What Are You Reading?

[ragnarok]

Uh...the reason why SC/BW's errors don't get as much criticism is because there weren't as many, and you could still play the games and feel like you were caught up in an awesome sci-fi world. No such feelings in SC2.

So, I tried to read SCG Spectres. It was pretty boring, as it just kept going on about stuff without setting up the characters and why we should care about them. At least Tosh had more personality in it than in SC2.

Spectres wasn't so bad, shame you needed to know a little in the Ghost Academy to understand it better.

Tosh's personality was meh in there because he didn't know you needed jorium to keep the terrazine stable and everything.

The problem with SC2's case is (retcons aside) they abused the vagueness of the Xel'Naga put in SC1 and BW, hence why it looked more fantasy like

[Nissa]

Hey, I'm back! Still no internet at home, but the good thing about school is being able to bum internet there. And uh...missing posts. Okay, that's a thing.

Anyway, I just read The Little Prince. It was....a thing. It had a really great beginning, but the end left me a bit baffled. The prince's ultimate fate felt unnecessary. I also have a memoir but the same author, and it kind of explains why Saint-Exupery is so weird. As a writer, he's overpoetic and likes to use extreme metaphors for simple things. He wrote a chapter on being caught in a gust of wind on a beach, and that one was hard to get through because it was so flowery. The chapters on him surviving in the desert and rescuing a slave were good, though.

[TheEconomist]

So with the game play of SC2 being pretty much exhausted for me for the time being. I'm going and playing other RTS now. Starting with Homeworld Remastered and, then hopefully, the sequel Desert of Kharak.

The game seems pretty good so far. I never played the originals (well, I did, but only like 30 minutes in a demo, back when demos were a thing). So I hope I can find a new Sci Fi RTS to love.

In other news, also finally watching Battlestar: Galactica, and getting my toes wet in Stargate: Atlantis.

Yes, I know, not a book, but no reason to have two topics for what is basically a blog post about how I waste my time.

[Gradius]

In other news, also finally watching Battlestar: Galactica, and getting my toes wet in Stargate: Atlantis.

You lucky bastard. :P

[TheEconomist]

You lucky bastard. :P

I'm also reading 'Judas Unchained', part two of the epic sci fi series done right.

You Jelly?

[Turalyon]

I'm going and playing other RTS now. Starting with Homeworld Remastered and, then hopefully, the sequel Desert of Kharak.

Deserts of Kharak is actually the prequel to Homeworld. The actual sequel (HW2), in terms of story, is kinda... hm, you'll see.

Before that and back in the day, the original Homeworld came with this awesome manual that filled in the backstory of life on Kharak. When mission 3 occurs in Homeworld, it makes you wonder why they poured all that effort into that backstory only for it to be rendered seemingly pointless but really, it helps you realise the magnitude of the loss and sympathise with the plight of these people. All done without hero characters, too. Man, I miss those days when game manuals were just as important as the game itself.

In other news, also finally watching Battlestar: Galactica

It'll be interesting to see how you react as the series gets on, especially the back-half.

[TheEconomist]

Deserts of Kharak is actually the prequel to Homeworld.

The story is the sequel, yeah. I was thinking about game play. I enjoy the atmosphere but the story is a non-entity for me, so I had a bit of a slip there thinking solely in terms of game play, but yeah I do know its a prequel.

Before that and back in the day, the original Homeworld came with this awesome manual that filled in the backstory of life on Kharak.

Oh, the days of demos and meaty manuals. Ahhhhhh. I must obtain this manual!

It'll be interesting to see how you react as the series gets on, especially the back-half.

So far, I'm enjoying it immensely, but given the similarities (and Tricia Helfer connection) between SC2 and BS:G, I can't help but be reminded at the missed opportunities in SC2 (as I come back to the forums). Number Six in BS:G (three episodes in, at least) is a better Kerrigan than Kerrigan herself, despite being the same voice. The manipulations of Boltar and other things, just screams wasted opportunity.

The Cylons (despite being an AI race) seem to be better Zerg (organic race) than SC2 Zerg too.



In other news, I just remembered that book six of The Expanse is due next week. Guess I'll have to switch my reading over to that.

[Turalyon]

Oh, the days of demos and meaty manuals. Ahhhhhh. I must obtain this manual!

The pleasure is all mine.

So far, I'm enjoying it immensely, but given the similarities (and Tricia Helfer connection) between SC2 and BS:G, I can't help but be reminded at the missed opportunities in SC2 (as I come back to the forums). Number Six in BS:G (three episodes in, at least) is a better Kerrigan than Kerrigan herself, despite being the same voice. The manipulations of Boltar and other things, just screams wasted opportunity.

The Cylons (despite being an AI race) seem to be better Zerg (organic race) than SC2 Zerg too.

I can guarantee there'll be more of Six. Helfer definitely shows a lot more range in BSG (especially as it goes along) than she does as Kerrigan in Sc2.

Not sure that I see any parallels with Six and Kerrigan though, but I do get it with the Cylon and Zerg. Gah, can't say much more without going into spoilers.

[TheEconomist]

There are no parallels. But there should have been. Kerrigan in SC2 should have been as cunning and manipulative as Six (and SC1 KerrigaN) was in BS:G. Basically, what I'm saying is that if Raynor is to be so stuck on Kerrigan then at least let it be due to her manipulations (Like Boltar) and not his hormones, I probably could've gotten on board with it then if it was done right, although it would severely diminish Raynor as a character, but at least he would be better than the non-entity he's become.

But, again, only just starting fifth episode.

[TheEconomist]

Starting (I think) the fifth mission in Homeworld (they kind of run together). And I'm hoping that the challenge and strategic depth ramps up soon. It's pretty simplistic and easy so far and I like my strategy campaigns difficult. I do like, however, what seems to be persistent upgrades/units.

Also, watching BS:G and Homeworld at the same time makes it almost feel like BS:G is the cut scenes and back story for Homeworld. Interesting that that was completely unintentional.