? I double checked all this level but haven't found key. Is a possibility of finding a key somehow tied with NOT having some item or NOT doing some action? From text I personally get belief that key is located on
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Manufactoring (Level -2)
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Ulysses Wed Sep 25 23:54:29 2013
@binki
The winding key is
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not in Firebrand's surveillance room.
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You need to look in
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Level 2, there are plenty of other rooms to search through.
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Although, I should tell you that
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you need to have the three pieces of the golden watch before you can find the means of accessing the winding key.
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As a matter of interest: a) Did you play with a character you have enhanced by playing through the previous episodes? b) When you finished the episode how many initial SKILL points less were you than when you started?
binki Thu Sep 26 06:07:00 2013
Good day, Ulysses and thank you very much for your amazing gamebooks!
I have played it multiple times. Yes, I have character from previous books, but I don't see that it was crucial for gameplay. As I see that most dangerous opponent you need to beat has SKILL 10. For other enemies you can find a joker in a sleeve (such as
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explosive device
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) or walk around them. So you can start with initial SKILL 8 and still don't have much troubles Once I have passed deathbot and Tinypus with Initial skill 5 points less than started - and failed to pass policemen in spaceport at the very end.
My first successful (but not best) ending was reached with 1 Initial SKILL point more than started
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Thanks to Crudian and Deathbot
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The best ending I reached with 1 Initial SKILL point less. And to be honest I was somewhat dissapointed with it - why is it considered the best?
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You have to kill Firebrand (necessity of doing it I still don't inderstand from plot - if in the best ending I bargain with Tinypus - why can't I side with Firebrand?), make a deal with Tinypus, don't destroy his computer (which tries to kill me) and destroy my parent's robot (which helps me)
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And excuse me, but I cannot help wondering about second part for Diamond Key game book.
binki Thu Sep 26 06:42:58 2013
And for Level2
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Searching for windling key I have found that BM signs form only if you does not steal from it's cabinet before. Is it right or some bug?
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It was a bug, and I have now fixed it.
Ulysses Thu Sep 26 11:40:25 2013
@binki
Re: the best ending of Return
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I do understand the attraction of triumphant victory where you destroy everything and everyone, and I was aware that leaving the main villain still alive and well at the end may cause dissatisfaction. However, I wanted the company to be intact at the end for the sake of plot details in Episode 8 (originally there was only one successful ending rather than three). The main character kills Firebrand because she insists that he must passively go back to working as a design optimisation asset, which he finds unacceptable. The destruction of the character's parent's robot is only because it was annoying, and had completed its function. Humungatron survives because it is still useful.
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Regardless, there are three endings available and they are all valid. If you prefer one of the others, you can go through to Episode 8 with one of those.
Re: Diamond Key sequel If this is what you mean, yes, I did plan and write about one third of a sequel to The Diamond Key, but after I finish the WWGB series I am planning to retire from gamebook writing and devote my writing time to other projects. Therefore it is unlikely to ever be completed, which is a shame since it is an unusual and (i think) interesting story.
binki Thu Sep 26 12:34:30 2013
Good day, Ulysses! Please excuse me if I was harsh. May be l liked Firebrand much. At least more then Tinypus. I was hoping that protagonist can also
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1)strike bargain with Firebrand by purposing to remove Tinypus and subdue H-tron. She wishes the same Join me and together we can take over this operation If character already have some good equipment (armor,shield field and etc) and high skill it is quite logical for she to agree. 2)subdue or heal Firebrand with nanobotic healing shots after combat 3)fake agreement to return on workplace, get recording device and using it spy password.
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I was very impressed with Diamond key. Is some possibility to look on the sequel even it is uncomplete ( and especially if it is unlikely to be completed)?
@Moderator
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I made numerous searches on Level2 trying to find the key for the golden watch - can you check that it is reachable? Does having some other items in equipment prevent from reaching the key
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It is definitely reachable.
Ulysses Thu Sep 26 14:13:55 2013
@binki
Your additional storyline is good, but I just didn't do that and don't plan to make changes now. The adventure is already long enough.
I don't see much point in making available a partially complete gamebook. Maybe I will go back to it in the distant future, but I wouldn't wait for that if I was you.
I checked that
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the item to obtain the winding key is available after gaining all three pieces of the watch and it is. Just make sure all of the watch pieces are in your inventory when you start searching. If you go everywhere the item you need should pop up.
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D-L-T Fri Sep 27 01:49:10 2013
the moderator said: You're on the right lines but, yes, there is something you're missing.
I'm going crazy... begging for a hint... pretty, pretty please?
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I notice the guy in the polymer lab mentions what basically sounds like a face mask disguise (resistant to EMR, no less!) - but I have no idea where to find it.
I've tried different hair cuts and also even tried getting drunk (doesn't everyone like to party...?); I've tried all the different menu options at the posh restaurant...
- And I can't seem to find whatever it is that might stop the BM from harmonising me on sight.
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Ulysses Fri Sep 27 03:23:04 2013
@D-L-T:
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What you need is found in the recreation facilities on Level 3 of the GDC building.
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D-L-T Fri Sep 27 07:04:35 2013
Ulysses said: I checked that
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I found the gold pen... but I still can't get past the gold security door. Must be something else I'm missing, or used too early. hmm...
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Ulysses Fri Sep 27 08:17:06 2013
@D-L-T:
Yes, there's something else you need, and the
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gold door
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tells you what it is.
D-L-T Tue Oct 1 23:45:50 2013
@Ulysses said: tells you what it is
well, I managed to get the 'best' ending...
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... but I still have no luck on reaching that item.
I found it interesting that you don't need that to obtain that item to reach the 'best ending' - I didn't think it would be possible.
(I'd still like to get it so that I can find out what happens! - still no luck for me locating he ID card)
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Ulysses Wed Oct 2 01:43:55 2013
@D-L-T:
Completing the game is one thing. Finding the item is another given that its purpose is to
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allow you to restore lost SKILL points, or even gain more
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as long as you are willing to pay the price. It's something else to play for.
Ulysses Wed Oct 2 01:49:54 2013
Regarding Return to G15-275, has anyone played spider chess in the gamebook? Although you don't get a detailed description of the rules in the game, I did actually think about it and developed detailed rules for how to play. If people are interested in that, I can produce and make available a .pdf describing the board, pieces and the rules. On the other hand, if no one cares then I won't.
binki Wed Oct 2 05:31:37 2013
Hello Ulysses I have played spider chess. As I understand you can "web" enemy pieces by some sort of distant attack,weaken it and take by straight attack. From other hand you can support your attacked spider by other pieces. If producing file would not be tiresome I will be grateful for opportunity to look on the rules.
P.S. As D-L-T I also failed to find the key - even I circled through levels with all three watch pieces - and I haven't seen some hint in a game where it is hidden :(
Yaztromo Thu Oct 3 09:53:19 2013
I've not completed yet return to G15-275. I played spider chess only in the planet of the sipiders and it would be fun to have the rulebook as well.
D-L-T Thu Oct 3 14:08:17 2013
@binki
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there seems to be two items you need to find the key. I found one somewhere on level 2 after having all 3 watch pieces in my inventory, and it seems this item only appears after you have the other three parts of the watch.
The other item is an ID, but I don't know where that is located. Possibly on the manufacturing level, I'm not sure. It's also possible that the ID is what you need your photo for.
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binki Thu Oct 3 15:16:42 2013
@D-L-T Thank you for a hint
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I do have FakeID and 3 watch pieces. What is the second item? The lighter?
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D-L-T Fri Oct 4 01:46:52 2013
@binki
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It is not the lighter. You would have already utilised the lighter on Level 1 (together with a yellow access card), I am guessing?
The iteam to get the key will automatically appear in your inventory when you walk from one particular 'room' on level 2 into another particular 'room' on level 2. You will then need to 'use' the item in the right room (neither of the previous two) for the ID to become relevant (just a guess, as I haven't yet done it, but I am almost 100% certain this is the case based on the hints in the text and what Ulysses has confirmed to me).
Would you mind giving me a hint as to how/where you get the FakeID? I'm guessing you need the photo from the photobooth to get it, but no idea beyond that.
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Ulysses Fri Oct 4 03:46:22 2013
@D-L-T: Interestingly, your suggestion about the use of the photo from the photo booth
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is correct in that I included it in the book for that purpose. But in the end you don't need it for that because I changed the way the ID is obtained.