Spondulicks
Welcome to the sixth instalment of my adventure through the virtual cosmos. I'm sure you already know that you can access the previous articles by clicking here. Okay, I'm exploring a new sector of the universe in search of a ch... No, wait!! I don't wish to ruin an iconic moment in the storyline. /tease
Embarrassingly, this article is late because of file corruption. That stupidity set me back considerably, but you are probably wondering why I didn't use the ship's "Cryonics" feature. Yep, this is a *Doh* moment!!
This article is about wealth. I recently realised my credits were vanishing fast, but not on anything in particular, just food, booze, and fuel. Not wanting to end up penniless, I hit the casinos, but that was a disaster. Of course, trading in goods is always satisfactory, but slow to turn around a quick profit on your investment.
Let's have a laugh with these snapshots of my luck in a casino. I have only ever won ONCE!! Sigh...
I was walking through Hatara, minding my own business, when up popped a casino!
(That's the building to my (er) left with the yellow doors)
We go inside, and it's like being back in Las Vegas.
That's me in the middle, about to be ripped off like a big loser!
This is the result of gambling with credit... another loss.
I love how it says "Nothing goes right" lol
Deathmatch
Casinos are a fun sideline to the game, but arenas are a better way to earn money and are similar to what you have experienced in space and the wilderness. However, it's a contract bout to the death, without access to your inventory. Furthermore, only three options are available: Fight, Scare, and Seduce.
- Fight - is obviously your attack command (up/down arrows to select target)
- Scare - this only works on timid creatures with a poor bravery stat (BRA).
- Seduce - is a risky one used to coax the enemy but rarely works.
Winning will result in a hefty payout from the arena boss. You are then invited to fight again against different monsters. Risky?? However, that decision depends on your physical condition after the fight. Each bout renders damage and fatigue, which can be replenished using medkits and sleep.
However, I feel that there is a better way! Take a look around the city for a hospital close to the arena. The doctor within is a genius who can cure any wound for a small fee. When you leave, all main stats are completely replenished (sometimes fatigue may take an extra visit if very low). Repeating that loop of arena/hospital/arena is a fantastic way to boost your stash of credits. In fact, it's better than you first realise.
That's it for now, and I hope this tidbit is helpful. I'll see you for the next instalment of Carry On Cruising the Cosmos. Don't leave before checking out my screenshots from the hospital and the arena...
Larger cities have facilities like hospitals, but smaller towns won't.For the blind, that's the hospital with the green door and two red crosses.
So I went inside, and he's charging me 579 credits for a complete makeover.That's a lot of money early in the game, so start trading first and then come back!
No, this is not the same screenshot as above. I paid for the medical visit...
Look at my stats. Everything is near the max compared to earlier.
Right then, seeing as we're healthy, let's go and kick some ass!The arena is that large building with flags on its roof.
When you walk inside, the internal doors are locked.Your opponent(s) are always imprisoned in the room on the right.
Agreeing to fight, we enter the arena for the familiar duelling.Note my weapon - that I cannot use. The arena's weaponry is shown top/left.
I won and was rewarded with 2400 credits. Not bad for a first fight.
Notice the new opponents in the room to the right. Fancy another bash?
The ship has a checklist of all the monsters you have fought and beaten in battle.
Is it just me, or does the bottom left monster look like a Care Bear?
One of the "side missions" is getting rich. Job done, and within a short time too!
Ahh, if only real life were the same? Fat chance of that happening lol
