Season 6, Episode 2

[fishbang]

We're all a bunch of sluts at the following link.

This second episode is actually the first to be handed back to Kevin for fine-tuning and post-production. It's a thing he was pretty insistent about doing, and though I can't see why, I'm awfully glad for his help. So, on his behalf, the show is once again soliciting ideas for bumper content, intro/outro music, and any other formatting gubbins you think might enrich or enliven the experience. Send thoughts or files to one of those places Scott mentions in our greeting and we'll put it to good use somewhere, I imagine.

I'd like to think it isn't necessary anymore for me to explain myself when I fly into a rage about this issue or that, but I can't help feeling I may have Limbaughed the show otherwise. So however things may sound, I don't hate Tim Schafer. I'm sure I hate something to do with him right now, or maybe it's something to do with the internet and he's standing just where I'd like to put my soapbox. I think I said as much on the show, but there's just no way I made myself clear. If I hadn't already sent the raw files out for editing, I'd temper the Double Fine bashing more than a little. Though maybe it's never as bad as it sounds in my head. Maybe.

[Vigil80]

It's probably the sort of thing that's explained within an episode (I just started listening to S6E1 tonight) but why the change in naming convention?

[Ravenlock]

In a little further defense of Saints Row 3, it's really not an open world game and shouldn't be played as one. That's a little counter-intuitive, since as Scott says they sure do dump a bunch of "HEY DO THIS!" on you at the start of the game, but honestly, the vast majority of that stuff is either (1) completely optional or (2) only needs to be done once, and you can ignore it after that, and unless you're enjoying it you should.

Where the game shines - again, counter-intuitively - is as a tightly story-driven, hilariously over the top action movie with side stuff you can engage in if you wish. Played that way, it actually doesn't take that long and it keeps the volume turned up to 11 the whole time, in the best way.

Burt Fucking Reynolds!

I should also clarify that when I call it the smartest dumb game I've played in years, I don't just mean the writing, though the writing is actually shockingly good. I mean that mechanically they fix so many things that usually bug me about this sort of game. You'll never drive around staring at your minimap, because they put turn indicators right there on the road in front of you for where you need to go. Don't want to drive to your destination? Within a couple hours you'll have a helicopter you can have delivered anywhere through the cell phone menu. You have a Just Cause-style parachute you can pop any time you end up falling too far, and every time you do that you get a little "land in the circle" minigame that can earn you some extra XP. They go out of their way at every turn to make sure that you can have whatever sort of fun you want in the most efficient way possible. It's really whip-smart game design.

Just don't let it get away without trying it out. Please. It's a special game.

[Psykoboy2]

Originally Posted by Vigil80

It's probably the sort of thing that's explained within an episode (I just started listening to S6E1 tonight) but why the change in naming convention?

It's actually better explained on the live shows and the webcam since most of the conversation about naming an episode would happen there but not be recorded.

This is how we try to get you to join us live, so you get more completely useless content.

Anyway, we'd been doing it the old way since late 2008 and figured it would be time for a change going into our 6th year. This also made it easier for us since coming up with names for the shows took a lot longer than we'd ever like to admit.

[Psykoboy2]

Originally Posted by Ravenlock

Stuff about Saint's Row The Third and The Bandit

I wonder now if I should start reading the show thread comments since this would be skipped over otherwise.

I've been playing more Saint's Row The Third and it's grown on me...as most of these games usually do. I started taking over more control of the city and my bank account grew exceptionally so that I could afford all manner of upgrades and what not. I'm pretty much a power house at this point. I just finished the hooker boat mission. I don't know that in a game like this that actually tells you where I am in it, but yeah.

I really DO NOT like all the side missions. The easy ones are fine, but they piss me the fuck off when I get to the hard versions. Still, I plan to put in more time with it tonight and this weekend. It's a lot of fun although I am probably missing out a lot since I gave my guy the voice of a zombie. Also, he's green with purple pants, so I think you know what I'm going for with him.

[Vigil80]

Originally Posted by Psykoboy2

It's actually better explained on the live shows and the webcam since most of the conversation about naming an episode would happen there but not be recorded.

This is how we try to get you to join us live, so you get more completely useless content.

Hm, wonder if that's how I missed comment on my last email.

[Ravenlock]

Originally Posted by Psykoboy2

I really DO NOT like all the side missions. The easy ones are fine, but they piss me the fuck off when I get to the hard versions. Still, I plan to put in more time with it tonight and this weekend. It's a lot of fun although I am probably missing out a lot since I gave my guy the voice of a zombie. Also, he's green with purple pants, so I think you know what I'm going for with him.

Amusingly, I kind of wish I had played the game with the zombie voice (though the British one was really, really good).

[Psykoboy2]

Originally Posted by Vigil80

Hm, wonder if that's how I missed comment on my last email.

Probably not. When did you write us?

[Ravenlock]

Originally Posted by Psykoboy2

I wonder now if I should start reading the show thread comments since this would be skipped over otherwise.

On this note, I can certainly e-mail in the same content if you want a reminder to talk about it on the next thing.

[Psykoboy2]

We're recording tomorrow, so I'll likely remember, but feel free.

[Vigil80]

Originally Posted by Psykoboy2

Probably not. When did you write us?

December 6th. It's also possible I simply missed the ep somehow, but I thought I had been listening pretty diligently.

I wouldn't bring it up, but it was about the expanding nature of multiplayer content, and I was looking forward to hearing you guys comment on the subject some more.