metasynthie
Posts: 645
1/7/2016
|
If you're looking for a high ratio of "minutes of original entertainment" to "money spent," there are probably better "bulk experience" games than Fallen London, it's true -- but this particular flavor is very hard to come by.
The Marsh House and Court of Cats just have a smaller number of *branches* than Art of Murder; they don't necessarily take less time or feel shorter. The Blemmigan Affair, on the other hand, is quite large in terms of branches because of all the random events in Bugsby's Marshes. But I doubt that part was the most memorable when compared to the events of that story which only took up one or two branches.
Given that producing Flint-size stories might be ruinous, seeing as that one took many months, the most efficacious thing to do for those who want to see larger Exceptional Stories *and* more free content is to help FL grow. The larger the base of subscribers, the more cost-effective it is to put time into creating longer stories. Tell your friends; help test the mobile version; keep this small business going!
edited by metasynthie on 1/7/2016
--
Positively antique
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/metasynthie
|
|
|
+8
link
|
Spooky
Posts: 5
1/7/2016
|
Sara Hysaro wrote:
Writing stories the size of Flint takes a lot of time and effort, though. If all Exceptional Stories were of that size I'd be concerned that they wouldn't have the time to produce the free content everyone can enjoy.
Just because they're not working on Epics doesn't mean people should have to settle for penny dreadfuls. Now, one might like penny dreadfuls, but they're priced a penny for a reason.
|
|
|
0
link
|
Spooky
Posts: 5
1/7/2016
|
metasynthie wrote:
If you're looking for a high ratio of "minutes of original entertainment" to "money spent," there are probably better "bulk experience" games than Fallen London, it's true -- but this particular flavor is very hard to come by.
The Marsh House and Court of Cats just have a smaller number of *branches* than Art of Murder; they don't necessarily take less time or feel shorter. The Blemmigan Affair, on the other hand, is quite large in terms of branches because of all the random events in Bugsby's Marshes. But I doubt that part was the most memorable when compared to the events of that story which only took up one or two branches.
Given that producing Flint-size stories might be ruinous, seeing as that one took many months, the most efficacious thing to do for those who want to see larger Exceptional Stories *and* more free content is to help FL grow. The larger the base of subscribers, the more cost-effective it is to put time into creating longer stories. Tell your friends; help test the mobile version; keep this small business going!
edited by metasynthie on 1/7/2016
Sorry for the double post, just noticed this one.
Part of the reason I've stuck around even after playing through some disappointments is because I like what Failbetter is trying to do here. I picked up Sunless Sea not too long after I started to run out of stuff to do. But, every time I tell any of my friends about the game, it's usually met with fairly negative responses and I don't really have much to retort with. Granted, I'll keep telling friends about the game, but at this point, I'm not sure if I can keep recommending they should try the subscription if they like the base game, due to how many disappointments I've had with the "Exceptional Stories". Honestly, if I were to recommend the subscription for anything at this point it would be for the action and opportunity cards and I'd end up saying, "Oh, and also you get another story once a month."
Ever since I started my subscriptions I can really only think of Lost in Reflections and Flint as really enjoyable experiences. Everything else was either average or disappointing.
All this sad business aside, I did rather enjoy the promo art for this month's story.
|
|
|
+1
link
|
PageofCups
Posts: 25
1/8/2016
|
Spooky wrote:
Ever since I started my subscriptions I can really only think of Lost in Reflections and Flint as really enjoyable experiences. Everything else was either average or disappointing.
All this sad business aside, I did rather enjoy the promo art for this month's story.
I'll have to try Lost in Reflections soon, it's consistently getting praise here.
Also, I agree the promo art for Art of Murder was great.
edited by PageofCups on 1/8/2016
--
Not a sailor who writes, but a writer who sails:
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Max~Black
|
|
|
+3
link
|
Diptych
Administrator
Posts: 3493
1/8/2016
|
Spooky wrote:
Honestly, if I were to recommend the subscription for anything at this point it would be for the action and opportunity cards and I'd end up saying, "Oh, and also you get another story once a month."
I think you just answered your own question, so to speak. You've seen the Exceptional Stories so far - if they're not what you're into, then weigh up the value of subscribing based on the actions and cards. Our satisfaction doesn't invalidate your dissatisfaction, as you say, but the reverse is also true - just because you didn't like the stories doesn't mean they're sub-par product and inherently a bad deal. That's just the risk we all take when paying for something as subjective as a piece of fiction.
(Speaking for myself, I'd say my favourites so far have been Cut With Moonlight and Lost In Reflections.)
--
Sir Frederick, the Libertarian Esotericist. Lord Hubris, the Bloody Baron.
Juniper Brown, the Ill-Fated Orphan. Esther Ellis-Hall, the Fashionable Fabian.
|
|
|
+6
link
|
Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
1/8/2016
|
I rather liked this story, it was a nice spiritual sequel to The Blemmigan Affair (an artistic fad organized by inhuman creatures as part of some larger agenda). Something I particularly liked about both stories was how their structures complimented and reinforced their content. With The Art of Murder the story starts out slow but suddenly becomes jumpy, tense, deranged and messy, much like, well, an actual murder. That’s very good writing.
I also liked how there were a number of checks based on quirks rather than stats.
edited by Anne Auclair on 1/8/2016
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
|
|
|
+3
link
|
Frederick Metzengerstein
Posts: 69
1/9/2016
|
Thank you, Failbetter team, I also liked this story.
I will echo what some others have said — I left wanting to know more about the murder-as-art connoisseurs and practitioners of Fallen London. But I have a feeling that their story was incidental to the three part story you’re telling about the face-wearing snuffers. So I only hope we can revisit London’s murder enthusiasts at some future date.
The early investigation was exquisite. A really sublime at-your-own-pace investigation which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was sort of like at first my character was looking into this in his spare time, out of curiosity, and then he sort of got deeper and deeper into it.
The murder competition was hilarious and the reveal was well done. I enjoyed judging the contestants (my character is quite Wildean if not Huysmanian so he sort of has a non-practicing conscience).
As others have said, the chaos in the darkened room and chase through the tunnels was tense and claustrophobic.
The options at the end were great and I enjoyed indulging my red temptation.
Congratulations to the team.
|
|
|
+1
link
|
colinsapherson
Posts: 191
1/11/2016
|
Having just received the following message:
Red Temptation has not increased: this quality cannot currently increase past 7.
I feel I may have been running around the tunnels too long…
Time to move to the denouement, I feel.
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Colin%20Sapherson%2c%20Lord%20President%20of%20the%20Council
Available for Knife & Candle Moon League matches, Tournaments of lilies and other social actions (including boxed cats and photographers).
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Strangewheys~Wandering
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/RUSKIN~WARE
|
|
|
+2
link
|
dragonridingsorceress
Posts: 622
1/13/2016
|
I really enjoyed the maze chase, and not knowing how long it would last was actually quite appropriate.
I think it would be best to say that what was there, was very good. I enjoyed it while it lasted.
That said, I truly expected something... more. My final reaction was to feel vaguely unsatisfied. Knowing that Exceptional Stories out of season go for 45 Fate, I was shocked. For that price, I assumed they must all be large and detailed stories.
Art of Murder felt on-par with Blemmigan Affair (which I adored), but which was rather less expensive. It didn't feel on-par with Flint, or even half of Flint. Certainly it isn't as satisfying as the second half of Flint (which I only just finished before diving in to Art of Murder).
Flint was the first Exceptional Story I've played, and it set my expectations high. I thought Art of Murder would be more like it, especially they're being billed as parts of a larger arc. I certainly didn't expect to knock AoM over in a day, once I focused on it.
Spooky wrote:
I was actually looking at the Fate store, considering if I should pick up Marsh-House or Court of Cats. If they're even shorter than this story, then I am glad you made this post. Now I know not to waste the FATE on what is probably going to be the length of pamphlets  .
I find myself agreeing with Spooky on this one, which is sad, because Court of Cats seemed intriguing.
On an unrelated, general feedback note, my friend wished to buy me a year's Exceptional Friendship for Christmas. The easiest way we found was for him to transfer money to me, and then I set up the Friendship on my own PayPal, which seemed to disappoint him. Failbetter, would you consider some kind of virtual gift card?
Something like: "This code may be redeemed for x months Exceptional Friendship or y Fate."
--
DragonRidingSorceress is an Author of good standing. Mostly good standing. She's happy to accept any social action except Photographer and Loitering, but requests warnings before duping/poisoning/etc.
Seeker of Names is a... being with an obsession. They're willing to accept all invitations.
One who seeks to know all that is and may be. One who dances in the silence of the void. One whose fantasies make the reality come alive.
|
|
|
0
link
|
genesis
Posts: 924
1/13/2016
|
dragonridingsorceress wrote:
Knowing that Exceptional Stories out of season go for 45 Fate, I was shocked. For that price, I assumed they must all be large and detailed stories.
But they are *not* for that price. The price they go for is 5 quid a month (which includes access to the House of Chimes, larger deck and an extra candle). 45 Fate purchase is an additional favour that FBG have made the many of us who clamoured against time-locked content (me among the loudest). Originally Fate purchases were not even envisaged/intended.
Art of Murder felt on-par with Blemmigan Affair (which I adored), but which was rather less expensive.
Keeping the comment above in mind, Blemmigan Affair is, in fact, more expensive. A Blemmigan Affair replay costs 30 Fate (and the initial purchase also costs 30 Fate). The Art of Murder replay for subscribers costs 25 Fate (and the initial purchase is wrapped up inside the 5 quid subscription).
It didn't feel on-par with Flint, or even half of Flint.
It doesn't and it's not intended to. Both halves of Flint were explicitly advertised as being larger than any individual standalone ES. This should be seen as the extra content provided in Flint, not lack of content elsewhere.
--
http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/mikey_thinkin
Keeping track of incomplete content and loose ends in Fallen London
|
|
|
+4
link
|
TheThirdPolice
Posts: 609
1/13/2016
|
If you're not a fan of the shorter stories, you can always skip Exceptional Friendship and make a late purchase of any stories that get a good community response. Or you could pay slightly more for a monthly subscription, get those same stories on time, get a larger action pool, get a couple normal House of Chimes stories, and get many additional monthly vignettes (if that's how you see them). Exceptional Friendship is a great deal for any frequent player, even if you only fall in love with every fourth or fifth story.
edited by TheThirdPolice on 1/13/2016
--
Excessive Corpse & Tender to Irreal Ravens
Lover of Flawed Souls
And with especial pride, Worst Screwup of the Decade!
|
|
|
+5
link
|
Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
1/14/2016
|
I think it’s a little unfair to knock AoM for being short. First, it wasn’t short so much as really fast. Second, there’s a lot going on right now. Last month there was Flint, Christmas, and Mr. Sacks. This month we have Penstock’s Wicket. Next month is the Feast of the Exceptional Rose. Third, leading up to Christmas and New Year’s everyone’s life becomes really busy. It seems to me that Failbetter taking the necessary time to produce a good quality story for January is worth some praise, especially when said story is part of a larger cycle (Heart's Blood).
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
|
|
|
+3
link
|