Let's Play: Knights of the Old Republic COMPLETE

[CM156_v1legacy]

The ending to DA 2 pissed me off so much, that i still hate it.

The ending was atrocious, but the final battle of Kirkwall was very well done, I thought. You really saw the flaws in both sides, the heroes and villains that occupied both sides of the conflict.

Spoiler

I also loved the way companions would turn against you if they weren't closeenough to you. I didn't use Fenris at all, so he turned against me.

I wish there was a third option rather than siding with the templars or mages. A "I-Am-going-to-protect-the-citizens-so-don't-get-in-my-way" option. But no. You have to pick.

 

[woodaba]

The ending to DA 2 pissed me off so much, that i still hate it.

The ending was atrocious, but the final battle of Kirkwall was very well done, I thought. You really saw the flaws in both sides, the heroes and villains that occupied both sides of the conflict.

Spoiler

I also loved the way companions would turn against you if they weren't closeenough to you. I didn't use Fenris at all, so he turned against me.

I wish there was a third option rather than siding with the templars or mages. A "I-Am-going-to-protect-the-citizens-so-don't-get-in-my-way" option. But no. You have to pick.

I think that's the point. The relentless extremism of both sides would paint you as an enemy to both in the "If you're not with me you're against me" kind of vibe. Hawke had interacted with both factions to a large extent throughout his life, and thus, was skirting a very dangerous line. Ultimately, if Hawke had just said "Fuck all of you." (which is what I wanted to say) he probably would have been killed right then and there.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

The ending to DA 2 pissed me off so much, that i still hate it.

The ending was atrocious, but the final battle of Kirkwall was very well done, I thought. You really saw the flaws in both sides, the heroes and villains that occupied both sides of the conflict.

Spoiler

I also loved the way companions would turn against you if they weren't closeenough to you. I didn't use Fenris at all, so he turned against me.

I wish there was a third option rather than siding with the templars or mages. A "I-Am-going-to-protect-the-citizens-so-don't-get-in-my-way" option. But no. You have to pick.

I think that's the point. The relentless extremism of both sides would paint you as an enemy to both in the "If you're not with me you're against me" kind of vibe. Hawke had interacted with both factions to a large extent throughout his life, and thus, was skirting a very dangerous line. Ultimately, if Hawke had just said "Fuck all of you." (which is what I wanted to say) he probably would have been killed right then and there.

Really, what I wanted to do was flay Anders alive. What an asshole

But yea, I suppose I can see a sort of forced-dichotomy

Personally, I agreed with the Templars. Because mages were freaking crazy

Spoiler

 

[woodaba]

Update Six: Alas, poor Hendar. I knew him, Horatio.

Spoiler

Last time, Varen was mulling over whether or not to save a stranger.

"Ha ha ha, don't make me laugh."

I like the way the game tries to make us feel bad for killing a faceless NPC. Lady, Varen feeds on misery. You're just encouraging her.

HENDAR NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Alas, poor Hendar. I knew him, Horatio.

Just keep justifying your actions to yourself. The doubt will eat at you. It will gnaw at your psyche until nothing remains. You will realize that you could have opened the gate that day. You will realize that you were nothing more than a coward.

And, on that fateful day, you will die.

Well, he got over Hendar quickly. Poor, poor Hendar....

"Open the gate for me."

He opens the gate for us, without problem from any Rakghouls, might I add, and after burying Hendar, we are assaulted by an old friend.

"Whoa, whoa, slow down Mission. What's wrong with you?"

"Zaalbar? The wookiee? The guy who saved you in the bar just by staring at your assailants? Man, this is one hell of a case of Badass Decay. How did he get in this situation?"

"You just ran off and left him? Some friend you are."

"Wait here. I'll be back when I find Zaalbar."

"If I help you get your walking carpet back, you have to help me get into the Black Vulkar base."

Mission joins our party! However, she's a scoundrel, like us, so we won't be using her for very long. But, it's good to have another blaster on our side.

This is the biggest problem I have with Taris. Objective pileup. If you are unfamiliar with this term, it describes the situation where you have one goal, but you are increasingly laden with objectives that undermine the flow of the story. Taris is incredibly offensive in this regard. I'll explain.

Our mission is to find Bastila. Our clues indicate that she is in the Lower city. We need to find Sith Uniforms to get into the Lower city. In order to obtain the uniforms we need to go to a sith party. Once thats done, we need to find Bastila in the Lower city. In order to find Bastila, we need to win a race. In order to win the race, we need a prototype engine. To get the engine, we need to find the Black Vulkar base. In order to get into the base, we need to find mission. In order to find Mission, we need to go to the Undercity. In order to recruit mission, we need to find Zaalbar.

Confused yet?

A Sith patrol confronts us. I would be quaking in my troops, but the entire sith army is entirely incompetent.

"I don't like your tone!"

Maybe stop killing people? Maybe?

The Sith die instantly. Still incompetent.

Mission starts blabbing to Carth. While Rakghouls crawl around us. So, I guess she's an idiot too. Great.

"My 3D glasses are totally rad, man."

Ooh, burn. /sarcasm

"You're not going to take that from him, are you Mission?"

So, that's two characters I hate. Great.

Well, maybe she becomes a better character once we learn more about her.

"I want to know a little bit more about you, Mission."

"Where the hell are your parents? Why the hell do they let you go down here?"

"What kind of a fool would pick a fight with a wookiee?"

"You're lucky he didn't fry you with a blaster."

"Did Zaalbar kill him?"

"How did Zaalbar end up on Taris?"

Foreshadowing! I love it!

"How did you survive before you met Zaalbar?"

"Yeah, man! I've got some serious attitude, dude! Plus, I had some help from a group of pubescent mutated turtles who knew ninjitsu."

"We should get back to the matter at hand because you fill me with disgust."

"Your brother sounds like an asshole."

"Yeah, well my brothers a pretty sore subject y'know? Don't like to talk about OH LOOK SITH!"

"Mission-wait!"

"Look what I, uh found!"

We do find one of the journals we're looking for on the corpse. And the almighty Rakghoul Serum.

Just around the corner, we find a sign of Bastila.

There's one survivor of the crash, who has not been picked off by the Vulkars or the Sith. However, the Rakghouls have taken their fair share of this poor soldier. I'm sure Varen will react in a kind and restrained manner.

"Get away from me, you diseased freak!"

I like the way people turn into Not-Zombies. They just sort of clutch their head, then a magical cloud appears around them and then POOF! Instant Rakghoul.

After we put a blaster bolt in his brain, we come across another patrol. This time, it's a more familiar face...

"I go where I want, when I want."

...again, we wipe out the rakghouls before I get the oppurtunity for any decent screenshots. I'm gonna buff up the difficulty next time.

"So you're just going to run back to the surface with your tail between your legs? Some Mandalorian you are."

We return the journal we found back to the crazy dude at the camp.

"Mission killed your apprentice. I have her journal."

"I didn't kill her! She...just sorta...walked into my lasers."

"I'm not Moses, asshole. I think you have me confused with someone else."

Foreshadowing!

"Fine: tell me the history of your people. I warn you, I probably will fall asleep during your long-winded tale."

Captain Obvious does what he does best.

"Are you going to get to the point soon?"

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS PROMISED LAND THAT YOU KEEP BLABBING ON ABOUT?!?"

"I don't like where this is going.... I already have a journal. Am I off the Fetch quest hook?"

"GODDAMIT!"

Varen is unhappy with the continued lack of a promised reward. However, as we near the exit of the town...

"Stop him? What are you talking about?"

If it wasn't for Gendar, I figure this place would fall apart.

I JUST SAID THAT!

"You want me to kill Rukil to shut him up? I can do that, you know. I offer VERY competitive rates."

"I'll do it, but not for the credits. Evil is a full time profession that pays plenty well for me."

That's all for today folks! Tomorrow, we descend into the catacombs in search of a Wookiee, a journal, and encounter more than we bargained for.

I'll see you next time.

Question time! Morality systems are pretty common in games nowadays. However, in a lot of cases, they are just crammed in there for no good reason. Have there been any games were the Morality System ended up detracting from the experience?

For me, the most egrecious example has got to be the absolutely diabolical 2005 release Shadow the Hedgehog. That game is brain poison.

See you tomorrow!

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Update Six: Alas, poor Hendar. I knew him, Horatio.

Spoiler

Last time, Varen was mulling over whether or not to save a stranger.

"Ha ha ha, don't make me laugh."

I like the way the game tries to make us feel bad for killing a faceless NPC. Lady, Varen feeds on misery. You're just encouraging her.

HENDAR NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Alas, poor Hendar. I knew him, Horatio.

Just keep justifying your actions to yourself. The doubt will eat at you. It will gnaw at your psyche until nothing remains. You will realize that you could have opened the gate that day. You will realize that you were nothing more than a coward.

And, on that fateful day, you will die.

Well, he got over Hendar quickly. Poor, poor Hendar....

"Open the gate for me."

He opens the gate for us, without problem from any Rakghouls, might I add, and after burying Hendar, we are assaulted by an old friend.

"Whoa, whoa, slow down Mission. What's wrong with you?"

"Zaalbar? The wookiee? The guy who saved you in the bar just by staring at your assailants? Man, this is one hell of a case of Badass Decay. How did he get in this situation?"

"You just ran off and left him? Some friend you are."

"Wait here. I'll be back when I find Zaalbar."

"If I help you get your walking carpet back, you have to help me get into the Black Vulkar base."

Mission joins our party! However, she's a scoundrel, like us, so we won't be using her for very long. But, it's good to have another blaster on our side.

This is the biggest problem I have with Taris. Objective pileup. If you are unfamiliar with this term, it describes the situation where you have one goal, but you are increasingly laden with objectives that undermine the flow of the story. Taris is incredibly offensive in this regard. I'll explain.

Our mission is to find Bastila. Our clues indicate that she is in the Lower city. We need to find Sith Uniforms to get into the Lower city. In order to obtain the uniforms we need to go to a sith party. Once thats done, we need to find Bastila in the Lower city. In order to find Bastila, we need to win a race. In order to win the race, we need a prototype engine. To get the engine, we need to find the Black Vulkar base. In order to get into the base, we need to find mission. In order to find Mission, we need to go to the Undercity. In order to recruit mission, we need to find Zaalbar.

Confused yet?

A Sith patrol confronts us. I would be quaking in my troops, but the entire sith army is entirely incompetent.

"I don't like your tone!"

Maybe stop killing people? Maybe?

The Sith die instantly. Still incompetent.

Mission starts blabbing to Carth. While Rakghouls crawl around us. So, I guess she's an idiot too. Great.

"My 3D glasses are totally rad, man."

Ooh, burn. /sarcasm

"You're not going to take that from him, are you Mission?"

So, that's two characters I hate. Great.

Well, maybe she becomes a better character once we learn more about her.

"I want to know a little bit more about you, Mission."

"Where the hell are your parents? Why the hell do they let you go down here?"

"What kind of a fool would pick a fight with a wookiee?"

"You're lucky he didn't fry you with a blaster."

"Did Zaalbar kill him?"

"How did Zaalbar end up on Taris?"

Foreshadowing! I love it!

"How did you survive before you met Zaalbar?"

"Yeah, man! I've got some serious attitude, dude! Plus, I had some help from a group of pubescent mutated turtles who knew ninjitsu."

"We should get back to the matter at hand because you fill me with disgust."

"Your brother sounds like an asshole."

"Yeah, well my brothers a pretty sore subject y'know? Don't like to talk about OH LOOK SITH!"

"Mission-wait!"

"Look what I, uh found!"

We do find one of the journals we're looking for on the corpse. And the almighty Rakghoul Serum.

Just around the corner, we find a sign of Bastila.

There's one survivor of the crash, who has not been picked off by the Vulkars or the Sith. However, the Rakghouls have taken their fair share of this poor soldier. I'm sure Varen will react in a kind and restrained manner.

"Get away from me, you diseased freak!"

I like the way people turn into Not-Zombies. They just sort of clutch their head, then a magical cloud appears around them and then POOF! Instant Rakghoul.

After we put a blaster bolt in his brain, we come across another patrol. This time, it's a more familiar face...

"I go where I want, when I want."

...again, we wipe out the rakghouls before I get the oppurtunity for any decent screenshots. I'm gonna buff up the difficulty next time.

"So you're just going to run back to the surface with your tail between your legs? Some Mandalorian you are."

We return the journal we found back to the crazy dude at the camp.

"Mission killed your apprentice. I have her journal."

"I didn't kill her! She...just sorta...walked into my lasers."

"I'm not Moses, asshole. I think you have me confused with someone else."

Foreshadowing!

"Fine: tell me the history of your people. I warn you, I probably will fall asleep during your long-winded tale."

Captain Obvious does what he does best.

"Are you going to get to the point soon?"

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS PROMISED LAND THAT YOU KEEP BLABBING ON ABOUT?!?"

"I don't like where this is going.... I already have a journal. Am I off the Fetch quest hook?"

"GODDAMIT!"

Varen is unhappy with the continued lack of a promised reward. However, as we near the exit of the town...

"Stop him? What are you talking about?"

If it wasn't for Gendar, I figure this place would fall apart.

I JUST SAID THAT!

"You want me to kill Rukil to shut him up? I can do that, you know. I offer VERY competitive rates."

"I'll do it, but not for the credits. Evil is a full time profession that pays plenty well for me."

That's all for today folks! Tomorrow, we descend into the catacombs in search of a Wookiee, a journal, and encounter more than we bargained for.

I'll see you next time.

Question time! Morality systems are pretty common in games nowadays. However, in a lot of cases, they are just crammed in there for no good reason. Have there been any games were the Morality System ended up detracting from the experience?

For me, the most egrecious example has got to be the absolutely diabolical 2005 release Shadow the Hedgehog. That game is brain poison.

See you tomorrow!

I think Fable 2 had a pretty bad choice system. Granted, the game would have been worse without it. But when the choice is "Help the baby" or "Eat the baby", you begin to think that sometimes, evil characters are just evil for... fun.

 

[AD-Stu]

Question time! Morality systems are pretty common in games nowadays. However, in a lot of cases, they are just crammed in there for no good reason. Have there been any games were the Morality System ended up detracting from the experience?

For me, the most egrecious example has got to be the absolutely diabolical 2005 release Shadow the Hedgehog. That game is brain poison.

See you tomorrow!

One of the ones I think was most horribly broken was Dragon Age: Origins. Having to manage your influence with each of your companions was a good way to approach it but they broke the whole thing when they allowed you to max out influence with everyone just by giving them shiny things.

There was a screenshot double-up early in the conversation with Rukil in the latest update, BTW. Enjoying the updates, it's been ages since I've played this game and there's all sorts of stuff that I forgot happened. And I totally agree about the objective pileup, particularly in this section...

 

[woodaba]

Question time! Morality systems are pretty common in games nowadays. However, in a lot of cases, they are just crammed in there for no good reason. Have there been any games were the Morality System ended up detracting from the experience?

For me, the most egrecious example has got to be the absolutely diabolical 2005 release Shadow the Hedgehog. That game is brain poison.

See you tomorrow!

One of the ones I think was most horribly broken was Dragon Age: Origins. Having to manage your influence with each of your companions was a good way to approach it but they broke the whole thing when they allowed you to max out influence with everyone just by giving them shiny things.

There was a screenshot double-up early in the conversation with Rukil in the latest update, BTW. Enjoying the updates, it's been ages since I've played this game and there's all sorts of stuff that I forgot happened. And I totally agree about the objective pileup, particularly in this section...

Oh, crap, I'll get that sorted once I get back from work. Thanks for pointing it out!

I totally agree. Dragon Age had probably the best choice system out there...and then they went and ruined it with those ridiculous gifts. It's all right if you are a hateful person with no redeeming qualities, just give them a flower every now and then and they'll fall in love with you.

 

[woodaba]

Just wanna say, that when you get to the moment where you can betrayd the hidden beks, don't. they are the only decent person on the planet.

We'll have a vote when that choice comes up. Viva la Democracy!

 

[woodaba]

UPDATE 7: THE OBLIGATORY SEWER LEVEL

The Escapist has been a ***** recently, which has made this update harder to get out than usual.

Spoiler

Last time, we were sent on a quest to recover a pair of journals that would paint the way to the Promised Land.

No, not that one.

Not that one either.

These journals, along with our old friend Zaalbar, are in the nearby sewers. Because every game, by law, MUST have a sewer
level.

However, before we can enter the obligatory sewer level, we come across a problem.

Yes, Baldur's Gate fans. This bullshit is back. Much like in that game, you cannot leave any given area unless your
companions are sticking to you like glue. However, the poor pathfinding means that, often, your companions will be lagging
behind. Like all problems in this game, it's not a serious one, but it occurs frequently enough to be annoying.

This place is crawling with Rakghouls. They were in the middle of a tea party, and offered us a seat, but after
Varen threw her tea in someone's face they got very angry.

"Why did you have to do that?"

"I was aiming for you, Carth. Next time, I won't do it with tea."

We find Rukil's father's journal on this body. I suppose he was 200 years old, hmm?

Elsewhere in the sewers, we come across this door. Mission kindly informs us what it is.

I remember when I first played this game, I was convinced that Taris was either coruscant in the past or Earth in
the future. For some reason, I cited this door as irrefutable proof of that incredibly bizarre theory.

"I? I am Varen! Empress of Evil! Lady of Hell! Ruler of Darkness! One with the shadow! Queen of the Underdark! Bow down
before me, lest you be destroyed.

"Or, yeah. Friends. Thats a good way of putting it. (whisper) Note to self, kill Mission in her sleep. Ahem! Anyway, is
there any reward for rescuing you?"

"Yeah. I learned it so I could enslave your race."

"Woah, woah, woah, Zaalbar. You can't do this. This woman is completely Evil! I've seen her murder people for not liking
their tone. I've seen her let people transform into monsters our of pure spite! She is utterly evil! She is Chaos
Incarnate!"

"I disagree with that. I'm more Neutral Evil."

"It's some kind of loyalty vow, isn't it?"

"A Wookiee slave! Excellent! I am..er..'honored' to accept this vow."

"Why won't this nightmare end!"

Yeah, we know your character. No need to reiterate it again.

"The sooner we get there the better. Let's go."

Oh, how helpful It- Wait, what? Rancor? RANCOR?

"Whoa, nobody said anything about a Rancor monster!"

"Fuck that. I'm not gonna chicken out because of some Rancor."

Zaalbar has joined our party! He's a scout, which makes him a more effective combatant that Varen or Mission. But, more
importantly, we have a decent character to replace Carth!

Hooray!

He's also a Wookiee Samurai.

Soon, however, it becomes clear that our new companion suffers from a most debilitating disease.

BAD BREATH! DUN DUN DUNNNN!

Eight square meals? Damn.

Perish the thought.

An entire planets worth of piss. Lovely.

This is something I like about the sewers. The gears emphasise just how old Taris is, with some clockwork architecture
here. Makes me wonder whether the planet itself is kept running by these things. It's pretty neat.

We also find the last of the diaries we need. Which means...

Yes! It's time to doom an entire people for fun and profit. It may seem mean, but this whole "Outcast" plotline makes no
sense anyway, so in a way, we're balancing out the universe.

"I have those journals you wanted."

"Gimme the credits first, slimeball."

100 credits is an absolute pittance. We're about to indirectly commit genocide over generations for 100 credits. If
anyone hasn't played Grand Theft Auto IV may want to skip the next paragraph.

IN GTA 4, the plot revolves around the main character, Niko, searching for the man who betrayed his men in a nondescript
war. When he finally find him, we learn that he betrayed all his friends, the men he loved and fought beside, for $200.
That is what this reminds me of. There are fewer things I can think of that are more gut-wrenchingly awful than to do
such a thing.

"I think I want more than that."

"It's a deal. I warned that Rukil there would be a reckoning if he didn't offer me a reward."

Now after dooming that civilisation to a slow death, lets go to the Black Vulkar base.

It turns out, you can't pick a forcefield! Who knew?

Time to move on.

Gammoreans. I hate these guys.

"Zaalbar? Zaalbar. There's a mine there. Don't...don't step on it. That would be bad."
"MUST DESTROY ENEMY"

"Goddamit."

Remember the pathfinding problems I mentioned earlier? They're back, in full force. FOR THE REST OF THE GAME.

Around the corner, we find....this.

A severed arm.

In Star Wars.

A severed arm.

There are no words.

The Datapad in the...arm...gives us a clue about the Rancor.

Oh dear.

"You can't see me, but I can see you. When you're sleeping. With binoculars."

0_0

I....I....

Is this Dead Space? Are we playing Dead Space now?

Craftily, we plant the bait, and a bomb, on the corpse pile.

Guess that meal....(puts on sunglasses)....went down the wrong way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMPAH67f4o

And there we are. We've slain the Rancor. Technically.

I'll make sure our biographer embellishes this part of the story.

Just past the Rancor den, lies the entrance to the Black Vulkar base.

Join us next time, where we run around the first genuinely good dungeon on Taris.

Question Time! Following on last time's question about Moral Choice, has there ever been a choice you simply could not
make? For example, finding an Evil option so horrible that you simply could not go through with it.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

UPDATE 7: THE OBLIGATORY SEWER LEVEL

The Escapist has been a ***** recently, which has made this update harder to get out than usual.

Spoiler

Last time, we were sent on a quest to recover a pair of journals that would paint the way to the Promised Land.

No, not that one.

Not that one either.

These journals, along with our old friend Zaalbar, are in the nearby sewers. Because every game, by law, MUST have a sewer
level.

However, before we can enter the obligatory sewer level, we come across a problem.

Yes, Baldur's Gate fans. This bullshit is back. Much like in that game, you cannot leave any given area unless your
companions are sticking to you like glue. However, the poor pathfinding means that, often, your companions will be lagging
behind. Like all problems in this game, it's not a serious one, but it occurs frequently enough to be annoying.

This place is crawling with Rakghouls. They were in the middle of a tea party, and offered us a seat, but after
Varen threw her tea in someone's face they got very angry.

"Why did you have to do that?"

"I was aiming for you, Carth. Next time, I won't do it with tea."

We find Rukil's father's journal on this body. I suppose he was 200 years old, hmm?

Elsewhere in the sewers, we come across this door. Mission kindly informs us what it is.

I remember when I first played this game, I was convinced that Taris was either coruscant in the past or Earth in
the future. For some reason, I cited this door as irrefutable proof of that incredibly bizarre theory.

"I? I am Varen! Empress of Evil! Lady of Hell! Ruler of Darkness! One with the shadow! Queen of the Underdark! Bow down
before me, lest you be destroyed.

"Or, yeah. Friends. Thats a good way of putting it. (whisper) Note to self, kill Mission in her sleep. Ahem! Anyway, is
there any reward for rescuing you?"

"Yeah. I learned it so I could enslave your race."

"Woah, woah, woah, Zaalbar. You can't do this. This woman is completely Evil! I've seen her murder people for not liking
their tone. I've seen her let people transform into monsters our of pure spite! She is utterly evil! She is Chaos
Incarnate!"

"I disagree with that. I'm more Neutral Evil."

"It's some kind of loyalty vow, isn't it?"

"A Wookiee slave! Excellent! I am..er..'honored' to accept this vow."

"Why won't this nightmare end!"

Yeah, we know your character. No need to reiterate it again.

"The sooner we get there the better. Let's go."

Oh, how helpful It- Wait, what? Rancor? RANCOR?

"Whoa, nobody said anything about a Rancor monster!"

"Fuck that. I'm not gonna chicken out because of some Rancor."

Zaalbar has joined our party! He's a scout, which makes him a more effective combatant that Varen or Mission. But, more
importantly, we have a decent character to replace Carth!

Hooray!

He's also a Wookiee Samurai.

Soon, however, it becomes clear that our new companion suffers from a most debilitating disease.

BAD BREATH! DUN DUN DUNNNN!

Eight square meals? Damn.

Perish the thought.

An entire planets worth of piss. Lovely.

This is something I like about the sewers. The gears emphasise just how old Taris is, with some clockwork architecture
here. Makes me wonder whether the planet itself is kept running by these things. It's pretty neat.

We also find the last of the diaries we need. Which means...

Yes! It's time to doom an entire people for fun and profit. It may seem mean, but this whole "Outcast" plotline makes no
sense anyway, so in a way, we're balancing out the universe.

"I have those journals you wanted."

"Gimme the credits first, slimeball."

100 credits is an absolute pittance. We're about to indirectly commit genocide over generations for 100 credits. If
anyone hasn't played Grand Theft Auto IV may want to skip the next paragraph.

IN GTA 4, the plot revolves around the main character, Niko, searching for the man who betrayed his men in a nondescript
war. When he finally find him, we learn that he betrayed all his friends, the men he loved and fought beside, for $200.
That is what this reminds me of. There are fewer things I can think of that are more gut-wrenchingly awful than to do
such a thing.

"I think I want more than that."

"It's a deal. I warned that Rukil there would be a reckoning if he didn't offer me a reward."

Now after dooming that civilisation to a slow death, lets go to the Black Vulkar base.

It turns out, you can't pick a forcefield! Who knew?

Time to move on.

Gammoreans. I hate these guys.

"Zaalbar? Zaalbar. There's a mine there. Don't...don't step on it. That would be bad."
"MUST DESTROY ENEMY"

"Goddamit."

Remember the pathfinding problems I mentioned earlier? They're back, in full force. FOR THE REST OF THE GAME.

Around the corner, we find....this.

A severed arm.

In Star Wars.

A severed arm.

There are no words.

The Datapad in the...arm...gives us a clue about the Rancor.

Oh dear.

"You can't see me, but I can see you. When you're sleeping. With binoculars."

0_0

I....I....

Is this Dead Space? Are we playing Dead Space now?

Craftily, we plant the bait, and a bomb, on the corpse pile.

Guess that meal....(puts on sunglasses)....went down the wrong way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMPAH67f4o

And there we are. We've slain the Rancor. Technically.

I'll make sure our biographer embellishes this part of the story.

Just past the Rancor den, lies the entrance to the Black Vulkar base.

Join us next time, where we run around the first genuinely good dungeon on Taris.

Question Time! Following on last time's question about Moral Choice, has there ever been a choice you simply could not
make? For example, finding an Evil option so horrible that you simply could not go through with it.

Ah yes, yes there was.

I rarely play evil characters, so I have quite a few problems when I do. I loathe to kill children and the elderly, and at least give my foes a fighting chance.

That's why I tend to do good, even if there's no reward, or even if it costs me.

 

[woodaba]

UPDATE 7: THE OBLIGATORY SEWER LEVEL

The Escapist has been a ***** recently, which has made this update harder to get out than usual.

Spoiler

Last time, we were sent on a quest to recover a pair of journals that would paint the way to the Promised Land.

No, not that one.

Not that one either.

These journals, along with our old friend Zaalbar, are in the nearby sewers. Because every game, by law, MUST have a sewer
level.

However, before we can enter the obligatory sewer level, we come across a problem.

Yes, Baldur's Gate fans. This bullshit is back. Much like in that game, you cannot leave any given area unless your
companions are sticking to you like glue. However, the poor pathfinding means that, often, your companions will be lagging
behind. Like all problems in this game, it's not a serious one, but it occurs frequently enough to be annoying.

This place is crawling with Rakghouls. They were in the middle of a tea party, and offered us a seat, but after
Varen threw her tea in someone's face they got very angry.

"Why did you have to do that?"

"I was aiming for you, Carth. Next time, I won't do it with tea."

We find Rukil's father's journal on this body. I suppose he was 200 years old, hmm?

Elsewhere in the sewers, we come across this door. Mission kindly informs us what it is.

I remember when I first played this game, I was convinced that Taris was either coruscant in the past or Earth in
the future. For some reason, I cited this door as irrefutable proof of that incredibly bizarre theory.

"I? I am Varen! Empress of Evil! Lady of Hell! Ruler of Darkness! One with the shadow! Queen of the Underdark! Bow down
before me, lest you be destroyed.

"Or, yeah. Friends. Thats a good way of putting it. (whisper) Note to self, kill Mission in her sleep. Ahem! Anyway, is
there any reward for rescuing you?"

"Yeah. I learned it so I could enslave your race."

"Woah, woah, woah, Zaalbar. You can't do this. This woman is completely Evil! I've seen her murder people for not liking
their tone. I've seen her let people transform into monsters our of pure spite! She is utterly evil! She is Chaos
Incarnate!"

"I disagree with that. I'm more Neutral Evil."

"It's some kind of loyalty vow, isn't it?"

"A Wookiee slave! Excellent! I am..er..'honored' to accept this vow."

"Why won't this nightmare end!"

Yeah, we know your character. No need to reiterate it again.

"The sooner we get there the better. Let's go."

Oh, how helpful It- Wait, what? Rancor? RANCOR?

"Whoa, nobody said anything about a Rancor monster!"

"Fuck that. I'm not gonna chicken out because of some Rancor."

Zaalbar has joined our party! He's a scout, which makes him a more effective combatant that Varen or Mission. But, more
importantly, we have a decent character to replace Carth!

Hooray!

He's also a Wookiee Samurai.

Soon, however, it becomes clear that our new companion suffers from a most debilitating disease.

BAD BREATH! DUN DUN DUNNNN!

Eight square meals? Damn.

Perish the thought.

An entire planets worth of piss. Lovely.

This is something I like about the sewers. The gears emphasise just how old Taris is, with some clockwork architecture
here. Makes me wonder whether the planet itself is kept running by these things. It's pretty neat.

We also find the last of the diaries we need. Which means...

Yes! It's time to doom an entire people for fun and profit. It may seem mean, but this whole "Outcast" plotline makes no
sense anyway, so in a way, we're balancing out the universe.

"I have those journals you wanted."

"Gimme the credits first, slimeball."

100 credits is an absolute pittance. We're about to indirectly commit genocide over generations for 100 credits. If
anyone hasn't played Grand Theft Auto IV may want to skip the next paragraph.

IN GTA 4, the plot revolves around the main character, Niko, searching for the man who betrayed his men in a nondescript
war. When he finally find him, we learn that he betrayed all his friends, the men he loved and fought beside, for $200.
That is what this reminds me of. There are fewer things I can think of that are more gut-wrenchingly awful than to do
such a thing.

"I think I want more than that."

"It's a deal. I warned that Rukil there would be a reckoning if he didn't offer me a reward."

Now after dooming that civilisation to a slow death, lets go to the Black Vulkar base.

It turns out, you can't pick a forcefield! Who knew?

Time to move on.

Gammoreans. I hate these guys.

"Zaalbar? Zaalbar. There's a mine there. Don't...don't step on it. That would be bad."
"MUST DESTROY ENEMY"

"Goddamit."

Remember the pathfinding problems I mentioned earlier? They're back, in full force. FOR THE REST OF THE GAME.

Around the corner, we find....this.

A severed arm.

In Star Wars.

A severed arm.

There are no words.

The Datapad in the...arm...gives us a clue about the Rancor.

Oh dear.

"You can't see me, but I can see you. When you're sleeping. With binoculars."

0_0

I....I....

Is this Dead Space? Are we playing Dead Space now?

Craftily, we plant the bait, and a bomb, on the corpse pile.

Guess that meal....(puts on sunglasses)....went down the wrong way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMPAH67f4o

And there we are. We've slain the Rancor. Technically.

I'll make sure our biographer embellishes this part of the story.

Just past the Rancor den, lies the entrance to the Black Vulkar base.

Join us next time, where we run around the first genuinely good dungeon on Taris.

Question Time! Following on last time's question about Moral Choice, has there ever been a choice you simply could not
make? For example, finding an Evil option so horrible that you simply could not go through with it.

Ah yes, yes there was.

I rarely play evil characters, so I have quite a few problems when I do. I loathe to kill children and the elderly, and at least give my foes a fighting chance.

That's why I tend to do good, even if there's no reward, or even if it costs me.

Same with me. I have tried playing "evil" in Planescape: Torment no less than 3 times, and each and every time I can't get past the tutorial.

 

[boag]

nice, I was thinking of playing this game while I waited for ME3.

Thanks for Making a LP, its ridiculous to see how much this game gets Bioware praise, while at the same time ME2 gets Bioware hate.

most of the systems in this game are incredibly redundant and the combat is made for MMO gameplay (not good at all).

Half the character dialogue is lifted in some form from direct Star Wars quotes which is amusing for the first couple of lines of, hey they said that in the movies yay.

Lastly most of the interactions have you be either a complete dick or saint, which is standard fare for most games now a days yet it another point for which this particular game gets praise.

Anyways good job on the LP, have been enjoying it, its been certainly helpful in some situations of my own game and has help me get tremendous insights into the whole OMG BIOWARE SUCKS NOW arguments some people have made.

 

[woodaba]

nice, I was thinking of playing this game while I waited for ME3.

Thanks for Making a LP, its ridiculous to see how much this game gets Bioware praise, while at the same time ME2 gets Bioware hate.

most of the systems in this game are incredibly redundant and the combat is made for MMO gameplay (not good at all).

Half the character dialogue is lifted in some form from direct Star Wars quotes which is amusing for the first couple of lines of, hey they said that in the movies yay.

Lastly most of the interactions have you be either a complete dick or saint, which is standard fare for most games now a days yet it another point for which this particular game gets praise.

Anyways good job on the LP, have been enjoying it, its been certainly helpful in some situations of my own game and has help me get tremendous insights into the whole OMG BIOWARE SUCKS NOW arguments some people have made.

Not a problem, my good friend, thank you for the kind words.

I really don't agree with the "Bioware sucks now" thing, but I can sort of understand it. Their games have become progressively more streamlined as time had gone on, and some people have reacted more violently to that than others.

 

[boag]

nice, I was thinking of playing this game while I waited for ME3.

Thanks for Making a LP, its ridiculous to see how much this game gets Bioware praise, while at the same time ME2 gets Bioware hate.

most of the systems in this game are incredibly redundant and the combat is made for MMO gameplay (not good at all).

Half the character dialogue is lifted in some form from direct Star Wars quotes which is amusing for the first couple of lines of, hey they said that in the movies yay.

Lastly most of the interactions have you be either a complete dick or saint, which is standard fare for most games now a days yet it another point for which this particular game gets praise.

Anyways good job on the LP, have been enjoying it, its been certainly helpful in some situations of my own game and has help me get tremendous insights into the whole OMG BIOWARE SUCKS NOW arguments some people have made.

Not a problem, my good friend, thank you for the kind words.

I really don't agree with the "Bioware sucks now" thing, but I can sort of understand it. Their games have become progressively more streamlined as time had gone on, and some people have reacted more violently to that than others.

Yeah, but to be frank ive enjoyed the streamline combat more than the monotonous MMO feel of SWTOR, If the game had an actual tactical edge instead of skill spamming I would have agreed that it was a dumbing down of the gameplay, but so far I havent found a situation where I couldnt stun bash my way through a fight.

Also, I was so very surprised to see how ME literally pulled plot points out of this old game.

 

[woodaba]

nice, I was thinking of playing this game while I waited for ME3.

Thanks for Making a LP, its ridiculous to see how much this game gets Bioware praise, while at the same time ME2 gets Bioware hate.

most of the systems in this game are incredibly redundant and the combat is made for MMO gameplay (not good at all).

Half the character dialogue is lifted in some form from direct Star Wars quotes which is amusing for the first couple of lines of, hey they said that in the movies yay.

Lastly most of the interactions have you be either a complete dick or saint, which is standard fare for most games now a days yet it another point for which this particular game gets praise.

Anyways good job on the LP, have been enjoying it, its been certainly helpful in some situations of my own game and has help me get tremendous insights into the whole OMG BIOWARE SUCKS NOW arguments some people have made.

Not a problem, my good friend, thank you for the kind words.

I really don't agree with the "Bioware sucks now" thing, but I can sort of understand it. Their games have become progressively more streamlined as time had gone on, and some people have reacted more violently to that than others.

Yeah, but to be frank ive enjoyed the streamline combat more than the monotonous MMO feel of SWTOR, If the game had an actual tactical edge instead of skill spamming I would have agreed that it was a dumbing down of the gameplay, but so far I havent found a situation where I couldnt stun bash my way through a fight.

Also, I was so very surprised to see how ME literally pulled plot points out of this old game.

When ME first came out, there were many complaints that it was KoTOR without Jedi. It wasn't until ME2 that Mass Effect really forged an identity of its own, at least in my opinion.

 

[boag]

nice, I was thinking of playing this game while I waited for ME3.

Thanks for Making a LP, its ridiculous to see how much this game gets Bioware praise, while at the same time ME2 gets Bioware hate.

most of the systems in this game are incredibly redundant and the combat is made for MMO gameplay (not good at all).

Half the character dialogue is lifted in some form from direct Star Wars quotes which is amusing for the first couple of lines of, hey they said that in the movies yay.

Lastly most of the interactions have you be either a complete dick or saint, which is standard fare for most games now a days yet it another point for which this particular game gets praise.

Anyways good job on the LP, have been enjoying it, its been certainly helpful in some situations of my own game and has help me get tremendous insights into the whole OMG BIOWARE SUCKS NOW arguments some people have made.

Not a problem, my good friend, thank you for the kind words.

I really don't agree with the "Bioware sucks now" thing, but I can sort of understand it. Their games have become progressively more streamlined as time had gone on, and some people have reacted more violently to that than others.

Yeah, but to be frank ive enjoyed the streamline combat more than the monotonous MMO feel of SWTOR, If the game had an actual tactical edge instead of skill spamming I would have agreed that it was a dumbing down of the gameplay, but so far I havent found a situation where I couldnt stun bash my way through a fight.

Also, I was so very surprised to see how ME literally pulled plot points out of this old game.

When ME first came out, there were many complaints that it was KoTOR without Jedi. It wasn't until ME2 that Mass Effect really forged an identity of its own, at least in my opinion.

interesting, I still need to see how the ending for SWTOR turns out, but I can definitely see now where lots of the ME universe got its story form. In the end I must say that ME is a better executed Franchise than SW.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

UPDATE 7: THE OBLIGATORY SEWER LEVEL

The Escapist has been a ***** recently, which has made this update harder to get out than usual.

Spoiler

Last time, we were sent on a quest to recover a pair of journals that would paint the way to the Promised Land.

No, not that one.

Not that one either.

These journals, along with our old friend Zaalbar, are in the nearby sewers. Because every game, by law, MUST have a sewer
level.

However, before we can enter the obligatory sewer level, we come across a problem.

Yes, Baldur's Gate fans. This bullshit is back. Much like in that game, you cannot leave any given area unless your
companions are sticking to you like glue. However, the poor pathfinding means that, often, your companions will be lagging
behind. Like all problems in this game, it's not a serious one, but it occurs frequently enough to be annoying.

This place is crawling with Rakghouls. They were in the middle of a tea party, and offered us a seat, but after
Varen threw her tea in someone's face they got very angry.

"Why did you have to do that?"

"I was aiming for you, Carth. Next time, I won't do it with tea."

We find Rukil's father's journal on this body. I suppose he was 200 years old, hmm?

Elsewhere in the sewers, we come across this door. Mission kindly informs us what it is.

I remember when I first played this game, I was convinced that Taris was either coruscant in the past or Earth in
the future. For some reason, I cited this door as irrefutable proof of that incredibly bizarre theory.

"I? I am Varen! Empress of Evil! Lady of Hell! Ruler of Darkness! One with the shadow! Queen of the Underdark! Bow down
before me, lest you be destroyed.

"Or, yeah. Friends. Thats a good way of putting it. (whisper) Note to self, kill Mission in her sleep. Ahem! Anyway, is
there any reward for rescuing you?"

"Yeah. I learned it so I could enslave your race."

"Woah, woah, woah, Zaalbar. You can't do this. This woman is completely Evil! I've seen her murder people for not liking
their tone. I've seen her let people transform into monsters our of pure spite! She is utterly evil! She is Chaos
Incarnate!"

"I disagree with that. I'm more Neutral Evil."

"It's some kind of loyalty vow, isn't it?"

"A Wookiee slave! Excellent! I am..er..'honored' to accept this vow."

"Why won't this nightmare end!"

Yeah, we know your character. No need to reiterate it again.

"The sooner we get there the better. Let's go."

Oh, how helpful It- Wait, what? Rancor? RANCOR?

"Whoa, nobody said anything about a Rancor monster!"

"Fuck that. I'm not gonna chicken out because of some Rancor."

Zaalbar has joined our party! He's a scout, which makes him a more effective combatant that Varen or Mission. But, more
importantly, we have a decent character to replace Carth!

Hooray!

He's also a Wookiee Samurai.

Soon, however, it becomes clear that our new companion suffers from a most debilitating disease.

BAD BREATH! DUN DUN DUNNNN!

Eight square meals? Damn.

Perish the thought.

An entire planets worth of piss. Lovely.

This is something I like about the sewers. The gears emphasise just how old Taris is, with some clockwork architecture
here. Makes me wonder whether the planet itself is kept running by these things. It's pretty neat.

We also find the last of the diaries we need. Which means...

Yes! It's time to doom an entire people for fun and profit. It may seem mean, but this whole "Outcast" plotline makes no
sense anyway, so in a way, we're balancing out the universe.

"I have those journals you wanted."

"Gimme the credits first, slimeball."

100 credits is an absolute pittance. We're about to indirectly commit genocide over generations for 100 credits. If
anyone hasn't played Grand Theft Auto IV may want to skip the next paragraph.

IN GTA 4, the plot revolves around the main character, Niko, searching for the man who betrayed his men in a nondescript
war. When he finally find him, we learn that he betrayed all his friends, the men he loved and fought beside, for $200.
That is what this reminds me of. There are fewer things I can think of that are more gut-wrenchingly awful than to do
such a thing.

"I think I want more than that."

"It's a deal. I warned that Rukil there would be a reckoning if he didn't offer me a reward."

Now after dooming that civilisation to a slow death, lets go to the Black Vulkar base.

It turns out, you can't pick a forcefield! Who knew?

Time to move on.

Gammoreans. I hate these guys.

"Zaalbar? Zaalbar. There's a mine there. Don't...don't step on it. That would be bad."
"MUST DESTROY ENEMY"

"Goddamit."

Remember the pathfinding problems I mentioned earlier? They're back, in full force. FOR THE REST OF THE GAME.

Around the corner, we find....this.

A severed arm.

In Star Wars.

A severed arm.

There are no words.

The Datapad in the...arm...gives us a clue about the Rancor.

Oh dear.

"You can't see me, but I can see you. When you're sleeping. With binoculars."

0_0

I....I....

Is this Dead Space? Are we playing Dead Space now?

Craftily, we plant the bait, and a bomb, on the corpse pile.

Guess that meal....(puts on sunglasses)....went down the wrong way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMPAH67f4o

And there we are. We've slain the Rancor. Technically.

I'll make sure our biographer embellishes this part of the story.

Just past the Rancor den, lies the entrance to the Black Vulkar base.

Join us next time, where we run around the first genuinely good dungeon on Taris.

Question Time! Following on last time's question about Moral Choice, has there ever been a choice you simply could not
make? For example, finding an Evil option so horrible that you simply could not go through with it.

Ah yes, yes there was.

I rarely play evil characters, so I have quite a few problems when I do. I loathe to kill children and the elderly, and at least give my foes a fighting chance.

That's why I tend to do good, even if there's no reward, or even if it costs me.

Same with me. I have tried playing "evil" in Planescape: Torment no less than 3 times, and each and every time I can't get past the tutorial.

I played "evil" in MotB once. It was... well...

Damn evil. That's the only way to describe my character. He went from NE to CE very quickly. There wasn't a single good thing about him. In my defense though, souls are tasty.

 

[woodaba]

UPDATE 7: THE OBLIGATORY SEWER LEVEL

The Escapist has been a ***** recently, which has made this update harder to get out than usual.

Spoiler

Last time, we were sent on a quest to recover a pair of journals that would paint the way to the Promised Land.

No, not that one.

Not that one either.

These journals, along with our old friend Zaalbar, are in the nearby sewers. Because every game, by law, MUST have a sewer
level.

However, before we can enter the obligatory sewer level, we come across a problem.

Yes, Baldur's Gate fans. This bullshit is back. Much like in that game, you cannot leave any given area unless your
companions are sticking to you like glue. However, the poor pathfinding means that, often, your companions will be lagging
behind. Like all problems in this game, it's not a serious one, but it occurs frequently enough to be annoying.

This place is crawling with Rakghouls. They were in the middle of a tea party, and offered us a seat, but after
Varen threw her tea in someone's face they got very angry.

"Why did you have to do that?"

"I was aiming for you, Carth. Next time, I won't do it with tea."

We find Rukil's father's journal on this body. I suppose he was 200 years old, hmm?

Elsewhere in the sewers, we come across this door. Mission kindly informs us what it is.

I remember when I first played this game, I was convinced that Taris was either coruscant in the past or Earth in
the future. For some reason, I cited this door as irrefutable proof of that incredibly bizarre theory.

"I? I am Varen! Empress of Evil! Lady of Hell! Ruler of Darkness! One with the shadow! Queen of the Underdark! Bow down
before me, lest you be destroyed.

"Or, yeah. Friends. Thats a good way of putting it. (whisper) Note to self, kill Mission in her sleep. Ahem! Anyway, is
there any reward for rescuing you?"

"Yeah. I learned it so I could enslave your race."

"Woah, woah, woah, Zaalbar. You can't do this. This woman is completely Evil! I've seen her murder people for not liking
their tone. I've seen her let people transform into monsters our of pure spite! She is utterly evil! She is Chaos
Incarnate!"

"I disagree with that. I'm more Neutral Evil."

"It's some kind of loyalty vow, isn't it?"

"A Wookiee slave! Excellent! I am..er..'honored' to accept this vow."

"Why won't this nightmare end!"

Yeah, we know your character. No need to reiterate it again.

"The sooner we get there the better. Let's go."

Oh, how helpful It- Wait, what? Rancor? RANCOR?

"Whoa, nobody said anything about a Rancor monster!"

"Fuck that. I'm not gonna chicken out because of some Rancor."

Zaalbar has joined our party! He's a scout, which makes him a more effective combatant that Varen or Mission. But, more
importantly, we have a decent character to replace Carth!

Hooray!

He's also a Wookiee Samurai.

Soon, however, it becomes clear that our new companion suffers from a most debilitating disease.

BAD BREATH! DUN DUN DUNNNN!

Eight square meals? Damn.

Perish the thought.

An entire planets worth of piss. Lovely.

This is something I like about the sewers. The gears emphasise just how old Taris is, with some clockwork architecture
here. Makes me wonder whether the planet itself is kept running by these things. It's pretty neat.

We also find the last of the diaries we need. Which means...

Yes! It's time to doom an entire people for fun and profit. It may seem mean, but this whole "Outcast" plotline makes no
sense anyway, so in a way, we're balancing out the universe.

"I have those journals you wanted."

"Gimme the credits first, slimeball."

100 credits is an absolute pittance. We're about to indirectly commit genocide over generations for 100 credits. If
anyone hasn't played Grand Theft Auto IV may want to skip the next paragraph.

IN GTA 4, the plot revolves around the main character, Niko, searching for the man who betrayed his men in a nondescript
war. When he finally find him, we learn that he betrayed all his friends, the men he loved and fought beside, for $200.
That is what this reminds me of. There are fewer things I can think of that are more gut-wrenchingly awful than to do
such a thing.

"I think I want more than that."

"It's a deal. I warned that Rukil there would be a reckoning if he didn't offer me a reward."

Now after dooming that civilisation to a slow death, lets go to the Black Vulkar base.

It turns out, you can't pick a forcefield! Who knew?

Time to move on.

Gammoreans. I hate these guys.

"Zaalbar? Zaalbar. There's a mine there. Don't...don't step on it. That would be bad."
"MUST DESTROY ENEMY"

"Goddamit."

Remember the pathfinding problems I mentioned earlier? They're back, in full force. FOR THE REST OF THE GAME.

Around the corner, we find....this.

A severed arm.

In Star Wars.

A severed arm.

There are no words.

The Datapad in the...arm...gives us a clue about the Rancor.

Oh dear.

"You can't see me, but I can see you. When you're sleeping. With binoculars."

0_0

I....I....

Is this Dead Space? Are we playing Dead Space now?

Craftily, we plant the bait, and a bomb, on the corpse pile.

Guess that meal....(puts on sunglasses)....went down the wrong way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMPAH67f4o

And there we are. We've slain the Rancor. Technically.

I'll make sure our biographer embellishes this part of the story.

Just past the Rancor den, lies the entrance to the Black Vulkar base.

Join us next time, where we run around the first genuinely good dungeon on Taris.

Question Time! Following on last time's question about Moral Choice, has there ever been a choice you simply could not
make? For example, finding an Evil option so horrible that you simply could not go through with it.

Ah yes, yes there was.

I rarely play evil characters, so I have quite a few problems when I do. I loathe to kill children and the elderly, and at least give my foes a fighting chance.

That's why I tend to do good, even if there's no reward, or even if it costs me.

Same with me. I have tried playing "evil" in Planescape: Torment no less than 3 times, and each and every time I can't get past the tutorial.

I played "evil" in MotB once. It was... well...

Damn evil. That's the only way to describe my character. He went from NE to CE very quickly. There wasn't a single good thing about him. In my defense though, souls are tasty.

Cookie monster agrees with your statement. He's considering changing his name to "Soul Monster"

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

UPDATE 7: THE OBLIGATORY SEWER LEVEL

The Escapist has been a ***** recently, which has made this update harder to get out than usual.

Spoiler

Last time, we were sent on a quest to recover a pair of journals that would paint the way to the Promised Land.

No, not that one.

Not that one either.

These journals, along with our old friend Zaalbar, are in the nearby sewers. Because every game, by law, MUST have a sewer
level.

However, before we can enter the obligatory sewer level, we come across a problem.

Yes, Baldur's Gate fans. This bullshit is back. Much like in that game, you cannot leave any given area unless your
companions are sticking to you like glue. However, the poor pathfinding means that, often, your companions will be lagging
behind. Like all problems in this game, it's not a serious one, but it occurs frequently enough to be annoying.

This place is crawling with Rakghouls. They were in the middle of a tea party, and offered us a seat, but after
Varen threw her tea in someone's face they got very angry.

"Why did you have to do that?"

"I was aiming for you, Carth. Next time, I won't do it with tea."

We find Rukil's father's journal on this body. I suppose he was 200 years old, hmm?

Elsewhere in the sewers, we come across this door. Mission kindly informs us what it is.

I remember when I first played this game, I was convinced that Taris was either coruscant in the past or Earth in
the future. For some reason, I cited this door as irrefutable proof of that incredibly bizarre theory.

"I? I am Varen! Empress of Evil! Lady of Hell! Ruler of Darkness! One with the shadow! Queen of the Underdark! Bow down
before me, lest you be destroyed.

"Or, yeah. Friends. Thats a good way of putting it. (whisper) Note to self, kill Mission in her sleep. Ahem! Anyway, is
there any reward for rescuing you?"

"Yeah. I learned it so I could enslave your race."

"Woah, woah, woah, Zaalbar. You can't do this. This woman is completely Evil! I've seen her murder people for not liking
their tone. I've seen her let people transform into monsters our of pure spite! She is utterly evil! She is Chaos
Incarnate!"

"I disagree with that. I'm more Neutral Evil."

"It's some kind of loyalty vow, isn't it?"

"A Wookiee slave! Excellent! I am..er..'honored' to accept this vow."

"Why won't this nightmare end!"

Yeah, we know your character. No need to reiterate it again.

"The sooner we get there the better. Let's go."

Oh, how helpful It- Wait, what? Rancor? RANCOR?

"Whoa, nobody said anything about a Rancor monster!"

"Fuck that. I'm not gonna chicken out because of some Rancor."

Zaalbar has joined our party! He's a scout, which makes him a more effective combatant that Varen or Mission. But, more
importantly, we have a decent character to replace Carth!

Hooray!

He's also a Wookiee Samurai.

Soon, however, it becomes clear that our new companion suffers from a most debilitating disease.

BAD BREATH! DUN DUN DUNNNN!

Eight square meals? Damn.

Perish the thought.

An entire planets worth of piss. Lovely.

This is something I like about the sewers. The gears emphasise just how old Taris is, with some clockwork architecture
here. Makes me wonder whether the planet itself is kept running by these things. It's pretty neat.

We also find the last of the diaries we need. Which means...

Yes! It's time to doom an entire people for fun and profit. It may seem mean, but this whole "Outcast" plotline makes no
sense anyway, so in a way, we're balancing out the universe.

"I have those journals you wanted."

"Gimme the credits first, slimeball."

100 credits is an absolute pittance. We're about to indirectly commit genocide over generations for 100 credits. If
anyone hasn't played Grand Theft Auto IV may want to skip the next paragraph.

IN GTA 4, the plot revolves around the main character, Niko, searching for the man who betrayed his men in a nondescript
war. When he finally find him, we learn that he betrayed all his friends, the men he loved and fought beside, for $200.
That is what this reminds me of. There are fewer things I can think of that are more gut-wrenchingly awful than to do
such a thing.

"I think I want more than that."

"It's a deal. I warned that Rukil there would be a reckoning if he didn't offer me a reward."

Now after dooming that civilisation to a slow death, lets go to the Black Vulkar base.

It turns out, you can't pick a forcefield! Who knew?

Time to move on.

Gammoreans. I hate these guys.

"Zaalbar? Zaalbar. There's a mine there. Don't...don't step on it. That would be bad."
"MUST DESTROY ENEMY"

"Goddamit."

Remember the pathfinding problems I mentioned earlier? They're back, in full force. FOR THE REST OF THE GAME.

Around the corner, we find....this.

A severed arm.

In Star Wars.

A severed arm.

There are no words.

The Datapad in the...arm...gives us a clue about the Rancor.

Oh dear.

"You can't see me, but I can see you. When you're sleeping. With binoculars."

0_0

I....I....

Is this Dead Space? Are we playing Dead Space now?

Craftily, we plant the bait, and a bomb, on the corpse pile.

Guess that meal....(puts on sunglasses)....went down the wrong way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMPAH67f4o

And there we are. We've slain the Rancor. Technically.

I'll make sure our biographer embellishes this part of the story.

Just past the Rancor den, lies the entrance to the Black Vulkar base.

Join us next time, where we run around the first genuinely good dungeon on Taris.

Question Time! Following on last time's question about Moral Choice, has there ever been a choice you simply could not
make? For example, finding an Evil option so horrible that you simply could not go through with it.

Ah yes, yes there was.

I rarely play evil characters, so I have quite a few problems when I do. I loathe to kill children and the elderly, and at least give my foes a fighting chance.

That's why I tend to do good, even if there's no reward, or even if it costs me.

Same with me. I have tried playing "evil" in Planescape: Torment no less than 3 times, and each and every time I can't get past the tutorial.

I played "evil" in MotB once. It was... well...

Damn evil. That's the only way to describe my character. He went from NE to CE very quickly. There wasn't a single good thing about him. In my defense though, souls are tasty.

Cookie monster agrees with your statement. He's considering changing his name to "Soul Monster"

Souls taste like homonculus. That is to say, delicious.

Cookies are also pretty good too, though.