UtRR's #5: Talos Vice! (by @PW)

[cranebump]

Hey, all. After a lengthy hiatus, here is our first review of 2021. In the tradition of throwback arcs (like the James Bond one I thoroughly enjoyed), we now hop to the 80s with:

 

Why I picked it: The theme. Never a Miami Vice fan, but I dig the idea

What I ran it with: Nightsickle

Powersets and such: Dark/Ice Scrapper, L13 (these are powersets I’ve never used; the toon is literally 2 days old)

 

NOTE: 41 reviews of this arc, with 5 Star rating. Why haven’t I heard of it? 

 

Opening:

Well the attire’s certainly appropriate. And it’s our seldom-visited buddy from Talos. 

 

Okay, first off, as someone who writes plays as a sidelight (and has dabbled with screenplays), I **love** this:

Get in the Ferrari? Dude, it’s MY car! (it’s not?...okay…[sniff])

 

First mish is about a drug bust (what? shocking…):-) 

I’m running at L13 on a 12-20 mish range, with SO’s slotted, so we’ll see how this goes.

 

Several things to do right off:

Actually 6, but I rescued one before I screen capped here.

 

Let’s hope I don’t do a lot of this…

 

Bassins gets a close up.

I smell a rat...oh, wait, that’s just me. Sorry...Creole lunch...

 

So, I keep hearing all this gunfire. Come around the corner to see:

Dude, you are a baaaaad shot…

 

Minor Issue: Clues are not numbered. Some things I discovered appear higher on the clues list. I don’t mind the scrolling back, but I have to briefly scan each one to see what’s new and what’s not. I think numbering would help here.

 

We take on el boss-o

Maybe, Grog, but it certainly doesn’t help your fashion sense.

 

Mish done. We get a “cut scene” interview with Gorgs (in the form of a mish end clue box). Grog points us to bigger fish. Or maybe smellier. I mean...he’s pretty big…

 

This in the end mish box:

Hmmm...which 80s tune is mournful...I’m going with Roxette’s “Must’ve Been Love,” ‘cause Croq and I, we have a thing...it’s all about the car, you realize...

 

Mish 2

We’re pointed toward something called the Sindicators. I assume they’re bad guys, because, well, SIN. Of course, maybe they mean “sin” as in “without” (so, they DON’T speak Spanish? okay…)

 

SOOOOO wrong. Sindicators is a night club. Well...seems classy, right?

 

Sez we are greeted by “surly glares” (which is now my next toon name…[and don’t call me Shirley]).

 

Still with the aiming issues, I see…

 

Hmmm...the Warriors are here. And they’ve been trained by Van Damme.

 

Mobs begin to diversify, with a mix of Hellions, Outcasts, Warriors. Evidently the Family is here, too, according to the molecular biology major standing...er, hopping next to us here:

Is this really the ONLY way you can pay for college, Libby?

 

Mish goes off without a hitch. Croq strangely regains his aim when I’m around.

 

Cue “Every Breath You Take.”

 

So, we locate our rat in mish. Croq is justifiably upset:

Yeah! Fricker! A Statesman doll! HOW COULD YOU! (nice nugget here…)

 

Mish 3

Mission entry accept is “You can trust me.” Which is me talking to Croquette. In quotations. So can he **really** trust me? I mean, I didn’t get a doll.:-)

 

Sigh…

 

More fashion nightmares. And I took down blue. Croq is evidently checking his sight for something.

Die you pastel patsy!

 

Stopped the shipment. Pummeled the boss. Looks like Croq gives up shooting and just jams the whole pistol through the pets chest:

 

Vexed? When did you go to Oxford?

 

NOTE: Nice little mish here. In you go, get dyne, grab Croq, then Cavs pops up back near entry of the Mercy dock. Fun and quick.

 

And that’s that! A quick, simple, 3-mish arc.

 

SUMMARY:

 

Positives:

• Unique presentation style (TV script).
• Typical baddies, but customized to fit the “Vice” feel.
• Player-friendly maps.
• A Ferrari.

 

Tweaks:

• Doesn’t really need any. It’s straightforward. That said, there are a couple of mishes left to fiddle with, and when I hit the end it seemed awfully quick. Boss fight came with a single ambush, which you don’t have to clear. I’m not sure the final map (which I love) has room for it, but some patrols would spice that up a bit.
• Might number the clues. Not a deal breaker, though, since most of them popped up where they needed to.
• Might have the perps at least TRY to dodge Croquette's shots. You know...to make him feel better.:-)
• From a character standpoint, I’d almost like to see Croq’s worst fears realized, like a major breach that reveals another traitor in the ranks. And maybe a tie in with whoever is receiving the shipment. In other words, a bigger, bigger fish to fry (or broil, or bake...personally, I prefer blackened…):-)

 

OVERALL: 4.5/5. It’s clean. Unique in presentation. No major issues with spawns. Very well done, honestly. I just felt the “rat in our midst” angle could’ve been further exploited. That said, it was fun. My lowbie toon handled everything easily. In fact, I’d wager that the arc can accommodate any of the AT’s easily. It’s got that flexibility. I enjoyed the mix of street gangs working with the Fam. Nice job.

 

Play this if: 

• You want a short, sweet AE arc to run.
• You’re down with the 80s vibe.
• You like neon and neon-inspired clothing.
• You dream of riding shotgun with Croq down the Argo Highway, listening to Roxette and The Police.

 

Don’t play if:

• You’re looking for a deeper, more character-drive story.
• You don’t like your character having lines in the script (looking at you, Kyksie):-)

 

COMING ATTRACTIONS: If you’re a Goldside fan, be sure to check out @darmian’s new stuff as it comes out. He’s a dedicated Praetorian, and knows his stuff! 

 

Happy Trails, Kemosabes. And, if you’re a Yank, stay warm.

 

Yours in vice (and, occasionally, virtue),

Crane

 

Edited February 15, 2021 by cranebump