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Hm. In the end, he is constrained by both the setup of the mission itself(It was described as a 'victory run' even by Firaxis when pressed on the matter; many people were unimpressed at the Temple Ship being so...simple, especially given what getting there took.) and the default ending(Temple Ship is destroyed in orbit with a classic Heroic Sacrifice to stop Earth being eaten by a Black Hole). Of course, Original X-COM/UFO was even more unambiguous in it's victory(The Alien Brain tries to offer X-Com and humanity the universe along with an origin story in exchange for serving it, you ignore and shoot it, the 'day is saved'). Then Terror happened. But then, Cydonia was a massive fight to get to the Brain and it would take your entire force dying to fail that. Hm. There's good and bad in what's been done here. On the whole, it's alright. But then, I feel that about most things. The mess with the Super Ethereal doing what it did, and the fightback resting on one person is...messy, but also understandable given the whole thing IS an escort mission. Would it have been better or worse with the Commander also taking a stand? But wouldn't that also have been a cop-out? If X-COM 2 wasn't a reality, would it have been more or less satisfying? Does it even apply? I don't know how I feel, in the end.
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Jan 19, 2016 13:25
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So I guess if they aren't X-Com, but an Anime, does that allow the technicality of the Japanese X-Men Intro where they blow up a volcano to make the logo? Also, yeesh, so much psychic energy going wild at the end it's turning everyone's hair black. As for "Old X-Com", my first win was because I had a soldier Mind Controlled to move away from my squad, halfway across the map, and into the brain room. One berserk after a bunch of mutons failing to kill him later, and the final leg of the mission is successful due to no action on my part  So Old X-com has a bit more anticlimax to my personal bias.EDIT: Most recent update on the last page. Section Z fucked around with this message at 13:38 on Jan 19, 2016 |
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Jan 19, 2016 13:36
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Thyrork posted:E: And considering how 90's comicbook classic XCOM was, modern XCOM being "Anime" is entirely within reason. The Guile hairdo was amazing. I believe it's in this game too, right? And yeah, endgame X-Com is a bunch of psychics badasses and/or mechas kicking rear end and taking names, the campaign as a whole has a casualty rate that military planners everywhere would sell their soul for and the kill/death ratio is straight out of Doom or MGR: Revengeance. If that isn't anime I don't know what is. At this point the commander should simply hire a pop singer to create an official anthem and start a merchandising campaign, all revenue to be used as reconstruction funds.
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Jan 19, 2016 13:45
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Thyrork posted:E: And considering how 90's comicbook classic XCOM was, modern XCOM being "Anime" is entirely within reason. You could argue that the whole point about psychic powers is that you can change the world just by believing in something enough. If that isn't anime, what is? Bloodly posted:It was described as a 'victory run' even by Firaxis when pressed on the matter; Have they ever come up with any sort of explanation for what the Uber Ethereal's plan actually was? Sure, it challenges humanity to create a powerful psychic, but then what? Either the Ethereal kills the Volunteer (thus ruining all its hard work) or the Volunteer kills the Ethereal. Was there anything more to the plan, or was it just gratuitous villainy because video game?
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Jan 19, 2016 13:48
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inflatablefish posted:Have they ever come up with any sort of explanation for what the Uber Ethereal's plan actually was? Sure, it challenges humanity to create a powerful psychic, but then what? Either the Ethereal kills the Volunteer (thus ruining all its hard work) or the Volunteer kills the Ethereal. Was there anything more to the plan, or was it just gratuitous villainy because video game? Optionally, Ethereal kills the whole team and clones Volunteer from a still-fresh corpse.
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Jan 19, 2016 13:54
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They seemed to expect the Volunteer to join them willingly-the Ethereal expresses dismay, even shock, when you kill it.
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Jan 19, 2016 13:55
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Well, I suppose that answers my question of "I wonder if you will reference Undertale more". Short answer, yes, in spirit and almost exact words, such as "anime is real". Also, very clever how you manipulated the fact you had several save files, in order to pull off that bait and switch. Wonder what exactly the story for your (eventual) XCOM2 LP will be. Probably have something to do with the fact that the Uber Ethereal can exist in another plane of existence, I'm guessing you're gonna have it so that the alternate world is where they do a relatively quick decapitation strike, judging by how they talked about the Avatar Project and what not. Beyond that, I dunno, Rhino ends up in that timeline and becomes determined to save that world as well? Wonder what she'd think of Shen's sacrifice, and how his daughter is the new head engineer. Beyond story, I wonder if you'll somehow be able to pull off shenanigans related to the character pool (such as making most of the solider's we've seen here being potential recruits, complete with Bio's!) and/or mods. Well, whatever happens, it's been great and I (and most of us here I'm sure) look forward to whatever you do next. Remember, no matter what happens, we believe in you! I can have moments of... eccentricity and sometimes be quite curious about things. Please forgive me if I do something foolish or rude.
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Jan 19, 2016 14:48
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Well, the boss died as it should in any proper run. Good enough for me.
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Jan 19, 2016 15:10
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Just got caught up on this thread, having lapsed on reading it since July. Looks like it was just the right time.  Fantastic word, Speedball! I've really really enjoyed it.
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Jan 19, 2016 16:41
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This is THIS Xcom's official theme song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezrbyf6t9mY
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Jan 19, 2016 17:09
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Omobono posted:The Guile hairdo was amazing. I believe it's in this game too, right? It's Eva's hair! Thyrork posted:Teehee, nice foreshadowing here, boss. First two, not necessarily references to anything. Endless has crystal things but they actually hate dust in Endless Space (they have a weird mechanic where they don't use dust and can actually remove a planet's dust entirely for more resources) and the jellyfish were something I thought up as a creature that evolved to destroy anything psychic, but by its nature that left whole planets uninhabitable. The third one, totally an Xcom Apocalypse reference, though. Speedball fucked around with this message at 18:16 on Jan 19, 2016 |
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Jan 19, 2016 17:21
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That ending was amazing, Speedball. All that's left is to finish this up, archive it, and then you can start a new LP (probably a new Civilization or Xenonauts).
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Jan 20, 2016 01:32
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Speedball posted:First two, not necessarily references to anything. Endless has crystal things but they actually hate dust in Endless Space (they have a weird mechanic where they don't use dust and can actually remove a planet's dust entirely for more resources) and the jellyfish were something I thought up as a creature that evolved to destroy anything psychic, but by its nature that left whole planets uninhabitable. The third one, totally an Xcom Apocalypse reference, though. Oh! I didn't know about the crystal race in Endless Space. Jellyfish reminded me of the ultimate psychic squid thing in the moon. AFTER<Blank> was... a weird trio of games. Neat tho, really neat. Lacking in execution and form but not in style or ideas. Plus they did the whole "The squeal's takes place after the player picks the "bad ending"" thing too! Junpei posted:That ending was amazing, Speedball. All that's left is to finish this up, archive it, and then you can start a new LP (probably a new Civilization or Xenonauts). Let the man rest and play XCOM 2 in peace.  Plus I think he said he was going to do Endless Legend? as he was asking about Narrative vs Informative in this thread? 
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Jan 20, 2016 03:21
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XCOM Part 58: EPILOGUE: “Document from Another Dimension”  Well, it’s been days since the explosion. We’ve combed up what’s left of the debris and still not a sign of life… not even a sign that anything organic was ever on that ship. A ghost ship, crewed by phantoms… I’ll update the roster. Officially, Latisha Watkins was killed in action.  They’re renaming September 3rd to be “X Day” in celebration of our victory over the aliens. They were going to name it “Watkins Day” but Cam wouldn’t let them, and “Humans Day” had potentially racist implications, since we owe at least one alien our gratitude, as well as cyborgs and mutants. Plus, we need to redefine what counts as human anyway. As a cyborg I have a vested interest in that, heh. Bah. I once saved the earth from an invasion of giant mummy insects buried beneath Machu Picchu, I never got a “Van Doorn” day. That’s because you lived! Oh, poo poo, you’re right! How’s Cam doing? Hard to say. I don’t know if it’s hit her yet.  It doesn’t really feel like she’s gone, you know? I’m sorry, Cam. It’s fine… heh. Even if she’s in heaven, she’s probably finding a way to battle evil, though. That’s who she is. Hmm… Hard to believe we’ve only lost three people total this entire time. I know about Allen, but who’s “Freida Wright?” Did she die before I joined? Yeah. German lady who accidentally blew herself up on her second mission. Ugh, that sounds like such a horrible way to trivialize someone’s life, but that’s what happened! I was there. We couldn’t tell her kids that, though, so we sort of made it sound like she blew up the sectoids in a heroic suicide action. The Commander’s gone, too. I guess with no more aliens invading, his deal with the Council of Nations is over. I think I’m going on a long vacation now. No more XCOM for a while. Yeah. Sounds like a good idea. Let’s enjoy the world that’s been saved for us.  Hey, we got a bunch of alien salvage from the Temple Ship here. Most of it is burnt-up scrap… some knick-knacks here and there… and what looks like an old burnt-up computer. Don’t recognize the design. Just put it over there. We’ll have Shen comb over the hardware later.     And buried in the computer’s files was found a document that made no sense…quote:
The world is a weird-rear end place sometimes.THANK YOU ALL FOR LET’S PLAYING XCOM: ENEMY WITHIN! See you in 2035! Speedball fucked around with this message at 18:35 on Jan 20, 2016 |
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Jan 20, 2016 06:40
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... Planet of the Apes? Oh Latisha, if only you knew.
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Jan 20, 2016 06:46
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Gotta love the people who sit on their games forever and skew the world averages so far out there. That or it's outright cheating, but either way.
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Jan 20, 2016 07:04
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Update 57 was pretty good. My only problem with it is that I'm personally tired of the JRPG teammate chime in/remember what we're here for scene so I skipped a bit. Plus, I feel like we already did this back with the Sectoid Commander too. Other than personal fatigue about a common writing trope, I thought it was fine.
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Jan 20, 2016 07:10
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Bobbin Threadbare posted:Gotta love the people who sit on their games forever and skew the world averages so far out there. That or it's outright cheating, but either way. Fantastic LP Speedball, and gently caress anyone who says otherwise. I don't know who wants flawed, nuanced characters in the story of "and then the humans blew up the evil aliens," but it sure as hell isn't me.
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Jan 20, 2016 07:14
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...Wait, how did Allen come back? did they clone her from Cam?
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Jan 20, 2016 07:45
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Siegkrow posted:...Wait, how did Allen come back? did they clone her from Cam? I think she's talking to the audience; XCOM probably doesn't know what's on the computer...yet. Edit: Forgot to congratulate Speedball on finishing the LP; it isn't always easy to work through personal problems (for lack of a better term) and get poo poo done, so you did good. thetruegentleman fucked around with this message at 10:53 on Jan 20, 2016 |
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Jan 20, 2016 09:22
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I... I can't disagree with this epilogue. A Planet of the Apes ending is perfect. Thanks for the thread, Speedball, that was enjoyable.
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Jan 20, 2016 10:29
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Excellent. Thanks, Speedball.
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Jan 20, 2016 10:30
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And theres the hook.  See you next time, Speedball. 
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Jan 20, 2016 11:44
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Perfect epilogue. As if I couldn't already be more hyped up for XCOM 2.
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Jan 20, 2016 12:06
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Awesome read. Thanks for all your work, Speedball.
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Jan 20, 2016 16:30
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Poor Mama Watkins. Great ride. Worth every minute. Thanks for all the work you put in on this, Speedball, I had a blast.
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Jan 20, 2016 18:16
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yo that was a pretty good LP
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Jan 20, 2016 18:23
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That.... that took a hell of a lot outta me. I think it was worth it, though. Cleaned up the first episode so it's got names in the portraits. I think that's about all that needs fixing. Sending off the request to baldurk. Thank you all! You all kept me going. Some of you probably even kept me alive. There were a lot of ups and downs in 2015. Feel free to keep praising me, haha. Might be your last chance in this thread and I think I'll take a short break from LPing for a while. Not TOO long.
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Jan 20, 2016 20:02
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Nooo What am I gonna do for the next few months without a SpeedballCo. LP twice a month D:
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Jan 20, 2016 20:28
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Speedball posted:Feel free to keep praising me, haha. Might be your last chance in this thread and I think I'll take a short break from LPing for a while. Not TOO long. Pardon me while I curl up in a corner, huddled under many blankets, fearing the darkness that comes from no Speedball LP in my life. Siegkrow posted:Nooo What am I gonna do for the next few months without a SpeedballCo. LP twice a month D: Read them in the archives?
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Jan 20, 2016 21:54
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That was one hell of a ride, Speedball. Great work.
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Jan 20, 2016 22:00
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Great work Speedball, looking forward to whatever you have planned next!
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Jan 20, 2016 22:05
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Finally Chiming in, to say a really big THANK YOU, for entertaining me (us) for all this time, it was a Blast and i laughed my rear end of sometimes and enjoyed the ride. Really great Job. Looking forward to your next LP!
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Jan 20, 2016 22:15
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Speedball posted:That.... that took a hell of a lot outta me. I think it was worth it, though. It's fine, I'm sure plenty of us here are willing to act as your virtual hug dispensers, even if hugboxes are something that's usually (and with good reason) looked down upon. Anyway, my guess is you're gonna have mama Watkins become the XCOM2 commander. Hooray for alternate timeline shenanigans? Either way though, It's been great, I look forward to whatever you do next, I know I've said this before, but you did say this might be the last chance to praise you. I can have moments of... eccentricity and sometimes be quite curious about things. Please forgive me if I do something foolish or rude.
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Jan 20, 2016 22:18
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Excellent work Speedball, looking forward to your next project. And if you decide not to continue LPing, I wish you godspeed!
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Jan 20, 2016 23:36
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Speedball posted:That.... that took a hell of a lot outta me. I think it was worth it, though. Well of course, you don't do a narrative LP blind, gotta beat XCOM 2 a couple times first! But seriously, we're always looking forward to more from you Speedball, I envy your writing skills.
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Jan 21, 2016 00:09
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Thanks for the fun LP.
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Jan 21, 2016 00:41
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I had a lot of fun, Speedball, thanks. Looking forward to theoretical future LPs.
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Jan 21, 2016 02:30
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Speedball, you rock. I've had a blast reading this. Thank you!
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Jan 21, 2016 06:58
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This LP rules. Thank you for making it, Speedball. Good luck with whatever you decide to do next, LP or no LP.
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Jan 21, 2016 09:22
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