jdodson | Cheerful Ghost

Starcraft II Adds Spawn Copy Support

Starcraft was a staple of my ol' LAN parties and to get everyone playing the game we occasionally spawned copies of it on people's machines that didn't have the game. Some have lamented this loss but it seems today Blizzard is bringing this back.

Starcraft II has had the starter edition for quite some time, which allows you to play as Terran on a few maps and also allows cross play with your friends that own the full game. Up till now, all the Heart of the Swarm maps and units were unavailable if you wanted to play with your starter edition friends until now.

The video above showcases how it works, simply start a game with starter edition friend and you get all the Heart of the Swarm multiplayer options and maps available. This is a really cool feature and I plan on using it in an upcoming Starcraft 2 event, so stay tuned for that and if you haven't load up on the starter edition.

http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/10145834

Assault on Dragon Keep Walkthrough w Anthony Burch

Revision 3 recently posted a video with Tara Long and Anthony Burch the lead writer for Borderlands 2 going over the new Assault on Dragon Keep DLC. The walkthrough contains some mad spoilers but its fun to see the game unfold with Burch's commentary.

The new D&D influenced DLC will hit June 25th.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 06/04/2013 at 07:30am

I never finished BL2, and I feel a little ashamed of that. Spent so much time in the first game, that I got a little burned out when it came to the second. I don't know. This expansion, however, looks mighty awesome. May have to dive back in.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 06/04/2013 at 11:54pm

Yeah, I chip at it a bit at a time but largely I find the main campaign to be way too long between interesting bits. The writing is good, but I think the smaller bite sized DLC packs might be more my style too.

That said, perhaps another reason is I crushed so hard on the first game and second one was essentially the same kind of thing with better writing.

Anyways, Dragon Keep looks good and I want to give it a spin at some point.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 06/05/2013 at 02:38am

That's exactly it! The first game was amazing, fresh and new. Played through several times, with multiple characters, and sometimes would just grind for weapons. Then the second came, and I was really into it, but lost interest somewhere along the way, and couldn't get back in.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 06/05/2013 at 08:59pm

Right. I chip away on BL2 a bit at a time because it fun in bursts but, yeah it doesnt have me like BL1 did. Kind if been wanting to go back and play the original lately too.

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Awesomenauts: A Fun Action Side-Scrolling MOBA

After Humble Bundle 8 dropped I picked it up and after thinking it over decided to play Awesomenauts first. I had heard from people on the site that this is a good game, plus I see people playing it on Steam all the time so I figured it was time.

While I was at University I played a fun Warcraft III UMS map called Defense of the Ancients. That made it into our LAN rotations among other Tower Defense maps and regular ol' War III. I really dug DoTA but never was exceptional at it. Fast foward to today to the more modern DoTA 2 and League of Legends and whereas the core idea is fun, the immense difficulty ramp is not.

Intro Awesomenauts. It comes packed with all the Tower / Hero destruction fun you could want in an easily accessible game. That doesn't mean the game isn't challenging, but it doesn't throw you straight into the pits of hell to start. The game starts with a simple tutorial that covers how to play as Lonestar, a good overall character. From there you can head to practice matches against bots.

As you play matches you gain EXP that unlocks the other characters in the game as well as other arenas to fight in as well as some special attacks. The first few matches I played as strictly Lonestar and then Gnaw & Derpl Zork. Derpl Zork and Gnaw are really fun.

One thing worth noting is that Awesomenauts is playable on Mac, Linux and Windows such that when you pickup the game later on another OS your progress is saved. I imagine it employs some cool Steam cloud wizardry and it works very well for you all that bounce between multiple OS's like I do.

Head over and nab the recent bundle to get a slew of other great games and... Awesomenauts. Oh and if you are into Awesomenauts, checkout our Cheerful Ghost event on Friday for the game!

http://cheerfulghost.com/jdodson/events/17

http://www.humblebundle.com/

Nekro. A Game Where Evil Does Your Bidding.

"Nekro is a dark, twisted action game about summoning demonic forces to do your bidding. With a fully-customizable array of powerful monsters to summon, Nekro challenges you to create a specialized army of hell-spawn to counter the forces of a corrupt King.

Playing with the speed and fluidity of an old-school action game, Nekro breaths fresh life into the genre with a deep and robust minion upgrade system. Use different monsters in unison to create a force that's greater than the sum of its parts. Utilize a blood mechanic unique to Nekro by harvesting the flesh of your enemies to power your unholy war machine."

Hot off of a successfully funded Kickstarter, darkForge games just put Nekro on Steam Greenlight. I recommend you head over and give it an upvote if you dig dark action games featuring blood and evil things. Wait, don't we all love that? :D

The game seems to be shaping up well from the video and I can't wait to try it out. The Necromancer is a character I always play in any game where they allow me the choice. Awesome to see a game where that is the draw.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=149845361

Tiny Barbarian DX: Get Barbarian Fever!

Recently Travis and I were able to play the all new game Tiny Barbarian DX. After playing it a bit the last few days I decided to do make a video to showcase the Horde Mode as well as to see how far into the Single Player as I could go. From the video you can see that my Horde Mode performance is a bit lacking but I make it WAY further into the Single Player story than I planned. In fact, I decided to quit where I did because I didn't want to make the video too long. That said, I plan on doing a follow up video where I try and take down the first chapter boss.

I won't try and cover too much of what Travis already said in his review again but I will sort of toss out a few bits on the game that I didn't cover in my review video. If it wasn't apparent from the video, Tiny Barbarian is a hell of a lot of fun and the play control is great. It really nails the style and tone of a Conan side scroller and you really do feel like a bad-ass at times.

The game is challenging though and keeps changing up the challenge so once you get used to playing a certain way, it immediately tosses you something different. This really keeps the game interesting and allows you to feel like you are progressing. I liken the challenge to Portal 2 in that it keeps each consecutive part fresh and interesting.

If you are on the fence about picking this game up you really need to get it and also stop sitting on fences, I can't imagine that's comfortable. Do yourself a favor and get a USB controller and JoyToKey because this game shines on a D-pad. The game works well with the Keyboard, but it is really awesome with the ol' controller layout.

http://www.starquail.com/tinyb/

Head over to the Steam Greenlight page and give this a vote, this game needs to come to Steam.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=110272647

Double Fine's New Kickstarter: Massive Chalice

Back this on Kickstarter!

"We're inspired by classic tactical strategy games like X-COM, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Fire Emblem, as well as Game of Thrones’ array of noble families. With these influences in mind we’re creating an epic, replayable turn-based tactics game where you train generations of heroes to repel a demonic invasion.

And with Kickstarter, we can do it. We have a great concept and team ready to go, and we want to work closely with our community to control the future of MASSIVE CHALICE free from outside interference."

It seems Double Fine has totally embraced the Kickstarter/Humble Bundle model for game studio-hood. All told this is pretty awesome as they can have more control over the game, keep ownership of it and work on new stuff. As most major studios keep pumping out sequels to popular franchises seemingly all of Double Fine's new games are completely new things.

Massive Chalice is an interesting take on the strategy genre that seems to pull in elements from XCom and other rad games. The video describes making choices about Warrior bloodlines for your kingdom and choose when the retire them to sire other warriors or keeping them in the fray.

This Kickstarter does something interesting as it only allows you to enter at the $20 backer level. This doesn't seem to have stopped fans from backing as they are nearly to their funding goals.

So what do you think of the Massive Chalice Kickstarter and game concept?

scrypt Supporter wrote on 06/01/2013 at 06:45pm

At this point, Double Fine could just launch a Kickstarter, call it "Double Fine Mystery?", with no description at all, and it would earn millions. They have the trust and respect of the people, and they have the talent and creativity to give those people the games they dream of playing. Hell, the 2Player Production behind-the-scene videos alone are worth the price. Golden gods, the lot of them.

I like the ideas behind Massive Chalice. Particularly interested in the generations system, and the choice to either continue fighting to the death, or retiring a warrior to raise a little warrior of their own, and the inheriting of the family relic... very cool. Plus, it's a new creative endeavor! Can't wait!

Travis Admin wrote on 06/01/2013 at 09:29pm

The game itself sounds really interesting, bringing some new ideas to the table that I don't think I've ever seen. Having warriors raise the new generation of warriors is really fascinating.

But I'm really tiring of the unnecessary, badly-acted, scripted stuff that seems to be a requirement on Kickstarter videos these days. "Hi, I'm Tim Schaffer and I'm here with my friend and coworker Brad Miur who's going to tell you about a new game..." etc, then the last two minutes of the video, is really all they needed. They're Double Fine, so they don't need to impress everyone with theatrics. Just tell us what you're making, guys!

scrypt Supporter wrote on 06/01/2013 at 09:39pm

Aww... I think it's hilarious! Part of what make them Double Fine is their brand of humor. Like big kids in a toy shop :)

Travis Admin wrote on 06/01/2013 at 09:54pm

Oh I love their humor. They just aren't good actors :)

It isn't just Double Fine though, it seems like nearly everyone on Kickstarter has something cringeworthy before they get to the point.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 06/01/2013 at 10:29pm

While I do like good cheese every once in a while, you're right that it is nice just to get to the meat of things ;)

Travis Admin wrote on 06/01/2013 at 11:09pm

Gouda? I love gouda.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 06/01/2013 at 11:20pm

Gouda is good. My favorites lately have been Beecher's Flagship and Bergenost. Flagship is really good with Jerk turkey and cranberry chipotle sauce....aaaaaamyygod.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 06/01/2013 at 11:53pm

Beyond Cheese loving, I thought the video was neat and was entertained.

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The Most Engrossing Games I've Played Recently

I can remember certain games that really defined times in my life. My first experiences with gaming were with Super Mario Brothers and Donkey Kong. Later on I was infatuated with The Legend of Zelda, so much so I would make my own maps of every secret I knew of. After that, Ninja Turtles and Metal Gear. When I got my Super Nintendo, Super Mario World and Link to the Past really hooked me. Then I discovered Koei games like Romance of the Three Kingdoms II & Genghis Khan Clan of the Grey Wolf. Then we got a PC and a new set of games came with it.

I have been thinking the last couple of days about what games have caught my fancy lately. I think this is a interesting time in gaming where I have a glut of games and where as that has changed how I play games, some games have really impacted me and I wanted to write about them.

This list isn't in any particular order.

portal 2

Portal 2 is a fantastic game with a killer story. I purposefully took my time with this game because it was so engrossing I didn't want to stop playing it. The way Valve keeps the story, puzzles and game play interesting is superb. Whereas the game didn't win any Crytek video card overclocking awards, it looked fantastic on my PS3. The PS3 copy ALSO came with a free Steam version, something I really applauded Valve for. Now that my PS3 doesn't get a ton of use anymore, I can keep playing Portal 2 for the rest of my days on my PC or soon to be ... Linux :D

That said, it had a great ending that was very unique. The game wasn't larded to the hilt with puzzles that fatigued me as some games do. Sometimes either a new game is WAY too short or too long, Portal 2 felt ... just right.

Portal 2 is also extremely quotable. In fact my wife and I still talk about wanting to see the deer outside. :D

fallout 3

I cracked out on Fallout 3 so hard I would spend entire days doing nothing else. I remember on one weekend day I got up and started Fallout 3. Later that night I went out and my brain was all woozy from doing nothing else.

The story, the character and gameplay kept me hooked for months.

borderlands

I found Borderlands on sale for $20 for the Game of the Year Edition and snapped it up. The game was awesome because I could start it up and sink a little or a lot of time into it if I wanted. The missions were fairly contained and short so it really set itself up for quick bursts of play. The main campaign was very long and I think it took me about 3 months of playing a bit at a time to finally complete it.

I recently picked up Borderlands 2 and whereas its a fun game, I am not sure I hold it as highly as the first one. I was never really attracted to RPG grind/loot games until Borderlands warmed me up to it. Plus it has so many guns...

FTL

FTL is a relatively new game that has really sparked my imagination. I also recently beat it in a pairing session and I haven't had as much satisfaction beating a game in years. The game is hard, but its not soul crushing. Its a VERY strategic experience that seems to reward you for spending more time contemplating what you should do.

I nearly never give much thought to unlocking anything in a game because most of it doesn't seem important. Unlocking the ships in FTL not only seems really awesome but I have actually changed how I play to try and unlock them.

If you are looking for a fun game to play while you sit on the couch, FTL is it. At least, thats how I play it.

terraria

I bought Terraria last year during a Steam sale for about $3. I picked it up alongside Skyrim and Fallout New Vegas and have to date spent WAY more time in Terraria than both of those games combined.

I bought Terraria based on the continued recommendation of WhiteboySlim. When I bought Terraria and Skyrim in the Summer sale I played Terraria first because I expected to sacrifice my life to Skyrim. What ended up happening was I sacrificed my life to Terraria and I played a few missions of Skyrim about a month later.

Terraria is a 2D sidescrolling building, crafting and mining game that has a simple premise and some really deep gameplay. It also ups the ante by allowing Multiplayer. A few weeks or so after I started playing it I started the first run Cheerful Ghost Terraria Server. Playing on the server with everyone was one of the most fun experiences I've had in the last few years in gaming. The first server was so much fun we ran another one a few months later and now with Terraria 1.2 on the horizon are planning our third game when 1.2 launches.

What games have you played in the last year or so that have stuck with you?

scrypt Supporter wrote on 05/31/2013 at 07:03am

This past year has produced an amazing crop of games. Thinking back on it and looking over lists of what has come out, reminds me of some that I either haven't taken the time to play, or almost forgot about entirely, due to the sheer volume of goodness there was.

Journey

I'll never forget this experience. When I finished my first playthrough, I felt as if it were the first time I had ever played a video game. It hit all the senses in a singularly profound way. It was that deep for me. When I think about what to compare it to, I find myself thinking of real life experiences, rather than other games: Viewing stars and planets from the darkest part of Rabbit Creek Rd on a cloudless winter night. Driving through Portland with Jeremiah in his Volkswagen Golf, on our way to his house from Nampa, Idaho. My first kiss from a girl. My first rejection from a girl... Journey ranks on those levels.

Planetside 2

Not quite the life-changer that Journey was, but epic nonetheless. The players that play this game offer some of the best multiplayer experiences I've had in a shooter. Communication is key, and moving as a massive force across these gorgeously generated landscapes (or defending from such a force) is a thrill I'm glad to only participate in on a digital level. Although, if I actually got the opportunity to pilot a Scythe on some distant planet, I would not turn it down.

The Swapper

Uhh... So, this game just released today, and honestly there are many other games I could put here in it's place, but I like to keep it in the moment. Keep it fresh. I'm only a couple hours in, but I'm hooked, in a "now, this is what I'm talking about" kind of way. All graphic elements are hand-crafted from clay, beautifully haunting music, finely crafted storytelling, set in that Metroidvania-like 2D sprawling dungeon, with maneuvering mechanics (swapping) that remind of the first time you opened your first portal. I'm really liking this game :)

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 05/31/2013 at 08:33pm

The video for The Swapper looks intense.

http://facepalmgames.com/the-swapper/

Looking forward to you talking more about it. I have so many games right now, I think ill hold tight until I get another one but WOW it does look really great. The music alone in the trailer was very cool.

I may need to get Journey. From what you and Travis have said about it and it does have a disc version I can get for the PS3 too.

Timogorgon Member wrote on 06/01/2013 at 06:57pm

First off, you're welcome @jdodson for that Terraria recommendation. ;) I look forward to our next CheerfulGhost server when the new update hits!

Also, I watched the video for Swapper and... wow... those graphics. That is a beautiful looking game.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 06/02/2013 at 05:24am

Yeah I appreciate you mentioning it. Not sure I would have tried it otherwise.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/25/2014 at 05:23am

Minecraft sucked me in last year (to be technical) around Thanksgiving. I was home alone as the rest of the family went to Kentucky and I stayed home to look after the pets. I was amazed with Minecraft and amazed also at how it made time completely irrelevant. I remember I had spent a 20+ hours awake playing Minecraft, something that hasn't happened in a while. That said, I played Minecraft for a month or two.

I remember years ago when I was playing Skyrim, I spent over 300 hours on it, just with my first character. It was awesome!

Recently, Terraria has sucked me in and I've spent 159 hours on it. I still love it, but I feel like I've reached a near-end-game point where it's time to move on to something else.

I don't remember how much time I spent playing any of the Fallout series, but I really did enjoy Fallout 3 and New Vegas on the PS3.

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Shadow Warrior Classic Now Free on Steam

Devolver Digital is working on a Shadow Warrior remake and due to a recent promo glitch some people got the original Shadow Warrior for free. Because of this they decided to make the original totally free on Steam. If you haven't played this 1997 classic and want to, now is your chance.

Available for free download on Mac and PC.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/238070/
https://twitter.com/_ShadowWarrior/status/339752731780726784

FTL Pairing Session 2: VICTORY!

Tonight CapnCurry and I beat FTL together in our pairing session. FTL pairing is where two people both make choices for how to play FTL together*. Since FTL is a turn based game its setup well for this. Since I was the less experienced player I controlled the game on my end and we used Google Hangout to share my screen and talk to figure out our strategy. The session lasted about 3 hours in total.

From the start things were going pretty well. One choice about mid way through the game, I believe helped us out considerably. We had our drone system built and two drone weapons on board. We made it to a space station and if we sold off our two drone weapons and our FTL jammer we could afford the cloak. We decided to take the cloak and that was a really good gamble. As it turned out we found more drone weapons later so the gamble really paid off.

Since I only unlocked the Kestrel thats the ship we went with and it proved to be good enough to beat the game with. I sort of figured that you needed to get the other ships to win, but the Kestrel held up like a champ.

I think a few items really sent us over the edge to survive the 3 end boss fights. The Cloak, The Pike Beam and the small bomb. Basically we would hit the boss with the bomb, then do a double salvo using our laser weapons. When the shields were down we raked as many rooms as we could with the Pike Beam and that was all she wrote for the boss.

I want to thank CapnCurry for pairing with me because he really showed me a bunch of useful strategies for FTL. I want to give him a lot of the credit for the win because his strategies were really effective. That said, I was controlling things and we did win so thats also rad.

That said, I had a blast and am looking forward to the next pair session. PS if you can and want to learn your way to a better life and FTL there is no substitute for pairing with the Captain.

We scheduled our pairing session with the new Cheerful Ghost event system. You should do the same.

http://cheerfulghost.com/jdodson/events/11

* I am fairly certain we invented FTL pairing too, so you know thats also awesome.

Games in Movies: Super Edit

Many of these films I haven't seen but it was awesome to see them cut together.

jdodson1

2753 Posts

Starcraft II Adds Spawn Copy Support

Assault on Dragon Keep Walkthrough w Anthony Burch

Awesomenauts: A Fun Action Side-Scrolling MOBA

Nekro. A Game Where Evil Does Your Bidding.

Tiny Barbarian DX: Get Barbarian Fever!

Double Fine's New Kickstarter: Massive Chalice

The Most Engrossing Games I've Played Recently

Shadow Warrior Classic Now Free on Steam

FTL Pairing Session 2: VICTORY!

Games in Movies: Super Edit