This was an interesting season to log. Coming right after what seems to have been the last hurrah of mainline SSQ, this season is the downward motion which brings the plot towards the low it hits in Season 13. Unlike Season 13, however, it is very much alive and well, just slowly fading out due to some rather important issues.
Plot Summary
Hey there. I've placed the Plot Summary in its own page over here.
Plot Analysis
Writing the summary for this season was painful. And not in the fun way where I go "Well duh, these logs are meant to not be connected." more like "How am I to put them next to one another and say "Yeah, this is continuous."" The plot went in 3 phases.
Phase 1--The failed Nick plot.
Phase 2--The annoying Space Pirate/AI plot.
Phase 3--The Dark Prognosticus/Evil Luigi, Metal Man, Ganondorf, Trent Easton, & the inexplicable disc.
It really should have been three SEPARATE seasons for each of these threads ignored the others' existence utterly. The first one tragically dying before its time, the second outliving the first in a mockery as it sucked by comparison, and the third finally booting the second out and giving us a medium-well done ending.
On the plus side it doesn't have a downer ending. Additionally, there are some wacky and shiny points here, most of them being in the ending, Nick's missions, and a few scattered far between them. Unfortunately, without any credible ultimate enemy, things went downhill, as reflected by this Season's name. Not to mention it takes place at such a distance from the past glory that it is faded.
Of course, the real tragedy is Nick's missions dying so early. There it was: Aribar's Oddesee back from the death for us all to enjoy. Klumsy has even returned. It was sort of a nostalgia trip which had never been thought possible. Then... it all went to pot. In meta-plot terms, The Book curb-stomped the thing because Klumsy had, in truth, warned about a real danger--The Void's death had unravelled things such that, left unchecked, the world would explode. And explode it did, in Season 13. So we can look at this season as where a perfectly good warning being ignored leads to dire circumstances.
Prototypical SSQ^2 influences appear here; I begin letting in new things. But it is mostly amatuerish and second-place to the more powerful themes of books. I also abused Space Pirates too much--this season seemingly reflected more what I was currently playing than any coherent plot. Which is a bit of a shame, because it has more potential than the dry schlock that occurred in Season 13.
In the end despite saying so many words there is little to be said besides what I've intoned already. This season combined the rich temptation of the full-bore, legendary SSQ of old with the dry, meaningless random gibberish of the last bit of SSQ 1, which ultimately left us all with a bad taste in our mouth. The sort of taste which led to Season 13 and The Book.
This plot also marks the last appearance of many major people, including Klumsy. Hence you can easily call it the curtain call; anything which stays is closer to riding into SSQ^2 than really riding the SSQ 1 train, for by the end it has sailed... having been disabled or defeated by the dramatic deus ex machina-ending super machine.
Here we can also see the lack of major villains causing everything to go downhill, and yet ANOTHER instance of the 'dead tournament plot.' Sure, there was a tournament, but it was such a boring thing we ignored it and it ceased to occur. Indeed, the Questers themselves demanded it be cancelled until Ganondorf was done with.
What was also interesting was the Snake replacement of Metal Man. And with it, the new system. The new system brought a large variety of Melee Moves into play, but ultimately was rejected because of no customizability. Similarly, the Questers ICly revolted against Snake when given the chance and Metal Man rode to victory atop the Questers' shoulders.
Snake would never have an important role again, and unfortunately for Nick, who had helped inspire this season, neither his original plot, nor his system, nor even the ideas he had survived. Unfortunately for us all, too, for I really needed just a lil' more time to develop my own style from here.
Had there been a successful Final Phantasy, I'd be writing this commentary under vastly different circumstances.
Still, that's all a What-if, and one can't really change the players of SSQ. Ultimately they chose and they won, so it was for the greater good. Besides--Nick's system remains... simply grafted at the hip with the ancient but unstoppably durable #meh system of custom moves I originally made a whopping 7 years ago (as of this date--in 2009.)
I look forward to the next season, for it shall bring to the fore the true Climax of SSQ (well, the seasons I more or less created that is) and move us out of even trace elements of the downward roll that occurred in this season and Season 13.
Oh, and Nick did design the evil Luigi plan. That survived. More or less.
Word Map (Made by Wordle)
Dragoshi's name dominates yet again. Here, however, the concept of what a Quester is moves to the forefront. It is flanked by Questerly concepts like Metal Man, Ganondorf, Deloth, Bowser, and Aribar. SIMBER, the intrusive and yet one-dimensional NPC I used to overuse, also hides in the side, with Kamui, the guy who stupidly got himself akilled from the server later on. Wolfman, Panzer, Digi, and Julian are in the periphery, with doors and Solid Snake. Snake's loss to Metal Man is made obvious by Metal Man's name being several times larger than his. Thinking is more important than warping here; it is clear this Season is trying to be something more than mindless moving about.
However, it doesn't make a very clear picture of it, and so, only a hazy after-image can be seen from the word map. The main enemy is nowhere to be seen, as it was never really mentioned much; more of an afterthought.
Cast (In order of Appearance)
Wolfman - Ex-Leader of the Questers - Goomba Gatorade Drinkin' Mako Denier
Chancé Lucent - Quester - "New... Quester... #2???"
Digifanatic - Quester - Match Announcin' Guy
Dragoshi - Quester - Weak against Playground Slides
Deloth - Quester - Still Has Nightmares About that Tower
Professor Oak - Quester HQ Staff - Long-suffering Assistant
Aribar - Quester - One-armed Blue Shirt Wearer
Peach - Smasher - Invitation Loser
Bowser - Smasher - Sneaky Old Turtle
Koopa - Koopa Troopa - Car Stealer
Smash Dex - Smash Dex - Some Title which does not just say "Smash Dex"
XaoShi - Quester - Short-lived 200 feet Sprinter
Metal Man's Answering Machine - Answering Machine - Please call back in 1006 years!
SIMBER - Quester HQ AI - Sly Commentator
Toad - Construction Worker - Afraid of Step Brothers
Toad2 - Construction Worker - Doesn't Know Where that Two Came From
Dahl - Quester - Two-Decade Vacationer
Rika - Quester??? - Sparkly Eyes of Lateness
Aaron Sarasa - Quester - Illogical Kin of Daisy
Wario - Smasher - Bomb Thrower
Snake - Some Guy who Does Stuff at Quester HQ - Unwanted Help
Guard - Construction Security - Dislikes Construction Sites
Dis. Aster - Construction Toad - Manifestation of Bad Luck
Toad1 - Construction Worker - Doesn't see anyone
Toad3 - Construction Worker - Blames it all on Dis. Aster
Holo Space Pirate - Space Pirate Hologram - Entire Building is designated as an intruder
Ganondorf - Smasher/Villain - Dirty Cheater of Doom
Jigglypuff - Smasher - Inexplicable Victim
Lakitu - Quester HQ Staff - Evil Tape Erasin' Match Announcin' Guy
John - Quester - Hates Old Men
Abe - Holographic Oddworld Person - HORRIFYING YELLOW EYE
Munch - Holographic Oddworld Person - Amateur Photographer
Glukkons - Holographic Oddworld Thugs - Chain smokers
Cloud - Holographic ex-SOLDIER - Likes Onions
Tifa - Holographic AVALANCHE member - Help Requester
Alex Fender - Quester - Freaky Guy Introduced in a HOLO MISSION
Sligs - Holographic Oddworld Thugs - UGLIEST GUYS ANYONE HAS SEEN
Klumsy Koopa - Holographic Quester - Strategy Guide Reader
Charizard - Holographic Pokemon - Sorta Inexplicable
Shadow - Holographic Genetic Project - Never Wakes Up
Slogzilla - Holographic Oddworld Monster - Confused Eater
Heidigger - Holographic Shinra Goon - Hides Just Off Screen
Scarlet - Holographic Shinra Goon - Wants people to Go
Reno - Holographic Shinra Goon - Taser Stick Attacker
Rude - Holographic Shinra Goon - Fist-thrower
Trigger - Quester - Inexplicable Returned 'Nintendo Master'
Robots - Holographic Robotnik Machines - Shoot Electric Caps
Mecha Shadow - Holographic Gerald Machine - Faster Than Sanity
Gerald Robotnik - Holographic Invincible Madman - JUST STAY DEAD ALREADY!!!
Mr. Shinra - Holographic CEO - Planet Blood-Stealer
Phamacy Kid - Holographic Shopkeeper - Too Young To Use Any Of His Own Drugs
Old Man #1 - Holographic Shopkeeper - Makes Tanks Jump
Julian - Quester - Tank Wonderer
Neo Mecha Shadow - Holographic Gerald Machine - Now He's Really Mad!
Samus - Smasher - Hates Dem Space Pirates
Evil Corrupted GFS AI #1 - Corrupted GFS AI - Kafein' Za ERROR!
Evil Corrupted GFS AI #2 - Corrupted GFS AI - Cheeto-Eating God
Elite Space Pirate - Space Pirate - Ate His Wheaties
Pikachu - Smasher - Elf Thrower
Link - Smasher - Pavement Toucher
Captain Falcon - Smasher - Losers don't do milk!
Don Cortega - Shady Businessman - Puts Tracking Devices in Pineapples
??? #1 - Who knows? - Newspaper reader
Shop-man - Hyrule Castle Town Shopkeep - C-buttony
??? #2 - Futuristic Pig Shopkeep - Has Killer New Weapons
??? #3 - GFS Shopkeep - Flippy Tracking Devices?
Birdo - 8-bit Thug - Won't Give Up
Mario - Smasher - Smug Annoying Plumber
Luigi - Smasher - Unlucky Loser
Metal Man's Log - Dex Program - Yes, No One Found Him Yet
Egg Pawn Pile - Old Robotnik Robots - Make Weird Noises
Robot - Crazy Eggrobo - Robotnik's Left Left Hand Man
Eggman? - Possessed Crazy Eggrobo - Eggman's Attack Never ends, Does It?
Receptionist - Twoson Department Store Employee - Hideous Track Finder
Jeff
Voice - Stadium Defense System - Not A Good Riddler
Scanner - Stadium Defense System - Authorizes Dangerous Crates
Bomb card -New Quester Tool - Why Does It Talk???
Dr. Light - Stadium HQ Staff - Mr. Do-Anything
Valentine Kilmer - Quester - Claims not to be a Quester
Bandit - Slightly Rich Shoe Bandits - Wants Elf-Skin Boots
???1 - Desert Hallucination - This Happens All The Time
???2 - Desert Hallucination - Martians Must Be Punched?
Moustafa - Desert Nomad - Unauthorized Videotaper
Waluigi - Unemployed Jerk - Has Waluigi Powers
Dave/Dan - Old Quester Ally - Fix-it Guy
Kamui - Quester - Panzer's Favorite Target
Master Hand - Stadium Power-that-is - Out of Touch
Giovanni - Evil Mobster - Stadium Wrecker
Panzer - Quester - Back From Several Year Hiatus
Vanessa - Some Time Knight Thing - Nobody Knows
Aiden - Time Kn--err, Quester - Late Due to Epic Battle Against Michael Jackson
BAG - Klein Toys Leader From Another Dimension - Makes Foolish Flesh Creatures do the Fire Dance
Dr. Mario - Stadium Staff - Evil Embezzler Doc
GF Envoy - Galactic Federation - Helpless Helper
GF Scientist - Galactic Federation - Specializes in Compounds
Mystery Sniper - ??? - Amateur Terrorist
Toad - Princess Peach's Retainer - No, NOT THAT OTHER ONE I MENTIONED EARLIER. This one... does nothing.
Scientist - Silph Co. Employee - Rocket Disruptor
Metal Man - Unfindable Former Quester Leader - Wannabe Lawyer
Illusionist - Quester - Or Maybe Just a Pile Of Dirt?
Grodus - Dome-Headed Moron - Refuses to Stop Failing
E Li Three - Neverending Trap Master - Electric Radishes Actualize Greenly!
Kuja - Random Cameo of the Past - Bored Or Something
Zelda - Smasher - Wouldn't Want to Lure Bowser
Agknot - WTF?!?! - His name is the letter 'Bob' in his language?
Ninja - Quester - Sold Holy Water to Start a Restaurant
Dracula - Old Quester Arch-Enemy - Saw The Void Die
Dark Master - Dark Prognosticus Abuser - Annoying Lil' Jerk
Dr. Carrol - Datadyne Prisoner - MegaWarps Are Bad For You
Trent Easton - Corrupt NSA Man - Hates Eeeeveryone
Soldier - Area 51 Guard - Technology Hates Him
Orc - Aribar's Opposite - Wants Elf for Breakfast
Woman... Person... Thing - Dragoshi's Opposite - Doesn't Do Much
Englishman - Alex's Opposite - Subtle Poisoner
Football Jock - Digi's Opposite - Wants to Kick Nerds
Shadow Aribar - Unending Slytock Clone of Aribar - Escapes Yet Again
Mr. Saturn A - Illusion - 1337 $|>34|<3|2
Mr. Saturn B - Illusion - Binary Opposition
Man - Trent Easton Lackey - Doesn't Wanna Die
Mr. Saturn - Weird Earthbound Thing - DoEs NoT kNoW
Koopa1 - Prisoner - Gonna Hurricane You
Koopa2 - Prisoner - Toad Burner
Man #2 - Trent Easton Lackey - Actually Blocks Stuff
Kamek - Bowser's Tutor - After 20 Years, I am Freeee!
Wario - Smasher? - Sells Stuff
??? #4 - TV Person - Save us Razorx!
Razorx - TV Person - OMNI DEATHRAY
Dr. Elian Botnik Wily - TV Person - Everything Combined Together, Stupidly
Toad News Announcer - TV Person - Interference detected!
Announcer - TV Person - Beer Pusher
Feint - Quester - Questionable Potential Kamui Clone
The Librarian - Ancient Library Keeper - Knows His Stuff
Mewtwo - Stadium Staff - Back For No Reason
Selrac - Crazy Ship Hologram - Acid Reflux Disco
Soldier - Car Lot Guard - BAG Victim
Soldier2 - Car Lot Guard - Unsure of Questers' Sanity
Tank Man - Trent Easton Lackey - Likes to Blow Things Up?
General - Andross Lackey - Has An Evil Plan
Dark Prognosticus - Doomsday Device - Wants to Empower Some Guy Far Away
GUN Scientist - On A Video - Killed By Robot Apocalypse
Gerald Recording - On A Video - Never Gonna Give You Up
King Strider - Robot Project - Why did they make him a King, again?
??? #5 - E Li Three Obstacle - Similar To Another Blue Person
Smithy - E Li Three Obstacle - In Bad Shape
Computer - E Li Three Obstacle- R@#!(!#TRN@TIOT$NYOMGBBQ$@!I#B!T#!!T!!
Old Man #2 - Viridian City Guy - Reality Corruptor
Gary Oak - Gym Leader - Wants More Cheerleaders
Nurse - Viridian City Pokecenter Staff - Knows too Much
World-Saving Macguffin Box #2 - World Saving MacGuffin - Panzer's Only Friend???
Count Blech - Fall Guy - Dies for his Prognosticus
??? #6 - Credits Guy - Who?
Jesse - Team Rocket Loser - Thinks Bowser is in the Salvation Army
Final Notes
This was a rather long and chaotic season. Again my thanks goes out to Nick, since he made the system. Wolfman also aided in working on programming stuff which we use in one form or another today. With this completed, the first logs of the actually 'Melee' Questers shall begin. Look forward to The Void and Charles and Glyph's character... in the next series of logs.Additionally, hang in there, I will eventually do the SSQ^2 logs...