Completed Let's Beta-Test Wasteland 2

[felipepepe]

The number of safes in this game is really surprising (as in a lot of them), but the loot you find inside them is very disappointing

^THIS, so much this. And be prepared, Ag. Center has like 20 safes, sometimes bundled together, all with shitty loot....

 

[Azira]

Do you think they're gonna change that for the final build?

Oh, and loving that armour.

 

[MicoSelva]

Do you think they're gonna change that for the final build?

They'd have to put more types of loot into the game, as there is now not enough variety to warrant a safe-only class of loot that woouldn't get repetitive after three of them.

^THIS, so much this. And be prepared, Ag. Center has like 20 safes, sometimes bundled together, all with shitty loot....

I know, I've already finished Ag Center. It is quite insane how many people decide to hide five pieces of scrap and six caliber 7.62 bullets inside a safe.

 

[felipepepe]

Do you think they're gonna change that for the final build?

I sure hope so, but they will need to make some big changes. I like having a skill that you use only rarely, but wields bigger rewards. But that's Toaster-Repair right now, safes have almost the same frequency than locked stuff, but you can use Lockpiking to unlock doors as well.

They should make Lockpiking the most popular (with mediocre loot tables), safe-cracking 4-5x times more rare (with better loot), and Toaster-Repair extremely rare (like 10 in the whole game) and with funny & weird loot only.

 

[Crooked Bee]

I'm loving that guy-behind-the-door's attitude. "Won't you pricks fucking help me at last??"

Do go on

 

[MicoSelva]

I'm loving that guy-behind-the-door's attitude. "Won't you pricks fucking help me at last??"

It's actually a girl-behind-the-door.

 

[tindrli]

They should defenetly do something with a loot coz in this state GOD DAMNIT, and i understand that its a game and that it doesnt need to be all real and shit but megamaggot inflicted with Concussion FFS!!
, i mean it must be some kind of joke Or im stupid wich can also be true but still....

I hope just that they will not rush the shit

 

[Storyfag]

I'm loving my snarky attitude :D

 

[Brother None]

Do you think they're gonna change that for the final build?

They'd have to put more types of loot into the game, as there is now not enough variety to warrant a safe-only class of loot that woouldn't get repetitive after three of them.

In case it's not clear, right now I think pretty much every container (unlocked boxes, locked crates, safes, toasters, even patches of dirt I think) use the same loot table. You can consider that pretty placeholder-y.

AgCenter is chock-full of safes. They're not quite that common in the rest of the game but AC is loaded with 'em.

 

[tindrli]

Do you think they're gonna change that for the final build?

They'd have to put more types of loot into the game, as there is now not enough variety to warrant a safe-only class of loot that woouldn't get repetitive after three of them.

In case it's not clear, right now I think pretty much every container (unlocked boxes, locked crates, safes, toasters, even patches of dirt I think) use the same loot table. You can consider that pretty placeholder-y.

AgCenter is chock-full of safes. They're not quite that common in the rest of the game but AC is loaded with 'em.

consider changing that loot table ASAP!!!

 

[MicoSelva]

Previously on Let's Beta test Wasteland 2:

Something's happening alright.

Update #8: A Whole Lotta Words

Warning: this update is just one huge infodump. If you are not interested in dialogues, why would you want to play Wasteland 2 or read an LP about it? you can skip it, or just jump right to the second-to-last screenshot to see the trading interface.

Spoiler

Hello, pretty lady.

Yeah, go ahead, commander, you're the able-tongued here.

*snicker*

Note: this is false advertising. There are exactly zero hostile vegetables in this whole place, unless you count those exploding pods (I don't). Maybe there will be some in the final version of the game (hopefully).

Big bugs are huge.

Oh yeah, we've seen those.

And swatted them like the insects they are.

Uh, Codex? We've actually fought them already. Remember?

Yet it still fell... to The Flyswatter!

Hey, it's Vargas' fault. He ordered me to make the decision whether to help you or Highpool, and I had to give it some thought and consider all possible circumstances. This takes time, you now.

Note: I missed both Rose and the lab, so she will be absent from this LP (she's a follower who can be recruited) almost until the very end, when I finally stumbled onto the place by accident.

That sounds interesting. We have to remember to check that place out.

What.

Uh-oh.

Fuck.

*snicker*

I would make a body snatchers reference here, but the design team already took care of it, with their usual 'arrow in the knee' subtlety.

Spoiler

https://outsidereality.net/LPs/wl2b_lp/wl2b_up07/wl2b_up007_046.jpg

I suggest you start working on the cure asap.

Ten. Gotcha.

I believe this line should have been chosen earlier, as it kind of breaks the (already barely running) flow of the conversation at this point.

Overloaded from... What? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

My poo smells of poo.

Stupidest thing I've ever heard from another researcher anyway.

I think I've missed the computer room too. SPOILER: I really suck at games.

Let me guess: it has blinking lights.

Maybe you have a wizard around?

Uh, Codex, I don't think...

Uhm...

Smooth, commander. Really smooth.

Hot dog!

Snake squeezins?

Caves? What caves?

You're considering a deal with those Rail Nomad lunatics?

I wouldn't know how that feels. Nope. No siree.

Finally getting to the point.

As you can see, some of this stuff is actually free. It's good to be the king heroes of wasteland (2).

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye.

Bye-bye.
----------

Next time: Missing both Rose and the computer controlling airlocks, the Desert Rangers team gets right on the job of saving Ag Center, with their usual grace and skill.

 

[Crooked Bee]

Up to our tits in killer tomatoes


It's disappointing there are actually no killer tomatoes around, though.

 

[MicoSelva]

Quite disappointing indeed.

 

[MicoSelva]

Previously on Let's Beta test Wasteland 2:

Yes, let's not forget to talk to Rose about that...

Update #9: There Really Was No Better Team Available

Spoiler

Let's start by checking out some of the new items we got from Matt Forrestal.

Most of these healing consumables require at least 1 point in field medic, so it's a skill you'll probably want on more than party member.

Obviously I only have it on one party member, because that's how I roll.

The light weight body armour has exactly the same armour value (which is a straightforward damage threshold) as the experimental shield we've found earlier, which suggests that items are not finalized just yet.

Story, you take this thing, if it will shut up your whining.

It will... For the moment.

Not essential at the moment, but nice to have.

There are different types of ammo in the game, here's an example of that. The buckshot version has improved value of... uh... armour piercing? I think? These icons are not exactly self-explanatory and I can't remember what the tool tips said.

Damn, I hope she won't be watching us on every step, or it might be difficult to loot... I mean, it would be very distracting.

Speaking of which...

Everybody stand still.

Alright then. Which one of you had the highest score in the sneaking classes?

Um...

Not me.

Must have skipped those.

Great. Fine then, Story, would you kindly pick up that pod?

Gee, let me think. Yeah, no.

Are you refusing a direct order?

I'm just saying that probably you don't really want the only guy smart enough to operate bandages to get wounded and/or annoyed at you. Maybe there is someone more suitable to the job in question?

Good point. Erebus, grab that pod.

Sure, commander.

Ow.

I only got a part of it, commander.

How many of these do we need exactly?

At least ten.

I hope Erebus is as tough as he looks then.

I'm not sure picking 'scrap' as the currency of the game was the best decision. I don't think it would as valuable in a world where there's plenty of well-preserved items lying around. Also, seeing scrap have zero weight is just plain weird.

Seems like our commander's 'charisma' is able to open every door in the world.

I don't think we should go in there.

But if we don't check the room, we might miss out on some loot. I mean, information.

Moving closer would mean death to that guy.

But... but...

Commander, priorities.

Ok, fine. Let's move on.

Hey, there's a book in here.

I'm not hungry.

Pup scout guide! I loved these as a child.

You can take it then.

I wish books were not written on the vanishing paper. More people would be able to enjoy them.

Yeah, book publishers were pretty crazy on copyright infringement before the apocalypse. First there was this rule of one book = one reader. Then they changed it into one book = one read. Horrible stuff. Good thing it all died in a fire.

Seeing as higher skills levels cost more skill points, you'll probably want to save your skill-improving books for later in the game. Unless of course there is some cap above which they won't work, like in Fallouts 1 & 2.

Heh heh.

Story, can you hack that?

Obviously.

Weren't we supposed to find someone named Rose and get the door code from her?

Why don't you shut up and let him work?

Whatever.

Am I so good? Yes, I am.

Bunnies!

Thanks, but we've already fought them. Erebus, grab that pod.

Ow.

And that one.

Ow.

Commander, you do realize that we can also shoot these things from afar?

Uhm... Well, obviously! Go ahead, Azira.

And she actually managed to hit. It's probably because the pod wasn't moving...

What did you say?

Put the shotgun down!

Someone in trouble. No worry, someone. We'll save you.

Get them, but watch out for the pods.

I like the graphical effect of combat starting, but I liked the original one (from the first video) too. Ideally there would be more than one effect and they would be chosen randomly, but I don't really expect that.

Erebus smacks one of the rabbits into a paste, dealing 66 damage.

Commander Codex' efforts are not as spectacular, but still work.

Azira likes to bash little rabbits' brains out.

And we're done. Another grandiose victory for the desert rangers.

Sorry 'bout the bunnies. Maybe you can fix them? No?

Pigeon wrangler? is that an euphemism for...

Shut up, Story.

You can't tell me to shut up! You don't outrank me!

Erebus.

Shut up, Story.

Alright, aright. Just put the wrench down already.

And suddenly the rank is not so important any more.

The party gets some XP for saving Julio. I wonder if it is possible to fail to save him (other than get eaten by rabbits, of course).

Ow.

Erebus, what the fuck are you doing? We were supposed not to get anywhere near the pods any more.

Oh. Sorry. I forgot.

Gladly.

Erebus, you idiot!

Oh. Sorry.

No can do. Not at the moment at least.

We'll be back.

While exploring we get a radio transmission from Highpool:

sucks to be them.

Some corridors and rooms are blocked off by unbreakable vines. I guess they will become destructible when we finish the quest here.

Checking the other greenhouse.

Shit, I forgot she's watching our every step.

Commander Codex gets a level up.

The funny thing (IMO) is that one of the people saying 'I'm in love with Kathy Lawson!' is a female. I wonder if that's intentional.

For this fight Azira puts her mace away and gets the shotgun.

Don't get swarmed!

Angela helps too, with her OA-16.

These flies inflict some mildly annoying status effect. Nothing to worry about, really.

You can't do anything against The Flyswatter, bitch!

Fuck yeah!

I hate these things.

Boom! Heh heh.

It hurts! it hurts! It's hurts to be so goooood!

Don't get carried away, or this thing will explode in your face.

I wish you didn't warn him.

Hey, I don't care about his attitude, as long as he keeps killing the flies. Just as I don't care about yours, as long as you...

Understood, thank you.

What are you doing? Do you want to die, or kill Story, or what?

I knew this thing can take it.

Die, motherf-FUCK!

Ouch! You fucking idiot!

The fuck? I can't believe you actually did it!

Yeah, it does not seem as good an idea as it did ten seconds ago.

Damnit, Angela! You too?

Get away!

No, Angela!

Damnit, woman!

76 XP. Not bad at all. This was probably the most difficult encounter we fought in the Ag Center.

Spoiler

Including, sadly, all the encounters in future updates. I guess combat balancing is still on the 'to do' list at InXile.

StoryFAQ and Erebus get level ups field promotions.

Remember no to go too close to th- Ouch!

Geez, how stupid can you be to accidentally walk too close to an exploding pod.

Fuck!

*snicker*

Me too! Me- OW.

Damnit, Erebus.

----------

Next time: We'll go underground. (Not as in hiding, just to the basement.)

 

[Azira]

Got enough pod parts yet?

 

[MicoSelva]

Even after I got enough I was exploding those pods just for fun, because I knew my guys will regenerate anyway after I inevitably go afk to lok after my son and the game will stay idling.

At least it worked in the initial build. I think inXile removed the health regen now?

 

[Crooked Bee]

Mutant bunnies, yay!

I'm not sure picking 'scrap' as the currency of the game was the best decision. I don't think it would as valuable in a world where there's plenty of well-preserved items lying around. Also, seeing scrap have zero weight is just plain weird.

Simulationist detected

 

[MicoSelva]

Previously on Let's Beta test Wasteland 2:

Thank God decline for health regeneration allowing us to combat lack of skills in the alpha.

Sorry, beta, not alpha. I confused it with that other early access game (right...).

Update #10: Mushroom Samba

Spoiler

For some reason I am missing a few screenshots here. No idea what heppened to them.

Anyway, the central basement room has a computer allowing Desert Rangers to access three airlocks (east, west and south, one at a time). The south one leads to the mushrooms caves, which is the place we will be checking out in this update.

I love mushrooms.

That explains a lot.

Heads up, we've got company!

And we're in the mood for cliche one-liners, apaprently.

I really could live without seeing a fly in such detail.

SPLAT, heh heh.

Down you go.

SHIT! Why did I do that?

No, Angela!

Nevermind.

Could you guys stop making pod people explode in your face?

Let's not get too close to this guy.

Watch out!

SMACKDOWN!

Angela, seriously, stop that.

Oh, god.

Can you save her?

Maybe if I had access to medical equipment in the citadel...

In other words: no.

No.

I considered just continuing without Angela at this point, but in the end reloaded the game to try the encounter again.

Azira pounds the first fly.

And one of the maggots.

Erebus destroys another one.

Azira's armor proves to be pod-people-proof.

And since she has a lot of HP (relatively), I decide to kill the exploding guy in melee.

Seven damage is no big deal overall.

Yay, victory.

More of the indestructible vines.

Level up for Azira.

I've noticed that health regeneration does not kick in if characters are below certain % of health, so StoryFAQ uses a blood pack (I think) to regain some HP.

We eventually reach this area.

Someone's lying over there. Go and check if he's dead, Azira.

Yep, he's dead.

Hey, look, another one of these. Dibs.

How can you use two at once?

I can't. Still, dibs.

If we go in there, he, uh, won't shoot.

Let's do it, then.

Here, look.

I actually am already inside.

Desert Rangers, baby.

You'll what? I AM ALREADY INSIDE!

Tragic.

I've already explained this to Kathy Lawson.

Very good with mushrooms.

I bet.

Let's go then.

Most of the containers here, uh, contain standard loot.

But one of them has this.

It has quest item written all over it (not literally).

Locked doors won't stop Desert Rangers from... saving everyone. Yeah.

Oh yes, let's check every of these chests and crates for potentially dangerous items that could harm someone in the future.

Well, we do find mostly ammo and scrap in there.

Ammo is potentially explosive and scrap can have very sharp edges.

And the medical supplies?

Could be harmful if misused.

Yeah, that's why I never let any of you touch them.

Big 'shrooms.

There's plenty of fishes in the sea, and all that. Off you go.

----------

Next time: More basement exploration, with an actual puzzle! Sort of. Kind of? I don't know. You'll see.

 

[Storyfag]

Have I praised my snarky attitude recently? No? Well, it's wonderful!

 

[MicoSelva]

I know you only say that so i finish this thing asap and go back to my BG2 LP.

Anyway, there are two updates left and I won't be able to post both of them today (or even one, for that matter), so yeah, we have a delay. Blame my job. Hopefully #11 will arrive over the weekend, and as for #12... Well, it should appear eventually too.

 

[Azira]

MicoSelva's job!

 

[Baron Dupek]

That's why we don't have nice things

 

[MicoSelva]

Previously on Let's Beta test Wasteland 2:

Mushrooms, mushrooms, flies, maggots, mushrooms, flies, mushrooms, maggots, mushrooms... You get the picture.

This quest could use some more enemy variety, and yes, it would be great if we could fight against giant mushrooms, but I'll take killer tomatoes and/or pumpkins too.

Update #11: Feed The World

Spoiler

Which way now?

Wait a moment.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch a n- uhm, tiger by the toe.
If he hollers, let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe...

East.

Wait, is this how you decided whether we will come here or go to Highpool?

...Well...

You know what, I don't even want to know.

And it took him eight hours to memorize that.

Erebus.

Sorry, sorry, forget I said anything.

*cough* I can't breathe.

What is this shit?

Some kind of *cough* gas, we probably shouldn't be breathing it in too much.

I kinda like it.

Quick, get in there!

Supaflies ahead!

I bet five bucks I can make the best bug related one-liner while we kill them.

You're on!

I now know I must have misheard when you were promising me 'big bucks' when I signed up for the rangers, Codex.

Not bad.

Note that Azira was standing outside the room when the encounter began, which prevented her from taking part in it, as she was unable to enter the room due to a bug some invisible forcefield.

I think of something too.

Sure, big guy, whatever.

Yeah, show us how it's done Angela.

Ok, I guess some rangers *would* hurt a fly.

Meh.

Watch me play SQUASH, like a true gentleman!

Ha, ha! My tun, my turn!

Dog goes woof, cat goes meow, bird goes tweet and bug goes SPLAT!

I think Erebus wins.

I'd say.

Yeah...

I the best!

Angela finishes off the last fly.

Everybody ok? Good. let's check out this room.

Kathy Lawson sure is popular here.

Reading the pup scout guide has improved Azira's outdoorsman skill enough to give us a reasonable 70% chance of success here.

Which is nice, because a failure would destroy the item inside.

Admittedly, it's nothing special, but I expect it may be a bit better in the final version of the game.

One more...

Oh, it's an Avon product.

I don't know if it's a regular (random) item or if it is supposed to be special in some way - doesn't look like it, which is weird considering where it came from (easily breakable one-use container). Maybe it's just a placeholder.

Let's check the side-corridor here.

Erebus, go check that door.

It won't open.

We'll have to find another way.

Spinning too fast, I can't get through.

We've got you covered there, big guy.

In the side corridor there are switches that turn off the fans in the main one.

Awkay.

Aha! I so smart!

Highpool people are such whiners. I'm glad we've decided to come here instead.

The main team turns all the fans back on.

While Erebus reaches the entrance to the other side corridor...

...and turns on the rest of the fans.

We've done it. The poison gas has been cleared.

I don't want to know where it went.

There's a ladder to to east fields at the end of that corridor, but we leave the outside for later and instead move straight into the west corridor now.

More poison gas. Just what we need.

We've reached the morgue.

I see dead people.

You guys *cough* wait in the rooom with the inex- *cough* inexp- *cough* inexplicably *cough* clean air, while I open these *cough* door.

Sure thing, commander.

Damn it. *cough* It will take a little more *cough* time.

No hurry, we're quite fine here.

Maybe I break the door, commander?

No need. I can *cough* do it.

Yes!

Why not do both?

Let me handle the robot.

Look at it go!

Oops. I might tuned the rpm a bit too high. Oh well.

Erebus?

Bad wall! Bad!

Impressive, if pointless.

Oh shit.

The team prevails, but we receive quite a beating considering there were only four enemies in this encounter (and exploding pods as environmental hazard).

Good job on not dying, people.

There is only one fan in this corridor. Turning it on, even for a second, gets rid of the poison gas.

A few more of these and all of us will outrank Vargas. Including Erebus.

Who does she think we are? A bunch of psychos?

That's the one question you really don't want an honest answer for.

So sad.

That's an odd figure.

No! Bunnies!

We don't respond well to threats.

Yes, we usually just run away.

Brave.

Stupid.

Bunnies...

We'll get right on to it.

Hey, look what I found!

No, Erebus. Put that down. And wash your hands.

Let me just.... there.

We've got a body here.

That 'body' is moaning.

A zombie!

No, she's right. Someone's just hurt. Help him, Story.

Ok, ok.

You're *welcome*.

You ok?

Interesting.

We ask him about Kathy Lawson, typing the keyword in manually (no screenshot, sorry).

At this point I am missing a bunch of screenshots again. After finishing the conversation with Sue , we take a look around his room, noticing a couple odd things: a book called 'Feed The World' and a suitcase with some research samples hidden under the bed.

If anyone is interested what does Perception skill actually do, it highlights these points of interests, making them glitter from time to time.

We talk to Sue again:

Right...

New locations appear on the map.

Cool shit, you say. Fine then.

----------

Next time: The final definite ultimate Ag Center update, including the boss fight!!111oneone!1 Stay tuned!

 

[Azira]

That Sue guy sure seems reliable. Good thing you decided to help him.

 

[MicoSelva]

Yeah, I mean, what could go wrong?