Does the Threat of Imminent TPK Define Cyberpunk Gaming?

This is it. Tonight should conclude the Chicago arc for Shadowrun Missions at my FLGCS.


After playing four seasons of the Chicago arc, roughly five to six modules per, tonight those of us who've been playing the same character for years will play those characters for the final time tonight. Except as Prime Runners in Prime Runner-only mods - ideally... Next month, we create brand new characters for the Neo-Tokyo arc.


Sure, we received forewarnings the final season would be rough and the conclusion BRUTAL. As we began playing season 8, it certainly HAS. While previous seasons contained rough patches, overall there was sense of coasting. Season 8 has been 'will this frag my character?'


The visuals of each encounter have become quite the sight too! Like how some of the photos turned out too. While I was planning on blogging the session events sooner, I will actually blog them chronologically. Will be a fitting memorandum. Telling the adventures of Nox the Combat Mage and Co from their beginnings to their fiery end.


Cause I don't know if, let alone how, our PCs will survive the final module. Heck, the entire module feels like you're in the drek now. May you not get fragged.


If we were playing a level-based game, we'd just run away or avoid until we level up to confront the threat. Or we'd be level appropriate. In a storytelling game, this would be climax. Will our protagonists emerge victorious?


In Shadowrun, or any cyberpunk game, it's pretty much  you're hip-deep in drek. Accomplish your mission chummers and don't get fragged in the process. Oh, by the way, some poor PC will get geeked (i.e. killed). Can't have a dystopic future without PC deaths. Plus, TPK (total party kill) does fit the neo-noir vibe of Shadowrun.


Without the TPK vibe. If the gaming experience was more rose-colored, it wouldn't be cyberpunk.


Honestly, I wouldn't have realized this important revelation about cyberpunk gaming if I didn't feel my Shadowrun Missions Chicago PC along with the other PCs would ride into the sunset after tonight.


Now excuse me. I've got to update my player character.


Happy gaming!


Next time.

Marvel Should Follow DCs Lead With Variant Covers

The culmination of a 20-plus movies series, Avengers: Endgame officially opens tomorrow. As such as it doesn't quite feel right to pass along criticism to the House of Ideas that they should copy their Distinguished Competition. However, I heard today marked the deadline for comic book orders. See, comics are solicited three months ahead of their release. When I compiled my Previews Order (the name of said catalog), I noticed something while browsing through DC Previews.


DC provides a small image of the variant cover with the solicitation.


Marvel's not new to variant covers. They've been incredibly strong in offering them since the mid-00's. Marvel Previews include a list of variant covers along with samples of them. Whether or not a customer can order the variant shown within Marvel Previews is another matter. Quite often the order form doesn't include ANY of the variants. Sometimes, it'll include the variant shown such as was the case with Savage Avengers #1 with the Deodato variant. However, there are times a variant will be available for solicitation within the order form that wasn't shown in Marvel Previews. The Deodato variant for Savage Avengers #2 was available within this month's order form; but Marvel Previews did not show it.


What if a variant isn't on the order form? Well, you're going to have to request a copy from your FLGCS. Unfortunately, they may not be able to provide that copy to you. Many of those variant covers have conditions attached to them. Let's not get into comics shop politics here.


As for DC, they haven't really been good actors regarding variants either. Heck, for awhile they were worse than Marvel! Sure, a customer could order a variant from Previews. However, one had to order it blindly based on the artist listed. There was no picture of the variant was available among the solicitation!


I suppose the advent of DC Previews along with the decision to reduce its comics line by 10% led to the change. With titles to occupy pages within DC Previews, DC could provide a full page to an issue's solicitation. Granted, not every title can receive its own page. Just the better sellers. The one's that would have variants published.


Finally, I can make an informed decision on variant cover (cause I can see what it looks like) on whether or not to order.


Thanks DC!


Just wish Marvel would extend the same courtesy to Marvel readers with the variants they can order, which don't depend on the comics shop jumping through hoops.


Next time.

The Shield's Final Chapter Was Ho Hum

If follow WWE, tonight was the night it finally happened.


The Shield's Final Chapter was written.


Well, until next the final chapter. Not counting the match that was dubbed the final match of the Shield cause tonight was the FINAL match the Shield will wrestle together as one in the WWE.


Yeah, never say never in pro wrestling/sports entertainment.


Although if rumors are true and Dean Ambrose turned down a great deal of money; because of creative differences, it may not be until Vince McMahon.


Instead of jobbing Ambrose on his way out, which the typical way of pro wrestling, the WWE aired an event called The Shield's Final Chapter on the WWE Network. Ambrose would wrestle a final match. The WWE would commemorate one of its few new ideas that truly got over with the fans. Plus, a bunch of wrestlers not wrestling the Shield would be on the card. Oh, and Ambrose would be provided a chance to say goodbye.


Only the last segment was worth watching in my opinion. The Shield's Final Chapter felt more like a so-so Raw or Smackdown.


Finn Balor defended his IC belt for the first time as member of the Smackdown roster against Elias. The latter who gets squashed so often he should be glad his mic skills are top-notch.


The women's tag match was a little better with the storyline that "deserted" member of the Riot Squad inadvertently cost her former team the match - due to her hair color. Hey, Ember Moon might be someone again!


As for the Shield's final match? If you thought they might lose, you haven't been watching long. Overall, it was decent as much as it could be. I'm not surprised the departing Ambrose didn't get the pin. Rollins is the champ of the red brand after all...


The mere highlight was the Independent-like "Please don't go" chants followed by Rollins & Ambrose's speeches. Ironically, Rollins was the more retrospective speech. Dean Ambrose's speech was motivational. Maybe WWE will take heed of it?


Overall: If you want to see a rare moment, a wrestler whose departure receives its own show, The Shield's Final Chapter is an alright hour and a half. Otherwise, there's always clips.


Next time.

Wrestlemania 35 Thoughts

What better way to mark my 400th blog entry than by blogging my thoughts on Wrestlemania 35 as it happens?

Yep, time for one of my 'doesn't fit the theme of my blog' posts!

Should point out this isn't exactly a live-blog as I didn't begin watching 'Mania 5
35 until 38 minutes in. So I've been spoiled on the outcome of one match. Grrr....

Also, the kickoff show isn't included. Wouldn't post until Monday morning!

On to my thoughts:

Liked the helicopters during the National Anthem!

Hulk Hogan - Alexa Bliss moment was unexpected. Very fitting to begin WrestleMania with the Hulkster.

Nice AEW reference, Heyman! Surprising, Lesnar vs Rollins for the Universal Championship opens the card. Btw, this is the outcome I was spoiled on...

 Nice Beast Slayer opener!

Really liked the story of Lesnar not allowing the match to begin by demolishing Rollins outside the ring. Story-wise, the low blow was the only believable way to change the durection of the match. Three stomps to defeat Lesnar is nice symmetry with how Lesnar match typically ends. Is it hoping too much the comment about Lesnar departing for AEW was a shoot?

Jerry the King Lawler announcing!

A.J. Styles versus Randy Orton:

Awesome match! Nice counters mixed with impact moves. Both Orton & Styles had excellent ring chemistry. Liked the story of AJ figuring out how to counter the RKO. Rating 4 out of 5 stars.

Usos vs The Bar vs Shinsuke Nakamura/Rusev vs Ricochet/Aleister Black for Smackdown Tag Team Championship:

Usos retained the belts in an action-packed, wrecking derby match. Main roster newbies Black and Ricochet were spotlighted as they wrestled much of the match. Highlight was when Cesaro swung Ricochet while Sheamus made the circuit pounding on hapless wrestlers caught on the ring ropes. Match slowly built to groups of four men inside the ring at once. Highlight 2: Ricochet rolling through a mob super plex off the top rope!
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Hall of Fame (Class of 2019) roundup was touching as always.

Miz vs Shane McMahon Falls Count Anywhere Match:

Omg the superplex off the scaffolding! Excellent hardcore/former friends/involving family match. Could of done without Miz's dad becoming physically involved in the match. The twist ending of Shane landing atop Miz and winning the match prevented the match from becoming special though.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars.

Women's tag team championship match: Boss and Hug Connection vs Nia Jax/Tamina vs IIconics vs Natalya/Beth Phoenix

Marked when Bret Hart appeared! Nice sneak victory by the IIconics to win the belts. Beth Phoenix still has it. Loved the homage yo the Hart Foundation. Double sharpshooter was cool. The champions being heavily involved felt refreshing compared to the prior four way. Nice blend of styles. Overall, it felt like an iconic, pardon the pun, Mania match.
Rating 5 out of 5 stars.

Daniel Bryan vs Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship:

Two wrestlers I've liked for a long time locked up. Huge Bryan mark. As for Kofi, it's been far, far past due for him to wrestle in such a high profile match in my opinion. I wasn't disappointed as Bryan and Kofi wrestled a stellar match that felt different from the WWE norm. Despite Bryan being a dominant champion, he elevated Kofi to the next level in grueling match that finished dramatically with victory for Kofi. Kofi Kingston has finally become WWE champion!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

Hey, Hall & Nash!

Booker T announcing!

Rey Mysterio (coming out as the Spider-Man villain Mysterio!) vs Samoa Joe for U.S. Championship:

Wow, quick match! A 619 was nailed by Rey; but Joe followed quickly with a Kaukina Clutch to beat Mysterio and retain the belt.

Drew McIntyre vs Roman Reigns:

Scottish band welcomes McIntyre to ring with our first big entrance of the night. And... fireworks for Roman...
Despite some impressive moments from Drew in a power match, this was welcome back from leukemia, Roman!
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Wouldn't be a PPV without Elias... John Cena Thuganomics! Nice trip down nostalgia lane.

Batista vs Triple H No Holds Barred, Triple H's in-ring career on the line:

Uh, wasn't Triple H retired before? Okay, the Mad Max Fury Road entrance for Triple H is very cool. Brutal match. Never saw a nose ring yanked out before! Triple H spearing Batista through the German Announce Table! Sledge (Game) Hammer! Ric Flair for the distraction and Triple H finally lands a blow with the GameHammer for the win.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Ron Simmons followed by JBL announcing!

Kurt Angle's final match vs Baron Corbin:

Nice Angle highlight reel; however he put Corbin over in his final match. Classy exit.

Bobby Lasley vs The Demon Finn Balor for the Intercontinental Championship:

The Demon descending from the air was quite the sight! Finn Balor beat Lashley to win the IC belt in a decent match meant to pump up the crowd.

R Truth & Carmella dance break  - meh

Charlotte Flair vs Ronda Rousey vs Becky Lynch for the Women's Championship (both Raw & Smackdown):

Flair arriving via helicopter - talk about a grand entrance! Meanwhile, Rousey receives the live band entrance. All three women put on a clinic during their historic main event. Furthermore, Lynch's pin of Rousey is subjective enough that the match hints strongly at whom the Winner-Take-All (Lynch) feuds with next. For the very first women's main event at WrestleMania this match set a very high bar that would be hard to top.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.


Overall:
Yes, WrestleMania ran LONG. Didn't start watching until over a half hour in and took several intermissions. Plus, transcribing my thoughts on my blog adding more time. Hence, why I am finishing this close to Monday afternoon instead of Sunday night. However, WrestleMania is the pinnacle of Sports Entertainment; and quite frankly, the best matches WWE puts on during the course of the year. On those two scores, it didn't disappoint. Furthermore, WrestleMania 35 ran long because there was lots of wrestling. Lots of it. High quality matches too. Plus, milestone after milestone. 35 was full of them. Overall, a more than solid WrestleMania with excellent booking despite some hiccups.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.