Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Fallout Journal #12: Guns of Effin Anchorage

so i delved into the "Operation: Anchorage" DLC. unfortunately, i have been sidetracked with new work. but i digress.

i jumped into the simulator chair and loaded the simulation of a war long forgotten. instantly, i'm on a cliff-side working with some chap who pretty much spouts off all sorts of pseudo-patriotic  drivel like "this one's for uncle sam! and "take that commie!".   It's kind of annoying, really

now i thought i was going to get some sweet gear, but so far it doesn't appear to be the case. i have found that this section of the game plays more like a Call of Duty rather than Fallout, with bright red pickups for ammo and weapons, which glow and also make an irritating chime when nearby.

the story so far is this. i've infiltrated a facility high up on the cliff and took out three cannons that were shelling anchorage mercilessly, then i instantly "respawned" in HQ to go over the three-part attack needed to overtake the enemy. it involved disrupting an armored vehicle factory, a large mining facility, and then the final attack on the actual Chinese base.

oh, this sounds fun...

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Super Dungeon Full Circle.

a small reflection point on something.

it amazes me how some things tend to pick up on certain vibes in your life and the ongoings at certain points within that life. (does that make sense?) much like a tattoo, everyday objects can be tied in with some of the most dramatic moments of our lives, and will always carry the memory of those moments. a memento of past events, good and bad.

such is the point with super dungeon explore,  a game that i have had for almost a year now, and marks the beginning of one of the hardest years of my life.

i was gainfully employed at an automotive parts supplier outside of town, but had left the company in a fit of rage because i was forced to pick between family and my career. it was not my best moment, but i wasn't going to let the company dictate my life.

i went with my daughter to a gaming convention that weekend, something we had been planning for a while, and it was there that i purchased SDX. i perused it, and it was a cool buy, but it was shelved due to a deep depression and marital issues. so, it sat unopened and unfulfilled in my garage.

the game returned to me later that year in the late summer, when i went to gencon to fill an obligation that i refused to let fall to the wayside. i talked to my buddy josh, who had mention that he had seen it there in the dealer room, and was interested in playing it despite the hefty price tag. this only reminded me that i had the game, and that i should eventually play it.

we met up later in November, and i wrote up a little review here, but again, the box returned to the garage waiting for another play. this time due to money and lack of motivation.

at the beginning of this month, i became gainfully employed, and i was able to close one of the ugliest chapters of my life...by being able to purchase the "Von Drakk Manor" expansion for SDX.

its time to play again, old friend. lets dust you off.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Fallout Journal #11: Enclave and Outcasts

i decided to push a little further in the main story and go after the GECK . i headed to Little Lamplight and entered vault 87. i went in strategically, sweeping room to room with the largest guns that i have. i'm getting real sick and tired of dealing with mutant overlords. it took me a few frag mines and mini nukes to get through to where i needed to be.

 I found Fawkes, a large intelligent mutant, and decided to outfit him with my minigun and all the ammo for it. we carve a path of destruction (after several deaths and freezes) and he gets me the GECK since it lies in a highly irradiated chamber. unfortunately, he doesn't want to join up with me. (HEY, i'm EVIL! AND GIVE ME BACK MY MINIGUN!)

i don't even attempt to kill him. just a good choice at that point.

i walk out into a main room, get knocked out by the Enclave, and get sent to Raven Rock

after some torture, i think, i get released and i am granted some one on one time with President Eden. i shamble through the facility, taking shots at everything that moves, because they're gunning for me too. i make sure to pick up that last bobblehead (PLING! Trophy!) and i get some fame-to-monitor time with the president.


now i was really, REALLY, tempted to join up with the Enclave, but i needed a few more speech challenges won, so i told him that he's a bit mis-wired and needs some down time. he agrees, and decides to take the whole Enclave down with him. i take off, fight my way out of the facility, and head outside, where Fawkes is gunning down people with a gatling laser.

hmm...should i, or shouldn't i?

nah...more to do.

i head off to find the outcasts base, and head into the large facility there to take on Operation: Anchorage. i don't think they really like me, since i'm evil and wearing the Enclave Armor, but they are willing to work with me. plus the place is unusually clean and reminds me of Oz and the Yellow Brick Road. 

i'm hoping to pick up some sweet armor and some good weapons too in this part of the game. time to see if i'm up to the task.

until next time...please standby.