MightyK#YouDontKnowJax
Well eventually I find a door I can open that leads to a drop. Not a big one, there's no fall damage. There's bottomless pits but no fall deaths a la Bi-Han.
It also means an end to the cross maze. Just a few hops, skips and jumps away is some of the last hurdles of this segment of the level. Yeah this level's in multiple parts unlike the warehouse.
Though we still got goons to remove, some of which are a concerning shade of grey. As for that center cross in this final chamber, we'll deal with that....
#YouDontKnowJax
By means of the computer terminal, which requires a code. THAT requires all those weird computer txt files we've been finding. If you didn't see the blatantly telegraphed white letterings, you might be colourblind which I apologize for but if you're not, well (slap) PAY ATTENTION.
Decipher all of them and get the code, which is 3129, assuming you got and read the messages in proper order.
Thus up goes the platform to the second part of this dreary level...
By means of the computer terminal, which requires a code. THAT requires all those weird computer txt files we've been finding. If you didn't see the blatantly telegraphed white letterings, you might be colourblind which I apologize for but if you're not, well (slap) PAY ATTENTION.
Decipher all of them and get the code, which is 3129, assuming you got and read the messages in proper order.
Thus up goes the platform to the second part of this dreary level...
#YouDontKnowJax
Oh, and new message which helpfully spoils that Tasia is our boss for today. Also extra sniper ammo is provided. Good thing is we should be free from shit mazes now.
Oh, and new message which helpfully spoils that Tasia is our boss for today. Also extra sniper ammo is provided. Good thing is we should be free from shit mazes now.
#YouDontKnowJax
Lying is strangely effective these days.
What more do I say? More bland corridors, punching, shooting, getting shot and a guy who I swear is that old wrestler Nailz. Sorry if my screenies thus seem so disorganized.
But good news is I eventually find a keycard so there's progress! And extra shotgun shells! And finally, leveling up to get my hands on the ever important full heal, and the Bear Hugger combo which I'm sure tickles those who like raw fish.
Lying is strangely effective these days.
What more do I say? More bland corridors, punching, shooting, getting shot and a guy who I swear is that old wrestler Nailz. Sorry if my screenies thus seem so disorganized.
But good news is I eventually find a keycard so there's progress! And extra shotgun shells! And finally, leveling up to get my hands on the ever important full heal, and the Bear Hugger combo which I'm sure tickles those who like raw fish.
#YouDontKnowJax
That door BTW is another ladder, this time going up...to more maze. Yeah, we're not done after all. I promise the next levels are somewhat more interesting.
so some more random shots while I direct you to the gamefaqs site on this, and just ramble I guess. That is if I don't fall asleep at my desk.
That door BTW is another ladder, this time going up...to more maze. Yeah, we're not done after all. I promise the next levels are somewhat more interesting.
so some more random shots while I direct you to the gamefaqs site on this, and just ramble I guess. That is if I don't fall asleep at my desk.
#YouDontKnowJax
I did get the drop on this guy though. In return he left me a bright green keycard.
After that its following yet more FAQS to find the Exit Level door, to part THREE of this level.
There did NOT have to be three parts to a SEWER LEVEL and the sewer level did NOT have to be level 2.
I did get the drop on this guy though. In return he left me a bright green keycard.
After that its following yet more FAQS to find the Exit Level door, to part THREE of this level.
There did NOT have to be three parts to a SEWER LEVEL and the sewer level did NOT have to be level 2.
#YouDontKnowJax
But alas, there is. Now we need to access MORE computers to get to Tasia.
And we got a spiral staircase right out of Shadow Moses to climb, which at least is mercifully shorter.
BTW that headshot modifier is real. You can tell you're about to pop a melon when the game's aim reticle gives you a honking great HEAD SHOT marker right out of Syphon Filter.
Wow that's like TWO Syphon Filter references in this one LP! Two nickles, baby!
The goon after him dropped a shotgun after I punched him into the ceiling, letting me put them shells to good use.
(insert Phelous' "I GOT A SHOTGUN" wav file here)
But alas, there is. Now we need to access MORE computers to get to Tasia.
And we got a spiral staircase right out of Shadow Moses to climb, which at least is mercifully shorter.
BTW that headshot modifier is real. You can tell you're about to pop a melon when the game's aim reticle gives you a honking great HEAD SHOT marker right out of Syphon Filter.
Wow that's like TWO Syphon Filter references in this one LP! Two nickles, baby!
The goon after him dropped a shotgun after I punched him into the ceiling, letting me put them shells to good use.
(insert Phelous' "I GOT A SHOTGUN" wav file here)
#YouDontKnowJax
The central chamber I don't get a good starting establishing shot of. I'm just trying to get this level out of the way, the next level tomorrow I PROMISE will have more entertainment value for you.
Anyway, bright purple keycard. At least it stands out. Anyway when I DO get a good shot of the central chamber...well there's an overlook. One corridor on the left does lead to theupper levels, and some nice sniping opportunities. Thanks for the break.
The central chamber I don't get a good starting establishing shot of. I'm just trying to get this level out of the way, the next level tomorrow I PROMISE will have more entertainment value for you.
Anyway, bright purple keycard. At least it stands out. Anyway when I DO get a good shot of the central chamber...well there's an overlook. One corridor on the left does lead to theupper levels, and some nice sniping opportunities. Thanks for the break.
#YouDontKnowJax
Oh right there's also a bridge-moving system too that requires keycards. Goons on the lower levels too.
We're almost home...
Just imagine more jumping up and down the lower and upper levels, headshots, ladder climbing...so routine, so draining...
Do you even notice how randomly these shots are spread?
Oh right there's also a bridge-moving system too that requires keycards. Goons on the lower levels too.
We're almost home...
Just imagine more jumping up and down the lower and upper levels, headshots, ladder climbing...so routine, so draining...
Do you even notice how randomly these shots are spread?
#YouDontKnowJax
I do like this one triangular corridor though if only for how clean it looks. I gotta take what small bright spots I can get. Also keycard.
We use that to move the final bridge to Tasia's lair. No fancy door for her like No Face this time.
Ready for something?
I do like this one triangular corridor though if only for how clean it looks. I gotta take what small bright spots I can get. Also keycard.
We use that to move the final bridge to Tasia's lair. No fancy door for her like No Face this time.
Ready for something?
#YouDontKnowJax
Well tough, here she is.
And the codec offers me absolutely no helpful tips whatsoever or warnings on her capabilities, just a pithy quip that thinks its clever.
Tasia teleports in, surrounded by Gradius-style options that circle her. They don't hurt you but they do pin you in place so Tasia can get in close and sword you, or toss purple bombs at you.
When she's done, she likes to teleport around. Except that's her downfall as the teleport animation lasts long enough that you can prepare for it, by readying a combo when she pops back in, or planting a detonator that will handily explode right at her feet. Just keep an eye out for the purple light that signifies she's gonna pop in.
I mean if you don't punch that X button and punch her into dust.
This time I didn't look at an explosion because I knew as a boss she had heightened defenses against bombs. Not fully, but enough to not be an instakill.
Well tough, here she is.
And the codec offers me absolutely no helpful tips whatsoever or warnings on her capabilities, just a pithy quip that thinks its clever.
Tasia teleports in, surrounded by Gradius-style options that circle her. They don't hurt you but they do pin you in place so Tasia can get in close and sword you, or toss purple bombs at you.
When she's done, she likes to teleport around. Except that's her downfall as the teleport animation lasts long enough that you can prepare for it, by readying a combo when she pops back in, or planting a detonator that will handily explode right at her feet. Just keep an eye out for the purple light that signifies she's gonna pop in.
I mean if you don't punch that X button and punch her into dust.
This time I didn't look at an explosion because I knew as a boss she had heightened defenses against bombs. Not fully, but enough to not be an instakill.
#YouDontKnowJax
I haven't had to use dets in this level up til now so I got a decent stockpile. Even if I run out its not like Tasia's a problem. A few more of these and metal fist slaps and bionic elbows and she's counting lights. Well that and a final bomb to finish her off. Likely killing her as she doesn't show up in other MK games.
Finally done here...now for Gemini, of course.
I haven't had to use dets in this level up til now so I got a decent stockpile. Even if I run out its not like Tasia's a problem. A few more of these and metal fist slaps and bionic elbows and she's counting lights. Well that and a final bomb to finish her off. Likely killing her as she doesn't show up in other MK games.
Finally done here...now for Gemini, of course.
#YouDontKnowJax
This time its Jax ringing HER up and- come on man keep it in your pants, you don't have to fight horny with horny. And Gem you're one to talk, you get a bit much later on yourself.
Anyway Tasia is definitively terminated. Given I blew her up with a bomb, that tracks. Gem also has more news for us on the Black Dragon front:
This time its Jax ringing HER up and- come on man keep it in your pants, you don't have to fight horny with horny. And Gem you're one to talk, you get a bit much later on yourself.
Anyway Tasia is definitively terminated. Given I blew her up with a bomb, that tracks. Gem also has more news for us on the Black Dragon front:
#YouDontKnowJax
Somehow the Black Dragon are trying to put on a facade. They bought a wholeass tower complex downtown, I guess still in Chicago. And nobody raised a complaint over this somehow or took notice that a wholeass tower complex was bought out by a loony Aussie with a cyber eye in charge of one of the Earthrealm's most notorious criminal syndicates. Greased palms and worn knees.
Weirder still is they kept this hush hush so while the SF got one of the goons to tell them about A tower, they didn't name a specific one. So Jax reasons Tasia was protecting the way to the building itself.
Me, I'm just glad this level's over. The tower has more to talk about I promise, because its shinier and we got an old friend waiting there.
Somehow the Black Dragon are trying to put on a facade. They bought a wholeass tower complex downtown, I guess still in Chicago. And nobody raised a complaint over this somehow or took notice that a wholeass tower complex was bought out by a loony Aussie with a cyber eye in charge of one of the Earthrealm's most notorious criminal syndicates. Greased palms and worn knees.
Weirder still is they kept this hush hush so while the SF got one of the goons to tell them about A tower, they didn't name a specific one. So Jax reasons Tasia was protecting the way to the building itself.
Me, I'm just glad this level's over. The tower has more to talk about I promise, because its shinier and we got an old friend waiting there.
#YouDontKnowJax
As for who it is...tune in tomorrow. All I can say is one very obvious patronizing clue:
IMSOGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY
As for who it is...tune in tomorrow. All I can say is one very obvious patronizing clue:
IMSOGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY
#YouDontKnowJax
The Black Dragon have their own skyscraper! Only in this game though. We also gotta start from the car park on the lowest level because that's how you do things. Though granted we can't identify which car belongs to the BD.
We're also set upon by boys in blue. I don't know if these guys were paid off by the Black Dragon to hold off Jax or if they're just profiling and going killhappy because there's a black man in sight but given the climate of today I wouldn't blame you if you thought those cops were just picking on Jax out of bad principle. So fuck it, eat metal fist.
Fuck tha Police also gets us our Level 6 combo, Chump Change. A bit further onward, we get a car, the license plate of which we're actually invited to view. Reading "g82-hel." Sure I'll write that down.
The Black Dragon have their own skyscraper! Only in this game though. We also gotta start from the car park on the lowest level because that's how you do things. Though granted we can't identify which car belongs to the BD.
We're also set upon by boys in blue. I don't know if these guys were paid off by the Black Dragon to hold off Jax or if they're just profiling and going killhappy because there's a black man in sight but given the climate of today I wouldn't blame you if you thought those cops were just picking on Jax out of bad principle. So fuck it, eat metal fist.
Fuck tha Police also gets us our Level 6 combo, Chump Change. A bit further onward, we get a car, the license plate of which we're actually invited to view. Reading "g82-hel." Sure I'll write that down.
#YouDontKnowJax
There's another at the farthest end with the license plate of "sophia-9". No relation to battle tank Sophia 3rd. Also more cops having problems with Jax existing. So they get a punch.
And far from Sophia's car is a straight up bright red Mini Cooper that makes me want to slap my hand to my heart and sing "Getta Bloomin Move On". seriously watch italian job 1969 its fuckin great. Its license plate is just a self-referential "Midway." No number this time so its sadly not that important.
But still! Mini Coopers!
The big garage door nearby stays shut and refuses to accomodate, but going back downward to a side office leads to the switch that opens it so no big deal. But it does show how weirdly a car park this was built.
There's another at the farthest end with the license plate of "sophia-9". No relation to battle tank Sophia 3rd. Also more cops having problems with Jax existing. So they get a punch.
And far from Sophia's car is a straight up bright red Mini Cooper that makes me want to slap my hand to my heart and sing "Getta Bloomin Move On". seriously watch italian job 1969 its fuckin great. Its license plate is just a self-referential "Midway." No number this time so its sadly not that important.
But still! Mini Coopers!
The big garage door nearby stays shut and refuses to accomodate, but going back downward to a side office leads to the switch that opens it so no big deal. But it does show how weirdly a car park this was built.
#YouDontKnowJax
Fascinatingly one car has the license plate of "1-Kintaro". Perhaps this particular driver's a big fan of the Japanese folk hero, a young boy raised by a mountain witch who defeated Shuten-Doji and went on to serve Minamoto no Yorimitsu.
Anyway there's the Chump Change combo, not much to say. Also, Ground Pounds I barely get much work out of. I don't often feel like using specials.
Disappointingly I soon learn it was just more series self-references, as for some reason someone's got Baraka's name on their license plate. And I don't think they mean the Swahili word for "blessing."
Notice the numbers, too. COINCIDENCE?
Fascinatingly one car has the license plate of "1-Kintaro". Perhaps this particular driver's a big fan of the Japanese folk hero, a young boy raised by a mountain witch who defeated Shuten-Doji and went on to serve Minamoto no Yorimitsu.
Anyway there's the Chump Change combo, not much to say. Also, Ground Pounds I barely get much work out of. I don't often feel like using specials.
Disappointingly I soon learn it was just more series self-references, as for some reason someone's got Baraka's name on their license plate. And I don't think they mean the Swahili word for "blessing."
Notice the numbers, too. COINCIDENCE?
#YouDontKnowJax
Also this glass door needs a key. Fair. I think those license plates will get me to it.
More importantly I learned that our noble and holiest God of Thunder drives a bright red Mini Cooper of his own and I am even more compelled to worship him.
Though I'd also think Raiden would be partial to electric cars, like the one he's got in that Deadly Alliance bonus pic. I mean if they run out of batteries he can just recharge them. Maybe that mini's electric? I told you he was a good god!
Also this glass door needs a key. Fair. I think those license plates will get me to it.
More importantly I learned that our noble and holiest God of Thunder drives a bright red Mini Cooper of his own and I am even more compelled to worship him.
Though I'd also think Raiden would be partial to electric cars, like the one he's got in that Deadly Alliance bonus pic. I mean if they run out of batteries he can just recharge them. Maybe that mini's electric? I told you he was a good god!
#YouDontKnowJax
Anyway now we got enough license plates to form some sort of code for that keypad we saw earlier. Ignoring the Midway one without a number, we check them in the order they're numbered by the message screen to get the code, which is 82931
And behind this door is, well, that we gotta do this again. Well that and thrashing. Anyway here's 2eliteper, which I assume is the official car of DXaHcinoS.
Also don't think you won't run into gunmen either. Again, stop, look, see, shoot.
After the guy we shot, another car bearing "9-orog", and still another nearby reading 47anatik. Now I'm just gonna say if your license plate has shit like "nimharD", "akinorK" or "-11-labak" I have full rights to shit in your air filters. I'm doing it anyway and trashing it Final Fight style if its a Tesla because fuck you.
I missed the proper screenie of it but the last car we need for the door code is "ona-k8." Guess who owns THAT one!
Kobra.
Anyway now we got enough license plates to form some sort of code for that keypad we saw earlier. Ignoring the Midway one without a number, we check them in the order they're numbered by the message screen to get the code, which is 82931
And behind this door is, well, that we gotta do this again. Well that and thrashing. Anyway here's 2eliteper, which I assume is the official car of DXaHcinoS.
Also don't think you won't run into gunmen either. Again, stop, look, see, shoot.
After the guy we shot, another car bearing "9-orog", and still another nearby reading 47anatik. Now I'm just gonna say if your license plate has shit like "nimharD", "akinorK" or "-11-labak" I have full rights to shit in your air filters. I'm doing it anyway and trashing it Final Fight style if its a Tesla because fuck you.
I missed the proper screenie of it but the last car we need for the door code is "ona-k8." Guess who owns THAT one!
Kobra.
#YouDontKnowJax
Ignoring any car without a number, we piece together the code from the ordering system to get 97482. Weird but okay we're in.
We still got a bit of a toll booth to go along with banana-clad gunmen and rent-a-cops to fuck up. Said booth actually has the key inside, though its kinda hard to tell. It is interactible though.
Anyway we now need to double back to that glass door. That's the end of this segment, a mercifully short one compared to yesterday.
Ignoring any car without a number, we piece together the code from the ordering system to get 97482. Weird but okay we're in.
We still got a bit of a toll booth to go along with banana-clad gunmen and rent-a-cops to fuck up. Said booth actually has the key inside, though its kinda hard to tell. It is interactible though.
Anyway we now need to double back to that glass door. That's the end of this segment, a mercifully short one compared to yesterday.
#YoudontKnowJax
hey gem you sure the black dragon owns this joint because i'm not really seeing it
hey gem you sure the black dragon owns this joint because i'm not really seeing it
#YouDontKnowJax
Oh hey we got an insider! We just gotta meet up with them somehow.
Now we got well dressed and equally as well armed suit goons to go along with the rent-a-cops and weekend soldiers clogging up the place. Thankfully it takes a while for the suit douche's brain to boot up so bopping him upside the head is easy.
There's a staircase on the other side of this foyer with no use, and that corridor has a gold elevator we can't access yet. The door at the farthest end, however, has an office with a C Room Key. "C" is for cookie I hope.
Oh hey we got an insider! We just gotta meet up with them somehow.
Now we got well dressed and equally as well armed suit goons to go along with the rent-a-cops and weekend soldiers clogging up the place. Thankfully it takes a while for the suit douche's brain to boot up so bopping him upside the head is easy.
There's a staircase on the other side of this foyer with no use, and that corridor has a gold elevator we can't access yet. The door at the farthest end, however, has an office with a C Room Key. "C" is for cookie I hope.
#YouDontKnowJax
Though it doesn't go for the other door in this office so we just gotta leave and take the passageway opposite this office. I mean so long as we clear armed personnel out first. Just ignore the other door that needs a key, that isn't our new C room Key and we're golden. Nearby is a stairway downward to what I guess is a basement and uhhh...
Though it doesn't go for the other door in this office so we just gotta leave and take the passageway opposite this office. I mean so long as we clear armed personnel out first. Just ignore the other door that needs a key, that isn't our new C room Key and we're golden. Nearby is a stairway downward to what I guess is a basement and uhhh...
#YouDontKnowJax
So uhhh
It leads to some sort of communal shower and changing room, filled with scantly clad women.
They don't make any sort of attack against me. There's no giggles, no screams of "PERVERT" thrown Jax's way, no threats or invitations of any sort. They just walk about, either not cognizant of or caring about the 7 foot tall tough guy who just ran in. I'm honestly kind of creeped out and its probably just weird/poor design.
I mean I even followed one into an extremely poorly thought out open toilet setup and she didn't raise an eyebrow, let alone an alarm.
At least there's a corridor on the same floor with the usual goons to bring me back to where things make sense. Also a big guy nearly killed me so I had to pop one of the uncommon Large medpacks I've been stockpiling. Don't be afraid to heal up. And nearby, finally a key I can use.
I also found this odd floating MK Dragon Design koin, and because of how well I'd been playing up until now I had forgotten this game uses a life system and I'd stumbled on an extra life.
So uhhh
It leads to some sort of communal shower and changing room, filled with scantly clad women.
They don't make any sort of attack against me. There's no giggles, no screams of "PERVERT" thrown Jax's way, no threats or invitations of any sort. They just walk about, either not cognizant of or caring about the 7 foot tall tough guy who just ran in. I'm honestly kind of creeped out and its probably just weird/poor design.
I mean I even followed one into an extremely poorly thought out open toilet setup and she didn't raise an eyebrow, let alone an alarm.
At least there's a corridor on the same floor with the usual goons to bring me back to where things make sense. Also a big guy nearly killed me so I had to pop one of the uncommon Large medpacks I've been stockpiling. Don't be afraid to heal up. And nearby, finally a key I can use.
I also found this odd floating MK Dragon Design koin, and because of how well I'd been playing up until now I had forgotten this game uses a life system and I'd stumbled on an extra life.
#YouDontKnowJax
Key in hand I make my way back. Yep, those women sure still don't give a shit that I'm in here with them. Is it possible for such a game as this to disturb me on some level?
Whatever. Back to that brown door upstairs we passed by, leading to some form of generator room. Inside and to our left, a guy who's equally as passive towards us. We're allowed to check the computer he's working on, likely since he probably saw us on a monitor thrashing the BD goons and really doesn't want to pick a fight he can't win.
Which gets us a message from HQ telling us our insider is ready to meet us. So that's who owns Sophia 9th!
She's also a redhead so I guess we gotta go back downstairs to the weird basement communal shower of utterly :l women.
Key in hand I make my way back. Yep, those women sure still don't give a shit that I'm in here with them. Is it possible for such a game as this to disturb me on some level?
Whatever. Back to that brown door upstairs we passed by, leading to some form of generator room. Inside and to our left, a guy who's equally as passive towards us. We're allowed to check the computer he's working on, likely since he probably saw us on a monitor thrashing the BD goons and really doesn't want to pick a fight he can't win.
Which gets us a message from HQ telling us our insider is ready to meet us. So that's who owns Sophia 9th!
She's also a redhead so I guess we gotta go back downstairs to the weird basement communal shower of utterly :l women.
#YouDontKnowJax
Nothing on the upper catwalks of this area so, unfortunately, back to the shower we go where waiting for us is Sophia and...
Wow I guess work was hard to come by for Giovanna before she landed the Guilty Gear STRIVE job. She leads Jax to her locker, where she stashed an "SPF Key".
Jax says nothing else to her, not telling her to get out to safety now she's done her job, she just sorta mills off on her own. And creepily RetroAchievements has an achievement for killing her after getting the key because they're horrible.
Nothing on the upper catwalks of this area so, unfortunately, back to the shower we go where waiting for us is Sophia and...
Wow I guess work was hard to come by for Giovanna before she landed the Guilty Gear STRIVE job. She leads Jax to her locker, where she stashed an "SPF Key".
Jax says nothing else to her, not telling her to get out to safety now she's done her job, she just sorta mills off on her own. And creepily RetroAchievements has an achievement for killing her after getting the key because they're horrible.
#YouDontKnowJax
Back to relative normalcy for me, that key goes to the door in that office we turned our backs on earlier. Inside is a nice healthy trove along with another SMG-wielding goon, but since I got the drop on him I drop him. We take up some ammo, a medpack, a CR Key and this odd NERF-looking toy.
Which turns out to be a cute little portable Rocket Launcher the size of a beretta. Tech is amazing sometimes. This'll come in handy later. But if you're used to bazookas being long tubes or boxes, this'll be a breath of fresh air.
Now let's use that CR key. It goes to the door behind the reception desk we saw at the start of this segment.
Back to relative normalcy for me, that key goes to the door in that office we turned our backs on earlier. Inside is a nice healthy trove along with another SMG-wielding goon, but since I got the drop on him I drop him. We take up some ammo, a medpack, a CR Key and this odd NERF-looking toy.
Which turns out to be a cute little portable Rocket Launcher the size of a beretta. Tech is amazing sometimes. This'll come in handy later. But if you're used to bazookas being long tubes or boxes, this'll be a breath of fresh air.
Now let's use that CR key. It goes to the door behind the reception desk we saw at the start of this segment.
#YouDontKnowJax
Inside, a security office, and word to developers, don't put in a large fusebox type dealie that sticks out the wall if its not the proper interactive you have to use to progress. Instead its the computer on the side.
That allows us access to the gold elevator, which puts this segment to rest. Definitely going by way smoother than the sewer did. In fact this entire level is something of a breather, I guess to prepare us for later. I'm grateful at any rate.
Inside, a security office, and word to developers, don't put in a large fusebox type dealie that sticks out the wall if its not the proper interactive you have to use to progress. Instead its the computer on the side.
That allows us access to the gold elevator, which puts this segment to rest. Definitely going by way smoother than the sewer did. In fact this entire level is something of a breather, I guess to prepare us for later. I'm grateful at any rate.
#YouDontKnowJax
Oh cool, nice of them to let us know we're facing Jarek at the end of this level. I've got a bit to say about him but for now let's actually GET to him first.
Right now our trek takes us to open air. Sweet night air, draw distance hiding gun wielding goons.
There's a gate ready and waiting for us but I wanna take some time to further explore. This works out as another goon pounding gets me the SMASH! combo. I'm really there for the full heal but hey new combo.
Oh cool, nice of them to let us know we're facing Jarek at the end of this level. I've got a bit to say about him but for now let's actually GET to him first.
Right now our trek takes us to open air. Sweet night air, draw distance hiding gun wielding goons.
There's a gate ready and waiting for us but I wanna take some time to further explore. This works out as another goon pounding gets me the SMASH! combo. I'm really there for the full heal but hey new combo.
#YouDontKnowJax
Gate to ladder, up to a black-fogged-to-shit rooftop. First instinct is of course to shoot, fight and dash my way to the end, see what I can find.
Granted there's paths going to the right and I kinda phoned in the image order here but still. Let's just focus on this path first.
Which sadly ends in two locked doors but I feel we'll solve those before long so we'll have to backtrack and check those side paths, maybe around those skylights, too.
Gate to ladder, up to a black-fogged-to-shit rooftop. First instinct is of course to shoot, fight and dash my way to the end, see what I can find.
Granted there's paths going to the right and I kinda phoned in the image order here but still. Let's just focus on this path first.
Which sadly ends in two locked doors but I feel we'll solve those before long so we'll have to backtrack and check those side paths, maybe around those skylights, too.
#YouDontKnowJax
Which works out well, said paths end in ladders to the lower areas, allowing us to examine said skylights, notably cracked. Also goons.
Now, being that they're cracked, you would think thin fragile glass plus huge swole metal arms means Jax can just punch right through them to see what's in there.
Nope.
For some reason the glass is one step near bulletproof so Jax, strongest mortal in Earthrealm with uber-powered canon-breaking metal arms, can't just slap them to shreds.
You're actually meant to plant Detonators on them. See, they're not explosion proof.
Said skylights open up to empty chambers made for the sole purpose of housing items. No doors, rooms, lounges or corridors. Just a ladder and whatever item is inside.
Which works out well, said paths end in ladders to the lower areas, allowing us to examine said skylights, notably cracked. Also goons.
Now, being that they're cracked, you would think thin fragile glass plus huge swole metal arms means Jax can just punch right through them to see what's in there.
Nope.
For some reason the glass is one step near bulletproof so Jax, strongest mortal in Earthrealm with uber-powered canon-breaking metal arms, can't just slap them to shreds.
You're actually meant to plant Detonators on them. See, they're not explosion proof.
Said skylights open up to empty chambers made for the sole purpose of housing items. No doors, rooms, lounges or corridors. Just a ladder and whatever item is inside.
#YouDontKnowJax
Though to be fair maybe its like the skylight in Emperor Pilaf's castle where he stuck Goku and his friends in with the express purpose of using the skylight to cook them to death with the sun's rays.
I can see Kano going for the Bond Villain trap.
Though to be fair maybe its like the skylight in Emperor Pilaf's castle where he stuck Goku and his friends in with the express purpose of using the skylight to cook them to death with the sun's rays.
I can see Kano going for the Bond Villain trap.
#YouDontKnowJax
There's multiple skylights on this rooftop, each opened the same way. One of them happens to have a goon inside. I have no idea if this dope fell asleep and they put a skylight over him without him knowing hoping he'd wake up to find he's stuck in a room he can only escape from if the door's blown in. Surely he couldn't be THAT loyal.
Though I also find another goon in the same circumstances so who knows. I also find a bronze key which goes to one of those doors we left behind before.
Specifically the door on the left, which opens to a security console we use to open the door opposite to...
There's multiple skylights on this rooftop, each opened the same way. One of them happens to have a goon inside. I have no idea if this dope fell asleep and they put a skylight over him without him knowing hoping he'd wake up to find he's stuck in a room he can only escape from if the door's blown in. Surely he couldn't be THAT loyal.
Though I also find another goon in the same circumstances so who knows. I also find a bronze key which goes to one of those doors we left behind before.
Specifically the door on the left, which opens to a security console we use to open the door opposite to...
#YouDontKnowJax
Well hello, little man.
Jarek's waiting for us. Now in MK4 he was pretty much just a renamed Kano, having all his moves and even a heart rip fatality. Here he mostly just tosses bladed wheelies and a generic fireball at you.
Though it is funny the infomatic is telling us he's straight up Kano's student. Apparently Kano has a school and Jarek was his student. I guess if he had any other it'd be the son Kano had for all of one MKX ending and never again.
Also, Jarek is head of security here. That's even funnier. Your boss is a lout in an orange jacket he doesn't button up. Oh and he has a soul patch.
Well hello, little man.
Jarek's waiting for us. Now in MK4 he was pretty much just a renamed Kano, having all his moves and even a heart rip fatality. Here he mostly just tosses bladed wheelies and a generic fireball at you.
Though it is funny the infomatic is telling us he's straight up Kano's student. Apparently Kano has a school and Jarek was his student. I guess if he had any other it'd be the son Kano had for all of one MKX ending and never again.
Also, Jarek is head of security here. That's even funnier. Your boss is a lout in an orange jacket he doesn't button up. Oh and he has a soul patch.
#YouDontKnowJax
Just avoid Jarek's projectiles, get up close and smack him. It's around this time I got to grips with the "Just mash X idiot" strategy and it works. It tends to lock them in, stun or otherwise, while you hit the button as if doing a combo. But you're just mashing X so no combo comes out but they're still locked in place as if politely accepting a scripted dial-a-kombat.
Though to be fair he gets a few licks in. but after gathering my thoughts and healing up, I corner him and mash that X like I'm playing a Senran Kagura game as Hikage wanting to see her bounce. And thus with that strat, Jarek goes down faster than you can say "IMSOGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY"
Just avoid Jarek's projectiles, get up close and smack him. It's around this time I got to grips with the "Just mash X idiot" strategy and it works. It tends to lock them in, stun or otherwise, while you hit the button as if doing a combo. But you're just mashing X so no combo comes out but they're still locked in place as if politely accepting a scripted dial-a-kombat.
Though to be fair he gets a few licks in. but after gathering my thoughts and healing up, I corner him and mash that X like I'm playing a Senran Kagura game as Hikage wanting to see her bounce. And thus with that strat, Jarek goes down faster than you can say "IMSOGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY"
#YouDontKnowJax
Then for laughs I do a Ground Pound to celebrate...and its here I discovered you can actually gib defeated bosses with it before the level fades out. I didn't mean that at all and I kind of wish I knew it earlier.
Now obviously if this game DOES take place before MK1 or 3 somehow, don't take it as canon because Jarek is very much still alive as of MK4 unless he somehow got resurrected before then, which you would think would come up.
Oh well, at least now I can truly say...
It's over, Jarek.
Then for laughs I do a Ground Pound to celebrate...and its here I discovered you can actually gib defeated bosses with it before the level fades out. I didn't mean that at all and I kind of wish I knew it earlier.
Now obviously if this game DOES take place before MK1 or 3 somehow, don't take it as canon because Jarek is very much still alive as of MK4 unless he somehow got resurrected before then, which you would think would come up.
Oh well, at least now I can truly say...
It's over, Jarek.
#YouDontKnowJax
Jax rings up Gemini for a debrief.
LADY BE PROFESSIONAL COME ON. Anyway the game sure seems to think Jarek got terminated. Now to be fair I just reduced him to chunks so I can't really blame it for presuming.
Also somehow, Jax found a map. No idea when that happened but uhhh okay. Must have been in Sophia's locker. Said map leads to the lost city of Sin Kiang, I guess somewhere in China, which Jax figures is where Kano and his boys are heading to for further nefarious deeds. Once again Gemini flirts on the job, but yeah she's arranging an air lift there. It'll be a change from the gunmetals I've been gallivanting around in and I want as far away from that disturbing communal shower of emotionless bikini women as possible.
Jax rings up Gemini for a debrief.
LADY BE PROFESSIONAL COME ON. Anyway the game sure seems to think Jarek got terminated. Now to be fair I just reduced him to chunks so I can't really blame it for presuming.
Also somehow, Jax found a map. No idea when that happened but uhhh okay. Must have been in Sophia's locker. Said map leads to the lost city of Sin Kiang, I guess somewhere in China, which Jax figures is where Kano and his boys are heading to for further nefarious deeds. Once again Gemini flirts on the job, but yeah she's arranging an air lift there. It'll be a change from the gunmetals I've been gallivanting around in and I want as far away from that disturbing communal shower of emotionless bikini women as possible.
#YouDontKnowJax
And tomorrow we do indeed take on Sin Kiang.
It is also the level that gets me legit tilted, but how tilted you'll just to wait for tomorrow to learn.
And tomorrow we do indeed take on Sin Kiang.
It is also the level that gets me legit tilted, but how tilted you'll just to wait for tomorrow to learn.
#YouDontKnowJax
Scenic Sin Kiang. But if you were expecting something colourful, better draw distance or, hell, a skybox, you're gonna be disappointed. We just swapped out gunmetal greys and greens for sandy browns. The good news is this first segment of the Sin Kiang level is simply one big run to the end point.
The bad news is Kano's goons are in full force and in full Fuck You mode.
Take a good look at that third pic. I ran to that sniper ammo...and one of Kano's gits is up on a cliff with a rocket launcher. And there are several of these types. But you can shoot them with a sniper rifle right? Well, obviously a rocket that hits you will knock you over, Look mode or not. So you have to make sure you're at a distance you can get a bead on the guy but his AI routine hasn't kicked in yet.
Scenic Sin Kiang. But if you were expecting something colourful, better draw distance or, hell, a skybox, you're gonna be disappointed. We just swapped out gunmetal greys and greens for sandy browns. The good news is this first segment of the Sin Kiang level is simply one big run to the end point.
The bad news is Kano's goons are in full force and in full Fuck You mode.
Take a good look at that third pic. I ran to that sniper ammo...and one of Kano's gits is up on a cliff with a rocket launcher. And there are several of these types. But you can shoot them with a sniper rifle right? Well, obviously a rocket that hits you will knock you over, Look mode or not. So you have to make sure you're at a distance you can get a bead on the guy but his AI routine hasn't kicked in yet.
#YouDontKnowJax
Then there's rocket guys on these overhanging bridges. The first one's fine, standard procedure. Its if there's another bridge right behind it with another bazooka guy that it becomes awful as you can't get a clear shot on him without his AI kicking in and opening fire and then you gotta pray you're faster.
The actual worst part of this ordeal is that the hitboxes on the rockets and explosion splash damage is, quite frankly, absolute BULLSHIT. Now that first one I showed in the second pic doesn't look too bad. But then look at the third and fourth pics.
No those are most certainly NOT Jax being flung away by the explosion That's Jax being nowhere near the explosion yet still somehow getting hit and bowled over anyway. For no reason whatsoever the collision detection on these goes to absolute shit and they can hit you even when it logically looks like you're in the clear.
In other games like Zelda or Doom if you're a good feet away from the explosion itself you're fine. Maybe in Doom you take a mild pittance but its nothing catastrophic. Now imagine if in Doom you blew up one of those explosive barrels and despite being practically a parking space away you get gibbed at 200% health. You'd wanna ragequit the game right there.
Then there's rocket guys on these overhanging bridges. The first one's fine, standard procedure. Its if there's another bridge right behind it with another bazooka guy that it becomes awful as you can't get a clear shot on him without his AI kicking in and opening fire and then you gotta pray you're faster.
The actual worst part of this ordeal is that the hitboxes on the rockets and explosion splash damage is, quite frankly, absolute BULLSHIT. Now that first one I showed in the second pic doesn't look too bad. But then look at the third and fourth pics.
No those are most certainly NOT Jax being flung away by the explosion That's Jax being nowhere near the explosion yet still somehow getting hit and bowled over anyway. For no reason whatsoever the collision detection on these goes to absolute shit and they can hit you even when it logically looks like you're in the clear.
In other games like Zelda or Doom if you're a good feet away from the explosion itself you're fine. Maybe in Doom you take a mild pittance but its nothing catastrophic. Now imagine if in Doom you blew up one of those explosive barrels and despite being practically a parking space away you get gibbed at 200% health. You'd wanna ragequit the game right there.
#YouDontKnowJax
Well at least partway through this valley I come across a stone shed with some goodies inside, like medpacks to fix my hitbox booboos and extra ammo.
I also terminate enough goons to level up for a free heal and The Shocker combo, which I'll try in a bit. Its honestly my favourite and you'll see why. Unfortunately, another valley lousy with rocket launcher asswipes is up next. Here we fucking go...
Seriously if you know how explosion attacks work in this game that sixth screenshot is gonna look suspect
Well at least partway through this valley I come across a stone shed with some goodies inside, like medpacks to fix my hitbox booboos and extra ammo.
I also terminate enough goons to level up for a free heal and The Shocker combo, which I'll try in a bit. Its honestly my favourite and you'll see why. Unfortunately, another valley lousy with rocket launcher asswipes is up next. Here we fucking go...
Seriously if you know how explosion attacks work in this game that sixth screenshot is gonna look suspect
#YouDontKnowJax
If it weren't for the fact that I have a rocket launcher of my own these particular spots would be fucking nightmares. Good thing splash damage works both ways but that still doesn't mean I have to like it.
Another rest stop grants me a nice blue key which I take up, as well as a chance at a cheeky headshot with my trusty PSG-1.
I then notice one goon made the mistake of leaving his lofty perch, just ripe for the smashing.
Now remember that Shocker combo I picked up? yes.
If it weren't for the fact that I have a rocket launcher of my own these particular spots would be fucking nightmares. Good thing splash damage works both ways but that still doesn't mean I have to like it.
Another rest stop grants me a nice blue key which I take up, as well as a chance at a cheeky headshot with my trusty PSG-1.
I then notice one goon made the mistake of leaving his lofty perch, just ripe for the smashing.
Now remember that Shocker combo I picked up? yes.
#YouDontKnowJax
Shocker is your average beatdown but it ends with Jax charging up electro energy into his metal arms, grabbing and lifting the poor fucker and shocking the dogshit out of him until he outright gibs. I dunno if it only gibs if the enemy's about to die from it or if its a guaranteed instakill no matter what but visually its a pretty damn cool mini-fatality. I think it coulda worked in a classic MK game as a fatality or in a modern MK game as an MKX-style Brutality.
Shocker is your average beatdown but it ends with Jax charging up electro energy into his metal arms, grabbing and lifting the poor fucker and shocking the dogshit out of him until he outright gibs. I dunno if it only gibs if the enemy's about to die from it or if its a guaranteed instakill no matter what but visually its a pretty damn cool mini-fatality. I think it coulda worked in a classic MK game as a fatality or in a modern MK game as an MKX-style Brutality.
#YouDontKnowJax
As a bonus he left me his grenade launcher, working just as you would expect a grenade gun to work. Bouncy bombs that explode either after a set bit or on contact with the enemy. I know some grenade launchers like the ones in GoldenEye have impact bombs that blow up on contact with any surface though. no reserve ammo so I'll stick with the Rocket Launcher til then.
Further onward and OKAY THIS IS BECOMING A FUCKING JOKE NOW
Look, I don't wanna sound like a Youtube Funnyman reviewing this game. I refuse to be lumped in the same category as brainless fucks like DarkSydePhil or his favourite student Arin Hanson or any other Johnny who only plays and reviews games on surface levels. I've always despised that kind of person.
But you play this game yourself and you look at the explosion screenshots I've got and you reread my posts from before, and you see for your fucking self that the explosion hitboxes are outright unfair. I see the rocket coming, I start running far away, I. SHOULD. BE. FUCKING. FINE. That shit did not touch me. I'm willing to pity this game but I'm not tolerating this by any measure. Fuck you.
I'm starting to think the one explosion I somehow managed to avoid in the eighth shot was a fucking fluke or an ironic bug.
As a bonus he left me his grenade launcher, working just as you would expect a grenade gun to work. Bouncy bombs that explode either after a set bit or on contact with the enemy. I know some grenade launchers like the ones in GoldenEye have impact bombs that blow up on contact with any surface though. no reserve ammo so I'll stick with the Rocket Launcher til then.
Further onward and OKAY THIS IS BECOMING A FUCKING JOKE NOW
Look, I don't wanna sound like a Youtube Funnyman reviewing this game. I refuse to be lumped in the same category as brainless fucks like DarkSydePhil or his favourite student Arin Hanson or any other Johnny who only plays and reviews games on surface levels. I've always despised that kind of person.
But you play this game yourself and you look at the explosion screenshots I've got and you reread my posts from before, and you see for your fucking self that the explosion hitboxes are outright unfair. I see the rocket coming, I start running far away, I. SHOULD. BE. FUCKING. FINE. That shit did not touch me. I'm willing to pity this game but I'm not tolerating this by any measure. Fuck you.
I'm starting to think the one explosion I somehow managed to avoid in the eighth shot was a fucking fluke or an ironic bug.
#YouDontKnowJax
Somehow I survived to get enough experience for both a free heal and the Grand Slam combo, which made me hope we actually did get Jax's Multislam throw after all.
Moreover we are finally DONE with rocket snipers and their bullshit splash damage, because just up ahead is the temple signalling this segment's end! I had Keys The Ruin (pyramid cave theme from Sonic Adventure 2) playing and only now is the pain gone.
I did make the mistake of assuming this one wall texture was a cracked one hiding goodies and wasted a detonator though.
And hopefully you got that blue key too or that door with the strangely familiar dragon design won't open for you. Funny how that dragon shows up in a lot of Earthrealm places (according to MK3 even a fucking BANK in Chicago has that same dragon on its floor) but nobody in the series ever brings it up.
Anyway let's head inside. Hope its interesting.
Somehow I survived to get enough experience for both a free heal and the Grand Slam combo, which made me hope we actually did get Jax's Multislam throw after all.
Moreover we are finally DONE with rocket snipers and their bullshit splash damage, because just up ahead is the temple signalling this segment's end! I had Keys The Ruin (pyramid cave theme from Sonic Adventure 2) playing and only now is the pain gone.
I did make the mistake of assuming this one wall texture was a cracked one hiding goodies and wasted a detonator though.
And hopefully you got that blue key too or that door with the strangely familiar dragon design won't open for you. Funny how that dragon shows up in a lot of Earthrealm places (according to MK3 even a fucking BANK in Chicago has that same dragon on its floor) but nobody in the series ever brings it up.
Anyway let's head inside. Hope its interesting.
#YouDontKnowJax
Still sandy brownness, now in bland featureless corridor flavour. Also if Gemini was writing my messages she's gone off her meds, randomly telling me to use the help of ancient queens.
Does mean I gotta also use Lookspam again to snipe enemies, you know, just incase they got guns.
Also no, Grand Slam is not Jax's iconic multislam. At least Shocker remains a gem.
Also, you better keep a good lookout for cracked walls, the poor lighting and brown walls mask the cracks. Put a detonator on them and see what's in.
Inside lies an altar for one of one "Princess Adrina." Funny, Gem said queens but I'm starting to question her competence.
Still sandy brownness, now in bland featureless corridor flavour. Also if Gemini was writing my messages she's gone off her meds, randomly telling me to use the help of ancient queens.
Does mean I gotta also use Lookspam again to snipe enemies, you know, just incase they got guns.
Also no, Grand Slam is not Jax's iconic multislam. At least Shocker remains a gem.
Also, you better keep a good lookout for cracked walls, the poor lighting and brown walls mask the cracks. Put a detonator on them and see what's in.
Inside lies an altar for one of one "Princess Adrina." Funny, Gem said queens but I'm starting to question her competence.
#YouDontKnowJax
Adrina was popular among Sin Kiang residents for her policies that ensured fair wealth and food distribution to all and not just a bunch of greedy fucks. When they tried to make it all about them, Adrina had them executed for the sake of her people.
That altar does little for us though so let's crack open another wall. Leads to a seeming dead end with big brown pillars. Elsewhere is a wall with a shiny thing behind it so I blow it open. Though it seems my dets are feeling rebellious today.
This must be Sonic though, I just picked up an emerald. Somehow judging by the shape I think its actually a Sol Emerald and Blaze, in the rare moments she's NOT stapled to that worthless white fuck, will probably pop in after Jax is done and ask for it back.
Adrina was popular among Sin Kiang residents for her policies that ensured fair wealth and food distribution to all and not just a bunch of greedy fucks. When they tried to make it all about them, Adrina had them executed for the sake of her people.
That altar does little for us though so let's crack open another wall. Leads to a seeming dead end with big brown pillars. Elsewhere is a wall with a shiny thing behind it so I blow it open. Though it seems my dets are feeling rebellious today.
This must be Sonic though, I just picked up an emerald. Somehow judging by the shape I think its actually a Sol Emerald and Blaze, in the rare moments she's NOT stapled to that worthless white fuck, will probably pop in after Jax is done and ask for it back.
#YouDontKnowJax
One little detail I like is when Jax picks up one of these gems he gets a persistent lighting effect on his person as long as he still has it (or any gem) in his inventory. It also helps light areas up which is very handy.
Also back to those big pillars. Something the game never tells you is Jax can move certain objects by pushing against it and pressing X. Yeah I think the manual mentions it, just not ingame. Nothing tells you that these pillars can be moved. At least in Ocarina of Time the big blue unmissable A button says "Grab" when Link can push something.
Pushing one pillar reveals a hidden passageway, in which hides more pushwalls a la Rise of the Triad only with way more elbow grease required. Behind those is a switch. There's a similar hidden switch behind another pillar, and both switches help with lifts I believe.
One little detail I like is when Jax picks up one of these gems he gets a persistent lighting effect on his person as long as he still has it (or any gem) in his inventory. It also helps light areas up which is very handy.
Also back to those big pillars. Something the game never tells you is Jax can move certain objects by pushing against it and pressing X. Yeah I think the manual mentions it, just not ingame. Nothing tells you that these pillars can be moved. At least in Ocarina of Time the big blue unmissable A button says "Grab" when Link can push something.
Pushing one pillar reveals a hidden passageway, in which hides more pushwalls a la Rise of the Triad only with way more elbow grease required. Behind those is a switch. There's a similar hidden switch behind another pillar, and both switches help with lifts I believe.
#YouDontKnowJax
Some walls are doors that only slightly blend in. Behind one door, I finally get some ammo for my grenade gun. Funny how they kinda look like Cyrax's bombs, he'd end up joining the Special Forces after the vents of MK4.
Sadly one door is very much locked. Oh well, I guess I'm testing my grenade gun out.
Good news is these grenades can blow open cracked walls too.
Some walls are doors that only slightly blend in. Behind one door, I finally get some ammo for my grenade gun. Funny how they kinda look like Cyrax's bombs, he'd end up joining the Special Forces after the vents of MK4.
Sadly one door is very much locked. Oh well, I guess I'm testing my grenade gun out.
Good news is these grenades can blow open cracked walls too.
#YouDontKnowJax
But for now I'm just gonna follow a faq and go down yet more featureless corridors to...
A computer. Fascinating. It moves a lift down for later (so I guess those switches were for doors. My bad.) Though one grated door doesn't budge. Ah well.
Later on down the bigass corridor I happen upon a side room with an altar to the second of three monarchs (and one who is one of two actual queens unlike Adrina), name of Rhiana. It is said when she finally escaped the tyrannical yoke of Criz of the Brownlands and gutted him from head to cock, the entire nation of Sin Kiang cheered her name and showered her in praise, adoration and worship reserved usually for the Elder Gods.
As a boon, the pillar near her altar can be pushed aside for another extra life.
Again though, the altar by itself does nothing for us thus far. Onward...
But for now I'm just gonna follow a faq and go down yet more featureless corridors to...
A computer. Fascinating. It moves a lift down for later (so I guess those switches were for doors. My bad.) Though one grated door doesn't budge. Ah well.
Later on down the bigass corridor I happen upon a side room with an altar to the second of three monarchs (and one who is one of two actual queens unlike Adrina), name of Rhiana. It is said when she finally escaped the tyrannical yoke of Criz of the Brownlands and gutted him from head to cock, the entire nation of Sin Kiang cheered her name and showered her in praise, adoration and worship reserved usually for the Elder Gods.
As a boon, the pillar near her altar can be pushed aside for another extra life.
Again though, the altar by itself does nothing for us thus far. Onward...
#YouDontKnowJax
Another turn that terminates in a bigass wall with a shiny rose red ruby floating on it. Sadly Jax can't jump. He used to be the fattest kid in school and even after bulking up he couldn't quite make the pole vault. And don't expect those metal fingers to offer purchase enough to climb up there. We'll just have to find another way around.
Anyway "lift" that this level refers to is actually referring to a cross-shaped platform. If you're feeling funny you CAN throw Jax into the dark abyss for a lost life. Sadly, unlike Bi-Han, there are no plummeting FMVs for Jax. Only an emotionless reload.
Further upward from here is a sideroom with a computer that does move that platform up. So I guess it IS a lift in some fashion.
Another turn that terminates in a bigass wall with a shiny rose red ruby floating on it. Sadly Jax can't jump. He used to be the fattest kid in school and even after bulking up he couldn't quite make the pole vault. And don't expect those metal fingers to offer purchase enough to climb up there. We'll just have to find another way around.
Anyway "lift" that this level refers to is actually referring to a cross-shaped platform. If you're feeling funny you CAN throw Jax into the dark abyss for a lost life. Sadly, unlike Bi-Han, there are no plummeting FMVs for Jax. Only an emotionless reload.
Further upward from here is a sideroom with a computer that does move that platform up. So I guess it IS a lift in some fashion.
#YouDontKnowJax
BTW, goons on this slope here. Thankfully my grenades behave themselves and smooth the way.
There's also an Amethyst lying around fresh for the taking next to this dragon door. The door does nothing so far so I assume that's what the altars and crystal gems like this are for.
Also forgot to mention Kano's goons now have yellow suits on. Anyway in one side room I find a blue key...
BTW, goons on this slope here. Thankfully my grenades behave themselves and smooth the way.
There's also an Amethyst lying around fresh for the taking next to this dragon door. The door does nothing so far so I assume that's what the altars and crystal gems like this are for.
Also forgot to mention Kano's goons now have yellow suits on. Anyway in one side room I find a blue key...
#YouDontKnowJax
And that lift I raised is how I get to that Ruby I saw earlier. It snot red like roses but this will be the day I've waited for when a cat, a girl in cute black and red goth overkill and a crystal gem aid me in catching a rampant Aussie. Or it would be if RWBY didn't completely shit all its potential away from season 3 onward.
As a bonus I can safely drop down the platform for a shortcut without breaking Jax's knees. Somehow he can't jump well but he can stick a landing.
Down one corridor and through a grey door is the third and final altar, this time to an actual queen name of Eliza. Now Eliza was an infamous and somewhat tragic queen in Sin Kiang history. For when she met the evil vizier Lili it was after she had corrupted the mind of the once great legendary warrior Asuka, turning her from a beloved, independent, capable Chief Justice and bringer of hope into a brainless hanger on little smarter than a puppy. This sad turn of events is said to have been the catalyst for the demise of Sin Kiang as a civilized nation. And really it wasn't Eliza's fault; the vizier was just an awful person and the warrior had a brain the size of a pea.
Though Eliza does demand her emerald back. This is what those gems are for, not that the game tells you much. Slap the emerald here.
And that lift I raised is how I get to that Ruby I saw earlier. It snot red like roses but this will be the day I've waited for when a cat, a girl in cute black and red goth overkill and a crystal gem aid me in catching a rampant Aussie. Or it would be if RWBY didn't completely shit all its potential away from season 3 onward.
As a bonus I can safely drop down the platform for a shortcut without breaking Jax's knees. Somehow he can't jump well but he can stick a landing.
Down one corridor and through a grey door is the third and final altar, this time to an actual queen name of Eliza. Now Eliza was an infamous and somewhat tragic queen in Sin Kiang history. For when she met the evil vizier Lili it was after she had corrupted the mind of the once great legendary warrior Asuka, turning her from a beloved, independent, capable Chief Justice and bringer of hope into a brainless hanger on little smarter than a puppy. This sad turn of events is said to have been the catalyst for the demise of Sin Kiang as a civilized nation. And really it wasn't Eliza's fault; the vizier was just an awful person and the warrior had a brain the size of a pea.
Though Eliza does demand her emerald back. This is what those gems are for, not that the game tells you much. Slap the emerald here.
#YouDontKnowJax
The Emerald glow already went away but the game only now remembers to activate the amethyst glow. Either way we deliver that to Adrina's altar. No reason, she just thinks Amethysts are pretty. But it was quite a trek back so I'm not inclined to be nice to Adrina.
Now all we have left is the ruby glow, and by process of elimination (and if you have a functioning brain you already figured it out), that goes to Rhiana's altar. A shining ruby adorned her robes of power the day she took the throne and ordered the Brownlands to surrender and grant Sin Kiang compensation for the indignity their chieftain visited upon her before his well deserved death.
Just a case of lift fuckery and long backtracking and beforelong we'll be well on our way to Kano. Or rather, Tremor since again, process of elimination dictates he's this level's boss. To early to take on Kano, y'see.
Anyway, back to that dragon door the Amethyst was chillin' by, now available for us to exit this part of the Sin Kiang chapter.
The Emerald glow already went away but the game only now remembers to activate the amethyst glow. Either way we deliver that to Adrina's altar. No reason, she just thinks Amethysts are pretty. But it was quite a trek back so I'm not inclined to be nice to Adrina.
Now all we have left is the ruby glow, and by process of elimination (and if you have a functioning brain you already figured it out), that goes to Rhiana's altar. A shining ruby adorned her robes of power the day she took the throne and ordered the Brownlands to surrender and grant Sin Kiang compensation for the indignity their chieftain visited upon her before his well deserved death.
Just a case of lift fuckery and long backtracking and beforelong we'll be well on our way to Kano. Or rather, Tremor since again, process of elimination dictates he's this level's boss. To early to take on Kano, y'see.
Anyway, back to that dragon door the Amethyst was chillin' by, now available for us to exit this part of the Sin Kiang chapter.
#YouDontKnowJax
Almost there. Though now my mission control's going on to me about gateways unto netherworlds. I'm gonna let my superiors know when I get back that I can't rely on Gemini anymore, she's losing it.
Anyway we start in an open chamber with...items floating on pillars? Do we have a mild bit of platforming in a game without jumping? Well yeah that's what the Climb feature and clever use of the Dash Punch is for. More importantly is a door that right now is not a door. Little riddle for you. PM me the answer if you dare.
It leads to a massive grand chamber, lousy with distance fog and goons...yet for once fate smiles on me for I have the drop on them, and can be in good position to snipe the lot of them without them getting me or realizing I'm here.
It's time to play Metal Gear for real.
Almost there. Though now my mission control's going on to me about gateways unto netherworlds. I'm gonna let my superiors know when I get back that I can't rely on Gemini anymore, she's losing it.
Anyway we start in an open chamber with...items floating on pillars? Do we have a mild bit of platforming in a game without jumping? Well yeah that's what the Climb feature and clever use of the Dash Punch is for. More importantly is a door that right now is not a door. Little riddle for you. PM me the answer if you dare.
It leads to a massive grand chamber, lousy with distance fog and goons...yet for once fate smiles on me for I have the drop on them, and can be in good position to snipe the lot of them without them getting me or realizing I'm here.
It's time to play Metal Gear for real.
#YouDontKnowJax
Yeah that's all she wrote.
My diligence got me a level up along with Spinal Crusher, a combo that sounded like it'd use Jax's backbreaker air throw from MK2 and 3. that move's great. Its one of the most reliable ways to cheese out MK2's absolutely bullshit cheating AI in the arcade version (along with Scorpion's air throw). Don't believe me? Let RQ87 show you the proof is VERY much in the pudding. Watch this then get back to me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R_pPNoDJqc
Yeah that's all she wrote.
My diligence got me a level up along with Spinal Crusher, a combo that sounded like it'd use Jax's backbreaker air throw from MK2 and 3. that move's great. Its one of the most reliable ways to cheese out MK2's absolutely bullshit cheating AI in the arcade version (along with Scorpion's air throw). Don't believe me? Let RQ87 show you the proof is VERY much in the pudding. Watch this then get back to me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R_pPNoDJqc
#YouDontKnowJax
The sidepaths hide the usual, goons that escaped my notice, goodies, that kinda thing. And a gold key which we'll use momentarily.
Anyway if it weren't for the draw distance this'd be a coolass room.
The sidepaths hide the usual, goons that escaped my notice, goodies, that kinda thing. And a gold key which we'll use momentarily.
Anyway if it weren't for the draw distance this'd be a coolass room.
#YouDontKnowJax
Ever onward is another big chamber. Hilariously right there was one goon with a gun who...well I think he was half asleep, he was in perfect distance of being able to notice me but just...didn't turn on. So I gunned him down.
Actually quite a few guys fall prey to my gun without even trying to attack but I think Kano ran out of more intelligent gooners to hold the fort and is relying on primary school dropouts.
Although one guy got lucky, I thought I could hipshoot him since part of himself was sticking out the doorway. No such luck, hit detection foiled me.
Ever onward is another big chamber. Hilariously right there was one goon with a gun who...well I think he was half asleep, he was in perfect distance of being able to notice me but just...didn't turn on. So I gunned him down.
Actually quite a few guys fall prey to my gun without even trying to attack but I think Kano ran out of more intelligent gooners to hold the fort and is relying on primary school dropouts.
Although one guy got lucky, I thought I could hipshoot him since part of himself was sticking out the doorway. No such luck, hit detection foiled me.
#YouDontKnowJax
So instead I gave the Spinal Crusher combo a try. No, backbreakers are not involved. In fact, Jax takes a page out of Sheeva's book of all things and pounds a guy on top of the skull. But rather than them being embedded in the ground, in probably the funniest part of this game so far the combo squashes them into little tiny manlets. Their model just squashes, and if they survive or you abort the combo they stay small and squashed even as they attack you.
Its fuckin' great.
Outside this room at the far end of the chamber, operated by this computer...
Oh hell yeah its a Portal! Portals are a recurring part of Mortal Kombat, y'see. Now that we got a portal here now we KNOW this is Mortal Kombat for sure.
Though the outer ring looks like its lifted right out of Stargate. Is this whole level culminating in a Stargate reference? Ancient temples, ring portals...
Anyway where's it lead to? The portal's green but as Mortal Kombat Deception taught me, the green portal in the Nexus leads TO Earthrealm. I wonder what this one's for then? Could it lead to an alternate Earth, like the New Era Earth? Xaa? The lost Zaterra? Ooh, maybe its Hinpar! I'm gonna bet Hinpar!
So instead I gave the Spinal Crusher combo a try. No, backbreakers are not involved. In fact, Jax takes a page out of Sheeva's book of all things and pounds a guy on top of the skull. But rather than them being embedded in the ground, in probably the funniest part of this game so far the combo squashes them into little tiny manlets. Their model just squashes, and if they survive or you abort the combo they stay small and squashed even as they attack you.
Its fuckin' great.
Outside this room at the far end of the chamber, operated by this computer...
Oh hell yeah its a Portal! Portals are a recurring part of Mortal Kombat, y'see. Now that we got a portal here now we KNOW this is Mortal Kombat for sure.
Though the outer ring looks like its lifted right out of Stargate. Is this whole level culminating in a Stargate reference? Ancient temples, ring portals...
Anyway where's it lead to? The portal's green but as Mortal Kombat Deception taught me, the green portal in the Nexus leads TO Earthrealm. I wonder what this one's for then? Could it lead to an alternate Earth, like the New Era Earth? Xaa? The lost Zaterra? Ooh, maybe its Hinpar! I'm gonna bet Hinpar!