My favorite example of this is in Farcry 4 where, if you wait for the villain to finish his call, you get to leave the country unharmed minutes later. I wish more games put in those kinds of interesting choices/endings
Similar to how in we happy few you can just take the joy and go about the normal day and the entire game and its story would just be over unless you wanted to play again.
Missed this one when it came out. Very interesting War Games-esque topic here, and I love the meta edits of you clicking on the icon, or adding fake dialogue screens to Flashback, etc. Hope you're doing well, man!
@@MrWendal Busy and working like a horse, thanks for asking! Hope things are going well for you. The constant "content grind" can be very demanding, so I hope you get a nice breather.
"If you don't have the knowledge, right or responsibility to decide, it's a moral dilemma best solved by refusing to act. By inaction" This one quote is so good it's wrecking my brain. Being a college student, I feel like I should do action in everything (even in games, I try to "cover" everything). But I've been in few situations where I felt like I shouldn't have been there.
@@MrWendal Boycotting elections would be a smart thing to do when you have candidates who are both morally suspect. Elected officials wouldn't have the strength of masses behind them, only of loyal party members. The chain reaction would be fun to follow how it unravels.
Although I think it was an unintended feature, I experienced very much the same moral dilemma in "Star Trek: Conquest." It's a PS2 game with mixed reviews. Essentially a conquest battle sim where you battle it out with a hostile alien race; conquering planets across the map. You have to use strategy in what planets you take over (some have better resources than others) and make sure the other side isn't progressing too fast - they can quickly overwhelm you. Forgive me because I don't remember the exact statistics. But I was playing this game for the first (and only) time, and decided to fight against the Klingons. (I'm more of an Original Series fan, anyway) Upon the first visit to the resources screen I realized that the final tier weapon was the genesis device. In the Star Trek universe (I only know it from II: Wrath of Khan) the genesis device was designed to bring life to completely dead planets - making them sustainable. In the film, one is launched in the middle of a space cluster and within moments gravitates all nearby matter towards itself, creating a new, lush, sustainable planet. (and resurrecting a dead character too) All fine and dandy, but within the film, concern is expressed that, if said genesis device was launched to an inhabited planet, the result would be devastating. Yes, it would create a new, sustainable planet, but in the process, it would wipe out the existing planet, and all life therein, instantaneously. Like a mega nuclear bomb or a blast from the Star Wars Death Star. It was never designed as a weapon of war, but the villain of the film takes control of one, and the worry of misuse is high. In said game, there isn't much explanation given for the existence of the genesis device in your arsenal. Why, centuries later, is the technology still being used? Why is it now an option for war? None of these are answered. Aside from a high resource price, you're not punished otherwise for pursuing the device and using it. So, me not really thinking about the consequences in a video game, decided to stockpile a few. Whenever the Klingons took over a planet I didn't want them to, I just blasted it with the thing. Sometimes, it took 2 genesis blasts to destroy the orbiting fleet. I didn't care that these were innocent potentially friendly planets conquered by the enemy. To me they were just map points in a video game. It wasn't until the final stages of the war before I realized the true effects of the genesis device and my misuse of it. Every planet I landed on I'd check its resources. Some planets (naturally) had some combination of high or low population and high or low resources. So I wasn't very surprised when, as I began to push the Klingons back, I started seeing a lot of planets with low population. I didn't realize they were planets I had bombed earlier on. So the low population and high resource count kinda made sense. The Klingons are a ruthless warrior race, after all. Finally, with a victory in my sight, I realized the only way to prevent the Klingons from continuing to stockpile fleets and conquer the surrounding barrier of planets, was to somehow cut them off from their home world. So I tossed a genesis bomb their way. Then I tossed another. And another. And a fourth. And a fifth. The satellite planets were easy enough to conquer, and when I finally made it to the Klingon home world, it finally clicked in. The population was 0. I was horrified. In my foolish war mongering against my (admittedly challenging) foe, I had nearly completely genocided multiple innocent planets along the way, and completely devastated the Klingon home world to no life whatsoever. (I think there was a chance for, if multiple genesis devices were used, one could fail to create new life) So there I sat, staring at my PS2, finally taking in my actions. I turned off the game and just sat there for several minutes in silence, thinking about the implications of such actions and what a disaster (to a scale Earth-dwellers would barely comprehend) had taken place. Multiple planets, multiple species, all wiped into oblivion in a matter of (in game) months. Although I still maintain that this moment was completely unintended from a game design perspective (unlike some of your examples) It really opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking. I pondered over Gene Roddenberry, the ultimate pacifist, and how, through Star Trek originally, he'd sought to challenge social issues and tackle moral subjects through the lens of escapist science fiction. How he'd always pushed back against the more violent Star Trek adaptations and episodes. And how his son had so disliked Enterprise, because of its focus on war and action - such a far cry from his original vision. Again, I doubt this impact was intentional from such a so-so game. (You have to really dig deep and analyze every planet's stats to fully comprehend the consequence of the genesis device, and you aren't punished for winning in this way) But, it sure gave me a philosophical afternoon. Even today, all these years later, I still think about it. I haven't even touched the game since. But I'm never going to get rid of it. I want to be able to look at it - hold it in my hands - and remember the lessons it taught me. Although it's just a game - the mirror it put up to my frivolous actions. I think I've come out a better person from the experience. But, boy did I never expect such a radical philosophical breakdown from just another average video game. And, true to Gene Roddenberry's original intentions, I think that's part of the point. It doesn't charade as moral fiction. It's escapism that draws you in and makes you think, right under your nose. That's why I love Star Trek.
"My hatred exploded. And in an instant of grief... I destroyed the Husnock. [...] I didn't kill just one Husnock, or a hundred, or a thousand. I killed them all. All Husnock, everywhere." Star Trek TNG, The Survivors
Wow. I guess I had a similar experience with Star Trek Armada. I used to play it like star wars. I felt it was at odds with the TV fiction, and that's ultimately why I didn't stick with it for very long.
I remember watching the first season of Andromeda, again, by Gene Roddenberry. The cgi has not aged well, but, the show and the concept, is still intriguing. In one of the first episodes it goes into the Nova Bombs. They sound like a much more, literal, space nuke. A single bomb that, if fired into a system, has the potential to destroy all planets in that system. What struck me was that I took 5 crew members acting in concert to authorise a launch. In modern nuclear subs, the closest comparison, it takes just 2, crew members, once given higher authorisation, to launch a nuclear missile. That part really made me think about just how dangerous nuclear weapons are.
for any of those who don't know about the deus ex HR choice, you can figure out that you shouldn't take the update based off of some optional e-mail logs on some computers when you go to tai yong medical. that's how i knew not to take the update
Including that reaction to the Deus Ex thing was a really good idea! A lot of videos like these just tell viewers that something is good or bad, while you opted to show us instead. Great inclusion, love your videos!
Damn this is good video, so many rpg games have "option unlocked by X skill/ability" be the "this is by nearly every metric be the best decision" that not picking it seems like a waste of your previous decision. Honestly I agree, the decision to not engage is usually the most boring choice that it recalls the paarthurnax side quest in skyrim where it just sits there on your quest log and involves killing a paarthurnax who players generally like, enough that most people just avoid the blades in the first place to avoid having it in their quest log.
Or mod around it because seriously fuck that, this in an rpg, why wasn't sparring him an option to begin with, hell I'm the dragon born, you guys worship me, so stop undermining my decisions before I nuke your asses because I can.
I love that choice in DE:HR - it's so rarely offered in mainstream, big budget titles that sometimes I forget these sorts of clever choices aren't exclusive to the likes of small indie titles or art pieces. So many times I've looked at games offering a simple binary choice and felt disappointed that the option not to engage was never offered - Mass Effect, for as much as I love it, had quite a few choices that might have benefited from an option like those you discussed. Great video as always :)
It's not that they forget that such things aren't exclusive to indie titles, it's that the developers, or more to the point the executives signing their pay check don't respect the intelligence of the player. They wrongfully assume that if you're given the skippable mission objective to do something and you don't skip it and are punished for not skipping it, that the players will cry foul - that it's bad to punish the player for engaging in the content. Many developers see their games as an art form, but many executives and even some developers see their games as nothing more than a revenue source, and so they're unlikely to do things that go against a formula.
Just came across your content a moment ago. I'm always surprised whenever I come across a gem of a channel with a small subscriber count. It seems like your done uploading indefinitely, but I figured I'd subscribe anyways, if only to show appreciation for the content you've all ready put out!
@@MrWendal Hope it goes well! And remember sometimes the more time you spend on something the better it comes out, so don't rush or stress have a good one bro
Hi, i've always loved the "A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess" quote, from WarGames I found your video by mistake, but I can't stop thinking about it, the video is awesome. Thank you a lot for showing all these beautiful examples from a topic i like so much
I found this channel via this video and he’s not uploading anymore, I feel like I just watched the end of a movie that I wish I had watched from the start.
@@MrWendal Where did you go? Life stuff got you too busy? I've been here since 2 years ago when I watched your video on Nethack and checked in to see now if you uploaded anything new... Nothing :( Just wonderin what you're up to these days
Undertale is similar to execution but with more of a story, but there are many instances in the game where if you reload your save then characters will remember what you did, although it is still technically undone. For example if you kill torial then reload your save, flowey will remember, or if you get the bad ending (genocide ending) and then the good (pacifist) ending then after you beat the pacifist ending it will show a picture of all your friends heads crossed out since you killed them in you’re previous save
Thanks for this exploration! You highlighted a lot of great little gems as well as exploring well-known examples. Good stuff. I am redesigning a game right now, and was trying to implement a "the only winning move is not to play" type mechanic. I was banging my head against the wall when I realized its literally that simple. The antagonist doesn't have to attack unless the player/s attack first. That's it. It's weird how the plain, bare essence of it feels unnatural to pick? Why are we hardwired for conflict - why is "playing games" inherently confrontational? (If there isn't some strategy, some move to make, it's generally considered a "toy", not a "game", right?)
Clicked on this video expecting it to be a clip from War Games, but I ended up watching something much more interesting and enjoyable. This is a really well made video my man, good work.
Red Dead Redemption has a secret achievement called "Manifest Destiny" in which the main character plays a knowing hand in the extermination of the wild buffalo population. Sad since very similar things happened historically.
Thanks for your videos! I really wish I would hear more of your thoughts, even in a text form. Nevertheless, it's a pleasure to rewatch your content from time to time.
@@Spandex08 After some initial success in 2015-16 that was never went anywhere, I gave up on the idea of having a big channel in like 2017. After that this was a hobby channel, and every video I made was just for fun. But yeah, I got a new job last year, and have less time for hobbies.
Great Video. Thinking about that opening section and how it applies to life. It's one of those moments which tightens the grip on a truth you've fought hard to grasp.
In Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (My favorite game) at one point you have to sneak around the hotel office, and you find some birthday cards in the office that have been written but not sent. If you ask the manager about the cards, he realizes you've been snooping and throws you out of the hotel for a game over. When I first encountered this, I was a bit confused because it was a dialogue option to ask about the cards and I thought I was supposed to. Then when I realized it does make sense that the manager would figure out from you asking. It goes well with the overall theme of the game which requires you to put yourself in other people's shoes while you interrogate them.
I think framing is very important in this. When i booted up "execution" I instantly knew it's point. The only point why this game exists is to take the high ground and preach from the soap box. When I played this, I felt mad. It's so hamfisted and full of itself. Yet they did not tell me I could press escape and leave. I might as well use WASD or the komami code to "win". This "win" is as earned and effektive as the "win" ending in stanly parable. Yet I feel the execution in Spec Ops or heck, even COD Black Ops was handled with more nuance and given context by the mechanics. Not to speak of the examples with Disco and Deus Ex you gave. Those moments were brilliant. Maybe the med-bay bait from Prey or the quick loading after you killed Toriel in Undertale could be seen as that as well? Context is key here, imo. (Woah that was a lot to write. Thanks for taking your time reading this. I hope you have a great day. 🙂)
Ironic how a game named Execution was poorly executed. Well, not "poorly" per se; I _get_ why it exists and its point, but yeah I agree - it's setting up a gotcha moment in the worst, most patronizing way possible. Undertale and DX actively give you a choice, or, in the case of Spec Ops, exist to make a slow-burning point about modern military shooters. Framing is the message indeed. Speaking of Prey, there's a sidequest involving a chef who asks for assistance, ostensibly to help survivors or whatever, but really it's for his own effed up desires. Like DXHR there's a lot of (frankly obtuse) signposting, and the sidequest is laid out in multiple phases so you have more than one opportunity to cut ties with him. For a game all about mindgames, it has a fair share of them.
Thanks for writing. I think it's important to remember that Execution is a game from 2008. A freeware game that the lone creator probably made in a weekend. If they had been making it today, or expected it to blow up like it did, they probably would have cleaned it up a lot, made it more subtle and elegant. Made it less preachy, and more thought provocative on the player side. But as someone who makes videos, trust me when I say you never know when something is going to blow up or not. In the back of your mind is always the thought "that's good enough. Hardly anyone is going to look at it anyway." The creator had no idea people would still be discussing it and making videos about it 12 years later. But the fact that we are shows that it has merit, that it did something new and exciting. It's a bigger game than its flaws.
After sleeping a night on this... Maybe you are right, and provoking such a strong emotion shows the point? 🤔 Anyway, thanks for replying. Love your videos!
I hesitated, but ultimately chose to follow Execution and shoot the guy. The screen may say I lose, but me shooting that tied up guy is the best thing me for and him at that point. He’s not getting out alive, no matter what I do. Best I could do is a clean heartshot. “You lose” can’t convince me otherwise. Great video. Disco Elysium even encourages you to chose every dialog choises beyond gamer’s learned behavior of clicking everything. The loading screen tipps says something like “Don’t be afraid to say weird stuff, people are more forgiving of a policeman’s actions.”
I believe the reason this option is not well explored in gaming is the nature of gaming itself. The societal purpose games serve are escapist fantasies designed to provide gamers with the agency they lack in their real, personal lives. Aspiring to roleplay as a force of change in a world that needs you is most games' hook, whether that's done consciously or not. Turning that premise on its head might serve as a heavy-hitting narrative punch in most passive media but only in gaming are players actively participating and directly asked to overcome their desire to shape the narrative as opposed to letting it play out over its natural course. I enjoyed this review greatly, it gives one a lot to think about.
IIRC some of the Ultima and Might&Magic games had these extremely powerful "Armageddon"-type spells that would injure or kill everyone on the map. It also caused friendlies to turn hostile, traders and quests to become inaccessible, and possibly also affected the player. Of course they're high-level spells so you'd finally discover how to cast these spells but they were so not worth it. Master of Magic also had these global enchantments that produced meteor swarms, corruption, or volcanos all over the map at random. Your own cities were protected, but it destroyed the terrain making it difficult to expand your civilization anywhere.
Man the videos you made are so underrated, I respect the retirement from youtube. It's a noble thing to quit when you're relatively lesser known but made quality videos vs quitting after you'd have exhausted all video ideas just for that "-ly" video upload, whether that be daily, weekly or monthly. It's funny that the video about winning by not playing is the last and it seems like that could have been on purpose but even if it wasn't symbolizes nicely. Yeah that's pretty much it just wanted to share my thoughts and hope the person behind the videos is doing well, cheers!
I'm good thanks. Glad you love my stuff, makes me happy. But I'm really sorry, I don't have plans for any videos. I'm not sure if / when I will make another one.
Got a promotion, more work. I don't currently have any videos in the works, no plans really. But the same has been true for basically the last three or four years, during which I've released maybe three videos a year. This time might be different, I dunno. Sorry.
@@MrWendal Nothing to apologize for. I’ll be here if you return, and if not it was fun while it lasted. Your videos has been a big part in changing the way I look at games and for that I want to thank you. Congrats on your promotion, I wish you nothing but the best.
I didn't watch the video because of the simple reason that it doesn't seem to bring up Spec Ops: The Line. Now, I might be mistaken and it is in fact mentioned somewhere, but I feel like this kind of discussion without having THE archetype, where the entire, hours long game is made to reinforce a select few things, the topic of the video among them, be central is incomplete. If you've ever played a modern military shooter, the moral thing to do is probably to play that game and let it do its thing.
I haven't, in fact, played a modern military shooter. Nor Spec Ops. The whole genre just doesn't appeal to me. If that's what you're interested in there are plenty of other videos out there. I recommend Errant Signal's video on Spec Ops. This is not a video about Spec Ops. I'd ask you to judge something for what it is, not for what it is not. I never claimed this to be a comprehensive look at the subject. It's only a six minute video. It's a video featuring a few examples that personally interest me. Finally, I've no interest in Spec Ops, and without playing it, it would be incredibly stupid of me to try and give any kind of critical analysis of it. Don't you agree? I think most people would agree that it's ridiculous to try and criticize a piece of media before you've even read / watched / played it. I mean, you wouldn't do that, right?
@@MrWendal Hey, I wasn't doing most of the stuff you're ascribing to my comment. If you haven't played it, that's entirely fair. For me, who has, I can't get around feeling a discussion on games doing this is incomplete, which is why I looked for it in the chapter thingy on the video. I might be missing out on some sage wisdom being dispensed in the video, I wouldn't be able to know. Pretty simple, no real attack present here :) You can see it as mostly me just proselytizing; but of course if you haven't played that kind of "imperialist-think" violent video game, the point of the game is also lost, so I'm not sure I'd recommend it to you. I have encountered art I have enjoyed even if I realize it wasn't meant for me, but a lot of the time I don't
Good video as always Wendal :) Imo this kind of gameplay dilemmas can go more easily unnoticed by experienced players (or at least people used to more "mainstreem" videogames). Since we are used to systemic and gameplay conventionalisms, we take for granted that the only options avaliable are the ones being offered, and very rarely we consider the "not making any choice" approach. It's one of those cases were too much exposure to game culture can be an issue I think xD
Brilliant video, learned about you from a big reddit thread. Commented there how Spec Ops is actually a game that is similar in this regard, where it actually warns you about the consequences of your action and yet a player still plows through it. Would be great if you could make a video about the deconstruction of shooter genre and vile propaganda that seeps through most modern FPS games.
Haven't played it, and don't really plan to ... it seems too depressing for me to want to give it a shot, honestly. I recommend Errant Signal's video on it, if you haven't seen it.
@@MrWendal It's a game that would fit right with the type of philosophical commentary you are trying to convey in your videos (just binge watched your channel). It is about choice and consequence and gameplay funneling into story. And thanks for the recommendation, just watched the Errant video and it is really good.
Something important you fail to mention is the distinction between being rewarded and not being punished. In the Disco Elysium example there is no reward for either choice because no outcome provides the player with a benefit they didn't already have. Instead the player is unwittingly, or at least without all the information, choosing between the different punishments of (a) a negative effect on the player according to the mechanics and systems of the game or (b) not allowing the player to see that conversation. The player is not 'rewarded' in either of these choices because either still comes with a negative effect, either mechanically or mentally.
It depends how much you want to see all the writing in the game. It's true, if missing some dialog feels like a punishment, and it feels more punishing than the reward of feeling clever if you spot the trap. Yeah, no game intrinsic rewards there, but that's kind of part of Disco Elysium's thing. It can be a bit of a negative game in both it's systems and its writing. It's honestly why I couldn't finish the game.
I would argue that due to the way Jensen reacts to every other situation in the game the developers clearly intended that the canonical decision is that Jensen gets the chip upgrade.
I remember the augment problem in Deus Ex. I refused to get it. The side effects were an occasional and, minor, inconvenience, and the upgrade, I figured I would give them 6 months, let them fix the bugs before I get it. Let others be the test subjects. It made the ending boss fight, to my surprise, much easier. Yay for cynicism! 😂
Nice vid and good to see you again. While we are here, would you or anyone know other games that do this more/well? Choice-focused games are appealing yet a little frustrating for me. I (like many others) can't help but want to interact with everything and tend to save scum as a result -- it is tedious and destroys the immersion. I think games can put me in this mindset you discussed, but I haven't found one that I like (dont know the possibilities in Undertale to tell whether this game counts, but regardless I didn't particularly enjoy the game) and not obviously meta (e.g. Stanley Parable).
Another example is Far Cry 5. SPOILERS AHEAD You play a police deputy fighting the leader of an apocalyptic cult. There are multiple endings: The bad one is where you choose to let the antagonist go before the final battle; however, you will end up killing your friends under the influence of a post-hypnotic trigger. The even worse ending is when you choose to defeat the antagonist; it turns out he was right all along, the apocalypse does happen, and you've been fighting on the wrong side for the whole game (many players who didn't get the message were pissed off by this). However, there's a third (secret) ending: If directly after the intro, you choose to do nothing instead of arresting the cult leader, the police operation against the cult is called off, the plot of the game is never triggered, and the game ends right then and there. This ending is considered the "good" one. There is also a film example: In Michael Haneke's "Funny Games", the point of the plot is that the viewer, by watching the film, becomes complicit in the bad guys' torturing and killing an innocent family, and the only "right" way to watch the film is to stop watching it.
I would argue that just because they happened to be right, you were not in fact on the wrong side while fighting the murderous brainwashing cult you do not in fact "gotta hand it to them"
Fantastic approach to game scenarios. You value and review jewels. As always (well... deus ex hr was good, but not first game good). What do you say about game mechanics, that cant be (shouldnt be) explained by lore? Most obvious example is ressurecting characters in MMOs.
I disagree that they shouldn't be. Depends on the game, especially the fictional genre. Fantasy might as well give it lore because "magic." In other games you can just say they were "downed" instead of dead. If worldbuilding and story are important, try to explain stuff, even if you have to BS. If it's a gamey game, like Mario don't worry about it. Anyway, you can trust players to ignore game mechanics that can't be explained by lore. They will ignore anything that benefits them and only complain about stuff that hurts them.
How the hell do I reset Execution. I was attempting to show it to my brother and used task manager to close it after some confusion with Direct Play. Apparently this made it think I shot the guy. I've redownloaded like 20 times. Where the hell does it save it's info??? Is it even possible???
Nvm, got it. For anybody who wants to do something like me or messed up like me: Search for Registry Editor in windows, go under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Game Maker. In \Game Maker is \Scores. Which for me only had 1, a string of numbers, Execution's. But idk the situation there for anyone else. After deleting the corresponding score, it will reset the game.
Cool video. It is a simillar situarion when games have no ending and no propper way to loose, there is no victory and you win by not playing, which is defeat by itself.
No. They think they're doing everyone a favour. Indeed most ex-dones have said they missed being part of the Collective, and some would rather go back.
The Borg are imo one of the most interesting SciFi races ever, simply because they show how important perspective is. From their perspective they are superior beings, standing together for the greater good, no pain, no suffering, simply doing ones work and being one with the collective. Others would say that the price to pay to join the collective is way too high, giving up the individuum, unable to learn or become better, to make personal decisions, becoming just a cog in a well oiled machine. Especially because there is no choice to join, the Borg already made the choice, so not weanting to join is illogical for them, so one has to be forced. The Borg are simply an amazing idea the TNG writers came up with
I think the next video will be all about Star Trek: A Final Unity, and how it's the most Star Trek of all the Star Trek games, if that's your thing. You can get it on abandonware sites ... you'll need to install the game via dosbox which can be a bit hard. After that, a possible next video will feature Celeste, Espgaluda, Cryptark, and CrossCode. Happy playing!
@@MrWendal Thank you Mr Wendal, and thank you for all the high quality content you make! Old adventure games are my achilles heel so I'll definitely look into it!
Help they have me locked in a basement and there's no GPUs down here But seriously, alive and well, just maybe retired from youtube, not sure, have an idea for a video though
![Two endings. -- [GO TO BED]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/g_Ft2GBsr84/mqdefault.jpg)
My favorite example of this is in Farcry 4 where, if you wait for the villain to finish his call, you get to leave the country unharmed minutes later. I wish more games put in those kinds of interesting choices/endings
IIRC you don't leave the country but you become his successor
It’s even better than that, he leaves Kyrat to you. Presumably to make it better than he ever could because Ajay isn’t crazy or evil.
th-cam.com/video/PXqcHi2fkXI/w-d-xo.html
Similar to how in we happy few you can just take the joy and go about the normal day and the entire game and its story would just be over unless you wanted to play again.
I find it SO hard not to exhaust the dialogue trees.
Missed this one when it came out. Very interesting War Games-esque topic here, and I love the meta edits of you clicking on the icon, or adding fake dialogue screens to Flashback, etc. Hope you're doing well, man!
Yep I'm doing good thanks! Just busy with real life and pretty much retired from videos. How about you?
@@MrWendal Busy and working like a horse, thanks for asking! Hope things are going well for you. The constant "content grind" can be very demanding, so I hope you get a nice breather.
@@MrWendal YOU CAME BACK
“How about a nice game of chess?”
"If you don't have the knowledge, right or responsibility to decide, it's a moral dilemma best solved by refusing to act.
By inaction"
This one quote is so good it's wrecking my brain. Being a college student, I feel like I should do action in everything (even in games, I try to "cover" everything). But I've been in few situations where I felt like I shouldn't have been there.
Thanks! Remember not to vote! :P
@@MrWendal Boycotting elections would be a smart thing to do when you have candidates who are both morally suspect. Elected officials wouldn't have the strength of masses behind them, only of loyal party members. The chain reaction would be fun to follow how it unravels.
Western culture is trapped in that: action. Wu wey is an interesting Eastern concept I find related to this video topic.
Although I think it was an unintended feature, I experienced very much the same moral dilemma in "Star Trek: Conquest." It's a PS2 game with mixed reviews. Essentially a conquest battle sim where you battle it out with a hostile alien race; conquering planets across the map. You have to use strategy in what planets you take over (some have better resources than others) and make sure the other side isn't progressing too fast - they can quickly overwhelm you.
Forgive me because I don't remember the exact statistics. But I was playing this game for the first (and only) time, and decided to fight against the Klingons. (I'm more of an Original Series fan, anyway) Upon the first visit to the resources screen I realized that the final tier weapon was the genesis device. In the Star Trek universe (I only know it from II: Wrath of Khan) the genesis device was designed to bring life to completely dead planets - making them sustainable. In the film, one is launched in the middle of a space cluster and within moments gravitates all nearby matter towards itself, creating a new, lush, sustainable planet. (and resurrecting a dead character too)
All fine and dandy, but within the film, concern is expressed that, if said genesis device was launched to an inhabited planet, the result would be devastating. Yes, it would create a new, sustainable planet, but in the process, it would wipe out the existing planet, and all life therein, instantaneously. Like a mega nuclear bomb or a blast from the Star Wars Death Star.
It was never designed as a weapon of war, but the villain of the film takes control of one, and the worry of misuse is high.
In said game, there isn't much explanation given for the existence of the genesis device in your arsenal. Why, centuries later, is the technology still being used? Why is it now an option for war? None of these are answered.
Aside from a high resource price, you're not punished otherwise for pursuing the device and using it. So, me not really thinking about the consequences in a video game, decided to stockpile a few. Whenever the Klingons took over a planet I didn't want them to, I just blasted it with the thing. Sometimes, it took 2 genesis blasts to destroy the orbiting fleet.
I didn't care that these were innocent potentially friendly planets conquered by the enemy. To me they were just map points in a video game.
It wasn't until the final stages of the war before I realized the true effects of the genesis device and my misuse of it.
Every planet I landed on I'd check its resources. Some planets (naturally) had some combination of high or low population and high or low resources. So I wasn't very surprised when, as I began to push the Klingons back, I started seeing a lot of planets with low population. I didn't realize they were planets I had bombed earlier on. So the low population and high resource count kinda made sense. The Klingons are a ruthless warrior race, after all.
Finally, with a victory in my sight, I realized the only way to prevent the Klingons from continuing to stockpile fleets and conquer the surrounding barrier of planets, was to somehow cut them off from their home world. So I tossed a genesis bomb their way. Then I tossed another. And another. And a fourth. And a fifth.
The satellite planets were easy enough to conquer, and when I finally made it to the Klingon home world, it finally clicked in.
The population was 0. I was horrified.
In my foolish war mongering against my (admittedly challenging) foe, I had nearly completely genocided multiple innocent planets along the way, and completely devastated the Klingon home world to no life whatsoever. (I think there was a chance for, if multiple genesis devices were used, one could fail to create new life)
So there I sat, staring at my PS2, finally taking in my actions. I turned off the game and just sat there for several minutes in silence, thinking about the implications of such actions and what a disaster (to a scale Earth-dwellers would barely comprehend) had taken place. Multiple planets, multiple species, all wiped into oblivion in a matter of (in game) months.
Although I still maintain that this moment was completely unintended from a game design perspective (unlike some of your examples) It really opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking. I pondered over Gene Roddenberry, the ultimate pacifist, and how, through Star Trek originally, he'd sought to challenge social issues and tackle moral subjects through the lens of escapist science fiction. How he'd always pushed back against the more violent Star Trek adaptations and episodes. And how his son had so disliked Enterprise, because of its focus on war and action - such a far cry from his original vision.
Again, I doubt this impact was intentional from such a so-so game. (You have to really dig deep and analyze every planet's stats to fully comprehend the consequence of the genesis device, and you aren't punished for winning in this way) But, it sure gave me a philosophical afternoon. Even today, all these years later, I still think about it.
I haven't even touched the game since. But I'm never going to get rid of it. I want to be able to look at it - hold it in my hands - and remember the lessons it taught me. Although it's just a game - the mirror it put up to my frivolous actions. I think I've come out a better person from the experience. But, boy did I never expect such a radical philosophical breakdown from just another average video game. And, true to Gene Roddenberry's original intentions, I think that's part of the point. It doesn't charade as moral fiction. It's escapism that draws you in and makes you think, right under your nose.
That's why I love Star Trek.
"My hatred exploded. And in an instant of grief... I destroyed the Husnock. [...] I didn't kill just one Husnock, or a hundred, or a thousand. I killed them all. All Husnock, everywhere."
Star Trek TNG, The Survivors
Wow. I guess I had a similar experience with Star Trek Armada. I used to play it like star wars. I felt it was at odds with the TV fiction, and that's ultimately why I didn't stick with it for very long.
I remember watching the first season of Andromeda, again, by Gene Roddenberry. The cgi has not aged well, but, the show and the concept, is still intriguing.
In one of the first episodes it goes into the Nova Bombs.
They sound like a much more, literal, space nuke. A single bomb that, if fired into a system, has the potential to destroy all planets in that system.
What struck me was that I took 5 crew members acting in concert to authorise a launch.
In modern nuclear subs, the closest comparison, it takes just 2, crew members, once given higher authorisation, to launch a nuclear missile.
That part really made me think about just how dangerous nuclear weapons are.
for any of those who don't know about the deus ex HR choice, you can figure out that you shouldn't take the update based off of some optional e-mail logs on some computers when you go to tai yong medical. that's how i knew not to take the update
Including that reaction to the Deus Ex thing was a really good idea! A lot of videos like these just tell viewers that something is good or bad, while you opted to show us instead. Great inclusion, love your videos!
Yeah, something I'd like to do more often is include let's players is my videos. To make my videos a bit of a "Let's focus group test this game".
Damn this is good video, so many rpg games have "option unlocked by X skill/ability" be the "this is by nearly every metric be the best decision" that not picking it seems like a waste of your previous decision. Honestly I agree, the decision to not engage is usually the most boring choice that it recalls the paarthurnax side quest in skyrim where it just sits there on your quest log and involves killing a paarthurnax who players generally like, enough that most people just avoid the blades in the first place to avoid having it in their quest log.
Thanks! It's hard to do well though, so I understand why games rarely go for it.
Or mod around it because seriously fuck that, this in an rpg, why wasn't sparring him an option to begin with, hell I'm the dragon born, you guys worship me, so stop undermining my decisions before I nuke your asses because I can.
I love that choice in DE:HR - it's so rarely offered in mainstream, big budget titles that sometimes I forget these sorts of clever choices aren't exclusive to the likes of small indie titles or art pieces. So many times I've looked at games offering a simple binary choice and felt disappointed that the option not to engage was never offered - Mass Effect, for as much as I love it, had quite a few choices that might have benefited from an option like those you discussed.
Great video as always :)
Thanks VARIOUS!
It's not that they forget that such things aren't exclusive to indie titles, it's that the developers, or more to the point the executives signing their pay check don't respect the intelligence of the player. They wrongfully assume that if you're given the skippable mission objective to do something and you don't skip it and are punished for not skipping it, that the players will cry foul - that it's bad to punish the player for engaging in the content. Many developers see their games as an art form, but many executives and even some developers see their games as nothing more than a revenue source, and so they're unlikely to do things that go against a formula.
It's one or zero!
Could be null
Amazing video! That Star Trek game looked pretty cool, I really like old-school point and click adventures and I have never heard of that one.
If you like Star Trek you have to play it, it's the most Star Trek of all the Star Trek games.
Just came across your content a moment ago. I'm always surprised whenever I come across a gem of a channel with a small subscriber count. It seems like your done uploading indefinitely, but I figured I'd subscribe anyways, if only to show appreciation for the content you've all ready put out!
Thanks!
This is one of the most eye opening videos I’ve watched and you nailed the execution. Good job!
Thanks!
Great video! I've been binging the channel, it's excellent I can't wait to see more!
Thanks! I'm on hiatus though, sorry. New job and all.
@@MrWendal Hope it goes well! And remember sometimes the more time you spend on something the better it comes out, so don't rush or stress have a good one bro
even years later i like coming back to rewatch your stuff, hope you are doing good!
Doing great, thanks!
Hi, i've always loved the "A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess" quote, from WarGames
I found your video by mistake, but I can't stop thinking about it, the video is awesome.
Thank you a lot for showing all these beautiful examples from a topic i like so much
No worries, thanks for watching!
I found this channel via this video and he’s not uploading anymore, I feel like I just watched the end of a movie that I wish I had watched from the start.
Sorry
@@MrWendal Where did you go? Life stuff got you too busy? I've been here since 2 years ago when I watched your video on Nethack and checked in to see now if you uploaded anything new... Nothing :( Just wonderin what you're up to these days
@@YummyWhiteLiquid Just work and life and stuff, sorry
Loved this video as well Mr wendel. Always relaxing and easing
No worries!
Undertale is similar to execution but with more of a story, but there are many instances in the game where if you reload your save then characters will remember what you did, although it is still technically undone. For example if you kill torial then reload your save, flowey will remember, or if you get the bad ending (genocide ending) and then the good (pacifist) ending then after you beat the pacifist ending it will show a picture of all your friends heads crossed out since you killed them in you’re previous save
Thanks for this exploration! You highlighted a lot of great little gems as well as exploring well-known examples. Good stuff.
I am redesigning a game right now, and was trying to implement a "the only winning move is not to play" type mechanic. I was banging my head against the wall when I realized its literally that simple. The antagonist doesn't have to attack unless the player/s attack first. That's it. It's weird how the plain, bare essence of it feels unnatural to pick? Why are we hardwired for conflict - why is "playing games" inherently confrontational? (If there isn't some strategy, some move to make, it's generally considered a "toy", not a "game", right?)
Discovered your channel recently and I’m loving your videos mate
They're very calming Mr poo poo
Thanks
do you watch them on the loo loo
@@MrWendal of course, although I’m never anywhere else
Came back to us
I really hope you return someday! Really appreciate your perspectives!
Thanks! Maybe someday ...
Clicked on this video expecting it to be a clip from War Games, but I ended up watching something much more interesting and enjoyable. This is a really well made video my man, good work.
Thanks!
Negan would say: Not making a choice, is making a BIG choice!
Red Dead Redemption has a secret achievement called "Manifest Destiny" in which the main character plays a knowing hand in the extermination of the wild buffalo population. Sad since very similar things happened historically.
"How could you, 2B..."
I won't carry your regret Pascal.
Great video! Glad to see another one. I love it when games subvert your expectations like this.
Thanks for your videos! I really wish I would hear more of your thoughts, even in a text form. Nevertheless, it's a pleasure to rewatch your content from time to time.
Another video another valuable lesson learned through a master storyteller. Game mechanics like these are so interesting!
Thanks Yadse!
Shame that you stopped. One of the most underrated channels
Sorry
@@MrWendal I am curious what made you quit, was it because of the channel not growing fast enough, having a day job ?
@@Spandex08 After some initial success in 2015-16 that was never went anywhere, I gave up on the idea of having a big channel in like 2017. After that this was a hobby channel, and every video I made was just for fun.
But yeah, I got a new job last year, and have less time for hobbies.
You're too talented to retire from videos man. You've got to come back!
Nice video, it made me realize I didn't games of this kind as much as others that makes me want to exhaust the full dialog
Great Video. Thinking about that opening section and how it applies to life.
It's one of those moments which tightens the grip on a truth you've fought hard to grasp.
Thanks!
fuck yeah!! another video by the most underrated video essay maker on this site :)
“Greetings Professor Falken.”
In Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (My favorite game) at one point you have to sneak around the hotel office, and you find some birthday cards in the office that have been written but not sent. If you ask the manager about the cards, he realizes you've been snooping and throws you out of the hotel for a game over.
When I first encountered this, I was a bit confused because it was a dialogue option to ask about the cards and I thought I was supposed to. Then when I realized it does make sense that the manager would figure out from you asking. It goes well with the overall theme of the game which requires you to put yourself in other people's shoes while you interrogate them.
That's a great example. I tried to play Hotel Dusk back in the day but i never got into it for some reason...
just found your channel and its a shame you stopped, lovely and engaging videos.
Man thats great, haha like a metaphor for life. Good as
Fascinating subject to cover, and I knew all about the one in Deus Ex. I skipped the bit about Final Unity as I'm playing that game now!
I'm thinking about making a video about why its the most star trek of all the trek games
I wish you'd do more videos!
love your videos so much
Thanks!
Wow a good video essay that's new.
The thats rare for me
I think framing is very important in this. When i booted up "execution" I instantly knew it's point. The only point why this game exists is to take the high ground and preach from the soap box. When I played this, I felt mad. It's so hamfisted and full of itself.
Yet they did not tell me I could press escape and leave. I might as well use WASD or the komami code to "win". This "win" is as earned and effektive as the "win" ending in stanly parable.
Yet I feel the execution in Spec Ops or heck, even COD Black Ops was handled with more nuance and given context by the mechanics.
Not to speak of the examples with Disco and Deus Ex you gave. Those moments were brilliant.
Maybe the med-bay bait from Prey or the quick loading after you killed Toriel in Undertale could be seen as that as well?
Context is key here, imo.
(Woah that was a lot to write. Thanks for taking your time reading this. I hope you have a great day. 🙂)
Ironic how a game named Execution was poorly executed. Well, not "poorly" per se; I _get_ why it exists and its point, but yeah I agree - it's setting up a gotcha moment in the worst, most patronizing way possible. Undertale and DX actively give you a choice, or, in the case of Spec Ops, exist to make a slow-burning point about modern military shooters. Framing is the message indeed.
Speaking of Prey, there's a sidequest involving a chef who asks for assistance, ostensibly to help survivors or whatever, but really it's for his own effed up desires. Like DXHR there's a lot of (frankly obtuse) signposting, and the sidequest is laid out in multiple phases so you have more than one opportunity to cut ties with him. For a game all about mindgames, it has a fair share of them.
Thanks for writing. I think it's important to remember that Execution is a game from 2008. A freeware game that the lone creator probably made in a weekend. If they had been making it today, or expected it to blow up like it did, they probably would have cleaned it up a lot, made it more subtle and elegant. Made it less preachy, and more thought provocative on the player side.
But as someone who makes videos, trust me when I say you never know when something is going to blow up or not. In the back of your mind is always the thought "that's good enough. Hardly anyone is going to look at it anyway." The creator had no idea people would still be discussing it and making videos about it 12 years later.
But the fact that we are shows that it has merit, that it did something new and exciting. It's a bigger game than its flaws.
After sleeping a night on this... Maybe you are right, and provoking such a strong emotion shows the point? 🤔
Anyway, thanks for replying. Love your videos!
I hesitated, but ultimately chose to follow Execution and shoot the guy. The screen may say I lose, but me shooting that tied up guy is the best thing me for and him at that point. He’s not getting out alive, no matter what I do. Best I could do is a clean heartshot. “You lose” can’t convince me otherwise.
Great video. Disco Elysium even encourages you to chose every dialog choises beyond gamer’s learned behavior of clicking everything. The loading screen tipps says something like “Don’t be afraid to say weird stuff, people are more forgiving of a policeman’s actions.”
I interpreted that tip more as "don't always click on the boring option" than "click on everything"
I believe the reason this option is not well explored in gaming is the nature of gaming itself. The societal purpose games serve are escapist fantasies designed to provide gamers with the agency they lack in their real, personal lives.
Aspiring to roleplay as a force of change in a world that needs you is most games' hook, whether that's done consciously or not. Turning that premise on its head might serve as a heavy-hitting narrative punch in most passive media but only in gaming are players actively participating and directly asked to overcome their desire to shape the narrative as opposed to letting it play out over its natural course.
I enjoyed this review greatly, it gives one a lot to think about.
IIRC some of the Ultima and Might&Magic games had these extremely powerful "Armageddon"-type spells that would injure or kill everyone on the map. It also caused friendlies to turn hostile, traders and quests to become inaccessible, and possibly also affected the player. Of course they're high-level spells so you'd finally discover how to cast these spells but they were so not worth it. Master of Magic also had these global enchantments that produced meteor swarms, corruption, or volcanos all over the map at random. Your own cities were protected, but it destroyed the terrain making it difficult to expand your civilization anywhere.
Very interesting, too powerful to use
Man the videos you made are so underrated, I respect the retirement from youtube.
It's a noble thing to quit when you're relatively lesser known but made quality videos vs quitting after you'd have exhausted all video ideas just for that "-ly" video upload, whether that be daily, weekly or monthly.
It's funny that the video about winning by not playing is the last and it seems like that could have been on purpose but even if it wasn't symbolizes nicely.
Yeah that's pretty much it just wanted to share my thoughts and hope the person behind the videos is doing well, cheers!
Thanks, I'm good. The reason i stopped is mostly just time, busy with work and family. Hope you're going well too!
The only winning move is not to vanish for a year
I lose. I'm retired from youtube, sorry.
@@MrWendal Fair enough, have a good one.
I hope you're doing fine, man. And that we'll get something from you soon.
Love your stuff.
Cheers
I'm good thanks. Glad you love my stuff, makes me happy. But I'm really sorry, I don't have plans for any videos. I'm not sure if / when I will make another one.
Execution makes sense... Did you know of anything the prisoner did? No, why are you shooting them? No idea, all you know is that you "must kill"
Why does the prisoner in execution have a Dream mask?
Im supprised you didnt include defcon, in here, the only winning move is to not escalate
Where did you go Mr Wendal? Are you taking a break or not planning on coming back?
Got a promotion, more work. I don't currently have any videos in the works, no plans really.
But the same has been true for basically the last three or four years, during which I've released maybe three videos a year. This time might be different, I dunno. Sorry.
@@MrWendal Nothing to apologize for. I’ll be here if you return, and if not it was fun while it lasted. Your videos has been a big part in changing the way I look at games and for that I want to thank you.
Congrats on your promotion, I wish you nothing but the best.
I didn't watch the video because of the simple reason that it doesn't seem to bring up Spec Ops: The Line. Now, I might be mistaken and it is in fact mentioned somewhere, but I feel like this kind of discussion without having THE archetype, where the entire, hours long game is made to reinforce a select few things, the topic of the video among them, be central is incomplete. If you've ever played a modern military shooter, the moral thing to do is probably to play that game and let it do its thing.
I haven't, in fact, played a modern military shooter. Nor Spec Ops. The whole genre just doesn't appeal to me. If that's what you're interested in there are plenty of other videos out there. I recommend Errant Signal's video on Spec Ops.
This is not a video about Spec Ops. I'd ask you to judge something for what it is, not for what it is not. I never claimed this to be a comprehensive look at the subject. It's only a six minute video. It's a video featuring a few examples that personally interest me.
Finally, I've no interest in Spec Ops, and without playing it, it would be incredibly stupid of me to try and give any kind of critical analysis of it. Don't you agree? I think most people would agree that it's ridiculous to try and criticize a piece of media before you've even read / watched / played it. I mean, you wouldn't do that, right?
@@MrWendal Hey, I wasn't doing most of the stuff you're ascribing to my comment. If you haven't played it, that's entirely fair. For me, who has, I can't get around feeling a discussion on games doing this is incomplete, which is why I looked for it in the chapter thingy on the video. I might be missing out on some sage wisdom being dispensed in the video, I wouldn't be able to know. Pretty simple, no real attack present here :)
You can see it as mostly me just proselytizing; but of course if you haven't played that kind of "imperialist-think" violent video game, the point of the game is also lost, so I'm not sure I'd recommend it to you. I have encountered art I have enjoyed even if I realize it wasn't meant for me, but a lot of the time I don't
Good video as always Wendal :)
Imo this kind of gameplay dilemmas can go more easily unnoticed by experienced players (or at least people used to more "mainstreem" videogames). Since we are used to systemic and gameplay conventionalisms, we take for granted that the only options avaliable are the ones being offered, and very rarely we consider the "not making any choice" approach. It's one of those cases were too much exposure to game culture can be an issue I think xD
Well, game culture keeps evolving, maybe it will slowly change. Although game choice has been shrinking for a while now.
Brilliant video, learned about you from a big reddit thread. Commented there how Spec Ops is actually a game that is similar in this regard, where it actually warns you about the consequences of your action and yet a player still plows through it. Would be great if you could make a video about the deconstruction of shooter genre and vile propaganda that seeps through most modern FPS games.
Haven't played it, and don't really plan to ... it seems too depressing for me to want to give it a shot, honestly. I recommend Errant Signal's video on it, if you haven't seen it.
@@MrWendal It's a game that would fit right with the type of philosophical commentary you are trying to convey in your videos (just binge watched your channel). It is about choice and consequence and gameplay funneling into story. And thanks for the recommendation, just watched the Errant video and it is really good.
Where have you been Mr wendal? :(
Work. New job. I don't currently have any plans for more videos. Sorry.
@@MrWendal I see. :( hope the new job is going well. If you do ever come back would be lovely to see again
I would love if you did another video on some aspect of disco elysium, it's terrific and I am hoping they bring it to console soon
I uh .. uh ... *whispers* ... never actually finished it. Played 20 hours, then quit. Might go back to it.
0:49
We all know that feeling
Something important you fail to mention is the distinction between being rewarded and not being punished. In the Disco Elysium example there is no reward for either choice because no outcome provides the player with a benefit they didn't already have. Instead the player is unwittingly, or at least without all the information, choosing between the different punishments of (a) a negative effect on the player according to the mechanics and systems of the game or (b) not allowing the player to see that conversation. The player is not 'rewarded' in either of these choices because either still comes with a negative effect, either mechanically or mentally.
It depends how much you want to see all the writing in the game. It's true, if missing some dialog feels like a punishment, and it feels more punishing than the reward of feeling clever if you spot the trap.
Yeah, no game intrinsic rewards there, but that's kind of part of Disco Elysium's thing. It can be a bit of a negative game in both it's systems and its writing. It's honestly why I couldn't finish the game.
I would argue that due to the way Jensen reacts to every other situation in the game the developers clearly intended that the canonical decision is that Jensen gets the chip upgrade.
I ignore that reality and substitute my own
Impressive
Spec Ops: The Line
You and ME and HER
It's all your fault
What about a nice game of chess?
I remember the augment problem in Deus Ex. I refused to get it. The side effects were an occasional and, minor, inconvenience, and the upgrade, I figured I would give them 6 months, let them fix the bugs before I get it. Let others be the test subjects. It made the ending boss fight, to my surprise, much easier. Yay for cynicism! 😂
Nice vid and good to see you again.
While we are here, would you or anyone know other games that do this more/well? Choice-focused games are appealing yet a little frustrating for me. I (like many others) can't help but want to interact with everything and tend to save scum as a result -- it is tedious and destroys the immersion. I think games can put me in this mindset you discussed, but I haven't found one that I like (dont know the possibilities in Undertale to tell whether this game counts, but regardless I didn't particularly enjoy the game) and not obviously meta (e.g. Stanley Parable).
It's pretty rare ... my general advice on avoiding save scumming is to play permadeath games. Or tabletop role playing games.
Another example is Far Cry 5. SPOILERS AHEAD
You play a police deputy fighting the leader of an apocalyptic cult. There are multiple endings: The bad one is where you choose to let the antagonist go before the final battle; however, you will end up killing your friends under the influence of a post-hypnotic trigger.
The even worse ending is when you choose to defeat the antagonist; it turns out he was right all along, the apocalypse does happen, and you've been fighting on the wrong side for the whole game (many players who didn't get the message were pissed off by this).
However, there's a third (secret) ending: If directly after the intro, you choose to do nothing instead of arresting the cult leader, the police operation against the cult is called off, the plot of the game is never triggered, and the game ends right then and there. This ending is considered the "good" one.
There is also a film example: In Michael Haneke's "Funny Games", the point of the plot is that the viewer, by watching the film, becomes complicit in the bad guys' torturing and killing an innocent family, and the only "right" way to watch the film is to stop watching it.
I would argue that just because they happened to be right, you were not in fact on the wrong side while fighting the murderous brainwashing cult
you do not in fact "gotta hand it to them"
Pls come back
Sorry think im pretty much retired from TH-cam.
@@MrWendal thats acrually sad i loved your view on things and found some gems due to you
How are things Mr wendal?
Alright
@@MrWendal how's life been? I've missed your videos
@@slax4884 Sorry, I'm kind of retired now. New job takes up more of my time being the main reason.
@@MrWendal ah okay, hope the new job is good atleast :)
what happens if you shoot the wall intentionally in execution?
Tried that when I played it. Nothing happens, it just plays the machine gun sound effect.
I like to call this the sans strat
Fantastic approach to game scenarios. You value and review jewels. As always (well... deus ex hr was good, but not first game good). What do you say about game mechanics, that cant be (shouldnt be) explained by lore? Most obvious example is ressurecting characters in MMOs.
I disagree that they shouldn't be. Depends on the game, especially the fictional genre. Fantasy might as well give it lore because "magic." In other games you can just say they were "downed" instead of dead. If worldbuilding and story are important, try to explain stuff, even if you have to BS. If it's a gamey game, like Mario don't worry about it.
Anyway, you can trust players to ignore game mechanics that can't be explained by lore. They will ignore anything that benefits them and only complain about stuff that hurts them.
How the hell do I reset Execution. I was attempting to show it to my brother and used task manager to close it after some confusion with Direct Play. Apparently this made it think I shot the guy. I've redownloaded like 20 times. Where the hell does it save it's info??? Is it even possible???
Nvm, got it. For anybody who wants to do something like me or messed up like me:
Search for Registry Editor in windows, go under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Game Maker.
In \Game Maker is \Scores. Which for me only had 1, a string of numbers, Execution's. But idk the situation there for anyone else.
After deleting the corresponding score, it will reset the game.
Cool video. It is a simillar situarion when games have no ending and no propper way to loose, there is no victory and you win by not playing, which is defeat by itself.
I just thought I've seen this
And I'm right
Hello Mr wendell :) I know you're retired but just saying hello, 😊 how's work and life going?
Hello! All good, just going through the daily grind.
@@MrWendal good to hear from you :) hope daily grind is okay :)
Anyone knows who made Execution? I played it a while back and the homepage in the video description is a 404.
Can you link the 1 minute games from yesterdays video please 🙏🏻
He did, they're in the description. They were ancient greek punishment and execution.
Aren't the Borg absolute evil?
No. They think they're doing everyone a favour. Indeed most ex-dones have said they missed being part of the Collective, and some would rather go back.
The Borg are imo one of the most interesting SciFi races ever, simply because they show how important perspective is. From their perspective they are superior beings, standing together for the greater good, no pain, no suffering, simply doing ones work and being one with the collective. Others would say that the price to pay to join the collective is way too high, giving up the individuum, unable to learn or become better, to make personal decisions, becoming just a cog in a well oiled machine. Especially because there is no choice to join, the Borg already made the choice, so not weanting to join is illogical for them, so one has to be forced. The Borg are simply an amazing idea the TNG writers came up with
@@khorgor the TNG writers heavily borrowed from the Cybermen of course
@@khorgor thanks for the clarification. Admittedly, I hear a bunch about them, but I only know them as a reference, not as a Star Trek fan.
More homework please
I think the next video will be all about Star Trek: A Final Unity, and how it's the most Star Trek of all the Star Trek games, if that's your thing. You can get it on abandonware sites ... you'll need to install the game via dosbox which can be a bit hard.
After that, a possible next video will feature Celeste, Espgaluda, Cryptark, and CrossCode.
Happy playing!
@@MrWendal Thank you Mr Wendal, and thank you for all the high quality content you make!
Old adventure games are my achilles heel so I'll definitely look into it!
undertale genocide route lets goooo
What happened to your cool intro?
Wanted to get straight to the point
@@MrWendal Fair enough. I'll miss it though.
Hello are you still alive ??
Help they have me locked in a basement and there's no GPUs down here
But seriously, alive and well, just maybe retired from youtube, not sure, have an idea for a video though
0:58 Cyberpunk 2077 😎
lose
Mr Wendal, you may be retired, but always remember
🆈🅾🆄 🅰🆁🅴 🅿🅾🅶🅶🅴🆁🆂