MS Paint Adventures thread

[Bright Shadows]

You'll never guess my screen name on the MSPA forum.
[Hint: It is nigh exactly the same, just with an underscore for the space]
[I lurk the fan art thread and rarely post, post in the MSPA chat topic sometimes]

The biggest problem with time shenanigans is that sometimes you know what's coming. That is a fairly inevitable result of having 5 frames of reference. Like I said, I loved the new flash, but it didn't have much new info, no. Said problem is why I'm excited to get back to the kids and see them get through to the rift. The trolls lose time line visibility there, so fewer perspectives.

Also, I miss Dave shenanigans. So there's that.

[ameretrifle]

I used to lurk a lot in the main forum, but, again, rampant 4channish dickery coupled with "Gee Willikers we are the most awesomest and friendly forum ever why are you pussies so offended?? Good luck making friends emo bitch."

I stick to the art forum now. >_> And the MSPAFA forum, when I remember.

I'd be okay with the lack of new info if I cared enough about the old info. I just... don't. There's too much... insincerity, maybe, for me to really connect. I was always John or Jade at heart-- "some people mean everything they say". With the trolls, there's too much hate, so many sharp edges and twisted intents. Some characters are more sincere than they'd like to be but that's all mustly buried and denied as much as possible. For all the symmetry in this arc, there's no balance whatsoever. And it would work so much better in small doses. I really think I'll like them better once they're co-main characters again. But hell if I know.

Meh. Don't know if any of that actually makes sense. :/ Possibly I just want Dave back. And John and Rose and Jade. The alt-future arc is what really hooked me.

[Sruixan]

As a forumgoer at MSPA I am probably a tad biased, but as long as you know where you're headed you can steer clear of the douches and the dickery and generally get quite the pleasurable experience out of it. It is admittedly the general opinion of many that most of the assholes frequent the main forum, and things did get a bit shaky recently when the forums switched over but generally we're not that bad. The MSPAFA forum (whereby users do their own Hussie-style adventures) is pretty safe and exceptionally nifty as well, since there are quite a few high-quality gems to be plucked from the archives and that are ongoing. We're reasonably civilised too. Honest. We even have some Mafia running! (kind of)

As for the actual comic, the troll arc seems to be ending just as my patience with it was beginning to wear thin. As nice a tangent as it was to find out about the trolls, I did think it dragged a little, maybe, and I am pining somewhat for the simpler days of the four kids. The troll flash was a tad disappointing; when you watch it, yes, it is awesome, but it doesn't particularly linger. The art was quality, the music was neat but it maybe lacked a little substance. Still, I'm certainly looking forward to returning to the kids...

[ameretrifle]

Oh, I do know ;D Alanna and Mutewood are obvious recs as competed adventures go. I really particualrly liked Careers in Religion, for some reason, before its untimely demise. I love the story of Complexity 101 but I don't even try at the crazy puzzles. A Potted Plant by the Window is awesome. There's a lot of smaller ones I like but they keep falling off the front page. :/

There's also plenty of great fanart (though I've kind of stopped keeping up with it >_>) and some seriously excellent fanfic (there's a directory, go look up everything sarasvati has written ever. do it now). Everything else I am staying the hell away from because at the moment I don't care enough to deal with it. :/ I am hoping I will regain some of my enthusiasm once the troll arc is over.

[Jorpho]

The MSPAFA forum (whereby users do their own Hussie-style adventures) is pretty safe and exceptionally nifty as well, since there are quite a few high-quality gems to be plucked from the archives and that are ongoing.

So like I asked before, what would you specifically recommend?

[ameretrifle]

La la la invisible~ Here, have a few assorted recs.

(Oh, and Sruixan, in making this list, i just realized that my vague memories of having seen you in the Complexity 101 thread were because you CREATED it XD Derp derp, is I believe the accepted idiom. Holy crap, man, kudos!! I've been reading that for ages, long before I joined that forum. <3 I would fangirl at you for a while but that would probably be weird.)

Completed:
The Attackening: Revengeance-Fun, cute, action, catboys, Tom Waits fighting cultist zombies-- ridiculous in all the best ways.
Alanna--very well-written dark suspense/fantasy.
Mutewood-- mindscrewy horror classic.
Purpose Quest -- Escape-the-room game!
The Rose Ring-- Fractured fairytale noir-cop story, humorous and horrific by turns. Wow, summaries are hard.

Ongoing:
Her Name Was Alia-- Oddly philosophical adventure about a small dark creature, a girl, and the meaning of life. Great art, too.
Leak-- fun fantasy about an adorable cesium elemental. Also good art.
Complexity 101--a mysterious building filled with ever-more-difficult puzzles. I still want to know what happens ;D
.Memoria-- an amnesiac dark creature and his friendbuddylackeynew acquaintance. A good heart, dark fantasy plot, and a sense of humor that's not afraid to be a bit offbeat.
Lucky Cookie-- hard to describe properly without spoiling some of the plot...Starts off with you trapped in a building. Nicely RPG-y.
A Potted Plant by the Window-- the adventures of a venus flytrap and his spider friend. Fun and sweet. And Vinny is adorable.

That took quite a bit of effort so go and check something out, dammit. And there are probably a lot of good ones I missed, too-- some of these are widely known classics, some are just ones that appeal to my particular taste. Also, I don't have the time to go plunging TOO deep into the archives. >_> (Careers in Religion, Crystal Rave, Threnody...) So, anyone else got a list? And remember to look around for yourself! Even some never-finished ones are worth reading (particularly if the author summarized the direction the story would've taken in the end...). There's textventures and action and scifi and.......

[Bright Shadows]

Crystal Rave is pretty great. I caught up once upon a time, and it was crazy.

EDIT:
The update today was unbelievably awesome. John's return with an epic pesterlog.

[RLabs]

I spend way too much time reading this comic. I think part of it has to do with knowing that an update could happen at pretty much any time; fortunately I think my eagerness to check for updates has died down somewhat (not out of dislike of the comic so much as starting up school again and spending less time online). While I'm still enjoying the updates, I agree with ameretrifle that a lot of trolls are characterized by so much underhandedness that it's really hard to like them as much as the main characters. Despite so many people liking her I honestly would have preferred that Vriska and most of the events related to her didn't happen; maybe because most of them felt sort of pointless while still being pretty depressing? (Since Act 5 Part 2 started we've had like a dozen Vriska/John pages and no John/Jade... While the antagonistic character relationships are interesting, I really find the ones between friends a lot more enjoyable to read.) On the plus side, I'm really impressed by how long the pesterlogs are now; I think Andrew's formspring post about Homestuck being more like an e-novel with pictures than a comic is pretty accurate now.

As for the forums: I'm obviously biased in saying that I really enjoy them, but I was getting sick of the forums for a while as well. Fortunately, this was mainly due to a group of spammy pretentious assholes that all of a sudden left MSPA Discussion for the Genchat and Serious Business boards, which was nice. I think the only main problem is the defensiveness some people (including Andrew, I think) have with regards to the comic; I'm not surprised people who frequent the fora would enjoy it but there are some that can go a bit too far in defending it. On the plus side, I really enjoy the creativity of the boards, especially the fanart and parts of the image manipulation threads; I don't know if there are any other fora with so much creative output relative to the significance of the work the fora's based on.

[Jorpho]

I am very much enjoying this recent return to form. It is readable again! Mostly.

[Triangle_Man]

I was introduced to this comic recently by a friend. Ended up spending 3 hours at his house reading the first 2 acts. I'm really excited to see where the story is going and, while it does slow down quite a bit at times, the absurd humor, creativity, and the way the entire world feels plausible even though it's all completely ridiculous has made this one of my new favorites.

[Bright Shadows]

Sweet.

I'm really liking the pesterlog sets, and I hope we get to see that rap battle, but they really go better as sets. One at a time leaves me wanting the next one instead of appreciating the one I just read.

PS: New art style is okay in my book. Some people elsewhere don't seem to like it much though. Opinions?

[Jorpho]

The profusion of art styles just makes me wonder more if Mr. Hussie really has any idea of what's going on. But it's all tolerable now that the story is doing something again. I'm not even particularly bitter about the time I spent slogging through Alterniabound.

Still, I think it's pretty darn obvious to just about everyone now that

Spoiler:

in the end, the kids end up creating the Alternia universe as a means of thwarting Lord English

and it's all just a matter of waiting to see how Mr. Hussie decides to get there.

[Bright Shadows]

Spoiler:

I am still unsure about the kids creating the troll universe. I don't think John would have it in him to allow quite such a violent culture room to grow. Still, it's certainly a possibility.

Slightly different note: I've been waiting forever for Jade to get in the Medium, and she still isn't. That's probably going to be when the larger wheels start turning at this point, so I'm waiting for it with even more anticipation now. John is about to get her set up to enter > we get battle poetry. =( At least I enjoy the interaction though.

[ameretrifle]

Got to say, it seemed more like the troll arc with 4 new characters to me. (and i disliked the new art. maybe i don't like the new. :/) Rose blowing various shit up with magic was about the only high point for me-- Eridan is probably my least favorite, so screw him. At "blasphemy" I took it off my RSS feeds. Rash, but I like Gamzee not being full of hate, dammit, and I'd been tired of it for quite some time. And I really wish he'd stop deliberately trolling the shippers. It's disrespectful, it's jarring and divisive, and, the real sin, just plain unamusing. Meh, whatever the real reasons, I've just stopped caring.

I should try to remember to keep up with the MSPAFA forum, though. And whatever their flaws, they do have seriously awesome smileys. :apple:

(oh wait. :sorrow:)

[Bright Shadows]

D:
But... but... Plot advancements...

Have you considered reading bi-weekly? There's usually something to laugh at in that span, and you can skim over the trolling.

/thisforumissodead

[ameretrifle]

You misunderstand. Historically, the logs are the part I like. The jokes are the part I skip over to get to the logs/plot. XD

[Bright Shadows]

Oh. It's been pesterlogs almost non-stop for a bit now, so I figured it was those and not the humor. :s Do you want updates on the plot? Spoiler is that.

Spoiler:

Jade is awake as of today in a flash update. Jack has Bro's sword that he stuck in the Beat Mesa (giant turntable). The Squiddles are related to the outer ring gods. Dave found the Caldefwlch, which is the base of the caldescratch, and broke it to get it out of the stand. He went to sleep and saw the outer ring gods. Davesprite is shielding him from some strong monsters that are coming because of the sword.

[cntrational]

re: newest update

aaaaaaaaaa

[Triangle_Man]

I believe they've just updated with a soundtrack for The Felt.

You know. The Green Guys with the Time Powers? From the Intermission?

Anyways, I'm waiting until my semester finishes before I start reading part five. From the sounds of the most recent updates, the comic's getting really awesome at this point.

[Bright Shadows]

Spoiler:

VRIIIIIIIISKAAAAAAAA

Spoiler:

Tavros has made some pretty good progress as of now toward having a backbone. This is cool. The fact that we're seeing it mostly because of the above ... troll ... is a problem. I hope Tav isn't controllable anymore, directly or not, because if he is, it won't be pretty.

[cntrational]

re: latest update

[ameretrifle]

The flash? That was pretty cool, but-- *checks site* ...Oh. o.o

At least she made sure he was asleep for it. Unusual courtesy.

Another small notreallymercy--imagine poor Davesprite. Quadruple facewingpalm. Just as well he didn't see it. XD

[Belial]

Actually, this kindof reminds me of a plot-hole.

If your dream self is basically just an extra life, why did John dying the first time ruin the timeline? Like, when Terezi tricked him to death, why didn't he just wake up on prospit and make a mental note that Terezi is an asshole?

[Triangle_Man]

So, I was reading through the trolls' story arc, and then I checked the very latest page on a whim and my head exploded.

I mean, wut?

This is gonna go down huge.

Also, to answer the previous question, it's likely that John's dream self hadn't woken up yet, and therefore couldn't function as an extra life.

However, this is only a theory...

[Belial]

Spoiler for hivebent, then..

Spoiler:

Vriska's hadn't either, as far as I know, but it woke up just fine when Aradia beat her to death.

[Decker]

Spoiler:

I find it funny that Bec Noir seems to be making copies of himself in regards to how he's stabbing people.

[Triangle_Man]

I find it funny that Bec Noir seems to be making copies of himself in regards to how he's stabbing people.

Wait, Jade prototyped Bec with her kernalsprite?

*Goes to check the wiki, sees this as true*

...

Well, we're boned.

[ameretrifle]

It was a bit more complicated than that, but... essentially.

There were extenuating circumstances, though.

Now go read.

(though I sure know why you'd want to skip ahead while trying to read the troll arc. it nearly put me off the whole thing and I'm still lukewarm. >_>)

[Belial]

Man, I don't know what everyone else is complaining about. I loved Hivebent.

"[S]Make Her Pay" is probably my favorite animation.

[Decker]

Spoiler:

I find it funny that Bec Noir seems to be making copies of himself in regards to how he's stabbing people.

Wait, Jade prototyped Bec with her kernalsprite?

*Goes to check the wiki, sees this as true*

...

Well, we're boned.

Shit.I should have spoilered that. Sorry.

[ameretrifle]

Man, I don't know what everyone else is complaining about.

Uh, yeah, mostly I think you'll find that's just me. XD

(in this thread, anyway. i have cohorts. we are... like, at least half a dozen.)

[Belial]

Man, I don't know what everyone else is complaining about.

Uh, yeah, mostly I think you'll find that's just me. XD

(in this thread, anyway. i have cohorts. we are... like, at least half a dozen.)

Nah, I was under the impression that a *lot* of his fanbase groused about hivebent, so much so that he kindof drew it out to annoy them.

[Jorpho]

I did finally get around to purchasing Homestuck Vol. 4, and I'm actually quite pleased with it.

Have any of you purchased any of the other albums?

[ameretrifle]

Man, I don't know what everyone else is complaining about.

Uh, yeah, mostly I think you'll find that's just me. XD

(in this thread, anyway. i have cohorts. we are... like, at least half a dozen.)

Nah, I was under the impression that a *lot* of his fanbase groused about hivebent, so much so that he kindof drew it out to annoy them.

Oooh, see, I think that's exactly what I keep having issues with. I have never liked that kind of behaviour, whether it's in regular interactions or on the part of an author. Hivebent and on was where that "yay let's fuck with people it's fun" mentality really started to get out of hand. Some people like that; some people can tolerate it; I was never good at either. Possibly I take shit too seriously (there's an accusation that was getting thrown around a hell of a lot in their fora for a while-- why are you complaining that they use the word "retard", why are you complaining that we're being dicks to you, how do you expect to live in the world outside your front door, you big weenie...?) . I don't care. XD

I haven't bought any of the albums, but I've listened to them on the store and was pretty impressed with a lot of them so possibly I should.

[Decker]

I was very lucky in that respect. After Problem Sleuth ended, I stopped reading MSPA for a while. Homestuck didn't pick up fast enough for me I guess. I didn't get back into it until well after Hivebent was over, so I got to read it all in one go instead of waiting for updates.

[ameretrifle]

...Okay, that was pretty good.

(Helped that that was one of my favorite musical motifs. Am inspired to go back a bit through the albums now. XD)

Also, I have a soft spot for WV.

(edit: have gone through some of them and like 2 and 4 the best. Also LATEST UPDATE WTF AAUGH. O_O I. I don't know whether I like the drama or whether I think this shit has gone a little too far. Or both.)

[Bright Shadows]

Spoiler for hivebent, then..

Spoiler:

Vriska's hadn't either, as far as I know, but it woke up just fine when Aradia beat her to death.

Spoiler:

A fair portion of the fandom thinks that's not when she died. All indications are that she didn't, in fact, exactly because of what you described and also because she got to her Quest Bed for her God Tier leveling. It' s worth noting that Aradia appears to stop at the sight of Tavros, too.

I did finally get around to purchasing Homestuck Vol. 4, and I'm actually quite pleased with it.

Have any of you purchased any of the other albums?

I've bought Drawing Dead and gone on to have no regrets at all. It is so good.

[Belial]

Spoiler:

A fair portion of the fandom thinks that's not when she died. All indications are that she didn't, in fact, exactly because of what you described and also because she got to her Quest Bed for her God Tier leveling. It' s worth noting that Aradia appears to stop at the sight of Tavros, too.

Spoiler:

Man, maybe trolls are a *lot* more durable than humans, then, because Aradia messed Vriska up in some pretty fatal-looking ways. Several of them. In pretty quick succession. I assumed by the time Tavros showed up, Aradia was just batting her corpse around.

Also, it's possible that ascending to the god tiers just requires killing all extant previous copies of yourself, so if Vriska was down to a dream-copy by that time, she might've just had to kill that.

Dunno.

[Bright Shadows]

Spoiler:

A fair portion of the fandom thinks that's not when she died. All indications are that she didn't, in fact, exactly because of what you described and also because she got to her Quest Bed for her God Tier leveling. It' s worth noting that Aradia appears to stop at the sight of Tavros, too.

Spoiler:

Man, maybe trolls are a *lot* more durable than humans, then, because Aradia messed Vriska up in some pretty fatal-looking ways. Several of them. In pretty quick succession. I assumed by the time Tavros showed up, Aradia was just batting her corpse around.

Also, it's possible that ascending to the god tiers just requires killing all extant previous copies of yourself, so if Vriska was down to a dream-copy by that time, she might've just had to kill that.

Dunno.

Spoiler:

Well, she did kind of shrug off losing an arm and eye. That would be pretty fatal if it wasn't treated. Plus staying conscious enough to enact semi-elaborate psychic revenge and all. I'm kind of on the fence about the whole thing though. Your idea about the god tiers makes her dying seem possible; I hadn't thought of losing all available forms, but it sort of fits the flash.

Happy 600 posts to me.

[Belial]

Huh. Looks like we were both sort of right. You more than me, though.