APRIL TOGETHER RETRO RUN-OFF VOTE

[BogusMeatFactory]

Hey NeoGeo. You're a wonderful system. Hope there's no hard feeling. Us FMV are just so damn sexy though.

Awww jeez Tex, you sure do know how to show a girl a good time!

[Sarge]

Actually, I'm remembering an old adventure game that I was always interested in: Ripley's Believe It or Not!: The Riddle of Master Lu. I remember having it on a demo disc, and I do own a copy of the game now via some 30-in-1 pack of games I bought years and years ago. That pack also included Silent Steel, ha!

Would still rather be playing some Mark of the Wolves though. Y'all crazy.

[BogusMeatFactory]

Actually, I'm remembering an old adventure game that I was always interested in: Ripley's Believe It or Not!: The Riddle of Master Lu. I remember having it on a demo disc, and I do own a copy of the game now via some 30-in-1 pack of games I bought years and years ago. That pack also included Silent Steel, ha!

Would still rather be playing some Mark of the Wolves though. Y'all crazy.

Crazy like a fox!!

And silent steel is a great interactive movie. Choose your own adventure style branching storylines, hammy acting and I will never ever get the sound of the sonar guy yelling, "COMM SONAR!" Out of my head. It rings like a bell daily whenever I am on high alert!

[Ack]

JT, you gonna stick around to at least play games this April?

Folks, I have just picked up Phantasmagoria for April. There is currently a sale on GOG.

Also, for the record, Myst does have live action actors in a certain pair of books. But if that's not enough, Riven will certainly have enough for you naysayers.

[Exhuminator]

That screen is from a 2014 FMV game.

I really hope you guys respect Elkin's wishes and stick to 1990s era FMV games. That was the rule laid out.

[Ack]

Can't win them every month.

Dude I haven't won my choice for any month yet. I didn't want Licensed Platformers, Final Fantasy Spin-offs, or Eighties' Ladies' Night either, none of those were my first choice picks. I still found stuff to play. I will do the same for 1990s FMV.

I haven't won any either. But I've had some interesting times. The most fun has definitely been trying out games for this month's though. Your March discussion and game options got me far more excited for anything in the new TR format so far, and now I look forward to each month's vote just as much as the games I will get to try out.

For this one, we'll both be leaving our comfort zones again. No shame in it, we might find stuff to like. And I do recommend Realms of the Haunting if ever you want to try a different take on an FPS.

[J T]

Here's a few recommendations of things for people to play that have FMV. I'm hoping to demonstrate that there are more genres than 'interactive movies'.

Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast WIthin
https://www.gog.com/game/gabriel_knight ... ast_within
This game is one of the best that the "genre" has to offer. FMV runs across genres really, but is probably most associated with point n click adventures like this game. It has a fascinating story written by Jane Jensen. While I like a lot of FMV for being campy, I enjoy this one unironically. Solid storytelling here.

Realms of the Haunting
https://www.gog.com/game/realms_of_the_haunting
This horror themed first person shooter/adventure is really unique and actually has some scary moments. A good choice for survival horror fans.

Lands of Lore 2: Guardians of Destiny
https://www.gog.com/game/lands_of_lore_1_2
This is an RPG with a lovely fantasy world that helps come to life with the use of FMV. This is not what you typically think of with FMV and this game really made an effort to be something grand.

Spycraft: The Great Game
https://www.gog.com/game/spycraft_the_great_game
This game boasts that they had a former head of the CIA as a consultant in developing the game. Get ready for puzzles, espionage, and intrigue!

Stonekeep
https://www.gog.com/game/stonekeep
This is a first person dungeon crawler. It has this great creepy feel to it and lots of actors dressed up as orcs and dwarves.

Police Quest: SWAT 1
https://www.gog.com/game/police_quest_swat_1_2
The SWAT series of Police Quest games is great. These games require that you pay attention and follow proper police procedures. You have to protect and serve, not gun everyone down. That means enter rooms wisely, use your proper hand signs, use flash bangs appropriately, and you better collect good evidence to make a case.

Bad Mojo Redux
https://www.gog.com/game/bad_mojo_redux
I like this one just for being unusual. You play as a cockroach trying to survive. It's weird.

Command & Conquer, Red Alert
http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/comman ... -generals/
For those who were hoping RTS would win the poll, this is a good option for you. The Command & Conquer series entries are classics in the RTS genre and many have hammy military FMV cut scenes between the battles. Several of the older ones were released for free by EA awhile back, and still float around the net I believe.

Wing Commander 3, 4
https://www.gog.com/game/wing_commander ... _the_tiger
https://www.gog.com/game/wing_commander ... of_freedom
These are some classic flight sims with extended use of FMV starring top notch actors like Mark Hammil and Malcolm McDowell.

Ripper
It has Christopher Walken. What else do you need.

Tex Murphy: Under A Killing Moon, Pandora Directive, Overseer
https://www.gog.com/game/tex_murphy_und ... lling_moon
These are fun film noir style games in a futuristic setting. They are point and click adventure games, but with a unique first person perspective.

Phantasmagoria
https://www.gog.com/game/phantasmagoria
This is a point n click game from Roberta Williams, who was behind all the King's Quest games. This is a horror game that spins a gorey supernatural tale around the idea of being trapped in an abusive relationship. I like the sequel too, but it is a totally different set of characters made by different people and is much cheesier.

Return to Zork
https://www.gog.com/game/return_to_zork
Don't get eaten by a gru. The classic text adventure comes to life with a new story in full motion video! There are several FMV entries in the classic Zork series.

7th Guest
https://www.gog.com/game/the_7th_guest
This game and its sequel, The 11th Hour, were really popular in the 90s. They are FMV games with a series of challenging puzzles to complete.

Myst
https://www.gog.com/game/myst_masterpiece_edition
Surreal puzzle game. Ask Bogus. No, just ask bogus. He'll talk your ear off about it.

Harvester
https://www.gog.com/game/harvester
This is FMV at max insanity. It's not a good game really, but it's so over the top and hammy and sick and violent, that it might appeal to your baser instincts. That being said, not even Bogus has any love for this game. I'm on my own with this one.

There are others I want to suggest, but they fall outside the 90s range. There's plenty here to keep you busy though.

[J T]

That screen is from a 2014 FMV game.

I really hope you guys respect Elkin's wishes and stick to 1990s era FMV games. That was the rule laid out.

Tex Murphy is classic 90s FMV. That particular screen just happens to be from the new one. Calm down Ex. We all understand it's supposed to be 90s.

[Exhuminator]

We all understand it's supposed to be 90s.

Well man, you had told me to play Warriors of Elysia, and then I've seen Her Story batted about, so I wasn't sure if we all realized this is supposed to be 1990s era FMV games. I'm glad we're all on the same page then. I'm especially looking forward to seeing what you beat for next month's TR, J T.

I've tentatively picked out five FMV games I will attempt next month. I may or may not beat any of them, but I'll give this an honest try folks.

[BogusMeatFactory]

We all understand it's supposed to be 90s.

Well man, you had told me to play Warriors of Elysia, and then I've seen Her Story batted about, so I wasn't sure if we all realized this is supposed to be 1990s era FMV games. I'm glad we're all on the same page then. I'm especially looking forward to seeing what you beat for next month's TR, J T.

I've tentatively picked out five FMV games I will attempt next month. I may or may not beat any of them, but I'll give this an honest try folks.

Oh what's on the docket? Curious minds wanna know!