Retro vibing The Quarry into a Stanley Parable

Two more weeks, then things settle down again. Another week without board games (boo), but I am trying to get my head around Isle of Cats. Both Alpal and I want to play it, so maybe next weekend?

I did end up relaxing by sorting out a lot of my retro collection. I spoke a little bit about playing some games on the Ayn Odin, and that has been working well. It has started playing up a little on PSP emulation though with the new update. See how that goes.

More importantly, I have started playing with getting some PlayStation 2 up and running. This means for the first time, I can play Suikoden 1 to 5. I am so looking forward to this! It’s a series I would be surprised many know, but I only got to finish the PS1 games back in the day.

20220620 - Metal Gear Solid - Getting things working
So many classic series I want to go back and enjoy

I need to mess with the Odin a bit more to see if I can get it working with PSP again. I am also taking the opportunity to try getting everything working correctly on my GPD Win 3. If I can get everything working well enough, there is a good chance of a weekly retro night.

This would likely replace my Stanley Parable Tuesdays. Makes sense – by then, I would be in a ‘different game on Tuesdays’ groove. If things go well, maybe even some retro streaming Tuesdays? See how things travel.

Exciting potential things happening! But that doesn’t mean I didn’t get in any games last week.

The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe

I got to have my Stanley Parable Tuesday this week. It was a fun couple of hours exploring different ways of playing and messing with endings. This is the highlight of The Stanley Parable. One simple premise – exploring an office – and finding the impact each insignificant choice can have on the story.

Anyone that says they know the ‘two or three possible endings’ definitely has the wrong end of the stick. The Stanley Parable originally ran the ending spectrum from the dark to the ridiculous. The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe doubles down on this, and then some.

I thought I would be replaying and finding a lot of the same endings while looking for new ones. What I didn’t expect were mid-game changes where previous runs had an impact.

20220620 - Stanley Parable - Settings World Champion
Generally, The Narrator is very supportive of Stanley’s efforts

On top of the bits and pieces I have been finding, there is the reassurance bucket to consider as well. The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe has made many alternate endings depending on if you pick it up or not. It sounds minor, but there are some emotional and hilarious consequences when taking the bucket with you.

Another example was a bug in the original game that is now an ending of sorts. If you know where I am talking about, you know. I am not going to go into huge detail and spoil it for you, but Ultra Deluxe left the bug in rather than fix it. This leads to a very interesting twist that I never saw coming. Especially when I wasn’t trying to get here in the first place!

20220620 - Stanley Parable - Unintentional Ending
An unfortunate bug has turned into an unexpected ending

Trophy wise I have only the ‘play for all of a Tuesday’ to go. In a couple of weeks, I may be able to have a longer dedicated run meaning I could Platinum Stanley Parable soon. Or I could just mess around for an hour or two every Tuesday for a couple of months and let it pop that way.

Either way, I am going to have fun poking around for more secrets and fun to enjoy.

20220620 - Stanley Parable - If I take a Tuesday off I can have this pretty quick
Yes, I am definitely going for the Platinum

The Quarry

People who have followed me for a while know my love of Supermassive Games. Interactive movies light on actual ‘gameplay’, they aren’t for everyone. Most games have been a homage to horror and B movie classics. Their latest outing, The Quarry, is no exception.

I have on my YouTube channel some long-play run-throughs of the latest two Dark P{ictures Anthology titles. I might do the same with The Quarry, I haven’t quite decided yet. So my notes here will be a bit light, as there is a good chance you can watch me play if you like.

The Quarry is definitely for fans of late 80s horror movies. You play as a group of camp counsellors celebrating the end of camp without adult supervision. While enjoying their last night alone at camp, things take an unexpected turn.

20220620 - The Quarry - As the other supermassive games its an interactive movie
As the other Supermassive Games The Quarry is an interactive movie

These storylines are not super original – they aren’t supposed to be. As I said, these are homages to the old style of movies where you knew 80% of what was going to happen. Stupid decisions, common sense out the window, corny dialogue – it’s all here. The Quarry does not fail to deliver on the best and worst of this story format.

I will never understand how Supermassive games get genre favourite actors to participate. I don’t mean this as a negative – it’s something that makes games like The Quarry feel that little more ‘authentic’. A lot of the stigma of participating in computer games for actors has been lifted, but Supermassive isn’t a huge studio.

For example, in The Quarry, there isn’t a single ‘big name draw’ in the cast. Horror veterans such as David Arquette, Ted Raimi, Lance Henriksen and Lin Shaye. Sure, Hollywood A-List wise maybe not the top 1%. But for this type of campy horror film? Each is a favourite across many franchises.

20220620 - The Quarry - The cast is surprising but welcome
Lance Henrikson, a legend in horror, action and sci-fi

I am about halfway through the 10 chapters. I got to play more than I thought I would, but less than I would have liked. I should be finished with the story mode by next weekend, so see how that goes. The only thing I can say right now is The Quarry is on form, and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

What about you?  I hope you got some great games in.  Or are you looking forward to a new one?  Let me know! 

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Until next time,

JohnHQLD

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