Tale

Finished Jedi Academy. I've now played the entire set. I still hate Dark Forces 2. Academy was a nice improvement over Outcast. I hadn't really expected that. The mission structure was uninteresting. But the lightsaber combat was a lot more tolerable, there weren't as many obnoxious snipers, and they toned down the platforming. And the level design was much better. I very rarely got lost and never had to resort to youtube to figure out what I missed.

Setting seems unimpressive. The well of souls and "fateless" concepts merited a roll of the eyes when I see that trailer. But, the combat looks good. Not many RPGs with combo systems out there. And that's merited a pre-order from me. The demo is out next week and I'll see if I keep the pre-order from there. The build options also look very interesting. They've got a set of destiny cards for all of the class combos, so that hopefully means their synergies work well.

Back to Jedi Outcast. Those Cortosis Reborn are enough to make me cheat my way through the game. Dance around, randomly swinging until one guy dies. Usually it'll be me and reload the save. One on one I can handle. I can hope for a saberlock then push and get them while they're on the ground. But now they like to do two at a time and that's simply not enjoyable.

Hmh, what Planescape document? http://www.rpgwatch.com/files/Files/00-020...tement_1997.pdf

That makes me wish we could get more behind-the-scenes stuff that includes the pitch. The Planescape document was quite a thing to read.

Combat looks good from the things I've seen. For one, they've got a combo system. That's not something I'm used to in RPGs. There's lots of ways combo systems can go wrong, so it's not a sure thing, but I'm glad someone's put one there.

On Games, Reviews, And Criticism -- Part 1 - Giantbomb Thoughtful discussion between a Giantbomb writer and a Bioware designer on the roles of and distinction between reviews and criticism. Looking forward to part 2.

I keep hoping I'll color spray the group from behind. I remember doing that during one of my BG2 plays. Good times.

To the Moon THERE IS NOTHING MANLY ABOUT THESE TEARS, HOW DO I MAKE THEM STOP So, it's a visual novel. Very moving. I'm not actually yelling, by the way. That would require being able to breathe.

I'm optimistic about Amalur. Incredibly glad they're having that demo. My optimism means I'd probably end up getting it. At least a demo can let me re-evaluate that initial position.

Apollo 18. It wasn't bad. It's just not especially good either. I don't think it used the found footage concept very well. And it wasn't scary. But I don't begrudge the time I spent viewing.

I'm not sure that eradicating hunger and disease would be worth having to wear spandex.

Blizzard's made a lot of console games in their time. Even Diablo was on PSOne. I imagine they'll refine that old scheme a bit.

Did I mention that I quicksaved while falling in Jedi Outcast? Oh, I did, did I? Did I mention I also did that into the 4th mission of Dark Forces 2 just a few days earlier? This happens all the time.

Downloading To the Moon. Apparently a few places list it as one of the best overlooked games of the year. And Gamespot editors called it Story of the Year, while nominating it in a few other story and music categories. Pretty good for a small indie adventure. I'll let you guys know what I think after I give it a good whirl.

Jedi Academy is better in every way. Plus if you go dark side, you get to kick Kyle "Carth" Katarn's whiny ass. Ehh. I remember trying the demo out for Academy back in the day, and it felt too much the same as Outcast so I skipped it. But I'll be giving it a shot after I finish this play of Outcast.

Jedi Outcast Got to Nar Shadda. As is tradition, given that it's filled with snipers, bottomless pits, and platforming, quicksave/load is abused until I accidentally quicksave while falling. And quit the game.

The platforming is terrible. You can do third person on the lightsaber fights and that's not any good either. Outcast wasn't particularly better, since it always seemed completely random. There's no real feedback or control over it.

There's no disputing that god can't be disproven. At least, not the general one that shrinks away from all duties as other explanations come to be known. That is to say, Thor is no longer credited with lightning. But that's sort of the point. That which cannot be proven, that which is entirely in the realm of speculation with no measurable features, is completely indistinguishable from making **** up. It's Russell's Teapot. Yes, it's possible. It doesn't mean that all unproveable flights of imagination are therefore to go unquestioned.

Just finished Dark Forces 2. I'll be honest, I cheated through half of the game. It stopped being fun pretty early.

I just heard a spoiler for Bounty Hunter that sounds like I wanted the class to be. Why does it have to wait until Chapter 3?

What does Oner have against berries?

Solipsism isn't as attractive as it once was. Or maybe it was never attractive. But it's definitely a strawman if you're bringing it up to others that argue for proof. The world you interact with is a valid one, even if it can't be ultimately proven beyond solipsistic doubt. But its characteristics within the context can be examined.

Bards don't count. And we have clerics? I thought they died. Edit: Apparently you're a Cleric. Yay cleric!

But again the Atheist has the better position. It is logcial after all to demand proof of an on the face of it pretty outrageous claim. More logical certainly than to propose erecting an invisible wall between the imperical and the metaphysical and demanding that they not be allowed to affect one another. It's not a perfectly balanced dichotomy. One side is cheating by proposing that it need only supply anecdotal evidence of its existence. But Rosbjerg seems more intent on the value of the discussion. And I would agree with his point in respect to the participants. Faith and skepticism lack commonalities to appeal to each other. As for other witnesses to the exchange, that is another matter. For which it is hard to make a general case.