Ren'Py Desert Stalker [v0.19.4] [Zetan]

[Paz]

I have also notice a pretty massive increase in exposition as well as an overall change in the MC's dialogues. He kind of feels like a different character to me.

I'm curious about that, if you have specific examples to share of it's the overall vibe.

 

[Skeltom]

I'm curious about that, if you have specific examples to share of it's the overall vibe.

Two off the top of my head are the multiple paragraphs of descriptive text in the Raider scenes. Four or five paragraphs explaining what a run down shack looks like for example. I would also say that a good 80% of Shani's Zone visit is made up of that. There is almost no actual dialogue or inner monologue to speak of.

As for the MC at the start of the game he was much more composed and menacing a stalker. Again using the Raiders when you talk to General just picking a simple question leads to a response filled with ! or ?! like he's become unhinged for no reason. There has also been a lot more polite mannerisms, "won't you please wait" and "may I see you for a moment" that aren't present in the previous updates, at least not to the same degree. To me a lot of it feels like a change in writers but I don't think that's the case.

 

[Kellermann]

As for the MC at the start of the game he was much more composed and menacing a stalker. Again using the Raiders when you talk to General just picking a simple question leads to a response filled with ! or ?! like he's become unhinged for no reason. There has also been a lot more polite mannerisms, "won't you please wait" and "may I see you for a moment" that aren't present in the previous updates, at least not to the same degree. To me a lot of it feels like a change in writers but I don't think that's the case.

I haven't played in a while, but isn't the player often given in-game choice to be polite or a dick? I choose "evil" options whenever possible. Maybe you are right and I just need a replay because I've obviously forgotten.
It just always seems like this game goes out of its way to give you choices (something I really appreciate even if I rarely if ever select nice guy options).

 

[Skeltom]

I haven't played in a while, but isn't the player often given in-game choice to be polite or a dick? I choose "evil" options whenever possible. Maybe you are right and I just need a replay because I've obviously forgotten.
It just always seems like this game goes out of its way to give you choices (something I really appreciate even if I rarely if ever select nice guy options).

I does and that's why the changes seem so different to me. I have been playing on the other side I guess, a softie who's still a badass when they need to be but lately it seems like almost every choice leads to some sort of aggressive response.

 

[JohnF95zone]

The game DOES NOT try to portrays a perfect human being, perfect realism, perfect player immersion, perfect player self-projection or self-insertion, perfect choices and branching etc. It does not try to be perfect in any way either. Most players realize that and come to term with the flaw and imperfections of this game particularly, and other games generally.

The game does offer limited options for players to complete quests and advance the main plot, and surely those limited options might feel forced on the players especially if the players have a totally different idea on how to do things. It is impossible to handle all angles with regards to how all players would feel about certain aspects (like choices) of the game or certains characters or even the main character, because they are higly subjective matters.

We, the players also were NOT TOLD everything about the main character and any other characters as far as the current release is concerned. We most likely had built a character reference frame for them based on what we know and our own biases. The more we imposed our biases the more odd we find a character behave, talk or act. Just like with our real life experience with other humans. If we don't know someone personally, only what we were told about them, when we meet and interact that person, it is possible that the person is not exactly like what we knew (on that setting specifically). A person normally reacts, behaves or talks in a certain fashion but differently under certain circumstances, which is normal I think.

It is best if we can be objective about what specifically the oddities that a (or the main) character exhibits rather than a vague general overview. For example (made up), Zaton greets everyone Hello but when he meet Igor he said hey Motherf*cker. That is very odd and that is very objective. Although, there is an explanation for that, Zaton and Igor were best friends that goes along way back and they just messing with each other in what seemingly aggressive greeting.

I, personally just enjoy the ride and play the game to experience the story that Zetan and team are making the best to their abilities, barring all kinds of limitations and impedences. I viewed Zaton, the MC as a rational guy instead of good guy, bad guy, softie, chad or whatever. I don't know or think that rational is the best word here, but basically he is a man of reason. Sometimes it is a good reason, sometimes it is a bad reason, sometimes selfish, sometimes honorable, sometimes despicable. Is Zaton a realistic person? Probably not. But that's how I played him. I can do that because I DO NOT self-insert or self-project into any characters that I play in a game, and I can play practically any games. I don't care about immersion either, but I get a feeling somehow that others will find that my 'play style' breaks and ruins immersion altogether.

In the end, I guess it boils down to what type of game and what type of players that this game made for?

However, if there are some objectively weird or incomprehensible elements of the game, I would be vocal about it. For example, if there is Godzilla wrecking havoc in Old Cairo in future update, regardless of what the explanation is or are, I would definitely give the developer a piece of my vocal and harsh opinions . Cheers.

 

[Skeltom]

The game DOES NOT try to portrays a perfect human being, perfect realism, perfect player immersion, perfect player self-projection or self-insertion, perfect choices and branching etc. It does not try to be perfect in any way either. Most players realize that and come to term with the flaw and imperfections of this game particularly, and other games generally.

The game does offer limited options for players to complete quests and advance the main plot, and surely those limited options might feel forced on the players especially if the players have a totally different idea on how to do things. It is impossible to handle all angles with regards to how all players would feel about certain aspects (like choices) of the game or certains characters or even the main character, because they are higly subjective matters.

We, the players also were NOT TOLD everything about the main character and any other characters as far as the current release is concerned. We most likely had built a character reference frame for them based on what we know and our own biases. The more we imposed our biases the more odd we find a character behave, talk or act. Just like with our real life experience with other humans. If we don't know someone personally, only what we were told about them, when we meet and interact that person, it is possible that the person is not exactly like what we knew (on that setting specifically). A person normally reacts, behaves or talks in a certain fashion but differently under certain circumstances, which is normal I think.

It is best if we can be objective about what specifically the oddities that a (or the main) character exhibits rather than a vague general overview. For example (made up), Zaton greets everyone Hello but when he meet Igor he said hey Motherf*cker. That is very odd and that is very objective. Although, there is an explanation for that, Zetan and Igor were best friends that goes along way back and they just messing with each other in what seemingly aggressive greeting.

I, personally just enjoy the ride and play the game to experience the story that Zetan and team are making the best to their abilities, barring all kinds of limitations and impedences. I viewed Zaton, the MC as a rational guy instead of good guy, bad guy, softie, chad or whatever. I don't know or think that rational is the best word here, but basically he is a man of reason. Sometimes it is a good reason, sometimes it is a bad reason, sometimes selfish, sometimes honorable, sometimes despicable. Is Zaton a realistic person? Probably not. But that's how I played him. I can do that because I DO NOT self-insert or self-project into any characters that I play in a game, and I can play practically any games. I don't care about immersion either, but I get a feeling somehow that others will find that my 'play style' breaks and ruins immersion altogether.

In the end, I guess it boils down to what type of game and what type of players that this game made for?

However, if there are some objectively weird or incomprehensible elements of the game, I would be vocal about it. For example, if there is Godzilla wrecking havoc in Old Cairo in future update, regardless of what the explanation is or are, I would definitely give the developer a piece of my vocal and harsh opinions . Cheers.

Overall I think it's done well and I have enjoyed the experience. I of course don't care for every little thing, honestly who would. But with the sandbox elements and all of the different "mission tables" I think they are going to have to give the player at least a little more agency going forward or all of those mission tables are just going to be glorified quest starters.

There is also Shani to take into consideration. Whether or not the player chooses to control her or not she has been being shaped my the MC's interactions with her. If the player isn't allowed to deal with situations in varied ways she is only going to turn out one way, making that entire aspect completely pointless.

 

[JohnF95zone]

Overall I think it's done well and I have enjoyed the experience. I of course don't care for every little thing, honestly who would. But with the sandbox elements and all of the different "mission tables" I think they are going to have to give the player at least a little more agency going forward or all of those mission tables are just going to be glorified quest starters.

There is also Shani to take into consideration. Whether or not the player chooses to control her or not she has been being shaped my the MC's interactions with her. If the player isn't allowed to deal with situations in varied ways she is only going to turn out one way, making that entire aspect completely pointless.

Indeed, we will find out how it goes. I don't think what had been set up so far will be for nothing. Just how much agency a player has (will have) depends on the writing compentency, capability and 'technology' availability, to name a few. Although not specifically mentioned or identified as 'Desert Stalker Phase 2', I am looking forward to that. What I meant by Phase 2 is basically, the game is now in a phase where there is 2 Desert Stalker main characters (as far as the players are concerned). Cheers.

 

[dolfe67]

There is also Shani to take into consideration. Whether or not the player chooses to control her or not she has been being shaped my the MC's interactions with her. If the player isn't allowed to deal with situations in varied ways she is only going to turn out one way, making that entire aspect completely pointless.

If you don't play her side, you can't complain about that.

 

[Yngling]

I, for one, think Shani is a great character and potentially a worth successor to her father.

If anything, probably more interesting than her father, who is still somewhat trope-ish.

 

[Kellermann]

I, for one, think Shani is a great character and potentially a worth successor to her father.

If anything, probably more interesting than her father, who is still somewhat trope-ish.

She is a great character and that would be excellent for a sequel or spin off. But if the MC dies or severely injured before game end and it perma-switches to Shani MC, then what a stinker Protag switches in AVNs are annoying af (pick a lane), but here at least it is all optional.

I will take the trope-ish MC we have now over following Shani as she scissors her way across the desert or gets molested on every mission by rando raider dick (all fem protag AVNs seem to end up like that...either full lez or graped at every turn). I am sure that stuff has plenty of fans, but that 180 mid-story is not what I signed up for with this particular game. Save it for the sequel I believe.

Anyway, I much prefer what we had in the beginning; MC and Shani exploring and fighting together (followed by secluded fun time). The MC we have now is one of the more interesting male protags we have on F95. If you want to see trope, then look no further than the mountain of virgin teen MCs going to school, perving around the suburbia, and having endless inner monologues about why his pp is hard looking at landlady.

 

[Zeph3r]

I, for one, think Shani is a great character and potentially a worth successor to her father.

If anything, probably more interesting than her father, who is still somewhat trope-ish.

The interest may be due to the player knowing more about her and having been more involved in her character development (however slight) compared to the MC. That's not to say Zaton (MC) isn't interesting, just the guys got so much history behind him, with a lot of it still being written, that there are times where he may not feel like a complete character (as again, parts of his history are empty or unfinished). He's in a bit of an odd place as it's more interesting that he's not a blank slate, but at the same time he's so well established in the game's world (due to both his age and status) that players can't really make choices that would affect his character development without running the risk that it completely breaks lore.

 

[Nobles]

Thats one feature I like about the game too. While I wasnt tha aware at first, answering the questions were shaping the the decisions she makes later iinto the game was kinda nice. Glad I did it right and the choices wanted were not locked out with the queen and shani scene. Not only do I feel shes becoming a ruthless killer who'd kill anyone who touches her family (killed the thugs and let the queen execute). We got to see the bloodthirsty side of the queen <3 while admitting theres only been one man that has put fear into her (that time I grabbed her by the throat?). Then there was that scene where we delt with the raiders, I didnt actually kill them (unless negations failed, then I would of), but I took the raider and when she asked why I did it, I was "cause shes hot". I wonder if that has any impact where she learns to take what she wants ^_~

I am secretly hoping tho... once she "officially" a desert walker and finished her training. She demands to be fucked by daddy. As thats hopefully the distain and jealously shes held for her sister (even tho she kill anyone who harms her). Might not happen as it feels like the dev is trying ot make it not happen, but im going to keep hoping. Its a good enough time as any with reason. While I sitll consider the MC to be the main MC, as a side, I'd love to see her continue towards being an alpha bitch who kills, does and takes what she wants . Fuck up anyone from the influence imprinting of her daddy.

 

[Don Sucio]

Thats one feature I like about the game too. While I wasnt tha aware at first, answering the questions were shaping the the decisions she makes later iinto the game was kinda nice. Glad I did it right and the choices wanted were not locked out with the queen and shani scene. Not only do I feel shes becoming a ruthless killer who'd kill anyone who touches her family (killed the thugs and let the queen execute). We got to see the bloodthirsty side of the queen <3 while admitting theres only been one man that has put fear into her (that time I grabbed her by the throat?). Then there was that scene where we delt with the raiders, I didnt actually kill them (unless negations failed, then I would of), but I took the raider and when she asked why I did it, I was "cause shes hot". I wonder if that has any impact where she learns to take what she wants ^_~

I am secretly hoping tho... once she "officially" a desert walker and finished her training. She demands to be fucked by daddy. As thats hopefully the distain and jealously shes held for her sister (even tho she kill anyone who harms her). Might not happen as it feels like the dev is trying ot make it not happen, but im going to keep hoping. Its a good enough time as any with reason. While I sitll consider the MC to be the main MC, as a side, I'd love to see her continue towards being an alpha bitch who kills, does and takes what she wants . Fuck up anyone from the influence imprinting of her daddy.

It would be great to see Shani become dominant like her father, since she is following the example of the Mc.

 

[Skeltom]

If you don't play her side, you can't complain about that.

I don't think anyone was really complaining, just having a discussion. The point is still valid however. Whether you choose to play her or not she is still being effected by the MC's actions. Unless of course they do away with that altogether. It would be a shame because I really like that. They have elements set up for Fiery to make her more human or beast like and she is just a side character now. Unlike Shani where it would matter.

 

[destroyerofassholes]

I, for one, think Shani is a great character and potentially a worth successor to her father.

If anything, probably more interesting than her father, who is still somewhat trope-ish.

Shani herself is also trope-ish. None of the characters have much depth to them in this game and that is okay.

 

[Yngling]

Shani herself is also trope-ish. None of the characters have much depth to them in this game and that is okay.

Name the trope then. I don't think it will work out like this:

I will take the trope-ish MC we have now over following Shani as she scissors her way across the desert or gets molested on every mission by rando raider dick (all fem protag AVNs seem to end up like that...either full lez or graped at every turn). I am sure that stuff has plenty of fans, but that 180 mid-story is not what I signed up for with this particular game.

But more like this:

I'd love to see her continue towards being an alpha bitch who kills, does and takes what she wants . Fuck up anyone from the influence imprinting of her daddy.

But that is extremely rare, at least in porn VN's. In e.g. mainstream movies, there is not a lot but at least some. But not that I'd call it a trope.

The difficult part will be how to approach the topic of Shani and other men. Personally I do NOT want to share her. At all. Not until Zaton is dead anyway. And she won't get raped either. I'm fine with lez stuff between her and others.

I'm looking forward to Zaton and Shani going on missions together and fucking each others' brains out, as well as future interactions with the family / harem.

But on the other hand, Shani also needs to think about the future and continuing their House... Any thoughts?

 

[Hildegardt]

Personally I do NOT want to share her. At all. Not until Zaton is dead anyway.

Wait wait wait. So between Shani, Zaton and you personally, who is sharing whom with whom?

 

[JohnF95zone]

Wait wait wait. So between Shani, Zaton and you personally, who is sharing whom with whom?

I believe what Yngling meant is, Shani and her interactions, engagements (or relationships) with other men, NOT SHARING meant Shani is exclusive to Zaton (MC) which means that Shani will not have any relationships with other men except for Zaton.

If Shani is her own individual, she should be allowed or freely to engage with any men as she wants, but super majority do not want that. Although I do not see Shani longing for other men since she is infatuated with Zaton her whole life (that is a different topic and just based on my opinion). What most (if not all) players want is Zaton and Shani just like they were before, but that means Shani (as a character or main character) lost a bit (but a major part) of her individuality.

In short, players are not given the agency to make the choice for Shani either to stay in loving, romantic, sexual relationships with Zaton or pursue others. While most agree with and loving it, some may feel that the agency or choice had been taken away from them, forced into them.

IMHO, it is just not possible to make all possibilites materialized more or less (I am paraphrasing).

I hope I get it right though, it is not easy to understand so many opinions and expressions on so many aspects of this rather complex game, just tackling one aspect is daunting enough to me. Cheers.

 

[cheesetriangles]

If Shani is her own individual, she should be allowed or freely to engage with any men as she wants, but NO ONE wants that.

I do. I'm well aware this is a super minority opinion.

 

[EndlessNights]

I do. I'm well aware this is a super minority opinion.

Yeah, same here. I actually had Zaton not pursue Shani (and avoid Ain sexually as much as possible) partly because I'm not particularly into incest but mostly because I just enjoy role-playing loving dads who aren't into boning their children. If I remember right, I actually had to save scum to keep a sex scene with Ain from auto-triggering, but I was able to do it though there's some borderline stuff with her that didn't seem to be completely avoidable. My version of Zaton was one seriously proud papa when she expressed an interest in training recently!

Anyway, I would be completely fine with Shani finding someone to love; if it happens, hopefully it'll be someone dear old dad can respect. To be sure, I'd personally much prefer to see her end up with a fellow badass lady warrior than a harem of decayed gents, but at the end of the day you can't control your kids...or can you?!

I suppose this stance does make my character a real outlier in Zetan society (perhaps not so much in the case of Shani because of the training tradition), but I consider that he already kind of is. Even given the relative freedom stalkers enjoy, surely it's really weird that he's doing things like befriending the decayed, mutants, and raiders. Or opposing brutal treatment of slaves. Or talking a bit too freely -- disrespectfully even -- to the queen.