tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29524573061474521282024-03-16T13:51:30.823-05:00The Friendly NecromancerMMO and Gaming Blog from Tom Purdue. Its origins began in a journey through Wizard101 and grew to be much much more.Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.comBlogger2141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-85415757276388360512024-02-21T09:05:00.001-06:002024-03-16T09:03:59.267-05:00Tom Purdue -- Level Design Examples<h2 style="text-align: left;">Battle Bows Level Design Example</h2><div><i>Battle Bows is a cooperative VR Archery Tower Defense game where you protect your castle from invading balloon enemies</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>For the first update of Battle Bows, I was tasked with creating a level design that would feature four main enemy doors instead of two. Crafting a complete level of Battle Bows meant the following also needed to be considered:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bringing interesting verticality with ramps, bridges, and ruins</li><li>Congruity with ramp, bridge, and ruin themes from the original design</li><li>Ensuring all external pathways ended at the two doors into the castle</li><li>Adding towers and buildings where enemies could pause, exit from, and hide behind</li><li>Ensuring there were interesting pathway loops to build tension and enemy pileup</li><li>Completing outer pathway connections to each other</li><li>Completing a Boss Pathway that circled the entire castle</li><li>Finishing with more side pathway connections</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyrhgA8q_lh7yT57tdIqZRMt1fqnNp6ozP-EzMTDdFZCuO3Z5nu9ZBWVFZUSK6PqGZBNGHKbn8uvRFpIgm67oL0wiYMKGmN5Y8FZpFgw0sM2J82ckkSMovz2nGt9dYHLYoFcVyC8CdUGSsyPaVlKlYQ2mii-K3LrzFtVEayABpzvugEnx_kwG6DI23F4/s480/BOW%20DLC%20level%20design.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyrhgA8q_lh7yT57tdIqZRMt1fqnNp6ozP-EzMTDdFZCuO3Z5nu9ZBWVFZUSK6PqGZBNGHKbn8uvRFpIgm67oL0wiYMKGmN5Y8FZpFgw0sM2J82ckkSMovz2nGt9dYHLYoFcVyC8CdUGSsyPaVlKlYQ2mii-K3LrzFtVEayABpzvugEnx_kwG6DI23F4/w400-h225/BOW%20DLC%20level%20design.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fleshing out the Winter Keep Level Design</i></div><div><br /></div><div>The level was first set up using a series of PowerPoint images to accomplish this. This was then reviewed with the Design Director and artists to ensure the concept and the greybox level could be created from the design. </div><div><br /></div><div>During the greybox phase, I asked the artists to scoop the level upward on all sides so the castle was sitting at the bottom of a bowl-like valley to help bring even more verticality to the level. Two artists then coordinated with me while finishing the level's visuals to completion, adding pockets of trees, craters, fencelines, skyboxes, icebergs, and more.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5ZOe38RhjVdH0tdGyE5hvmmbSKmiO9IflocxhYDL6khejTcST0EYkkC-rMRXBfBN8tiKEsLl0iZjMZhSiJEghci-IpS8Mp0k2TcAHg9Soa9x6JtA5beUWjGCy-TCfzlwLpkaYcn9rzpy2P8grjaefAfM0SxqqWIOu_AuQl2H8ScdEP7ZMV2CNmPIHUk/s480/final%20product.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5ZOe38RhjVdH0tdGyE5hvmmbSKmiO9IflocxhYDL6khejTcST0EYkkC-rMRXBfBN8tiKEsLl0iZjMZhSiJEghci-IpS8Mp0k2TcAHg9Soa9x6JtA5beUWjGCy-TCfzlwLpkaYcn9rzpy2P8grjaefAfM0SxqqWIOu_AuQl2H8ScdEP7ZMV2CNmPIHUk/w400-h225/final%20product.gif" width="400" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The final Winter Keep environment for Battle Bows</i></div></i><div><br /></div><div>I then mapped out dozens of enemy pathways, hidden targets, and exploding barrels during the greybox phase and on into the polish phase until the final product was completed. </div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Animal Cove Level Design Example</h2><div><i>Animal Cove is a cute match-3 game where you work through the story of your mysterious island while beating match-3 levels.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Being that Animal Cove is a Match 3 game, a set amount and percentage of colored pieces were assigned for each board to fall from the top as matches were made. Each level in the game combined Mechanics and Objectives in an interesting board shape. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloRfkCZBlcT53UaHn8cfClxXo-BcOS_a6ny9qXIWT9O_YrQT2ICqjGnYn2K14v_MB2AZV5XEY8YJzFejizbSkBhyRVBo9kV9NBJkOw_hxKTeVcX14_hPd486FSoQj3DvdhikTt4__pZ_UElcAPYbNYAyHSwHDA9Txa43Mz6_7eWLZg9chQlB7w9jAoLA/s480/animal%20cove%20levels.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloRfkCZBlcT53UaHn8cfClxXo-BcOS_a6ny9qXIWT9O_YrQT2ICqjGnYn2K14v_MB2AZV5XEY8YJzFejizbSkBhyRVBo9kV9NBJkOw_hxKTeVcX14_hPd486FSoQj3DvdhikTt4__pZ_UElcAPYbNYAyHSwHDA9Txa43Mz6_7eWLZg9chQlB7w9jAoLA/w400-h225/animal%20cove%20levels.gif" width="400" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A few Unity thumbnails of a small handful of Animal Cove levels I created</i></div></i><div><br /></div><div>Each level of the game would feature one or two different objectives and mechanics combined together. As a level designer for this game, I created hundreds of levels that used the following objectives and mechanics:</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Objectives</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Match pieces</li><li>Break Boxes</li><li>Collect Coconuts</li><li>Free Chickens</li><li>Open Treasure Chests</li><li>Drop Starfish</li><li>Unearth Tikis</li><li>Match Totem Pole Faces</li><li>Crack Oysters</li><li>Discover Shells / Remove Sand</li><li>Break Colored Boxes</li><li>Lead a Hedgehog to the exit</li><li>Pop Balloons</li><li>Crack Lava Rock</li><li>Free Sea Turtles</li><li>Harvest Meadow</li><li>Match Tiles</li><li>Break open nests</li><li>Capture Squids</li><li>Pop Hermit Crabs out of the sand</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mechanic</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Untie Ropes</li><li>Ignite a Fireworks Box</li><li>Harvest Mushroom Logs</li><li>Unroll Beach Towels</li><li>Break the Amber</li><li>Slide through Teleporters</li><li>Avoid Bees</li><li>Match along a Conveyer Belt</li><li>Ignite a Line bomb</li><li>Pop bubbles</li><li>Exploding Blowfish</li><li>Shoot Rays from Electric Eels</li><li>Match along Inflatating Intertubes</li><li>Remove Pesky Vine</li><li>Open a Butterfly's Wings</li><li>Match through walls</li><li>Wait for falling Tides</li></ul><div>Playtesting, Metrics, and Peer Reviews were all used in adjusting the final levels to ensure balance.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Just for Fun Level Design Examples</h2><div><i>Outside of work, I also like working with VR games that allow you to build levels, such as Dreams VR and Synth Riders. </i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jb68Ipn1YD8?si=aWPVYZakdWi3PRzv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Psj-vN0FPcw?si=ZDZRlBAL9HSo8hl1" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-29804308058563202222024-01-15T22:11:00.005-06:002024-01-16T07:56:00.243-06:00Finishing the Story in Asgard's Wrath 2<p>I just finished up Asgard's Wrath II today. I've thought about writing about this game a second time or a third time beyond my <a href="https://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/12/asgards-wrath-ii-is-simply-amazing.html">initial thoughts</a>, but every time I went to write about it, I don't know, I kind of just felt like I'd rather be playing it. If that's a good sign, take it! </p><p>Now, I don't think this is a good "get your feet wet" in VR game at all by the way. Since it came bundled with the Quest 3 at launch, I heard some chatter here and there that perhaps this game was good enough to be the thing that gets a person to buy a VR headset. I don't know about that. A game where you stand still like Battle Bows or Walkabout Minigolf might be better. You could end up pretty dizzy on this title if you aren't prepared for it. That said, Asgard's Wrath II is a must-play title once you're ready. </p><p>In Asgard's Wrath II you are a god that can take possession of human spirits that ask for your help. As the story goes, Loki gives you this power (<i>or teaches you this power? I was never quite sure on that point)</i> in the Original Asgard's Wrath game. In Asgard's Wrath, you take on and follow the story of the Norse Pantheon. For AW2, you travel to Egypt and deal with their pantheon. Loki tags along, of course, sowing trouble along the way.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmE2z7xZ7yrZjCNZ2FNez67RmirKeuPLid2OQIAjGQ171m6dBldz4FCs8NHxyQbLikhjmA6L991jyFANfMhoJNoOllSRL9hH_1zuyOkFyphBhLCamtJq9YSiTfCrGWqcOel7-3dcWHPfLGXfJ8yrRo8PMnqiv8OVHgV7YXAGv4dzU8Ow_jCWs1sz6EfMk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmE2z7xZ7yrZjCNZ2FNez67RmirKeuPLid2OQIAjGQ171m6dBldz4FCs8NHxyQbLikhjmA6L991jyFANfMhoJNoOllSRL9hH_1zuyOkFyphBhLCamtJq9YSiTfCrGWqcOel7-3dcWHPfLGXfJ8yrRo8PMnqiv8OVHgV7YXAGv4dzU8Ow_jCWs1sz6EfMk=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Choose your hero!</i></div></i><p></p><p>The title divides your story's main quest into "sagas" where you follow the stories of the four heroes you possess:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNepjKhiyUcnNQoXJdB7fF_A2g6J-HfRX20v2lC6ioV6zqVaaGAjXDN_oRKRlEp6p3_xZYtjfiaWDWyr9_Y113PWI1OqcJJ95WMOzOiFwFfQYKOj7NwzPRS8PIAZx0C8rieNmorpRsoBaVlGRvs82SPg23UDUiehezgNtnp78ZDt96vvfUwq2VUVkQsX4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="875" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNepjKhiyUcnNQoXJdB7fF_A2g6J-HfRX20v2lC6ioV6zqVaaGAjXDN_oRKRlEp6p3_xZYtjfiaWDWyr9_Y113PWI1OqcJJ95WMOzOiFwFfQYKOj7NwzPRS8PIAZx0C8rieNmorpRsoBaVlGRvs82SPg23UDUiehezgNtnp78ZDt96vvfUwq2VUVkQsX4=w640-h402" width="640" /></a><i>Abraxas with his sword, shield, and axe at the ready</i></div><p><b>Abraxas</b> -- This is pretty much your standard human warrior/tomb robber. His kit is mostly sword and board, which is perfect for learning how to play the game. It makes sense he's the first of the four you assist. His throwing axe is really fun to chuck around as well. I especially liked how you could hold it spinning in the air and direct it in any direction. </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBHnqclpSD3rr53tWkLrxYH5ycYyQpsmyLVCnP5PPLq80JDMrbIyWBVYbuxuL_a5wUHNNl2WUkTrxUr67UvzJgeuosCnNRxjOeUnfF5TowgldixIgBdII2NxKyeqv989W6Somns-pkwpBoMivA11oxw5q59KgikNCc7MG0-88jg1twyxPJ3wnRMTHkvhM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="933" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBHnqclpSD3rr53tWkLrxYH5ycYyQpsmyLVCnP5PPLq80JDMrbIyWBVYbuxuL_a5wUHNNl2WUkTrxUr67UvzJgeuosCnNRxjOeUnfF5TowgldixIgBdII2NxKyeqv989W6Somns-pkwpBoMivA11oxw5q59KgikNCc7MG0-88jg1twyxPJ3wnRMTHkvhM=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Water weapons and a song of destruction are Cyrene's way to victory</i></div></i><b><br /></b><div><b>Cyrene</b> -- Your second playable hero is a "river naiad." It's a pretty different play style but if I was to describe the character in D&D terms it would be a Water Genasi bard. Man, I would love to play D&D with this character. She has a shield/harp in one hand, a little jellyfish turret, and an eel-like sword. Aside from the final character, this was probably my favorite to play. Strumming to send out blasts of notes was a highlight.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiihQEx-1gUOaEl21q0G-vkEdB0DpWIPrO3rz_5MEVOQe8r4eqB0elcJvu7rXAWAMwqo-cZOTuvPoPqJwK8OrIeBP24Um6Snusxk14SE-BkmDX3m4vdlGD4zPKcZDXdU3lH0D7mZttKHM-ZBezb2gt0w4GpyxV6eeBKkjHNTSg1gzXJqWU1iKM0bQXQ8qk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="973" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiihQEx-1gUOaEl21q0G-vkEdB0DpWIPrO3rz_5MEVOQe8r4eqB0elcJvu7rXAWAMwqo-cZOTuvPoPqJwK8OrIeBP24Um6Snusxk14SE-BkmDX3m4vdlGD4zPKcZDXdU3lH0D7mZttKHM-ZBezb2gt0w4GpyxV6eeBKkjHNTSg1gzXJqWU1iKM0bQXQ8qk=w640-h370" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Alivida is ready to throw down a few grenades and explode them</i></div></i><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Alvilda </b>-- The third playable hero is an elf who specializes in the bow and arrow. It's a little difficult to manage, but you can switch around her arrow types between a piercing arrow, a ricochet arrow, and a multishot arrow. Also in her kit is a shield (which I rarely used) and a really great explosive mine. My favorite thing to do with this character was to throw down a mine and shoot it. If you spec'd your character in a certain way, shooting the mine with a piercing arrow would send up a star that then broke into several heat-seeking arrows. Really fun!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNvr38gKkR3PVxFRwHsV-9lXYoRe0U58Nnc4oiq-frFOh7TLNJpXlUjlr853a1BOf4EQCIas4Rac41YW4LMyWxd4mwDq7W6MqHQz9I9e56VrrEw1HkMqSlrF6qeZ4rxK5dvLYFQpIxozGBYvYOGEgwjFZlUVbzhFntdqKJ7a1iyH0AWI7cVtv4lst_h3A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="943" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNvr38gKkR3PVxFRwHsV-9lXYoRe0U58Nnc4oiq-frFOh7TLNJpXlUjlr853a1BOf4EQCIas4Rac41YW4LMyWxd4mwDq7W6MqHQz9I9e56VrrEw1HkMqSlrF6qeZ4rxK5dvLYFQpIxozGBYvYOGEgwjFZlUVbzhFntdqKJ7a1iyH0AWI7cVtv4lst_h3A=w640-h412" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Remember kids, your head is your best weapon</i></div></i><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Djehuty</b> -- Finally, your fourth playable hero was an entity that is now near and dear to the Friendly Necromancer's heart. Djehuty (strange name, cool hero) could rip his head off and possess creatures. This could then siphon off divine shielding from them and cause them to attack other enemies. He also had a staff/spear that could cast bolts from its tip, be thrown, or slash enemies. He also had a necklace in his possession that served a few purposes: a shield, a whip, or to create portals (like in the game Portal 2). I had some trouble playing him at first, but eventually he became the character I'd beat the game with.<p></p><p>In the game, you're also assisted by a companion that helps you, not only in battle but also as a mount that you can ride around the world.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Subira -- a shadow panther that can remove shadow obstacles in puzzles.</li><li>Pa'ahkhet -- a bird that lets you glide across platforms (much like riding a shield in Zelda)</li><li>Wahka -- an ape that casts magic totems to help raise puzzle pieces.</li><li>Mereret -- a hippo that can cast shadow bolts to dispel evil entities.</li><li>Viggo -- a boar that eats grubs and throws them up to freeze traps or free glued objects.</li></ul><p></p><p>Each of these has a skill tree with its own abilities. I never quite got the hang of reviving them in the midst of battle, but they were always a helpful distraction during combat.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq_lnNgLhPGZ0dam66jATRq881DH_lOWNbDz_TbjVPLka9owUFKQlwg26UqMKcEWWNZd-qo-h1Kngd_W8SDYsPmyaY7LLnas2lyiWNkM4J2BN93KYXImzy_pKy2AJdwG0xkIqv0rsl9J4rXpJF1HnRQVH8o3rdTdmhj3i3gGVWKE5j3x5YbSxjsuDtd7s" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="977" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq_lnNgLhPGZ0dam66jATRq881DH_lOWNbDz_TbjVPLka9owUFKQlwg26UqMKcEWWNZd-qo-h1Kngd_W8SDYsPmyaY7LLnas2lyiWNkM4J2BN93KYXImzy_pKy2AJdwG0xkIqv0rsl9J4rXpJF1HnRQVH8o3rdTdmhj3i3gGVWKE5j3x5YbSxjsuDtd7s=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Viggo and I share this affinity for food</i></div></i><p></p><p>Probably the coolest feature of the game was my favorite design/lore integration: God puzzles. As a god that inhabits a mortal, you would encounter puzzles in the game where you could release your mortal and assume the form of a god. I talked a bit about it in the previous post, but truly this puzzle-solving mechanic in VR was extremely satisfying and really made sense. The back and forth of moving hero and god around to solve an environment puzzle is a great design that blends well with the game's lore. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4h65ma5c4-mA7WEKvJGe38CmLODIPs0KUJFQaYdxFKqyDa92r9dP2JXmd3t9ErcTs3m9IbTRrX6vgj1G-R9zusRhAf2dbZq7I5Ad5YZcEJpN0Bewkqzz3ukQ9KfNNXH47XAupEe2M5aJmI8zUXE_tRWrRwbyAEMcizHjxSuzLUTS33VdS_ourHG96VD4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4h65ma5c4-mA7WEKvJGe38CmLODIPs0KUJFQaYdxFKqyDa92r9dP2JXmd3t9ErcTs3m9IbTRrX6vgj1G-R9zusRhAf2dbZq7I5Ad5YZcEJpN0Bewkqzz3ukQ9KfNNXH47XAupEe2M5aJmI8zUXE_tRWrRwbyAEMcizHjxSuzLUTS33VdS_ourHG96VD4=w640-h640" width="640" /></a><i>I spent far too long on this water pipe puzzle</i></div><p>The main hub is where you can craft, buy, and sell. It's also where you have your own personal room for you to relax in and keep all the trophies you collect. The crafting was pretty simplistic. Some might find this a bit less exciting in the VR space. There are crafting games like Township Tale where you physically work a bellows, bang an anvil, and hammer nails. In this game, however, it's more like ensuring you have the ingredients, clicking a button, and letting one of your god friends do the crafting. I liked it because it wasn't physically demanding, which can be a relief.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6EieUFcJQ7hlQ7vOHc89aYbN1KYQijrZHxbjBGkkIy5Kt283HIbeEM8bcjt1Mmci3XOaO4HEvQIkBsgLOQAdBgQjI-ttryEKOBol4ZwHzJduRGTfYh_fvDnT8Gt7TGcl2JnBls-_T3LkKZ96osKiIxY5gUd0vISlmiiReUn7chNJhauU3zq29FoiyxnM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6EieUFcJQ7hlQ7vOHc89aYbN1KYQijrZHxbjBGkkIy5Kt283HIbeEM8bcjt1Mmci3XOaO4HEvQIkBsgLOQAdBgQjI-ttryEKOBol4ZwHzJduRGTfYh_fvDnT8Gt7TGcl2JnBls-_T3LkKZ96osKiIxY5gUd0vISlmiiReUn7chNJhauU3zq29FoiyxnM=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Let the gods do the crafting!</i></div></i><p>Much like a souls-like game, you can leave a projection of yourself around the world to point to objects and things of interest. I had a lot of fun pointing at cave openings or at particularly hard-to-see puzzle spots. At first, it was really fun to see these everywhere. It was a bit sad to see most people abandon this mechanic in the later sagas of the game. I'm just as guilty though. It's so easy to forget as you go on in the game.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYQOLgdlbkpltQsHVoC1D9cII9HbTpmpu0LsFla3W5Owq_Gnd3OBSzdOVLllL6hugkiawAVFHtmg6rowSSJ6AL0si0LbXnUEMHYp2ZM5Ikv67XPHJycLxKl6Fo6fA4atydziHjdOZpz17NT1Hky_B3AeW9MEudDnlYCNCydqd-NC3omW8hLLjGJxL7frw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYQOLgdlbkpltQsHVoC1D9cII9HbTpmpu0LsFla3W5Owq_Gnd3OBSzdOVLllL6hugkiawAVFHtmg6rowSSJ6AL0si0LbXnUEMHYp2ZM5Ikv67XPHJycLxKl6Fo6fA4atydziHjdOZpz17NT1Hky_B3AeW9MEudDnlYCNCydqd-NC3omW8hLLjGJxL7frw=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Yet another successful Loki Rift closed!</i></div></i><p>In comparison to the first two heroes, it felt like the third and fourth hero had less real estate to their stories. The game certainly did try to distract me at high levels with Loki rifts and long never-ending fights though, so you got depth here if you allowed yourself to be distracted.</p><p>The boss fights were truly epic and typically involved scripted moments where you would grapple enemies and use their weapons, projectiles, and tails against them. There's nothing quite like making a dragon slice its own head off with its tail.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVyO35BJYrf-mmks-f39FJZM_n5oW9pBRPs5xGLPMF1PsooZoe9_UequZnTYynQU0lzcmdDd1VfgkZqSLt6nr9GvDxf3nDNovVKpY53gV4QVIwCbw7YLz294p6R-95mfqZokzNavOiW0dUo1fNcdwcP2jSX6NoEASvuQOW92QLv9I4czvZqzgMn6F6DYI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="965" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVyO35BJYrf-mmks-f39FJZM_n5oW9pBRPs5xGLPMF1PsooZoe9_UequZnTYynQU0lzcmdDd1VfgkZqSLt6nr9GvDxf3nDNovVKpY53gV4QVIwCbw7YLz294p6R-95mfqZokzNavOiW0dUo1fNcdwcP2jSX6NoEASvuQOW92QLv9I4czvZqzgMn6F6DYI=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Sure, why not?</i></div></i><p>In particular, the final two boss fights were outstanding. They both took a couple tries for me to master them, but what a wild ride they were. In the final battle, it sent you through a few stages where you would alternate combat and platforming in a crazy ride to the finish line. I can't tell you enough how much I enjoyed those final fights. I'm hoping I can go back and play them again with a different hero.</p><p>Now, I fully agree with IGN's 10 out of 10 rating for this game, but I must take a moment to call out a couple game breaking bugs that I experienced that wasted a couple hours of my time. The most notable was when you're supposed to put Mereret into one of her ghost-busting platforms in the Spillways, but for some reason, my game state got out of sync and the platform was stuck on the lower level instead of rising to the top level as it should. I spent so much time wondering how to get on that platform, wandering back and forth. What eventually fixed it for me was logging out of the game and back in. Upon my return, the platform was raised to the position it should have been.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjalozmkpQKSULOLqMS8WBeEQ3mrqCYo8IRJykedQDdad7YYhDCRebzp_fDU94XI7Amdi7-jLiKWeVstqeK_czheBWH5AphDcFneZRlKjnsZWpZF-TOzqBqGe5ZI87bt3I0be7Y3Dnl39l9s7RyZMpVhv4seSvppaGMXGqEydy9uGf1esfOC1umpacznvs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjalozmkpQKSULOLqMS8WBeEQ3mrqCYo8IRJykedQDdad7YYhDCRebzp_fDU94XI7Amdi7-jLiKWeVstqeK_czheBWH5AphDcFneZRlKjnsZWpZF-TOzqBqGe5ZI87bt3I0be7Y3Dnl39l9s7RyZMpVhv4seSvppaGMXGqEydy9uGf1esfOC1umpacznvs=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I was so relieved when this platform raised up after relogging</i></div></i><p>This happened a couple of other times, but I had learned my lesson from the bug in the Spillways. If it felt like something was amiss, I'd always log out and back in before retracing my steps a few times. It helped to reset an area that had become "stuck." </p><p>Another example of this was in a God puzzle where you need to move giant wind machines around a large area and fly from platform to platform with Pa'ahkhet. I left the area to do some crafting and when I came back, the wind machines couldn't be moved and there were no animals to crush for me to use their souls so I could move around said wind machines. Log in and back out and viola . . . fixed.</p><p>Aside from a few moments like that, I truly did get a good 50-60 hours of incredibly enjoyable gameplay from this title. If you're looking for a good, fantasy-based adventure that's AAA quality in the VR space, Asgard's Wrath II is waiting for you. It's a great game.</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p></div>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-36013162662031207582024-01-06T11:29:00.000-06:002024-01-06T11:29:05.531-06:00Quest to Cantrip Completion in Wizard101<p>I decided to log back into Wizard101 and see if I could recreate some of the magic that's there for me, and quickly discovered that, yes, indeed, there is magic! Specifically cantrips!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPw2zA8g43KhYIGY1rKEqpXmojVQwlb6jOgggbpccNmw6i2vq-sdTb2M4GioBFEG9y_vNdcH4Ypga8cTYx0qJS33-WIdBAGI0JVXZZhyfCAxwizhytaYxTrjNBgrMfY2cGTD5-dIAbF1zATeiQnX3yDxTgPpcxz4dxR0u5hOLLY6T02OVGA71C04Uz7MI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPw2zA8g43KhYIGY1rKEqpXmojVQwlb6jOgggbpccNmw6i2vq-sdTb2M4GioBFEG9y_vNdcH4Ypga8cTYx0qJS33-WIdBAGI0JVXZZhyfCAxwizhytaYxTrjNBgrMfY2cGTD5-dIAbF1zATeiQnX3yDxTgPpcxz4dxR0u5hOLLY6T02OVGA71C04Uz7MI=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I love "fun" magic! Teach me your ways Abner!</i></div></i><p></p><p>Yes, Wizard101 friends, that's how behind the times I am with Wizard101. I'm over here giving the breaking news on stuff that happened in <a href="https://www.wizard101.com/game/community/updatenotes/april2022">Spring of 2022</a>. I mean, if I really want to come clean here I'm still playing in Fall 2020 content, which means that Abner has all kinds of things he wants to talk to me about!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIfgA-n_twhOtjDO-eYCMu9AxK-DDCjs15OPdEpP3L0GcNC_wyREVvPCUWub4c3WsmgGQdrSmVgzWTiHJ2oISphy2wROZ_3F5QV47fcoD23O4_7ldYmGyUojg5lGxns7og2w017jPlth38IRBg3WZAI4Guu-4Ji9r2VHLeW3IMJiREoWzH5shxJOwy5g/s1600/Picture%202024-01-06%2005-32-47.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIfgA-n_twhOtjDO-eYCMu9AxK-DDCjs15OPdEpP3L0GcNC_wyREVvPCUWub4c3WsmgGQdrSmVgzWTiHJ2oISphy2wROZ_3F5QV47fcoD23O4_7ldYmGyUojg5lGxns7og2w017jPlth38IRBg3WZAI4Guu-4Ji9r2VHLeW3IMJiREoWzH5shxJOwy5g/w640-h360/Picture%202024-01-06%2005-32-47.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Abner looks to be Wizard101's Town Crier like Mickey Dugan was for Pirate101. Got it.</i></div></i><p>I haven't even played a round of Beastmoon . . . I'm a little intimidated by it to be honest. Anyway, Abner pointed me over to good ol' Pigswick Academy to learn more about Cantrips and before you could say Alla-ka-piggle, I was doing magic flips in the air in front of Hampshire Buttersfield with my "fun" magic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7x21C-yXeCajbunmiUWeH05bwlLS84rwtgIdC3gBP8nWmBUp1OHjsk9sRmK_HVqoBietWEBFzrXhK40VJQS12xZ20ebGkfV-V0zz0uoP_RE5RllsLsA3koxuRP9NT6u_slf-mPFbM5CxnQcaZlEedR7EHVFdRXpD1NRplzLLSEK3gNKHz4YB9JnRpMHM/s1600/Picture%202024-01-06%2005-44-03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7x21C-yXeCajbunmiUWeH05bwlLS84rwtgIdC3gBP8nWmBUp1OHjsk9sRmK_HVqoBietWEBFzrXhK40VJQS12xZ20ebGkfV-V0zz0uoP_RE5RllsLsA3koxuRP9NT6u_slf-mPFbM5CxnQcaZlEedR7EHVFdRXpD1NRplzLLSEK3gNKHz4YB9JnRpMHM/w640-h360/Picture%202024-01-06%2005-44-03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Flipping out over Cantrips</i></div></i><p>. . . and then I just sat there doing backflips, making rainclouds, floating my spell book, and casting invisibility over and over while I listened to the Ruff Talk VR Podcast. From the looks of it, the "purchasable" Cantrips kind of max out at level six where you can get a second mark and recall, which is pretty great!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhazMivrbGG2cdzB7zA5yQq8hsRLfNkPGXVQveXz91quS126iEurFPOVSQ6x4DqTvn_9WrU6JQCrjmUrMvVWcVtn7zlb0j0sdjrQHARyYFEgEmo3seZhIOy0FP3wNHt2MEQKREzpIrgnkOn9DM6xkWhadYpDn0vSXseKFhCniAnVnZ78vkcqpiIZz2Bt5g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhazMivrbGG2cdzB7zA5yQq8hsRLfNkPGXVQveXz91quS126iEurFPOVSQ6x4DqTvn_9WrU6JQCrjmUrMvVWcVtn7zlb0j0sdjrQHARyYFEgEmo3seZhIOy0FP3wNHt2MEQKREzpIrgnkOn9DM6xkWhadYpDn0vSXseKFhCniAnVnZ78vkcqpiIZz2Bt5g=w640-h360" width="640" /></a><i>These dudes are really making me do a lot of backflips for a Second Mark . . .</i></div><p>After that it was a 1-2-3 punch KO on cantrip research:</p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>First up was a fantastic read-- the <a href="https://finalbastion.com/other-w101-guides/wizard101-cantrips-levelling-guide/">cantrip leveling guide over on Final Bastion</a>. It looks like Jennifer Soulstone mathed it all out and has multiple paths for leveling all written out. Man, I love invested people like this. Good on you, Jennifer!</li><li>The next stop in my cantrip googling adventure was to go look at the <a href="https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/Spell:Cantrip_School_Spells#Cantrip_Spells_from_Other_Sources">cantrip lists over at Wizard101 Central</a>. </li><li>And then finally, the last piece of the puzzle seems to be <a href="https://wiki.wizard101central.com/wiki/Category:Crafted_Cantrip_Treasure_Cards">Crafted Cantrip Treasure Cards</a>, which Wizard101 Central also had the deets on.</li></ol><div>Ok, GOT IT. I'm all caught up on cantrip information, now to just put it to good use by downloading <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.limelight&hl=en_US&gl=US">Moonlight for my phone</a> and <a href="https://app.lizardbyte.dev/Sunshine">Sunshine for my PC</a> and viola, I'm burning energy by casting Roll Dice over and over on my phone that's streaming from my PC while I'm watching TV with the wife.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO4ETZqnm2nxOZV49SnAWMsJeJIn7QKW6DN7iceeklQEuwpmFC3bIGJ898C_1uWMyX_02hVSlsWeiT8lxMyFXp-eBbWsgGKIu3uf0QThKGok2oXexBT_LJUUIL_Cc7tqUrVnwJH4cdyoD1R-wcRwMXBvDJ6rKljUH0vlG46uSlHqXWM9Nn9_sWsOdXL4/s4080/PXL_20240106_163839825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO4ETZqnm2nxOZV49SnAWMsJeJIn7QKW6DN7iceeklQEuwpmFC3bIGJ898C_1uWMyX_02hVSlsWeiT8lxMyFXp-eBbWsgGKIu3uf0QThKGok2oXexBT_LJUUIL_Cc7tqUrVnwJH4cdyoD1R-wcRwMXBvDJ6rKljUH0vlG46uSlHqXWM9Nn9_sWsOdXL4/w482-h640/PXL_20240106_163839825.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Wizard on the phone. Man, I need a steam deck . . . it'd be so much easier than this.</i></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Welcome to Cantrip Energy Grind 2024 y'all!</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Dueling!</div><p></p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-23785435825585483242023-12-18T22:25:00.001-06:002023-12-18T22:25:20.829-06:00Asgard's Wrath II is simply amazing<p>Asgard's Wrath II launched just 3 days ago on Dec 15th, and it made a huge splash. I mean, those who play VR knew it was going to be huge, but I think everyone's collective jaws dropped when IGN gave it <a href="https://www.ign.com/games/asgards-wrath-2">the coveted perfect 10</a>. </p><p>My first really wow moment with the game happened when I loaded it up and it took 10 minutes to get to the title screen as I was treated to a theme-park-esque ride through the lore. Don't skip it. They have you grab on the reigns of a giant crow and soar through a story of the gods while the game catches you up on what happened in the first Asgard's Wrath game. Truly a treat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGSNFg6ahss6g6AvmlT1zqg7ZBnEHh6lmyBN8L6ZXCKBNiUV-Kf4rEyQ9sqCUifUULIbsRpTwwIEGPeUvuQ_F4jQgDA6Cm0kTfhqzQN_CFU4QGDwKg4Z8btxQDLdycL-ZIBFQ3r398WxbTwnFt45XKtWTqpOzKyHt_XUUaqm1wNiUI1HGwRwIDQEpPT4/s1024/com.Sanzaru.Wrath2-20231215-093321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGSNFg6ahss6g6AvmlT1zqg7ZBnEHh6lmyBN8L6ZXCKBNiUV-Kf4rEyQ9sqCUifUULIbsRpTwwIEGPeUvuQ_F4jQgDA6Cm0kTfhqzQN_CFU4QGDwKg4Z8btxQDLdycL-ZIBFQ3r398WxbTwnFt45XKtWTqpOzKyHt_XUUaqm1wNiUI1HGwRwIDQEpPT4/w640-h640/com.Sanzaru.Wrath2-20231215-093321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Golden memories of glowing musicians in the Asgard Tavern</i></div></i><p>One of the best features of this game is the dungeon puzzles you'll encounter where you bounce back and forth between your god mode and the human host you can inhabit. For me, it was reminiscent of playing A Fisherman's Tale mixed with the miniature model sets of Moss or Lucky's Tale. It makes for some really fun gameplay that gives you a breather from the hack-and-slash combat that will be giving you a workout.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1laoYMesCAjVoW593BWOf0H8x2tgudcBtJzhzsMI8fdmdn8YYhYVvx39zAF7Kv7uVpTLXmuWGKKEYINGvMfIh4p2bOkrw_40UCQafK6biXKxx0zL7RqL3v9nhl3CPDmkdIdXCkYdZDMcJxkPxGYwvZbXSvgY9gK4hIhZnSBPAe07hQ075nT8kdbt7EHM/s1440/com.oculus.vrshell-20231218-091252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1laoYMesCAjVoW593BWOf0H8x2tgudcBtJzhzsMI8fdmdn8YYhYVvx39zAF7Kv7uVpTLXmuWGKKEYINGvMfIh4p2bOkrw_40UCQafK6biXKxx0zL7RqL3v9nhl3CPDmkdIdXCkYdZDMcJxkPxGYwvZbXSvgY9gK4hIhZnSBPAe07hQ075nT8kdbt7EHM/w640-h640/com.oculus.vrshell-20231218-091252.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Raising my human up on a platform by hooking a pull cord as a god.</i></div><p>The combat is great by the way. It's every bit as action-packed as playing Dungeons of Eternity with even more complexity in how enemies react, show their weak spots, and just fight with you. Even better, after rescuing your first companion in Act 2 you can use them in the fight as well. Not to mention there's a whole skill tree system so you can customize your combat. And that's just the stuff I've discovered so far! There are still 3 other human forms I can play as, but I've only unlocked the warrior so far.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQaqrtEdsoXu4opw85kAOb8-tfXeVMrTWlnbevJhexGdkacAmreKa3Fv0-9BXRS_EroE6dW3z6PI0b7EWUKXfuTxhEh7_u4dfyAq6B-jvuDSQ1k5DppKUZkeAebYmGKB2U2sZjYMUxbF28UAEVjs4g2G2Zg1nW1Q7Ks5HEOmal_ck__hgc_jX62L5sb8/s426/Untitled%20video%20-%20Made%20with%20Clipchamp%20(17).gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQaqrtEdsoXu4opw85kAOb8-tfXeVMrTWlnbevJhexGdkacAmreKa3Fv0-9BXRS_EroE6dW3z6PI0b7EWUKXfuTxhEh7_u4dfyAq6B-jvuDSQ1k5DppKUZkeAebYmGKB2U2sZjYMUxbF28UAEVjs4g2G2Zg1nW1Q7Ks5HEOmal_ck__hgc_jX62L5sb8/w640-h360/Untitled%20video%20-%20Made%20with%20Clipchamp%20(17).gif" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Die Servent of Set!</i></div></i><p>But wait, there's more! That's right, there's a side system dungeon crawl where you can be ranked and earn cool stuff along the way! The Uncharted Rifts offer you a chance to test your mettle against friends and foes alike. It's kind of crazy. When you die in an uncharted rift you can leave behind a helpful companion to assist those in need or a shadow of yourself to strike down your friends. How far can you go is the name of the game.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1B5rQ_xrnvCkDK_b72aEPLNowYsHYZK933JSMA4cemZeVtxXsoxw9u5WXXACxxHjpFy80czjhzxizo1zK_2uQtn8kjOkNNeodeafDBmuK2yFWWdiB7wjmv74nVGMv9NvCgJu6hC4lhl5wJHKqzNDKb7_6a41vvnhvxvmPgssrdbK0xPbeLIbTyjlAMaw/s1024/com.Sanzaru.Wrath2-20231218-221627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1B5rQ_xrnvCkDK_b72aEPLNowYsHYZK933JSMA4cemZeVtxXsoxw9u5WXXACxxHjpFy80czjhzxizo1zK_2uQtn8kjOkNNeodeafDBmuK2yFWWdiB7wjmv74nVGMv9NvCgJu6hC4lhl5wJHKqzNDKb7_6a41vvnhvxvmPgssrdbK0xPbeLIbTyjlAMaw/w640-h640/com.Sanzaru.Wrath2-20231218-221627.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The D.M. will show you the way into the uncharted rifts.</i></div></i><p>But wait, there's EVEN MORE! While out in the desert riding around you can actually visit tears in the space-time reality and fight enemies in an MR mode! I wish I would have captured some footage of this. It was really fun. Basically, the Quest 3's passthrough mode enabled, and enemies would tear through my office walls and strike at me.</p><p>It has everything! I just can't even with this game. It's all just so incredibly well-made and cool. I really love it, and it's definitely my new favorite Quest game. If you're looking for someone to push you over the edge to buy it, look no further. I'll be writing more about it on the blog here as I play through it.</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-9745104947489299062023-12-12T11:40:00.002-06:002024-03-08T13:16:47.956-06:00Game Timeline<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIftIcjwzW4hIi5bwcYvxWafB_s8PLeZZ7fDFUzNNADR_DI0fcwdXttfNEi3ay4STuOp_jLwYysUcw9LSyzGfb3P9azihIcl7X6np_92coak9wnws_awm8Nc9cBZbArlalZcHLy3i5TgUcVdH6AgulpqQJns-AWzV3OjO1KaXPJ0YuMxI6JYA7xWdhhw/s1600/Game%20Timeline%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIftIcjwzW4hIi5bwcYvxWafB_s8PLeZZ7fDFUzNNADR_DI0fcwdXttfNEi3ay4STuOp_jLwYysUcw9LSyzGfb3P9azihIcl7X6np_92coak9wnws_awm8Nc9cBZbArlalZcHLy3i5TgUcVdH6AgulpqQJns-AWzV3OjO1KaXPJ0YuMxI6JYA7xWdhhw/s16000/Game%20Timeline%20(2).png" /></a></p><p></p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-48760163433961977472023-12-11T07:03:00.000-06:002023-12-11T07:03:45.986-06:00Many Wonders of Meow Wolf in a Masterful Minigolf Menagerie<p>Just last week, the fine folks at Meow Wolf and <a href="https://www.mightycoconut.com/minigolf">Walkabout Minigolf</a> teamed up to deliver us a DLC course that is simply breathtaking. My family is no stranger to the Meow Wolf exhibits, and, as I posted about recently, my son and I <a href="https://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/11/happy-thanksgolfing-2023.html">love a good game of Walkabout Minigolf</a>, so it was a natural fit. Even more exciting, I had a full, eight-person group lined up to play with on launch day thanks to the Ruff Talk VR Discord. Let's go!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAQXbjDpB0usFYGhr-UVwYmyUt0AT4-DWErJJhiyMm0tgyoLc_-l4CkGK9BR5cPRwkJG55MJfNRkzm3jEHXSk1HR2ZpKvWMc_yM-VT4SFX5VhqCIYFXVzBycdz4kbj-l8DCCHlRbzlsFcSK9wYGDf3sQTmWDZ6O-kSWujtigGNL4TRCk5vIrDGIdFieY/s1440/409064268_10230052488792017_913036915300125292_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAQXbjDpB0usFYGhr-UVwYmyUt0AT4-DWErJJhiyMm0tgyoLc_-l4CkGK9BR5cPRwkJG55MJfNRkzm3jEHXSk1HR2ZpKvWMc_yM-VT4SFX5VhqCIYFXVzBycdz4kbj-l8DCCHlRbzlsFcSK9wYGDf3sQTmWDZ6O-kSWujtigGNL4TRCk5vIrDGIdFieY/w640-h640/409064268_10230052488792017_913036915300125292_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Numina come to life in Walkabout Minigolf!</i></div></i><p>You know, it's funny. I think I've felt the same Meow-Wolf-esque vibes while playing in Walkabout Minigolf in the past. It was actually when I was playing the Sweetopia course for the first time that I thought, yeah, I see it. This is a cool space that is like a work of art where you can just chill and walk through it. It's a natural fit.</p><p>That said, this Meow Wolf course is next-level awesome. Alien creatures, weird flowers, and uncanny morphism are just the start. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlE8kv3jnezZ9TUwNFqHcJyuYE6Pz8mIwueQXgC4kYuoaSn089unSc_q3UgMe9gjtEtWygKrAk4PTRXHBQYUgNmspok9YUZinr5IOm4NcVCnuihGJ3lEulXxvAPazz6w2o4BfhQNGfwhB8_YiX6Aa2uy9cxyu17MnZS5-s-_mNIpyeB2FWcEHw-fO9V4/s1440/409011080_10230052485911945_1486000103199337382_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlE8kv3jnezZ9TUwNFqHcJyuYE6Pz8mIwueQXgC4kYuoaSn089unSc_q3UgMe9gjtEtWygKrAk4PTRXHBQYUgNmspok9YUZinr5IOm4NcVCnuihGJ3lEulXxvAPazz6w2o4BfhQNGfwhB8_YiX6Aa2uy9cxyu17MnZS5-s-_mNIpyeB2FWcEHw-fO9V4/w640-h640/409011080_10230052485911945_1486000103199337382_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Exploding pollen balls inside The final hole</i></div></i><p>The rules of the course bend as well. For example, there's a hole where you have to herd holes into a hole. There's a hole where your ball shatters into 9 other balls. There's an upside-down obstacles hole. There's a Vector-graphics, air hockey hole . . . and on and on and on. A lot of love and thought went into these spaces and it shows.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDRuElkGJ0TvNduyQ4xkkgWqgIuK9ePCq97C0SvD_V7zB75ybp-EtqoqR8T7HipjZquQEy_e8P5j-3g2K_sUtvmAnWUy_EVywbok2lG4-2WAeRbaCOAU8qP4NdTHdO9I_zBuyPazGrx7ezseNV2XXPzOBynyjDLEz7ADt9Gq13UMMNfTElSJ3IWPjPlU/s1440/409044388_10230052484311905_1485580261958053766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDRuElkGJ0TvNduyQ4xkkgWqgIuK9ePCq97C0SvD_V7zB75ybp-EtqoqR8T7HipjZquQEy_e8P5j-3g2K_sUtvmAnWUy_EVywbok2lG4-2WAeRbaCOAU8qP4NdTHdO9I_zBuyPazGrx7ezseNV2XXPzOBynyjDLEz7ADt9Gq13UMMNfTElSJ3IWPjPlU/w640-h640/409044388_10230052484311905_1485580261958053766_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A view of the first hole and the recurring blueberry, golf ball beast you find throughout</i></div></i><p>I also streamed my play to the TV so my wife and son could see the course and the first thing they said was, "Oh! I've been there!" That's how well the theming is of the Meow Wolf course to the <a href="https://meowwolf.com/visit/denver">Convergence Station, Denver location of Meow Wolf</a>. I personally had never been there, but they both went there last summer while on a trip together.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5faq-5a4-QhnXoF5blXWb7baPixmKatD4iicwRpuCWfC4Om3ufi5tY1J3KAGj8W7FQydNrAeIS8bxYjtghP_ncH_E2G31AmM6CX1w6ZIYVJV1Gbgo71kyZJT9vDLxnInc5k1y9ybzwXZQZlWXvhlg_7WkZK3yn0wZHHOLoY36P57Th2X_lqL8sDU1FDU/s1440/409096546_10230052487311980_5639221761596823406_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5faq-5a4-QhnXoF5blXWb7baPixmKatD4iicwRpuCWfC4Om3ufi5tY1J3KAGj8W7FQydNrAeIS8bxYjtghP_ncH_E2G31AmM6CX1w6ZIYVJV1Gbgo71kyZJT9vDLxnInc5k1y9ybzwXZQZlWXvhlg_7WkZK3yn0wZHHOLoY36P57Th2X_lqL8sDU1FDU/w640-h640/409096546_10230052487311980_5639221761596823406_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A diorama of the course within the course</i></div></i><p>It took about a full 2 hours to play through the course with eight people the other night. Of course, we spent most of that time exploring around the environment, finding hidden balls, and . . . in my case, spent time catching up when my headset ran out of battery.</p><p>On Saturday I came back into the hardmode, night-time version of the golf course and found all the hidden pimentos throughout the course. It was tough, but I didn't cheat by looking at a guide to find them all. Number 3 and Number 9 were killers to find! My reward was adding another pretty sweet putter to my collection. I dig it! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgGwWI1TmmTjHb1v9KimCz_WuBk5AdoNqxiesZxafbsIjvCIGjkQkrkVNmFOwmwa1jSBtJis2Aghvf-LuMighFOC8S5rKtkrSf8MOKStXSs9Dyp-tMt-xcjDDVhFnmaVUxXbLUvNPRLJTeYMjed2CFgIaMHEzAwhG5EcqRWudQD0ilJbiEz-DQ0TwZ0o/s1440/406481532_10230058140373303_4360706951606261148_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgGwWI1TmmTjHb1v9KimCz_WuBk5AdoNqxiesZxafbsIjvCIGjkQkrkVNmFOwmwa1jSBtJis2Aghvf-LuMighFOC8S5rKtkrSf8MOKStXSs9Dyp-tMt-xcjDDVhFnmaVUxXbLUvNPRLJTeYMjed2CFgIaMHEzAwhG5EcqRWudQD0ilJbiEz-DQ0TwZ0o/w640-h640/406481532_10230058140373303_4360706951606261148_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So close, yet so far . . . tough clue!</i></div></i><p>This is hands down my new favorite course in Walkabout minigolf. What a successful blend of an IP that Mighty Coconut achieved with this course. Amazing. </p><p>If you'd like to hear more about the course and walkabout minigolf, the folks at the Ruff Talk VR podcast had a really excellent interview Michele Martell of Mighty Coconut and Vince Kadlubek of Meow Wolf. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNT_yjXDzTI">Check it out</a>!</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-75208148565842542042023-12-06T09:15:00.002-06:002023-12-06T09:32:21.729-06:00I bought World of Diving for $2<p>I've been a bit fascinated with underwater VR games since I first strapped on a headset and realized that it felt like I was wearing a diving mask. It's a bit uncanny and so it's easy to understand why a game like <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/251890/World_of_Diving/">World of Diving</a> exists. It's actually crazier to me that there aren't MORE games like World of Diving, but I get it . . . . It's a gamble and a game like this wouldn't make you rich. This is my best guess at why there are so many shooters in the VR space. They sell. Games like World of Diving don't.</p><p>Steamdb has tracked World of Diving over the past couple years, and when it's gone on sale it's either been between the $5 and $2 range. That tracks for me since it's an older VR game from 2014, and it has a 3-star rating on Steam.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEila7G3P22IfZAzVCXm2HgmRezoMBqB1TBiFfnP5o6NvT4oeCqFYGT2ogPpTHjgMGkBPoKn5ThwqcBG5dLVQbWLMdJikFqmu28lWpmVAZYKHxqWkzrnKlIRZa7bYsp2n_XKyBFiG5qtCBIXszC3nCbtzvz2uFhjvkPt_dJKxvpp5CfCA3iW1zk1qquSJO8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="963" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEila7G3P22IfZAzVCXm2HgmRezoMBqB1TBiFfnP5o6NvT4oeCqFYGT2ogPpTHjgMGkBPoKn5ThwqcBG5dLVQbWLMdJikFqmu28lWpmVAZYKHxqWkzrnKlIRZa7bYsp2n_XKyBFiG5qtCBIXszC3nCbtzvz2uFhjvkPt_dJKxvpp5CfCA3iW1zk1qquSJO8=w640-h444" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>World of Diving is all about the extremes</i></div></i><p>Having already been exposed to <a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/2134272053250863/">Ocean Rift</a> (one of my first purchased games on the Oculus) and loving the feeling of jetting around looking at the ocean floor and swimming aside sea creatures, when World of Diving popped up for $2 during Black Friday sales, I . . . <i>dove in</i> . . . and purchased it.</p><p></p><p>The past week has been World of Diving week for me, which I needed since before this I was in a couple very active games <i>(<a href="https://synthridersvr.com/">Synth Riders</a> and <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/1341490/">Hellsweeper</a> -- thanks for the suggestions Amelia!</i>). World of Diving is super super chill, but still a game, so it's already better than Ocean Rift or <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2217730/theBlu/">TheBlu</a>. </p><p>The problem with Ocean Rift is that it's an experience, not a game. Basically in Ocean Rift you're visiting a virtual underground museum looking at sea life and not much else. The other popular underwater experience is TheBlu, which is currently free to play with 3-4 $2 DLC. The free to play experience in TheBlu is like 3 minutes. It's a great 3 minutes where you stand in place and a whale looks you in the eye and swims past you. It would be a pretty great "first experience" for a VR newbie, but . . . ultimately it's pretty short. I did like how the ship shook when the whale zoomed past you though. Nice touch.</p><p>So! All that said! Let's talk World of Diving! This Jamaican 6-pack bustin' diving shop owner is your guide.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Yss3CGuGA-UIvu-18MOJTlYkKBtTiwXDMU73PZWsEdOkAPlx5A795kEB97y9_hgpP5oR4eniOagz97bTcoK00JdsTOrhXL112HZp1NIPDV9g_ruaob972atfIgjfUXTbflkqkq3NrQQGJzdEJD3XVIJY9frdNV4Hz1FS-5s2DBvnJo2-k6rYdKhe2qI/s1251/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1251" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Yss3CGuGA-UIvu-18MOJTlYkKBtTiwXDMU73PZWsEdOkAPlx5A795kEB97y9_hgpP5oR4eniOagz97bTcoK00JdsTOrhXL112HZp1NIPDV9g_ruaob972atfIgjfUXTbflkqkq3NrQQGJzdEJD3XVIJY9frdNV4Hz1FS-5s2DBvnJo2-k6rYdKhe2qI/w640-h556/image.png" width="640" /></a><i>Ray likes turtles and is Jamaican right down to the tip of his undies.</i></div><p>Ray has quests for you! The basic game loop here is that you visit Ray, and Ray tells you where to go next. Done. You open up your handy dandy underwater camera/quest/fishopedia and there's a little yellow marker telling you exactly where to go to find your next destination.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGruLuvJERAJrUbZlNlIFbn38SmxjxBBoyLUbwXWSsc5b5klilaILCjRDIP85GBbTP_CCRrnZ2Kgt7ucXcHaCiW-4KZ7mdtH_gYd4Y6jAziQuDaNu9VXiJY1wd9pPblLPhjZPjCvLjTCP1S24h8g6SMiz8NBxHvGh9XhyphenhyphenU9Wn2HshtSFZaWZAs9EyAbc/s1536/OculusScreenshot1701639111.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1271" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGruLuvJERAJrUbZlNlIFbn38SmxjxBBoyLUbwXWSsc5b5klilaILCjRDIP85GBbTP_CCRrnZ2Kgt7ucXcHaCiW-4KZ7mdtH_gYd4Y6jAziQuDaNu9VXiJY1wd9pPblLPhjZPjCvLjTCP1S24h8g6SMiz8NBxHvGh9XhyphenhyphenU9Wn2HshtSFZaWZAs9EyAbc/w530-h640/OculusScreenshot1701639111.jpeg" width="530" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Have green squares, will photograph! </i></div></i><p>I love everything about this thing except for its font. Completely unbelievable that a company that created such a device would use such an unreadable font for its interface. A white, thin, and san serif font?! I don't buy it and I don't like it. It is a pretty cool gadget though. I wish the pictures that I took with it were stored somewhere on my hard drive. I dug through folders hoping it was so, but alas . . . Steam F12 or Oculus screenshot button were the best I could do.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJy6Iu6_ma3FmGH6IcILTvh0Nkr2grOaiIvjCYvJ1qdGsNRu8cca_tCvyvvuCyWMP7Lpo_iXKA_AlW9G98JLoT8kjf8L7q_hVkWIYnsCEMRo1-g4Ecq1hyphenhyphenPiwLRdAu4KtWnOykZ8yZTT0vCyeHf5TmTt8_OAwsfkC_T-bF2jFoSv-dpCCA44NbVwaqWs/s1536/OculusScreenshot1701736534.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1264" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJy6Iu6_ma3FmGH6IcILTvh0Nkr2grOaiIvjCYvJ1qdGsNRu8cca_tCvyvvuCyWMP7Lpo_iXKA_AlW9G98JLoT8kjf8L7q_hVkWIYnsCEMRo1-g4Ecq1hyphenhyphenPiwLRdAu4KtWnOykZ8yZTT0vCyeHf5TmTt8_OAwsfkC_T-bF2jFoSv-dpCCA44NbVwaqWs/w526-h640/OculusScreenshot1701736534.jpeg" width="526" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I had fish density turned all the way up in the options</i></div></i><p>Most of Ray's missions came in one of two flavors: collection quest or photography quest. It was like playing Pokemon Snap in a way. After you'd finish a quest, Ray would give you a follow on quest until you had finished all the main quests in an area, then you'd unlock the next biome. In all there were 8 biomes you could play in: Thailand, Bonaire, Australia, Okavango Delta, Lockheed, North Carolina, Bismarck, and Brazil.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Y3YOVQBBrYAM4cECIxKw6VHcz7P9PQBcnR1-f9Y-TI-rc4-GoWRu0-zTKxPlSSFKZov793iJE7xz48zgayZAC1CWTMxljk9kojwflmtcM9XR4ajhEPx787nWbx85qGzTzg1l6o3LvnbWPbAgyQb_7QcXf6gOa9uyCpWprLEsBtia756FBpzITwSQbjo/s1277/OculusScreenshot1701540334.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1277" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Y3YOVQBBrYAM4cECIxKw6VHcz7P9PQBcnR1-f9Y-TI-rc4-GoWRu0-zTKxPlSSFKZov793iJE7xz48zgayZAC1CWTMxljk9kojwflmtcM9XR4ajhEPx787nWbx85qGzTzg1l6o3LvnbWPbAgyQb_7QcXf6gOa9uyCpWprLEsBtia756FBpzITwSQbjo/w640-h562/OculusScreenshot1701540334.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm not sure if he saw me after a while.</i></div></i><p>The first biome was the most fleshed out and completed. After that, there were maybe only 4-5 quests in each biome. The fish in the biomes started to taper off as well. Because of this, it feels like the game was rushed to completion after the first biome was polished, but they all had something unique and interesting to explore.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWq4duwFoMKd02O1DP0Mgne7dkMXVYK2byqXcGW2kjtwWEIUByE4lAb2qEQV51hz2lKhDOy1A1uZIfTOuZSeAc1I13da7wZnsCs_g1DsvrgrU0KA_hp4PF7L_l-GqAEV-Bb90ndZOS4C3civ8BBvKlk5J1ap6cuh-XSVdGpapmfhohjiKwlbY0shds0lk/s1536/OculusScreenshot1701736626.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1262" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWq4duwFoMKd02O1DP0Mgne7dkMXVYK2byqXcGW2kjtwWEIUByE4lAb2qEQV51hz2lKhDOy1A1uZIfTOuZSeAc1I13da7wZnsCs_g1DsvrgrU0KA_hp4PF7L_l-GqAEV-Bb90ndZOS4C3civ8BBvKlk5J1ap6cuh-XSVdGpapmfhohjiKwlbY0shds0lk/w526-h640/OculusScreenshot1701736626.jpeg" width="526" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>PRAISE CLEAN OCEAN FLOORS!</i></div></i><p>While questing, there are some side quests you can pick up for photographing things. There are also hidden collection quests for picking up junk, finding doubloons, and finding other treasures. I picked up a lot of trash in the virtual seas, but alas I haven't finished any of these sub-quests.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZRO2HFqSOD5RtLW5kjKNG_ReYXqv_Ej3FTFOt7KY3z3ZdFdzLoMqx_3tcdr8o5AZCiUuiHbVY6fExaX7nfoPEuG4XKnTKsQTwQPBsfqSD-LqwHP2jojMv0h6-Q_rnXxAzzPeAA1awWdwpLQTPQbS-ZiDU0i7uWkjxvxPcWJsWny9P8LHMRHUFJyImTk/s1269/OculusScreenshot1701874649.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1269" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZRO2HFqSOD5RtLW5kjKNG_ReYXqv_Ej3FTFOt7KY3z3ZdFdzLoMqx_3tcdr8o5AZCiUuiHbVY6fExaX7nfoPEuG4XKnTKsQTwQPBsfqSD-LqwHP2jojMv0h6-Q_rnXxAzzPeAA1awWdwpLQTPQbS-ZiDU0i7uWkjxvxPcWJsWny9P8LHMRHUFJyImTk/w640-h622/OculusScreenshot1701874649.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>People just leaving their trash bags everywhere these days!</i></div></i><p>Quests award you with gold and you can spend that gold on unlocking wearable diving gear. As a player you don't see any visible changes in what you're wearing, but apparently this game supports multiplayer where it would matter more. That's actually the most shocking part here. Multiplayer?! I love it! I wonder if that's networked or player-hosted? It'd be interesting to find out someday if I find a diving partner.</p><p>The quests end at the second to the last biome, which has you searching through an old sunken nazi submarine. You end up swimming through rusty old tunnels looking for items. The very last quest of the game is to find 8 hidden bars of gold. It was a bit of a cheap play here on that quest. You had to stick your hand through a ship bunk's geometry and click eight times in a hidden location. Kinda weird.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0BAnWQ5OK7BJ12BlaHuLLhQQyAP46gcNAOouvzzkl6RivHBI5XsiS7esl6Uu1wodrV8dLx3Yg1s6lnHOk86s5zLzUR9J17GeFFsYwYmwNKLFdkQ2O5q1j1HloVQfvM2C9k8l_KIU13JJkuLzmx50A1VS2MZtFpTls5s-cEKjACvBT4B29wWKjUPODLW0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1304" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0BAnWQ5OK7BJ12BlaHuLLhQQyAP46gcNAOouvzzkl6RivHBI5XsiS7esl6Uu1wodrV8dLx3Yg1s6lnHOk86s5zLzUR9J17GeFFsYwYmwNKLFdkQ2O5q1j1HloVQfvM2C9k8l_KIU13JJkuLzmx50A1VS2MZtFpTls5s-cEKjACvBT4B29wWKjUPODLW0=w544-h640" width="544" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>In the words of Indiana Jones, "Nazis, I hate these guys!"</i></div></i><p></p><p>After that, they open a biome for you to just swim around in and perform photography side quests and junk clean up. The best surprise though was this amazing My Little Pony Esque ship that was sunk there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeCsT9vCU_lXhxDdt-6LpEButMWc-naZCn754ZwdIRyIx2c_WgrPoXnUY_QEVSiCuUHRkvroIj2gfzT1Rg_uR6yl8VN4ukae1Z1YJChf2Juz9kCoCX_r4vLXtzjlO24bD2NIYysToKw0uFrke-JrHBuXBxv-NfV2dF1ZbTCyxjQXtNrlf9q7KfxUMBmM/s1436/OculusScreenshot1701735469.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1436" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeCsT9vCU_lXhxDdt-6LpEButMWc-naZCn754ZwdIRyIx2c_WgrPoXnUY_QEVSiCuUHRkvroIj2gfzT1Rg_uR6yl8VN4ukae1Z1YJChf2Juz9kCoCX_r4vLXtzjlO24bD2NIYysToKw0uFrke-JrHBuXBxv-NfV2dF1ZbTCyxjQXtNrlf9q7KfxUMBmM/w640-h448/OculusScreenshot1701735469.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The best sunken ship in the game hands down. Worth the time spent to get to the final zone.</i></div></i><p>I love the fact that there was some crazy pirate in this unspoken lore that floated around in a my little pony ship and unleashed cannon fire on other pirates . . . only in One Piece and the final biome of World of Diving, friends.</p><p>The game was not without its bugs mind you. I mean, if I had paid full price for this game I would have been pretty irritated when I needed to restart the entire game because my ability to select quest icons and click in the quest window just suddenly didn't work. But, since I bought the game on the cheap and it has provided me with six hours of underwater fun so far, it's totally worth it!</p><p>If you know of a good diving VR game, let me know. I'd love to check it out.</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-68118759702053850672023-11-23T08:42:00.006-06:002023-11-23T08:46:04.221-06:00Happy Thanksgolfing 2023!<p>Hello fine readers and Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it! To those that don't, might I suggest celebrating the alternate holiday of Thanksgolfing? The family and I have been celebrating both actually.</p><p>I recently purchased <a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/2462678267173943/">Walkabout Minigolf VR</a> on Oculus, and my youngest and I have been casting our gameplay on to the family TV in the living room. Watching each other mini-golf on the larger screen has actually been pretty great. There's been a lot of taunting, a lot of cheering, and so much hilarious frustration when those missed putts treat us wrong.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcsdmaS2rYaSVb1E4IFXsLqLJ6WKQ-9Eaua5ZP0jL9yblxXc2g6T7nACIJV8AL0ikuMnxH596F7D_MJ1Ae20z5ysIOqghaVWUKxjWB7UbXt_WFQWC0DdR1swa-wdZsbpW5Vhlcb2c2T4juy6AmIbVl1qCMSzyrM2WLGEEELFZBojTzYcmT1IZXj2GWeU/s1024/com.MightyCoconut.WalkaboutMiniGolf-20231123-082106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcsdmaS2rYaSVb1E4IFXsLqLJ6WKQ-9Eaua5ZP0jL9yblxXc2g6T7nACIJV8AL0ikuMnxH596F7D_MJ1Ae20z5ysIOqghaVWUKxjWB7UbXt_WFQWC0DdR1swa-wdZsbpW5Vhlcb2c2T4juy6AmIbVl1qCMSzyrM2WLGEEELFZBojTzYcmT1IZXj2GWeU/w640-h640/com.MightyCoconut.WalkaboutMiniGolf-20231123-082106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The practice course in Walkabout Minigolf VR</i></div></i><p>I love this VR game. I can't believe it took me this long to buy the game that, to be honest, should be one of the first any person with a new VR headset should purchase. It's a great starter game in VR. It's optimized well with bright, fun colors and supports multiplayer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFIzIfgxtGJ23zg3qC9PLpMYa1CGKhKqiXr-OGE72nQTLkxmdUy0nk4ji8ht7uyUHgG2ZlKL1-7emhNNjO1-B9mO6Zn_q-Lw8HH67MO6DTq3KKsjNp2Grmx_dUcob5WVuW6BoX2oSoGpmQDoNxbI9v5Xa6yOeTc9TTZNLb3MwjcEYyK4aOdYxJLR7K5A/s1024/com.MightyCoconut.WalkaboutMiniGolf-20231123-082038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFIzIfgxtGJ23zg3qC9PLpMYa1CGKhKqiXr-OGE72nQTLkxmdUy0nk4ji8ht7uyUHgG2ZlKL1-7emhNNjO1-B9mO6Zn_q-Lw8HH67MO6DTq3KKsjNp2Grmx_dUcob5WVuW6BoX2oSoGpmQDoNxbI9v5Xa6yOeTc9TTZNLb3MwjcEYyK4aOdYxJLR7K5A/w640-h640/com.MightyCoconut.WalkaboutMiniGolf-20231123-082038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lots of courses to choose from with plenty of DLC courses</i></div></i><p>Each course comes in two flavors: Easy and Hard. AND, it's not just mini-golf. Within each course is a little game of "find the hidden lost ball," which has you teleporting all over the course looking in the pixelated corners to find all kinds of multicolored balls to use when you play. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmcbS_NmciQRtVw8mhTdm87qMvLHPqrcAT5yTFc6WciGDuEuH9RiitBjg7Exm9QfWgVbqXz4q4GaV6rO4ajC0cQy5L_XEpqWEzvHr5WCUyEV5hGQhLxij7EIFpQDMY0WUIxU5id5RCiIczGMrDC_1YHmQthApaUz33QOLxac8wN1SR1FcrdgJByOS9FA/s1024/com.MightyCoconut.WalkaboutMiniGolf-20231123-083012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmcbS_NmciQRtVw8mhTdm87qMvLHPqrcAT5yTFc6WciGDuEuH9RiitBjg7Exm9QfWgVbqXz4q4GaV6rO4ajC0cQy5L_XEpqWEzvHr5WCUyEV5hGQhLxij7EIFpQDMY0WUIxU5id5RCiIczGMrDC_1YHmQthApaUz33QOLxac8wN1SR1FcrdgJByOS9FA/w640-h640/com.MightyCoconut.WalkaboutMiniGolf-20231123-083012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hitting that perfect shot -- I actually got a hole in one right here!</i></div></i><p>To unlock Hard mode all you have to do is score under par in Easy mode or find a certain amount of hidden lost balls. Hard mode features a hidden quest in each world. If you finish the quest, you'll unlock a new putter to play with.</p><p>With some time off of work, it's been the perfect way to relax and have fun with the family. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvB3JySWbsTdB7kNepedDVvEjXcCZXPAsNPPODJh2R1SsuZxJrAD3P_DHJNJmiBfrJnzX2WRoNrE8LVTjD_gl_OzBzNRSOc4gaq0TM1o7hIWFsJp5uE_XgsGXQ-3qYqP27Zt5-9XNyjLGnLo3wliYvtixPmsBqqdX4Jexh7-4uukhTcvvkiaKXQozK3s/s1024/com.MightyCoconut.WalkaboutMiniGolf-20231120-211728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvB3JySWbsTdB7kNepedDVvEjXcCZXPAsNPPODJh2R1SsuZxJrAD3P_DHJNJmiBfrJnzX2WRoNrE8LVTjD_gl_OzBzNRSOc4gaq0TM1o7hIWFsJp5uE_XgsGXQ-3qYqP27Zt5-9XNyjLGnLo3wliYvtixPmsBqqdX4Jexh7-4uukhTcvvkiaKXQozK3s/w640-h640/com.MightyCoconut.WalkaboutMiniGolf-20231120-211728.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking forward to the new Meow Wolf themed course coming out soon!</i></div></i><p>Our putting around virtually made us crave some putting around in the real world, and so Uber Wife, my youngest, and I went to our local indoor minigolf course to play a round. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="350px" src="https://momento360.com/e/u/ccc4003bd5cd48f0a73816181e28a9fd?utm_campaign=embed&utm_source=other&heading=264.57&pitch=10.91&field-of-view=75&size=medium" width="100%"> </iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Took a few fun 360 shots at the course while we were there</i></p><p>I have to say that it was great to see how putting in VR actually improved my son's putting in the real world. Typically he just hits that ball way to hard and in the past often ended up hitting the stroke limit for a hole. This time around, he was right there with us and played well.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="350px" src="https://momento360.com/e/u/05a57b8a891b4fbd89fc3b9d86424644?utm_campaign=embed&utm_source=other&heading=264.57&pitch=10.91&field-of-view=75&size=medium" width="100%"> </iframe></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Is it Halloween or Thanksgolfing?!</i></p><p>To round things out, I saw a PC game I had wishlisted was available with a discount to purchase (as is the Black Friday way with Steam), so I sprung for it. I mean, it is Thanksgolfing after all, and there's nothing quite like a good game of <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2144040/Dungeon_Golf/">Dungeon Golf</a>.</p><p>In Dungeon Golf, you mini-put through a wild, trap and monster filled set of dungeon-themed courses as a variety of dungeon dwellers. The comedy value is high on this one as there are two Dungeon Golf sports casters talking about how you're doing throughout. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOt4dvQQZhCpDHOoEIv6OMrqBMaASn942ZicvDSAFzAnTIBdcWMNt3PCaPQRPkw6pS2L-U5gSVE5nQUa5LaMW-BEFtyuYZcqfZCGyr-e33Rnu-GGd3jJU1_AasGHbCBK2cUdTHCVG7Ea6V7xheXVvlXrnjUXiUIkDtpHjgJsKEA_e3nQhvYEsYdyVYMPw/s1920/20231121191917_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOt4dvQQZhCpDHOoEIv6OMrqBMaASn942ZicvDSAFzAnTIBdcWMNt3PCaPQRPkw6pS2L-U5gSVE5nQUa5LaMW-BEFtyuYZcqfZCGyr-e33Rnu-GGd3jJU1_AasGHbCBK2cUdTHCVG7Ea6V7xheXVvlXrnjUXiUIkDtpHjgJsKEA_e3nQhvYEsYdyVYMPw/w640-h360/20231121191917_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A minotaur who yells fore</i></div></i><p>So far I've only played through course 1 in the single player Golf Quest mode, but I imagine the game is so much more fun in multiplayer mode. In Golf Quest mode you putt around the dungeon while taking on each dungeon course's quest objective. This could be defeat all enemies, open all treasure chests, get to the hole as fast as possible, etc. Getting too close to a monster without hitting it will result in a penalty stroke, so it ends up being a fun puzzle to figure out the best way around the course.</p><p>Breaking pots and opening chests in Dungeon Golf will provide you with mana that can power your spells. There are nine different characters you can play as an each has a different spell and special ability that you can cast when you have enough mana. Some characters seem more suited to play in multiplayer than others, but that doesn't stop the game from being fun to just putt around.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgJq64mjtiQME-1K5M2rrrX0kR5VDuiODJQ912KcVw7fDrSdJhBg0nIAFcQcbUe6oVd3DVekx-PGfk2uByu30Ca8kNV5lXPb4w7aIFltyUK7KK4pd2FrbyOLgo3d5BKwGpU4WGhBvgWcDJRw7-_nTlxKMutccnvn5uYqWslajI5QYQAhOxEFmiI5R0XA/s1920/20231123065719_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgJq64mjtiQME-1K5M2rrrX0kR5VDuiODJQ912KcVw7fDrSdJhBg0nIAFcQcbUe6oVd3DVekx-PGfk2uByu30Ca8kNV5lXPb4w7aIFltyUK7KK4pd2FrbyOLgo3d5BKwGpU4WGhBvgWcDJRw7-_nTlxKMutccnvn5uYqWslajI5QYQAhOxEFmiI5R0XA/w640-h360/20231123065719_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I love playing with this kooky steed riding a steed</i></div></i><p>Do you have a favorite golf game you plan to play on Thanksgolfing today after your regular Turkey Day festivities? Let's hear about it in the comments. Now that I think about it, man I'd love to break out some <a href="https://mariogolf.nintendo.com/">Mario Golf Super Rush</a> with the family on the Switch today as well. </p><p>Thanksgolfing is the best!</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p><p></p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-46902330138611702422023-11-13T16:13:00.004-06:002023-11-13T17:54:58.495-06:00A Slave to the Staves -- Dungeons of Eternity<p>Dungeons of Eternity continues to be my go to VR game for smashing, bashing, plunking, and zapping dungeon baddies. I'm level 29 and while it does feel a bit repetitive at this point, it also feels great to discover some random room layout I've never seen before. I found a room with several swinging blades I had never seen before and it felt like a treat.</p><p>What continues to be a mystery to me, however, is the drop rate of staves. I love them. I want to use them all the time, but also, they just rarely drop. Why? I thought for a moment I might have figured something out when a dungeon I went through had the prefix of "arcane" and in one run I looted three staves, so I saved the dungeon layout. Unfortunately I didn't receive any staves on the next three runs of the dungeon, so the mystery remains. It definitely would be nice if a dungeon's name prefix also indicated which kinds of weapons and gear you'd find inside of it.</p><p>There are other mysteries surrounding the staves as well. Each staff has a damage number on it, but from what I can tell, this damage number only applies to the melee part of swinging a staff at an enemy and the actual damage of the spell is very hidden. it's an improvement I'd love to see with staves: reveal to us exactly how these things cause damage or heal!</p><p>. . . and without further adieu, here's my collection:</p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Melee Staff</b></p><p>This guy has no magic, but if you like throwing around broom sticks and bopping things on the head, then this is an incredibly underpowered weapon. It is LARGE, so it does have that going for it. Chucking a melee staff around is pretty fun. Nothing much to say about this one other than it feels like a bit of a dud. Would be great if there was some kind of Monk main build you could do with it, but I just don't think that's a thing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCRiNPgb07D3dpQp7WoXsoX6Iwy2P0NbzKOqaJH2flVQILmIzIc289IVJxHIva1lVBiCu1zeWhkhonotwG9Jo3seniqfGR_DBf14B7_keyVlC9Ed-or5j3N64_F2HYzWbuwVvx0LYhOdhlSqJGUfqI07Zye5gTZ_gzblYTcw-CMq076ucu5FRoV3rYjU/s426/Melee%20Staff.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCRiNPgb07D3dpQp7WoXsoX6Iwy2P0NbzKOqaJH2flVQILmIzIc289IVJxHIva1lVBiCu1zeWhkhonotwG9Jo3seniqfGR_DBf14B7_keyVlC9Ed-or5j3N64_F2HYzWbuwVvx0LYhOdhlSqJGUfqI07Zye5gTZ_gzblYTcw-CMq076ucu5FRoV3rYjU/w640-h360/Melee%20Staff.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>The Fireball Staff</b></p><p>It's a classic and honestly, if it did more damage, I'd love playing around with this thing. You can click to rapid fire it and that's the best part. It's like a fast machine gun with no kickback. Holding it with two hands helps aim it a bit better, but again . . . I have no idea how much damage the fire portion actually does.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FtGW7RCvm3zSHYNm2NYP9w0HH_uIaohvxUZdRJdKq6NeaemO-JCDTrbeFtcUs7ta67Tb5LLio94t-ZXtfayvWWr1q7spxD6DYgkos8BrU-pe8U94ne_gFGvFfhuqbdFREIu4Q_MBm58OkCk1ys-7Mf-JLwVq2OvFFNtSYiafxeOI87XkY7LXHH5Q6lQ/s426/Fireball%20staff.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FtGW7RCvm3zSHYNm2NYP9w0HH_uIaohvxUZdRJdKq6NeaemO-JCDTrbeFtcUs7ta67Tb5LLio94t-ZXtfayvWWr1q7spxD6DYgkos8BrU-pe8U94ne_gFGvFfhuqbdFREIu4Q_MBm58OkCk1ys-7Mf-JLwVq2OvFFNtSYiafxeOI87XkY7LXHH5Q6lQ/w640-h360/Fireball%20staff.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>The Shockwave Staff</b></p><p>This was the first staff I ever picked up and still one of my favorites. It's the perfect cure for when you feel trapped and cornered by enemies that keep blocking your attacks. Just a quick charge of the shockwave and BAM! Every enemy that's surrounding you goes flying backward from the shockwave. It's so much fun to use.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjQSNSP1on1Of6_2fW_TEHyykur6k77EvDR60PJJY5Gd_rTnaolgG4VRJsczb7CgeyOMiE86oDjfIxck-RG0rekAJTU3A0IEhtwHub_U8ilZWZhyphenhyphencHxK1ztaMeRimubKcY-ct3KAaHz2IxHlxaXJ4F-y95vj-AN-WD4WipPsJf1-q4iYLNVzG9vWc6_s/s426/Shockwave%20Staff.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjQSNSP1on1Of6_2fW_TEHyykur6k77EvDR60PJJY5Gd_rTnaolgG4VRJsczb7CgeyOMiE86oDjfIxck-RG0rekAJTU3A0IEhtwHub_U8ilZWZhyphenhyphencHxK1ztaMeRimubKcY-ct3KAaHz2IxHlxaXJ4F-y95vj-AN-WD4WipPsJf1-q4iYLNVzG9vWc6_s/w640-h360/Shockwave%20Staff.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>The Force Staff</b></p><p>At first you may think this is a little bit like a single target Shockwave staff, but the beauty of this staff is that you don't have to discharge it like a shockwave staff. Just hold down the trigger button and run into an enemy with the staff and they go flying backward. It's an easy way to crowd control and get yourself out of sticky situations. I actually found a legendary version of a force staff, so I've added it back into my loadout at high levels.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JhrgS9YoaanGy0x6dgiXxv-fdmT36McU-TKdBM8vqiL4PdPttL4GR5OfmKhCMBsmxNE5CgkxmdQC9Cqloxscrn0OMU4esvJR1fJ8fR7zNSSYY2ro2wm9reTfZ7rVj1_4vpyhv80YrB4-1fV0_waPSzOvIAGlgfIX-WrBOU5RLZ5PuN1vp9OjTJuIjxM/s426/Force%20staff.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JhrgS9YoaanGy0x6dgiXxv-fdmT36McU-TKdBM8vqiL4PdPttL4GR5OfmKhCMBsmxNE5CgkxmdQC9Cqloxscrn0OMU4esvJR1fJ8fR7zNSSYY2ro2wm9reTfZ7rVj1_4vpyhv80YrB4-1fV0_waPSzOvIAGlgfIX-WrBOU5RLZ5PuN1vp9OjTJuIjxM/w640-h360/Force%20staff.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>The Chrono Staff</b></p><p>This staff is a really great debuff staff. When you shoot its beam at an enemy, it makes them go woozy from being slowed down and takes them out of the action for a few seconds. This makes the enemy completely vulnerable to attacks. It's an easy debuff that works great.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbnoyGr5gLWxiBL4KD5uYp_tm5mTYVOYz1PFBZ1vcd4oV1o3VB3JH4GtctaiTCr_rL5UaEEM6E-su7E4b02OjmV9VaxGpIu1GYkYmJeMT_CBZVNFFMrKTIy9Ti6BDUDWk21x5p4KYhNXvGCHUihCUzWGuXYTFakSKBcoRaN3fbu_0SZvKQOLPep_7w8k/s426/Chrono%20Staff.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbnoyGr5gLWxiBL4KD5uYp_tm5mTYVOYz1PFBZ1vcd4oV1o3VB3JH4GtctaiTCr_rL5UaEEM6E-su7E4b02OjmV9VaxGpIu1GYkYmJeMT_CBZVNFFMrKTIy9Ti6BDUDWk21x5p4KYhNXvGCHUihCUzWGuXYTFakSKBcoRaN3fbu_0SZvKQOLPep_7w8k/w640-h360/Chrono%20Staff.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>The Gravity Staff</b></p><p>This here is possibly the most fun staff of the entire game. When your beam from the gravity staff locks on to an enemy, you can then rag doll them around the environment making them crash into walls, pillars, the ceiling, the floor . . . even other enemies. It's hilarious CC that feels super satisfying. Of any staff out there, this one makes you feel like an all powerful wizard.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8f8Z35_FsAiC8btfkID-E3pIt3ju21SAXGL_1I1_78S_eyPwFzfZuEMBEVvN1wGHfTvGP2WQ0kLPuG52_4IFsbAqGZl2Fx7Rcm6bHpMqi3vEEoEGw4CVUbS4Z-X7lnpI6qB_ZaSx2sOt2_AOiD1Togc_UwFHztuFCC2taAUq8tXw3pkG7q859CqN4llE/s426/Gravity%20Staff.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8f8Z35_FsAiC8btfkID-E3pIt3ju21SAXGL_1I1_78S_eyPwFzfZuEMBEVvN1wGHfTvGP2WQ0kLPuG52_4IFsbAqGZl2Fx7Rcm6bHpMqi3vEEoEGw4CVUbS4Z-X7lnpI6qB_ZaSx2sOt2_AOiD1Togc_UwFHztuFCC2taAUq8tXw3pkG7q859CqN4llE/w640-h360/Gravity%20Staff.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>The Healing Staff</b></p><p>Unfortunately I own one of these, but I've never actually used it in action, which is disappointing. I need to go into DoE with a group so I can play healer for them. The problem is that most dungeons provide you with a glut of healing potions, and so it's very easy to just . . . not need healing. I tried flipping the staff around to give myself a shot of healing, and it doesn't work on yourself, only others.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPY9JjlNao1Qm_JMgjsKWvf8EcMTaJMUm7dowcPWD9qx4eeL0Z5suPp1MhhK9lSco0iZVXqZ_apVT-qU3vwtlFZ7xx8vOBD5NMW1SOG-H2GHLEoWYPhrogDBsASD37eyvczwnsJwnR-z3Mon9wj9wyPbIZfqrtQeX-UDXibEEPptUqrNIhCPehB4ZHcI/s426/healing%20staff.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPY9JjlNao1Qm_JMgjsKWvf8EcMTaJMUm7dowcPWD9qx4eeL0Z5suPp1MhhK9lSco0iZVXqZ_apVT-qU3vwtlFZ7xx8vOBD5NMW1SOG-H2GHLEoWYPhrogDBsASD37eyvczwnsJwnR-z3Mon9wj9wyPbIZfqrtQeX-UDXibEEPptUqrNIhCPehB4ZHcI/w640-h360/healing%20staff.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>The Ice Staff</b></p><p>. . . I wish I had one to show off. From what I have heard, it freezes enemies in ice and then you can shatter them with a second hit. It sounds awesome. The hunt for an ice staff continues!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEllBOr3GpuoAaiPLXaR-YnLIIYMw-ym2_uIPtxyxdqhvT-4iDagF_xRurTbGx2HZQ0ncpfiVNcoKD3cx_ZINpU6ZfmLJs-UpRmSxHV7m6X7sR8MfvY1_sHsorvIOjggbpHm6Y9msNIvotOMNlhTXnOvpR4gjlCgoAFxSbftOjsANX5Ep1DhPqD_piP0/s408/90c5fe8d8151e28fa0bece2e4e36f94e.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="408" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEllBOr3GpuoAaiPLXaR-YnLIIYMw-ym2_uIPtxyxdqhvT-4iDagF_xRurTbGx2HZQ0ncpfiVNcoKD3cx_ZINpU6ZfmLJs-UpRmSxHV7m6X7sR8MfvY1_sHsorvIOjggbpHm6Y9msNIvotOMNlhTXnOvpR4gjlCgoAFxSbftOjsANX5Ep1DhPqD_piP0/s320/90c5fe8d8151e28fa0bece2e4e36f94e.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I suppose you could include in this list, the staff you use for marking enemies in the Soul Harvest instances, but that one is yet another mystery! It stuns enemies for a quick second as it marks them, um, and you can throw it, but it doesn't seem to really do any damage.</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-15219459874694400522023-11-05T11:50:00.002-06:002023-11-05T14:32:54.471-06:00Explore a whole planet of dungeons in Dungeons of Eternity<p>I've been playing a lot of a new VR game that came out just a month ago called <a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/6341779295861881/">Dungeons of Eternity</a>. I've owned the game for just over a week and a half now, and yup, I've been having a lot of fun with it! Max level for the game is 50 currently, and I'm level 20 and rising. My total time spent in the game according to the Oculus Move app is over 12 hours. It's a "medium priced" VR game at $29.99, but I can say my enjoyment per dollar spent just keeps going up.</p><p>I have a little list of pros and cons about the game, but before I get into any of that, let me just talk you about what the game is all about. As the story goes, your people have found another planet in space that has a sprawling network of underground dungeons. It's your job to go down to these dungeons and raid them for their spoils, using the weapons and items you find there. In fact, part of your training tutorial is to teach you how to fight using "the old ways" of magic, bows, swords, and five other weapon types.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFMBzy3O_48UBCxJBY1VRv0B4PlC2MgiS26wBVRaWfc5u2SUqLOtBix1THj_aelAx_UG-s-DaL8Mgk-hcVikCnfCnL6w-C_zgR7U7IQ0k_bxlj1JXCGR6vpgoWLuEnE-t5-6dkdNgy1ffBN_D5Zur8fLWRl9LuiHsXGJ20Qv4Wp6Z0alpujG50Uy_pNU/s1024/com.othergate.doe-20231104-181707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFMBzy3O_48UBCxJBY1VRv0B4PlC2MgiS26wBVRaWfc5u2SUqLOtBix1THj_aelAx_UG-s-DaL8Mgk-hcVikCnfCnL6w-C_zgR7U7IQ0k_bxlj1JXCGR6vpgoWLuEnE-t5-6dkdNgy1ffBN_D5Zur8fLWRl9LuiHsXGJ20Qv4Wp6Z0alpujG50Uy_pNU/w640-h640/com.othergate.doe-20231104-181707.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Currently sporting a Hammer and Dagger combo with a Chrono Staff on my back</i></div></i><p>From your medieval-themed spaceship above this planet you've all dubbed "Eternity" (you know, because it has an eternal network of dungeons on it), you choose random dungeons from within 4 environment types to beam down into. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzzD2Wt5PGBWixgHJ5NRGFLOkZdWnHQbKp-O-OvHq_21BdqOjv9hHKBwLHucKC6aHgb3SMLlzs4R9qSxcVeJ3eB4Z9xeA_R5Up81-86x_S5GsT7NAoiYh2ZMIKgAj9XrdawzCW_NTqS4V2pZc96BtkgeMM2OvRuObY9JNX7hpgVEj8ix1TLcDLk16mpY/s1440/com.othergate.doe-20231105-093533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzzD2Wt5PGBWixgHJ5NRGFLOkZdWnHQbKp-O-OvHq_21BdqOjv9hHKBwLHucKC6aHgb3SMLlzs4R9qSxcVeJ3eB4Z9xeA_R5Up81-86x_S5GsT7NAoiYh2ZMIKgAj9XrdawzCW_NTqS4V2pZc96BtkgeMM2OvRuObY9JNX7hpgVEj8ix1TLcDLk16mpY/w640-h640/com.othergate.doe-20231105-093533.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Beam me to the Occult Tunnels, Scotty.</i></div></i><p>While in the dungeons you loot chests that provide you with gold, cosmetics, and weapon blueprints that you can take back to your spaceship and use a 3D printer-type-machine to "fabricate" new weapons. So there you have it, Dungeons of Eternity is a weird blend of sci-fi and fantasy. All that said, let's be honest, it's 95% a fantasy game. </p><p>There are three types of dungeons for you to explore on the planet of Eternity: Dungeon Raids, Crystal Hunts, and Soul Harvests. </p><p><b>Dungeon Raids</b></p><p>The typical dungeon raids are really all about making your way through a randomly generated dungeon full of enemies and gathering as many loot chests as you possibly can while trekking to the final room where you'll find a broken down drone. Once you activate the drone in the final room you have to fight off waves of enemies until they drop a total of three batteries, which you slot in the drone. Once that's done, just stand in the drone's light and you're whisked off to the results screen and back to your space ship.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvHoo0fnHb8jvRAQW9BarPHVj11uY6jO2LR2DzwXgpa5DOApIs4yPzb4s63j2-99q7E5XIdhbw9caArcNUiEJm0N5JOyBUc3L1xd_y_JVXQOylx6uSLqYuOdkWChclapWVoBIzqFAZM38sCqk0FsYGLoIaHCVzOnCXa94GFvH7GbShpkyZbucsWe5A_8/s426/dungeon%20raid%20gif.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvHoo0fnHb8jvRAQW9BarPHVj11uY6jO2LR2DzwXgpa5DOApIs4yPzb4s63j2-99q7E5XIdhbw9caArcNUiEJm0N5JOyBUc3L1xd_y_JVXQOylx6uSLqYuOdkWChclapWVoBIzqFAZM38sCqk0FsYGLoIaHCVzOnCXa94GFvH7GbShpkyZbucsWe5A_8/w640-h360/dungeon%20raid%20gif.gif" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Powering up a drone in a dungeon raid</i></div></i><p>You'll want to do these dungeons to unlock as many cosmetics and weapon upgrades as you can. When you start the game, you have a choice of around 4 skin colors and a couple selections of "how homeless do I want to look." As you do dungeon after dungeon you start to unlock not only more skin colors, but eye colors, tooth shapes, hair styles, hair colors, armor dyes, and your standard array of gear: chest, legs, boots, accessory, gloves, etc. At level 20 now, I look significantly less homeless than when I was level 1.</p><p>More chests also mean more chances at weapon upgrades. I'm currently rocking a rare quality hammer and throwing dagger along with a chrono staff to stun enemies. There's a good array of weapon types you can use and benefits to using any of them.</p><p><b>Crystal Hunts</b></p><p>Crystal Hunts are where you beam down to a pyramid that has three hallways and a large center section. In each hallway is a crystal that you must find and slot into a holder in the center of the pyramid. Once you do, you activate the crystal extraction device and that begins beaming up crystal energy to your ship above. Guardians of the pyramid are there to try and stop you of course, and it's really important you grab the attention of the caster guardian ASAP to stop them or they will destroy your crystals. If they destroy all your crystals, you fail the instance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjYP4eaAWPrL2GhWiMzr8OgJvLM4bWhjFxg4bsnoTkhPg_0FYGlgtBUof2JmvBWUbaoRpsPcJ4x9FsYpZqXiOPBRkSzDuiLYslCZpLZjUXziyfzi0CAve33vhn07D6FmP9kAGRqBsj6D1k6F4yTwECZMjEZnYgSMnbl_Q1MC2mfuHa-xVgrWOByP1XN8/s426/crystal%20hunt%20gif.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjYP4eaAWPrL2GhWiMzr8OgJvLM4bWhjFxg4bsnoTkhPg_0FYGlgtBUof2JmvBWUbaoRpsPcJ4x9FsYpZqXiOPBRkSzDuiLYslCZpLZjUXziyfzi0CAve33vhn07D6FmP9kAGRqBsj6D1k6F4yTwECZMjEZnYgSMnbl_Q1MC2mfuHa-xVgrWOByP1XN8/w640-h360/crystal%20hunt%20gif.gif" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Just say no to casters!</i></div></i><p>You'll want to do crystal hunts because they unlock something called exo-suit buffs. So since all your armor is cosmetic based, you "upgrade" any of these by purchasing exo-suit buffs with the crystals you earn during crystal hunts. These can do various things for you like, increase your thrown weapon distance, protect you against poison, let you jump higher, etc.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYdDgbqXvZS4IzhrWwFu9vFkLq_CIdq2egGpYTS9ayCAV1VHkHXdEKphJS02zJQUN5lf8bzUAki9Go3DeLzGSbWEB6VP-eETKTRNuhXDfMkhe-gHXZkOGviSrTPiU8OEev98My-HWX4tZ5C4Ok1e7gd1bMpXyV4qzC03bFDeKG9iyjwR5GbM_2kH4DA6U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYdDgbqXvZS4IzhrWwFu9vFkLq_CIdq2egGpYTS9ayCAV1VHkHXdEKphJS02zJQUN5lf8bzUAki9Go3DeLzGSbWEB6VP-eETKTRNuhXDfMkhe-gHXZkOGviSrTPiU8OEev98My-HWX4tZ5C4Ok1e7gd1bMpXyV4qzC03bFDeKG9iyjwR5GbM_2kH4DA6U=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>YES! I need max throwing distance!</i></div></i><p></p><p>As you level, you get access to better/different exo-suit buffs. So, not only do you need to level, but you need to get the crystals to buff yourself up.</p><p><b>Soul Harvests</b></p><p>Soul Harvests are interesting. I'm not sure the lore behind this, but it appears your race has made buddies with some kind of necromantic being who helps souls move on to the next world. Your spaceship even has a custom built soul harvest room for him on board . . . NOT CREEPY AT ALL! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYHFtfyJywK_GAMoUg9jnDn6upH2dzn3ylSXIVAhCwJLQwWwXuDvmVtfSsV4yjnxm9gvr5DLoMeiXfvY5m4w9m-BQrSTxKQnfHjHO-PPs5CtJDGeNJWY2JDhYFauOuOJIj_SN8KLqgH3Clwt4RTjxBs5w2Lhc353OWzZ8NEdvrT6cuiGADAWMZqB9E1fM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYHFtfyJywK_GAMoUg9jnDn6upH2dzn3ylSXIVAhCwJLQwWwXuDvmVtfSsV4yjnxm9gvr5DLoMeiXfvY5m4w9m-BQrSTxKQnfHjHO-PPs5CtJDGeNJWY2JDhYFauOuOJIj_SN8KLqgH3Clwt4RTjxBs5w2Lhc353OWzZ8NEdvrT6cuiGADAWMZqB9E1fM=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Does this look like it belongs on a space ship? Who am I to judge?</i></div></i><p></p><p>Soul Harvests work kind of in reverse of how Crystal Hunts work. You fight off waves of enemies in a central room, first marking them with a special staff, then using that same staff to vacuum up their souls after you've defeated them. Once your staff is fully charged with souls, you bring it back to a central area and unload them, which simultaneously unlocks a passageway with free loot. Each subsequent wave of enemies gets more difficult. Once you're all done with the instance, you're teleported back to your ship and our necromantic friend gives us a reward befitting of the number of souls you drained.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjgw4GsZYAQ1IfThQLAt0uatefq-qlhSPVCEl3JLT9kf-mWNBdEdUA9QdiW8lzS1dgLyk8KpgC9jY1jKnadY1PUoq5f-TIS-W_D-zoFJt-NhW0b1ubD9a8pSEdDjOjbgFibtv_cQax8g37BtDUVMbPX9nBB02hRaYultOxlZ5ARpsSc-MJIRaZg5qCNg/s426/soul%20harvest%20gif.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjgw4GsZYAQ1IfThQLAt0uatefq-qlhSPVCEl3JLT9kf-mWNBdEdUA9QdiW8lzS1dgLyk8KpgC9jY1jKnadY1PUoq5f-TIS-W_D-zoFJt-NhW0b1ubD9a8pSEdDjOjbgFibtv_cQax8g37BtDUVMbPX9nBB02hRaYultOxlZ5ARpsSc-MJIRaZg5qCNg/w640-h360/soul%20harvest%20gif.gif" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Zap 'em, kill 'em, and vacuum 'em up!</i></div></i><p>You'll want to do Soul Harvests because, the more souls you have acquired, the better the potions you can fabricate. Potions give you access to the best buffs in the game like Haste, Quad Damage, Invisibility, and of course good old fashioned healing. It's good to go into Crystal Hunts and Soul Harvests with a healing potion prepared, word to the wise.</p><p>~~</p><p>And that's the game, you just keep running instances dungeons over and over as you level and unlock more cosmetics, weapons, exo-suit buffs, and potions . . . which typically wouldn't be anything to write home about except this is all in VR where how things "feel" when you play can trump everything else, and let me tell you, it feels awesome. It has some of the best feeling melee interactions I've had in a VR game. Past VR fantasy games felt a little lame as I drifted through enemies while I swung at them. It's not often that a game let's you sever off zombie legs and they still crawl toward you with their arms. Bashing a skeleton on the back of their head looks and feels great as they shatter apart.</p><p>. . . and how I've gone through an entire post about Dungeons of Eternity and NOT mentioned their throwing weapons is now my worst sin. Friends, if you want to feel awesome chucking a throwing hammer, axe, or dagger at a skeleton and bust them apart, this is your game. They've included some kind of auto-aiming component to throwing that really makes you feel god-like. I mean, look, you can definitely miss, your shots can even be blocked, but once you chuck a mace, smash a zombie in its face, then tractor beam the mace back to your hand to do it again, you'll be hooked.</p><p>As with most VR games that have multiplayer, multiplayer is where it's at. Soloing is still fun, but running a dungeon with a couple of your gamer buddies is absolutely the best, and even better, if one of you falls in the instance, your buddy can bring you back up. Good stuff. Plus diversifying your weapon types can be really fun, and there's no competition for loot as everyone gets their own roll at loot from the chests.</p><p>Now we've reached the point in the post where I need to mention what I consider to be a few things I personally wish were a little different in the game.</p><p><b>1- Slow loot unlock cycle</b> -- I was looking pretty homeless until I was about level 15 when I finally got an assassin type looking armor and a half elf face with a crown. I don't know if I just needed to grind the tutorial dungeon five times to get some good loot at first, or if I was just unlucky. All of that just felt like it needed to happen a lot faster.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJTXQdb3v35aMk3AKiRbqEuEgRMBAWVmBdbhc97oZjodKg2SmaNsJrijLNKrfljUVB0A-mz3QzM_m29Xyed0X5CMzQcKdQFe5wSABvxRkf0bGGfkBd0FXBTrcdwdwf-ZBTiCTe5T7Xj-NlKePoQ-CmXy_VzZ4_XdxbCR4rkww1UrH0vWSsXzOWzgKUssA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJTXQdb3v35aMk3AKiRbqEuEgRMBAWVmBdbhc97oZjodKg2SmaNsJrijLNKrfljUVB0A-mz3QzM_m29Xyed0X5CMzQcKdQFe5wSABvxRkf0bGGfkBd0FXBTrcdwdwf-ZBTiCTe5T7Xj-NlKePoQ-CmXy_VzZ4_XdxbCR4rkww1UrH0vWSsXzOWzgKUssA=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Still looking pretty homeless at level 13 . . .</i></div></i><br /><p></p><p> <b>2- Magic Staves are rare, but awesome</b> -- Some of the most fun abilities of the game are found on random staves. Grabbing a skeleton with a gravity staff and chucking it across the room as it rag doll slams against a wall it just fun. There's about 8 or 9 different types of staves and each has a different type of spell associated with it. So far my favorites are those that stun, blow back, or toss an enemy around: Force, Gravity, Shockwave, and Chrono. Weirdly, I got most of those staves back when I was low level and using them is really more about the effect than the damage, which is unfortunate.</p><p>For every one staff, I've got 10 shields, 10 swords, 10 clubs, and a gaggle of crossbows. </p><p><b>3- The win condition on Crystal Hunts is confusing, at least at first.</b> Basically, crystals are shattered by one of two things . . . either they get drained or they get destroyed by the guardians. It's really hard to tell that a crystal getting drained is a good thing, and so it's very easy to get confused here. Did I win or did I not? Once you figure it out, all is well, but getting to that point is confusing. Basically, just aggro or interrupt the caster as soon as you see it, and you'll be fine.</p><p><b>4- Glowing enemies?</b> I actually popped on to the Dungeons of Eternity discord because I had a few questions. One of them had to do with the appearance of one type of fire skeleton that was way harder than all the rest. I can throw a mace at a fire skeleton about 2 to 3 times and it typically shatters. But, there's one that I suppose is "glowing" red as opposed to be colored red (I really don't see the glow), and they take about 9 to 10 hits to get down. It's a common enemy here at level 20 and is such a pain to deal with. It makes me think there's a bug of some kind with this particular model, but I suppose it's meant to be that way.</p><p><b>5- Chest to Key disparity.</b> There's absolutely nothing worse than being in a dungeon and finding a lucky haul of six chests and then you only find enough keys to open half of them. That's super frustrating. There should always be enough keys to open all the chests.</p><p><b>6- Wi-fi Disconnection issues.</b> If you somehow disconnect in the middle of a dungeon, it doesn't save your progress in the dungeon, at least how I would expect it to. Instead it saves "the layout" of your randomized dungeon, and you'll need to replay it all over again. There's nothing more discouraging than getting super deep into a room heavy dungeon and crashing out or disconnecting from wifi. </p><p><b>7- No achievements.</b> I mean, it may seem pretty trivial to some people, and I'd wager a guess that a lot of people don't even know when an oculus game has achievements. (Just go look at your scoreboard app). Unfortunately there are no achievements in this game where it feels very much like they could have included some with it.</p><p><b>8- Being consumed by a boss.</b> This is a pretty trivial complaint, but I'm not really a fan of when I'm consumed by the beholder-esque boss, the screen turns grey like I've died, I see my body crumple to the ground, and then suddenly I'm back up and fighting again. It feels like a weird execution that could have been handled differently. I don't think "consumed" should be a condition that happens to me. Instead I should be, I don't know, bitten? It's just a weird reset/rebirth condition that breaks the connection with my character and makes me feel like I cheated death somehow.</p><p>The good news here is that <a href="https://www.othergate.com/">Othergate</a> (the company that makes Dungeons of Eternity) gave us some really good quality of life updates just a few weeks after launch and promises there's more to come with the game. I'm seeing a lot of people on the discord that are already level 50 and looking for more content. </p><p>All in all, this game is one of the best Dungeon Crawlers out there. <a href="https://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/search/label/Karnage%20Chronicles">Karnage Chronicles</a> will always have a special place in my heart, but this is definitely my new favorite dungeon crawling game on the Oculus quest.</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-9974233999699992112023-10-28T10:09:00.002-05:002023-10-28T10:09:27.820-05:00No More Rainbows: Halloween Treats and Campaign Completion<p>I had a pretty great week in No More Rainbows. After throwing my hands down at maximum velocity for several hours, I'm here to proudly say with my sore rotator cuff muscles that I have completed the game! You heard me right! Campaign completion has been achieved.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ocaLxKZKPJge7lpLRq2zi1bHZR3f8CSw7Gq13Ayx2k8RzpWGviBY6aqwRP6HFN3_IT9nYk_pSEdOSQwe9wnHnEaqZYU5RvStPm8KmOAQD5TlkJwqfIKxpIHoSRbbe4WFiBD7jXnKaEnXHbYgOJDZPlLGOZvMd1JNoFIGcU704HpNyQAddUM9Z80HD1s/s1381/com.squido.nmr-20231026-124858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1381" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ocaLxKZKPJge7lpLRq2zi1bHZR3f8CSw7Gq13Ayx2k8RzpWGviBY6aqwRP6HFN3_IT9nYk_pSEdOSQwe9wnHnEaqZYU5RvStPm8KmOAQD5TlkJwqfIKxpIHoSRbbe4WFiBD7jXnKaEnXHbYgOJDZPlLGOZvMd1JNoFIGcU704HpNyQAddUM9Z80HD1s/w640-h640/com.squido.nmr-20231026-124858.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>DIE EGG KING!</i></div></i><p>To be honest though, I wasn't even sure at first if I was going to be able to even *get* to the final levels of the game because just reaching the levels inside the world is a bit of a challenge. As it turns out, you've gotta get the downward push force just right with only one hand and a lot of reaching forward to land and balance on top of some of these random pipes and things.</p><p>Anyway, world four is a land of conveyer belts and scalding hot pipes with a side of freaking laser beams, and the best level to illustrate this madness is the very last one of the game. It's truly a crazy level where chunks of all three previous worlds are thrown down in front of you as you dodge laser beam eyes from the all too happy Egg King. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajq66iyk0qY1cLurGWcluKFwD5cKegP9hRWV1Gu-IYYW_AuoxfURKe_74mQVZg3otw920xpD-owQYpOE2geqSL7EUVVqbeADb8Xpb9izMCBn0AUP17K9_g3k3Stau87qcgGEzfG5O8HR3eIfc4TCOK_99LYEjRWw4bq37kgHpshaJt7U0dbeGFz5kQTM/s426/Untitled%20video%20-%20Made%20with%20Clipchamp%20(7).gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajq66iyk0qY1cLurGWcluKFwD5cKegP9hRWV1Gu-IYYW_AuoxfURKe_74mQVZg3otw920xpD-owQYpOE2geqSL7EUVVqbeADb8Xpb9izMCBn0AUP17K9_g3k3Stau87qcgGEzfG5O8HR3eIfc4TCOK_99LYEjRWw4bq37kgHpshaJt7U0dbeGFz5kQTM/w640-h360/Untitled%20video%20-%20Made%20with%20Clipchamp%20(7).gif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I've yet to be able to single star this thing in any capacity, but hey, I did beat it at least! The level works in three sections and is kind of like a double length level compared to all the rest. After the end of each section, you punch a rainbow-spewing humpty dumpty and smack the king right in the kisser. At the end of three punches, you've won the game.</p><p>It's truly an epic ending to a great game. A movie plays after you defeat the boss and then the credits roll. Game over. The next time you return to your central area, the egg boss is sitting in the hands of your center Beast statue and you get to punch his dead head over and over again. GET OUT ALL THAT RAGE, KIDS!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFW0rtt4Kwn8BWr8GJHmRXm5YVhe7Wj_8Z4B1bQLy_hVMBnL7jzV9ApMaihId_YBC3P8GBBKGgxVh01irIGOrVAjHMsCVr3QrqTmLZz4WEdAVA8RUYyraM01im4tqBNwHX8QEiCbbpeHY3j8aC1hFVD45pQ_UF_q_5rDwnwPfhCB2UNtkPpHDNeOkYI4/s1440/com.squido.nmr-20231026-125047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFW0rtt4Kwn8BWr8GJHmRXm5YVhe7Wj_8Z4B1bQLy_hVMBnL7jzV9ApMaihId_YBC3P8GBBKGgxVh01irIGOrVAjHMsCVr3QrqTmLZz4WEdAVA8RUYyraM01im4tqBNwHX8QEiCbbpeHY3j8aC1hFVD45pQ_UF_q_5rDwnwPfhCB2UNtkPpHDNeOkYI4/w640-h640/com.squido.nmr-20231026-125047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Victory tastes so sweet . . . and also smells of eggs.</i></div></i><p>Much to my surprise, the same day I beat the final boss, No More Rainbows also gave us a free Halloween surprise in the form of a maze game called Bisou's Backroom, which you could either play by yourself or with others in a competitive mode.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoL8Izqr6imkpewvpBcEcxRO0BKP2wxj1BJ1chSQ4um7fn5JE_i4gYF8h_AR08Qk-2BCfDqv1FanAwHh7HJQJQ4kg9jHm0P-F_AkE_KfmV8jM1jq0loNasTrsJcYlXlrAzofCU30d-TwVNVpGSaPnDWu6JU8NU2nzyvDGJ97_FAiHwEu4P_l_82s-bR7E/s1440/com.squido.nmr-20231026-130248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoL8Izqr6imkpewvpBcEcxRO0BKP2wxj1BJ1chSQ4um7fn5JE_i4gYF8h_AR08Qk-2BCfDqv1FanAwHh7HJQJQ4kg9jHm0P-F_AkE_KfmV8jM1jq0loNasTrsJcYlXlrAzofCU30d-TwVNVpGSaPnDWu6JU8NU2nzyvDGJ97_FAiHwEu4P_l_82s-bR7E/w640-h640/com.squido.nmr-20231026-130248.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Spooky maze lies within!</i></div></i><p>I played a bit of the new maze and got thoroughly lost and died when Bisou caught up to me and punched me back to the beginning of the maze. I'm just happy to see some free content to celebrate a holiday! That's pretty great! More please!</p><p>I'm not sure if I'll go on to 100 percent this game, but I may try to at least earn another skin and maybe unlock a couple cosmetics. For now I'm just happy I sent that Egg Boss packing.</p><p>Happy Dueling! </p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-89884707223871139782023-10-24T21:53:00.007-05:002023-10-28T10:09:42.605-05:00No More Rainbows: Ice is Nice!<p> I've now played all four worlds in No More Rainbows, and I have to say that World 3 is by far my favorite of them all . . . um . . . for the most part. The Boss level can take a flying leap -- literally it's all flying leaps, and I've died so many times and worn myself out to the point of exhaustion. Outside of that though? This place is a VR platforming paradise.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKBZmco2hijrKJMtLBbSjDUPEHX-KCIOdMPMBxctaVP8zLNSlp3ULDxmPxaVwHTD7ds-s2zoYYVQGHiX9WNvLkhcfYzc02EGhGvrBONx-5nwhx8-UNh0gltq60i_6e0dOXyAy3vw0siKZGuL3P9kAVdDOMbrAXAiqMTGKK_is7ItSCI1j9-riKE7Nq6E/s1440/com.squido.nmr-20231023-174324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKBZmco2hijrKJMtLBbSjDUPEHX-KCIOdMPMBxctaVP8zLNSlp3ULDxmPxaVwHTD7ds-s2zoYYVQGHiX9WNvLkhcfYzc02EGhGvrBONx-5nwhx8-UNh0gltq60i_6e0dOXyAy3vw0siKZGuL3P9kAVdDOMbrAXAiqMTGKK_is7ItSCI1j9-riKE7Nq6E/w640-h640/com.squido.nmr-20231023-174324.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>At the icy summit of a candy covered world</i></div></i><p>It's a candy world that came straight out of grandma's freezer and into your VR headset. It's ice cream cones, chocolate waterfalls, licorice logs, and gummy bear candies, but at the same time it's also giant skeletons, monster rage, and giant popcorn kernel explosions. </p><p>Best of all, this is the world that you can find the classic downhill ice sliding levels where you can dig your claws in to slow you down or leap on the ice to propel you to new heights and speed. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHt8n8TWy7KakCZG2ib1uU4jj8NPdNdvgvZgwDG85gM_WWt2VpcOJqUXi4eUYpI6sg9D8CVtr5HURIzLqcmTeEjKYA9D7PhLndSGC9YlZsigwrsyb1SGNANexdpnkUHfhirC8_hyphenhyphenRXY2gOcUhUByBNvsN0HoUwA5rQZP8aOZHFxhVGChbtpq5zqN15wE/s426/ice%20sliding.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHt8n8TWy7KakCZG2ib1uU4jj8NPdNdvgvZgwDG85gM_WWt2VpcOJqUXi4eUYpI6sg9D8CVtr5HURIzLqcmTeEjKYA9D7PhLndSGC9YlZsigwrsyb1SGNANexdpnkUHfhirC8_hyphenhyphenRXY2gOcUhUByBNvsN0HoUwA5rQZP8aOZHFxhVGChbtpq5zqN15wE/w640-h360/ice%20sliding.gif" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This isn't flying, it's falling with style!</i></div></i><div><br /></div><div>Remember the joy you had way back when playing the ice slide world in Super Mario 64? This takes you back and gives you a whole new sense of immersion. It's unbelievably fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now my biggest struggle with the world is trying to find the hidden 120th eggy guy so I can unlock the secret level and play it to earn those sweet sweet unicorns. I feel like I've looked everywhere. UGH! where is this hidden egg?! Don't make me search it on Google!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that all the fun of world 3 is out of the way, can we take a moment to talk about this boss level? I have so much hate for it. I don't know if I'll ever find a way to 3 star this thing. You have to have the reflexes of a golden lion to win this thing.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKiqvqCdKO_U24UQZoPkNFmDqhI-1N70FXZWLKVr5GG6ci86UiDKhXezl7Ky_jJpJyKe2a1_lrmENLxgty1WWxc22DIEduq8kCY960AsL-Pem83GHe5EgrzlRfl8MnYx4U14GlGjaJ2aO155DY025tg6sMcOEE6sSTsWFe57gPzqQ8-KEFRwmfUVOqDE/s1260/com.squido.nmr-20231024-213953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1260" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKiqvqCdKO_U24UQZoPkNFmDqhI-1N70FXZWLKVr5GG6ci86UiDKhXezl7Ky_jJpJyKe2a1_lrmENLxgty1WWxc22DIEduq8kCY960AsL-Pem83GHe5EgrzlRfl8MnYx4U14GlGjaJ2aO155DY025tg6sMcOEE6sSTsWFe57gPzqQ8-KEFRwmfUVOqDE/w640-h440/com.squido.nmr-20231024-213953.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>One new Golden Lion skin, check.</i></div><div> </div><div>Perhaps someday my friends. For now, I'm on to World 4, the final world of the campaign and it's all about balancing on pipes, leaping off conveyor belts, and avoiding a rising tide of rainbow goop that will certainly kill any beast. Given the horror of the boss level on World 3, I'm actually terrified to see what the boss level is like in World 4.</div><div><br /></div><div>Win or lose, I'll be sure to talk about it here. No more rainbows is not only my new favorite platformer, but also one heck of an arm workout.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Dueling!</div>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-11344244494446337862023-10-16T13:06:00.006-05:002023-10-28T10:09:54.290-05:00No More Rainbows: Not Mushroom for complaint!<p>I'm continuing to have a great time playing <a href="https://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/10/no-more-rainbows-evolution-of-vr.html">No More Rainbows</a>! Although I'm technically on World 4, I went back to World 2 over the weekend and furthered my progress on smashing all the unicorns and eggy guys.</p><p>The theme of World 2 seems to be more of a forest jungle covered in giant mushrooms and logs. Although, there does seem to be a DJ party going on in the midst of all that, but that's just what eggy boys do. They party no matter where they are and MUST BE SMASHED TO STOP!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-7PJorHgnfA6q7Fn7JyQnksSyVf_RBy3D18fMfEmOjP45m8_96P6u52e8E5kP8d5FRCP9yogTYouDEsLm0ugMkRVwdshdC0dvW3S70gSNcNltH35sNfYGs7Sy6U1DUgJ_0b5aj72MIIt6vPmpzCtfwmuhoHoFiWXkLd3z8UIY1x1LJxxN-K_gHycDXnA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-7PJorHgnfA6q7Fn7JyQnksSyVf_RBy3D18fMfEmOjP45m8_96P6u52e8E5kP8d5FRCP9yogTYouDEsLm0ugMkRVwdshdC0dvW3S70gSNcNltH35sNfYGs7Sy6U1DUgJ_0b5aj72MIIt6vPmpzCtfwmuhoHoFiWXkLd3z8UIY1x1LJxxN-K_gHycDXnA=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The track they're getting down to sounds a little like You Spin Me Round by Dead or Alive</i></div></i><p></p><p>Just like any good platformer game, each world introduces a few new mechanics for you to play with. World 2's new mechanics seem to be:</p><p><b>1- Ladder jumps </b>-- This is where you use both of your controllers to jump up a crevice in a wall between two platforms.</p><p><b>2- Log climbs</b> -- This is where you use both of your controllers to grab a single platform and scale up in like climbing a log. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipGw8EpFIFexZpDqVNygWlKJwOOVY-H4HhgcWeti0iqD88fi3wSmx1Xkro8affFVM3i6vITLjg45MhddRB8sRfrK-H_UFa-n9VhPRVN8OJAC0NvqATJxeT0g5WiWo8sd7fig4X6mOZOS76P-SEDm05tyg4liXYbWSdK9D_l-z2hR2mkA4rImXmjPidI7I" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipGw8EpFIFexZpDqVNygWlKJwOOVY-H4HhgcWeti0iqD88fi3wSmx1Xkro8affFVM3i6vITLjg45MhddRB8sRfrK-H_UFa-n9VhPRVN8OJAC0NvqATJxeT0g5WiWo8sd7fig4X6mOZOS76P-SEDm05tyg4liXYbWSdK9D_l-z2hR2mkA4rImXmjPidI7I=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A ladder jump leading to a log climb!</i></div></i><p><b>3- Zip-lines --</b> You've used your claws to climb, but now you get to dig them into a ball and ride it like a zip line as you swing through the air.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3jLBMrddPhXuL7wfsKCpENs5b4lA8zOvY78G1W7YG41xCZWkuEyHWhWLkqzw4xtFys-B8Bvn4rJuihUucI674vbF9m9cUzeDu5s9I5ehM7k1ZtUf5Oqw3TjMR-PdYtCVIPYQzxtJhdjK_WFUoprsABJ7NSTzPBClVWQ0sQYHoLg7lkjtgaExmV-OE7Q/s426/zipline%5B4009%5D.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3jLBMrddPhXuL7wfsKCpENs5b4lA8zOvY78G1W7YG41xCZWkuEyHWhWLkqzw4xtFys-B8Bvn4rJuihUucI674vbF9m9cUzeDu5s9I5ehM7k1ZtUf5Oqw3TjMR-PdYtCVIPYQzxtJhdjK_WFUoprsABJ7NSTzPBClVWQ0sQYHoLg7lkjtgaExmV-OE7Q/w640-h360/zipline%5B4009%5D.gif" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Wee! Zip lines!</i></div></i><p>World 2 also introduces a few new obstacles. </p><p><b>1- Sliding Walls</b> -- Giant slabs slide open and close where you need to time your jumps correctly to continue.</p><p><b>2- Rocket Launchers</b> -- Occasionally you'll run into a rocket launcher where you'll need to avoid the incoming projectile. (Don't worry, they move slowly)</p><p><b>3- Love Bombs </b>-- The boss of World 2 likes to slam down love bombs out of the sky that explode into a cloud of killer hearts.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbzrJKlR0LsLXaVbBmda6NtDCveTzm3jXwuRD1SMJCxI5xjCmhLPhsr1L1QpNsBDkWGyjpymuTSL8j4Y5adZEaaITy7NqzynW5iXpnre59WOvtWaowhRuA1eWO-sTb67D7dRdGVCwHhqfIyS2ChdkIHb8bObXk7n5QTCI5eM6rC9QPkuJBKInTPjDNBcA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbzrJKlR0LsLXaVbBmda6NtDCveTzm3jXwuRD1SMJCxI5xjCmhLPhsr1L1QpNsBDkWGyjpymuTSL8j4Y5adZEaaITy7NqzynW5iXpnre59WOvtWaowhRuA1eWO-sTb67D7dRdGVCwHhqfIyS2ChdkIHb8bObXk7n5QTCI5eM6rC9QPkuJBKInTPjDNBcA=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It's like a 2-ton punch of Valentine's Day</i></div></i><p></p><p>The zip lines are absolutely my favorite part of World 2. It makes me want to look up what other VR games have zip lines in them. It's a really fun mechanic that just hits differently in VR. <i>(Of course, zip-lines have nothing on one of the mechanics in World 3, but I'll get to that in the next post.)</i></p><p>In the shop you can find a nice skin to match your adventures in World 2, as long as you have the unicorn guts to buy it. So far I've unlocked both World 2 and World 3's skins and I love them both. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj12ELlZ0pWUSrdBrO_hjReb5w_M-qNcb-JuqARmuYnpIvIRxySe4lweyIOWyaIyry3hqe9iD83W0uITHj-KpPMUx7GLh1I3hcO__McoNDdGjtpfx9RVleMMee3geF1wFZCEJyI01kJB-7SDOoiJXT6E14ORDGcT6LyvjBm-P5xloT0rNs6ScUKf6mV_EM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj12ELlZ0pWUSrdBrO_hjReb5w_M-qNcb-JuqARmuYnpIvIRxySe4lweyIOWyaIyry3hqe9iD83W0uITHj-KpPMUx7GLh1I3hcO__McoNDdGjtpfx9RVleMMee3geF1wFZCEJyI01kJB-7SDOoiJXT6E14ORDGcT6LyvjBm-P5xloT0rNs6ScUKf6mV_EM=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><i>I'm adorable!</i></div><p></p><p>Since my last post I've been able to 3 star many more levels. Basically, you need to run each level at least twice. Once slowly to collect all the egg men and unicorns and once again to beat it in 45 seconds -- but on your follow-on runs, there's no need to collect eggs and unicorns all over again, you just race to the finish line.</p><p>It's been a lot of fun! Onward to worlds 3 and 4!</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-49482235994939893812023-10-11T13:09:00.004-05:002023-10-28T10:10:04.110-05:00No More Rainbows: Evolution of the VR Platformer<p>If you've read my VR posts from the past, you'd know that I'm a big fan of <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2020/04/taking-vr-vacation-from-quarantined.html">Astrobot</a> and <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2022/05/astrobot-and-luckys-tale-two-peas-in-vr.html">Lucky's Tale</a>. Both are fantastic platformers. I couldn't really get into <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2020/05/nice-mice-and-lots-of-brawl-stars-spice.html">Moss</a> as much (need to give it another go), but in my mind those three games were/are the gold standard for VR Platforming games in the past.</p><p>Now we live in the apocalyptic VR world of "post-gorilla tag." I've actually never played <a href="https://www.meta.com/experiences/4979055762136823/">Gorilla Tag</a>, but I know all about it. I've watched several YouTube videos. I've watched my son play. I've watched my friend's son play. It's a horrifyingly ugly looking free-to-play game that had epic multiplayer action where the controls and design of the game trumped everything and won the heart of <a href="https://mixed-news.com/en/five-million-players-relive-early-childhood-joys-in-gorilla-tag-vr/">millions</a> and most likely taking its place in the top 10 VR games of all time just from a popularity standpoint. </p><p>I should probably play it a couple times. It's a free download after all.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiys3VWhbo1ZquSDitJiTg9460kscvpB8R-OJ5TUjnu2xz0QNPiQgnwKG9N28Ec_dU_6fiviJJtykH9nw8Cwusv2shAoNKeFLYD8D4eBQk5ccMoKdqJW5AU3WkNPHg-Afn-5_HOVU_zgHFdScRhUPWznZ-vIhh1S3i6N6x88DLl8mgTi4fyREJAEeZsiok" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="736" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiys3VWhbo1ZquSDitJiTg9460kscvpB8R-OJ5TUjnu2xz0QNPiQgnwKG9N28Ec_dU_6fiviJJtykH9nw8Cwusv2shAoNKeFLYD8D4eBQk5ccMoKdqJW5AU3WkNPHg-Afn-5_HOVU_zgHFdScRhUPWznZ-vIhh1S3i6N6x88DLl8mgTi4fyREJAEeZsiok=w640-h388" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You just can't deny a VR multiplayer game that draws in these kinds of numbers.</i></div></i><p></p><p>It uses a very simple and genius mechanic. You use your arms to jump and move. That's it. I mean, yeah, there's like six multiplayer games of various types, but really, at the core of the game, bouncing and moving around with your arms is the game, and it's super fun. Because you're using your arms to move, there's less motion sickness. It's genius.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26-WHU4NhsFM-uMtyUgH_efMhUd4wz4QLlTlCjGDKv56G2odjsp5zoObq43NEKKDAMKe5tGx_tQoJf7uYhBSTsTMN1KIUm7vwlGd9X_XBB65S_MC-s6SnC5pbVlo-pDM9Wznwx5r0UwvIu-DnlhggJxqsMq8V11UaLfnuCCQ011Wthx3yd_Nbecu9vcA/s426/Untitled%20video%20-%20Made%20with%20Clipchamp.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26-WHU4NhsFM-uMtyUgH_efMhUd4wz4QLlTlCjGDKv56G2odjsp5zoObq43NEKKDAMKe5tGx_tQoJf7uYhBSTsTMN1KIUm7vwlGd9X_XBB65S_MC-s6SnC5pbVlo-pDM9Wznwx5r0UwvIu-DnlhggJxqsMq8V11UaLfnuCCQ011Wthx3yd_Nbecu9vcA/w640-h360/Untitled%20video%20-%20Made%20with%20Clipchamp.gif" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Jump, jump, jump, SMASH A UNICORN!</i></div></i><p>As I understand it, No More Rainbows used to be called <a href="https://sidequestvr.com/news/5117/after-over-2-years-of-development-time-for-open-beta">Dingleberries</a> and had been in development for a couple of years. (Pretty fun to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMmuOVgvJOQ">look at the game in greybox</a>.) I think I heard it was a VR Arcade Brick and Mortar Store exclusive for a while, but I'm having trouble finding a source to back that up (file this one under stuff-you-hear-in-a-game-dev-Team's-chat).</p><p>In the end what we have is a really fun evolution of the platformer where you play as THE BEAST and your objective is to destroy the rotund, little egg dudes that are just having a cute, happy time. There are four worlds for you to explore in the campaign mode with a total of 28 levels across them. So far I've only played up to world 2 after a really fun Boss Battle at the end of world 1.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0qmpLQQwlPJqW2_rHZh92CE1Icfxlry7FiIZNK-7rGFAnbL25unQ1gvAij9f9h0T99I2DYf_SCPanhSq-Rzzyyyeik3FCeJ0QAhDr_oTaP-U7mGlYps-5aeicTfuBZi7vXZVnUvZ6WZdWkUp3HC0BtNT0qIuUPoigpHdS1wlCeRZXeIaIl2fW_HH_reQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0qmpLQQwlPJqW2_rHZh92CE1Icfxlry7FiIZNK-7rGFAnbL25unQ1gvAij9f9h0T99I2DYf_SCPanhSq-Rzzyyyeik3FCeJ0QAhDr_oTaP-U7mGlYps-5aeicTfuBZi7vXZVnUvZ6WZdWkUp3HC0BtNT0qIuUPoigpHdS1wlCeRZXeIaIl2fW_HH_reQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>NO MORE RAINBOWS, EGG BOI!</i></div></i><p></p><p>A really good innovation here is that the beast has claws, so not only do you hurl yourself from platform to platform, but you can also grab your claw onto an edge and climb up, you can snatch a berry and chuck it at things (including a basketball hoop), and (of course) slash things to your delight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtJiSF6Cm9jn3PeSw4CCuHxRnhiVPbjJk4_ijUJ16KCq2pw7nycbxDUeLqeukaApym-iIqDHDNI8d98Vn7Tw2PgQb4_CW2o_HmSEpTC6ZAQ2a8kWsNwfGPOUmAvdH-vUQentxAFXiTl5xJJwypSxbjbOxb8NEQYPLPgKkAT58lT6oj023tm5YRZ6BPTc/s426/Untitled%20video%20-%20Made%20with%20Clipchamp2.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtJiSF6Cm9jn3PeSw4CCuHxRnhiVPbjJk4_ijUJ16KCq2pw7nycbxDUeLqeukaApym-iIqDHDNI8d98Vn7Tw2PgQb4_CW2o_HmSEpTC6ZAQ2a8kWsNwfGPOUmAvdH-vUQentxAFXiTl5xJJwypSxbjbOxb8NEQYPLPgKkAT58lT6oj023tm5YRZ6BPTc/w640-h360/Untitled%20video%20-%20Made%20with%20Clipchamp2.gif" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Watch out for pokeys and kill that rainbow!</i></div></i><p>To add to the replay-ability, each level has a speed run leaderboard, and this is just further proof that I'm not very good. There is a 3 star objective to each level, and I don't think I've gotten many stars . . . uh . . . it'll come with time! There's also a few casual and competitive tag games ala gorilla tag.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWJgmRzcv7cvns7ezuYn76BNz2VpKEkxqRIyteyoIcLDOVzKFPXUqoyE9k2c6Whk_vUVdJot2ikokaafxSkT1FGConobyjQhvz0K1b37KsJ5xmDQROAgWazLonsRbJBv_lvb8OIOqmFcPelMGg5OKOeW8K9kgcLCm-Hp8ocDfDJyQvxBP5hWuv2w_91Qg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1767" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWJgmRzcv7cvns7ezuYn76BNz2VpKEkxqRIyteyoIcLDOVzKFPXUqoyE9k2c6Whk_vUVdJot2ikokaafxSkT1FGConobyjQhvz0K1b37KsJ5xmDQROAgWazLonsRbJBv_lvb8OIOqmFcPelMGg5OKOeW8K9kgcLCm-Hp8ocDfDJyQvxBP5hWuv2w_91Qg=w640-h328" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lots of game modes to keep your busy</i></div></i><p></p><p>The game itself is a really big shoulder work out as you continually slam your arms downward to get big jumps out of your beast. I was doing a mini-game race around world one this morning and, although I beat it, I think I might need to put my shoulder on ice now. Ouch.</p><p>It's interesting to see that this is a paid game with a cash shop inside of it. You don't see that in VR games typically. I don't mind it at all, and I imagine if I was big into the 3v3 scene, I might even purchase an outfit to peacock a bit with my team mates and competitors.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCnL29v4rPB5HmItdZe1CCN9Yp1CmKd6RXXzAVCm1L-D7GKKL2PCmZVmfoXISCRXUBvigTdfaoFwLTUzsczCl0gmb_T5SpDgsaH7cy82NURMCr4QwybeqFADBs9_q4MY4md26HobJ_Q5tow-h5K-k5IN6P8WMjbaczt2RAVOcROx9EzCJClfoCnO9zYq4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCnL29v4rPB5HmItdZe1CCN9Yp1CmKd6RXXzAVCm1L-D7GKKL2PCmZVmfoXISCRXUBvigTdfaoFwLTUzsczCl0gmb_T5SpDgsaH7cy82NURMCr4QwybeqFADBs9_q4MY4md26HobJ_Q5tow-h5K-k5IN6P8WMjbaczt2RAVOcROx9EzCJClfoCnO9zYq4=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'd need the bow body of course . . .</i></div><p></p><p>I'll be playing this one to the end and talking more about it. </p><p>Of important note: Just a mere two weeks ago, another platformer game that would fall in this new genre launched called Outta Hand. Apparently it was all the rage at the last <a href="https://www.uploadvr.com/outta-hand-was-the-best-game-i-tried-at-gamescom-2023/">Gamescom</a>. I'm liking this experience enough so far that I'm pretty sure I'll give that game a shot as well.</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-2191964133200473322023-10-07T06:08:00.007-05:002023-10-11T08:00:54.797-05:00100 Percent Completion in Walking Dead Onslaught<p>I don't often get the full suite of achievements in any game, really. I mean, I did 100 percent all the achievements in Battle Bows, but that's my job, yo. When last I <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/09/ten-hours-in-walking-dead-onslaught.html">talked about the game</a> I had finished the story mode and was sitting on about half of the achievements.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqtO_Gd7PzsWWmeJEsdI_q72aJ-aZso-_dQN2ceLEQn6ZmNogRUlyC4ewSgxTBWI5DHzHtEWFqugn_7x008n_ahIPD7vDO4hC-TuE4shUxgQTh1wdVqWgSzsDyk8LQDBhcEbwS14g9t4IIl9z5Wn3HNpNKEJVQ5L64WDGu4-j7WFjeLeum00Egi6cpl8/s550/all%20achievements%20unlocked.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="550" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqtO_Gd7PzsWWmeJEsdI_q72aJ-aZso-_dQN2ceLEQn6ZmNogRUlyC4ewSgxTBWI5DHzHtEWFqugn_7x008n_ahIPD7vDO4hC-TuE4shUxgQTh1wdVqWgSzsDyk8LQDBhcEbwS14g9t4IIl9z5Wn3HNpNKEJVQ5L64WDGu4-j7WFjeLeum00Egi6cpl8/w640-h332/all%20achievements%20unlocked.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>That final achievement is a great head nod to the best line in the TV series.</i></div></i><p>If I were to do it all over again, I think I'd probably do it in exactly the same way. Basically I played through the entire Story mode twice: once on Survivor mode and once on Veteran mode. If you want to 100 percent the game, you'll have to beat the entire story on Veteran mode anyway, so it absolutely would save time (if you're looking to do that) to just play through the story on Veteran mode, but I liked the story enough I wanted to play through it twice and getting all the materials from the story a second time doesn't hurt. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiX_0yCGisw7y3KbsdCEsu74ZQlRH4-UwwzRDmneH_5q-jyvfVh2VLbzjcBzHYDM8x1Jh5n20oKFEQuNvyI_dnCNnbefcF5gbg7lyQ8yNp9iw648yU6CPftJtDRILWWrGO_W_NiGcqKIJIEc7x1Lr7zHbJ4l9v0uQ3oPh5XM0FIkKgU1BovmO9t1cl20lI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1894" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiX_0yCGisw7y3KbsdCEsu74ZQlRH4-UwwzRDmneH_5q-jyvfVh2VLbzjcBzHYDM8x1Jh5n20oKFEQuNvyI_dnCNnbefcF5gbg7lyQ8yNp9iw648yU6CPftJtDRILWWrGO_W_NiGcqKIJIEc7x1Lr7zHbJ4l9v0uQ3oPh5XM0FIkKgU1BovmO9t1cl20lI=w640-h310" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Culling the herd in Part 7 of the story</i></div></i><p></p><p>Scavenger missions are essential for completing all the requisitions, which makes sense. Requisitions are only found in scavenger missions and you'll need to complete them all in order to finish your achievements. You'll need all those sweet epic and legendary resources, like fiberglass and batteries, that you find in the later scavenger missions if you want to fully upgrade all your weapons.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2n9cG0s6QrT_ZR9HQMVnfX50TEx7JtVZGYOkX5eVFO7Z_vuZ2aS9mfpfofhcsHetkvko_H_01re8g8zpY-_tlhlnlmTMMKTlLjoeg1tHKDhHfPvbWxqcP0_tKXnWqMxSqux4LWPzTSKXrBQ3N9lM9gHGLI2HOlYD8xCD4aQ2lxTAI8v4HDysWifRY3M/s426/loot.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2n9cG0s6QrT_ZR9HQMVnfX50TEx7JtVZGYOkX5eVFO7Z_vuZ2aS9mfpfofhcsHetkvko_H_01re8g8zpY-_tlhlnlmTMMKTlLjoeg1tHKDhHfPvbWxqcP0_tKXnWqMxSqux4LWPzTSKXrBQ3N9lM9gHGLI2HOlYD8xCD4aQ2lxTAI8v4HDysWifRY3M/w640-h360/loot.gif" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Ahh the motherlode!</i></div></i><p>Really, that's the crowning achievement in Walking Dead Onslaught. Fully upgrading all 24 weapons is the hardest thing to do in the game. That Assault Rifle is the worst of the bunch. It took a couple scavenger runs just to upgrade that thing alone.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWMh_TJGPA5YRMaz8kxiJqoA8NFWwClobw52I7EdvN-NBImKpFfbfNBSj0jMuYm_dpUc5r0OC_g6B1tOXVmfS-iYUYSJ09PUtktnTUwxu-1mlabUz4WOD__xTUBOki8IFdwWs2Na0B2dDKeW84ba4EpQOM6lqCn5wBoSILZuxuHQzigVp0GksxjxWLBA/s1524/OculusScreenshot1696675577.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1524" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWMh_TJGPA5YRMaz8kxiJqoA8NFWwClobw52I7EdvN-NBImKpFfbfNBSj0jMuYm_dpUc5r0OC_g6B1tOXVmfS-iYUYSJ09PUtktnTUwxu-1mlabUz4WOD__xTUBOki8IFdwWs2Na0B2dDKeW84ba4EpQOM6lqCn5wBoSILZuxuHQzigVp0GksxjxWLBA/w640-h328/OculusScreenshot1696675577.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A fully upgraded Armory, and no more missions to use them on</i></div></i><p>Believe it or not though, that wasn't my final achievement I earned. The last achievement to fall was the one for killing a walker with every weapon in the game. I thought I had done it with all of them, but the achievement wasn't kicking off, so I did the only thing I could do and headed into Chapter 7 where the game gives you every weapon in the game . . . and go through all the weapons one by one.</p><p>That meant I needed to run up to a zombie, kill it with a random weapon, run back to the house with all the weapons, swap to another random weapon, run back out to a zombie, kill it with a new random weapon, and wash rinse and repeat until that magical achievement bell rang. Guess what it was that I hadn't used yet? A crowbar of all things. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgztqCA0fPwWixIoZSl19Xu4eKnVaCAvGVnxHYOjP9huWWVfBYbCgSSRKZa2VO6Ke5lE7XHCrolYbo930oH1zuxzZxnm02DdqBKHBRey8gAQaEyoCYOpaWMjJ7fyKi3nIXsrFrt2nzoBiohw_zvql9-ue_8REyMnkikzXP8hIiegjvzIvza0GEP4q8ykH0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1834" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgztqCA0fPwWixIoZSl19Xu4eKnVaCAvGVnxHYOjP9huWWVfBYbCgSSRKZa2VO6Ke5lE7XHCrolYbo930oH1zuxzZxnm02DdqBKHBRey8gAQaEyoCYOpaWMjJ7fyKi3nIXsrFrt2nzoBiohw_zvql9-ue_8REyMnkikzXP8hIiegjvzIvza0GEP4q8ykH0=w640-h304" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A table full of weapons, and I'm opting for a Crowbar?</i></div></i><p></p><p>So once I smacked a zombie upside the head with a Crowbar I got that final double achievement spam. One for the Tainted Meat Achievement that I was actively working on and the final platinum, earn all achievements, reward. Done and done.</p><p>It's funny how my opinions changed over the course of the game from always wanting to use ranged weapons to always wanting to use melee weapons, but truly the Katana and the simple Hammer are the best weapons in the game. I ran entire missions without firing a single shot by the end. It was just: run up to a zombie, smash a zombie's head off with a hammer, and done.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTx0de5H9yHr3zzxur1KrEjNZgOlwTyf8tRSGT8NXyPgjrA7dYHy34KF0U_-BfHAVbJQDeGU2K2KcYpV2uB_kTa0EUadw5j_sQ0B1BVlKtLHxAHs6KYCe_eC51ofsClCTGN5fCUqRo5KLrlhOJKz7W6De4dv6Qi5j5ceCGb_SRK1VtIT6Uz7i0FqzsIMo/s426/hammer%20gif.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="426" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTx0de5H9yHr3zzxur1KrEjNZgOlwTyf8tRSGT8NXyPgjrA7dYHy34KF0U_-BfHAVbJQDeGU2K2KcYpV2uB_kTa0EUadw5j_sQ0B1BVlKtLHxAHs6KYCe_eC51ofsClCTGN5fCUqRo5KLrlhOJKz7W6De4dv6Qi5j5ceCGb_SRK1VtIT6Uz7i0FqzsIMo/w640-h360/hammer%20gif.gif" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Have hammer, will travel!</i></div><p></p><p>I had so much fun with this game! I'm pretty impressed with <a href="https://survios.com/studio/">Survios</a> as a company in general. They've got a quality suite of games and, out of their entire catalog, I think I own four or five of their games. They've all been really solid.</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-9754229393992395182023-09-20T08:30:00.002-05:002023-09-20T08:30:36.774-05:00Ten Hours in -- Walking Dead Onslaught<p>I have arrived, folks! I got my 10 hours of play in Walking Dead Onslaught just like I predicted I would, and I feel pretty great about that. Even better, this game got me to start watching the Walking Dead series, of which I'm now solidly into Season 3. And now I really know who the heck Daryl Dixon is. Now I'm pretty happy to get scavenging missions from Michonne and also know how cool it is that I can wield her Katana. Now when I select Rick Grimes as my player avatar, I know who that is and not just "the male option." I get it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSByWdDFIMTJkrwi-tZqEPKOv4m7KlfDw9eddJ5gn02NFvTBum4sOcZ5sY-Az3CxHCnlsqRB6xunTnQll8QLPmFO0mcH8MheMuQfQOx5BdoAV01jh-e-DnF_znNL1LMJ1v6IAMbAwqTrExq1px9DYFyj-rY6Bq1hCpvRIiB2rc-86xX3jq1Unr-syyDio/s1536/OculusScreenshot1695158470.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1536" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSByWdDFIMTJkrwi-tZqEPKOv4m7KlfDw9eddJ5gn02NFvTBum4sOcZ5sY-Az3CxHCnlsqRB6xunTnQll8QLPmFO0mcH8MheMuQfQOx5BdoAV01jh-e-DnF_znNL1LMJ1v6IAMbAwqTrExq1px9DYFyj-rY6Bq1hCpvRIiB2rc-86xX3jq1Unr-syyDio/w640-h316/OculusScreenshot1695158470.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Now if I just had two chained up, jawless and limbless zombies walking behind me</i></div></i><p>So there you go, can a game from a network series get you to watch the series? Yes. I'm that guy. Ok, so let's talk a bit more about this VR game, and why I think it's pretty great. </p><p>First off, the weapon armory is pretty remarkable. They give you 18 weapons and a bucket full of makeshift stuff to slay zombies with.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4H37v1ybJQhaR3WeqeRRcxwETfEKZlBiEAczwGFEXyhF04fuUDoRZgxgTlyM3Gzb5pRMS1Cgy8sXqD7mbX0-45CZrC0BzsUkjF28LqT86qE852n9QpwckXcTJUYnugcopVk2EY_ySb3HXrKBCONDmRHDv64TAiHB6pr9aOKhe0EHGgLhv3vYbg822b44/s1056/OculusScreenshot1695160059.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1056" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4H37v1ybJQhaR3WeqeRRcxwETfEKZlBiEAczwGFEXyhF04fuUDoRZgxgTlyM3Gzb5pRMS1Cgy8sXqD7mbX0-45CZrC0BzsUkjF28LqT86qE852n9QpwckXcTJUYnugcopVk2EY_ySb3HXrKBCONDmRHDv64TAiHB6pr9aOKhe0EHGgLhv3vYbg822b44/w640-h432/OculusScreenshot1695160059.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Choose yer poison!</i></div></i><p>Each of these weapons has 4 upgrade options that make them all play a bit differently. At first you're thinking, really . . . a meat cleaver vs. a machete? how different can they really be? At first you'd be absolutely correct in that thinking. Insert blade into zombie skull, done. In reality the cleaver is more of a vampiric, health leeching weapon and the machete is more of a armor piercing and stun weapon. You just have to upgrade them to be that way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruozECnYKGAc3aWNgrBv2AU5069QE5Vrh6zvtsDoywx0whhxJu2vVzLb8KyxXCbtX09MfoTo-K5ov4CbKLOujfkxeFUZdiid0X5XherRUcfrLSCfgro0dL8dekAi5Hn55w3G-GVYMpdxM0TiXryQw0zLNXbuJHTjnpmanlkSTKxV0NJuOYPEt373w2vo/s1271/OculusScreenshot1695215577.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1271" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruozECnYKGAc3aWNgrBv2AU5069QE5Vrh6zvtsDoywx0whhxJu2vVzLb8KyxXCbtX09MfoTo-K5ov4CbKLOujfkxeFUZdiid0X5XherRUcfrLSCfgro0dL8dekAi5Hn55w3G-GVYMpdxM0TiXryQw0zLNXbuJHTjnpmanlkSTKxV0NJuOYPEt373w2vo/w640-h360/OculusScreenshot1695215577.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A necromancer's favorite weapon</i></div></i><p>Personally, I think the best melee weapon in the game is your basic hammer. It literally knocks the heads right off of zombies without much effort, and each time you do it (and once you've upgraded the hammer) it also finds wood resources off of zombies when you kill them.</p><p>The easiest way to find ALL the weapons in the game is to simply get to chapter 7 and make sure you search all the upstairs areas. In one there is a weapons cache that has every weapon possible in the game. Once you equip a weapon and complete a mission (whether that's story or otherwise) you'll unlock that weapon in your weapons rack. Having 18+ weapons in a game like this almost seems excessive, but I'll take it. Messing around with various weapons is part of the fun.</p><p>There's also achievements (which I'm still hunting for) for using all the weapons and for upgrading all the weapons. </p><p>Second, the embodied actions of the game were seamless and interesting. Pushing doors open felt great. Grabbing handles and pulling sliding doors open made sense. Slotting, pulling, and tugging . . . it was all there and at a couple points I even thought to myself, wow . . . this seems like a lot of work for a puzzle that's only used once in the game, but it made the game so much more fun that it was there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFks6dH5nhhN_zl5V9_fB563jGAdLEXRVRdpUPH3nEI2Xb5jBQCtE2c2BwwTpqAI5OuXrgWRBLWLglLEz2hFHvfFJTkkTigXB6w8yieUsr0YgJ1lYSixPV8IVHQQJJGMHKvSb0XSE5GBnBLzROpoTKXUlM-QEvJIUDmh26-bdPjUsmodR-leck3urCaA4/s1536/OculusScreenshot1694546173.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1536" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFks6dH5nhhN_zl5V9_fB563jGAdLEXRVRdpUPH3nEI2Xb5jBQCtE2c2BwwTpqAI5OuXrgWRBLWLglLEz2hFHvfFJTkkTigXB6w8yieUsr0YgJ1lYSixPV8IVHQQJJGMHKvSb0XSE5GBnBLzROpoTKXUlM-QEvJIUDmh26-bdPjUsmodR-leck3urCaA4/w640-h326/OculusScreenshot1694546173.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A pull cord to start a generator! Awesome!</i></div></i><p>Third, it was really good game sense to have Daryl's story missions unlock based on the number of survivors you had discovered and brought into your town. You never actually eat food in the game, but you find a ton of it . . . and that's ok because food is actually what draws survivors to your camp. Not only do you need survivors to unlock missions, but you also need them to operate your town's buildings. It's just nice to see interesting game design choices like that. I was happy with it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj879VzjENR0YL71MAnWK_pWCzlffjzgAqGZy7Py4Ujt2_lMkFXZ7BYYp69CN-q5JZyJfgYTVskknfXsKaZgvKcY74PrcHTSQTOGF1rEhX1WTc7YGXKntB64bJoepq4flX3yyoZDT9WP11r0bg0yBGi2mFfos1yi7AvGTIZX3OiYxq4-KD-QZbwR0rmHY/s1536/OculusScreenshot1695160032.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1536" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj879VzjENR0YL71MAnWK_pWCzlffjzgAqGZy7Py4Ujt2_lMkFXZ7BYYp69CN-q5JZyJfgYTVskknfXsKaZgvKcY74PrcHTSQTOGF1rEhX1WTc7YGXKntB64bJoepq4flX3yyoZDT9WP11r0bg0yBGi2mFfos1yi7AvGTIZX3OiYxq4-KD-QZbwR0rmHY/w640-h314/OculusScreenshot1695160032.jpeg" width="640" /></i></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Alexandria has her fully upgraded windmill. Life is good!</i></div></i><p>It does feel like they left a lot of space for a DLC, and because of that, it feels like the game is missing a few things. Namely, you need a boss fight with the leader of the Gold 99 faction you're learning about in Daryl's missions. While the final chapter of the game does have some epic zombie herd killing action, you're left at a cliffhanger in the game, and that feels disappointing. A DLC would have answered that call.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YrR3jcnrqLqMo-McRyYu0AnnjC5byXo5AoSLI_fY49c50OlDz-AXVQZt9iC-ZvoA2w5UbbEIwSQN-ePulvWfH1HMl4GflkAQp2hfo0uivcg-_UdPM5O7NpngXt088DHZOJdPAGD-w97leK_4_mKkez5aSY_1p_e9VQlIkoOwQQVu-zLnlduvitF6-KA/s1536/OculusScreenshot1695133919.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1536" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YrR3jcnrqLqMo-McRyYu0AnnjC5byXo5AoSLI_fY49c50OlDz-AXVQZt9iC-ZvoA2w5UbbEIwSQN-ePulvWfH1HMl4GflkAQp2hfo0uivcg-_UdPM5O7NpngXt088DHZOJdPAGD-w97leK_4_mKkez5aSY_1p_e9VQlIkoOwQQVu-zLnlduvitF6-KA/w640-h284/OculusScreenshot1695133919.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Gold 99's calling card . . . I want to fight their leader!</i></div></i><p>It also would have been nice to have one more synergistic game loop that involved all the buildings you have constructed in town. Special missions unlocked by the buildings would be a perfect addition to a DLC. Unfortunately since the game was released in 2020 and it's now 2023 . . . I don't think it's going to happen.</p><p>I still have 15 achievements left to earn. Most of those are to play through the story mode on Veteran as well as the two weapon achievements I listed earlier. A couple of them are very confusing and will require a bit more research to see how to complete them. I'm shooting to get them all though! </p><p>I'm glad a random post in Blaugust got me to play this game and give it a shot. After earning my achievements, I'll probably hit the Saints and Sinners games next. <i>(Come to find out, I already had them in my game library and didn't realize it)</i></p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-91321571287805332612023-09-13T19:48:00.001-05:002024-03-16T09:35:55.893-05:00Game Portfolio -- Battle Bows<p><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Battle Bows</span></b></p><p><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiy4LxwoSNBbWv-QU1C86MrBHVBVJCQ8QMAsmC5O8sHssVbC24z58uXZdtzrVLVNy8ZXl6DXeRi6wgXct_Oa56xoM_d0g_cqTwaGjRhEEn04LBVp501NWKlV3oiZd7IDrd4gGOUIvJoM6Ec7QKEFAAN7aTRS4twsQimcd6rsnMso_wh7lDPUIJ54mqDEQ/s616/capsule_616x353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="616" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiy4LxwoSNBbWv-QU1C86MrBHVBVJCQ8QMAsmC5O8sHssVbC24z58uXZdtzrVLVNy8ZXl6DXeRi6wgXct_Oa56xoM_d0g_cqTwaGjRhEEn04LBVp501NWKlV3oiZd7IDrd4gGOUIvJoM6Ec7QKEFAAN7aTRS4twsQimcd6rsnMso_wh7lDPUIJ54mqDEQ/w640-h366/capsule_616x353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Release Date:</b> July 2023<br /></li><li><b>Current Availability</b>: Oculus and Steam (Playstation in work)<br /></li><li><b>Release Credit Category: </b>Design Credit<br /></li><li><b>Company:</b> WIMO Games<br /></li><li><b>Business Model:</b> Paid Game<br /></li><li><b>Category:</b> VR <br /></li><li><b>Genre</b>: Wave Shooter Defense</li></ul><div><i>Personal Development Notes</i></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Fun Fact: </b>WIMO gifted all employees a fun plushy based on the Speedster character in Battle Bows. They handed us these really cool gifts as a part of a company-wide fun day at a nerf gun arena. Good times all around!</li></ul><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjsz4JfMbYnHig3kdxSi_EqL5S19lBj7kh2so__ZP3jj3B5t0dUl_PIXuHcZaZZ_ofL_NVEUXL_CAjcNedJv20DeKMLjjkt0W6vkUE9tbAowRwUDeRtUVhIQ1LmDvVYYKwleVHZM-YY3icpbWrj6dOGy57MXKOaRYRWRuGcRGNeg6ve8ASONaa-nPaPE/s2032/20230727_162439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2032" data-original-width="1848" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjsz4JfMbYnHig3kdxSi_EqL5S19lBj7kh2so__ZP3jj3B5t0dUl_PIXuHcZaZZ_ofL_NVEUXL_CAjcNedJv20DeKMLjjkt0W6vkUE9tbAowRwUDeRtUVhIQ1LmDvVYYKwleVHZM-YY3icpbWrj6dOGy57MXKOaRYRWRuGcRGNeg6ve8ASONaa-nPaPE/s320/20230727_162439.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Job Highlights</b>: I transitioned out of working on outsourced mobile games to strictly working on VR games in March 2022, and then full production hit in late 2022. Things went much faster with an entire dedicated team and some funding behind it. <br /><br />Besides working on Pitch Deck Creation and presenting the pitch to both internal and external audiences, I was also responsible for GDD creation, level design, enemy design, game balance, and more including daily playtesting and feedback.<br /><br />I had a lot of fun being this game's internal cheerleader at our company All Hands Meetings where I was able to update the WIMO team on monthly status during development. <br /><br />For more on Battle Bows level design, see here: <a href="https://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2024/02/tom-purdue-level-design-examples.html">Level Design</a><br /><br /></li><li><b>Best Memory:</b> I had the honor to be part of the initial team that led the charge to experiment with WIMO's first VR game, and yeah, I absolutely look back to those days with fondness. There's nothing quite like shooting a white polygon noodle out of a controller like it's an arrow. <br /><br /></li><li><b>Other Comments:</b> The game turned out great and has been polished and optimized with a lot of care. The game also considers those that may get sick in VR with some built in accessibility features -- you won't have to move around much, further minimizing VR sickness. With its accessibility, multiplayer, and fun style, we're hoping it makes a great party game that the whole family can enjoy. Our first major update to the game is coming soon!</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Sample Gameplay</b></p><p>As a part of the launch I was asked to make a developer video showing players some tips and tricks on how to do well in the game. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xTKkubioLPg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-20172246860641661662023-08-31T12:14:00.000-05:002023-08-31T12:14:32.629-05:00Blaugust Cliff Notes: Thanks for reading!<p>And here we are . . . another Blaugust comes to a close. It's pretty great to get fresh views on your site during the month and also get to read a bunch of great blog posts from other Blaugustians -- new and old! I've had a lot of fun clicking on all the links in our Blaugust Discord server. Unfortunately the month has also been pretty busy for me, so I haven't been as chatty as I typically am. <i>(I tend to drop my social presence when things get busy -- my D&D buddies were worried.)</i></p><p>Just as a review, when Blaugust kicked up I was still in full Diablo IV mode, playing the new season and earning my seasons reward track. I was writing about quests in <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/08/a-scosglen-walkabout-for-lilith-statues.html">Scosglen</a> and unlocking all my renown on my Sorceress. Probably my favorite post of the Diablo series was when I was listening to my wife watching Housewives while I was playing and ended up in a fevered-dream <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/08/diablo-ultimate-girls-trip-thailand.html">Diablo/Housewives crossover</a> episode. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH13EUvrCnctiJoM4ok91H1VXlhqHisOwWXxUkUtryqwC1UDCF4YEDv4DChImx4JN9-rGsicWx6xCfKAvwCIdMBnYAUzfnVnTPEV9QBEsP7SZzkfEoWzS9m_kit9CdUJkNH6AHjyn18e28XARts5AchvJsTtxAjSnI39I5Gepd56ftcqy8AY4iL_rwDhw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="418" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH13EUvrCnctiJoM4ok91H1VXlhqHisOwWXxUkUtryqwC1UDCF4YEDv4DChImx4JN9-rGsicWx6xCfKAvwCIdMBnYAUzfnVnTPEV9QBEsP7SZzkfEoWzS9m_kit9CdUJkNH6AHjyn18e28XARts5AchvJsTtxAjSnI39I5Gepd56ftcqy8AY4iL_rwDhw=w400-h231" width="400" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Truly Trouble in Paradise . . .</i></div></i><p></p><p>Then Palia hit, and it was mega-fuel for the entire month! Almost half of my Blaugust was spent exploring this new world and just fishing up random stuff to try and impress Einar, my <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/08/catfished-in-einars-fishing-adventure.html">lovable robot boyfriend</a>. It was so bad that even MassivelyOP noticed that I couldn't control myself and gave me <a href="https://massivelyop.com/2023/08/25/global-chat-getting-sucked-into-palia/">top billing in their community Global Chat post</a> last week. <i>*blush*</i> I usually don't get top billing there. Felt pretty good, and I'm hoping Einar hears about it. <i>(Thanks for helping me look good for my robot, Massively!)</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGThPdn9aqmQb77np7q6WI3NIbDGw36guLpCIBxhoyunHYs0o3P_9kCldLWNTKNRAvBGE1Y0jCr0xytjWiNW4prLl6og0jbDxzvp9lSOvBwvzsHrJNhNbu0mR-mYGub6edBfYrYMsOEtxPTGzLUuxFzUx5fXlxctZkYaovzKkbouRppZtbKyyJqDa2Srg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1248" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGThPdn9aqmQb77np7q6WI3NIbDGw36guLpCIBxhoyunHYs0o3P_9kCldLWNTKNRAvBGE1Y0jCr0xytjWiNW4prLl6og0jbDxzvp9lSOvBwvzsHrJNhNbu0mR-mYGub6edBfYrYMsOEtxPTGzLUuxFzUx5fXlxctZkYaovzKkbouRppZtbKyyJqDa2Srg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>pubescent caterpillar is still my favorite line in the game</i></div></i><p></p><p>Real life was definitely on my mind as I talked about my birthday and a trip to the new <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/08/an-adventure-at-meow-wolf-in-grapevine.html">Meow Wolf in Grapevine, Texas</a>. I'm still getting fuel from that visit, even making new trippy art for a psychedelic project over on the <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/08/hitrecord-jumping-in-to-creatives.html">HITRECORD</a> site, which is my new social media of choice lately. Also, my kid headed <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/08/teenotaurs-first-day-of-high-school.html">back to school</a> and that flipped my schedule so I had to post at night instead of in the mornings. Also, speaking of psychedelic, the <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/08/checking-out-becks-summer-odyssey-tour.html">Beck/Phoenix concert</a> was a laser light extravaganza!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorQpXEzQx3dltjkZXrSWMuv48e0HhcllD9zlEV-5I1keKtq88qHG9j_SPQAI4O0RJgtWArK2gxHzf94YVHJCmUPjCgyG4485mAjn4Jy3w8kSIy1kMJFwOt4-oMwv0jE8LZ_xd5m_8CZ6QAmowmPHlU1Nj48s-NDUW0Imx4Y5h0h_CQOPP50Lwaq2vOq0/s2579/psychadelic1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2579" data-original-width="1935" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorQpXEzQx3dltjkZXrSWMuv48e0HhcllD9zlEV-5I1keKtq88qHG9j_SPQAI4O0RJgtWArK2gxHzf94YVHJCmUPjCgyG4485mAjn4Jy3w8kSIy1kMJFwOt4-oMwv0jE8LZ_xd5m_8CZ6QAmowmPHlU1Nj48s-NDUW0Imx4Y5h0h_CQOPP50Lwaq2vOq0/w480-h640/psychadelic1.png" width="480" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm making weird art for HITRECORD from my pictures from Meow Wolf</i></div></i><p>I also talked about a few more cancelled games in my game portfolio posts. I still have one more left I could talk about believe it or not. Yeah. That's working in mobile games for you! It's such a highly competitive space. <a href="https://appinventiv.com/blog/google-play-store-statistics/#:~:text=Total%20Number%20of%20Apps%20Released%20per%20Week%20and%20Month&text=To%20be%20precise%2C%203%2C739,increased%20number%20of%20mobile%20apps.">This site says there are 3,379 new apps a day on the Android store</a>, which seems too specific to be true, but its heart is in the right place. Your app can drown in visibility very quickly.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipPSPaDZHXfn5pbfIdGK86PFzxR6C8l7twVlVa4irDzzJ9EEt67a7aZRhaWt09RbyzhbNBcA_1Ykhkn10II-Cr_7TY7UjD1uPVwub_xXrlpetWz9QMFAncix31z3LzkdZmWUA0KsbfGgk1TZ7I_zFqri4HxOV_rn4MZIfeCEWKO52PEhGpooiNhjZl0a4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="1308" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipPSPaDZHXfn5pbfIdGK86PFzxR6C8l7twVlVa4irDzzJ9EEt67a7aZRhaWt09RbyzhbNBcA_1Ykhkn10II-Cr_7TY7UjD1uPVwub_xXrlpetWz9QMFAncix31z3LzkdZmWUA0KsbfGgk1TZ7I_zFqri4HxOV_rn4MZIfeCEWKO52PEhGpooiNhjZl0a4=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Getting to storyboard these game comics was a job highlight I failed to mention</i></div></i><p></p><p>And finally I got to talk a bit about a few VR Games that were gaining dust in my virtual library. As it turns out, I typically don't have a burning desire to play <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/08/vr-game-library-deliving-powerbeats-vr.html">exercise games</a> and <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/08/vr-game-library-delving-propagation-vr.html">zombie/monster shooters</a> -- go figure. Glad I got to "exercise" my typically not-seen side and shoot several things in the face. I actually have many more VR games I need to review that I've never played, and also VR games that I HAVE played but NEVER talked about on this blog, like <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/559330/A_Fishermans_Tale/">A Fisherman's Tale</a> (what a fun puzzle game that is) or <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1232570/Paper_Beast/">Paper Beast</a> (a trip into the wild and weird).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLSvKTrNsXTIL3FDji4xxCqn2_dev7WqHUeirsWD53DRnoP88S0ZpG4BYOfObjP2ovtL_6wCnDKO0pVAOdR3zWwYTI8VeeCAWD_CLS-cZDY9yxtjGJIGaNkxNxsTHrqoyUKeyVN2r7-ho6LUoIENRIWCjcXq6l3TJyCmJQeJ13cGD_ajto_VjqBc7wJgk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1600" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLSvKTrNsXTIL3FDji4xxCqn2_dev7WqHUeirsWD53DRnoP88S0ZpG4BYOfObjP2ovtL_6wCnDKO0pVAOdR3zWwYTI8VeeCAWD_CLS-cZDY9yxtjGJIGaNkxNxsTHrqoyUKeyVN2r7-ho6LUoIENRIWCjcXq6l3TJyCmJQeJ13cGD_ajto_VjqBc7wJgk=w640-h354" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Didn't see myself doing this when Blaugust started . . .</i></div></i><p></p><p>Outside of all that, I mentioned how much I appreciated the band <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/08/creator-appreciation-low.html">Low</a> . . . and that there was the month of August in blogging. </p><p>Unlike some who get the fire in them to keep it going well into the following months, now that a habit of posting has been established, I'm likely to take a bit of a break . . . but now I have some great ideas for things to write about! It's been a good month, but also quite busy. Mentally, it came in like a lamb and out like a lion for me, which typically happens every Blaugust. It's weird like that. All is well though. No worries. Just glad I made it through with a post every day.</p><p>Thanks for reading and as always . . .</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-45240467060913600352023-08-30T20:44:00.001-05:002023-08-30T20:54:55.797-05:00VR Game Library Delving -- Walking Dead Onslaught<p>Hello, fair reader. I'm back with yet another blood and guts zombie game today from my un-played VR game library. Just a heads up that you will see pictures of, you know, me stabbing a zombie in the head. If that is something you don't want to see, you may want to skip this post. Just sayin'</p><p>And with that out of the way, can you believe it? Blaugust is almost to an end! Today and tomorrow and that's it. Glad I'm able to end this month of posting with yet another VR game that I just spent the past hour or two playing. I figured I better stop now so I can write about it before it's bedtime and I have nightmares of zombies coming after me.</p><p>Today's game is <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1082680/The_Walking_Dead_Onslaught/">Walking Dead Onslaugh</a>t. Apparently there have been a few Walking Dead VR games. Today's game and then there's also Walking Dead <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/916840/The_Walking_Dead_Saints__Sinners/">Saints and Sinners</a> 1 and 2. All I know is that the game I have in my library came to me as a part of a bundle from like a year ago, and I've never played it until today.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA0_SiH04774SqMs1fShKZw7uSUp3w2r_M9TxjV5g1OmxHR4psuZuL32qytElYGzTbqXy-z7C87rhup6OXx4Pmr5tEsx-uUVpvoIV_654Eej8JJmK_lJ-NOYpb8TTHqaWgXRl8UJ4z12jlhvmLknBlYrVgujyTRNogYIId84TTtCwGZtsbjIVQsb8EuE/s2880/IrAj1t6XchaeHAG8ogtkfDAJ.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA0_SiH04774SqMs1fShKZw7uSUp3w2r_M9TxjV5g1OmxHR4psuZuL32qytElYGzTbqXy-z7C87rhup6OXx4Pmr5tEsx-uUVpvoIV_654Eej8JJmK_lJ-NOYpb8TTHqaWgXRl8UJ4z12jlhvmLknBlYrVgujyTRNogYIId84TTtCwGZtsbjIVQsb8EuE/w640-h480/IrAj1t6XchaeHAG8ogtkfDAJ.webp" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The picture should feature more knife and less crossbow and gun.</i></div></i><p>Quickly flipping through reviews, it seems like Saints and Sinners had a bit of a better reception than this game, but I gotta tell you, compared to the zombie wave shooter <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/08/vr-game-library-delving-propagation-vr.html">I played yesterday</a>, this has a lot of potential to be pretty cool. They have a base building aspect to the game. Weapons can be upgraded. There's a story mode. There's a mission mode. It just feels more complete as a game that will give you multiple hours of replay-ability.</p><p>The tutorial walks you through the basics like how to grab a zombie by the throat and stab it. This is actually a very important maneuver because they definitely don't give you enough ammo to just kill everything with a gun. Side note, I really wish they gave you enough ammo to just kill everything with a gun. Then again, the rag doll physics of grabbing a zombie by the throat and flailing them around is pretty funny. I think the developer really liked the stab in the head action.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeSksTGzzIOLlpr0sg5G_5Yxe5Cz0B31YJmc9o8tvJ8CkFMDKE6poQrsSHRypEVXOcTyQ4hwx0OodRvL6S5LSWLzUnyDxoV7UnM7d1Xay8YQp1FqSXjBIPgAn0YLpJMAoBACsvq1s5NWoCMVStUouV-u62PknXBS3sVqQSh23xyy2g-mGkUeu319IO5ko" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1899" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeSksTGzzIOLlpr0sg5G_5Yxe5Cz0B31YJmc9o8tvJ8CkFMDKE6poQrsSHRypEVXOcTyQ4hwx0OodRvL6S5LSWLzUnyDxoV7UnM7d1Xay8YQp1FqSXjBIPgAn0YLpJMAoBACsvq1s5NWoCMVStUouV-u62PknXBS3sVqQSh23xyy2g-mGkUeu319IO5ko=w640-h294" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Walking Dead throat grab. It's a thing.</i></div></i><p></p><p>After the tutorial the game puts you into a prologue mission where you encounter Daryl Dixon and work your way to a van to escape to your new home base. Now . . . I never watched the Walking Dead series. Oh my goodness, I just heard a collective gasp from like 3/4ths of you reading this blog post. I'm sorry. What I do know is that Daryl is one of the main characters from the series so it makes sense you get to play through his story, to which I believe I'm reading there are 7 chapters.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg-STG2OFR9-UDr4Ib-dtEVihyGZOI01wC3MLCdGhwgGBYHSsIs7WPlAId643OOLGff3EKZ1BxVmw1jXzVqQjbdjomrbPqdF03dF7cYHTdC4GTocBST39yBdhYTSw-PCjPcMpkUPMl76knhXFEf1vUNSy1NQBdw77OsWvtwzu5ojJbss8iXqzXqV7AdsE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1819" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg-STG2OFR9-UDr4Ib-dtEVihyGZOI01wC3MLCdGhwgGBYHSsIs7WPlAId643OOLGff3EKZ1BxVmw1jXzVqQjbdjomrbPqdF03dF7cYHTdC4GTocBST39yBdhYTSw-PCjPcMpkUPMl76knhXFEf1vUNSy1NQBdw77OsWvtwzu5ojJbss8iXqzXqV7AdsE=w640-h308" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Chattin' things over with Daryl</i></div></i><p></p><p>The story is pretty much on rails, but you can miss items if you don't look around at all the corners and edges of the map. As you reach certain points, Daryl chimes in like a Dungeon Master talking about things you just encountered or were about to encounter. It's a good way to do story telling in an action game. No complaints here. (In fact, it seems like most of the complaints were that there just wasn't enough story) </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_afHwSL3BWjnQKm-H1OJG_LtTQ6MZrxzD9OEXhEW0I3ybpcuXNWu_rrDrCHkgaoOJtd6-FfF_C9fP9Rk1YhDRm1ZaUqVRzcfbAFkUnWMzKORi5P1bpRbLOzAdaX3PLWZNeSHOnIGBIZWxxQbW5GeaTpP1iZN5_rKSd5_Cm2iA-S14WHjNSedTh1RLsec" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1826" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_afHwSL3BWjnQKm-H1OJG_LtTQ6MZrxzD9OEXhEW0I3ybpcuXNWu_rrDrCHkgaoOJtd6-FfF_C9fP9Rk1YhDRm1ZaUqVRzcfbAFkUnWMzKORi5P1bpRbLOzAdaX3PLWZNeSHOnIGBIZWxxQbW5GeaTpP1iZN5_rKSd5_Cm2iA-S14WHjNSedTh1RLsec=w640-h306" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Daryl is all "Took you long enough!"</i></div></i><p></p><p>Story mode is fun and all, but these survival missions are pretty crazy. You are outnumbered and it's basically a dash and grab to try and get as much stuff as you can and then fight off a horde until an escape route opens up and you can make your way to it. I failed the first one twice until I found a happy medium between killing zombies, grabbing loot, and running away from zombies and finally won.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVw1i95bOCuG3xKCLYYr5_urSO-qdFg99MA2aeWaMbre6lE8oCpHHg15gBdaUHzDckPYPqZPeRAQZWCABtd5JNSrtG8lTmtqcl-fN0pE0CFK7uowulN5XnZy4AjXNI7qYNn4xDYjNz7f0cGK_F02dyhgiY2eu8tp1d-mc32QeHWa6fHJ7OCzdqoxjfKDM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1818" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVw1i95bOCuG3xKCLYYr5_urSO-qdFg99MA2aeWaMbre6lE8oCpHHg15gBdaUHzDckPYPqZPeRAQZWCABtd5JNSrtG8lTmtqcl-fN0pE0CFK7uowulN5XnZy4AjXNI7qYNn4xDYjNz7f0cGK_F02dyhgiY2eu8tp1d-mc32QeHWa6fHJ7OCzdqoxjfKDM=w640-h312" width="640" /></a></div></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>One bullet left and a horde of zombies left to go. fun.</i></div></i><p></p><p>Once you return to camp, win or lose, you'll use any loot you've gathered to upgrade your weapons and build out a town. I honestly can't wait to find a haul of better weapons. Again, not that knife stabbing a zombie in the head doesn't have some entertainment value in and of itself, but a crossbow or a shotgun would be nice to have.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFBbojRS9uLIPvheANuZYNjHEZp7AufydiMthx0v03mDxW3WyJ-PuOC5qCvmKrhbzvCzsX1ax2ixgqMUB_3ovcHmSJOW8ILD-lqnTlVsENYaEgYYUM9aHYeVS6c66ZJ99uO7Hv15Quza1QwtIRH9Vkog5TpIc4b7QxJGJDNocauSHn9oPPCnNFtPXnU9Y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1828" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFBbojRS9uLIPvheANuZYNjHEZp7AufydiMthx0v03mDxW3WyJ-PuOC5qCvmKrhbzvCzsX1ax2ixgqMUB_3ovcHmSJOW8ILD-lqnTlVsENYaEgYYUM9aHYeVS6c66ZJ99uO7Hv15Quza1QwtIRH9Vkog5TpIc4b7QxJGJDNocauSHn9oPPCnNFtPXnU9Y=w640-h354" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lovely.</i></div></i><p></p><p>Anyway, I liked my time in the game, and I could see myself returning to this one to play through the entire story and build out my town. Feels like I could maybe get 10 hours out of it, which isn't bad for a VR game at all!</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-77903673916719077862023-08-29T20:41:00.002-05:002023-08-29T20:45:41.070-05:00VR Game Library Delving -- Propagation VR<p>Hi. I typically run a family friendly blog, but ya gotta know that I'm looking at a FREAKING ZOMBIE KILLING GAME today, so there's your warning. There's gonna be pictures of zombies and blood and stuff, so . . . um . . . sorry. (But, since I used to talk all the time about 7 Days to Die and no one complained, I doubt anyone is going to complain -- just being upfront here.)</p><p>~~</p><p>Continuing my look at games that I haven't played from my VR library, today I'm offering up a little horror wave shooter game known as Propagation VR. It originally released in 2020 and apparently it warranted a follow on game known as Propagation Paradise Hotel just this year!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GBL81Fbfjz9THo0ONqzpv-F7ecT6XKJor46XqkMk5VB6SBlNNOVAYxM-5dziox5wZdfBI1eWxZDcBUgtBoRTYhURkVTQMLooVBcLCFFuH4tz68tk4ru00xyH-N5oTA3YqNFxou0jJAs5ZVjL64KSaKsWmU-ThEZ5E-Bf2CsVic-g8yxYKorcABysoQA/s616/capsule_616x353%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="616" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GBL81Fbfjz9THo0ONqzpv-F7ecT6XKJor46XqkMk5VB6SBlNNOVAYxM-5dziox5wZdfBI1eWxZDcBUgtBoRTYhURkVTQMLooVBcLCFFuH4tz68tk4ru00xyH-N5oTA3YqNFxou0jJAs5ZVjL64KSaKsWmU-ThEZ5E-Bf2CsVic-g8yxYKorcABysoQA/w640-h366/capsule_616x353%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t-gK-9EIq4">grabbing hands</a>, grab all they can. All for themselves after all, it's a zombie-ish world!</i></div></i><p>In Propagation VR, you're thrown into a subway tunnel and asked to survive waves of zombies (and other things) swarming your position. You have your fists, you have a handgun, and you have a shotgun. That's it. That's the game. OH wait, there is a story to it all as well. After you finish a bit of killing, you get a bit of a respite while your "saviors" come to the rescue. You're a cute civilian with an unlimited supply of ammo, and they're in full gas-masked getup. </p><p>I did find a quick way to end the game here by the way. All you have to do is shoot one of the friendly NPCs, and they give you one free Game Over screen. How can anyone resist not shooting these guys in the face?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpWbIGsuv0f42iAkkMMJMNA9oZu4zDvqR560Ow4wfWtPcPhA6X7pQszptTY4R0DsZapQJ-eWYFXeixJ5xPzhO-noXoW8SebdgW79Byq1cjjaqjutGc3N8b0nLw5GN2iBXIjhFdoK_WHDtMIMj-cGxvAJK8HQ8NApRjRssUu4JGp1uZQkIW5JdABGBmHjk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1860" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpWbIGsuv0f42iAkkMMJMNA9oZu4zDvqR560Ow4wfWtPcPhA6X7pQszptTY4R0DsZapQJ-eWYFXeixJ5xPzhO-noXoW8SebdgW79Byq1cjjaqjutGc3N8b0nLw5GN2iBXIjhFdoK_WHDtMIMj-cGxvAJK8HQ8NApRjRssUu4JGp1uZQkIW5JdABGBmHjk=w640-h290" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>How did the NPC survive a gun shot to the face? HOW?</i></div></i><p></p><p>Wave 1 is not bad. It's a mix of standard run-of-the-mill zombies . . . a couple fast ones . . . a couple that like to shoot you back . . . a bunch of slow hobblers. You know, zombies. of all kinds.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2GMmGA3whiGN97_Ug_dja4h0wOHrhvZZovYm25qYravSGCAuTBJMkT1hC0ah3Y24P4PV0lkl38tIWYn31RMAEfEK4zjeSBIwSCG1lKYuQXw0RORqR1aXxLQS305ghAJKlJqbFPOcHJ-tecFB-7LZvfZedeqbXCRp3HBF07Bn0RO3a_phHkRq51bTZrlA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1876" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2GMmGA3whiGN97_Ug_dja4h0wOHrhvZZovYm25qYravSGCAuTBJMkT1hC0ah3Y24P4PV0lkl38tIWYn31RMAEfEK4zjeSBIwSCG1lKYuQXw0RORqR1aXxLQS305ghAJKlJqbFPOcHJ-tecFB-7LZvfZedeqbXCRp3HBF07Bn0RO3a_phHkRq51bTZrlA=w640-h298" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Zombie Meat Chunks EVERYWHERE!</i></div></i><p></p><p>Reloading is pretty simple, you grab a cartridge of bullets from your side and slot it in your pistol or you load your shotgun pellets one by one. OR, you go into the options and make it so when you press A it loads for you. Took me a couple times through the first part of the game to figure that out.</p><p>Pressing A is great, but I actually like the feel of loading shotgun shells, putting the shotgun behind your back, grabbing the handgun from your waist, loading a cartridge of bullets, and backhanding a zombie if they get too close while you reload. It has a nice rhythm and feel to its death march.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHZwrc_aM3WX_HnH9TrCF58KFma6sFdKrO6ORTRGf9_wrSXLl5AR0Hzvw52cciW1D7ZE15MhLLelbg1fFYrQ4ACZLrsyoaBS4j-cFw4tnpAMjRVIw4l6H8zLndc30TyZttoMe1l8ochyKwOILjZo-wN9PqTuXCK8G9M_AzQjU5Ihno4Mp7uiT1Tbt93b8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1443" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHZwrc_aM3WX_HnH9TrCF58KFma6sFdKrO6ORTRGf9_wrSXLl5AR0Hzvw52cciW1D7ZE15MhLLelbg1fFYrQ4ACZLrsyoaBS4j-cFw4tnpAMjRVIw4l6H8zLndc30TyZttoMe1l8ochyKwOILjZo-wN9PqTuXCK8G9M_AzQjU5Ihno4Mp7uiT1Tbt93b8=w640-h324" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Shell goes into shell slot. Got it. Gotta quickly reload those shells while you can!</i></div></i><p></p><p>Wave 2 features these, featureless human meatbags that like to get down on all fours and skitter toward you once they take damage. It's . . . not pleasant looking. Pro-tip, turn up the Gamma so you can actually see these things, or keep it low if you like being spooked by sounds. At the end of wave 2 you're greeted by a couple of the army NPCs that ran ahead and got ate, now returning as military zombies.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHQRRvJ3VDHrSaVbQjdrLOiOt4dVA7t2jF9SG59EewDTefhOVy29BVl3MVPUkr-LRdR87zKwhsbLP_EewNAd-ZPXWYpkdlri85gYRGN2IC5teuuz5osqlCXfG-mbLJ3KooBDBtMfpr0B2Z8VUJn-B8bh94QtFU75cmgJCKv69fVUUQPAbaJYvVtDL8FGU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1891" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHQRRvJ3VDHrSaVbQjdrLOiOt4dVA7t2jF9SG59EewDTefhOVy29BVl3MVPUkr-LRdR87zKwhsbLP_EewNAd-ZPXWYpkdlri85gYRGN2IC5teuuz5osqlCXfG-mbLJ3KooBDBtMfpr0B2Z8VUJn-B8bh94QtFU75cmgJCKv69fVUUQPAbaJYvVtDL8FGU=w640-h294" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Bloody fleshed-over-eyes buddies!</i></div></i><p></p><p>Wave 3 is all about the spiders -- giant ones and small ones that pop out of the giant ones! Lots of creepy spiders all around you. Shotgun works wonders here. At the end of the Wave, a MEGA spider comes out and claws you with two of its legs. As Dory would say, "Just keep shooting, just keep shooting, just keep shooting." (Well, Dory if she was in a zombie apocalypse that is.)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLp7ERsKMI28cUu8nQaJGFzzNUsPSdAE1LD25TOSlXCT9VBvDjvdyLTlzvcND2ou2V29u_4t6dBrtUM0WbtGKJ4o59iGJD5w-TCBpRh4NqZGgxT7VQRS2Uk_OqXq9yVqk6uY_Be-iNDuHvsw4xWcyHHdIpzqFatOBqZsaq5fJxdEvZencsYtMgNkseDRI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="800" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLp7ERsKMI28cUu8nQaJGFzzNUsPSdAE1LD25TOSlXCT9VBvDjvdyLTlzvcND2ou2V29u_4t6dBrtUM0WbtGKJ4o59iGJD5w-TCBpRh4NqZGgxT7VQRS2Uk_OqXq9yVqk6uY_Be-iNDuHvsw4xWcyHHdIpzqFatOBqZsaq5fJxdEvZencsYtMgNkseDRI=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></div></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Big jumpy guys with eight tiny eyes!</i></div></i><p></p><p>Wave 4 is simply a boss wave. A big ol' creepy man jumps out of the corpse of the giant spider and we get to have a great session of pop the boils on his back, stomach and arms. The most terrifying part of course is when he attacks you from above. Eventually you shoot him in the back and he falls over on to the subway tracks, getting run over . . . and you win with a scoreboard tallying just how horrible you did on your way to victory.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbYyFJAozaazHVNMEpYbgk4rvEbRZDynO2vBD_yvVGLAd9Q4lu0fR0dGwZZfUX169DIjq0xn2rIWqiXUCAFvPbe2S19pQyWgXcM5pGFNxAm2W2R507-wzDRSqPcVpmE5sJyFXPUmj23crd6mSbXSBwONeCocUnrDSDJp-VRizUdfjpBNzNdrMoS97SlQk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1132" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbYyFJAozaazHVNMEpYbgk4rvEbRZDynO2vBD_yvVGLAd9Q4lu0fR0dGwZZfUX169DIjq0xn2rIWqiXUCAFvPbe2S19pQyWgXcM5pGFNxAm2W2R507-wzDRSqPcVpmE5sJyFXPUmj23crd6mSbXSBwONeCocUnrDSDJp-VRizUdfjpBNzNdrMoS97SlQk=w640-h376" width="640" /></a></div><i>He needs those boils lanced and everything will be fine.</i><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><p>. . and that's it. There's nothing more to it other than to up the difficulty and try again for a better score. I guess if it's Halloween and I have people over who want to play a spooky game, Propagation VR fits the bill, otherwise it feels a bit like a once and done experience. Not bad though. I think <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1363430/Propagation_VR/">it may actually be free </a>now that they have the <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1824960/Propagation_Paradise_Hotel/">paradise hotel version</a>? </p><p>If you want to play it co-op with another player, they have a $10 DLC you can buy though. It could be fun playing back to back with someone, although I did ram my fist into the desk once trying to swing at a zombie's head. Co-op would be dangerous if you were actually back to back. Best not do that.</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-69958709494092797682023-08-28T19:44:00.006-05:002023-08-28T19:54:43.178-05:00VR Game Library Delving -- PowerBeats VR<p>Whew . . . ok team, I need to catch my breath here. I just got done playing a few rounds of <a href="https://www.powerbeatsvr.com/">PowerBeats VR</a> and I'm all hot, sweaty, and tired. Oh man . . . did I tell you I mostly lead a sedentary lifestyle over here? I mean, yeah, I go walking with a little <a href="https://pikminbloom.com/en/">Pikmin Bloom</a> and some <a href="https://playperidot.com/en">Peridot</a>, but this is cardio I just got done doing! <i>*catches breath*</i></p><p>Ok, check it out. So, PowerBeats VR is another game I got in a bundle about a year ago, and I've never fired it up, UNTIL TODAY! WHY?! I'VE GOT A BLAUGUST POST TO WRITE! I told you all a couple days ago that I'd go delving into my un-played VR games, and so here we are.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqlazVc9XxDTEEvFu9zMOKzg9BnNgVLiFHZLD_KwylD1VoadvhPhyv2VFPnWnWOGlZRpaf0kNpYGI1gfracWjeKpqIx52Wnyugxf3dn-MdfS4MS4uWmh5SQ_xdQHUkD70vNPjUQlYubeFMbmYGJ4SzHP8IQyDFFeqIofGd7xOlW5bpW6a36ZC4aFi2PU/s616/capsule_616x353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="616" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqlazVc9XxDTEEvFu9zMOKzg9BnNgVLiFHZLD_KwylD1VoadvhPhyv2VFPnWnWOGlZRpaf0kNpYGI1gfracWjeKpqIx52Wnyugxf3dn-MdfS4MS4uWmh5SQ_xdQHUkD70vNPjUQlYubeFMbmYGJ4SzHP8IQyDFFeqIofGd7xOlW5bpW6a36ZC4aFi2PU/w640-h366/capsule_616x353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>She needs to watch where she's swinging!</i></div></i><p>The rhythm game slash workout is a perfect game for VR. Ever since humans could swing a beat saber, we knew it was a thing. PowerBeats VR is an ok rhythm game, but an absolute knock out of a work out. Instead of swinging a saber effortlessly to the beat, you are punching balls that come flying at you, ducking under and to the side of pillars, and following a golden rope up and down on a path.</p><p><i>(Btw, the balls that come flying at you are a bit of nightmare fuel for me since it channels an old childhood reoccuring dream of pushing back giant balls ala Sisyphus.)</i></p><p>If you'd like to laugh a bit, watch me trying this expert level for the first time. I get a B-. :(</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BeFBkkYasq8?si=4hH06mCWIsMrJ5Wj" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>The game comes with three environments and a leveling system where you can unlock new hands/weapons as you play. I've put about an hour on the game now, and I think I'm about halfway through level one. Next level I get a hammer. If only I unlocked the song Hammer Time when it happened . . .</p><p>Probably the coolest feature of this game is its completely open music library option. You can pick any song in your computer's library, and PowerBeats VR will generate a workout for you based on the parameters you set. Of course, being a songwriter type myself, I had to play a couple songs of my latest release: <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/03/rotted-leisure-rooms-by-tom-purdue.html">Rotted Leisure Rooms</a>.</p><p>Here's a swing at beginner level workout with my song <a href="https://tompurdue.bandcamp.com/track/wyrd-beard">Wyrd Beard</a> using the Egyptian desert environment.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xZ3wwQvzD8k?si=KGBb2E8HQDWlrkPX" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>. . . then I take it up a notch to an Advanced workout with my song <a href="https://tompurdue.bandcamp.com/track/clear-plastic-game-boi">Clear Plastic Game Boi</a>, which actually works pretty well as a workout song.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QLXU-fjw9TU?si=7Sa8K3VXXw1uUivL" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p style="text-align: left;">If I were to spend an additional $3 for the DLC to this game, I could also open up a whole slew of new backgrounds to play in, and the ability to load in my own 360 photos to view while I work out. I was actually tempted by this since you know how I love to take 360 photos. There's working out, and then there's working out with some fun <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2023/08/an-adventure-at-meow-wolf-in-grapevine.html">360 photos from Meow Wolf</a> in the background.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Anyway, glad I tried this. I prefer the stylized drumming found in a game like Ragnarock or swinging sabers in the one and only Beat Saber, but this was still pretty fun. I was really happy to find that there actually is <a href="https://www.powerbeatsvr.com/vr-fitness-game/new-level-editor/">a level editor</a> for the game if I wanted to truly make something that matched my songs. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Who knows, maybe this could be my new workout when I'm not walking my Peridot. Glad I delved into my VR Game Library to give it a shot.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-67436730124104246522023-08-27T19:30:00.003-05:002023-08-27T19:30:52.428-05:00Palia -- All that and a gaggle of glow worm fish<p>I haven't had a chance to play as much Palia these past few days, so I thought I'd check back in and report a bit more on my Blaugust progress.</p><p>First things, I've got my aquarium room all sorted out and it's looking pretty good.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG-FUna5wo9hQrh1oE8spppIouFyRft754OV88xf-UCYTT0GthxXiWCS_lmQ3Eg_-hDwpKjmE4_u2MiAVZBPZ3Ey0zzO7AS6ti9uuaWgAIfc4BYz07XkkGT2OogXIYyhdLXRfMJ0JHcOaMKInCtu1esVGUeVMocrCTTd84-yfFxWG-_1-1bp6amve3o8/s1484/aquarium%20room%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1484" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG-FUna5wo9hQrh1oE8spppIouFyRft754OV88xf-UCYTT0GthxXiWCS_lmQ3Eg_-hDwpKjmE4_u2MiAVZBPZ3Ey0zzO7AS6ti9uuaWgAIfc4BYz07XkkGT2OogXIYyhdLXRfMJ0JHcOaMKInCtu1esVGUeVMocrCTTd84-yfFxWG-_1-1bp6amve3o8/w640-h332/aquarium%20room%202.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Largest on stage right, Mediums on stage left, and smallest on the upstage.</i></div> <p></p><p>Second things, I dinged level 11 <i>(only 9 more to go to get my extra cool fish tank).</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8IgmrkBbJb6v9BviC6wvP_aRnftdmx6drS9X-0KRRBHxUCoSwQ7t_uQses88QIQTof2z656dZPxFQoZYW_WSAO-ZR22JcVMwDFmHnTIKY8fhqYqmvK5PfqmUZsQ1WS4FDPCFb-dTaPt1vRsVmbnMjSSQdLE5WBTgUhto4JVWDL1JqqPo3O4l8KJCimA/s1215/fishing%2011.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1215" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8IgmrkBbJb6v9BviC6wvP_aRnftdmx6drS9X-0KRRBHxUCoSwQ7t_uQses88QIQTof2z656dZPxFQoZYW_WSAO-ZR22JcVMwDFmHnTIKY8fhqYqmvK5PfqmUZsQ1WS4FDPCFb-dTaPt1vRsVmbnMjSSQdLE5WBTgUhto4JVWDL1JqqPo3O4l8KJCimA/w640-h366/fishing%2011.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It's one better than 10!</i></div></i><div><br /></div><div>Because I've been away from the game for a bit, my glow worm farm chugged out a lot of the little yellow guys for me to use all over Palia and score a few new fish that I haven't shown off yet. So without further ado, here's the new crew!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Bahari Pike</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8G-oPAAZEAy_vaSprXhvHIQORgQRpWNM8KhDshYbrI1mAmeSTRGrTyT85oxVEzEyPnzcyRZiWCiOIvwQxWdwfouQiv83qfT24fgfcoppXmaO5Ien4Ho5q9eZSdfXdIY0FWRCWC2Bezf8vpy5GFpC1hnoSorK9HsV9YKhWjGnunQkWvY7HEeeBVB4wE0/s1908/bahari%20pike.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1908" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8G-oPAAZEAy_vaSprXhvHIQORgQRpWNM8KhDshYbrI1mAmeSTRGrTyT85oxVEzEyPnzcyRZiWCiOIvwQxWdwfouQiv83qfT24fgfcoppXmaO5Ien4Ho5q9eZSdfXdIY0FWRCWC2Bezf8vpy5GFpC1hnoSorK9HsV9YKhWjGnunQkWvY7HEeeBVB4wE0/w640-h358/bahari%20pike.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>From a Bahari River and not Pike Place Market</i></div></i><div><br /><p><b>The Black Sea Bass</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZJuCyQ-_x7Ip1Lji598JEZh5Mqn5L4PuPWNUjiUjfMgKr6kbzmTDtUzOSBPsdonJHCUnbH0coe6peyPHX4iuCNrzFuVxBnNxDQpALKsV0A54OMWY7AQhENvNTHgdOVUVfGk_bh_4ZiJ7oqSf5B3N5lkn27vO3lvX_FO7zwV5UK1QPTA2PROIbZs7_dc/s1910/black%20sea%20bass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1910" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZJuCyQ-_x7Ip1Lji598JEZh5Mqn5L4PuPWNUjiUjfMgKr6kbzmTDtUzOSBPsdonJHCUnbH0coe6peyPHX4iuCNrzFuVxBnNxDQpALKsV0A54OMWY7AQhENvNTHgdOVUVfGk_bh_4ZiJ7oqSf5B3N5lkn27vO3lvX_FO7zwV5UK1QPTA2PROIbZs7_dc/w640-h360/black%20sea%20bass.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>From the Bahari Ocean and Not the Black Sea</i></div></i><p><b>The Blob Fish</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrT0qYwwS_OcX9xH4c5g_VS0Uaw6miQ5jBx9_RE5ifYmGdTpaB9efYTOrs03PJUY9dru7d03d0p4vkDB0qa4cuSIDjz0CZ5LKv1H1Ban7c1aOwmHJgVwYFPU2bFO52ukiOajjpwAGnq4kGIvFPgDLGCY-QBaToAMQMUiGCxzlY81oOUfg0rLshltygN8/s1910/Blob%20Fish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1910" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrT0qYwwS_OcX9xH4c5g_VS0Uaw6miQ5jBx9_RE5ifYmGdTpaB9efYTOrs03PJUY9dru7d03d0p4vkDB0qa4cuSIDjz0CZ5LKv1H1Ban7c1aOwmHJgVwYFPU2bFO52ukiOajjpwAGnq4kGIvFPgDLGCY-QBaToAMQMUiGCxzlY81oOUfg0rLshltygN8/w640-h360/Blob%20Fish.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I<i>t objects to the term blob and prefers spherically challenged</i></div><p><b>The Cactus Moray</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKlmZw48yNwThT77zJnUMYTxIzmyqic1vUa7uqmnwjTUxf72Ea3eRcyAsKXltWRqKs6GQi8sZ16CetAWT-h_Xj5R7nwvJft_4saB9hVhKSOgmd2KcPD6-IBS_TTcemcLIG3Vn2LPHcXbBwFiQk1s6iQrrej4VdzhuSi0uoXozT2ntvNg2y80xWQULE7A/s1915/cactus%20moray.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1915" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKlmZw48yNwThT77zJnUMYTxIzmyqic1vUa7uqmnwjTUxf72Ea3eRcyAsKXltWRqKs6GQi8sZ16CetAWT-h_Xj5R7nwvJft_4saB9hVhKSOgmd2KcPD6-IBS_TTcemcLIG3Vn2LPHcXbBwFiQk1s6iQrrej4VdzhuSi0uoXozT2ntvNg2y80xWQULE7A/w640-h358/cactus%20moray.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When a cactus hits your eye and it hurts like a stye that's a cactus moray!</i></div></i><p><b>The Crimson Fangtooth</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4jIQQBd3NDd38YweCx8yYbkhXTJC2-9UpecULlNYh50LyKKsznygnpVNcmJpO0lginQI0hlSV1Y0oXVsTGhyATrFqIjHlETP-BJyxWTQ5eb7ZA2FTi7IFrN2pKMssjahK79N5LZxkP1krXQ5481IL1JiJxjK2tQZi6ZkyhAZCeGcKvSgo0L3tU3gg7E/s1915/crimson%20fangtooth.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1915" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4jIQQBd3NDd38YweCx8yYbkhXTJC2-9UpecULlNYh50LyKKsznygnpVNcmJpO0lginQI0hlSV1Y0oXVsTGhyATrFqIjHlETP-BJyxWTQ5eb7ZA2FTi7IFrN2pKMssjahK79N5LZxkP1krXQ5481IL1JiJxjK2tQZi6ZkyhAZCeGcKvSgo0L3tU3gg7E/w640-h358/crimson%20fangtooth.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It's a Crimson Fangtooth, not a fun colored Lanternfish</i></div></i><p><b>The Fathead Minnow</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0qxIM9Tv3fAhL4Azhz55b0SmjAT3_2ytx9nAkRNzM1lF-d09xO0gh6EdEeIEsLqVhDsCTDsi8L70voOLogSwxw3DiH0XGSbG7qwv8vMCUmS-jQWNfMSiPqN6sV4RuoKlQq-YSBBt3_Pk-hCPUHXXAitq600NQ6UNBmzbeCvfYaJK6IzMqsQ8E7cghkg/s1915/fathead%20minnow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1915" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0qxIM9Tv3fAhL4Azhz55b0SmjAT3_2ytx9nAkRNzM1lF-d09xO0gh6EdEeIEsLqVhDsCTDsi8L70voOLogSwxw3DiH0XGSbG7qwv8vMCUmS-jQWNfMSiPqN6sV4RuoKlQq-YSBBt3_Pk-hCPUHXXAitq600NQ6UNBmzbeCvfYaJK6IzMqsQ8E7cghkg/w640-h358/fathead%20minnow.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Not fond of slurs like fathead.</i></div></i><p><b>The Honey Loach</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcVguB-Kl41JPpQM2PB_nLVOio1MshccWTVon7nb06O58mVlBPQoEfmevj1yIrez6Q4v1WzUPRUQFf7hN1fwxSfowZE4GdS8XMzKDPrRiJ5YPOiQ3r4pyICl82IjqpRxoIqu8qppmVj4NCWb4Y6eTUXeM1oEF32Vwz-0xveO19pHUfAw_DmaHUOWHajI/s1911/honey%20loach.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1911" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcVguB-Kl41JPpQM2PB_nLVOio1MshccWTVon7nb06O58mVlBPQoEfmevj1yIrez6Q4v1WzUPRUQFf7hN1fwxSfowZE4GdS8XMzKDPrRiJ5YPOiQ3r4pyICl82IjqpRxoIqu8qppmVj4NCWb4Y6eTUXeM1oEF32Vwz-0xveO19pHUfAw_DmaHUOWHajI/w640-h360/honey%20loach.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Honey Loaches are the bees knees</i></div></i><p><b>The Hypnotic Moray</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifr51yfTSQAJgRW17Lf3yxkwPI4cnCkEJ5P20Kpo6jrBKi8zlPJO-4dYjJ9fJogb5EkgY2OPGEjLCh0DZ_KUX-0teVGebBUCe5CKCyyN2CNb4KWCcTsg0WLZYVQB7zzq2iuOKwrCL6p6hQWSjGs9L3l0UVnHiihErilvrxDDljJHT9FbAan9aXSnNwym4/s1913/Hypnotic%20Moray.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1913" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifr51yfTSQAJgRW17Lf3yxkwPI4cnCkEJ5P20Kpo6jrBKi8zlPJO-4dYjJ9fJogb5EkgY2OPGEjLCh0DZ_KUX-0teVGebBUCe5CKCyyN2CNb4KWCcTsg0WLZYVQB7zzq2iuOKwrCL6p6hQWSjGs9L3l0UVnHiihErilvrxDDljJHT9FbAan9aXSnNwym4/w640-h360/Hypnotic%20Moray.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When you get hypnotized by a fish of this size that's a moray!</i></div></i><p><b>The Indigo Lamprey</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mLRQTIgZbrqe_-BG3iiVX3bss4gQ20ENGOVt82FoSLY9rr_HOQ61bebExu7SQRcjrCxcKe-r8ZtMdqGaCzDzuLd5Zu8x-B6o4eiRlZS1YBI-EOZ_Cvpr6E-wVT9ep_3Gy8bGhwz-_yMw62yRQv4b9vijvmmpFELuYNqpcar5e2afeudG8CZqociU1mA/s1917/INDIGO%20LAMPREY.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1917" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mLRQTIgZbrqe_-BG3iiVX3bss4gQ20ENGOVt82FoSLY9rr_HOQ61bebExu7SQRcjrCxcKe-r8ZtMdqGaCzDzuLd5Zu8x-B6o4eiRlZS1YBI-EOZ_Cvpr6E-wVT9ep_3Gy8bGhwz-_yMw62yRQv4b9vijvmmpFELuYNqpcar5e2afeudG8CZqociU1mA/w640-h358/INDIGO%20LAMPREY.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>*hangs head* I missed the cool New Fish screenshot on this one . . .</i></div></i><p><b>The Midnight Paddlefish</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuwfka4LHscFD3YfqKkfrV8pjx8as1I5LFJQmkCqgZpuHFeMIwzNjeaEx80UjCldiF5_BjJQS-ZhhyvlAUWEot7me1CDRvXTpHznFFYkXFXHakR4SEyn1brPISMsZWV4I9gstKKWOlDv7PHeOPJS7HBaTDMWjoa1yqE1YNbzGPz7IcLkmV31LW_8Q-no/s1915/Midnight.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1915" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuwfka4LHscFD3YfqKkfrV8pjx8as1I5LFJQmkCqgZpuHFeMIwzNjeaEx80UjCldiF5_BjJQS-ZhhyvlAUWEot7me1CDRvXTpHznFFYkXFXHakR4SEyn1brPISMsZWV4I9gstKKWOlDv7PHeOPJS7HBaTDMWjoa1yqE1YNbzGPz7IcLkmV31LW_8Q-no/w640-h358/Midnight.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It's got stars upon thars!</i></div></i><p><b>The Swordfin Eel</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SMly2KjFF1CnEC0mrnbwdlSEd49E7OkHnU4sLNcG_B0KgmreZSsRzbmGp1ygffM_Ya3NHKjOZuVVo-Ee0qQMpAoAW2Jw1964-QBPQ3HKDjWLrtI7mo56OK3O9M-JTCy0023OJA7qCUNdEnJ4lFC2FlWmrjm_3ZggJrD8fH5FakeGe4dLxqstRvQIu_o/s1919/swordfin%20eel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1919" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SMly2KjFF1CnEC0mrnbwdlSEd49E7OkHnU4sLNcG_B0KgmreZSsRzbmGp1ygffM_Ya3NHKjOZuVVo-Ee0qQMpAoAW2Jw1964-QBPQ3HKDjWLrtI7mo56OK3O9M-JTCy0023OJA7qCUNdEnJ4lFC2FlWmrjm_3ZggJrD8fH5FakeGe4dLxqstRvQIu_o/w640-h358/swordfin%20eel.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Answering the question, what if a sword fish and an eel had a baby?</i></div></i><p>And after all that I STILL haven't caught all the fish that are available in Palia. It's kind of crazy. Hopefully someday I'll be able to check them all off my list and proudly say I'm done, but today is not that day.</p><p>Happy Dueling!</p></div>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-9456746397017626592023-08-26T21:11:00.004-05:002023-08-26T21:17:55.085-05:00VR Game Library Delving -- Doom VFRHere we are in the final stretches of Blaugust, and I've decided I want to take some time and delve into a few un-played VR games from my library. Most of these games were purchased as a part of a bundle either from <a href="https://www.humblebundle.com/">Humble Bundle</a> or <a href="https://www.fanatical.com/">Fanatical</a>, and I just never got around to playing them! In fact it was a year ago that I purchased Doom VFR as a part of a bundle from Fanatical that included one of my all time favorite games, <a href="http://thefriendlynecromancer.blogspot.com/2022/08/chronicling-karnage.html">Karnage Chronicals</a>, which I talked about last Blaugust.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNh2gkDHfWaWRlKXD3-GxEly-8aYqipqq2WcQxDIhCNrX_L4UUOyLst6MUHGNjRR2KGViFCiB12kqxnwuswMZP3aLCOpo0QYCmgycjR2rNTAw3hwxMD7s43gICp_p2ipIbh5DoDrQLTJm_mSRbdKmv4R6dfV-NioywawoC_F4KaDb_3gvCLYsSkCxEgg/s1200/doom-vfr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNh2gkDHfWaWRlKXD3-GxEly-8aYqipqq2WcQxDIhCNrX_L4UUOyLst6MUHGNjRR2KGViFCiB12kqxnwuswMZP3aLCOpo0QYCmgycjR2rNTAw3hwxMD7s43gICp_p2ipIbh5DoDrQLTJm_mSRbdKmv4R6dfV-NioywawoC_F4KaDb_3gvCLYsSkCxEgg/w640-h360/doom-vfr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The F stands for "Fun," right? right?!</i></div></i><div><div><br /></div><div>I'll be honest, I tend to shy away from frantic shooters, but I own the game so why not give Doom VFR a shot . . . BANG!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjllKCS9147LAPGKrcGir4h8HL4_JKgA1-KD5tudeCVTkgYcAkyd2ByLR1kauGrkl5AYvI2Mhe08DTg4WSxn44NrZc_Wfpb3QUF2cXBxKtQaHJiMzFr4qfkfOZfRcC61BAV2WsRPmVTVR6wAcDHZFpjCECMeGu_aDgLo6JyHlV3WcQBUKOq2ZcQYp5GQv0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1825" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjllKCS9147LAPGKrcGir4h8HL4_JKgA1-KD5tudeCVTkgYcAkyd2ByLR1kauGrkl5AYvI2Mhe08DTg4WSxn44NrZc_Wfpb3QUF2cXBxKtQaHJiMzFr4qfkfOZfRcC61BAV2WsRPmVTVR6wAcDHZFpjCECMeGu_aDgLo6JyHlV3WcQBUKOq2ZcQYp5GQv0=w640-h304" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Taking down a ground pound-y dude in Doom VFR</i></div></i></div><div><br /></div><div>The game was originally made by Bethesda in 2017 for the Vive and for the Playstation VR. It was a <a href="https://gamerant.com/doom-vfr-trailer-e3-2017/">big splash at E3</a> when they revealed their trailer, and let's be honest, they've made some of the most well known and best games in the business (VR or otherwise). Going into this, I expect to have a blast, but I also know I'm going to die a lot. It's Bethesda. It's Doom.</div><div><br /></div><div>For some reason I decided to go into the game on normal mode instead of easy mode. Perhaps that was a mistake. Perhaps I shouldn't think I'm good enough for this nonsense. Perhaps I'm a glutton for punishment. Who knows.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, Doom VFR starts out easy enough, but I was struggling with the controls quite a bit in the tutorial. I'm using a wired Oculus Quest 2 to connect to my PC to play. To teleport, you have to actually press down on the control stick and move it around, which may not seem difficult, but my sore thumb right now begs to differ. I guess I don't understand why they made me press down and not just push forward and release? </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqNzSNC1Y7OK4f8Xpb_HMwUbmlTpFlwiWgY_ErFm4QCFcVvUUToCZovJjK7n_2WJWucI4yhbUHyCI1pxe0bgzoYTzIMle8FcU5PcBu94kvoaevfXbmnxOlXVPkF66T9ecBT4wQO6TmCaU8eFvyHmguQCmPcnbTvCN286elL3M6ktIK6WqU8-IJUUf5MJY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1863" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqNzSNC1Y7OK4f8Xpb_HMwUbmlTpFlwiWgY_ErFm4QCFcVvUUToCZovJjK7n_2WJWucI4yhbUHyCI1pxe0bgzoYTzIMle8FcU5PcBu94kvoaevfXbmnxOlXVPkF66T9ecBT4wQO6TmCaU8eFvyHmguQCmPcnbTvCN286elL3M6ktIK6WqU8-IJUUf5MJY=w640-h304" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The most important part of the game</i></div></i><br /></div><div>I'm sure it has something to do with the way the touch pad on the Vive controllers works, and this game was never really made with the Quest 2 in mind. Alternatively, I imagine playing with a game controller on the PlayStation would be a superior experience all around for this reason.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's pretty cool though. Lot's of neat touches in this one. For example, teleporting, as it turns out, is a key element of game play in that if you stagger an enemy with gun fire, they begin to flash blue. When they're flashing, you are supposed to teleport inside the demon and rip them apart from the inside out. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6KXjR9ui5HqJ-22wDatMGNjMp6lmnOMExyWf5Xz8CAfjwZLPjHgZKJF1ChM2aJyFtkYUppHZoCrQynOP0JzrN0w7FpJ8AKR4hn_wiDvFl1FZGa8mMckV_2UMdgqH_Dt0_Sbro9bO_XSNPEKClmJBbjEPyihwQlU6s9HJU6RYbWePvI4gKJRd28ykc0Oo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1819" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6KXjR9ui5HqJ-22wDatMGNjMp6lmnOMExyWf5Xz8CAfjwZLPjHgZKJF1ChM2aJyFtkYUppHZoCrQynOP0JzrN0w7FpJ8AKR4hn_wiDvFl1FZGa8mMckV_2UMdgqH_Dt0_Sbro9bO_XSNPEKClmJBbjEPyihwQlU6s9HJU6RYbWePvI4gKJRd28ykc0Oo=w640-h304" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>They're blue! Time to Telefrag!</i></div></i><br /></div><div>Telefraging -- guts go flying everywhere and you feel like teleporting has an actual reason to exist in the game rather than to just get the heck out of a tight situation (something it's also good for, but feels slow since you have to click down, then move . . . I digress).</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't quite understand yet how to cycle through my weapons, and I think that's part of my problem. I keep ending up on a slow shotgun and just hoping to run out of ammo so I can auto-switch to something more powerful. Um, I need to figure that out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Basically campaign game play switches between puzzle solving quests and tense enemy after enemy combat ala Doom style, and they don't go easy on you at all. Typically in VR games, the difficulty lightens up a bit knowing that people naturally react a little slower than in regular games, but not Doom VFR. It's super intense.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaNJ-6u-QiUSip6RKaUkkFxlVScJ7EaSW5tkSIqlg9Ey9fDtQF7yMv5mzwZJoskqb8ZNsMBO8ZlC3PnR6OuZTfC4wiGpKt9JUZCEYMoQVOcc3a3GvVia1cyCcQIDgYpH5ZyQNMv8oWB6wQQt2XlVb26p_FDW_Pm2aPD96SOo9a3Lm1YjCV6EhpqKOybuA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1828" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaNJ-6u-QiUSip6RKaUkkFxlVScJ7EaSW5tkSIqlg9Ey9fDtQF7yMv5mzwZJoskqb8ZNsMBO8ZlC3PnR6OuZTfC4wiGpKt9JUZCEYMoQVOcc3a3GvVia1cyCcQIDgYpH5ZyQNMv8oWB6wQQt2XlVb26p_FDW_Pm2aPD96SOo9a3Lm1YjCV6EhpqKOybuA=w640-h302" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When they bring out the flaming, flying skulls of death, you know it's bad.</i></div></i><br /></div><div>The puzzles themselves are relatively simple so far. Things like, grab a missing teleporter piece and bring it back. Find a missing door key and bring it back. Twist some locks around to open a door. Stuff like that. I almost wish the puzzles were more intense and the action was a little less intense. Or, yeah, I just need to turn down the difficulty . . .</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, it's pretty fun. I hear it's only a few hours long if you don't keep dying over and over like me, but there are three save files, which ups the replay value. From what I understand the game has dropped as low in price as $5, but it's regularly $15. At one point it was as much as $30! For the amount of fun I've had today playing it, I'm sure whatever price I paid for it as a part of the bundle was well worth it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Dueling!</div></div>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-13993030434557105902023-08-25T07:57:00.005-05:002023-08-25T08:06:36.012-05:00HITRECORD -- Jumping into a creative's social media<p> A couple years ago I watched a Ted Talk from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the actor. It all seemed to begin for him with child acting roles (things like Family Ties and 3rd Rock from the Sun) and led to pretty well-known movies like Inception and Dark Knight Rises. In his Ted Talk, he talks about "How craving attention makes you less creative." It's worth a watch!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3VTsIju1dLI?si=mWfk-2_UiVcDIp_m" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>To sum it up, Social Media is designed to make you crave attention, and there is no amount of attention you can get from Social Media that makes you feel like you've arrived. However, getting attention is different from paying attention, which is a core experience he has as he undertakes his collaborative part in the creative endeavor of creating movies. But, his feeling is that experience of paying attention isn't just for actors, it's something all creative people can experience.</p><p>To him, the Internet shouldn't be so much about getting attention, as it should be about paying attention because some of his favorite creative activities are from collaborating with people he hasn't even met. When you're part of a collaboration with all these people, you find flow and you find a safe space to just be creative. All that said, getting attention feels pretty good when it happens . . .</p><p>And that's why he started the site <a href="http://HITRECORD.org">HITRECORD.org</a> with his brother Dan. Basically, it's social media for creatives. Here's the sales pitch.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CLbvYEH9Ncg?si=3Is54JUjODcSgg-X" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>I guess I'm super late to the party and even after watching Joseph's sales pitch, it took me a few years to try it, but this year . . . I finally did, and I have to say I'm pretty interested in continuing the journey. So far I've only dabbled a bit with writing poetry and short stories, shared a picture based off of a prompt, and uploaded a song birthed out of a therapy session conversation I had. It all feels clean, and I like that. I like that I've contributed to things creatively that I normally wouldn't have done.</p><p>The best example of this for me personally is when a project came up to write a tiny story that was inspired by a picture of a little felt ghosty dude, which was a filting creation made by a collaborator at HITRECORD named Yellowsicktoad.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe88GpWCPIW8N7VMG6WUbMmR82CFW9QCh0PU8Tb19GnZRoob5rddPXW7U575ZmcQhUoMM4zvyPF4b7OrP1L6bq6JXz0QhjGXE0VvAwD-EyrpwH_yRFsYQYgkpPwmTn2JJyuha29Q7f2Em7vKUMMb1F30poVE2sRopd_n-dx5ZIwZfA6Qe054kDCsoYiI/s3513/Yellowsicktoad-6798608.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3513" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe88GpWCPIW8N7VMG6WUbMmR82CFW9QCh0PU8Tb19GnZRoob5rddPXW7U575ZmcQhUoMM4zvyPF4b7OrP1L6bq6JXz0QhjGXE0VvAwD-EyrpwH_yRFsYQYgkpPwmTn2JJyuha29Q7f2Em7vKUMMb1F30poVE2sRopd_n-dx5ZIwZfA6Qe054kDCsoYiI/s320/Yellowsicktoad-6798608.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Yellowsicktoad's felt ghost</i></div><p>This was created by Yellowsicktoad and shared under a visual art project for making random crafts. JoeFed62 on HITRECORD then used this picture as a writing prompt for others to contribute to: <i>"Week 45: write a tiny story inspired by the picture 'The Little Ghost And Her Red Rubberboots' by Yellowsicktoad."</i></p><p>As I was surfing HITRECORD one night, I came across that prompt and wrote a little poem to go along with it because why not?! That little dude is pretty cute, so I penned this:</p><blockquote>Small, fuzzy ghosts<br />-- flit along the filtin’<br />Smaller red boots<br />-- soft, playful kickin’<br />You say it’s only August<br /> -- but candy bags need fillin’<br />put me in your pocket<br />-- till October we be chillin’</blockquote><p>In essence, it's a little poem that I would have never written if I didn't stumble along the Tiny Story challenge. </p><p>Then this week I began to get pings from HITRECORD that other people were remixing my poem into pictures. (Side note: Remixing on HITRECORD is when you use someone's creation to create something new yourself.) The reason why was because JoeFed62 had posted this prompt: <i>"Week 48: Combine the image 'The Little Ghost And Her Red Rubberboots' by Yellowsicktoad with the text 'small, fuzzy ghosts' by Stingite."</i></p><p>So that's my small example. Now just imagine finding a group of collaborators to make a full album of music with, which is something that's been done on the site back in 2012. Everything was collaborative from the sounds to the words to the music to the cover art. It's kind of genius.</p><p>Now, my honest critique of the site: As much as I love the idea behind this site and agree so much with what it stands for in creativity, it feels like it needs an update, is a touch confusing to use, and could use more people interested in inspiring others (paid community management?). </p><p>I do know that the site has been around since 2005. It refreshed its website in 2010, and throughout the years it's had minor updates to its look, but the site we have today is pretty much the same layout from three or four years ago based on what I'm finding on images from the Wayback Machine. </p><p>Something about HITRECORD's search and organization feels a bit dated. I've searched for new music projects, but it feels like all I'm finding are old projects that have completed but are still open for contributing, which is confusing and discouraging. </p><p>On the other hand, writing prompts, graphic prompts, and voice acting prompts all seem readily available, but there might be a need for more JoeFed62 type of people for music. That's the kicker. The crux of what makes this site really work are people that are interested in inspiring participation. Without them, the site kind of falls apart. If HITRECORD isn't paying someone to prompt others with community projects, it should.</p><p>Outside of those critiques though, I think this is a type of social media I could really get into. The idea of being a part of a social media platform based around creative collaboration is a huge selling point for me.</p><p>So there you have it . . . when you're feeling creative and in need of paying attention collaboratively to gain attention from others, this feels like the corner of the Internet that could shine the brightest. It just needs some attention itself and perhaps a touch of new polish.</p><p>Happy Dueling! </p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2952457306147452128.post-4893548880160052062023-08-24T07:38:00.008-05:002023-08-24T07:46:30.851-05:00Palia -- I'm the worst at Gardening<p>Gardening in Palia started out for me as nothing more than a cotton farm empire. It was all about the touch and the feel of fabric, as they say, and I cared nothing for what happened. Soon I discovered it was pretty easy to craft up vegetable soup and I had a few free carrot seeds in my bags, so the crop became a split between cotton and carrots.</p><p>Fast forward to today and I've started to branch out to wheat, rice and potatoes as well. Now here's the ugly truth. I've just been throwing these things down any old willy-nilly way because ain't nobody got time for figuring out gardening beyond, I put stuff in the ground, I water it, I get stuff out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkjfwfA4AV_ppaZwBK9gYbWigXUJrTYyqQGXL3P2mp9mdQQDyBQinGWRhaHZ7bv5sE-ARWS7yytFeHegiW0pGv4TFHMs5JMha7qgsJPuaGQIS8JGVp5Hpdy2PIlmB08sWuBupz8yrodCPUR9gZgL7BkBOoonNjrI4xZ96UwsUBSiwZ1BtdYXR_ZnHcYw/s1320/crazy%20garden.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1320" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkjfwfA4AV_ppaZwBK9gYbWigXUJrTYyqQGXL3P2mp9mdQQDyBQinGWRhaHZ7bv5sE-ARWS7yytFeHegiW0pGv4TFHMs5JMha7qgsJPuaGQIS8JGVp5Hpdy2PIlmB08sWuBupz8yrodCPUR9gZgL7BkBOoonNjrI4xZ96UwsUBSiwZ1BtdYXR_ZnHcYw/w640-h376/crazy%20garden.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It's like I went to the haircut place and said in a chad voice, "Just mess me up."</i></div><p>The above is the view of my garden from in game. Pretty ordinary garden shot . . . not the largest garden by any means. I'm working with a 6x6 plot. I could expand that all the way up to a 9x9 if I wanted, but up to this point gardening has been entirely an afterthought to fishing.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhBPJ-5dK3yXdeTB2LtDTT7Dt-Uv1-lGuw6q5TGR9AbiF9aZ-5uqZywH_9EFyJGmw7bPou-vH7AB_C9g7BOgojnRTVdmaT7ofDexpFR1wVrA92MkRPQJMzN58hKKk7Y0AgVmbvhiUJN1p-gtodOIeqaANCRytTQWIRWoQiLXsft3RVh9M4MATOm9kKGbc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="852" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhBPJ-5dK3yXdeTB2LtDTT7Dt-Uv1-lGuw6q5TGR9AbiF9aZ-5uqZywH_9EFyJGmw7bPou-vH7AB_C9g7BOgojnRTVdmaT7ofDexpFR1wVrA92MkRPQJMzN58hKKk7Y0AgVmbvhiUJN1p-gtodOIeqaANCRytTQWIRWoQiLXsft3RVh9M4MATOm9kKGbc=w640-h388" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Give me the messy look, ma'am, you know, "Just mess me up."</i></div></i><p></p><p>The above is a 2D graphical representation of my garden from the site <a href="https://palia-garden-planner.vercel.app/">Palia Garden Planner</a>. My current haphazard layout of stuff is so so. I'm getting minor quality increases, water retention, weed prevention, and harvest boons with my accidental layout. But what If my garden looked a little more like this?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhm4JeIhJ93Eo4nzUoefnnc9geMQU4pITEFZ0SvaiW074NaaWFIf3K0zVfcVQiMS0LWVRWDBwlE4ZLZX44ZgMYOqBGuShbBclIwAbHjAIW9ZlEixEJs4KLb6YyuGdSXJJzE3H67rd9SIUpWRdrVyqZNPM40W9kMdO2elQEeRvV5B3d-wWtMVstp7Y4rC_Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="917" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhm4JeIhJ93Eo4nzUoefnnc9geMQU4pITEFZ0SvaiW074NaaWFIf3K0zVfcVQiMS0LWVRWDBwlE4ZLZX44ZgMYOqBGuShbBclIwAbHjAIW9ZlEixEJs4KLb6YyuGdSXJJzE3H67rd9SIUpWRdrVyqZNPM40W9kMdO2elQEeRvV5B3d-wWtMVstp7Y4rC_Q=w640-h466" width="640" /></a><br /><i style="text-align: left;">got the root vegetables adding water retention and the tomatoes doing some weed prevention</i></div><br />Now we're looking a bit better on all the stats and definitely a more well rounded crop. Hmm . . . what if I double downed on the tomatoes and sacrificed a bit of the cotton in a layout kind of like this?<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja28i2zcVEf1fdckZQAdSYjnekR7F0u65jgArnWOfpf656ZifujLqkM4PYHjq22dMtIVr3jsBqe2AGkz58OMQ1B2yiyYEYloKICtYgc0XqA6W_NfpoTjwRqdCVb17RTyDJKzwSDDLBYTAQFzN8SBjOLmIJv4wTKKHZDJ-7Nomh5qHDCcwtj-dnfDZhc58" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="870" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja28i2zcVEf1fdckZQAdSYjnekR7F0u65jgArnWOfpf656ZifujLqkM4PYHjq22dMtIVr3jsBqe2AGkz58OMQ1B2yiyYEYloKICtYgc0XqA6W_NfpoTjwRqdCVb17RTyDJKzwSDDLBYTAQFzN8SBjOLmIJv4wTKKHZDJ-7Nomh5qHDCcwtj-dnfDZhc58=w640-h394" width="640" /></a><br /><i style="text-align: left;">Rotating around the weed prevention, increasing tomatoes for profitability . . .</i></div><br />Oh man, I hate that I've found this site. Now I'm going to have to actually think before I garden . . . just imagine what it's going to be like when I expand the plot and start growing blueberries and apples! What a nightmare gardening is. To quote the Matrix, "Ignorance is Bliss."<p></p><p>Happy Dueling!</p>Stingitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00225836686170204875noreply@blogger.com0