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[CYOA?] Let's Play Space Rangers text adventures

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
I am trying to see if the idea of adventures like these appeals to you guys at all, or if you want to try something else, so this time I am going to wait for more votes.
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Alright. Retry it is. I'll swap one set of rockets with a pair of torpedoes. Here's our corrected loadout:
2015_09_27_063302.jpg

I could probably mess with you guys and let you die a few more times (which is kind of the point of the LP), but I also want to showcase the logic of the adventure and skip the choices that we've already seen, so I'll be taking over until the tower is no more.

We get through the gate with much the same method as we did before.
2015_09_27_064741.jpg

The jeeps are not a problem - as we have seen, they die to a single rocket hit. What makes them an annoyance is that you have to take shots at the tower every chance you get, ignoring all other priorities. It's fair, the briefing stated that it is the most dangerous fortification in the whole base.

However, the briefing also mentioned that torpedoes are slow and easy to navigate - which means we are perfectly capable of returing fire.
2015_09_27_064907.jpg


No one said anything about hitting things, though. Which is where the mines get to shine. The road just isn't broad enough for two jeeps to evade them.
2015_09_27_065027.jpg


It would also be nice to stay alive. There is no need to take additional damage if you can help it.
2015_09_27_065505.jpg


Bike vs. Tower - 70% vs. 70%. We'll have to fix that soon, but first we need to get rid of the pursuit. Now, we can try to use the mine again...
2015_09_27_065546.jpg


But this time, it won't work because there is plenty of space for a single vehicle to maneuver. You'll need two of them, which we don't have. So I resort to the tried and true method of 'rocket to the face'.
2015_09_27_065713.jpg


Another opportunity to chip away at the tower's hitpoints. Now here is where we can afford to take a bit of a risk.
2015_09_27_065807.jpg


Usually machine gun bullets and rockets are pretty interchangeable, but this here is one of the rare occasions where they aren't.
2015_09_27_065849.jpg


And that brings us to the point where we left the last time.
2015_09_27_065908.jpg


Except that now we are fully capable of tearing the tower apart. Vengeance is sweet indeed.
2015_09_27_070021.jpg


Time to choose, Codex.
2015_09_27_070205.jpg

Thankfully, we are out of torpedoes, so we can't blow ourselves up along with the rest of the base by shooting them point-blank at a powerful explosive. :M
 
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Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Theoretically, it makes no difference what do we choose here as far as the end result is concerned. However, we are bound to lose our machine gun once the hull integrity dips below 40%. Therefore it makes sense to use it while we are still able to.
2015_09_27_103432.jpg

We have 19 seconds to GTFO. What should we do? Gun them down, blow them up, or just leg it and pray?
 
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Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Let's give them a scare.
2015_09_27_114221.jpg

Uh-oh. I don't think we are feeling very well. And we lost control of our machine gun. Not that we have any bullets left, anyway.

Fun fact - if we took our time to take out the second guarding tower back at the gates, we would have less ammo to work with, but our bike would have been in a better shape. We would be able to pin down the sniper with machine gun fire, at least.

So, what do we do? Slow down, and shoot him before he shoots us? Or just ignore him? He sounds dangerous... :?
 
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Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Six. It's on the lower right corner of the screen with all other relevant stats.
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
The sniper warrants at least two rockets. Better be safe than sorry with these guys.

Ah, but are they as dangerous as a motherfucking tank? That's not some jeep we are talking about - the shells are going to hurt if they connect, and we are already dying. On the other hand, our time is running out.
2015_09_27_120122.jpg

Looks like it wants to cut off our path of retreat. We have to choose, and fast.
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Sure thing.
2015_09_27_121043.jpg


THE SUSPENSE!
2015_09_27_121106.jpg


Aaand... we've made it! All that is left is to collect our reward that we will not be using anyway. :|
2015_09_27_121134.jpg

Congratulations! Mission Accomplished!

A bit of post-mortem for the last choices.

- A single rocket would not have been able to blow up the tank, but it would have damaged it enough to lessen the impact of its shot that nearly killed us. We could have fired a second rocket to finish it off, but then we would not have time to escape the blast. A torpedo would have obliterated it without us losing speed.
- Of the two, the sniper was a safer option to ignore. Had we taken more risks during the mission, it was entirely possible to get to a state where you could take a hit from the guy, but even a stray shot from a tank would blow up the bike. Then you get roasted alive by flamethrowers as you seek refuge in one of the buildings.
- In theory, you can turn back half-way once you realize you can't take down the tower. The last two encounters with the tank and the sniper still happen, but you are not suffering from acute poisoning and the bike is in better shape, so you can just outrun them unless you've made some serious blunders.
And now we choose what to do next.

A) Try an adventure from SR1 (fairly simple and short):

1. Murder.
"On planet Cuba of the Inumbra system, a journalist of one of our central newspapers has been murdered. Since the crime was committed in the Human embassy it is the responsibility of our sheriff to investigate it. However, we have serious doubts that our official, John Banks, is capable of investigating such a high profile case. That is why we want to hire you to investigate and catch the criminal. I'll be blunt: our government has hopes that your connections with the criminal underworld will help you. The investigation must be completed by 24-09-3011. By the way, the victim was the son of the Chief of Bankers' Commission on this planet, so the reward that you'll get once you return will be quite significant: at least 2250 cr."

2. Gladiator.
"Zumakka, we know that you are a renowned warrior and we now need your help. You must be aware of the famous galactic gladiator contests that are held on Maloqi planet Rein in the system of Izora. You can take part in the competition, in the role of the coach to our gladiator, Ytzokheng. Remember that your contract will be void if in 9 days we do not get a message from Rein telling of the success of our contestant."

3. Construction.
"Dear Max, we indeed need your services. Our government is planning the construction of a forpost on planet Uzm in Al system. We need a daring and courageous ranger with managerial talents to direct the building works.

Your task is to build and decorate the base before the committee arrives. If you are successful, the government will reward you with 1750 cr. But you must arrive to Uzm before 24-09-3011, or we will have to void our contract."

B) Try an adventure from SR2 (more complex and extensive):
"Well, we do have a mission for you. The son of a Maloq Monarch named Prince Tardym Ka'Boom and his family are coming to the system of Vega 7 on a friendly visit. The Prince is also the commander-in-chief of his home system's space forces. Our government is very interested in establishing strong friendly relationships with the Prince - we count on receiving military assistance in guarding our planets from the Dominators.

The government of the Rakksla system is organising a grand reception to honour the Maloq Prince, and we suggest that you become the escort of the Prince and his family at this banquet. Tardym does not tolerate any civilians by his side, but at the same time he respects the rangers, and with your combat experience we couldn't find a better candidate. Besides you already had some experience in dealing with the Maloqs.

If you manage to make a good impression on the Prince and invite him to visit our planet, we will pay you a reward of 4500 credits. The banquet is scheduled in 11 days, so you must arrive to the planet of Rakksla on time."

C) Let me choose something else at my own discretion.

Me, I'd probably try to showcase the 'Gladiator' one next, as it is fairly short and yet, to my knowledge, non-linear. It also has quite an amusing failure state that I totally didn't expect when I accepted the job. I wonder if you guys will step on the same rakes. :smug:
 
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Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Sorry, is that a vote for Gladiator or Banquet? 'cause Maloqi banquets aren't lacking in armor either. :M
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Well, since that was what I intended to do anyway...

Adventure II. Gladiator.

I believe we are already familiar with the briefing.
2015_09_27_220708.jpg

The name of our charge, Ytzokheng, is a pun on Russian keyboard layout. In English he would have been called Qwertyng. The SR-verse does not take itself seriously, happily including expys of politicians and other famous people as characters - mostly Russians, but I think I remember having a contract on a notorious pirate Kill Bates.

Gladiator_00.jpg


Anyway, we a being sent to are Maloqi planet. Maloqs are your typical huge dumb warrior race - they are big on violence, hate luxurious excesses and sophistication, and are usually employed as brute force, since the military operations is where they excel at. They are also big on honor... warrior's honor, to be precise, and thus they don't object to piracy all that much. After all, you kill it, you own it.

We and Ytzokheng are pelengs - a four-handed race of slimy schemers. They thrive on deception and dirty tricks. Think slugs of FTL.

Just a quick review of who we are and what kind of audience we will be dealing with.
2015_09_27_220808.jpg

As you can see, we have 3 attributes. Most of our actions, both in and outside of combat, will have an effect on those. If any of them reach 0... well. Let's not dwell on it, shall we?
 
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Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Estimating that there are about 3 people playing this on average, I will probably be waiting for a majority of 2 votes before committing to an action.

There are many ways to win this one, and just about as many ways to lose. All of the options above will allow us a victory, but depending on which stat we favor the paths to victory will differ. So it's not as popamole straightforward as Commando where you just shoot everything that moves. Synergy between actions is important here.
 

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