Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Blog 5: What kind of animals would do such a thing?
Quick Catch Up on the Account Switch
Hi, if you've been reading all of my blogs, you'll notice that in Blog 4 I mentioned that I had swapped accounts with my friend last week, and was too impatient to wait to get my account back before I started this Permanent Death operation on Infamous difficulty.
Well, I said there's probably no chance to take the save game from his account to mine, and I was right.
I've quickly ran through the tutorial on Easy difficulty, so I can catch up with myself. I went the same route out of Pala too, so that I was with Carbonell. Basically, it all went wrong when I scouted the Lumber. Instead of saving the awesome Josip, it's now Michele. But thankfully Guillen is still my other Friend!
So basically, remember everything I've written until now, but just replace good ol' Josip with Michele. Hey, Frank's a ladies man! Two new lady friends on his first day! ;)
Also, the Propane Tank mission I had to take care of at the Oil Rig changed. I had to find a box for Michele at the Railyard Xing which I handled clumsily, because I was trying to breeze through on Easy. I need to hit the convoy and then I'll be back on track. And on Infamous difficulty.
I will blog on my next adventure tomorrow.
Blog 4: That's the kinda attitude I like to see!
Dear Diary,
Pure irony really. I left Mike's Bar and took a nice trip to the Armory in the midst of night. A fresh new G3 was waiting there for me, and some Ammo to stock up on Grenades and Rockets too.
I thought I'd take a quick look inside the Store, and caught the Weapons Dealers eyes.
He offered me a job, told me there was a convoy of arms coming in from the North West.
I've just been to the North-West...!
I accepted, and the enthusiastic Dealer told me it was the kind of attitude he liked to see. I have a feeling the Arms Dealer inside the Gun Store could be a good link to the Jackal. After all, he does the same thing! I'll help him out by hitting a few of these convoys that are providing competition against his business, unlock some new weapons, and see if he has any insight on the Jackal!
I took the usual drive into Pala, and the usual Bus to the North-West of Leboa-Sako.
I arrived at dawn, a similar setting that I saw for my last mission. The Fuel Depot, where I completed my last objective, was the heart of the Convoy's path. I figured if I could tackle the Convoy when it was as far away from the Fuel Depot as possible, then I could complete this missions far more swiftly.
I took the Dune Buggy along the cliffside road to the West. I stopped close-by to a Guard Post that the Convoy would eventually pass through. I decided taking the Convoy here would be ideal. I could take the majority of the Guard Post with the explosion of my RPG-6, and make a simple escape.
I sneaked up by the Guard Post, which was full of enemy Soldiers. So I decided to lay low, and watching my Map for the Convoys positioning. It was only a short distance up the road.
I panicked, and accidentally threw an unintentional Frag Grenade, which didn't harm anyone, but grabbed everyones attention. I ran into a small shanty shelter to see if anyone was on my tail. I popped a Guard in the head who almost spotted me, and as I did so, I saw an Assault Truck passing by. It was escorting the Convoy.
I quickly whipped out my RPG, and took aim, the Convoy passed, and I fired a Rocket to blow it to smitherines.
Gunfire opened, one of the few remaining soldiers was on my tail. I ran out of the shanty shelter from the door I entered it, to discover a raging uncontrollable fire burning away at the grass, blocking my rear exit to the Guard Post.
I'd noticed my Diamond Indicator flashing uncontrollably when I'd used my map to see the Convoy's positioning, so I decided to stay and try and eliminate the remaining threats.
Their aiming was top notch. They took 2 bars of health with a short burst from their G3, and I was forced to use a syrette. I took a few of them out, including some flanking enemies from the first Assault Truck I previously saw.
I took out some of them, but took great damage from little fire, so I used my second syrette, and noticed the fire burning behind me had vanished, and only remained in a large junk pile. I also saw the flashing Diamond briefcase sitting on a rock. So I took the two diamonds inside, and made a break for my Dune Buggy up the hill.
I used the Buggy to quickly escort myself to the North-West Bus Station, which I used to get into Pala.
So that was my mission to hit a convoy. I won't go into much detail on those repetitive missions anymore, unless there are interesting battles to mention. I will, however, mention in brief the weapons I've managed to unlock or buy because of them.
The aim for this blog was to actually keep it short and sweet for once. It may not be short enough, but it's certainly shorter.
Frank Bilder, the investigator, is now also trying to get to the Jackal through a man who is in the same industry as him - selling Guns.
It's all about the connections. Frank is simply getting himself out there to try and search for the Jackal. He's also taking Guillen's word, and continuing to avoid the Factions for as long as possible.
I think I'll take him on a Cellular Tower mission next, to earn some cash.
My gameplay choice for this mission was alot different to the Friends Mission at the Fuel Depot. Admittedly, I did think alot more about where I would attempt to destroy the Convoy, to save myself the trouble.
However, I did choose a Guard Post, which are particularly threatening on Infamous difficulty. Especially the soldiers, their shots were instant, extremely damaging, and yet they hardly fired bullets. It was truly horrible to see what extreme damage they could do to me.
I guess that was a taster of close quarter combat. They can shoot through most surfaces, and they will probably take you down with ease if you don't watch where you go, or what you do.
Theoretically I haven't made any progress yet. But playing as Frank's character is fun. Positioning myself in his shoes, and imagining what HE'D do, is quite interesting. I'll do several Cellular Tower missions, earn some cash, and eventually Frank will HAVE to give in to the curiosity of working for the Factions.
Thanks for your time, I hope you enjoyed my fourth blog. Stay tuned for more.
There is a slight problem, I traded accounts with my friend for a brief time, and I was too impatient to wait to get my account back. So I started this on his account, and will probably lose the Save Game. So I might resight my action thus far on Easy, and continue from there, if I must start a new save.
Wish me luck!
Monday, 6 July 2009
Blog 3: Anything for you, Buddy!
After getting my Pills from the Church, I was feeling alot better. And I decided I would find an objective to complete.
I decided to take Guillen's word, and avoid both factions today. I'm going to try and steer clear of them for the next few days if possible.
I took a Car from the centre of Town down to Mike's Bar just to see if there was anything I could do for my good friend Josip, or maybe learn some more about Guillen.
As I entered, I noticed Reuben was no longer in his corner. I figured he was busy at the moment, and had no time to continue on his story.
I also noticed a new face among the Bar. A Man with a Turban was standing in the centre of the room with a clipboard, analysing a Picture on the Wall. He noticed my slow approach to him, and decided to quickly stop what he was doing.
He asked me if I could help him with something, but I declined.
The reason being is because Josip was standing in his usual spot by the Bar. I wanted to catch up with him.
He told me I'd never guess what. Once I asked, he told me a Fuel depot had just got some Propane Tanks to launch an attack on the border. He told me he needed somebody to take it out, and offered me the job.
I accepted.
He told me there are alot of Children around the border, and the soldiers may not care, but he does. This soft, parental side of Josip touched me. He showed vulnerability. Yet in this heartless, cruel War we're fighting in - that's the last thing he wants. But this heart of his motivates him, and that's why I took this mission for him.
I said my farewells, in which Josip responded "Way cool", and I headed out for my Mission. Josip marked my map to help guide me to the Fuel Depot. It is positioned North West in Leboa-Sako.
I found some diamonds on my journey into Pala. A battered, rusty old Car was left desolate in some grass after a nasty accident. I decided to check out the damage, and my diamond indicator raised my awareness to a handy briefcase holding one diamond inside. A cheeky addition to my wallet.
As I entered Pala, I got a phone call from an unknown caller. I answered suspiciously, and a manly, unclear voice was on the other end. He told me I wasn't the only man who came after the Jackal. He told me there was one before me. I asked him if he knew anything about this man, or if there was anything he knew about the Jackals location. Turns out, it was just a recording. I hung up so I could focus on the road.
I particularly noticed a Bus Station half a click East from the Fuel Depot, so I used the Bus Station in Pala for a safer route to the location.
After a long Bus ride, I arrived at the North-West station at sunset. I headed down the hill and ran alongside the railway tracks. No Trains were running at this time, so I was safe, and it provided a direct route into the Depot.
As I approached from the East, I climbed up a small hill of Rocks to survey the area...
Not good. I scoped the area out with my Monocular, and spotted a curious Sniper standing atop an Oil rig scouting the area. At a time like this I needed a Sniper Rifle myself, but unfortunately I was short on cash, and weapon availability. I'd have to try and sneak by and enter the target location if I wanted to survive.
I kept scouting the Sniper from my rocky hill, and eventually he turned his back to me, and walked to the other side of the Rig. Now was my chance, I quickly made my move, and hopped down the rocks onto level ground. I took instant cover behind a small rock, and watched the sniper. He was now scoping in on the area opposite myself...
I made a sprint to a Tree which was alot closer to the target area, whilst the Sniper looked the complete opposite way. As I reached the Tree, I knew the Sniper would be heading over to look at my side. I watched him, as he came over, and I remained covered behind the large tree, not even daring to peak.
After a while, I took a quick look to see if he was still watching, and it looked as if he was just about to walk away, when he suddenly became alert again. I instantly hid back behind my tree, and waited again.
I repeated this several times...
Patience prevailed! The Sniper lost whatever curiosity he had after he saw a glimpse of me behind the tree, and he went over to the opposite side. I finally approached the Depot and was in the target area. The Sniper was no longer a problem as I was below him.
I went around the Shanty fence that boxed the Depot, as my objective was on the West side of the Depot, and as I mentioned: I approached from the East. I found a pierced hole in the fence, and crouched inside. The objective was around the second of three Oil Rigs, and past a Flatbed detached Train carriage.
I saw the Propane Tank from distance, and lobbed a Frag. I made a run for it, to sadly discover the Frag failed. Turns out the Tank was further than I'd predicted!
I whipped out my trusty RPG-7, and took aim...
...The Rocket ensured instant destruction of the Propane Tank, and I instantly made a run for, back to the Bus station.
I was taking some bullets in my back, but as I kept running, their accuracy grew worse. Thankfully the Sniper chose his side-arm too, because he thought I would still be at close-range!
I ran over my rocky hill, using the large rocks for useful cover. As I reached the other side, and starting following the railway tracks, the gunfire calmed, although the search party would surely be on my tail, not to mention an Assault Truck!
I climbed the hill towards the cliffside road by the Bus station, and looked back. Not a soldier in sight.
Mission successful! I destroyed the Propane Tank, didn't fire a single bullet at the enemy soldiers, and didn't need to heal myself with one of my THREE syrettes! And all completed before the sun had set!
I took the Bus ride back into Pala, by the time I arrived night had fallen. I took a peaceful and relieving night-ride down to Mike's Bar to debrief with Josip.
Josip welcomed me back, and asked if I'd taken out the Tank. I confirmed...
He responded "OK, so much for their stupid plan!", and then told me he knew he could count on me. I felt proud to do him a good favour.
I noticed the Man with the Turban was still in Mike's Bar, and decided to make a casual approach to learn more about him. He told me it had been a while, and walked away...
Frank
Well that was my Buddy Mission for Josip! Frank, as a character, has supposedly taken a liking to Josip, and wants to cherish their friendship through the flowing juices of destroying Propane Tanks and caring for children.
In my first blog he wrote in his Diary that he is a good investigator. Frank Bilder simply thinks by making good friends with Josip (and others for that matter!), he'll be able to establish a small army, and even a link to the Jackal if he befriends the right people.
I was extremely scared of this mission! It was my first TRUE test. Infamous proves to play a very big mind game on me, and the Permanent Death stipulation reinforces that.
What I found particularly interesting was how vital it was for me to avoid the Sniper. I knew that this Sniper would be trouble! He would have probably killed me with one bullet - had he spotted me and taken a shot.
And even worse: if he had spotted me, all the ground infantry would have come racing out to my position to find me. And at close quarters against enemies circling around me, I would have instantly lost.
What was even more impressive for me was the cover system. My route to the base provided an impressive series of rocks or Trees that took me closer to the Fuel Depot, whilst I remained hidden from the Sniper.
The main faction missions will probably be twice as hard, and I'm going to cherish life whilst I have it. My days may be limited! Admittedly, I do have Guillen waiting to help me once I'm in a sticky situation. But once she saves me, I can't help but to imagine her dropping down dead from gunfire before I can patch myself up. It's not a friendly environment.
Sadly, I've made another long blog, but this one felt far more enjoyable to write than the tutorial. The details were also far more relevant this time around.
Thanks for reading, please Comment and stay tuned for my next blog.
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Blog 2: Touch Down in Africa (Tutorial)
Friday, 3 July 2009
Blog 1: Permanent Death Intro
This is ell635. I'm a gamer on the Xbox 360. I'm a big fan of Far Cry 2. I recently read up on a great Writers blog, who surfaced an idea about using Permanent Death in Far Cry 2's story mode. He wanted to see how his gameplay would be effected if he was counting on one precious life.
The idea was music to my ears. I decided to jump on the Band wagon ASAP. So here I am. But why should you be reading up on my experiences? I'm not even a professional writer!
I want to be a writer, and using this Diary context helps me flex my writing skills. And the Permanent Death operation allows me to enjoy gaming on a whole new level, whilst practising my writing too.
And the reason why you should be reading my Permanent Death blog is because I'm taking things to the highest level. And yes, I'm talking about difficulty. I'm not going to take things lightly on Normal difficulty. I want to put this operation to the real test.
The difficulty is Infamous. The stakes are high. The hope... is whatever I make it. I need to play my cards right, or else I'm going to be lying on my backside failing my operation for good.
I'll keep a regular updated blog for every mission and conflict worth mentioning. It will be brought in a first-person narrative, through the heart of Frank Bilders Diary log. Life, as this experiment will prove, is extremely precious. I think the highest difficulty will exaggerate that term greatly...