Stanley's Doomy Blog of Horrible Doom

Why Are Things Slow

2017-06-29T20:53:00.002-07:00

I know you're wanting a quick-and-easy summary of the project, so I shall deliver! :D

1. We are going to have it be a M.A.P. (multi-artist/animator-project) *OR* a slideshow type deal done in my own artstyle.
2. Do get people to decide, I need to make a demo video for them to vote on.
3. I still need to make my part of the demo video.
4. ALSO, I have to do the audio for IZ:TDM! and do the concept art for it! YAY! JOY! SO HAPPY!
5. Besides IZ:TDM!, I have to help animate the "Dragonchist" short film, as well as a few other jobs I'm doing.
SO, that's why things are slow. FOR NOW.

TIME TO VENT! :D

2017-06-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

I am *NOT* gonna lie - I'm sick to death of people JUSTIFYING violence for people they deem Nazis!

(which - psst - includes me, though most of you dipwads don't know that because I'm smart enough to keep my tumblr separate from my blog OR ELSE I'LL BE SKINNED ALIVE BY IMMATURE SJW AUTHORITARIANS)

Look, if you punch someone for voting Trump, you're not doing a service for "the greater good" - you're silencing dissenting opinion because you believe you're incapable of formulating a convincing rebuttal to their arguments - WHICH, might I add, have been INCREDIBLY misrepresented by the crooked, corrupt media outlets who LIE LIKE IT WAS THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE!
If you punch a Nazi, you're strengthening their disdain for you, and - SURPRISE - now they get to play the "victim" card! Congrats!

If you punch someone who punched you first - OKAY, then. NOW we're getting somewhere.

I'm gonna say it here, because I can't say it anywhere else. I hate the SJW mindset. I hate the Leftist cult. I *DESPISE* Tumblr and cannot WAIT until it's outlived its usefulness to me, and I am SICK to DEATH of being misrepresented by knee-jerk emotional CHILDREN.

And if this somehow gets linked to my Tumblr? All the better 'cause I'll finally have an excuse to delete the miserable thing and say good riddance to the crowd on that cancerous hellhole.

Thoughts on a Possible "Space Age" for Mankind

2017-05-03T16:40:00.000-07:00

So many sci-fi stories seem to believe that humanity will only enter a true space age when we're united under one world government.

I believe this is false. I honestly think - if we ever do see a burst of space travel - it will be thanks to capitalism and economic competition between nations and (eventually) companies. Once space becomes profitable to a wide market, you can bet we'll get our butts up there one way or another.

At the very least, if I ever write stories set in a space age, that's exactly how I'll set up the world. So fascinating, yet rarely explored.

UPCOMING PODCAST LIVESTREAM!!!

2017-03-05T10:17:00.001-08:00

Because I Can

2016-12-27T06:23:00.000-08:00

Alright, time to vent. I can't vent on any of my IZ:TDM! accounts because I find it morally wrong to manipulate an audience with something that has nothing to do with the platform you're using to reach them.

That being said, this is my own personal blog, and I'll do as I frigging please on here.

Okay, so, if you're reading this, you probably know me as an okay guy. I hope. Someone who is decent enough, basically "not a jerkwad."

Fun fact number one: I'm a creationist. I reject evolution as false. I believe literally every word of the King James Bible.

Fun Fact number two: I proudly voted for Donald Trump because I want to see his policies instituted. Mostly I want to see the unaffordable care act removed completely.

Fun Fact Number Three: I'm fed up with people talking about "Trump supporters" all being "racists", and "creationists" all being - and I quote - "mental retards."

I passed high school with straight A's. I've extensively studied (and continue to study) the ins and outs of filmmaking so that I can pursue that as a career. My religious fundamentalism doesn't make me magically mentally handicapped, nor does it make me a racist xenophobic bigot. In fact, most people think I'm an okay guy. Not exceptionally nice nor mean. Not smart nor stupid: average.

So, please, THINK before you speak! I'm one of those "knuckle draggers" you refer to. You won't find me labeling large swaths of people as "libertards" or "eeeevilutionists." I might disagree with other standards of morality or commonly accepted statements regarding science, but I'm not the CARICATURE you're making me out to be.

Think before you speak.

Animation is All About Cheating

2016-11-17T07:13:00.002-08:00

Hey.

You.

Yeah, you.

I've got a big shock in store for you.

Ready?

Okay.

Animation is all about cheating. Yes, you read that right, and I'll type it again to inflate my wordcount and feel important about myself: Animation is all about cheating. It's about cheating the human eye. It's about creating the illusion of life, movement, and depth. It's not about actually making things live! Of course it's not, otherwise animators would rule the world and I'd have a pet spider-dragon-snake-chicken. But, alas, no, animators cannot breathe actual life into things. It's all about lies and deceit. Which is why it's so important to understand that - since its inception - animation is all about cheating, and cheating successfully.

See, it's a common misconception that there's a "right" or "wrong" way to do - say - 2D animation (let's focus on that, as if we expanded discussion to every form of animation out there, we'd be around until the Second Coming, wouldn't we?). The misconception is that you must draw every single frame from scratch, you must use keyframes filled to the brim with in-betweens, you must have a team of tweeners, colorists, inkers, etc to do your bidding. You must not cheat, you must not take shortcuts, lest your product look subpar.

This is a lie! A filthy, filthy lie!

See, since animation is about cheating in the first place, I pose the argument that it doesn't matter how you cheat the human eye, so long as you do it well enough to trick it. Keep that suspension of disbelief going, and it doesn't matter if you painstakingly hand-drew every frame, or if you used a series of warping techniques to give the illusion fo movement. As long as your audience is immersed, it doesn't matter how you achieve that end goal.

I've said in the past that I hate anime. Well, I've since reconsidered my stance. It'd be more accurate to say: I dislike the techniques used in Anime, not because they aren't believable (...usually, assuming we don't count the tried and true "two characters talking in one pose for half a minute" situation), it's just that their chosen style gets to me, and - too frequently - my immersion is broken when I see how they cheat. If they were repeating backgrounds, holding on keyframes, mouth-flapping, etc., and I didn't notice it, then I'd be fine with it simply because I was tricked and didn't lose immersion in the first place. It's when my brain notices the tricks that the magic is ruined, so to speak.

Heck, everyone - from Disney to random YouTubers - uses walk cycles in their animations! Walk cycles - the oldest cheat in the book! And why is that? Because it doesn't actually matter. It's okay to not re-draw every single step in a shot, as long as the audience buys the fact that a character is walking. Same goes for blinking with the background characters: generally speaking, you'll have one or two characters blink or fidget in a crowd scene, sprinkled throughout the shots, and you'll remain immersed in the scene. But look again! What's that you see? They're blinking and fidgeting the same way every time. Because it doesn't actually matter. Because cheating is okay at times.

It's not about whether you're cheating the human eye or not.

It's about cheating well.

IZ:TDM! Animation Tests and Stuff

2016-07-28T17:16:00.002-07:00

Hey guys! Stanley Orr here again, and I just wanted to quickly update you (since most of the IZ:TDM! stuff I've done is stuff I can't exactly share without leaking info that I don't want leaked yet :B)

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: ANIMATION TESTSAlright, so you may have (or may not have) known that I'm doing animation tests (here are the videos: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] ), the purpose of which is to determine if an "animated comic" form would be a good fallback plan if full traditional animation doesn't work for IZ:TDM! I'll be updating you on these as they come along, and - fingers crossed - within the month you will see a sample of how IZ:TDM! could look in that style.

VOICE ACTING DEPARTMENTWe only have one person left to do their lines, as I said, and ZIM's Voice Actor is nearly done!!! :D He's got only a week or two to go before he can sit down and finish them up, so yay! :dance: Soon I'll be able to assemble the FULL vocal track for IZ:TDM! and that will be a huge step forward!

CONCEPT ART DEPARTMENTThings are looking better in here, actually! I have people back to working on necessary concept art, and I plan to jump in once the animation test is done so that I can keep things moving, too. Once concept art is completed for Sequence 1, I'll have my concept artists move on so that storyboard and thumbnail artists can step in and start working things out! ^_^

IZ:TDM! - General Update (and semi-exciting news!)

2016-06-08T09:21:00.002-07:00

Hey there, all! Long time, no see. Kinda. Anyway, it's been a while since I've done an update, so - here ya go - here's an update! Yay!

PROJECT STATUS

Alright, so, currently, things aren't going as smoothly as I want them to. I think there are areas we could use more help in, and pick up the pace with. But as far as all else goes, things are on a pretty good trajectory.

Voice acting is great. We only have two characters left - ZIM and Purple - and they've only got Act III left in their lines. So that's good. As soon as all lines of dialogue are recorded, I'll be getting to work editing them together for use in the final product. That will be great.

Concept art is one of the areas we're lagging in. It's unfortunate, but the fact remains that concept art takes a lot of effort, and - generally speaking - volunteers do need constant reminders to ensure work gets done. Now, don't misunderstand me - this is not a jab at anyone, it's a mere statement of fact. If I could pay people in money, I would, because that ensures a more fastidious job. As it is, though, I find that I haven't gotten concept art in over a week, and that's mainly because I haven't poked, prodded, and reminded the few concept artists I have working that we need stuff done. So, that's something that needs to be taken care of.

Another thing currently going on is test animations for alternate animation styles. I'll be honest, guys, traditional 2D animation is not easy. It's hard, challenging, and time-consuming as is. The only way we'll be able to pull it off for a full-length feature film is with a crew of many animators, but that requires supervision, and I shudder to think of the way volunteers could manage to mess up shots, angles, and continuity simply by fact that I'm inexperienced as a director. To help, I'm experimenting with different animation styles which we will show at a later date. If all goes well, we'll demonstrate an accurate representation of how these different items could work to make a good animation in spite of it being a different style.

STORYBOARDING

Storyboarding is going to be interesting, to say the least. On one hand, I have an idiotic urge to do everything myself ("if you want it done right" and all that), but - on the other hand - I'm sane, and know that I cannot do it all on my own. Hence, I need help.

I'm planning to grab as many storyboard artists as I can (ideally eight to eleven members), and have us divy up scenes amongst ourselves based off of rough thumbnails. The storyboards will be refined, accurate, and work well. The only hangup is vision - I don't think many will share the same one I have, and I do not want to overstep a boundary and restrict their creativity. It will be a challenge to strike a balance there, but - hopefully - making a video dedicated to what I'm expecting in storyboards will alleviate this problem.

As for thumbnails, those will need a video as well. You can think of them as rough storyboards, and I would love to do them all by myself, but - in the interest of saving time and keeping the project moved along - I'm going to start staggering the workload (i.e. focuisng all efforts on one sequence at a time) so that actual progress is made (at least up to a finalized animatic).

IZ:TDM! AUDIO DRAMA

I intend to release an audio-only version of IZ:TDM! (complete with a deliberately cheesy narrator) alongside the animated version. There are two reasons for this.

First of all, if someone can't accesss YouTube videos easily, or if they're blind, or whatever the reason is, they can still enjoy the doomy madness via an audiodrama that I can be working on in my spare time.

Secondly, if the animation crashes and burns, well, this is a good backup plan. I'm an inexperienced director, after all, and so it's good to have a gameplan in place.

1,000 SUBSCRIBERS

Alright, this is it! This is the super exciting thing I wanted to talk about: IZ:TDM! has reached over 1,000 subscribers on YouTube! I'm so super pumped for this, guys! You have no idea! :D

Are a sizeable chunk spambots and content creators just subscribing to random channels in hopes to get more attention? Yes, very likely, but who cares? They helped get the number up that high, so I'm happy! ^_^

This is exciting for me, because it feels vindictive, in a way. It feels like I finally have a solidified base of supporters out saying "yes, we want an IZ finale, and we like the approach you're taking." To me, that's profoundly important, as it helps me mentally latch onto this. Every time something like this happens - be it a nice new comment, or a new volunteer, or (as here) a milestone of some sort - I feel more energy come in and pump me up for the project.

To celebrate it, I fully intend to do a livestream sometime in the future, where I answer questions about IZ:TDM! and prove my utter inept n00bishness with livestreaming tech. Should be great.

Mini-rant-ish-thing.

2016-06-01T20:13:00.003-07:00

Whatever. It's my blog, I'll write whatever I feel like writing - it's not an official IZ:TDM! blog, after all (lol, otherwise you wouldn't see half this stuff you see on here)

ANYWAYS,

Someone once asked who I support for president.

Well...

For starters, I don't like everything about Trump. I'm not looking for a Messiah, I'm looking for a president, and I fully acknowledge he's got flaws and problems (some very major). Specifically:

Rude, vulgar, careless when speaking, crass, obnoxious, arrogant, condescending, and wants to deport all illegal immigrants. I am 100% against mass deportation. Fortunately, I don't think he'll be able to pull such a thing off even if he wants to, so it's not a major concern of mine.

Additionally, he's in favor of supporting Israel (without paying attention to the volatile situation there. Look, I can support Israel, but not blindly like the right wing usually wants),

While I think it's often overexaggerated, there is a ton of problems in our environment, and Trump is careless when speaking on climate change. However, climate change is something for the scientists and health organizations to deal with - NOT the president!

He thinks there should be no limits on guns (we need sane limits, not total control or total anarchy).

He wants to keep a database of Muslim refugees (which I would be fine with, but it's a slippery slope that could easily lead to future problems - I'd need assurance that whatever happens is only a temporary measure until Islamic Terrorism is shut down).

One last thing: the stunt with not debating Sanders? Made me groan out loud. Stupid, just stupid.

But, of course.... I want him as President (please, please, *ONE* hate message at a time people - my inbox can only take so much).

Here's why:

Firstly, he's bluntly honest. AND he's outside the norm! I once heard that Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump are the two mirror images of the election, because - while both are profoundly different ideologically (putting it mildly) - they both come from outside the normal range, and are not held by party constraints. That, I admire.

He wants to build a wall between the USA and Mexico (I definitely want this to happen! I think the US needs to clamp down on the influx of illegal immigration, and - furthermore - get our system fixed so it allows more readily for LEGAL immigration). I want that wall up to send a message to the thugs that come in from Mexico, that they can't sneak in anymore, and that the people wanting to come to America legally are welcome, while those seeking illegal immigration to cause trouble are unwelcome.

He realizes that once the Supreme Court passed Gay Marriage as law there's not much to be done and we should focus on real issues. While I'm a Christian, America is far from a Christian nation, and the USA will not be saved by bickering over homosexuality.

He supports capital punishment. I do, too - if the crime warrants death (such as murder, r***, terrorism), I fully support the murderer/r*** being put to death. I believe this will drop the rates of such crimes out of fear of the punishment for them.

He believes Common Core is a disaster (it is - any look at those math problems is proof enough to me that Common Core needs to be done away with).

I agree with him on Saddam Hussein (namely that the middle east was more stable with him in charge, in spite of him being evil - taking him down was a mistake, and when Trump says that, it shows me he has a decent understanding of the situation there).

He believes Syrian Refugees are a risk and that we should not let them in until we know we can filter out the terrorists hiding among them (I agree with this - I do not want America to blindly throw its arms open and allow every refugee in without scanning for the terrorists that WILL be hiding among them).

I like that he will not apologize for his viewpoints, meaning political correctness doesn't dictate his moves, and he can't be manipulated by the media. I just wish he'd think more before speaking (by the way, 9 times out of 10, when I've looked into his quotes that cause so much controversy, it's usually the frigging media manipulating/taking them out of context for their own gain. I swear this is true).

Also, he wants to defund planned parenthood and thinks their abortions are wrong (which I believe is true - I am pro life, not pro choice).

He intends to bring back jobs from foreign countries. Now, a lot of people seem concerned that he has no plan, but I'd argue he DOES have a plan, and it makes sense to me: delegate people to do these jobs that he wants done. It's the way building a building goes! You have the guy who wants the building built, then he hires workers to plan it, and then they hire workers to build it. It's all about delegating jobs to people, and I find that efficient, speaking from experience on needing larger tasks accomplished.

He also intends to repeal Obamacare (which is something I'm fully in support of - I want it removed because, if I don't want to pay for insurance, I shouldn't have to! let me go uninsured if I desire that. I know most want Obamacare to remain for those that can't afford health insurance, but - quite frankly - forcing everyone to pay for it is not the way to go about this business). Further, his intention to remove the State limits on insurance companies, allowing a competitive market throughout the United States, will be good for the consumers as competition tends to drive prices down.

So, there ya go. I don't like everything about him, and I think he's too harsh at times, but I support him for the reasons listed above.

And to the few getting ready to lock, load, and rip me apart with a verbal argument: don't. Send your arguments to someone you have a chance of convincing. As far as you and I go, I'm just defending my own stance, and I thoroughly believe people wanting to support other candidates (even Hilary, ugh) have valid reasons for doing so. After all, we're all adults here, and we can all make our own grown up decisions in a country that thankfully lets us think for ourselves.

I WANT to do Another IZ:TDM! Vlog Soon!

2016-05-26T08:53:00.004-07:00

Hey, guys! So, just to get you up to speed, I want to do another IZ:TDM! Vlog soon discussing a few things:

The whole "Teaser Trailer vs. Viacom" issue and how I've remedied the situation.
Alternate animation options for IZ:TDM!
How things are going with "Dragonchist" (a short film I'm helping animate)
Progress Update for IZ:TDM! (of course)
What I'm expecting for storyboard artists and plans in the near future to make preproduction more efficient.

"Stanley," you ask, "why not just record a video right now?"

Well, because Summer vacation just struck, and - as a result - all my siblings are home the whole day instead of school taking them away for a good chunk of time. Basically, I don't feel comfortable recording vlogs in front of them, even though everyone knows what IZ:TDM! is (and the fact that my brother even recorded Smoots's obnoxiously bad voice - big thanks for him again for temporarily ruining his throat for my cause)

So, I'll be with you shortly. I want to do another Vlog to lay everything out on the table, but this sudden (yet expected) schedule shift is making it a bit weird for me to work with. :b That's all.

Undertale Playthrough - FINAL NOTES

2016-05-26T08:19:00.001-07:00

Time for what I assume will be the last level!
-Nice view of the city.
-OH SNAP! It's a montage of the places I've been, isn't it?!
-What the... toriel's house? "Howdy I'm in the garden!"???
-Okayyy... weird. What's going on?! And what's with the yellow flowers?!
-Groge cnounter!
-Oh, they're... telling me a story.
-Human fell and called for help.
-A trash can full of crumpled up recipes for butterscotch pie?
-WHITE FUR STUCK IN THE DRAIN?!
-Did I seriously wind up back in Toriel's house?!!
-Ah, so the longer I stay, hte more encounters I get, the more of the story I understand.
-ASRIEL, the king's son, saved the human. Got it.
-Too much to comment on, really. Wow! Info overload! This is all starting to come together, though. The king had a son...
-Hm.
-Ah, so they adopted the fallen human.
-This is ASGORE's house?!! "Nice day today" says his journal, ink still wet. He's nearby...
-The human fell ill...
-And couldn't see those flowers once more...
-And died. I knew this was gonna be a sad story.
-Oh dang! Plot twist, the prince transformed by absorbing the soul!
-Let me guess, the humans kill the prince. I'm just gonna call it out right now. Also, fitting that he put... the human... on...
-...
-...*FACEPALM* golden flowers. FLOWEY is involved in this, I know it!
-Ah, the fatal misunderstanding. Called it!
-And Asriel could've wiped them all out! I bet he didn't.
-Knew it.
-Died just at the castle's gates!!! Oh man!
-"the humans had once again taken everything from us..." Ohhh. this is what sparked the human hunt.
-"Every human who falls down here must die." Knew it!
-Hopefully Asgore will learn that not all humans are monsters (OH SNAP THE PUNS! XD) and decide to not invade after seeing me.
-Savepoint! Can't stop now, though. I have a feeling this is the end.
-Nice palace.
-Sans!
-Ah so it is the end!
-"You will be judged for your every action." Well, good thing I didn't give him ammo to judge me with! I'm innocent!
-Ohhhhh, EXP doesn't mean experience after all. What a twist!
-And love, too!?!?!
-...
-So what's the verdict, skull face?
-"You didn't gain love. You're not completely innocent or naieve, you just kept a certain tenderness in your heart."
-"You strived to do the right thing." I'd hope so!
-"You refused to hurt anyone." ehhhh, you're wrong there. I *DID* throw many punches when I felt I needed to, such as with Undyne, but I never killed anyone!
-"Even when you ran away, you did it with a smile." HAH! Says you! You clearly didn't see the Undyne fight. I was freaked out! Panicked!
-Ohhh the puns have meaning now. I never gained LOVE, but I gained love. And yes, that makes sense. Hopefully my reputation preceds me, and Asgore realizes I'm not worth killing.
-Dang, so it's either trap monsters or wipe out mankind? Maybe I can convince the king otherwise. If not...
-...
-...If not, the logical thing is to kill Asgore. Sorry! It just is true! The monsters have a chance of survival, that way, and so does humanity. Besides, if they want a human soul, I'm sure a bad guy or a guy on death row would do fine, right? RIGHT? I mean... a little kid? Really?
-I don't know Asgore's pain, of course. And I hope I never do!
-What's your verdict, Sans? What are you about to say?
-"Well, if I were you, I would have thrown in the towel by now." Welll... if I didn't have all these people wanting to know how I react, I would've, trust me! XD
-Ah. What's Determination, then? Is it another special thing?
-Oh. No explanation. That's it.
-Well, that's it, then.
-Here goes nothing....
-Ah, final boss room, and save point. But what's over down south?
-C-C-Coffins?!!
-Ohhh, the seven human souls.
-Oh man.
-OH MAN.
-MY COFFIN.
-"SAM."
-OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN HE WANTS ME DEAD.
-Here goes nothing...
-...oh wow. That's a lot of flowers and stuff!
-*GASP* the king!
-"Dum dee dum..." Lol, does he even know I'm - like - right behind him?
-Watering the flowers. Man, he didn't let go of his son, did he?
-... WAIT! WAIT WAIT WAIT!
-Was TORIEL The QUEEN?!!!!
-...
-...
-WHoa.
-"Howdy! How can I..." XD can't wait for the next part.
-Oh man XD the conflict of playing nice host to the person you're about to kill.
-This's awkward.
-Yep, nice day, indeed. You still wanna kill me?
-Also, I would like to actually go outside once this game's done. It is legitimately wonderful outside.
-"When you are ready, come into the next room..."
-Well, here goes...
-Gonna save, first.
-Okay, good.
-ONWARD!
-Poor guy. I really don't wanna fight him. And I know where he's coming from. I literally can't fault him for wanting me dead. I mean, he's kinda in the right, here.
-"I am not ready either."
-Man, this is gonna be awful for all involved.
-WHOA! That hall is trippy!
-This is the barrier?!
-Should I?
-Should I do this now?
-...
-I should go back and buff up.
-...
-Well, I'll try once, and if he kills me, THEN I'll go back and buff up.
-Onward!
-"It was nice to meet you. Goodbye." I believe it, man. I actually, legitimately believe you don't like having to do this. But I salute you for putting your kingdom first!
-OH MY GOSH! NO MERCY ALLOWED!!!
-OH wow! His attacks are beefed up versions of Toriel's!
-I AM DEAD.
-Oh wow.
-"Don't lose hope!" Hey, that tone of voice! It's Asgore's isn't it?!
-Okay, I'll keep fighting. No more notes until I get through the fight.
-(gonna go back and beef up tons. BRB)
-First stop, Snowdin. For Health boosts.
-Next, the waterfall, to get rid of what I don't need and to buy up some tea. I just remembered the hotel guests wanted stuff, so maybe fulfilling their quests will get me something useful?
-Also, I've equipped the locket and dagger.
-Excellent. 99G
-And 99 more G! Great!
-I slept in the fancy hotel room. OH MY GOSH, that lump under the bed is adorablE! XDD
-This is actually pretty hilarious.
-That... was a waste of time and gold. :/
-Moving on, then!
-Okay, I can buy either a steak in the shape of mettaton's face, or the mystery key.
-...
-Neither seem immediately useful.
-...
-I'm going to sell them two glamburgers.
-Ohhh, I can't.
-Oh well! Helpful in battle, I guess.
-I'll grab the steakface.
-Good as I'll ever get, I guess. Time to face Asgore...
-HERE WE GO...
-(I'll let you know when I defeat him, I have a feeling I won't have time to type notes. Also, it feels pointless to cut off the gameplay right here, when I'm SO CLOSE TO BEING FINISHED!)
-WHOA! "You tell Asgore he's killed you twice before. He nodds sadly!" WHAT KINDA FOURTH WALL BREAKING STUFF IS THIS?! That's seriously weird. What?! Does that mean he techincally won those other two times, and monsters were free?!
-SO CLOSE! HE was at low HP! I nearly had him broke down!
-Gotta try again!
-Temmie armor is superior. I have to keep it on.
-Oh - thought just hit me. ASRIEL is DEFINITELY Toriel and Asgore's kid. The name, clearly. So, obviously, Toriel was the queen.
-THE STICK DID NOTHING!
-DEAD AGAIN.
-WON'T GIVE UP, THOUGH!
-I AM SO DETERMINED TO END THIS GAME, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!
-OH MY GOSH, I DID IT! WHEW! FIVE DEATHS LATER, I DID IT!
-"I remember the day after my son died..."
-So he began his campaign against humanity, for his people's sake.
-It makes sense, it really does. I can't fault him, honestly. I mean, I'm not gonna let him kill humanity, but I cannot fault him for wanting to.
-AHHHH, so Toriel left him over this! I get it!
-It's all making sense now
-"I do not want to hurt anyone." I knew it! Dude, I get it, I really do. You're just trying to do right by your kingdom.
-FIGHT OR MERCY!!! AH, the decision!!! Uh.. uh...
-...
-Logically, if I kill him I'll leave, but *NOW* if I spare him, the condition has changed. He's changed his heart.
-We can...
-I CAN spare him.
-I'll live out my days down here, then - since I'm a human - I can die. I'll die eventually, of old age or whatever.
-I'll donate the soul I have to the monsters, and they can be free.
-Win win
-...
-Mercy!
-...
-...Aww, he's smiling. Great! I guess that means I got the good ending!
-That rain... it's the music from the statue I created a while back!
-"Human, I promise you..."
-"For as long as you remain here, My wife and I will take care of you as best we can."
-"We can sit in the living room, telling stories..."
-"Eating butterscotch pie..." Yes! This is an awesome ending!! I'll be happy to leave the game on this note.
-"We could be like a family." Yes. I'm happy to have gotten this. I think I did the right thing.
-WHAT?!!?!?
-WHAT?!
-...
-Flowey.
-FLOWEY!
-...
-I LOVE YOU FOR THAT AWESOME TWIST IN THE PLOT!!! OH MY GOSH, BRILLIANT! KILLING ASGORE! I mean, yeah, I'm obliged to be sad, so "boo hoo", I guess? But DID YOU SEE THAT VILLAINOUS PLOT TWIST OF EPIC PROPORTIONS?!
-In this world... it's kill or be killed?!
-He has the hearts.
-I can't let flowey win!
-...
-FLOWEY, I AM GOING TO *KILL YOU!*
-...my game closed.
-Hang on.
-Whoa! The intro is different!
-Whoa! It's glitching.
-Ohhh, coooooool. This is really cool.
-HE'S ERASED MY FILE!
-FLOWEY, YOU'rE HUGE
-What?!
-"Without you I never could've gotten past him." I was being used!!
-"But now with your help, he's dead" that FACE is scary! I love it!
-GAH, this is the final boss fight I was wanting. That laugh! :DDD
-"I still need one more." YES! BRING IT, PUNK! I WANNA KILL YOU!! THIS WHOLE GAME'S BEEN NOTHING BUT A STUPID RESTRAINT ON MY VIDEOGAME INSTINCTS, BUT I WILL *GLADLY* RIP YOU TO PIECES NOW!
-He wants to kill all life! YEssss! I can totally destroy him! I actively want to! This is awesome! THIS IS AN AWESOME BOSS FIGHT! YES YES YES!!!
-He referenced my save file! He destroyed it, didn't he?! OH WOW
-OH MY GOSH!
-HHAHAAHAH!! No wonder he said it's kill or be killed! He knows it's a game! He knows it's just a videogame!
-Flowey, you are now my favorite character. Also, I am going to kill you. But you're - hands down - my favorite! Muffet's probably a second.
-"I'll save over your own death!" I LOVE THAT FACE!!!! IT'S SO HORRIFYNG!!!! I'm legitimately smiling like a child right now. This is the most fun I've had in this game since muffet. NO JOKE! I love facing this guy!
-And I'm sure his boss fight will rock socks!
-...whoa. WHOA! His final form!!! OH MY GOSH! YESSSS!!!! HAAHAHAHAAAAH!
-Dead already. HAH! XD I love that fight.
-"This is all just a bad dream." AND YOU'RE NEVER WAKING UP! Oh, this is awesome.
-Wait... logically, if I keep loading the game, he'll never get my soul. And he's bound to slip up eventually. He has to!
-What if I keep closing him out?!
-Oh, no. I have to fight him to beat him. Okay, sweet!
-"You called for help" The souls are listening to me!!! If i can talk to THEM, I should have a chance!!
-"Do you even realize what will happen if you defeat me?" no, but I'll find out!
-The saving and loading is out of control! He's losing control!
-"no such thing as happy endings, this is all that's left" psssh! whatever! Says you!
-I think I did it! All six other souls! Igot 'em!
-Flowey, you cold monster... PREPARE TO DIE!
-I did it! I got him!!!!
-"You idiot!" XDDDDD HAHAAHAAH! That's great! Oh my gosh, Flowey, you're an awesome villain.
-Wonderful callback to the first encounter.
-Also, I love his face as his plan failed. XDDD
-"Load failed!" OH my gosh! Flowey, bro, you're so done for!!!
-Oh man, they are ruining him!!! Oh my gosh! He shouldn't have absorbed that which he couldn't control.
-What now?
-Blackness.
-Oh, flowey... Fight or mercy?
-...
-...I wanna kill him. I really really do... but...
-...mercy?
-"what are you doing?" I'm experimenting.
-"do you really think I've learned anything from this?" no.
-"no" yep, knew it.
-"Sparing me won't change anything." Oh wit won't? How so?
-"Killing me is the only way to end this." Let's find out.
-"If you let me live..." Oh, the anger's coming back.
-"I'll come back." ---that wouldn't be good!
-"I'll kill you." Pshh. You have.
-"I'll kill everyone" OH WOW. THE EYES!
-"I'll kill evryone you love."
-"..."
-Okay, I'll stop it here. I know sparing's an option... but... I don't want to!
I won't spare him.
Flowey, you had this coming. Also, I'm really really wanting to just end you right now.
-"I knew you had it in you!" Duuude!!! :D That's soooo coool!!! So, he's like the Joker, he feels he's won my me killing him, but I really really know I've won because he's no longer a threat.
-Truth be told, I think I did that for the best. Flowey got his "happy ending," for himself (went out smiling, after all) and I've rid the world of him. It's best for everyone that he's gone. (lol, I can hear some fans out there now: "UM, STANLEY, ACTUALLY, IF YOU REPLAY THEN THE GAME CHANGES AND THE BACKSTORY REVEALS STUFF, SO-" Nope! I don't wanna play again, so I'm ending it *MY* way, not the fandom's way, not the game's way, *MY* way. It is - after all - my playthrough)
-Wheeeew. oh, man. What a fight, though.
-Well...
-...
-I liked Muffet's fight the best, truth be told. Actually posed a challenge and stuff. This one... while it was "challenging," at first, the game was over before it began, because Flowey's fight consisted mostly of just letting him kill me until what's essentially an interactive cinematic played out.
-Loved the graphics on it though.
-Might as well finish things off, then. I'm sitting alone in that room, but Flowey's gone now (in a way).
-(it's just a regular flower) indeed it is. Now the nightmare is over.
-What's behind the door?
-It's over! Oh wow, this is the credits!

-Well, that game was okay. I mean, it could've been better. it really could've. And truth be told... I dont' feel like playing it again. Sadly.
-Oh, the phone's ringing.
-Sans! Hi!
-"You made a snowman really happy" Oh yeah! The snowpiece. Hehehh. Cool!
-"The queen returned, and is now ruling over the underground." Good.
-Hey, yes! I knew it! Because of my actions, the humans will be spared if they fall in.
-"It's probably for the best anyway." You got that right.
-The human souls are gone. Well, we wait until seven more people fall, live out their lives down there, and then - bam - you're good to go. Given the lifespan of humans and monsters, shouldn't be a problem.
-"If we're not giving up down here, don't give up wherever you are, ok?" You got it.
-"Who knows how long it will take? But we will get out of here." That's the spirit!
-Papyrus! Hi!
-"The queen disbanded the royal guard. Since we don't have to fight humans anymore." Ah, sorry to hear that, man. But don't worry! I'm sure you'll need a royal guard again for something else, eventually. I mean, not all monsters are peaceful (flowey clearly taught me as much).
-"That's okay because I'm still working hard!" Good!
-"Even if it's on nothing at all!" XD okay, nice.
-"Papyrus is fine!" You sure are.
-Oh. Undyne lost her house and job. Yikes!
-But she's chilling with the skeletons. Good.
-Oh, and she wants me dead, of course. lol
-And papyrus would love to see me again even if it means having to fight me, lol. Okie dokie, then.
-End game.

Well. That's it.

Truth be told, I didn't actually enjoy it much. Sorry, all. I mean, sure, it's a well-made game, and the graphics rock, but the pace is SOOOO SLOOOOOW at times, and the characters, humor, and plot is hit-and-miss.

The greatest parts were the first section (with flowey) some of the boss fights (*COUGH* MUFFET *COUGH*) and the last one (with flowey again). Everything else fluctuated between me not really liking it to finding it irritating beyond belief. RPG's aren't my thing. AT ALL. Really, really, not. And yes, I know the game gets different endings if I play it again after beating it once, with different easter eggs throughout and stuff, and a big reveal about Sans kicking your rear end on a Genocide run (that was spoiled for me, along with his nature as a time traveler).

Truthfully, I DON'T WANT TO PLAY IT AGAIN. I *DIDN'T* want to play it in the first place, but - for some reason - being "uninterested" in it is a sudden crime! I swear, let me rant real quick, if it were *ANY* other fandom, such as FNaF or Mario or Zelda, I could honestly say "Nope, not interested," and the general consensus would be, "Hey, that's alright, everyone has different tastes."

Yet, with Undertale, it's "Hey! You aren't allowed to do that! You must play it, regardless of whether you're interested in it or not!" Well, just like I can say I wouldn't like sushi, though I've never eaten it, or I wouldn't like Twilight, though I've never watched it! People know their tastes, and mine is not Undertale.

It was fun (at times), but I'm done.

Unless...

This game's all about giving the monsters the right ending, yes?

...

And if I don't play the game, from what I understand... then that's equal to me just leaving their world. If I were to drop the game at a given point, and never touch it again, that's the same as their world going on after that point, right? That's the "ending" I get.

-...

-So...

...

...

...

...I'm going to do this...

...yeah. Yeah, actually. I like the idea.

-...I'm going to let Asgore kill me.

-Yes. That's the ending I choose. I choose to sacrifice myself for the underground's sake. I know there are better endings, but I don't care. I will give asgore the soul I have, so that the underground can be freed. And I feel that by doing this, I'm trusting him not to make war. I'm trusting him to see my good faith as a chance to be peaceful. He's no flowey. He doesn't WANT to cause destruction (heck, from what Sans said, if he had killed and killed and killed, he'd find killing super easy, and he doesn't find killing super easy). He'll be a good ruler. He'll destroy the barrier, and do what's right.

-Reloading the save file...

-Okay, approaching the barrier room...

-...Battle begins. Mercy is gone...

-Okay.

-Asgore, do it.

-Okay, that does it. Game Over, for real. Outta my hands, *FOR GOOD!*

So, in review, what'd I think?

Well, overall, if I'm being generous, it was an alright game. In fact, it was very well made. But... it's not for everyone, and definitely not me. The world is more than a little "Alice-in-Wonderland" for my tastes. The gameplay is average, and sometimes just bad, but the boss fights are DEFINITELY the enjoyable parts. The character designs are nice, though sometimes just plain weird. The character personalities vary from stagnant to acceptable (only a handful of characters are actually good, and Flowey is the best, in my opinion). The scary parts were perhaps my favorites. The funny parts fluctuated between being too bizarre, to just bizarre enough to give me a laugh, to genuinely funny, to morbidly hilarious. The game got preachy at times, and when it did, I didn't like it. Also, my distaste for RPG's followed me through this to the end, even though this game was above and beyond creative and had awesome graphics.

In the end, my favorite parts were Flowey (loved his whole character, he adds a bunch of interest to the game, being a great villain who is fully aware that it's just a game he's in), the graphics (I know many might criticize it for this, but I love the deliberately pixellated graphics, which allow for a lot of surprising and awesome art choices), the soundtrack (my favorite scores are Muffet's boss theme and the song that plays when you put the umbrella on that statue), and the boss fights (Flowey rocked for his fourth-wall breaking, but - truth be told - his fight was too easy because you were guaranteed victory after a certain amount of deaths, and healing items came too readily... my FAVORITE boss fight? Muffet. Hands-down (all eight hands down, in fact *OH SNAP*)).

Parts I thought were alright were the story (pretty enjoyable when it was brought to focus) and the characters (those whose personalities weren't just too weird for me to get, or who didn't quite click with me)

Things I disliked were the pacing (my personal distaste for slow burns in all but horror games comes through here), most of the gameplay (walking and talking and walking and talking and walking and talking...), the RPG elements, and the occasionally heavy-handedness of the morals (by the way, it isn't really a "pacifist" route if you throw so much as a single punch, is it? lol). Also, the puzzles were too easy, and the harder ones were set at a difficulty that I would've liked at the start, before progressing and getting more and more of a challenge.

Also, I respect the commitment and hard work of this development team. They made a good game, a little world on its own, that I simply don't enjoy playing.

I'd give it 5/10, but I'm definitely not the target audience, so I won't rate it at all. The target audience would likely be people who play a lot of RPGs and enjoy deep intricate meta morality. I like assembling armies in Age of Empires and wiping out vast swaths of enemy soldiers, or puzzling my way through casual iPhone games, or in a high-intensity FPS showdown. Making fictitious friends who won't matter at all in a few hours, combined with the loooooooong RPG crawl/random encounters thing? Just not my cup of tea. AT ALL.

To address the elephant in the room, also: I will not be playing it again. I do not feel like it, and I like where I've left off my first playthrough; in Asgore's hands. Like Shrodinger's cat, he could either be responsible or conquer the humans, and I don't know what he'll do, but the child's story is over. She sacrificed herself so the monster's could be free, and - hopefully - left a great impression on them so that they are merciful to humanity. End of story. What happens next is not my affair at this point. c:

Oh, and I kept track - I didn't cry, or even tear up. Not once. The most emotional I got was feeling a sting when Asgore died, when Metatton was talking to his viewers, and when I had to leave Toriel. But it was a seriously far cry from making me water up inside. I also felt high emotions when facing flowey, but it was more a "OH MY GOSH! FLOWEY, MY FAVORITE CHARACTER, IS BACK!! GAH, I MISSED YOU!!! I'M FINALLY ENJOYING MYSELF SO MUCH AGAIN!!! HOLY COW!!!!" type thing. ;b

Undertale Playthrough Notes 22

2016-05-19T08:55:00.004-07:00

Back at it.
-Hotel elevator stuck. Okie dokie.
-I'll just buy a starfait from this sad fast food employee.
-OH MY GOSH THAT HAPPY FACE IS TERRIFYING BYE!
-Among all the backstory he's throwing my way, he dropped some info about Asgore just needing one more soul to escape this underground prison. I'll make note of that.
-All these room service sidequests suuure sound neat, but NO thank you! I'm just gonna advance the plot (though I did get a hushpuppy outta the deal)
-Well, how about I go through the big CORE door?
-Two mysterious figures guarding the door. Tweedledee and Tweedledum, I'm sure.
-OHHH I bet they've been tinkering with the layout of the place! The dude in the restaurant talked about that being a possibility!
-MADJICK!
-Okay, staring seems to work.
-Stared at each one, and whaddya know? Problem solved!
-Don't freak out, Alphys. You're doing fine! It's arlight, you got it backwards, but I'm okay.
-"Try heading right..." Well, she's said backwards things so far, so I'll head up.
-KNIGHT KNIGHT encounter!
-I'll sing.
-Hey, it's working!
-Okay, sorry about that, alphys, I'll keep listening to you from now on.
-LASERS CAME BACK ON!
-ach! Hurt again! But I'll make it. No sweat. Don't worry, Alphys!
-Savepoint. Done for now... except no. My notes are too short. :/
-Gonna get through this next section.
-(North, the warrior's path, West, the sage's path. Any path leads to The End).
-Then what about East?
-(East... the end)
-Well, I'll head East, then!
-(Solve this puzzle, and the end will open) yess!
-Solved it!
-Dead end. i'll head right.
-And up
-And Right again.
-Whoa! Whimsalot and final froggit!
-Dead. Trying again!
-Got through that a-okay.
-MErcenaries!
-Got through them with ease.
-What a nightmare indeed!
-Easily accomplished. I like how I'm facing beefed-up versions of the original mosnters I fought. feels very final and epic. Again, the boss fights are enjoyable.
-Pressing a switch.
-"behind this door must be the elevator to the king's castle." OOOH snap!
-Okay, guess I'm going to press through! I mean, no need to be a tease, here.
-METTATON!
-Alphys! You weren't quick enough! Also, no hard feelings about this, still. You've got orders, after all. Nice of you to help, regardless of why you did it.
-I USED THE SWITCH!
-Alphys said this wasn't finished, so hopefully it's unstable enough for me to deactivate
-OH MY GOSH.
-WHAT IN THE WORLD
-OH SWEET HEAVENS
-WHAT
-I'M AT A LOSS FOR WORDS
-D:
-...
-(Fighting and increasingly creeped out later...)
-AHA! BLEW THE ROBOT'S ARMS OFF!
-I am dead!!!
-Gonna take a break and try again. GAH
-Wait...... can I make the ratings go down by just standing still??
-I wanna do that.
-5450...
-5400
-5300
-5200
-5100..
-...gonna keep going. I won't give up.
-Ah, they stopped at 4998.
-Gotta keep fighting, then.
-DEAD AGAIN.
-I hate this.
-FINALLY got past that third heart stage!
-Thank goodness I have the armor, lol
-All the phone callers! Thank goodness! Save me, save me, callers, please! I have literally 2 HP! I've had 2 HP for about 5 turns now and oh my gosh, no health items!!!
-Oh, yeah. I'M FINE, BY THE WAY, APHYLIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN OVER MY 1HP
-Oh, good. She's tagging along.
-"A human SOUL isn't strong enough to cross the barrier alone." WHAT?!
-"If you want to go home, you'll have to take his soul?"????
-Welp, getting on the elevator. This must be it. The final boss fight...
-Ah, a save point! Good. Picking this up LATER!

Undertale Playthrough Notes 21

2016-05-19T08:55:00.002-07:00

Okay, here I am again.
-Cobwebs. Spiders everywhere. the silence is ominous.
-stuck in the spider web! Ohhh dear.
-I should've saved the pastry I got at the game's start.
-Too late now! Wasted it in the Toriel fight!
-Hehehehehehe, little miss MUFFET. I get it. Spider selling pastries.
-Sweet, purple battle mechanic!!!
-Ah, nice! So it's like inverse guitar hero. See? once more, the fights are clever, and the best part of the gameplay. I don't enjoy the plot very much, the characters are alright, I guess, the pacing's all but killing me, and I can't say much for my own enjoyment of htis so far, but the fights? Awesome. If only this was a game where you were actually fighting, lol
-I'm not gonna pay her anything to let me go! You can count on that.
-Alright, muffet, last warning before I start fighting back.
-Whoever wants me dead was in the shadows, changing shape? -... ominous, to say the least.
-Predictably dead. Maybe paying her will spare me?
-AH, that gets her attack down!
-Dang, dead again!!!!
-Trying again.
-DEAD. TRY AGAIN.
-WAIT. I've been hitting her trying to get her beat up enough to let me go, but only using the money once the pet spider muffin attack comes up. BUT if I give her all the money, will she be able to rent a limo and not have to bother with me?!
-Worth a shot at this point.
-DEAD AGAIN. But I didn't start paying until later in the battle. Maybe if I pay sooner?
-Can't do it. I'm going to go back to temmie's shop and leverage all the money I can. Maybe grab that armor, maybe not. Then head back. Brb
-Side note: I *LOVE* this fight ht emost of all! It's such a challenge!!!
-Idea: Gonna get the 9999g spider pastry. Gonna do it. BRB
-Better idea: buying the temmy armor. (much faster... okay, not really, but I feel like I'm getting *NOWHERE* with this fight, lol)
-*puts on Temmy Armor* LET'S DO THIS.
-Wait! I'll head to Snowdin and rest at the hotel first! And maybe swing by Payrus and see how he's doing.
-Okay, first hotel stay (funny as usual).
-I'll stay again, just to see if I can get more health out of the deal (if so, WOOOW that is broken).
-Ah, it only works once. Good. What's Papyrus up to?
-Ah. He's out. OH well.
-Swinging by the shop to get a bisicle again.
-And heading back to the hotlands.
-I'll walk instead of taking the boat, however, because I feel like I might find more items.
-Grabbed Astronaut food.
-And that was it. But worth it! Heading back!
-...THANK YOU, SPIDER RUIN TELEGRAM!!!
-I'll spare her... *AFTER* paying her money.
-I can't give her any?
-Hmmm... one more try?
-Another?
-Her dialouge's getting uncomfortably threatening. I'm leaving.
-Oh my gosh, a poster for mettaton. And it's a play... a romance, no less. I am not looking forward to this... but I *AM* looking forward to the boss fight!
-OH MY GOSH. never would I thought to see the day a box robot is playing juliet in romeo and juliet (or something like it, at least).
-Oh boy.
-And also, what's the threat gonna be this time?
-It's no Sweeney Todd, but it's an alright musical, lol
-I love how absolutely THROUGH with this Sam looks the whole time, too. LOL
-"so sad that you're going to the dongeon... WELL, TOODLES!" XDD
-Heheheh. Firewall deactivated. heh.
-BOSSS FIGHT!!! YESS!
-Handy shooting mechanic!
-Aww. Super fast fight was super fast. :C
-But I have a feeling Mettaton's got a trick up its sleeve still.
-Also, glad to help Alphys boost her self esteem. Onwards
-First some exploration.
-The guards bought all the ice cream. Great. Oh well, I guess. I got a big smile out of the deal.
-Also, I remembered the guy's name and he's shocked! lol
-Sans! I'll hang out with you.
-Oh, okay, I guess we can grab some dinner. Why not?
-Aww, sorry Sans, but I really do wanna get home.
-Story time!
-OH! OHHH!! TORIEL! THE JOURNAL! IT MAKES SENSE!
-.."watch over them, and protect them, will you not?" Ohhh snap! That's why Sans has been so nice to me! Toriel's promise!
-"... You'd be dead where you stand." OH SNAP! Wow, dang! Serious scary face! But I get it, Sans, I do. You've got a job to do. Stop making that face, though. Gah.
-Sans, you are dead wrong. I've died so many times! XD
-HEhehe, the bird dad knows his son's puns stink.
-...aaaand tragic backstory. Moving on.
-Save point.
-Back out front, now. To see what this suspicious "deal" thing's about. After figuring out, I'll head back in, save again, and then stop playing this session because WOW is this long!
-I could only afford some junk food. LIKE IN REAL LIFE, HA!
-Okay, saved game.

Undertale Playthrough Notes 20

2016-05-13T09:40:00.002-07:00

Back to it for the second part!
-Oh, the two guards. hey, anything to get a break from Alphys's status updates!
-Oooh! I should've put on the apron! Maybe then they wouldn't have recognized me. Here, I'll let them kill me so I can put on the apron after reloading.
-Got a few hits on 'em during my thrown fight. Because why not?
-Okay, apron on this time! Now, let's see if they recognize me.
-Equiped the burnt pan, too, to furhter complete my disguise. Let's hope this works... or at least does something interesting.
-AH MAN. Didn't work!
-Well, time to... clean their armor?
-"The cooling dirt begins to go away." HAH! Yess, that's it! Overheating, just like Undyne.
-Cruud, at one HP already!
-Dead.
-Tryin again!
-Ah.
-Well, that entire "fight" made me beyond uncomfortable. Moving on.
-The game compensated me 100g anyways, which is great! Also, low health. Saving on the previous save spot before continuing on.
-Back to the annoying status updates.
-Aaaand back to the blackness. Time for another game show battle thingy or whatever, lol
-XD Is this a news studio?!
-Props for creativity. As usual, the boss battles are the best parts of this game. And - gameplay wise - are the only parts I enjoy, truth be told.
-Uh... sure. I'll... report on the water. Also, how is this going to result in my death? Also, I see that irritating dog in the background cityscape outline.
-THAT....... is a lot of bombs.
-Two minute bomb challenge!!!! Sweeeet! (please don't make this too easy. PLEASE)
-Dog diffused.
-Basketball.
-nooo, I failed!
-But of course,t he game couldn't let me have consequences for failure.
-Moving on.
-That call about asgore was very ominous, lol
-Elevator! Moving up.
-Wow is this trippy or what? lol
-Heeeyyy another spider bake sale!
-Aaaand I can't afford anything. WELP. MOVING ON.
-Alphys, you massive dork. Puzzle time!
-North: wayyyy too easy. -_-
-Nifty conveyor belt laser trap!
-Oh man, Alphys... I really DON'T wanna watch anime. I really don't. But I don't wanna be rude, either. Well, crap.
-Uh...
-*sigh* ...sure. -_-
-Well, further confirming that it's not my kinda show. But I'll humor her anyways.
-South puzzle: Super easy as well. Now I realize that I've been typing the same face that Sam has on: -_- And I also know why she has that face on. I WOULD, TOO.
-Hey, I missed that cactus! Heading back.
-(you stop to smell the flowers...)
-Well, waste of time. Moving on.
-Big doors are once more opened.
-Game saved!

Undertale Playthrough Notes 19

2016-05-13T09:40:00.001-07:00

Back to it.
-lol, Alphys doesn't want to call me. I'll call her instead.
-"Dimensional Box A?" "Dimensional Box B?!" What are these?!
-Oh, sweet! I got my inventory updated! Niiice!
-A Tsunderplane encounter?
-HEy! The borders of its attacks are green.
-Hey, that was a quick victory.
-Alphys, oh my gosh, JUST CALL. I NEED TIPS.
-Oh, good. Thanks. Blue and orange lasers. Got it.
-,Also, seems I'm advancing without exploring a side path again. Better head back first. There will be hell to pay if I don't, I'm sure.
Pyrope encounter!
-Dead. Tring again.
-Whoa! It didn't use a bomb attack last time.
-Okay, done. Gone. Heated up the area, lost most of my health, but I survived. That's all that matters. I'm going to resave my progress oto get full hp before continuing on and exploring.
-grabbed a burnt frying pan.
-NOW I'll advance past the deactivated lasers.
-Got it. Heading right.
-Who are these two dudes chilling on the edge of the cliff?
-Heheh. "I kept failing the puzzles, so it kept restarting? And my coworkers won't help. It's like they dont' wanna go to work?" XD
-Easy puzzle was easy. To the left!
-Skool cuniforms on these monsters? Also, thanks for the help alphys.
-Okay, yeah, you guys stand there while I actually solve this puzzle.
-Easy.
-Done.
-Wishing I was actually challenged in this game. It's not a game! It's an interactive story, that's what it is.
-Got the big doors opened.
-This blackness is unsettling. But I have no horror anymore. This game has taken away all chances for me to be scared by it. :/
-OH GREAT THE ROBOT AGAIN.
-A killer robot making a cake? There's gotta be a portal reference in there somewhere.
-HAHAHAAH! XD "A human soul!" I love the moribd humor in this the best, on the rare occasions when it pops up.
-Thank you, alphys
-....this is a trap, isn't it?
-lol "I already baked the cake ahead of time, so forget it!"
-I enjoyed the jetpack part.
-Woooooh. I like that big scary building. Also, save point! But not a lot of notes to show for it... I'll keep going for this half.
-Sweet, I'm going INTO that big scary thing!
-Elevator. Uh... I'll choose left floor 1, first?
-Wait. WAAAAIIIT... I've already been here.
-Okay, other option, then. Right floor 2
-Hello, there, heats flamesman.
-Sans! Excellent. Sure, I'll buy a 'dog.
-Moving onward.
-Also, these status updates are irritating. -_- Papyrus, Alphys, PLEASE STOP UNLESS IT's RELEVANT TO MY PUZZLES!
-Tsunderplane and that volcano thing encounter again.
-Victory!
-Okay, crossroads. Down or left? I'll head down first.
-Napstablook sent a friend request? Ugh. Sure. But I'll bet this will result in more annoying interrupting updates.
-"Seems to have already rejected itself." LOL!
-Grabbed the stained apron.
-Okay, puzzles.
-ALPHYS YOU RUINED IT!
-Oh well, I'm passed anyways.
-At least she's letting me try this puzzle on my own!
-That one was moderately challenging. I would have appreciated a difficulty boost in the others thus far, of course, but hopefully the puzzles get more and more difficult from here on out!
-Gah, status updates are as annoying as they are in real life!!! -_-
-Okay, save point. Quick break, then back for the second half of today's playthrough.

These status updates are going on my list of "things I dislike."

Undertale Playthrough Notes 18

2016-05-05T15:25:00.001-07:00

Alright, no use avoiding it anymore: back to the main path.
-I'll talk to these guards.
-No passing. Figures. Guess it's to the lab I go!
-Ah! I'm on the TV screen! So *THIS* is what was going on earlier with the cameras and such!
-Too dark to pick up on anything.
-Ah, a dinosaur monster thing.
-Is this gonna be like the wizard of oz? Like, "ooh! Don't look at the person behind the curtian" or whatever, when I blow this whole charade to pieces? I could totally see that happening. This is, of course, all before I advance the conversation. Mere speculation on my part.
-Alphys! So you're the one people have been talking about.
-Yes, and I knew I was being watched.
-Yay! You wanna help! I hope you're not a lying scumbag trying to trick me into getting killed! :D
-Before going further, let me guess. The robot's gone haywire and is loose in the labs, right?
-..."Anti Human Combat Features?" Oh well! I'm looking forward to the inevitable boss fights. Those are just about the only super entertaining part of the game at this point.
-"Hopefully we won't run into him" followed by silence? Yeah, we're gonna run into him.
-"QUIZZ SHOW?!" What?! lol
-"Answer correctly or you die!!!" XDDDD HAh! Another genuinely funny moment.
-Great. he's invulnerable to attack.
-Alphys! Thank you SO MUCH for helping!!!
-I'm gonna try getting these right without looking at the scientist, then I'll check before guessing. Makes it more engaging that way and not just a cakewalk.
-That math one would've taken too long. Went with Alphys's answer. She's smart. She's a scientist.
-...heck, as this robot's creator, she probably programmed it with all the answers!
-"Would you smooch a ghost?" The answers are all the same, and the counter's going up.... why not just let it hit 999 and see what happens?
-...
-....
-1,000?!
-Oh, it'll just keep going up. WELL THEN, uh... C? maybe?
-Lucky guess. Literally.
-Is the robot malfunctioning? IS THAT HOW I BEAT IT?! :O
-ALPHYS YOU HAD TO OPEN YOUR BIG MOUTH, DIDN'T YOU?
-Who does Alphys have a crush on? RUDE! I refuse to answer. How do you like that?!
-Oh, the time'rs not going down. Ugh... uh... I don't know, so I'll choose that.
-Oh, lookie. He's mocking her and being a general jerk. How nice. Jerk.
-Oh, I have a feeling I'll be running into that thing again.
-Thanks for the phone upgrade.
-Okay, three options. Head right, or the hole in the wall, or the escelator. I'll go right, first.
-"ALPHYS updated status." oh great, it's a smartphone, lol
-All these status updates make me realize I'm progressing, so I'll go up the escalator instead.
-Ah, books!
-OH HAH THE OLD "FOREIGN ALIEN CULTURES MISUNDERSTAND HUMAN CULTURES" GAG. THAT DOESN'T EVER GET OLD OR PREDICTABLE -_- smh.
-Nothing of particular note in that section. I'll head through the hole in the wall first.
-Oh. Guess I can't.
-Hey, the doctor's out of the bathroom (if that's what it is - I thought monster food didn't make them need to use the restroom? Also, was that English I just spoke? I'm a little focused on gameplay and how soon I can stop at the moment). I'll see if I can access that room now.
-Oh. Guess I can't go in. Oh well. Moving on.
-I've encountered a VULKIN on the escalator.
-Should I encourage it?
-"Its attacks become extreme" - Oh no.
-Whew, spared it!
-Now, to hopefully never run into it ever again.
-Another thing about this game I enjoy: the music.
-And character designs, and the art style.
-Another thing I dislike: almost everything else.
-Oh, great! Save point! That's it for today!

Undertale Playthrough Notes 17

2016-05-05T15:22:00.001-07:00

Back to the game.
-Right. Volcano crossroads. Ill head right first.
-That lab looks like it'll advance the plot. I'll be heading down.
-It's the grim reaper... what?!
-Oh, a travel system?
-Off to Snowdin, I guess. Just because.
-So, THAT was the point of that river section earlier. Got it.
-Back to hotlands, then. To... be... the boat is a dog.
-... I AM BEING ABDUCTED AND TAKEN TO TEMMIE VILLAGE? WHAT?!
-No, I'm not. Huh. It just said where Temmie village was...
-Hey, I'm going to try to head to temmie village, actually.
-...oh my gosh. I'm in Temmie village.
-....saving.
-...
-...Of all the weird things in this game, this might take the cake.
-...I mean, I'm... I just... WHAT in the world? XD
-Tem also alergic to tem??? OH MY GOSH TAHT LOOKS PAINFUL!
-To the shop, then, I guess?
-Ah. Y-yes... the tem shop. Uh... okay.
-........you are going to hate me.
-...I'm so tempted, *SO* tempted, to pay for the college, to see what will happen.
-....
-...should I go for it?
-...
-I wonder if I can even harvest gold?? Heck, I can't. I'm sure.
-...
-...
-This will take some pondering....
-...I've got it. But it feels so dirty!
-I just grab stuff from one salesperson, then sell things to Temm (who *DOES* actually buy stuff, it appears).
-...
-...going for it. Brb.
-Can't believe I'm doing this, really. But whatever. I don't know how monster economics works! And if this village's "great history" is anything to go by, they wouldn't mind. And yes, I'm checking my cash flow. It's definitely going up. I could actually pull this off if the music doesn't get to me first. Also... anything - ANYTHING - to distract me from the plot right now, lol.
-...
-Got 600 or so gold so far. Better save my progress just to be sure.
-... I just noticed I'm not filled with determination. I'm filled with detemmination. I gotta get outta here as soon as I pay for that shop thing's college.
-Okay, swindled that tem outta her money and now I have 1000g. The guilt's gone by this point. I think the music's getting to me, lol. Time to pay for her college and see what'll happen!
-YOUR FACE WAS LEFT BEHIND! I'd say that's a graphical bug, but knowing how frigging weird this game is, probably not.
-Ah, you're back. With a diploma and everything. How'd I know your college wouldn't be that long? Also - Temy armor?! What's it do?
-20 defense?! makes battles too easy?! Uh... UGH... UHHHH... No. Yes. No. Yes. No... uh...
-...
-I won't. I'm getting tired of this town, lol
-buh bye!
-But wait... if I don't get that armor, then paying for the thing's college was worthless for me! I mean, I guess not, seeing as I *DID* wanna see her reaction in the first place, but...
-Hmm.
-I'll see how the hotlands go, and if they get too hard, I'll go back and cheat my way into getting 2000 to pay for the armor, so I don't wind up getting stuck on something impossibly hard.
-BUT for now, heading back to the hotlands to save and end this session! I can't blame the game for my irritation/boredom this time around, lol. Staying in *THAT* place for so long will likely do that to you.
-Gonna walk all the way back, because why not?
-Heyyy! A walrus guy, standing just past the bridge where I saved monster kid from falling.
-"Bah! Today's monsters don't appreciate what makes puzzles great!" My MAN! You are speaking my language! Yes! These things are too easy! The concepts are neat. the execution? Not so much.
-OH, I guess I can't solve this puzzle. Ooookay.
-Saved!

Undertale Playthrough Notes 16

2016-04-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

-Alright, here's to hoping I can *FINALLY* have a decent boss fight!
-Strategy: gonna fight her until she's weakened. Maybe then she'll give up. I *WOULD* have killed her, but the whole "you don't have to kill anyone" thing was spoiled for me.
-I can flee! I can flee! FLEEING IN PROGRESS!
-Should've known it wouldn't be that easy.
-"Killing you now is an act of mercy!" Hah! Yeah, but I bet if I tried that stunt, characters would rant and rave about how eeevil I am. Heheh, *cough*hypocrites*cough*
-TIME TO FLEE AGAIN!
-time to fight again!!
-feeeling VERY glad I got that nice cream, now!
-RUNNING AWAY TIME! ONLY 3 HP!
-PAPYRUS YOU HORRIBLE HORRIBLE SKELETON! THIS IS THE WORST TIME TO CALL!
-That's it for the nice cream.
-OH, her attacks are getting easier to dodge, and I can run away right away. WELL, I am TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT!
-Okay, she collapsed from chasing me. I'll get her some water from the tank after I find a save point. I've made progress, don't wanna mess it up now!
-There it is! Okay, saved. Now, to wrap this thingy up.
-Oh, she's gone now... DID I JUST KILL HER?! D: Oh, gee. I hope not! I just went and saved, too!!! Oh NOOOO!
-No, none of my stats changed. I can't have killed her. *WHEW*
-And what's that weird-headed guy up to? Eh. I'll check on them later, after I check on Sans.
-*fingers crossed that Undyne isn't waiting to trap me*
-Nope. And sans is gone! Maybe Sans grabbed her and carried her to safety? I hope so. Let's go with that.
-Back to the water jug.
-What a weirdo. Oh well.
-Lol, magic evaporating cup.
-Save point again.

It's weird, I enjoy the "Bullet Hell" part of the boss fights, but once I'm back to the normal gameplay, it's a bit of an "OH, yeah, now I have to do *THIS* chore again" thing.

Sorry to all who were hoping I'd enjoy this game more. Just guess it's not my thing (And I feel I can judge it based on my own subjective enjoyment, just as anyone in the world ever judges their favorite (or least favorite) foods, games, movies, stories, music, etc). Truthfully speaking, if I could get away with saying "it's not something that interests me," I would! Any other game, I'd be alright with saying it doesn't interest me, and that's why I don't play, but with Undertale? Pssht, feels like a law passed without me realizing it, and everyone's required to play it before saying they aren't interested, lol.

Still, I'm playing once through because I said I would! I am not reniging on my decision to go through this once, buuuut.... the secret endings, alternate paths, timeline/timetravel stuff, it all holds ZERO appeal to me at this moment, and I'm rapidly losing interest in the plot. But, it shall be over, soon! :-B

Undertale Playthrough Notes 15

2016-04-27T10:08:00.003-07:00

Okay, I'm back again. Time for more.
-Many different routes. I'll visit the ghost's house first. I'm assuming it's the white one.
-Nice Cd collection, lol
-lol, spider bakesale flyer.
-Time to lie on the gruond and feel like garbage.
-...whoa, space!
-I'm not gonna move until something happens!
-Ehh, bored. Moving.
-Now for the red house?
-Locked. Alright. Gonna save, then continue still.
-Yep. Knew I'd find something. It's that duck froma while ago!
-Sure, let's go across. Why not?
-Is it gonna drop me?
-Nope. Gonna go all the way. Alright, neat.
-Got some nice cream (and used my punch cards), ready to continue on. Gonna use the duck to ferry me back.
-Saving progress and continuing using the north left path.
-Weird fish house. And the music's gone... Ooookay...
-And a dummy!
-"What? What? WHAT? It's a living." Okie dokie, I guess.
-Nobody's home. Heading back down, then.
-Okay, now I'll head norht first. Check out hotlands and temmie village (whatever the heck that is) next.
-Sans theme is going agian.
-Ah, but I see no sans. Only snail-related stuff.
-Oooh, a race. I shall bet money.
-I was certainly robbed of money.
-Moving on!
-Okay, going right this time.
-Okay, at a crossroads. Mineshaft, south, or east? I'll go through the shaft first.
-Turtle man selling junk.
-...that prophecy better not be about me. -_- Talk about CLICHED!
-Bought some glasses.
-Aaand more backstory. Seven human souls = barrier freed and broken and stuff. Got it.
-Neat mushroom path mechanic. Again, the graphics are the best part of this game.
-"Special enemy Temmie" appears! Okay, let's get this over with. What do I do now?
-OH MY GOSH THAT ATTACK!
-Oh...kay, this thin'gs yellow now. So I can go... I guess?
-a *VLLAGE* full of these things? Oh, great, it's gonna be the dog situation all over again! -_-
-THAT WAS NO MOLDSMAL! IT KILLED ME!
-gonna feed temmie flakes or whatever. See what that does.
-A whole lot of nothing. Okie dokie, then.
-Okay, back tot he fight that killed me.
-MOLDBUGG? Hmm. Weird.
-Unhugg?
-Guess that worked. I will not complain.
-Through the glow maze, and oh wow is it ominous right now.
-Hahah, clever! Very clever, undyne! Also, please don't kill me.
-Monster kid! Thank goodness you jumped in obnoxiously!
-Heheheheh, excellent. Saved my skin at the cost of his ear. Oh well!
-AH, the rest of the wish conversation!
-Of course it's bitter and sad. Why wouldn't it be!
-Perilous-looking bridge is perilous. Here goes nothing!
-Monster kid! Hi.
-Well, he asked so nicely. Weird, but... I guess I'll be mean for his sake?
-Whoa, man. I saved him and then undyne backed off!
-I hope this means she'll give up the chase finally!
-NOPE. THERE SHE IS. CRUUUUD! WHERE WAS THE LAST SAVEPOINT?!
-....why'd she take off her helmet? That's counterpdouctive.
-Oh, good. a save!

Undertale Playthrough Notes 14

2016-04-22T20:01:00.002-07:00

Second half of my playthrough today!
-Ah, so the monster's got the short end of the stick in this war. #NotMyFault, though. I refuse to feel guilty over something I had nothing to do with.
-I HATE THAT SHADOW THAT WARRIOR IS HERE AGAIN!
-Dead again.
-You know, technically, the monsters have won several times at this point, lol
-Dead end. Okay, real quick, as I consider my horrible dom, I'd like to take a moment and say I enjoy the boss fights because they're the most creative parts of the game, up there with the graphics.
-Aaand falling to my death. Fantastic.
-EEEEWWW I LANDED ON FLOWERS NO NO NO NO NO
-I mean, great that they broke my fall, but NO THANK YOU
-Savepoint time! Well, that was not a lot of notes. Hmmm... should I continue? I think I should.
-Gonna check this garbage.
-Nothing. Moving on.
-lol, "honk of despair," nice.
-Grabbed some astronaut food. Also, I see the dummy from the start up ahead. LEt me guess, it talks to me or something right?
-I'll... beat up the dummy.
-Yaaay! Boss fight that I don't have to feel bad about!
-"Physical attacks will fail?! DANG!
-Oh, but I can hurt it with its own attacks!
-I don't wanna talk to it. I wanna fight, darn it!~
-Yess! the magic attacks are working!
-Digging this mini boss fight.
-I predictably died. Gonna try again!
-I could be nice, but I'm getting tired of being nice.
-Hmm....
-I'll just see what happens if I don't attack it.
-Good! It'll still fight me!
-Now, I know I could talk, but I'm getting tired of resolving things nicely. Besides, it's his own attacks harming it. He shouldn't have started this fight if he didn't wanna get hurt! :)
-AAAH! I was on the last attack! I almost made it!!! Gonna try again!
-By the way, without a "lives" system like mario bros, I've noticed games are inevitabley going to have me win. That's just the way it works. So, I will find out how this dummy's defeat looks eventually!
-YAAAY! KNIFE FIGHT!!! :D
-Hheheeh, his incompetence amuses me.
-lol, defeated by the random nastablook.
-Savepoint!

Undertale Playthrough Notes 13

2016-04-22T19:59:00.002-07:00

Time for another Undertale session. And - yes - I'm still thinking it's not the game I'd play normally, were it not for me being asked to play it. Nonetheless, maybe I was just not in the mood for it last time. Or, perhaps, I actually am starting to get tired of it, and it's a sign that the game's just not for me. Either way, here we go.

-Let's inspect the flower, mousehole, and cheese before leaving this room.
-Nothing to note. Moving on...
-Sans with a telescope. Here to give me more cheery things to talk about, Sans?
-I used the telescope, and saw a red splotch.
-.....I freaking knew it. I *KNEW* the prank was coming once I saw that red splotch. What's in this mineshaft?
-I like the salesman's ideas, but not the inflated nicecream price. Oh well.
-Weird onion thing that doesn't know what a star is. Okie dokie.
-Lots of glowing watery stuff, that looks super cool.
-Heading south before going right.
-Wonder what depressing avenue this overhead echo conversation will be?
-MOLDSMAL encounter! Now it's over with. That was pointless.
-Heheh, papyrus. You're still just as dumb as ever.
-Aaron again.
-Woshua *AND* Aaron - I'm fleeing.
-Died. Trying again. I'll see what's right first.
-A duck on the other end of the river. Hmm.
-Heading back to where I was... no encounters thus far (except modlsmal, but whatever)
-Is that... a tentacle?
-Multiple tentacles, and this one's following me. CRUUUUD.
-An octopus, of course.
-An annoying, clingy, onion octopus.
-Maaaan, everyone has crap lives down here.
-A shyren encounter.
-I'll go the "smile" route and see if it does anything.
-Nothing. I'll hum.
-Okay, that did it. but I'm curious to see where this is going. I'll keep humming.
-"Sans is selling tickets made of toilet paper." Hey, whatever it takes to cash in on the opportunity!
-Socks. Socks everywhere. I wanna push this further.
-died. Of course. Will try again. Blah blah blah.
-Huh. Grabbed some ballet shoes by going a different route out of boredom.
-Put on the shoes and tutu. Maybe this will tirgger a different conversation with papyrus?
-Welp, survived the shyren encounter and pushed the humming to its limit this time around. got 30 gold out of the deal
-Can't remember the siren's song, so I'm assuming I won't be able to solve the piano puzzle.
-Creepy horned monster statue in the rain.
-Hmmm... what if I use this umbrella?
-Ohh!!! This is the song for the puzzle!!
-I DID IT!
-"carrying too many dogs?"...... WHAT?
-...oh, the game's going to mess with me again. OF COURSE.
-I HATE THAT DOG
-And I wasted my time! Well, FINE!
-Also, I'm taking another umbrella.
-Gonna assume I shouldn't step on the shiny black stuff.
-Monster kid's tagging along. Okie dokie, then.
-"too cool to ever hurt an innocent person..." lol, yeah, k
-WHAO! HOLY PERSPECTIVE SHIFT! Now, see, I do appreciate the game changing thigns up here, I really do. The graphics actually frigging rock. It's the gameplay and alice-in-wonderland-esque world that are... eh, kinda getting under my skin.
-Gorgeous view, I must say.
-Heheh, monster kid's funny.
-Save point!

See, I love the graphics the most, the boss battles second most, and the backstory's plot is... eh, alright. The backstory, characters, and humor are touch-and-go for me. And the RPG elements I just don't like. I guess RPG's aren't for me, lol. Will continue on in a bit!

IZ:TDM! - Alternate Animation Styles

2016-04-19T08:23:00.002-07:00

I think it would be in order to whip up some demonstrations of how IZ:TDM! would look were it animated in different styles.

Now, before going further, let me emphasize:

IZ:TDM! IS NOT PLANNING ON BEING IN ANY OF THESE ANIMATION STYLES.

I fully intend to animate it traditionally, like the show proper was done. However, it would be imprudent to not have a backup plan, and - to save time (since I really don’t have much to do at the moment other than boss everyone around), I would like to create a compilation of animation tests with Invader ZIM, just to see what you guys think of the different options FOR A BACKUP PLAN. I cannot emphasize enough that this is a “for emergencies only” type thing! I’d hate to see IZ:TDM! animated in any of these ways - I want it to be done traditionally, but I also want to have a fallback option.

That being said, I want to demonstrate what’s in my head, to better inform you of how this will turn out. But I want you guys to be involved, too. I want to take a clip from the show, and - using the audio from this clip - I will create differently animated versions of it to showcase what each style will look like, compared to the show’s actual style (which is what I’m aiming for in the first place).

So, go ahead and name a clip from the show (nothing too long! We’re talking 15 or 20 seconds, here) for me to use! Comment below and inform me of what you’d like to see as the guinea pig for this animation experiment. For the record, here are some of the styles I have in mind:
Anime (not crappy anime, though; well-done anime, something that would really go well with Invader ZIM’s dark humor and atmosphere)
Visual Novel Style (with anime-esque action scenes)
Sprite Animation (kinda like this; as if a videogame were brought to life)
Animated Comic (trust me on this - I have some ideas)
RPG style (similar to the sprite animation, but with a deliberate Earthbound/Undertale type feel to the dialogue - except with the actual VA’s audio instead of rapid-fire sounds matching the text)
Cel Shaded CGI

At any rate, regardless of how you like those styles or not, the thing is that I’ll be animating this clip (or clips, if there are a few very popular ones) in each of those styles, in an effort to accurately demonstrate what words alone can’t. Then, hopefully, we can settle on a fallback plan if traditional 2D animation fails (it won’t).

Please spread the word, and comment! I need as much input as I can recieve; what Invader ZIM clip do you want to see run through these tests?

Undertale Playthrough Notes 12

2016-04-14T19:09:00.001-07:00

Okay, back at it for the second session in this pair!
-What's this sign say? "When four bridge seeds align in the water, they will sprout." Alright, got it. Easy puzzle.
-...too easy, in fact. There's the other thing! I wish these puzzles were actually puzzling!
-AARON encounter. Let me guess, I have to compliment it or something to get it to leave, and during the course of the "conversation" it will nearly kill me without realizing it. I bet I'm right.
-Flexing contest it is. Self-defeating monster. Got some gold. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay. IS THERE A REPETITIVE PATTERN HERE OR SOMETHING? lol. And bring back the blue heart fight things again! I miss those!
-Wanna access that sign.
-"Congradulations! You failed the puzzle!" HAHAHAAH! XD
-See, it's not that the game isn't "enjoyable" at parts, per-se, but the story's not something I'd like, it's too........ I don't know. I jsut don't know, but something's not quite clicking with me. It has funny parts, but the overall game isn't something I'd normally be playing on my own, except I was basically coerced into it by a bunch of people, lol
-Another easily solved puzzle.
-Oh, my cell is ringing? Papyrus?
-Oh, he's trying to spy. Badly. XD
-Papyrus, I'm going to... uh... Hmm... should I lie and get him in trouble, or tell the truth and get myself likely killed? Uh...
-...
-...MMMM...
-...I'll go with the truth.
-It's in his hands now, not mine! Onward.
-Sad monster wishing room is sad.
-WOSHUA encounter! WHAT IN THE WORLD? I love the weird character design, at least.
-Dang. had to eat my unisicle.
-I hate woshua. I hate hate HATE it. Hope to never encounter it again! I ONLY HAVE TWO HP AND NO ITEMS TO HEAL WITH!
-Gonna look through the telescope...
-...that looks important. Jotting down the constellation pattern.
-Now I'm in a swampy area.
-This whole backstory room is unsettling and disturbing and I like that.
-ANOTHER SHADOWY ENTRANCE! I'M BEING FOLLOWED!!!
-I DIED! UNDYNE KILLED ME!
-Trying again...
-Hey, nice of the game to leave me off ahead of the savepoint.
-MAN, I like that battle, that was intense and fun! Why can't hte game change things up more frequently like that?!
-Oh, lol, she grabbed the monster kid.
-GREAT, a savepoint! Excellent.

Okay, I'm done again. The game... really is not enjoyable much, to be honest. Again, I'm finding as many good things to point out as I can, and am holding back my critiques, but...
*shrug* I just don't think I'm the target audience for this thing. It's just dragging for me (The pacing), the awkwardness is too frequent, and... well, really, I just am not clicking with it.

STILL playing it all the way through at least once, of course. A promise is a promise. I only ask that you don't encourage me to do anything one way or the other! No spoilers, please. Don't tell me what's coming up, don't give me advice on what to do or who to spare. Don't. Just let me play the game as I feel like playing it, and I'll be the judge of whether I liked it or not come the end of the game... and that way I have a defense of "I played it" and certain people will (fingers crossed) STOP CHASTISING ME FOR NOT WANTING TO PLAY THIS THING (you know who you are, lol)

Undertale Playthrough Notes 11

2016-04-14T19:08:00.002-07:00

Time for another go round and is it bad that I'm starting to dislike playing? I mean, I'm starting to get tired of playing this game. It was neat at first, but... I don't know. I guess it's sort of outstayed its welcome for me. I'll get through one full gameplay, of course, seeing as I'm fully commited at this point, but... eh. I wouldn't be playing it if it weren't for the multiple requests for my reaction. I actually actively enjoyed not having played it. It felt special to me, being isolated from the majority, but now... now I'm playing it. And I have to like it, I guess, or the fanbase will kill me.

WELP, all I can say is they better get their pitchforks and torches ready! XD I'm fairly certain I'll end this playthrough with apathy towards the game, judging by my current feelings. Yes, it's funny at times, but - really - it's super awkward frequently, and the *GAME*play (remember, this is a *GAME*) is repetitive except for the boss fights. Heck, I'd love it if the full game were centered around those fights, rather than just using them as an excuse to chastise the player for violence. I'd love to play a game that actually encourages fighting with this system! But not one that lays the guilt card on you for killing (which I know this one will, as that's its whoooole point).

Alright, mini rant over. Let's get to it!

-Time to leave this snow town.
-Neat waterfall effect, very nice.
-Ah, a new area. And Sans is here. I recognize that music. And a save point, too. Very good. Very good. I'll save and proceed to talk to each of these guys here.
-"Never trust a flower... htat's one of the constants of this world." GEE I WONDER WHY
-Who is this kid talking about??? Well, I guess I'll be finding out shortly.
-Time to speak to Sans.
-Ugh... I wanna get on with the quest (AND THERE'S SOMETHING BEHIND SANS'S BOOTH), buuuuuuUUut... might as well be thorough, I guess. Sure. Why not go to the bar.
-Heheh, Sans you're so mature with the whoopie cushion.
-Hmm... how bout a burger?
-Nice character designs, of course. Especially the bartender.
-Oooh, should I be honest with Sans?? Well... yeah, Papyrus isn't that cool, truth be told. Sorry, buddy.
-Well, good to see he defends his brother. I had a feeling Sans would appreciate me being honest. Don't think I did much damage, if any.
-That ketchup was a prank, wasn't it.
-Neat backstory on papyrus.
-Whoa, serious times... Talking flower? You darn right, I have! Flowey's probably my favorite character in the game...... which is odd, considering he's the only one I'm tempted to kill.
-Oorrrrr not. Guess we're talking about those echo flowers.
-OOOORRR he's talking about Flowey, and that's genuinely creepy! Niiice, I appreciate the atmosphere building.
-Well, neat infodump on the echo flowers. But it could've been talked about IN THE CAVE.
-Gotta walk alllll the way back, now. *sigh*
-Game saved. NOW, what's behind Sans?!
-...guess I can't access... whatever it is. Oh well. Onward!
-Whoa! I nearly died crossing the waterfall! But should I cross it, or should I go down? Hmm... I'll go down, first.
-This... is perilous, to say the least.
-An echo flower!
-"I swore I saw something behind that rushing water"????!?? ....O_O scary!
-...I'll go provoke whatever monster it is!
-ANOTHER CAMERA! That's getting creepy. Really creepy. I like that. If only this game was more grounded in a horror setting.
-WHOA! Secret waterfall door! What's that red thing?
-A tutu. What in the world? I'll take it, just in case it helps with another pointless, time-sucking sidequest later.
-Whoa.... creepy shadow lighting effects!!! O-o
-Into the bushes... WHOA!
-I'm eavesdropping on Sans talking to Undyne, the knight thing.
-Poor papyrus. He's REALLY genuinely in an unpleasent situation. Also that undyne is scary and I don't wanna mess with it.
-WOA!!!!
-close call. Careful, now, careful...
-Monster kid. -_- And it's talking about Undyne, and how she NEARLY KILLED ME I'M SURE!
-Nice falling animation. Good touch.
-Alrighty, with that I'll stop for this session!

I'm really not feeling it. Sorry. :/ I mean, I try pointing out all the positives I see, but something's just not clicking with me. I've been trying to give the game the benefit of the doubt, but... Maybe it's just not my type of game? I don't like RPG's, and - sure - this is a little different, but at the end of the day, I don't like alice-in-wonderland type stories 9 times out of 10, and the whole "go on a quest and periodically meet/befriend new creatures throughout it" thing is just a storyline that never appealed to me.

STILL finishing the game, of course! But I just don't think I'm its target audience, really. lol

Undertale Playthrough Notes 10

2016-04-10T16:44:00.004-07:00

BACK. Okay, now, if I can't get Papyrus to defeat me the way I want him to defeat me, I'll accept the outcome of the fight anyways. Getting more than a little tired of doing this, lol
-To prep, I bought 2 Bisicles, and a Manly Bandanna.
-loving the "blue mode" amped up battle music, by the way.
-I love this battle. Glad I'm lasting longer than usual! It's great to go through his actually challenging attacks!
-Also, "bisicle," "unisicle!" XD I get it!
-HAHAHAHAAH! XD I love the regular/special attack exchange he had! XD I think I'll stop going on the offensive at this point. I took a good chunk out of his health. Surely he'll feel it was a well-earned challenge instead of being too easy.
-*sigh* "you're too weak! I was easily able to capture you!" well, I guess that's that for my plan. Oh well! I accept this resolution. I actively tried to get a different one, and failed, and so I'll accept this.
-Okay, let's see the note.
-Okay, so this "UNDYNE" is on the way. I assume that's bad. Better find a way out...
-...oh, yeah, Papyrus built these bars. I'll just walk out after checking the rest of the room.
-I'll go ahead and save, but not end this session just yet.
-Heading north now, to see what's up there, if anything's changed.
-Nothing. Oh well. Back down I go!
-And I'll head to the right.
-Ah, so we meet papyrus again.
-Oh, I just replayed the same battle. :/
-Aww. Poor guy was worried sick. Guess... uh... Hmm... should I escape again?
-There's really nothing else to do, I guess.
-I'll encounter him again for fun, to see what he'll do!
-Yaaay! I did it this time! I defeated him, kinda. "Well, it's clear you can't defeat me!" he says through huffs and puffs. lol, so glad I finally managed it!
-Alright, papyrus, I'll accept your totally not surrender.
-Aww, poor papyrus. Dang, dude. Sorry for our self esteem.
-Oh thank goodness, I don't have to redo that and throw the battle for him, lol. I'll just take the easier way and befriend him.
-"AND WHO KNEW THAT TO MAKE THEM ALL I HAD TO DO WAS TO GIVE PEOPLE AWFUL PUZZLES AND HTEN FIGHT HTEM??" XDDD I'm dying!
-......papyrus, you just gave me so much needed information. THANK YOU! Okay, so, king wants me dead for my soul so he can break the monsters free and invade humanity. Got it. NOT gonna let that happen.
-Also, I have a feeling PApyrus is totally wrong about the king being a pushover. But whatevs. I'll save, visit his house, then save again before ending this session.
-that loop around to his house. That was great. Good comedy,r ight there.
-Welp, here we are, Papyrus (and sans, I assume)'s house.
-OH GAH THAT BOOK IS MESSED UP lol
-THE PET ROCK! XD
-The sock exchange was ridiculous as well. Great!
-TV?
-*sigh*... Papyrus, you utter moron. But I've accepted the fact that you're an idiot by now.
-I looked under the sink and there's that dog!!
-SANS OH MY GOSH! XD PERFECT TROMBONE MUSIC.
-He does have a fantastic room, though.
-Yes, humans did descend from skeletons.
-Uh, hanging out with papyrus entered "Battle mode," and I'm nervous... let's hope I don't accidentally DIE WHILE CHILLING BECAUSE YES I KNOW THAT CAN HAPPEN FROM ALL THE CASUAL NEAR-DEATH CONVERSATIONS THIS WORLD HAS.
-Sorry, had to get that off my chest again.
-OH MY GOSH WHAT IS THE POINT OF THAT HUD?!? That is OBNOXIOUS!
-OH MY GOSH, PAPYRUS, stop with your blushing face! It genuinely creeps me out for some reason, lol
-Wuh-oh. Step three. With the bandana I wore for protection... did I goof? Will he take offense that I still have it on?!
-Uh... yes? Sure! Sure, Papyrus, I did always wanna hang out, and totally did *NOT* intend to speed along out of this town after the first boss fight. Yeah. Let's go with that.
-OH WOW THOSE DERPY EYES
-Oh gosht his is ridiculous. Is he going to try to out-nice me or something?!
-Actually, his "special super cool" clothes (or whatever he called them) don't look good or bad, but I wouldn't ever be rude enough to just say "I hate it," y'know? So I'll go with the first option.
-Maaan, I feel sorry for papyrus. He's not used to compliments or friends, at all. Ever. Poor guy, lol
-Hey, I found his secret! He'd.... carved out his skull and hidden a box in it? Oh my gosh, dude! DO YOU NEED A DOCTOR?!!
-He filled. his head. with spaghetti. For me. Uh... thaaaaanks?
-Oh wow, he has no clue just how horrid his cooking is.
-Total freindship pwnage
-Ohhhhhh, whoa! WHOA! You are coming off STRONG, buddy! I just wanna be friends, here. Not to mention Sam's age! good GRIEF! Reign in your awkward intensity, dude!
-That... ended on a disturbingly awkward note. lol. Oh well, though. Can't blame Papyrus, to a certain extent. He's a sheltered idiot with almost no friends. That, and I do believe he has the mind of a little kid. No, really.
-I called from within the house, and he had some somewhat funny dialogue to mention. Nothing much else to say.
-I'm tempted to check his mail, but I fear the consequences... so I'll save first!
-Heheh, it's empty. Okay, then!
-Oh, I wanna call Toriel before ending this session!
-Aww shucks. Oh well. I'll get a response one of these days, certainly (nobody comment on this! Don't tell me a thing about whether this is a pointless effort or not or if she'll respond here or there! Please, I want this playthrough to be 100% pure Stanley). And with that, I'm ending this session!