My take: it’s not a heavily thematic work; it’s a glimpse into the lives of working-class Fallen Londoners, and those who would improve their lot, through the lens of the disappearance of one ambitious governess. It’s a documentary piece.
Ya, but people wouldn’t usually expect their detective work turn out to be documentary (and the juiciest part of the story), which is to taste servants’ lives across many different parts of London, do they? That’s what I meant by "maybe a bit distracting". edited by Sir Frederick Tanah-Chook on 2/29/2016
[quote]
By the way I find my comments tends to receive thumbs down when I judge Exceptional Stories (even though I recommend them). I guess people just love FBG so much that they lose their sense to judge neutrally. I don’t know if they have played other beautifully written games, just like braid, to the moon, life is strange, and the like. Not to mention novels and animes. If they have, they should know FBG is just one of market players, it’s not even the best among them (but it’s improving). I doubt my harsh words will break these people’s hearts, but if they do, I would be glad.
edited by Lomias on 2/29/2016[/quote]
I think it may be entirely possible that other people just have different opinions from you. It is something people tend to do.
Different people appreciate different things in a story, and in such an elaborately built world, there is so very much to tell. Not all of this will be to everyone’s taste; but there will be people to enjoy each facet of the world. You can see as much in this very thread, not to mention the crowds of people willing to throw themselves down wells for no good reason. edited by Alexander Feld on 2/29/2016
[quote=Robin Mask]This one I feel is both right and wrong . . .
On the one hand, it is a ‘mundane’ story insofar as it’s not about magic or greater lore, but - on the other hand - not every story needs to be about those things . . . I’d argue it can’t be, either, as then the appeal and unique nature of those tidbits wanes off, plus people get tired of every story being the same. Eventually, you get sick of it . . . like, I adore the masters, but were they in every story -? I’d probably stop playing.[/quote]
I’m inclined to agree with Robin and Dubinee on this one. Not every story needs to be centred around giant space crabs, emergency procedures in case of piggy alarm-clocks, going for a camping trip by Snake River, getting the munchies really badly, sapient guinea pigs, non-euclidean apiary construction, varying types of inter-species dating tips, ‘who wore it better?’ face-fashion, a certain coloured "science", the life of a neathly postal worker, or even uncovering the identity of the bat-man. (Yes, I’m being vague with some of these - perhaps inordinately so. Point is, there’s room for both the mundane and the fantastical, and a mix of both is healthy to have.)
Sometimes the mundane is actually a very welcome change from all the strangeness, and a good way of reminding me as a player that yes, London proper is still doing its own thing. The little people are still going about their day-to-day stuff, and even though my character is basically on the way towards apotheosis by comparison, this is a city rather than just a series of separate static locations on a map.
^ and sometimes a reminder of what London is, is what’s required in order to care about it. :-)
Overall I really enjoyed this story (especially after the previous one; which was good, but was over before it began.) I feel that many of the praises I have for this story have already been covered by others, though, so I’ll end this comment here. edited by Kittenpox on 2/29/2016
Lomias, I don’t feel this thread is the best place to respond to your comment (and attached rage-comic), nor do I have an interest in doing so.
But if you feel that being down-voted is something you take personal issue with, perhaps the browser mod linked on http://community.failbettergames.com/topic21824-user-style-disable-forum-rating-system.aspx may be of use to you. edited by Kittenpox on 2/29/2016
I think it may be entirely possible that other people just have different opinions from you. It is something people tend to do.
(…) not to mention the crowds of people willing to throw themselves down wells for no good reason.[/quote]
I laughed hard, thank you for this Alexander ! It was very well phrased, both funny and delicate.
Lomias, as someone who downvoted you, I can say I did it because I disagreed with your cons. But I find it nice and interesting that you listed what are, to you, the pros and cons of this story. It’s not against you nor to fiercely protect FBG honor in a duel, it was just to show that I didn’t share your views. I do the same with green thumbs. Just a way of saying "Hey, I think the same !" or "Hey, I disagree with you !".
It’s worth noting that, despite his "cons" Lomias rated "The Frequently Deceased" at 8.5 out of 10.
Personally, I liked the longish Flash Lay style Investigation. Lomias thought that aspect damaged the pace of the story, but I felt it made the experience of playing through the story more realistic. It was more like what the character might experience on a real investigation in Fallen London, in my opinion. edited by cathyr19355 on 2/29/2016
But. PLEASE PLEASE, when a choice says "this will increase Steadfast" and I pick it on that basis, LET ME KNOW AHEAD OF TIME that it won’t actually - because I’m already at 12 - and will in fact reduce my carefully-hoarded Ruthless. That really made me bitter.[/quote]Thank you for the warning; I’ll take the money and run.
EDIT: . . . which ALSO drops Steadfast while increasing Ruthless (I’m not capped in that). Figures. edited by an_ocelot on 3/1/2016
I just have to say that I’m getting a very Addams-esque feeling while playing with the children. I can just see little Wednesday and Pugsley at play, him ready to be guillotined…
[quote=an_ocelot][quote=Ewan C.]I loved this story.
But. PLEASE PLEASE, when a choice says "this will increase Steadfast" and I pick it on that basis, LET ME KNOW AHEAD OF TIME that it won’t actually - because I’m already at 12 - and will in fact reduce my carefully-hoarded Ruthless. That really made me bitter.[/quote]Thank you for the warning; I’ll take the money and run.
EDIT: . . . which ALSO drops Steadfast while increasing Ruthless (I’m not capped in that). Figures. edited by an_ocelot on 3/1/2016[/quote]
Is there any option which does not change quirks? Am I to evade every EF from now on?
[quote=Gonen]Is there any option which does not change quirks? Am I to evade every EF from now on?[/quote]I imagine you could just keep that card in your hand (it’s only the ending card)? Or pick one that’s already way over cap? (Or accept that this is how it’s going to be in the future, as probably I should’ve?)
Not being able to finish the story is… unsatisfying.
And my goal is to keep quirks at 15, so even damaging that is sometimes irreversible (since correcting that via connection items damages other quirks etc.). But… that is my choice and the constrictions I took upon myself. Mmm… :(
[quote=Hannah Flynn][color=#0066ff]The Frequently Deceased is the first story in the Family Ties season. [… ]
The recently deceased was written by Emily Short.[/color][/quote]
I should like to thank Ms Flynn for these excellent news, and at the same time draw her attention to the importance of consistency in capitalisation and vocabulary. Here’s how my mind was tricked to read the above the first time I looked at it:
Do you realise how this felt? DON’T YOU EVER DO THAT TO US AGAIN!
I just finished this story, and enjoyed it immensely. This one was slower-paced and more drawn-out than some of the previous Exceptional Stories, and I liked being able to take my time with the different stages of the investigation around London, the conversational trees, the flash lay, and playing with the kids. It was also very interesting to see Fallen London from the point of view of domestic servants, like a deliciously twisted version of Downton Abbey (and now I’m imagining Downton Abbey set in Fallen London. Oh how hilariously awesome that would be…)
Personally, I rank this as one of the best Exceptional Stories so far, on par with Lost in Reflections and Flint part 2. Bravo to the not-recently-deceased (receased? undeceased? ceased?) Emily Short. I’m looking forward to the rest of the Family Ties stories, especially if they have a combined wrap-up story the way Season of Blood did.
Do you realise how this felt? DON’T YOU EVER DO THAT TO US AGAIN![/quote]
That sound you hear is my giggling as I hear Dustin Hoffman’s voice echoing in my brain…"What are you, some kind of a sadist? Don’t ever do that to me again."
This story gave a richness to the everyday existence of London and I have to admit, it would never occur to me that there are people who would firmly ignore the fact that the city has fallen and raise their children following that belief. The illusions we choose for ourselves.
I only wish I hadn’t opened the letter.
I truly believed the former governess had viewed her experience with the family as just that: an experience. I misread her fondness for the eldest and prevented a fruitful and ultimately happier ending in the hopes of saving a letter that I felt would have wound up on the fire. Perhaps I’m becoming more cynical in my old age.
It will be very interesting to see how the agency folds itself into the workings of London and what new tales might coalesce in its files. I hope I might be given the opportunity to make amends for bluffing the Proprietor. Perhaps a pro bono assignment to validate the credentials of a hopeful candidate…
Ms. Short, you write superbly and your wink towards Nuncio at the end was the cherry on a very tasty narrative. Thank you and long may you write.
I also want to add my voice to those saying it was a nice change of pace. Though Fallen London is quite heavily gothic horror-themed, I’m not one for lots of gore, body horror and eating the results of the above (SMEN an honourable exception). It says great this about Fallen London that I love it even though those aren’t personal favourites of mine, but it’s also really nice to have a change of pace with this kind of story. Thank you!
