Thoughts on T2FM "The Pursuance Of An Inscrutable Reciprocity Post-Contest Version":

GORT on 18/6/2023 at 23:50

Not sure how many people have played this version, but I think it might be long enough to ask this.

Comparing between the original and the latest versions of this FM for Thief 2, I need to see if I'm moving in the right direction before I proceed on my other project(s). One of the things that I really need to work on is not to rush things. My readables and clues really show that. However, in the latest version of this FM, I think I've done a better job on that thanks to the great help from the beta-testers.

Comments are welcome. But I can wait for those that haven't played this FM first. I'm in no hurry. I know that there are quite a few FMs that came out since.
For those that aren't familiar with my FMs, it's always a good idea to start on the lowest difficulty first to get a feel of what they are like. They can be pretty rough.

Gloria Creep on 19/6/2023 at 00:34

I can't remember if I played this one, but whenever you need me, I can betatest any update.

:angel:

GORT on 11/4/2024 at 08:00

Sorry for re-bringing this post up. This will be the last time.
I know everybody here are pretty busy with other FMs. I just would like to get some more feedback about this FM campaign.

A.Stahl on 11/4/2024 at 13:05

What exactly do you want us to do? Play 2 variations of your FM and tell you if the newer version is better for our taste?

Jonfeldt on 11/4/2024 at 18:09

I played both versions a while ago, I can't remember all the details exactly but I remember that I had to play on a lower difficulty because there were too many guards on expert. The missions were quite absorbing and I remember thinking some of the clues were a bit obscure but then again, I'm not much of a puzzle solver. I generally don't like mansion missions too much because after playing so many of them I think it's hard to make an interesting mansion mission. I liked the third mission in the post-contest version the best, it had verticality and the rain was a nice touch. The first mission was also a city mission but it was maybe a little too flat for my taste. All in all, I remember I liked the campaign but I didn't love it. I found it interesting, the mystery with the mages was nice, there was some atmosphere in the story and some cool things in the city layout but these types of quite puzzle oriented missions are not my thing so that's why I didn't love it. But it was good. I hope this helps you at least somewhat.

downwinder on 11/4/2024 at 20:25

gort is in my top 3 fan mission authors, so i know i enjoy all his missions

although i still remember the first rebellion of the builder the part where you have to frob the book twice when it was suppose to be once

also please bring back the girl in the rotb where you had to use a manhole to get to her under the warehouse i think, i want to knock her out again for being very hard in that mission

also more gort cars are a must and those 2 /3 ninja type a.i. i love them so much, they are very aggressive :) and there hand position is epic

and for the mission in question i loved it, only thing i say is less tile and camera's

GORT on 14/4/2024 at 06:13

@ A.Stahl

Sorry that I wasn't clear about what I was asking.

Yes, I was thinking about between the two FMs. That way I may see that the changes in the later version made it better. But now that I think about it, maybe just the pros and cons of the post-contest version. I'm sure not that many people would want to play both FMs just to compare. They might get fatigued from duplicated events/game-play from the previous version. However, the third mission is not in the previous version. I ran out of time for the contest. That mission was at first going to be a little similar to the OM Life of the Party.

Nicholasspb on 19/9/2024 at 20:37

Quote Posted by GORT

Sorry for re-bringing this post up. This will be the last time.
I know everybody here are pretty busy with other FMs. I just would like to get some more feedback about this FM campaign.

I usually don't write much, but because I played both versions (got stuck couple of times, didn't want to read walkthrough and finished only this september), I think my feedback will be valuable.

GORT, the way you made post-contest version is MUCH better, than the contest version. I completed all of your missions and got most of enjoyment in TROTB1. TPOAIR in my appraisal comes second.
If this will be the style of (at least some) missions for TROTB3, I would definitely appreciate such level design.
Finished on strongest difficulty, almost fully avoiding forum help. So, what do I think about post-contest version?

Mission 1 - The city is looking better and more alive: more areas to explore behind closed doors, new rooftops, more sewer hatches, secrets, slightly better (could be improved even more) building and sewer plaques. NPC behaviour was tweaked, enraged guards are another thing (Unknown treasure experience is unforgettable). Definitely an improvement. There is only 1 drawback: too many water arrows. I didn't have to worry that I will run out of equipment, as was the case in some of your other FMs.
Mission 2 - I got stuck here in 2020 and 2022 versions. Extra hints were appreciated in newer version (yes, I am talking about targets, clock puzzle does not bother me anymore, at least I now better understand workings of Orloj). I mistakenly thought, that if you don't solve the big clock puzzle, you won't be able to proceed! Only later, I realised, that was not the case. But when I read at the forum in 2022, that I missed a vital item (6 edged star) in previous mission, well, to say that I was furious is to say nothing:mad:! Could not bring myself to start this campaign again that year. Started your campaign anew this september and finished it in a few days almost without trouble. (this time I found this security device, he-he)
Only after completion of Mission 2, I realised, that not solving the Big clock puzzle doesn't prevent you from advancing in the story, it just makes your life a little bit more difficult. (a nice advice for other campaign makers - place some items in first missions and if people search thoroughly and find these items of interest, they will help them to bypass the obstacle in the very end (just like you did with those crumpled pieces of paper with code in TROTB2, OUTSTANDING job:))
To bypass Tough mansion security - well organised challenge. Thanks for introduction of the vents as an additional way to navigate in this level. And the magically lit way to your final objective - :thumb:

Maybe you are of the opinion, that this mission is not as GORT-level hard with hints, but believe me, it's better to have such in-game text help with the puzzle, compared with RGB switches contraption in Mission 9 in TROTB2:weird:

Mission 3 - Atmospheric, this mood of rainy misty night can melt taffer's heart.:angel:
With introduction of Mission 3 the story is better explained. And people, who follow your work, will understand, where these adventures stand in GORT's universe.

P.S. loot requirement is not hard at all, even on GORTTUFF. But it's a tricky parameter, to decide when loot goal for hardcore veterans on GORTTUFF becomes just about right.

lordhern on 29/9/2024 at 08:29

I have played both the contest version and post contest version.

I was fortunate enough to be a beta tester of the post contest version builds as the various 'mission upgrades' and 'tweaks' were challenged, broken, then fixed before release.

Seeing behind the scenes of this process makes re-playings the post contest version a joy. In my opinion if anyone has only played the contest version you really should play the post contest version too.