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Post by wortelboer on Aug 26, 2017 13:18:23 GMT -5
The packaging was spot on perfect. Everything packed in a way that kept it from shifting.
The collectible was great and I am enjoying the stickers and booklet.
Am about to dive into the paper. But so far very pleased.
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soulspath
Assistant

Vault 1 - Open, Vault 2 - Open, Vault 3 - Open
Posts: 54
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Post by soulspath on Aug 26, 2017 15:02:18 GMT -5
I noticed the improved packaging as well. If they're listening to us on that account, maybe they are listening to the rest as well, and new depths may be revealed as well.
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ejs76
Adjunct
Posts: 23
Blood Type: A+
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Post by ejs76 on Aug 26, 2017 16:33:47 GMT -5
Packaging much better than last time and the curio is very interesting. I have had a chance to read about half the paper and I find it to be well written and enjoyable. Have only spent a little time on puzzles so far. Seems to be the same as last time - only 5 with only one "metapuzzle". I am hoping that looks can be deceiving and more will be revealed in the not too distant future. While I have enjoyed the new format it is lacking in the same level of intrigue when compared to the previous volumes.
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Post by MrKairo on Aug 26, 2017 17:56:23 GMT -5
This psychotronic device is really cool. I'm surprised they used copper for the wiring.
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Post by karangela on Aug 26, 2017 18:17:50 GMT -5
I didn't get a psychotronic device. Apparently I have already been fitted for one.
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davidgpeterson
Assistant

"I'm only a poor, corrupt official."
Posts: 67
Blood Type: Bourbon+
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Post by davidgpeterson on Aug 26, 2017 18:39:57 GMT -5
Good stuff. My only issue is that it appears to be the same thing as last time - same curios just changed for the theme. Puzzles are similar as well. This is beginning to feel more like a nerd box and less like C&C. I was hoping for some different stuff. That being said, still excited to dive in.
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Post by dmikester on Aug 26, 2017 19:00:02 GMT -5
Having gone through the box and solving four out of the five puzzles in about 40 minutes (still haven't tackled the crossword), I'm very disappointed. The writing feels rote and reporter-like compared to previous issues, and they're covering topics that they've already covered in much more interesting ways in the past. The relation to Risen is barely there too, unless there's an article that references something that I'm forgetting (it's been about a year since I went through it, but I remember most of it, and without spoiling anything, they could have easily done an epilogue or even prologue here and chose not to). I usually laugh while reading at least one article, and I barely chuckled here, mainly during the TV listings. I also don't think the puzzles are particularly well-designed, though maybe the crossword will be really good. While the curios are OK, the artifact is extremely similar in shape and size to the one from Gods of Madness, and again, the Zombie Survival Book is cute but nowhere near as clever or as original as similar books they've published in the past. My immediate reaction was, we waited until the end of August for this? By far my least favorite C&C issue of all of them.
Edit: The crossword is fine but features pretty much no wordplay, and the gimmick is one that I've seen many times before. There's also an annoying clue/answer that violates a basic crossword rule, and believe me, it's just sloppiness on their part as opposed to anything significant.
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Post by femspock on Aug 26, 2017 19:58:31 GMT -5
I loved last year's issues so much and felt like they were a huge improvement on the things I wasn't fond of the first two volumes, but this year has been so disappointing.
The desire to be more mainstream to appeal to a broader market is understandable, but still sad. C&C just isn't the product I subscribed to anymore. 😞
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Post by ww12345 on Aug 27, 2017 0:27:03 GMT -5
Well, this one was interesting. Still bummed about the paper craft and the other craft, to be honest, but I wasn't too bugged about the curio. I do wish they would bring back the vault - it was so much fun and that was what drew me to C&C in the first place - the layers and layers of mystery and intrigue! Hopefully they'll return to that format soon!
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Post by clemtownkernel on Aug 27, 2017 1:24:16 GMT -5
Just opened mine and I'd like to echo some previous comments - way to similar to the previous issue. Same type of curios, the main collectible is "neat" but that's all... I just got home from work so I'm not diving into the paper until tomorrow but from what I've read so far I'm not excited. It's a terrible feeling, NOT being excited about Curios and Conundrums.
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Post by Virginia R Hall on Aug 27, 2017 4:16:54 GMT -5
Meh. I didn't care for Gods of Madness and did not re-subscribe. I was not surprised when there was an attempt to bill me for Brain Butchers in spite of the 'cancellation' warning. However, because I thought the first issue of V3 was kind of a flop but went on to greatly enjoy the rest of the volume, and when I saw the theme of this issue, I re-subscribed. (I *REALLY* enjoyed The Child of the Cavern and all the conspiracy/paranoia/etc. stuff, so I was keeping my fingers crossed that BB might be half as good.) I was excited enough to jump out of bed on Friday when I got the USPS delivery text. I opened the package -- much better packaging, as others have mentioned -- and... yeah. That's about as far as I went. I didn't realize we'd be getting the same 'formula' of items every time. Yes, fine, the papercraft is a recurring thing, much to my annoyance, but I'd come to terms with it, mostly. But oh, another pin? And a booklet. And stickers, amazing. (  I even *like* stickers, and I'm pretty sure they've been a staple for awhile, but since every other item is pretty much the same as GoM, I'm just bored. BTW, even though I have a ton of them, I miss the gold MPC logo stickers.) I pulled out the "prestige collectible" and put it next to the other on my nightstand, threw the paper on my bed, and left everything else in the box. I didn't even look through the zombie booklet. I thought I'd end up reading the paper later, but I didn't*, which is a huge departure from previous issues. In the past, I would block out huge chunks of time to go over and over and over and over everything. This issue, I just feel like I can't be bothered. *To try to be fair, I took a break before posting this and looked through the paper, skimmed everything, and am still not impressed.  I do want to go back and do the Ctrl + Alter + Delete, but the other puzzles might go unfinished. I know I've gotten quite wordy here, but I want to say that I really do hate to give such a negative review, especially when other people are still enjoying it; it makes me feel like a total downer. And I know how much it sucks to be a newer, excited member of a group when there's a bunch of established members grumping about how much better things used to be. So, I apologize for that. I'm just disappointed. BB seemed to be the final confirmation that C&C isn't an enjoyable activity for me anymore -- or, I mean, it could be a fun day's distraction, if I could get just the paper at a much lower price point. I don't need the 'stuff' if it's not needed for the puzzles; it's just clutter in my house. But now I fear I'm veering way too far off-course, and reaching Curator-levels of long-windedness.
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Post by billfelty on Aug 27, 2017 9:03:39 GMT -5
I really like the curios. But i do agree that they should vary more from box to box (although i also do love the stickers). I don't really know how things "used to be" but already I notice - as one person said - they're more of an advertisement for the larger mysteries. I hope they'll continue to listen to feedback and improve and make C&C able to stand on its own merits as an experience unto itself and not just a novelty one can fly through in an hour or so.
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Post by neutronstar on Aug 27, 2017 12:52:07 GMT -5
Meh. I didn't care for Gods of Madness and did not re-subscribe. I was not surprised when there was an attempt to bill me for Brain Butchers in spite of the 'cancellation' warning. However, because I thought the first issue of V3 was kind of a flop but went on to greatly enjoy the rest of the volume, and when I saw the theme of this issue, I re-subscribed. (I *REALLY* enjoyed The Child of the Cavern and all the conspiracy/paranoia/etc. stuff, so I was keeping my fingers crossed that BB might be half as good.) I was excited enough to jump out of bed on Friday when I got the USPS delivery text. I opened the package -- much better packaging, as others have mentioned -- and... yeah. That's about as far as I went. I didn't realize we'd be getting the same 'formula' of items every time. Yes, fine, the papercraft is a recurring thing, much to my annoyance, but I'd come to terms with it, mostly. But oh, another pin? And a booklet. And stickers, amazing. (  I even *like* stickers, and I'm pretty sure they've been a staple for awhile, but since every other item is pretty much the same as GoM, I'm just bored. BTW, even though I have a ton of them, I miss the gold MPC logo stickers.) I pulled out the "prestige collectible" and put it next to the other on my nightstand, threw the paper on my bed, and left everything else in the box. I didn't even look through the zombie booklet. I thought I'd end up reading the paper later, but I didn't*, which is a huge departure from previous issues. In the past, I would block out huge chunks of time to go over and over and over and over everything. This issue, I just feel like I can't be bothered. *To try to be fair, I took a break before posting this and looked through the paper, skimmed everything, and am still not impressed.  I do want to go back and do the Ctrl + Alter + Delete, but the other puzzles might go unfinished. I know I've gotten quite wordy here, but I want to say that I really do hate to give such a negative review, especially when other people are still enjoying it; it makes me feel like a total downer. And I know how much it sucks to be a newer, excited member of a group when there's a bunch of established members grumping about how much better things used to be. So, I apologize for that. I'm just disappointed. BB seemed to be the final confirmation that C&C isn't an enjoyable activity for me anymore -- or, I mean, it could be a fun day's distraction, if I could get just the paper at a much lower price point. I don't need the 'stuff' if it's not needed for the puzzles; it's just clutter in my house. But now I fear I'm veering way too far off-course, and reaching Curator-levels of long-windedness. Sadly, I agree.... 
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Post by mkarrett on Aug 28, 2017 20:04:56 GMT -5
Oh boy. I waited until today for this issue to arrive and I'm not impressed. Paying more money for basically better packaging (woo-hoo?), less items, and far fewer puzzles. Thus far this year C&C has been a major disappointment in contrast to last year. What makes me really bummed is that I tell people "oh for your money you should get MPC C&C, totally worth it and fun!" and I can't give that plug anymore--I feel like I'm just getting closer to unsubscribing and does MPC care, really? :/
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Post by dmikester on Aug 28, 2017 20:29:59 GMT -5
So I wrote a lengthy and passionate e-mail to the MPC this morning regarding my concerns about Brain Butchers and the Membership Kits and saying that I may cancel my subscription. I heard back very quickly (in about four hours) from the concierge I've interacted with the most, Allen. Here was his response: Hello, Michael: Thank you so much for taking the time to write to us with these concerns. We do greatly value your opinions, as always, and wanted to let you know we've taken this to the creative team for their consideration. Feedback of this sort is absolutely taken into account when decisions are made, and we will ensure the team gives your articulations the time and thought you clearly did. Also, I have taken the liberty of adding a credit to your MPC account in the amount of $34.99. You may use this for anything you please, but if left alone, it will automatically be applied toward your Clockwork Mutineers issue. Our head of Marketing was sure to impress upon us that we do hope you will let us know your thoughts on that issue after it ships in October. Thank you again, Michael, and of course should you have any further questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me forthwith. Allen a Concierge with Member Services at The Mysterious Package Company www.mysteriouspackage.com They clearly do take this kind of feedback into account, and giving me a C&C issue for free is a very nice gesture. It's absolutely worth writing to them if you share the same concerns that I do.
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