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

Kipeci

Arcane
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
3,027
Location
Vicksburg
Fight dirty instead of entangling the thing?
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Actually, I didn't consider that at all. Now that I've run the numbers on paper... that should work as well. There are many solutions.

Post your proposal, I'll run the simulation.
 

MZeta

Scholar
Joined
Sep 28, 2015
Messages
103
:rage:


Okay, try to change 6. from none to massage, that should help him have enough stamina while judges won't execute him impunity.
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Okay, try to change 6. from none to massage, that should help him have enough stamina while judges won't execute him impunity.
That's what I meant, yes. The first plan tried to do the same, but after choosing a simple morale upgrade instead of a talisman we didn't have enough morale left to get through the final fight.

MZeta&Kipeci said:
1. Market (help trader)
2. ranged
3. call girls
4. none
2015_10_02_174430.jpg

5. entangle
6. massage
7. feign
2015_10_02_175613.jpg

2015_10_02_174617.jpg

2015_10_02_174633.jpg

2015_10_02_174643.jpg
We have won! By the skin of our teeth, but we still have won! Finishing at 1-1-1 deserves some extra points for style.

Kipeci said:
5. trick
6. none
7. feign
2015_10_02_174453.jpg

2015_10_02_174515.jpg

2015_10_02_174524.jpg
A bit less exciting than the previous one, I admit. However, it also allowed us to be a dick and have Dreaddy run amok amidst the spectators, so it's all good.

And there we are. Victorious and with a nice sum in our pocket.
2015_10_02_174541.jpg


And just for the sake of completeness, here's my favorite way of going through this quest.
We start off by bribing the chief judge, because he is a such a funny guy. We go through the first fight with minimum stamina loss. We also take the option to talk with Dreaddy's master when we are given the chance...
2015_10_02_180703.jpg


Let's try to bribe him!
2015_10_02_180713.jpg


Ok, I wasn't particularly fond of parting with my money anyway.
2015_10_02_181058.jpg


I think we are all set!
2015_10_02_181105.jpg


Eh, what else are friends for? A shame about Talan and the Hunt, but better you than me, buddy.
2015_10_02_182543.jpg

So, to recap - to win a fight we have just beaten to a pulp an innocent whose only crime was to have a contestant more powerful than ours, then forced him to break the rules of the tournament and sentenced him to a slow and painful death while destroying all evidence of our involvement by bribing the authorities. All in a day's work.

That's why everyone hates slugs pelengs. :salute: :lol:

But wait, maybe we can get even more mileage out of our deal?
2015_10_02_182609.jpg

Isn't Maloq diplomacy fun? :lol:

Excuse me, amigo, I do not quite capisce.
2015_10_02_182844.jpg


Ah, ok. Then kindly let me plead for mercy like a little bitch. :salute:
2015_10_02_182851.jpg


No! You are stupid and you stink!
2015_10_02_182857.jpg

The sad fact is that, since their police is also comprised of Maloqs, they are likely to accept this as a legitimate explanation. :M

That's why everyone loves Maloqs.

Anyway, let's rewind and get back to the fight. The text about the bribe is no longer displayed, and the option is grayed out. I guess we are no longer invited to the reception, either. :(
2015_10_02_182909.jpg


But we arrived to the end with enough stamina and morale preserved to win it in a fair and convincing way. Yay us!
2015_10_02_182919.jpg

It is possible to have Grok be put on trial, however, that also reveals your own machinations and gets you sentenced to the Hunt, so it's not the best of ideas.
Anyway, I think the victory goes to Kipeci for that one, since he was the first to offer a correct solution. I'll post a list of adventures and their brief descriptions to choose from.
 
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lightbane

Arcane
Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
10,156
What happens if you decide to kick the trader for the lulz? I assume it turns out to be a really terrible idea, considering what we've seen so far.
 

Cassidy

Arcane
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
7,922
Location
Vault City
Those rewards seem so pitifully low. Are their values scaled up based on game progression like in SR2? In SR2 doing one of those CYOA adventures in late game can often involve rewards larger than 200k credits.
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
What happens if you decide to kick the trader for the lulz? I assume it turns out to be a really terrible idea, considering what we've seen so far.
Ytzokheng gets a morale bonus!
Ytzokheng appreciates your action and he now looks at you with more respect.
Because apparently pelengs are dicks. :lol:

Those rewards seem so pitifully low. Are their values scaled up based on game progression like in SR2? In SR2 doing one of those CYOA adventures in late game can often involve rewards larger than 200k credits.
Those are base values that are subject to change depending on game difficulty and inflation. These values are what you get at the beginning of the game.

Kipeci, time to choose.

From SR1:
"Dear <Ranger>, we indeed need your services. Our government is planning the construction of a forpost on planet <ToPlanet> in <ToStar> 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 <Money> cr. But you must arrive to <ToPlanet> before <Date>, or we will have to void our contract."
A fairly primitive management minigame with random elements. You have 14 days/turns to finish the mission and the choices you make affect the construction rates and the events that can happen during the construction.
"The chief coach of our hachball team has suddenly died in a car accident. How odd that this should happen right before an important match against the Pelengs! Now, nobody wants to take the place of the deceased coach... You are the only person who can help! If you agree, you should go to planet <ToPlanet> in the system of <ToStar> at once, otherwise you will miss the Galaxy hachball finals. The team is already there. At present the Pelengan team is in the first place, they are one point ahead of us. So we must win at all costs!

The match will take place no later than <Date>. If you do well for our team, when you come back to planet <FromPlanet> (<FromStar>) your reward for the victory will be <Money> cr. Good luck!!!"
A management minigame divided in 3 rounds. Similar to the Gladiator, but while the former is a pure math problem, this one is more reliant on luck.
"On planet <ToPlanet> of the <ToStar> 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 <Date>. 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 <Money> cr."
An investigation adventure. How good is the 'Dex with those, I wonder. :M
"Look <Ranger>, you can do us a favour. On planet <ToPlanet> in the system of <ToStar>, we are conducting experiments studying the effect of various chemicals on Human organisms. We need a healthy volunteer for one of the experiments. We are paying a huge reward, 250 000 cr! Don't miss out on such a golden opportunity. But you will only get this money if the experiment is conducted before <Date>."
Play a guinea pig for a mad scientist. You might even survive. Sadly, this one is less exciting than it sounds - you just have to manage your physical, mental and heart conditions...

"<Ranger>, we need your help. On planet <ToPlanet> of star system <ToStar> our scientists have discovered a sarcophagus. This is a very important archaeological find, however in order to proceed with the research we need a specialist in Goshi languages. As a representative of the Gaalian race you must know their runes well enough so you can be of assistance. But hurry. The expedition must leave the planet in <Day> days."
"Our archaeologists and ethnographists have encountered a problem on the uninhabited planet <ToPlanet> in the system of <ToStar>. In order to solve it you must apply your wits. If you help our academics till <Date> you will get <Money> cr upon your return to <FromPlanet> (<FromStar>). Best of luck!"
"On planet <ToPlanet> there has been an accident on a psi-energy station, which used to supply energy to all the continents. The situation is critical: hundreds have already died of the cold, the defence systems are not working, spaceports cannot accept interplanetary flights and large cities are facing civil disorder.

In their latest report the engineers say that in order to fix the station they need a specialist in quasi-energy balancing. Official Faeyan representatives have declined to fulfil our request, so we need to invite a private consultant. There is a note in your file that you have graduated from a specialist quasi-physics college, and this is just what we need. Please go to planet <ToPlanet> in <ToStar> system and help our engineers. But hurry. Our analysts say the crisis will be out of control in <Day> days."
Simple puzzles... but then again, not everything has to be complex, right?

From SR2:
"Yes, <Ranger>, we've got something for you. The main office of our company - Nevits & Gnik - is located on <ToPlanet> in the <ToStar> system. They've been facing serious problems there with their...uh, 'project'. You'll learn all the details on location. I must warn you that your life will be in grave danger if you accept this mission. You will need nerves of steel to cope with everything there. But if you succeed, the fantastic sum of <Money> cr. will be deposited into your account.

Oh, and I almost forgot. You have to arrive on the planet no later than <Date>."
An adventure in a haunted mansion.
"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 <ToStar> 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 <ToPlanet> 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 <Money> credits. The banquet is scheduled in <Day> days, so you must arrive to the planet of <ToPlanet> on time."
Maloq diplomacy. Need I say more?
"Dear <Ranger>! We have received information saying that there is a secret base of the famous Peleng Lyakusha named Borzukhan on the uninhabited planet of <ToPlanet> in <ToStar> system. Right now we are planning an operation to find and destroy that base, but we need a sufficiently experienced fighter to accomplish this mission. If you agree, you will have to go to the planet of <ToPlanet> within <Day> days. We already have a camp deployed on the planet, where our agents who will brief you on the mission will meet you. You shouldn't have any problems finding the camp; there's a radio beacon nearby. Your fee for this mission will round up to <Money> cr."
A Bond-style adventure. Reminds of the Commando one we did.
"<Ranger>, we have another urgent mission for you. You must fly to planet <ToPlanet> - it's in the <ToStar> system - and bring a disk with important information. You have <Day> days to get it all done. Our man, dressed like a journalist, will meet you in the spaceport. He'll give you a sealed package. He'll say the password, which is: \"Fried chicken\", to which you reply \"Half-baked fried chicken\".

If you'll take the job, we sure hope things go well for you!"
An adventure where you get to make a single meaningful choice - answer a question. The problem is, it's a trick question. :M
"Yes, in fact I think we do have a mission for you, <Ranger>. You see the nephew of our Parliament speaker, Rolan is a daredevil and an adventure-seeker. Always roaming the Galaxy greedy for gain. This time around too, the devil got him into this godforsaken miner place on the planet of <ToPlanet> in the <ToStar> system. And sure thing once again our hero has plu... sorry, I mean got himself into new trouble. We can't really say exactly what happened (this is something you should ask Rolan's wife about), but if you manage to solve the guy's problems by, say, <Date>, we will pay you a fee of <Money> cr. And, yes, we will give you directions to Rolan's wife. So what do you say? We have a deal?"
A sandbox adventure where you roam free in a text world in search of a person. I have no idea how well it would work in a Codexian format. If you want, I can post an example of a screenshot with choices.
"This is more of a job for an engineer than a ranger. We need to install an Edelweiss radio device on the uninhabited planet of <ToPlanet>. We have no permanent communication with our new research base due to the sandstorms caused by the star <ToStar>'s hyperactivity. This powerful apparatus will fix our radio communications with the orbital hyper-transmitter. Of course, you won't be alone at the base. Our geologist will be with you. We trust that <Money> cr. is a sufficient fee, despite your predecessor’s recent death under unclear circumstances. Will you handle this mission in the next <Day> days?"
Less sand-boxy, but still a bit more free-form than I'd like. At least I remember how to finish that one.
"Ah, ranger <Ranger>. It just so happens that a small job has materialized. There is an expedition of archaeologists on planet <ToPlanet> in the <ToStar> system. As usual, they've gotten themselves into some trouble and are in urgent need of help.

We stopped receiving reports from them a few days ago, but yesterday the link started working and one of the members of the expedition came on the line. He informed us that while he had been on a long march in the woods, that strange things happened at the base, and that all of his colleagues, even the robots, had gone missing. So sign the contract and fly to save the unfortunate expedition, and don't forget that we'll pay you <Money> cr. for it! There's hardly any time left - only <Day> days!"
Your first choices in this adventure are to faint, panic, or kill yourself. I will leave the rest to your imagination.
"Are you the <Ranger>? Wonderful, I think our offer will be interesting for you. Mr. Brigee Bardozze's xenopark housing xenomorphs (the Peleng term for rare animals) from all over the Galaxy is very popular on planet <ToPlanet>. Rabby Terezze, the chief xenopark feeder, asked us for help. Unfortunately, some... errr..., problems with the customs will make him stay on <FromPlanet> for some time and he says that the automatic feeder battery charge will be enough for <Day> days only. We propose that you go onto <ToPlanet> and assume Mr. Terezze's responsibilities in the xenopark for that period of time. We suspect that Mr. Bardozze's generosity will be surprisingly nice. Of course, you will get your fee only if all Brigee Bardozze's pets are alive by the chief feeder's arrival.

But note - the automatic feeder will stop functioning in <Day> days, if not earlier, and then all the xenomorphs will die of hunger. So you must be there before it happens and save them."
You have 5 animals and you have to keep them alive. The problem is, you have no idea what they are.

A word of warning - the quests from SR2 are much more massive than their SR1 counterparts. While it arguably makes them more interesting, they are also a lot less focused - meaning that a lot of choices come down to choosing, say, a location you want to go to before you get to do something. They are fun to do in Single Player, but I am not sure if they are viable for a CYOA format. We'll see if we get one of those, I suppose.
 
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MZeta

Scholar
Joined
Sep 28, 2015
Messages
103
Just out of curiosity, is there a feasible way of playing the prison text adventure? It is easy to survive until you get released, but usualy it requres some money (even though i managed sometimes to leave prison richer than when i got in)
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Just out of curiosity, is there a feasible way of playing the prison text adventure?
In-game, or in this mode?

There are a lot of ways, but I prefer fleeing on my first day... unless I am playing Ironman, because there is a 50% chance to get shot by the guards.

There is not much point in staying in prison ever since they nerfed the amount of money you can get by gambling there. Which makes sense - after all, it is a punishment.

I didn't list Prison in this thread since it involves a lot of repetitive choices of what to do each day, for the duration of your stay, and I thought 70 screenshots of that might not be fun. And since there is no clear-cut goal, it does not serve much point outside of the game. You can finish the quest simply by wasting your time. It's not a good candidate for a forum-type game.
 

MZeta

Scholar
Joined
Sep 28, 2015
Messages
103
You can finish the quest simply by wasting your time. It's not a good candidate for a forum-type game.

Yeah, that's what i was concerned off. Still, one of the few games where going to jail was viable playstyle (before the gambling nerf)
 

Kipeci

Arcane
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
3,027
Location
Vicksburg
Play a guinea pig for a mad scientist. You might even survive. Sadly, this one is less exciting than it sounds - you just have to manage your physical, mental and heart conditions...

Don't try to dissuade me from it! I've hungered after the head in a jar for all this time, and now there's the chance to not only BE that head in a jar, but to be handsomely compensated for it, too?

As fun as decorating an office for a government committee sounds, I can't help but choose this option.
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Adventure III. Diehard.

Right. Let's trust the Pelengan government that needs a human test subject for an undoubtedly beneficial purpose. The reward of 250000 credits while other missions pay 4000 at best sounds legit, too. Pelengs are filthy rich because their privateers raid and pillage along the major trading routes in the galaxy, which of course means they can afford to pay such a ridiculous amount to a clueless sod doing them a favor, and absolutely does not mean they are untrustworthy scumbags that never intended to pay us in the first place.
2015_10_03_084015.jpg


Hi there, friends! Nice place you've got!
2015_10_03_084022.jpg


Oh, look! It's the chap whose pic I used earlier to illustrate the difference between pelengs and maloqs. He's like an old acquaintance!
Diehard_00.jpg


Can you tell me about the noble cause you are pursuing this time?
2015_10_03_083728.jpg

So you just need us to float in a pool of acid? Good thing you really like inquisitive humans, or I'd be a bit worried. Besides, if it's for the good of ill and hungry orphans, how can we refuse?

Isn't it a bit gloomy down here, though?
2015_10_03_083808.jpg

Ah. Economy class mission. I understand, what with the rates your government pays to you willing test subjects. I mean, if they have to scrounge 250000 creds for a volunteer, can you really expect them to pay 1000 creds to rent a decent place without going broke?

Let's get started, then!
2015_10_03_083821.jpg

Nah, these guys look alright. Belay the craven thoughts and think of the children! We do this for the Galaxy!

Alright, I guess you guys should get to voting. Don't screw this up! We are going to be rich and famous! :happytrollboy:
 
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MZeta

Scholar
Joined
Sep 28, 2015
Messages
103
I would stay still, excersise under water would probably even lover our tired status.
 

lightbane

Arcane
Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
10,156
This totally does not sound like something out of an Umbrella experiment. I suggest we stand still and hope this acid is not hallucinogenic.
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Standing still, eh? That's awfully boring and decidedly unheroic. Besides, it leaves us time to think, and that is one activity we are not good at. :M
2015_10_03_131642.jpg

What would you like to think about? How you are going to become the savior of the galaxy and homeless children, or maybe about your family claiming your life insurance? Perhaps it would be best not to dwell on such matters at all?
 
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Kipeci

Arcane
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
3,027
Location
Vicksburg
We're contributing to total knowledge, we should take pride in it! Think of the good of the experiment.
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
We ask ourselves some really philosophical questions. :M
2015_10_03_184057.jpg

What now?
 
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Kipeci

Arcane
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
3,027
Location
Vicksburg
What sort of parasite is our character? Think of the benefit the children will accrue!

Anyway, I guess jog slowly? They didn't specify a speed, no use in wearing ourselves out right away for nothing.
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Laziness is integral to the 'Dex. :salute:
Diehard_01.jpg


Your Overlords are not pleased. :decline:
2015_10_03_184104.jpg

Will you please them?
 

lightbane

Arcane
Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
10,156
I say we do so gradually. We don't have to waste our energies needlessly.
 

MZeta

Scholar
Joined
Sep 28, 2015
Messages
103
Go with abruptly, that will maybe speed up the process so we don't have to be submerged for long.
 

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