I think a lot of people are drawn to the Curious brothers out of all of the characters in Strangetown, but I never really was. I don't dislike them, and the more I play them, the more I do appreciate them, but they just don't do it for me the same way the Grunts do. Pascal, in particular, took a while to grow on me (I know you're just gasping as you read that). I still don't see what many others seem to see in him, but I do appreciate him as a character. For storytelling, especially, I am always drawn to bold, messy characters. The ones that make mistakes, have issues to deal with, and have the most to gain. That's why I like Ripp and Nervous so much. Most of my interest in Pascal is in his connection to Nervous.
I really enjoyed Pixel's take on Nervous. I don't think it was all that negative either, because the "cheating" in question was very minor (wasn't it just flirting?), and that sort of things makes a character more human to me, rather than deplorable - and given what we know about Nervous, how would he have any grasp on proper behaviour? I thought that she dealt with it in an interesting way, especially the Nervous/Ophelia angle.
I've always thought that Ophelia's original look was a bad match for her personality anyway, if you read her bio and look at her stats. I see it as just a teenage front to try to look tough, which she grew out of. I could have gone with more, and I have enjoyed takes on her that have, but it didn't work as well for me.
You're right. It's not always balanced, and I see Ripp as the one who is using it as a crutch most of all (Johnny and Ophelia not so much - what are they really gaining by babying Ripp? Self righteousness?), but there is a flipside to some of those things. When he's reigned in a little, Ripp is actually quite a good influence on Johnny and Ophelia. They take themselves pretty seriously at times, and he forces them out of that. They can benefit from lightening/loosening up a little, I think.
*snicker* The bad hat is what turned me off, no doubt. I can't imagine that Frances likes guys who wear toques indoors any more than I do. If I need a completely new match for Frances, I may look outside of Strangetown/LFT, and bring in a new character just for him. But more likely, if he doesn't get things to work out with Tank, I see him being single for a while instead. I don't want things to get too focussed on just pairing people off, and Frances might benefit from taking some time to "find himself".
I think those binned sims at LFT all seem pretty interesting, but I'm going to leave them alone for a while, so I can keep timelines logical.
WHAT?! You hate the Curiouses?! I KNEW you thought you were SOOO much BETTER than everyone else and this just PROVES it! **SNORT** (I was going to try and go further with that, but I'm too amused by myself, I can't)
It's fun to see what characters players latch onto, huh? It's like Strangetown itself. It seems people either love it or can't care less.
I agree with you on Pixel's take on Nervous. He wasn't "bad" because he had a rocky relationship. It was just fun to see someone not making Nervous the Ultimate Victim who's whole purpose is Overcoming (a role I know I've never been able to resist). He was also NOT paired with Pascal, which at the time was something bizzarro for me (again, still can't shake that pairing).
And Frances (it always comes back to Frances, doesn't it?) could date around a bit. It might be fun to see some Very Bad Dates where Frances can show off his sad face. (*snicker* Now I want to do a sims speed dating story, where everything goes horribly wrong)
Don't you know that I'm so much ~**better**~ than YOU? Well I am, AND DON'T YOU EVER FORGET IT! *snort* Now, I'll just round up my ugly sims, WHICH I ONLY LIKE TO SPITE YOU (oh, and so I can be a SAINT!), and I'm out of here! *looks at Ripp* Yes, he's definitely a fugly one, isn't he? *rolls eyes* Ahhh yes, that's me. Better than everyone. ALL OF THE TIME. *snicker* I love it.
That's so true. The Strangetown fans are a pretty committed bunch, though. Once you latch on, you're ALL about it. I remember being a little "What the hell is all the fuss about?" at first and then it just overcame me. It is really interesting to see who people are most drawn to, and you get all kinds. I've even heard from a couple of Gunnar fans. (Imagine that!) I try to give most characters a fair shot, though, and I even greatly enjoy the "bad guys" in Strangetown. The only one that has never grown on me is probably Ajay Loner, but I'm trying my best to "get" him.
A non-victim Nervous is a refreshing take, but there's just so much to back that up in the story, that I wouldn't be able to resist it either. I do see some of his trouble as being self-directed, but he is most definitely the victim of unfortunate events.
It always comes back to Frances, and why not? He's pretty great. I'm not sure what he's going to do about his father yet, but I do think that he'll shift majors and get more involved with his musical talents (making him even more like Rufus Wainwright). I see him in a sort of wandering minstrel role for a while, maybe.
The speed dating thing would be hilarious. *snicker* It's a good one to file away for a one-shot story, maybe.
*snickerSnort* Sister Strange of the Holy Drama! Love. It.
I'm a lot less dismissive of sims now than I was when I first started playing (despite what it appears!). I think that's a sign of a "good" game, that it offers so much you can play (literally) for years and still find interesting things (including pre-mades). I'm going to tackle Veronaville now. I've never given it a fair shake.
No character is completely blameless. But if there was an award for "crappiest life" Nervous would have very little competition (Ophelia might be his only real competition, but I think he'd win against her, what with the whole "used as an experiment" thing--very sick, maxis, very sick).
Whatever you have planned for Frances, I'm sure you'll execute it with the same care you've extended to the entire story, so it will be well done. (and I need to add, your patience with your sims stories is to be applauded).
There really is so much to explore with this game. From the storytelling angle (and using tricks to get what you want), participating in challenges, and also creating content (which I just started to do a little bit - go, me!), there's almost no limit to what you can do with the game.
I only ever played Veronaville once (just Juliet's house), but exploring it is something that I've always filed away in the back of my head to do one day. I'll probably never immerse myself in it like I have with Strangetown, but it would be fun to do something with it. And maybe I can bring some characters from there into the story too at some point.
I agree. The test subject thing did put it over the edge (and being the son of the grim reaper is also kinda crappy), but Ophelia is a close second.
I really enjoyed Pixel's take on Nervous. I don't think it was all that negative either, because the "cheating" in question was very minor (wasn't it just flirting?), and that sort of things makes a character more human to me, rather than deplorable - and given what we know about Nervous, how would he have any grasp on proper behaviour? I thought that she dealt with it in an interesting way, especially the Nervous/Ophelia angle.
I've always thought that Ophelia's original look was a bad match for her personality anyway, if you read her bio and look at her stats. I see it as just a teenage front to try to look tough, which she grew out of. I could have gone with more, and I have enjoyed takes on her that have, but it didn't work as well for me.
You're right. It's not always balanced, and I see Ripp as the one who is using it as a crutch most of all (Johnny and Ophelia not so much - what are they really gaining by babying Ripp? Self righteousness?), but there is a flipside to some of those things. When he's reigned in a little, Ripp is actually quite a good influence on Johnny and Ophelia. They take themselves pretty seriously at times, and he forces them out of that. They can benefit from lightening/loosening up a little, I think.
*snicker* The bad hat is what turned me off, no doubt. I can't imagine that Frances likes guys who wear toques indoors any more than I do. If I need a completely new match for Frances, I may look outside of Strangetown/LFT, and bring in a new character just for him. But more likely, if he doesn't get things to work out with Tank, I see him being single for a while instead. I don't want things to get too focussed on just pairing people off, and Frances might benefit from taking some time to "find himself".
I think those binned sims at LFT all seem pretty interesting, but I'm going to leave them alone for a while, so I can keep timelines logical.
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It's fun to see what characters players latch onto, huh? It's like Strangetown itself. It seems people either love it or can't care less.
I agree with you on Pixel's take on Nervous. He wasn't "bad" because he had a rocky relationship. It was just fun to see someone not making Nervous the Ultimate Victim who's whole purpose is Overcoming (a role I know I've never been able to resist). He was also NOT paired with Pascal, which at the time was something bizzarro for me (again, still can't shake that pairing).
And Frances (it always comes back to Frances, doesn't it?) could date around a bit. It might be fun to see some Very Bad Dates where Frances can show off his sad face. (*snicker* Now I want to do a sims speed dating story, where everything goes horribly wrong)
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That's so true. The Strangetown fans are a pretty committed bunch, though. Once you latch on, you're ALL about it. I remember being a little "What the hell is all the fuss about?" at first and then it just overcame me. It is really interesting to see who people are most drawn to, and you get all kinds. I've even heard from a couple of Gunnar fans. (Imagine that!) I try to give most characters a fair shot, though, and I even greatly enjoy the "bad guys" in Strangetown. The only one that has never grown on me is probably Ajay Loner, but I'm trying my best to "get" him.
A non-victim Nervous is a refreshing take, but there's just so much to back that up in the story, that I wouldn't be able to resist it either. I do see some of his trouble as being self-directed, but he is most definitely the victim of unfortunate events.
It always comes back to Frances, and why not? He's pretty great. I'm not sure what he's going to do about his father yet, but I do think that he'll shift majors and get more involved with his musical talents (making him even more like Rufus Wainwright). I see him in a sort of wandering minstrel role for a while, maybe.
The speed dating thing would be hilarious. *snicker* It's a good one to file away for a one-shot story, maybe.
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I'm a lot less dismissive of sims now than I was when I first started playing (despite what it appears!). I think that's a sign of a "good" game, that it offers so much you can play (literally) for years and still find interesting things (including pre-mades). I'm going to tackle Veronaville now. I've never given it a fair shake.
No character is completely blameless. But if there was an award for "crappiest life" Nervous would have very little competition (Ophelia might be his only real competition, but I think he'd win against her, what with the whole "used as an experiment" thing--very sick, maxis, very sick).
Whatever you have planned for Frances, I'm sure you'll execute it with the same care you've extended to the entire story, so it will be well done. (and I need to add, your patience with your sims stories is to be applauded).
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I only ever played Veronaville once (just Juliet's house), but exploring it is something that I've always filed away in the back of my head to do one day. I'll probably never immerse myself in it like I have with Strangetown, but it would be fun to do something with it. And maybe I can bring some characters from there into the story too at some point.
I agree. The test subject thing did put it over the edge (and being the son of the grim reaper is also kinda crappy), but Ophelia is a close second.
Thanks. That means a lot to me.
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