybe I'm okay with that now. Now that I know I might deserve it.

You seem strangely happy about it.

I'm just happy to KNOW. You see, I was a religious man, once. Before disease took my wife away, and I took to the bottle. If I'm going to hell, maybe I can still spread the word of God there. Do some good for once... Well, this is it. Good bye, and thanks.

Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.

What took you so long?

It got... a little complicated.

Well, I'm just glad you're ok.

Let's get out of here, I need some air.

I know the perfect place.

He's at peace now, I guess. Wherever he is. I saved him, I think. Gave him some hope at least.

He's getting no more than he deserved. No more than any of us deserve.

I guess. Did you have to hit him?

It was the only way darling. I didn't see YOU coming up with any bright ideas. Sometimes, the best idea is a punch in the gut.

Joey? Why did Auntie stop?

Stop what?

Stop doing this. This ghost saving, or whatever it is we do.

Oh, ah... it was you. She wanted to take care of you. Wanted to do it right, she said. Stopped listening to me, stopped saving ghosts, just put all her effort into taking care of you.

And then she... fell into that weird coma.

Yeah.

I see... I guess there's a lesson in that.

Is there?

Yeah...

and what would that be...?

Heck, dunno.

And there's nobody else who can help them. There's just us. Bestowing eternity on every sob story out there. One lost soul at a time. Whether we want or not.

Ba-dum-dish. Thus ends Blackwell: Legacy.

Next stop - Blackwell: Unbound, but don't expect many (if any) updates in the following two weeks because...

Midterms are a bitch.

Over and out!

 

[Darth Roxor]

However, that same question straight to the Darth! Which did you enjoy playing more?

Hm, definitely the Shivah, if only because it was rather original. Count all crime stories involving rabbies, and then count all ghost stories. Shivah was also a lot more noir.

But Legacy is probably the least interesting of all three Blackwell games. Unbound is the best, methinks, and Convergence is also gud, but a little inferior to Unbound.

 

[Angthoron]

That was a pretty cool conclusion. Controlling dialogue between two protagonists is a nice touch.

 

[Wyrmlord]

Bleh.

Unimpressed!

 

[Angthoron]

Bleh.

Unimpressed!

Well, it wasn't rabbinical extremism. But she did try going all Nameless One on the Baatezu there.

 

[Longshanks]

However, that same question straight to the Darth! Which did you enjoy playing more?

Hm, definitely the Shivah, if only because it was rather original. Count all crime stories involving rabbies, and then count all ghost stories. Shivah was also a lot more noir.

Read The Yiddish Policeman's Union? Heavy on the noir and the Jew. Cohens are making the movie.

Cool LP anyway. Doubt I would have played or even heard of these games, but did enjoy reading about them.

 

[Gondolin]

Well, we had some collar grabbing, some tie grabbing and a Baatezu. Pretty cool LP.

If we're going hunting for an Unbound, bring some decent creatures. It can be done with Clawbugs on the lower difficulty levels, but I'd rather see a War Trall.

 

[ghostdog]

Yeah, I wasn't really impressed by the story/setting either.

Also there was a free prototype for this game Ron Gilbert made before Blackwell. It is called Bestowers Of Eternity. I have played it and IIRC it had somehow better atmosphere. The colorful clean-cut graphics didn't help this one.

 

[Stereotypical Villain]

Hiding in a dark corner? What's next, trash bin burning?

Good show, and I shall be looking forward to the next game.

 

[lightbane]

Meh, a shame you cannot allow the demon to force the criminal pay for his sins, justice should be accomplished at any cost, and death means nothing!

Waiting for more in any case.

 

[Darth Roxor]

Meh, a shame you cannot allow the demon to force the criminal pay for his sins.

Hmmm, actually, you can. Funny thing, I'll do another short update with that.

 

[Darth Roxor]

So, a quick and short update showing another way of handling the showdown. This time we won't beat the shit out of the Deacon, and after that feed his soul to teh demonz.

Spoiler

What do you want?

Safety, sanctuary. It's following me. Waiting, watching. Trying to take me! But it hasn't caught me yet. Not yet.

Yeah, whatever. This guy's off his nut. Let me handle this, babydoll. I know how to speak to spooks like this.

What hasn't caught you?

It! IT! I see it everywhere (ITZ?). In every shadow, in every corner. Why is it after me? WHY?!

The soft touch ain't gonna cut it sweetheart. You're too green, let me show you how it's done.

Who is after you?

It, IT! Haven't you seen him?

Forget it, kid, he isn't listening. We're wasting time. He knows he's dead, we don't need kid gloves to handle it. Let me take over.

Sure, do it your way.

*a few punches later*

Joey, stop it.

You wanna handle this? Go right ahead. Let's see you do any better.

I know a safe place. You can hide there.

Really? Where is it?

Not far. But you'll have to trust us.

Trust you? Why should I trust you?

Because nobody else has offered to help you before. Right?

Yeah...

You ask and ask for help, but nobody answers, right? Well, we have. We're gonna help you. Has anybody ever said the same?

No, they haven't. I think... ooh, I'm so tired of running. If you say you can help me, I believe you. What needs to be done?

You were right. I feel... safe!

Are you ready?

Yes, I think so. It's really nice out here. Almost like...

Like...

RAWR, TEH DEMON INVADERZ HAVE APPEARED.

No! You lied to me! It's here, you LIED!

so again, the portal home disappears and stuff.

Now, it turns out that this place is actually... timed. After some time, the demon raises his hand, and the Deacon is pulled a bit up

This happens two times.

The third is the final one.

And thus he disappears with a fading scream saying 'no'.

For he brought it upon himself. Go now, and forget not what you've seen here. Remember. Actions in life are remembered in death. We shall meet again...

Scared and confused and I couldn't do anything.

Yeah, well, who says you had to?

I was just so useless in there...

He still moved on. We did our bit.

I guess...

I really wish I could have popped him one more time. He really hacked me off.

Is that your answer to everything?

Don't you start judging me. You managed to pull it off, I'm impressed. I'm just... glad you're okay.

*roll credits*

 

[KickAss]

nice! i like this ending more

 

[Gondolin]

Payback's always a bitch.

It seems that the guy who makes these games has a thing for stories driven by moral C&C.

 

[ghostdog]

nice! i like this ending more

 

[Murk]

Interesting turn of events over-all. good stuff, looking forward to part deuxcze

 

[Brother None]

Dead like me.

Good show.

I'm just happy to KNOW. You see, I was a religious man, once. Before disease took my wife away, and I took to the bottle. If I'm going to hell, maybe I can still spread the word of God there.

Huh. For a "religious man", he doesn't seem that up on his religion.

Hell Does Not Work That Way.

Awesome LP. Moarrrrrrrz.

 

[Darth Roxor]

So, how about a bump to the next page?

 

[KickAss]

bump

 

[Derper]

Bibiddybump

 

[likaq]

bump

 

[Jim Cojones]

Updated my journal.

 

[Darth Roxor]

derp