Announcement: Be excellent to each other.

Caravel Forum : Caravel Boards : Press Clippings : TCB on The Stack (a completist gamer's blog)
Page 1 of 2
2
 New Topic New Poll Post Reply
Poster Message
Maurog
Level: Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 1501
Registered: 09-16-2004
IP: Logged
 icon TCB on The Stack (+2)  
The Stack is a blog of Carl Muckenhoupt, a guy who decided to play through all games that he purchased and blog his experiences. They are mostly old games, but he made an exception and started on DROD: TCB recently. With three posts already in, it still looks like a looong way for him (he just got to Tar and Mud levels). A choice quote from the blog:
The sequel, Journey to Rooted Hold, had Beethro getting through that door and discovering to his shock and surprise that the game had a plot.
Edit: Since I know you have more important things to do than rummaging through the Stack for these DROD articles (yeah right), here is a full chronographic list of Carl's DROD-related posts:

DROD: The City Beneath
DROD: Narrative in a Puzzle Game
DROD: User Interface
DROD: Slayers
DROD: Imminent Hiatus
DROD: Solving Puzzles
DROD: Giants
DROD: Unarmed
DROD: Eater of Time
DROD: Summing Up
Year One
DROD RPG
DROD RPG: Monsters
DROD RPG: Special Items
DROD RPG: Secret Level
DROD RPG: Points of No Return
DROD RPG: Sort of complete

____________________________
Slay the living! Raise the dead!
Paint the sky in crimson red!
[Last edited by Maurog at 03-02-2009 10:56 AM]
04-18-2007 at 02:37 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Jatopian
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 1842
Registered: 07-31-2005
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
Of course, if he likes his transparency mods, he won't like that they don't cover Gel. Hopefully that won't garner a bad review.

____________________________
DROD has some really great music.
Make your pressure plates 3.0 style!
DROD architecture idea generator
04-18-2007 at 09:50 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
ErikH2000
Level: Legendary Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 2811
Registered: 02-04-2003
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (+1)  
Maurog wrote:
The sequel, Journey to Rooted Hold, had Beethro getting through that door and discovering to his shock and surprise that the game had a plot.
I had a good chuckle when I read that. :)

I like Carl's writing in the blog quite a lot. What makes it good is that he doesn't just comment about the game, but comes up with general thoughts on games that apply. His observations have depth.

-Erik

____________________________
The Godkiller - Chapter 1 available now on Steam. It's a DROD-like puzzle adventure game.
Decent Apps - open source tools for writing and deploying privacy-focused LLM-based web apps.
04-18-2007 at 10:14 PM
View Profile Send Email to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
Tahnan
Level: Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 2467
Registered: 11-14-2005
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
Carl Muckenhoupt wrote:
You know what? Conveniences are nice.
Hear, hear.
04-19-2007 at 12:25 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
NiroZ
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 1302
Registered: 02-12-2006
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
Heh, this guy's not worried about spoiling anything, that's for sure.
04-20-2007 at 01:40 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
ErikH2000
Level: Legendary Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 2811
Registered: 02-04-2003
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
4/20/07 - Carl added another installment to his series of TCB posts. If you haven't made it to the third gate yet, be careful--there are numerous spoilers here!

-Erik

____________________________
The Godkiller - Chapter 1 available now on Steam. It's a DROD-like puzzle adventure game.
Decent Apps - open source tools for writing and deploying privacy-focused LLM-based web apps.
04-21-2007 at 01:07 AM
View Profile Send Email to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
Mattcrampy
Level: Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 2388
Registered: 05-29-2003
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
I read through his archive - the man has a head on his shoulders, that's for sure. Very enjoyable.

____________________________
What do you call an elephant at the North Pole?
Click here to view the secret text
04-21-2007 at 11:48 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Pinnacle
Level: Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 1144
Registered: 06-10-2004
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (+1)  
Yet another update (5/1/07)

____________________________
Once (adv.): Enough.
Twice (adv.): Once too often.
~Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary
05-02-2007 at 02:08 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
silver
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 915
Registered: 01-18-2005
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
am I the only person that didn't have to play that room twice?


____________________________
:yinyang
05-02-2007 at 06:05 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
Kevin_P86
Level: Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 535
Registered: 06-28-2005
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
silver wrote:
am I the only person that didn't have to play that room twice?
I didn't. It was rather obvious to me just about right away that the lower potion needed to be drank first (and only).

____________________________
+++++[>+++++<-]>[>+++>++++>+++++<<<-]>.>+.>-------.<++++.+++++.
05-02-2007 at 06:51 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
Oneiromancer
Level: Legendary Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 2936
Registered: 03-29-2003
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
I was going to say that the blog author had a good point that he never learned that speed potions cancel each other out--but that's not true, the room just South of that one (3N 1W) has a second speed potion to cancel out the first. I think we expected people to draw the parallels to invisibility potions, although it's not like that was expressly shown in TCB, that I can recall.

Game on,

____________________________
"He who is certain he knows the ending of things when he is only beginning them is either extremely wise or extremely foolish; no matter which is true, he is certainly an unhappy man, for he has put a knife in the heart of wonder." -- Tad Williams
05-02-2007 at 01:06 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
Maurog
Level: Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 1501
Registered: 09-16-2004
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (-2)  
You don't have to do 3N1W before 4N1W. In fact, if you exit 3N to the East, it makes a lot of sense to do 3N1E, return to North part of 3N, check 4N and see that you can't do it yet, and then go to 4N1W. I bet that's what Carl did.

There is no mandatory near-Entrance room that forces you to take two speed potions and see what happens, that's the point.

____________________________
Slay the living! Raise the dead!
Paint the sky in crimson red!
05-02-2007 at 02:05 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Oneiromancer
Level: Legendary Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 2936
Registered: 03-29-2003
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
True, Maurog, but it was still the first room that he came to that included 2 speed potions. ;)

That was the only room on the level that wasn't mine, and perhaps I would have had the 2-potion interaction more in mind if it had been. I think I expected 4N to be the last room so it wasn't an issue, and since nothing was really said in beta testing (with people quite familiar with invisibility potions, of course) it didn't occur to us.

It doesn't really matter, it's just nitpicking anyway, and it certainly doesn't prevent me from enjoying the posts on The Stack. I'm sure I will continue to check for his updates even after he finishes TCB.

Game on,

____________________________
"He who is certain he knows the ending of things when he is only beginning them is either extremely wise or extremely foolish; no matter which is true, he is certainly an unhappy man, for he has put a knife in the heart of wonder." -- Tad Williams
05-02-2007 at 05:31 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
baf
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 18
Registered: 04-15-2007
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (+1)  
Maurog wrote:
You don't have to do 3N1W before 4N1W. In fact, if you exit 3N to the East, it makes a lot of sense to do 3N1E, return to North part of 3N, check 4N and see that you can't do it yet, and then go to 4N1W. I bet that's what Carl did.

In fact, you can see in the screenshot with the post that that's what I did. Click to enlarge it and you'll see that 3N1W is unvisited in the level map.
05-02-2007 at 11:32 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Citrus
Level: Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 1259
Registered: 01-08-2006
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
So you're Carl? Nice to meet you! I read up all the posts in your blog once it got reported here, and I really like your writing style! I can't wait to see what you're going to do next! Is there a list of games currently in the stack and the trophy case? I would like to see what I can expect!

____________________________
Call me Citrus. Small system. Sometimes we'll sign off our messages with who wrote it if it's relevant. Colored text indicates who.
05-02-2007 at 11:43 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
baf
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 18
Registered: 04-15-2007
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (+1)  
I have a list on my desktop, but I haven't put it online anywhere, and I'm not sure I want to. Some of the games on it are embarassing to own. Sure, I'll have to own when I have to post about them, but then I'll be able to provide some mitigating context. As to what to expect: I'll probably try to finish up Serious Sam: The Second Encounter after I finish TCB, and I want to get around to Final Fantasy 4 and Myst 5 sometime soon.

It's kind of weird posting about TCB, then reading the level designers commenting on my comments on their work. I'm used to casting my words into the void and not having the void answer back with factual corrections. It's a good thing I still like the game. Things could get awkward otherwise.
05-04-2007 at 01:19 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Mattcrampy
Level: Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 2388
Registered: 05-29-2003
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (+1)  
Roberta Williams is gunna have a few choice words for you, that's for sure.

But I'm a big fan of your style, and I like how much thought you put into the games you're playing.

____________________________
What do you call an elephant at the North Pole?
Click here to view the secret text
05-04-2007 at 07:52 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
ErikH2000
Level: Legendary Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 2811
Registered: 02-04-2003
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
It's a good thing I still like the game. Things could get awkward otherwise.
Carl, don't be reluctant to tear into the game or some aspect of it that you don't like. Good reviewers are honest.

Really, the Stack is awesome. I've gone back several times to read through the non-DROD game reviews.

-Erik

____________________________
The Godkiller - Chapter 1 available now on Steam. It's a DROD-like puzzle adventure game.
Decent Apps - open source tools for writing and deploying privacy-focused LLM-based web apps.
05-04-2007 at 07:46 PM
View Profile Send Email to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
NiroZ
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 1302
Registered: 02-12-2006
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
And, since the game is finite, and there’s not much point in solving puzzles twice, I will in fact have to stop playing at some point.
Someone ought to get you a Caravelnet Subscription :evil: Have you ever thought about competeting in the highscores, Baf? :devil
[Last edited by NiroZ at 05-05-2007 01:41 AM]
05-05-2007 at 01:23 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
Citrus
Level: Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 1259
Registered: 01-08-2006
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
And then hunt down all the secret rooms I missed and solve them in order to open the Master Wall and gain access to the bonus material.

There a common misconception there. You can complete the secret rooms in any order you want, the game will keep track of them even if you restore to an earlier point.

____________________________
Call me Citrus. Small system. Sometimes we'll sign off our messages with who wrote it if it's relevant. Colored text indicates who.
05-05-2007 at 03:03 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
voyager
Level: Master Delver
Rank Points: 150
Registered: 03-17-2007
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (+1)  
I could be wrong, but it sounded like he just meant, "In order to open the master walls, I have to solve the secret rooms," not "I have to solve the secret rooms in order." Still, that is a useful thing to know.
05-05-2007 at 04:22 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3760
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (+2)  
http://www.wurb.com/stack/archives/276
(for completeness' sake)

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text
01-05-2008 at 08:33 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
baf
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 18
Registered: 04-15-2007
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (+1)  
For what it's worth, I've just started on DROD RPG.
02-05-2009 at 11:32 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
NiroZ
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 1302
Registered: 02-12-2006
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (+1)  
FYI, your search bar doesn't work.
02-06-2009 at 12:57 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
baf
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 18
Registered: 04-15-2007
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (+1)  
Try it again now.
02-06-2009 at 01:17 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
NiroZ
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 1302
Registered: 02-12-2006
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (+1)  
yep, now it works
02-06-2009 at 01:31 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3760
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (+1)  
In the comments for a recent post:

Jacob on 28 Aug 2014
Are you planning to play the new DROD game at any point? Would be cool to read your analysis.

Carl Muckenhoupt on 8 Sep 2014
I do plan to play it, but not immediately.


____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text
09-13-2014 at 01:11 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
mrimer
Level: Legendary Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 5519
Registered: 02-04-2003
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
Ooh, I was wondering whether TSS is on The Stack.

Great news! :)
[Last edited by mrimer at 09-17-2014 10:07 PM]
09-17-2014 at 10:07 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
ErikH2000
Level: Legendary Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 2811
Registered: 02-04-2003
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
I have come back to check a few times now. If Carl does a review, I definitely want to read it.

-Erik

____________________________
The Godkiller - Chapter 1 available now on Steam. It's a DROD-like puzzle adventure game.
Decent Apps - open source tools for writing and deploying privacy-focused LLM-based web apps.
10-12-2014 at 09:55 PM
View Profile Send Email to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
RabidChild
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 720
Registered: 01-15-2006
IP: Logged
 icon Re: TCB on The Stack (0)  
Looks like Carl is planning to replay (and blog) the whole series, starting with KDD 2.0.
12-09-2016 at 03:17 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts High Scores Quote Reply
Page 1 of 2
2
 New Topic New Poll Post Reply
Caravel Forum : Caravel Boards : Press Clippings : TCB on The Stack (a completist gamer's blog)
Surf To:


Forum Rules:
Can I post a new topic? No
Can I reply? No
Can I read? Yes
HTML Enabled? No
UBBC Enabled? Yes
Words Filter Enable? No

Contact Us | CaravelGames.com

Powered by: tForum tForumHacks Edition b0.98.9
Originally created by Toan Huynh (Copyright © 2000)
Enhanced by the tForumHacks team and the Caravel team.