Random Shtuff 2/24/2012
..And that is where we have to leave the story for awhile. I’d like to give you a date that I’ll be back, but the uncertainty around my mother’s deteriorating health –she’s in hospice now– keeps me from making promises. Please know that I am continuing to work on the comic, I just can’t meet the one page a week deadline right now. I have three pages inked, and I’m laying out more, but the coloring is what takes the most time. Rather than put up a page sporadically, I’d rather wait until I can get back to a regular schedule.
The Walking Dead is still dragging its feet (ouch) and giving us too little forward momentum per episode, but it’s still one of the best series on tv. I tried catching up on Fringe, but even with the return of Mr. Jones I can barely keep my attention focused on it.
For my job I am developing some curriculum for 3D modelers and animators who want to go into games. Games are not really my generation, so I have some catching up to do. I got an xBox for Christmas and a couple of games. The only one I’ve made it all the way through is Bioshock, and let me tell you, it was terrific. For $14, the price of the game used, I got more enjoyment and more emotional involvement than the last ten contemporary horror films I’ve seen. I have Bioshock 2 waiting for me, as well as Dead Rising, but I am really puzzled as to why there are no Lovecraftian games, or so few and so unpopular that I’ve been unable to locate them.
Don’t forget me. I’ll be back as soon as I can.
February 24th, 2012 at 12:16 am
We’re all on Leng…
I love doing full 3D simulation systems… We need more Lovecraftian games… Well, at least one
Godspeed on your mother. Thanks for the past work. It’s well worth the dollar.
February 24th, 2012 at 12:46 am
Got you on RSS – post when you’re ready. Prayers to you and your mom.
February 24th, 2012 at 12:51 am
Please take as much time as you need. My thoughts go with you and your family.
As far as Lovecraftian games, I seem to recall a game for the Gamecube called Eternal Darkness that had a Lovecraftian feel. If I’m remembering correctly, that is. Anyone else out there remember that?
February 24th, 2012 at 3:56 am
I found Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth quite good fun and well worth buying second had if you can find it.
February 24th, 2012 at 7:09 am
Lovecraftian games… for consoles, not so much, I think. There have been a large handful for the PC. Here’s a website that lists them all: http://www.hplovecraft.com/popcult/games/computer.asp
I’ve played the original Alone In The Dark, and it was awesome; I have and have played through the first couple of hours of CoC: Dark Corners, and it was also awesome, but time constraints forced me to abandon it at the time; I will likely reinstall it in the near future. Prisoner of Ice was supposed to have been excellent, according to a friend of mine, but I never got to play it. Quake was a great fps, and yes, there are definite Lovecraftian elements in it, but it’s basically a fps and so not so much spiritually a Lovecraftian game, if you see what I mean.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:48 am
Take the time you need. Sending light to you and your family
Playing Wasted Land on my iPad. Not a bad little strategic game.
Dark Corners of the Earth was good. I found it on a website where you paid for it and downloaded it. Can’t remember the name of the site. I couldn’t get past the attack of the fish men.
Not really a Lovecraftian game, but not a bad game at all…Shadowman for the original PS. Had an INCREDIBLE storyline. And some very spooky moments.
February 24th, 2012 at 9:37 am
As Kestrel said: Attacks of Life happen to everyone. We appreciate your sharing LiM with us, but it’s low priority. Best wishes; may her life be pleasant and her passing be peaceful when it comes.
February 24th, 2012 at 10:44 am
No worries. Know that your diligent efforts have inspired others to take up the cause of weekly comics!
February 24th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
If you are looking for horror games with a Lovecraftian atmosphere try Amnesia – the dark descent. Be warned – it’s not for the faint of heart. I think it was published only for the PC though.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
You’ll find that the Mass Effect series does have some Cosmic Horror touches to it, particularly the second game in the series. But it’s mostly a space opera shooter videogame series, so don’t expect *too* much of that…
February 25th, 2012 at 1:01 am
I won’t forget you. Thank you for sharing such a great comic with us.
February 25th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Take all the time you need. As much as I love you comic, I’ve got plenty of others to keep me going.
The game Magicka has a Lovecraftian themed DLC. I would recommend Magicka if you like the humorous side of fantasy/sci-fi/horror.
Lastly: Just got a copy of the Necronomicon. So pretty.
February 25th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
Awesome comic! I hope the best for you and your mom.
March 4th, 2012 at 11:34 am
My sympathies.
We’ll be here when you get back.
As to games, I hate to tell you this, but Bioshock 2 was a pretty big disappointment for me. Rapture is still pretty, but the story falls a bit flat, and enemies respawn in ways that will challenge your willing suspension of disbelief.
I haven’t played Dead Rising, and can’t fairly comment on it.
Mass Effect is a SF RPG, not horror per se, but it has some strong Lovecraftian themes that you’ll uncover as you progress. It’s also one of the best game lines on the XBox. Good story, great moments, high emotional investment. Highly, highly recommend.
Dead Space is horror as well as SF. It has some Lovecraftian themes. It’s very intense.
F.E.A.R. is horror, but more of the King variety. It features a powerful/insane psychic. It was one of the first games for the XBox, and it’s graphics haven’t aged well. But it’s got good pacing and some great moments.
The HALO franchise has some pretty effective horror, but not really Lovecraftian themes. (Sorry, saying anything more would constitute spoilers.)
Arkham Asylum has horror in it, but not really Lovecraftian themes. (Well, there’s a fair bit about the fragility of the human mind, but other than that…)
I’ve heard good things about The Darkness, but haven’t played it myself.
Outside of horror, Assassin’s Creed is fun, if shallow. The first two games are good. Opinions (specifically mine) differ about then next two.
The Elder Scrolls series (Oblivion, Skyrim) are very good open-world fantasy RPGs. The settings are outstanding and ridiculously immersive. The underlying stories are a bit uneven at times.
Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas are open-world post apocalyptic RPGs. The former has the better setting, the latter, the better underlying story.
More unusual/flawed ones…
Conan is every bit as shallow and cheesy as you’d imagine it could be. It absolutely revels in this, which somehow (IMO) makes it work.
Brutal Legend is another shallow game that wallows in cheese. It runs on Rule of Cool. It has aspects of fighting, strategy, cart racer, and rhythm games, and does none of them particularly well. That said, it’s more fun than it has any right to be.
Alpha Protocol is an espionage RPG. It’s a great story, hampered by poor gameplay. It’s a cult classic.
Dragon Age: Origins is a dark fantasy RPG. It has a great setting, and a decent story. It’s a tactical game, reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate and Planescape: Torment. On a computer–using a mouse, I’m sure it must have been great. On a console, it’s rather horribly flawed.