Let's Play: The McCarthy Chronicles

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Stumbling blindly through the streets of Codex Playground at midnight, rain falling heavily on my fedora, I found myself standing in front of a case that would certainly be worthy of reporting to the fellow denizens of this godforsaken place...

McCarthy Chronicles is supposed to be a series of freeware noir adventure games made with the same engine that the Blackwell games, The Shivah and Yahtzee's stuff also utilised. So far, only episode 1 has been released, and it's short as hell (possibly even shorter than The Shivah...), so keep in mind that I'll try to make the updates short, in order for this thread not to end in 3 updates.





An endless parade of nonsensical events marching past me, taunting me to just give a damn.

When you're strung up by a man you shot between the eyes with a .38 revolver not five minutes earlier, you being to wonder if there really is any reality to accompany the poetry. As my vision began to fade and euphoria washed over my body from lack of oxygen to my brain, all I could think about was how I got here.

And not how I could get out...

Starts promising, alright. This hangman is our protagonist. He also has some painfully annoying voice acting (supplied by the developer) that is more emo than noir, but what you gonna do?

Guess it's not a coincidence the guy is named McCARTHy.



Flashback. We all love flashbacks.



Things are never immediately clear. The line of the dream and the cold light of day is blurred somewhat by the incessance of a telephone.

Telephone ringing in the background.



I hadn't had a case in weeks, the headlines after my previous job saw to that.

'Where are you?'

The woman on the phone on the end of the line sounded breathy and seductive.

And just a little terrified.

'I'll be in twenty minutes.'



She'd asked me to meet her in a small church across town. I knew the place. It's been abandoned for quite a while. The gang activity in the area was maybe too much for the preacher. Guess even God can be convinced with a kind word and a blood stained baseball bat.



In silly-looking coloured underwear?

and none of the talent



She was dead when I got there. Crimson fluid snaked around the altar to which she was tied, glimmering in the moonlight.

Still warm. No wonder she was terrified... shit!

Squad car sirens start screaming nearby.

I couldn't be found in a church with a still warm corpse. I had to get out of there.

There must be some way out of here, said the joker to the thief.

And we finally gain control of our grimdark detective.



There's a matchbook on the ground.



Holding the left mouse button makes this action window pop up. It's a little clunky, and right-clicking to make it appear or having the actions hotkeyed would have been better.

The actions are typical - speak, examine, use. We 'use' the matchbook, and McCarthy picks it up.

It's from the Grovesnor Hotel. Sounds like a good next stop.

You can also try using yourself...







There are some scratches on the wall to the left.



I succeeded in summoning Satan.

Ritual murder. Lovely.



It doesn't look like it's supporting her in any way. Maybe they used it to get her up there.

Convenient. What kind of a half-assed murdered would leave such obvious evidence behind him? Whatever, let's snatch it.



She looks young, 17 maybe. Smells like gasoline. I hope they weren't planning what I think they were.

Paint the man, cut the lines. PAINT THE MAN, CUT THE LINES!!



The moon sparkled on the recently spilled blood like tiny crimson dancers.



Seems like a good way out. Can't reach it, though.



Time to get ourselves all covered in a murder-victim's blood.

I can already hear JarlFrank fapping.

I need to take a look at this hotel.



It was part of a huge estate just outside the city. It used to be a manor house before it was a hotel. I guess the uptake of a big house like that isn't cheap.





Grimdark.

And here we'll finish for now. In the next update, we'll get inside the house, shoot the yokels, save the day, take their cash and blow it all on whisky and hookers.

:shock:

Cool!

So dark.

Great, another lp!! By the way, is the entire game in (grimdark) black and white?

You forgot to mention that the game is freeware and available for download here.

Yes, it's completely in b&w, and it even has a film filter.

Of course not. It has one green plant and some red pools of blood

I clicked expecting an adventure about hunting commies, but I'll download it for the noir and grimdark.

When I saw the title the first time, that was my expectation too. I was very disappoint

Ah, my bad.

I think there are hotkeys in the game. 't' or space is for using/taking things. Talk to and look at seem not to be bound.

Last time we left mr McCarthy, he was on his way to the Grovesnor hotel, to investigate the death of his client.

You can actually toggle the grimdark in this game, with a 'film grain' slider in the options menu.



Minimum.



Maximum.

Guess I'll hold on to the lower than half setting (unless you prefer otherwise)



We inspect the road, and McCarthy picks up some stones.

Never know when you might need some worthless stone chippings.

That's the spirit, boy!

Nothing more to do, so we leave through the left edge of the screen.





Too dirty to see inside.



Climb the ivy like a bro, McCarthy.

Too fragile to climb





Locked, and I don't think I'll be breaking down this solid oak door.



Doesn't seem to work.

No way in, and McCarthy is too much of a LARPer to invest in useful skills that would help us get inside.

So we leave through the left edge again.





Locked.

Duh.



I can see the light of a candle, but not much else. I think someone's up there.

I guess the solution to getting inside is pretty obvious by now, but let's go left one more time.



The gate is, of course, locked.



So we return to the backdoor and throw some stones at the window



Worth a try.

Of course it is.



Even in the dank midnight air her voice carried on the wind like butterflies

Good evening, I'd like to speak to the head of the house.

Of course, sir, I'll unlock the main door for you.

Thank you, miss.

My heart pounded as her voice ricocheted around inside my head



Will you be staying with us this evening, sir?

I couldn't imagine sleeping in this god-forsaken place. But I couldn't imagine leaving this girl behind...

That's right, McCarthy. Embrace your inner Rance

I'm not sure yet, Miss.

Well, mr Grovesnor is in the drawing room. Whenever you're ready, mr...

McCarthy.

A glimmer of recognition flashed through her ivory face, but she didn't say anything

Well, my name's Sarah. Sarah Mackenzie. Pleased to meet you, mr McCarthy.

I will take you with me, Sarah Mackenzie. Wherever I go, I will take you with me





As much as I'd like to, I don't think it's a good idea.

Wuss.





A skinny, gaunt man, no older than mid twenties stood in vain trying to warm himself by the fire. I assumed this to be Grovesnor. I should introduce myself.



This guy talks with a silly Scottish accent.

My name's Rick McCarthy, I'm a private investigator working for a potential client. Do you have a moment for a few questions?

My client was dead, but solving this one could be very good for business

McCarthy? Yes, I think I saw something about you in the newspaper. Although I neglected to read the article, I'm afraid. What would you like to know?



How's business?

Business trots on as business does. There are still a few guests in the hotel. Only Sarah and Victoria are currently permanent residents, though.

Anything unusual in the last few days?

Hmm, no I don't think so. In fact, things have been rather quite as of late. The other guests may be able to help you further than I.



Sarah?

Yes, she's actually a new addition to the household. Been here a few weeks. A backpacker, as I understand, or something similar. I offered her a free room and board, and a small wage of course, in exchange for her services as cook and maid.

Victoria?

Quite a feisty young woman. Very inquisitive, too. She seemed very interested in the history of the estate. She can usually be found in the bar, pouring herself drinks.

That's all I need to know.

Don't mention it, sir. Will you be staying with us this evening? The weather is quite atrocious.

Thank you, but no, I think I've learnt everything I can.

It seemed very possible that the matchbook was a red herring. I thought it would be wise to come back in the morning with a fresh head and a new set of questions



This small study is behind the door to the left. Nothing to see here, citizens.

Let's get back to the car, then.





What's wrong, you fat failure?



My car's tires had been slashed. It seems someone is intent on me staying. Perhaps the matchbook was not a red herring after all

Oh my, the plot thickens.



'Apparantly'. This game is full of such stupid spelling mistakes. Putting the friggin script through a spellchecker wouldn't hurt, ffs. Not to mention the frequent lack of commas.

Oh?

It seems someone has slashed my tires.

How awful! This is not the first time this has happened, though. I suspect wolves...

The idea of wolves tearing at my tires struck me as suspicious.

I blame the jews.

Wolves?

Indeed, there has been the odd sighting on the estate for the past few months.

I see.

Well, at any rate, please accept lodgings for the night, or indeed, as long as you need, free of charge.

That's very kind of you, mr Grovesnor.

Please call me Michael. Speak to Sarah and she will prepare a room for you. Also, feel free to wander the house. With the exception of the west wing, which is closed for refurbishment.



You mentioned wolves?

Indeed so, yes. A woman not long ago had her tires mauled by what could only be considered claws.

Has anyone actually seen the beasts?

Hmm, Victoria mentioned seeing one from the window. Perhaps you should speak with her.

Thanks. I'll speak to Sarah about my room.



It seems someone, or something, has sabotaged my car, miss. So I will be staying the night.

Oh, how terrible! Luckily, one of the rooms is available. Here's the key. It's up the stairs, and the last door on the right.

Thank you.

Oh, and mr McCarthy... be careful.

DUN DUN DUN

Careful?

I hear things at night. In the walls.

Rats in the walls, oh God no, this is horrible!

What things?

Scratching...

Well, I always have my revolver, miss. I'm sure I'll be okay.

I'd had it for six years. I've only fired once.

Thank you for your help.



Let's check what's behind this door before we head upstairs.



An acrid smell of stale cigarette smoke and split champagne from years long since past hung in above my head like a cloud. A young woman stood at the bar, drink in hand. She watched me intently as a predator watches its prey. This was Victoria.



Victoria, I presume?

Victoria Renton.

Rick McCarthy.

Ah, we have someone famous among us.

Infamous, perhaps.

Well, I always prefered infamy. Better the devil you know.

Do you mind if I ask you some questions?

Please do.



What are you doing here?

I'm just passing through, really.

Mr Grovesnor said you were a permanent resident.

Actually, he said 'permanant', but let's not get deeper into this.

Permanent is a little strong. I lingered here because I like the scenery, and the house is simply fascinating.

This house?

Yes, it seems there is quite a history here. Though I haven't really involved myself too much. I'm just here for the ever-encroaching sense of ennui, I suppose. And the vodka, of course.

Mr Grovesnor mentioned that you may have seen wolves on the estate.

If that's what he wishes to call them.

You disagree?

Well, it was dark, but the way they moved was...

Her eyes moved so slightly to the floor

Frightening...

What's your opinion of Sarah?

She seems nice enough. We haven't spoken a great deal, though... I get the impression she's intimidated by me.

she cracked a wicked grin

Shy girls are always more fun, wouldn't you agree?

Threesome incoming!

What's your opinion of Michael?

I think he's terribly afraid of something. He seems to be terribly at edge most of the time, especially if there are lots of guests in the house.

Any idea why that might be?

He's not particularly forthcoming when it comes to his personal life. He seems to spend the majority of his time by the fire, lamenting the slow loss of his family.

His family?

The Grovesnor family is something of a tragedy, mr McCarthy. The vast majority of them died before the age of 35. Some died before adulthood. Michael is the last alive and youngest of his generation. He even outlived his niece, and I don't think he's ever recovered from that.

That's all I wanted to know.

Anytime. Can I, perhaps, interest you in a nightcap back at my room?

she looked me straight in the eye, waiting to read my reaction

IT'S A TRAP



Thank you for the offer, miss, but I'm afraid I must decline.

Carpe noctum, mr McCarthy.

Seize the night?

For we may not see another.

her words chilled me to the bone

Another night, perhaps.

Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.

Alright, let's return to the lobby and go upstairs.



That's my room.



I couldn't help but feel that death ran down the walls like ever encroaching flood water.

Nothing to do in here, really.



Let's head to bed... and end the update here.


By jove, I've forgotten how much of a pain was LP'ing adventure games. In the next update, we'll attempt to survive a night in the hotel and dick around the estate, annoying people with inane questions.

Somebody clearly shows symptoms of no-life syndrome...

it's dark, it's gritty!

The grandfather's clock in the entrance hallway is a Day of the Tentacle reference (examine it).

Oh yeah! Get your rapeface on!

Update?

Anyone knows if there`ll be second part?

Ah, my girlfriend wanted me to play this, but I was too baked at the time. Seemed fun enough, though. Please do continue.

Meh, you know what? Screw this. I don't feel like continuing, and forced lps are no good.

Besides, I have a lot more amusing LP in mind anyway.

Right now, the status of this is 'on hold', maybe I'll rez it when episode 2 comes out or something.


Next-day edit: Yeah, nobody seems to give a shit anyway. Good that I iced this lp, then

what? no
give it back you fucker
continue with this LP