[General Battuta]

Up first!

Shrouding the light
by FreeSpaceFreak

The original version of this 21-mission, fully voiced campaign was released by Blaise Russell back in 2004. You will play as a Vasudan, a year after the events of FreeSpace 1. You will take part in the bloody civil war between PVN and HoL in the Deneb theatre. You will witness the tough beginning of the Terran-Vasudan alliance, a time when the war between both species was still fresh in their minds. In those days, collaboration was ordered from up above, much against the will of the frontline guys of either side. This led to much tension in joint operations, and ultimately to many unnecessary deaths.

The missions are overall very well-designed, balanced and enjoyable. All ships are used in a role that fits them (yes, even the Aten has a use!), making this campaign good study material for the less experienced FREDders around. The mission design is not as advanced as in modern campaigns like WiH or VD; it remains close to the original FreeSpace feel.

Shrouding the Light is probably the campaign that cemented Blaise Russel's reputation as the master of FreeSpace campaign design, at least until Ransom Arceihn came along with Transcend the next year. Even then, StL is well worth the time to play it, particularly after being voiced. Shrouding the Light turns in good performances in every category, resulting in a campaign more than the sum of its parts and a superb overall experience.

This is also possibly one of the earliest character-driven campaigns; in the little brother of this campaign, Shrouding the Light: Origins, you get to know the backstory of each of your wingmen. They have been through some of the hottest parts of the Terran-Vasudan War, and in this minicampaign you will relive some of the most memorable moments of their lives.

All in all, if you feel like playing a good old -styled campaign, this is one you shouldn't miss!

Because this is more of a campaign than a mod, it still works just as good as it did back then. Here's two screenshots from my playthrough on 3.6.10.







Original statement of intent:

I've been meaning to do this for a while. I think we should do an occasional spotlight on some of the older campaigns out there. I'm thinking **** like Aeos Affair, Renegade Resurgence, what have you. Additionally I think we could point some people towards more recent releases that didn't get enough play (Uncharted Territory did some very interesting stuff with persistent consequences, for instance.)

99% of everything is ****, but FreeSpace campaigns may be the exception; it's more like 80%.

What I'd propose is using this first post to contain the latest article - any global mod or admin handy can edit the newcomer in - and additionally posting each one in chronological order in the thread (mixed in with the inevitable discussion.) Anyone who wants to volunteer to do one can, presuming acceptable quality.

This isn't anything particularly official, it's just gonna be run by interested folks, but I think it would not be a bad plan. Wiki spotlights are out of the way and only work for good content on the Wiki.

Probably some good ideas too:

1. Keep it to the point, use some pictures.

2. This is a place to tell people what to play, not a place to tell people what not to play.

3. You gotta actually have to have played the ****. Multi campaigns are game too.

[Mobius]

Crossing the Styx

Release thread

A must have, IMHO. Has one problem: too many waves of Shivan wings. Without considering that, however, is an enjoyable campaign people are sadly forgetting.

[General Battuta]

Out of curiosity how many different Crossing the Stickses were there?

[Snail]

...one?

[General Battuta]

...one?

nowai, I totally remember...



okay you're right i am le dumb

[Dragon]

Merkar camapign demo, it's quite nice idea that could have been developed further.
http://freespacemods.net/download.php?view.524
Also contains a mission with retail-compatible (and SEXP-only) capship flying system.
Unfortunately, I don't have screenshots.

[General Battuta]

These are good suggestions but we're gonna need a bit more content than this to get it rolling. I'm thinking along the lines of CBT's Mech of the Week articles or a Let's Play or what-have-you.

[Mobius]

Out of curiosity how many different Crossing the Stickses were there?

Isn't the plural of Styx... Styges?


Also, shouldn't this thread be in the FSCRP board?

[Droid803]

No, because we're not asking them to be restored.

[General Battuta]

Out of curiosity how many different Crossing the Stickses were there?

Isn't the plural of Styx... Styges?

NO IT'S "CROSSING THE STYX CAMPAIGNS"

This is what we call 'a joke'. I will send you a subscription to my newsletter on the topic now.

[Mobius]

No, because we're not asking them to be restored.

Right, sorry.

[Solatar]

Would Blaise Russel's "Shivans" release for FSPort be a good candidate?

It's two 3 mission mini-campaigns, both dealing with Shivan influences on the two species. Phantoms is my favorite of the two. Shortly before the end of the T-V War, you encounter Shivans in a similar manner to Out of the Dark, Into the Night. It's a short campaign, but it has some excellent storytelling. Plus; they're both voice-acted!

These two campaigns, IMO, exemplify what a true "mini-campaign" should be. They both tell great stories without the need of fancy MODs.

Download from FSMods

[General Battuta]

Would Blaise Russel's "Shivans" release for FSPort be a good candidate?

It's two 3 mission mini-campaigns, both dealing with Shivan influences on the two species. Phantoms is my favorite of the two. Shortly before the end of the T-V War, you encounter Shivans in a similar manner to Out of the Dark, Into the Night. It's a short campaign, but it has some excellent storytelling. Plus; they're both voice-acted!

These two campaigns, IMO, exemplify what a true "mini-campaign" should be. They both tell great stories without the need of fancy MODs.

Download from FSMods

Yeah I think this is a good pick as well.

[FreeSpaceFreak]

Shrouding the light

The original version of this 21-mission, fully voiced campaign was released by Blaise Russell back in 2004. You will play as a Vasudan, a year after the events of FreeSpace 1. You will take part in the bloody civil war between PVN and HoL in the Deneb theatre. You will witness the tough beginning of the Terran-Vasudan alliance, a time when the war between both species was still fresh in their minds. In those days, collaboration was ordered from up above, much against the will of the frontline guys of either side. This led to much tension in joint operations, and ultimately to many unnecessary deaths.

The missions are overall very well-designed, balanced and enjoyable. All ships are used in a role that fits them (yes, even the Aten has a use!), making this campaign good study material for the less experienced FREDders around. The mission design is not as advanced as in modern campaigns like WiH or VD; it remains close to the original FreeSpace feel.

Shrouding the Light is probably the campaign that cemented Blaise Russel's reputation as the master of FreeSpace campaign design, at least until Ransom Arceihn came along with Transcend the next year. Even then, StL is well worth the time to play it, particularly after being voiced. Shrouding the Light turns in good performances in every category, resulting in a campaign more than the sum of its parts and a superb overall experience.

This is also possibly one of the earliest character-driven campaigns; in the little brother of this campaign, Shrouding the Light: Origins, you get to know the backstory of each of your wingmen. They have been through some of the hottest parts of the Terran-Vasudan War, and in this minicampaign you will relive some of the most memorable moments of their lives.

All in all, if you feel like playing a good old -styled campaign, this is one you shouldn't miss!

Because this is more of a campaign than a mod, it still works just as good as it did back then. Here's two screenshots from my playthrough on 3.6.10.

Out of curiosity how many different Crossing the Stickses were there?

Two, actually. Mine, and 0rph3u5 had plans for one, that got canceled.

[General Battuta]

I'd happily use that as our first entry if there were just a bit more meat to it. And I know I'm a lazy prat for not doing it myself; I'm sorry.

[FreeSpaceFreak]

... will this about do?

[General Battuta]

Done. And I'd like to actually play this thing. So if this goes well hopefully we can get some discussion of the campaign going here.

[Trivial Psychic]

This is a partial violation of Article #3, but it might bring out the recollections of those who've actually played this/these.

I seem to recall that the "Lightning Martial" campaigns were quite popular back during the early days of SCP visual enhancement and before HTL.  Perhaps someone who HAS played these could come forward and give testament to its greatness.

[Galemp]

It's "Lightning Marshal."

[Droid803]

pronounced the same waY