From Dark to Darkest with The Meteors.

[Darmian]

So I wrote a mid to high level canon-esque AE. Taking a sort of Supers procedural TV show as inspiration I ended up with three "seasons" comprising 15 episodes each. The story starts with Madame Maven, leader of The Meteors super group (Bullet Streak, Halox Von Horn, Super Charger and The Invincible Axios) calling in the player(s) for some help when Arachnos troops are seen on some covert mission in the ruins of Galaxy City.

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Dark Deeds in Galaxy City: Part One. (Arc id 26756) Madame Maven of the Meteors asks for your help when two of her team go missing in the ruins of Galaxy City while investigating reported Arachnos sightings there. 

 

Dark Deeds in Galaxy City: Part Two. (Arc id 26952) Following the events of Part One, Ghost Widow recruits you to retrieve an item personal to her, while investigating what she says are rogue Arachnos.

 

Dark Deeds in Galaxy City: Part Three. (Arc id 27233) Returning to Paragon from the Rogue Isles, you and the Meteors attempt to thwart the Arachnos faction operating there, but all is not what it seems. 

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Darker Deeds: Part One (Arc id 28374) A surviving prisoner from the Arachnos faction will only speak to you. The Meteors once again ask for your aid, but things go terribly awry and the past comes back to haunt Paragon City. 

 

Darker Deeds: Part Two. (Arc id 28536) Following the events of Part One, a new contact approaches you for help, one that is not immediately trustworthy but needs must when friends' lives depend upon it.

 

Darker Deeds: Part Three. (Arc id 29252) Pursuing a slim lead brings you again to the Rogue Isles, and into the depths of modern day Arachnos' machinations.  And a terrible plan that even they fear. 

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Darkest Before Dawn: Part One (Arc id 29891) You and the Meteors track the remnants of the Arachnos faction as they become more desperate and more dangerous, and discover you are not alone in this secret war. 

 

Darkest Before Dawn: Part Two (Arc id 30210) The faction's plan is put in motion and all of Paragon is in danger. With time running out what can you do except fight until your last? 

 

Darkest Before Dawn: Part Three (Arc id 30560) The birds are coming home to roost and old truths and secrets will out, while new secrets threaten the future in ways you had not imagined.

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So if you fancy a longer story that could pass for mid level canon in a dim light, enjoy!

I had a lot of fun writing it. I also had a lot of frustration with the AE tool limits but that's also part of the fun.

Edited February 1, 2021 by Darmian

[Kyksie]

I ran through the first one (26756) and it was pretty good. Quality writing, well done custom mobs, no time wasters.

[Darmian]

Thanks! Having read some of your other reviews the simple fact that you played it and enjoyed it is good enough for me!

Edited July 18, 2020 by Darmian

[Darmian]

On 7/18/2020 at 4:39 AM, Kyksie said:

I ran through the first one (26756) and it was pretty good. Quality writing, well done custom mobs, no time wasters.

What do you normally class as a time waster? Personally I despise Defeat All, so you won't find a single one of those in my stuff. Likewise you can usually defeat the boss by only killing the boss and not all their minions too. There's one or two out of the entire 45 episodes that you have to but there's reasons for that, like they may be the only combat encounter for instance. There's definitely a few "scenery" glowies and there's a few "scenery" destructibles, but the latter is because it lets me spawn extra troops over the listed limit.

I have one map with about ten spaced out destructibles. There were supposed to be five and all in the front. No matter what I did they spawned literally everywhere, so rather than have a player forlornly searching for five in a largish space and getting frustrated, I doubled the number to keep the action moving. It's a kludgy fix but I haven't figured out a better solution yet.

[Kyksie]

Time wasters are usually one of the following:

 

* Requiring the player to defeat all enemies (this can be forgiven if the map is very small)

* Using 17 glowies when 3 would be fine

* Requiring the player to escort a hostage across the map (again, forgivable if the map is small)

 

As a rule of thumb, if something would require the player to spend more then a minute, ask yourself "is this really needed to get my point across?".

[Darmian]

2 hours ago, Kyksie said:

Time wasters are usually one of the following:

 

* Requiring the player to defeat all enemies (this can be forgiven if the map is very small)

* Using 17 glowies when 3 would be fine

* Requiring the player to escort a hostage across the map (again, forgivable if the map is small)

 

As a rule of thumb, if something would require the player to spend more then a minute, ask yourself "is this really needed to get my point across?".

I've had a look at my glowies and actually removed a few! 

Escort? I've a few of those, mostly across either a small map or a small part of a map, but I think only one fails your test, but I also think it's mitigated by the fact that that is the entire point of that episode. Oh well. Thanks for the feedback!

Edited July 19, 2020 by Darmian

[Ankylosaur]

So I played through the entire trilogy of trilogies. It's hard to sum up or do justice to it all when there is so much content. Really loved getting to know the gang that hangs around Atlas Park speaking to reporters - creative idea! Here I am with (almost) the whole gang in the final mission! 

 

 

Some great little tactics to help you keep the story straight and a real attention to detail across all of it. Among the 45 missions there were some real stand out great experiences.  

 

As you can imagine there is a lot of plot here - but the plot payoff is big. I know I had to take a pause and think through its implications - its a little hopeless which hits hard, but the scheme is big enough to support this and anchored in the lore. Some great writing in that final reveal too.

 

If you are looking for a big sweeping story, give it a run!

 

 

 

 

[cranebump]

Last battle is a real doozy.

[Darmian]

Trying out Cel shading.  And kinda liking it.

 

[Darmian]

Update:

 

The Meteors: (Arc id 42079)  Ever since you registered as a super with City Hall they've had your contact details if they needed you, though you've been doing fine by yourself so far. Today however, you have a message from an unknown sender on that secure line. Do you want to open it? 

 

Prequel to Dark Deeds in Galaxy City: Part One (Arc id 26756)

Edited September 22, 2021 by Darmian