Cowboys: The Tale of Betty Shore

[RithRake24]

Spoiler

Marcelo Chavez - "A game from 2004 that's clinging on only due to mods."

John Cooper - "That's oddly specific."

 

I laughed so hard at that one... 

 

Though when thinking twice, according to the Cowboys timeline, GTA San Andreas is only a year old, maybe even lesser...

 

That cliffhanger ending killed me. Saying that I can't wait for the finale is an understatement.

 

 

[Target13]

1 hour ago, RithRake24 said:

  Hide contents

Marcelo Chavez - "A game from 2004 that's clinging on only due to mods."

John Cooper - "That's oddly specific."

 

I laughed so hard at that one... 

 

Though when thinking twice, according to the Cowboys timeline, GTA San Andreas is only a year old, maybe even lesser...

 

That cliffhanger ending killed me. Saying that I can't wait for the finale is an understatement.

 

 

I'm really glad you enjoyed the episode! These tongue in cheek fourth wall breaking jokes aren't really canon though and mostly just a treat for the players. 

[RithRake24]

57 minutes ago, Target13 said:

I'm really glad you enjoyed the episode! These tongue in cheek fourth wall breaking jokes aren't really canon though and mostly just a treat for the players. 

I enjoyed the treat. It was delicious.

[AnDReJ98]

Ok so chapter 2 is everything I wanted it to be. We got to see more action and very well planned and placed events, it is nothing less than a fight for freedom and justice. I liked the gameplay, it fits this kind of a mp as well as story, there's not a single rushed thing and everything fits perfectly. You didn't 'overdo' anything (even though in some way I felt the first few missions with action were short). Kinda what I've wanted and expected. Still, there's one thing that I didn't like, all bikers have the same skin, you could have used other biker IDs from the game. Nevertheless, it didn't make this mp any less enjoyable. Last missions were simply epic. The fall of the biker fortress, occupation of betty shore, plot twists, etc. I really hope to see more quality stuff like this in future. Object/effect placements in the very last mission made it feel really awesome, atmosphere is a f*cking 11/10. San Andreas reference was a fun thing indeed too, i laughed so hard when i heard it.

 

I can't wait to start recording this mp with commentary man. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna enjoy once again even if I play the same missions. One more question, is there going to be more of this?

 

EDIT: The only thing that is truly missing from this mp is a soundtrack. Hopefully you will update this mp someday and include soundtrack as well as custom sounds in it. In that case, it would be perfectly perfect. This mp represents everything it should be. Your best work to date.

Edited March 7, 2019 by AnDReJ98

[Target13]

Very kind words, AnDReJ98! Feedback like yours really make all the work and time put in this project worth it. Thank you so much for taking the time to play this series.

I really look forward to your commentary series.

 

About the Biker skins: this was a conscious decision that I made because of GTA SA's limited selection of Actor IDs and the fact that the other Biker IDs have been used for the members of The Fort Carson MC. I try to avoid reusing skins.

As for soundtrack, like I stated earlier, I'm still trying to get a hang of it and make proper use of it like The Half-Blood Prince has done with his work but I will need some time.

 

Regarding your question about the future of this series, I won't rule out anything but currently I don't have a plan to nor am I interested in writing and designing a third season.

[THBP]

Will be sure to play this once I get my own stuff done and give you my personal review (as soon as possible).

[TK420]

Spoiler

Great story, many coughs, f*ck sean. 9/10 Don't like the fire

 

[SeanAlgerian]

Here my review( MAJOR SPOILERS):

Spoiler

The story is well designed. which it's teasers and trailers and previews, we got confused and more exited what coming, as we see the sneak peak photos that T13 sends us are Shovels, Blood, Quotes... Is just will unlock your goddamn brain and make cowboys cells to understand the point.

 

First Season was actually to me an introduction season, we know more info about Characters, and where the Story gonna takes us. Meeting John & Friends was great, but honestly the scenario's amazed me so much.

 

Marcelo looked to me like he did trouble for the farm since he came, and that logic... After Fred death I was not satisfied, Because I wanted him to have a big role and not die so early. I also liked the Negan inspiration from TWD.

 

Season 2, here we come... We got people disappointed about Fred death, others about John daughter kidnapped, and others about what gonna happens to Betty Shores, but still that one man of a kind Marcelo didn't give up and waked up the soul of John to save his daughter with old teammate Shawn, and I also saw a romantic sense between Lindsey and Marcelo, The End with better ending.

 

Great view from here! So here my rating : 9.8/10

 

 

 

[zakarum5835]

Very well, i played the first chapter of this fabolous MP. The story is really cool and i understand everything (i forgot to see the trailers and previews, it is not reccomended) Ok the Chapter 1 is everything i wanted. The first season is almost annoying but i mean the gameplay, i just know more info about all characters, and yeah the story is almost a masterpiece but i haven't played the Chapter 2 to be honest. The intro is done (good cutscenes, good dialugues and nice creator). After Fred death i'm started to cry but he was a good role and a nice character i've seen in this chapter. Great job @Target13 to create a nice one, i hope to leave my last review to the Chapter 2. My rating for this moment is: 8/10

[THBP]

A regretful soldier, who curiosly doesn't take his uniform for literally nothing and uses it even for sleep, is saved by a couple of yokels and taken to a modest and closed town, having its own structure compared to a far west 1800's city, however having a black doctor between the most respectable personalities in the city. This is Cowboys: The Tale of Betty Shores, a Mission-Pack that delivers you a story about the city from the point of view of Marcelo Chavez, a mercenary soldier who looks for redemption after a life of proudless slaughtering and killing. The way the Mission-Pack is presented is already typical of T13's universe, showing up previously presented characters and organizations, either in other MPs or single missions, and creating a bond between this MP and the whole Universe previously presented before.

The dynamics and the structure of the town is realist and well presented, each of the character's roles is also perfectly defined. Their relations are also very realistic, something that you succeed to present through the dialogues. Every character in this Mission-Pack is built with one purpose, and even the supporting ones are presented with the same richness as the main ones. And this is only possible thanks to the dialogues you've made. They succeed in showing some of the character's personality traits, as well as their own tastes and dislikes, also using slangs to show each character's peculiarity. References to real life are often seen here aswell, from fourth-wall breaks wondering about the game where the characters are to real life personalities, not compromising in the moment they're used in the right timing, and also not forcing any jokes to break the tension in the relatively gentle scenes of the first season or even in the heavy combats of the second one.

The plot itself presents us an above average quality, however still sliding in some important aspects. Story is somehow predictable at some points, specifically when it wants to get from A to B and uses unrealistic solutions to do so (and let me present you something brazilien people often call "literary shame", when we're reading a book, specifically: a character does something TOO stupid, and we can't actually believe he did that, even if he's the dumbest person in the world. That was my reaction when Marcelo and Buck left that biker go away and tell the rest of the crew they got Lindsey instead of killing him and clear the evidence. I mean, why would they do that?). Also, the conflicts you create are soluted with very poor and unrealistic discussions and arguments, where character A say one single quote or a quote that is impossible to convince someone, and character B easily buys it. The conflicts were also a way you used to turn the story to a specific way, but I wonder: if the conflicts were created to solve a problem that the story has created in most of the cases, it shouldn't be easiest to not create the problem at all? Also, I do that sometimes, even though just realize after replay my own missions many times. This could be the disadvantage of creating plots with previous known ending: you know how it ends, you just don't know how you're going to make this ending. And sometimes, the solution we find to make them the way we want is not the best possible. Regardless, other aspects of the plot are very consistent, specifically character developtment and the story's structure. Since the story sometimes take the focus out of what we believe it's the main protagonist, we can suggest that it is not only about Marcelo, but also the whole city of Betty Shores (the name of the MP is The Tale of Betty Shores, not The Tale of Marcelo Chavez for a reason). Going by this way, the character's arcs are really well defined by a perfectly structured plot that meets them in one single story, with an introduction and conclusion decently made for every single one of them. The way some characters change after some specific events of the story is also worthy of a mention here, it takes the quality of the character development to an almost perfect level. Added to it, the story succeed to conclude their stories in a way that leaves us thinking: we will definetely see some of those in future MPs of the T13's Universe (right?).

About the gameplay, the first missions of the pack leaves a lot to be desired. The ambientation it's decent in Betty Shores, does not work the same way in other locations. Combat is often too easy, specially in Season 1, and doesn't have much variety when you make most of them with the purpose of deffend yourself or someone against invaders. The way you made some of the checkpoints (as dialogues) were clever, but they were too close to each other in a way that the player has to lower down the speed of the car to don't reach the next checkpoint, in order to read everything the dialogue shows. However, in Season 2, we're presented to a whole new dynamics of battle, that is one of the best things about this MP. Ambientation received way more attention, being perfect in every single of the last missions. Combat stayed harder and it was fun to fight the bikers in the context the player was. You can see actual improvement in your design style compared to Season 1, that was purposely weak in gameplay to present us more about Betty Shores and its dynamic. Something that, for me, didn't compromised much of the great experience this Mission-Pack provided me.

 

 

Cowboys: The Tale of Betty Shores is the latest MP from T13's universe that brings a lot in character development, story's structure and ambientation, and even its punctuals failures in some aspects of the plot and the weak gameplay at first didn't compromised the experience of those who have enjoyed its fun. Over here, we have a great candidate to win the DYOM Awards, and if it really does it, will win with merits.

 

8/10      -  GREAT

 

+ The art of a well-written dialogue

+ Character development as its best

+ Overall good ambientation

+ Overall decent gameplay

+ Structured plot

+ Multiple points of view

 

- Poor conflict solutions

- Inconsistences to take the plot where the author wants

 

 

 

 

Edited March 16, 2019 by The Half-Blood Prince

[Notna]

I was in need of some DYOM inspiration so I wanted to play something fresh and creative. The topic caught my eye with all it's fine lining so I decided to give it a shot.

 

You've got to be kidding me! Many aspects wise, this is the best mission series I've come across - and I've been doing this for ten years. Now, almost everything was mentioned there by THBP but I must pick out some details I was especially fascinated by. The character development's been mentioned, but what about the characters themselves? You really made a crew of people I could connect with and feel for. I could mention about little gameplay at the start, but that's how this works these days; you got to fetch out the story to make it interesting, in these times when most everything in DYOM has been done. For me, a simple but action-orientated gameplay does the trick every time, nonetheless. Just love to get out there and shoot em' fools! From a screenwriting point of view, I think your plot played out well and was very consistent. In regards to both gameplay and story, I loved the realism all around. Tremendous.

 

Fantastic work, and you gotta know your tremendous job has brought a vet out of the retirement home.

[Consgaming]

hey do you know I am also starting things like you thanks bro for inspiring me 

aaaaaaaaaaaaand 

Guys I have Finnaly modified dyom and added cars to it by using sanny builder I modified sanny builder also to open. Scm files more openly and more carefully changing data

my rating 5/5

[Aflien]

I've got around to Playing this MP, and I've recorded an Lets play series, which also includes my review of it (As I am playing ofc.)

Check it out here:

 

 

[Target13]

2 hours ago, Aflien said:

I've got around to Playing this MP, and I've recorded an Lets play series, which also includes my review of it (As I am playing ofc.)

I don't think I have ever enjoyed someone criticizing my work before. I love how despite not being fond of the story, you still took the time to finish it. I really appreciate it.

Thanks for your honesty and advice too! I will try to see how my storytelling could be improved further in future projects. I agree with you on the fact that dialogue seems a little unnatural at times but this is largely due to the fact that I have to cram in the whole plot in 10 missions because I don't have time for more. Ideally this would be a very long MP with more time for these relationships to build.

 

Regarding your question about the accuracy in the finale's second mission, originally all the enemies had max accuracy but during testing I found that it is insanely difficult to finish so I had to turn it down the accuracy to 75%.

Thanks again for recording 'Cowboys from Hell' and I'm glad you enjoyed the gameplay aspect of it.

 

Spoiler

okay?

  

[Aflien]

Its been real fun, dude. Its all about fun after all. I enjoy making these videos lately, and I'm glad we can comunnicate our projects with one another.

Don't be afraid to make a little bit longer MP's. Just let it flow naturally. No need to fix yourself upon set number of missions. Just work until everything fits.

Despite my personal taste, this is a really great MP. I loved the final missions. I truly did. One more thing, Your design is pretty smooth and accurate. I don't think I've noticed any mayor problem.

 

Also, if you ever wanna brainstorm your future projects, you can always PM me, and we can discuss it. (2 heads work better than one).

 

[RamazanBerkYT]

Good Sides Of Mission

 

+Absorbing and unique story 
+professional expression 
+good usage of animations 
+action sequences are good 
+The story was also not in the form of over. The opposite story always brings something new. (I might have written wrong)

+Humors is good
 

Bad Sides Of mission

-Cutscenes are too long(Sometimes a mission only consists of cutscenes)

-I had to cheat on one mission. It was impossible to finish. Enemies were dying very hard.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

I gave 5 stars  But the star's avarage is "3.67" this is too little for this mission. I am so bad for this avarage.

[Aymunz]

Chavez: Ever shot someone, John?

John: Thankfully not.

Chavez: Well, just imagine yourself   in a video game from 2004 barely clinging to life by mods.

John: That's oddly specific, Marcelo!

 

You can tell  the work is good just by the quality of humour in it. Perfect!

[RithRake24]

26 minutes ago, Aymunz said:

 

  Hide contents

 

 

Chavez: Ever shot someone, John?

John: Thankfully not.

Chavez: Well, just imagine yourself   in a video game from 2004 barely clinging to life by mods.

John: That's oddly specific, Marcelo!
 

 

 

You can tell  the work is good just by the quality of humour in it. Perfect!

I quoted this exact same line at the top of this page! Story-wise too this is a quality missionpack.

[Aymunz]

1 hour ago, RithRake24 said:

I quoted this exact same line at the top of this page! Story-wise too this is a quality missionpack.

Absolutely! 

[Fahad Eabd]

This Mission is very Epic And have A Great Story

[Ayan123456789]

The BEST mission!! 

[Ayan123456789]

HELP ME!!! Why I'm getting mission failed??? In The Last Day of Our New Lives 1 When I need to defend the attack from the south

[Target13]

15 hours ago, Ayan123456789 said:

HELP ME!!! Why I'm getting mission failed??? In The Last Day of Our New Lives 1 When I need to defend the attack from the south

I am glad you're enjoying the mission-pack. Your mission most likely failed because one of the residents of Betty Shore was killed. John, Bertha and Lindsey are defending the south wall, make sure they aren't killed during the attack.

[Ayan123456789]

9 hours ago, Target13 said:

I am glad you're enjoying the mission-pack. Your mission most likely failed because one of the residents of Betty Shore was killed. John, Bertha and Lindsey are defending the south wall, make sure they aren't killed during the attack.

Okay.. only this mission is the most hard for me xD I'll give a huge video or movie on youtube by using a slow motion mod xD

[Stardust101]

SPOILER ALERT

 

 

What's up Target? This is another review for one of your projects! This time I'll focus on my favorite aspect of Cowboys: It's characters! Let's begin, shall we?

 

Cowboys is a very story-driven Mission Pack, with lots of dialogues and cutscenes. When making this type of MP, it's important to create good characters, and Cowboys doesn't disappoint. The town of Betty Shore and it's surroundings has many interesting characters. Here's a list of my favorite ones:

 

Sean Phillips: 

Sean Phillips is my favorite character in this MP. I mean, I wouldn't want to meet this guy in real life, he's a racist and vicious criminal with no empathy for his enemies, but he and his antics are so memorable!

 

Sean is a true psychopath and his actions are truly evil, like the moment he beat Fred Carlson's head to a bloody pulp in front of his friends, or the time he called Doctor Kingston the N-word, reinforcing his racist views. He even goes as far as to essentially r*pe his girlfriend Lindsay in order to have a son. Absolute psycho!

 

Speaking of Lindsay...

 

Lindsay Palmer:

I can't understand how a beautiful woman like Lindsay ended up with a creature like Sean. She had to put up with Sean's domestic abuse for years, but she carried on, because she's a strong woman who puts her people before herself. She's the type of person that would break a leg in order to save a kitten.

 

Lindsay clearly became a role model for Bertha Cooper, the protagonist of Epilogue.

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

- Doctor Avery Kingston (A minor yet memorable character with well written dialogue. Rest in peace.)

- Pastor Michael (He's a religious man that constantly prays for the good of his community with well written dialogue)

- Adam

- Grandma Lisa

 

 

 

 

 

Have a nice day Target!

 

 

[Target13]

1 hour ago, Stardust101 said:

SPOILER ALERT

What's up Target? This is another review for one of your projects! This time I'll focus on my favorite aspect of Cowboys: It's characters! Let's begin, shall we?

Glad you liked the characters, Stardust. They are after all the main focus of this series. 

Spoiler

Sean is indeed a very vicious character, but remember that Lindsey ended up with him willfully. She started dating him after her boyfriend (and Sean's bestfriend) Mike died. So that suggests that perhaps Sean was not always this awful. Maybe he is a little more complex than we think. 

 

Being with Sean certainly made Lindsey a strong character, but her selflessness and willingness to help others was always something she had. Going as far back as when she went to medical school.

I don't have anything concrete right now, but there are definitely plans to explore Sean and Lindsey's stories further.

 

Edited March 21, 2021 by Target13