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The Scorchers: My Playthrough pt. 2

I finally beat The Scorchers. Its not the longest bit of DLC ever but its fun as hell. Its also pretty as anything I have seen in a game so far. I took a ton of screen shots of the jaw dropping visuals and will link to the really impressive ones in this post.

I would say that each level in The Scorchers is different in visual and stylistic tone. You go from a cave level, to a new epic Mutant Bash TV level to a killer Warehouse level to the last series of sewers to the final Scorcher end base that is a kind of Pyramid/Mayan themed area. The Scorchers ends with an epic boss battle and it wasn't entirely obvious to me how to win at first so I will help you out a bit, if it... Read All I finally beat The Scorchers. Its not the longest bit of DLC ever but its fun as hell. Its also pretty as anything I have seen in a game so far. I took a ton of screen shots of the jaw dropping visuals and will link to the really impressive ones in this post.

I would say that each level in The Scorchers is different in visual and stylistic tone. You go from a cave level, to a new epic Mutant Bash TV level to a killer Warehouse level to the last series of sewers to the final Scorcher end base that is a kind of Pyramid/Mayan themed area. The Scorchers ends with an epic boss battle and it wasn't entirely obvious to me how to win at first so I will help you out a bit, if it glows blue, rocket that shit.

After The Scorchers was over I wanted more Rage. Its so pretty and The Scorchers does what iD does best, gives you some bad-ass shooter mayhem. After you have completed the final Scorcher boss you get a trophy room in Wellspring. Its pretty cool as certain events and secrets unlock certain trophies you can look at and it gives Rage a bit more depth to it.

I like the addition of the new Casino even though I am not the luckiest Rage casino patron. The Scorchers also gives you the option to buy a few new Rage Frenzy cards but I haven't tried them out in a game yet.

Overall, The Scorchers was extremely satisfying and left me wanting more. I hope iD pulls out a few more packs just like this.

A few screenshots:

An example of how awesome the lighting effects are underground: http://imgur.com/5IESk

A long sewer corridor to the outside: http://imgur.com/FZwpZ

Right before the final Scorcher area, a merchant awaits: http://imgur.com/Lb0s0

Dusk in the Scorcher Base: http://imgur.com/utJmb

Two Scorcher Cars: http://imgur.com/Sh7O8

The first glimpse of the Scorcher Boss: http://imgur.com/RzIxP

More of the boss: http://imgur.com/Vikpk

Dat epic sundown: http://imgur.com/RHg5e

An Indiana Jones style pedestal: http://imgur.com/rw5g2

One of my trophies in the room: http://imgur.com/sEYCT

I back tracked and found the secret iD developer room: http://imgur.com/NEK90

More dev room: http://imgur.com/WBABc

More dev room: http://imgur.com/6jM0w

Update:
We are having a Rage: The Scorchers giveaway contest, more on that here:
http://cheerfulghost.com/panickedthumb/posts/907

BR Supporter wrote on 01/14/2013 at 03:24pm

Never played rage before. Those screenshots really do justice for it though. They look amazing

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/14/2013 at 03:30pm

Yeah, I was happy with how they turned out. Up close se of the textures are a bit fuzzy but overall look good.

BR Supporter wrote on 01/14/2013 at 03:34pm

Honestly don't think my current computer could handle it. I'm saving up for a new one though and when I get it maybe I'll try this game out.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/14/2013 at 03:49pm

That might not be a bad idea as during the last holiday Steam sale it was only $5.

BR Supporter wrote on 01/14/2013 at 04:15pm

Wow that is really cheap. Guess I'll pick it up on the next sale

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/14/2013 at 04:55pm

Yeah its back at $20 now and the Scorchers DLC is $5. I recommend getting them both in one go if you can.

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NES Complex Demonstrates Universal Game Cases

Just found an awesome how-to video by NESComplex on creating universal cases for your NES Collection. He goes over design, to print to how to construct the cases for your NES library.

"In this update video I demonstrate the storage system I use for many of my NES games: Universal Game Cases UGC and printed box art covers from www.thecoverproject.net. I show how to print them from PowerPoint, and modify the game cases for NES games using a multi tool. I also address using DS Cases for GBA games and the problem with doing this if you live outside the states. If you know of any websites abroad, let me know and I'll add them to the description! I hope it helps!"

... Read All

Quickplay of The Journey Down

I had a lot of fun playing this game. It's just plain fun. And unlike almost every point and click adventure of late there is no boogeyman and my character remembers who they are...

Redead Depression

CarbotAnimations, the folks that brought us the Starcrafts animations have started to branch out into Nintendo territory. This Zelda video is pretty interesting from the perspective of those dead things in Ocarina. Those things always creeped me out in the original game.

Sonic - (Sonic the Hedgehog Fan Film)

These kinds of videos are always interesting. The film has James Rolfe the Angry Video Game Nerd as a news caster and features the original voice of Sonic in the Cartoon Jaleel White.

What did you think of it?

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 01/12/2013 at 10:38pm

It's cool to see people being creative and using subjects that we're familiar with. It was a pretty slow video (I kept skipping ahead), but I think they made a pretty good looking fan film.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/12/2013 at 10:40pm

Right, I agree.

Travis Admin wrote on 01/13/2013 at 06:14am

Wait, wait... Jaleel White was the voice of Sonic? Like Steve Urkel?

Whoa...

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/13/2013 at 07:23pm

Yep. He apparently, did that.

*rimshot*

Travis Admin wrote on 01/14/2013 at 02:44am

I don't know if that was terrible or amazing, Jon.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/14/2013 at 03:44am

Hahaha. Oh the 90's!

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Patch 1.0.7 Preview: Dueling & Updates

On dueling:

"Here's a quick rundown of how dueling will work in Diablo III as well as some insight into our design philosophy for the system.

How it Works:

To duel another player, you’ll need to speak with Nek the Brawler at the inn in New Tristram.

Speaking with Nek will take you and your party to the Scorched Chapel, a new zone designed specifically for player combat

This zone has custom geometry and features four different areas: the church, the graveyard, the river, and the lake

Dueling currently supports up to four players in a Free-For-All format, which means you can battle your friends either one-on-one, three-player FFA, or a full four-player FFA

If you die in... Read All

A piece of history resurfaces. Half-Life ALPHA!

Reddit user jackaljayzer recently posted a pic of his alpha disc from 97, which of course led to many requests for info, and eventually a request for a disc image. Since then he's ponied up the goods, and has put the disc on eBay. Currently the auction is up to $610!

Please note that the legality of this is a bit gray, and the morality is entirely up to you to decide.

Original post: http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/15qgwr/national_treasures_hipster_grandpa_you_probably/
Follow-up: http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/1665n3/update_finally_got_a_copy_of_that_half_life_alpha
eBay auction: ... Read All

Will_Owens wrote on 01/12/2013 at 02:07am

I forgot that this is pretty much what the game looked like when I first played it. I got a Voodoo2 graphics card just for Half Life!

jdodson Admin wrote on 01/12/2013 at 02:42am

Its a piece of gaming history and unless he signed something giving away ownership rights to the disc or something, its his property. Unless I don't understand something about ownership in this particular case.

As I watch this video I realize how artifacty games were then and how much it doesn't bother me at all in this case. The game is immersive at this point and you can even see some Portalish level designs or flavor in places.

Glad the game evolved to what it is, but this is awesome and seeing this kind of history is really quite interesting.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 01/12/2013 at 03:51am

Jon, in terms of ownership, the disc itself I'd totally agree with you, but the download link is different. A 1997 press-eyes-only disc for an alpha of a game that's long been released that almost everyone owns is still intellectual property, but I doubt there's much of an impetus from Valve to want this stopped. It's not like trade secrets are going to escape or anything.

jdodson Admin wrote on 01/12/2013 at 05:16pm

Good point. I still think this should be out there for people to experience. Sold? Less interested that, more interested in people getting the history of it :D

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 01/13/2013 at 05:05am

My thoughts as well! I haven't fired it up yet, but I hope to soon.

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The Scorchers: My Playthrough pt. 1

During the Steam holiday sale I picked up Rage: The Scorchers. I liked Rage quite a bit and I am pretty excited to check out the new stuff. I am not finished with it and will periodically post about how my experiences are going with it.

When I played Rage the first time I noticed some areas that seemed like they should have allowed you some access. Like an area at the far end of Haggar Territory where there was a settlement of people, if you go a bit further there is a huge installation you couldn't go in. I figured it would open up at some quest point, but it didn't. There was also a Casino in Wellspring that was closed that you couldn't get in. Always wondered about... Read All During the Steam holiday sale I picked up Rage: The Scorchers. I liked Rage quite a bit and I am pretty excited to check out the new stuff. I am not finished with it and will periodically post about how my experiences are going with it.

When I played Rage the first time I noticed some areas that seemed like they should have allowed you some access. Like an area at the far end of Haggar Territory where there was a settlement of people, if you go a bit further there is a huge installation you couldn't go in. I figured it would open up at some quest point, but it didn't. There was also a Casino in Wellspring that was closed that you couldn't get in. Always wondered about these locations. In The Scorchers both of these places are available to you in the quest line. Was this content that they took out because they had to make a deadline? Its a shame it didn't make the final game because Rage would have been more epic if it shipped with this content.

So far The Scorchers levels have been really inventive and beautiful. The extra Mutant Bash TV you have to beat to travel the new Scorcher quest line is a totally awesome addition. The only downside to the new Mutant Bash level is you can't replay it in game like the main one. They did add a new mode where you can replay any mission from the game, this is a nice addition but you can't play the new Mutant Bash level over again in your single player game.

Overall the content is fantastic and the extra chance to inhabit the world of Rage is great. Oh right and the new Nailgun is lots of fun. The animations when you switch between the ammo types is interesting as it swaps the entire look of the gun. My gun of choice in Rage is the combat shotgun, sniper rifle and wingstick. Even if harder enemies take a few shotgun hits thats not a problem as I love ducking in and out of cover.

If you dug Rage and wanted a bit more, you should get The Scorchers. I recommend getting it if you are starting out as the missions are available very early on in Haggar Territory and the addition of the Nailgun in your early arsenal would be epic.

http://i.imgur.com/9Rulw.jpg: The new Mutant Bash TV level, at the end you shoot Mutants flung at you with a big ass cannon deck! When you hit one a mess of blood flies everywhere.

http://i.imgur.com/vCNDL.jpg: A new Scorchers mission level.

SignalWarden wrote on 01/11/2013 at 02:50am

Nice review! I haven't gotten around to playing this yet. I got it during the steam sale as well, and it's been on my todo list. Sounds awesome!

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/11/2013 at 02:52am

It really is. Ill keep posting as I am playing. One of the things I wanted the site to do was be a place I could talk about my experience with a game piecemeal. :D

So I will do that. As I blast off mutant faces.

Gary_Butterfield wrote on 01/11/2013 at 07:45pm

I'm waiting for it to be 5bux, I think. But Rage was a pleasant surprise.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/11/2013 at 07:50pm

Your in luck Gary, it's $4.99!

Gary_Butterfield wrote on 01/11/2013 at 08:55pm

Is it? For some reason I thought it was 10. I'll pick that up. I hope I kept my Rage save game... (fretful emoticon)

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Dat Firehose: Valve Bits & BL2 Golden Keys

Valve posted that Linux client usage is already at 0.8% where Mac client usage rose to 3.7%. Wonder how these numbers will change as more games are ported to Mac and Linux?

http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey

To celebrate the awards Borderlands 2 won in 2012 2k is handing out 5 golden keys to everyone. Remember to use your keys as you seem to max out at 10!

http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/community/articles/983/awards-and-celebrations

According to a recent interview with Gabe Newell, some developers are earning as much as 500k per year adding content to the Steam Workshop. This just in, I am considering switching my career to "digital hatter."

... Read All

OC Remix: Double the Trouble!

Back in 2004 I heard about a remix album for the SNES classic Donkey Kong Country called "Kong in Concert." I had never considered that people would remix video game tunes and decided to download it because it was free and I loved Donkey Kong Country. I wore out the digital files of that album, if such a thing is possible because it is so awesome. Over the last few years I have stocked my Video Game Music collection with Humble Bundle Game Soundtracks, Collectors Edition Soundtracks and free downloads from OC Remix.

To date I have collected 77 albums and most of them are really great. Recently I trolled the OC Remix site and noticed a few new albums dropped one being... Read All