No information on some game mechanics

[PJ]

I bought this game for my iPad, and I would like to say that this game is superb! I've already completed at least 26 journeys, and still haven't explored all the locations, possibilities and twists. I always wished for a game about Jules Vernes-ish XIX century travellers and explorers, and that's just it! Marvellous writing and nice luggage system.

Now, let's cut to the chase. As you can see, I'm already familiar with most of the game, yet still some of the game mechanics baffle me. I can understand the devs making the game mechanics less transparent and not putting in a manual or a tutorial - this would encourage the player to explore the game world themselves and not to "power-game", but sometimes even the most basic mechanics can beget questions that aren't answered anywhere neither in the game, nor in wiki.
Maybe a dev or a knowledgeable person could answer mine, or maybe point me to a resourse when I can find some information about the game mechanics I'm confused about.

Now for the questions:
1) What does the urban traveller set do? Other sets, like the English gentleman's or the air traveller's let you bargain the times of departure for free, sometimes negate the "hearts" losses during associated journeys and make the associated journeys cheaper (?).
So far, even after collecting both the Hooded Cloak and Elastic Wallet, I've never been prompted to use the set by Fogg, like he normally does with other sets. Where, when and for what purpose do you have to activate it? Maybe an activation is not needed and it just gives you a passive bonus? If yes, what bonus? Cheaper hotels?
So far, the only use for a an item of this set that I found is that the elastic wallet gives you a unique option in a New York encounter. Maybe it also protects you from being pickpocketed when you choose to "stretch your legs" in the evenings?

2) Do sets make journeys cheaper?

3) what is the major difference between the Air Traveller set and the Frequent Flier set? I may be mistaken but I think the do the same thing -,let you negotiate air journeys and make them more comfortable.

4) During journeys in the morning, when you can either Wait, Converse, or <attend to> Fogg, one can press (in the Ipad version, at least) the Fogg button many times, and each tap on it gives Fogg some hearts. Is it working as intended, or is it a glitch and an exploit? Sometimes, I can quickly tap the button and get, like +30 heart points, and sometimes it disappears after the first or the second tap.

5) What does the Valeting set do? Does it make you produce more heart points per a "Fogg" action? Does this set have any influence on the relationship with Fogg?

6) How are the character traits (and the manner) calculated? I think that when you choose different dialogue options you get some hidden points for one of the manner types (Flamboyant, Collected, Passionate) and based on how many points you have in different manners, you get a defining character trait. Is that right?
Speaking of manners and traits, what traits are there and how can you get them all?

7) what levels of Fogg relationship are there? So far, I was able to get Difficult, Fair and Comfortable. Is that all? Is there something lower than difficult and hight than comfortable?

8) What is your Valeting score based on? How can you change it, and what does it influence? What levels are there? I managed to get Strong and Remarkable, which is the best? Are there any other levels?

Wow, that's a lot of questions. Hope someone will please take his time to answer these, I'm really confused over here. Thanks in advance.

[John]

1. I'm guessing the elastic wallet stops you from getting pickpocketed. I don't know what the cloak does, but it probably gives you some protection from the cold?

2. And the sets do help you negotiate travel times/prices - to the point where they'll bring forward the departure date for free.

3. I'm guessing air traveller is more about balloons, gyrocopters, etc.

4. I don't think the valeting set lets you get any more health back than without it.

Other than that I don't really know.

[sprsclr]

1. I can confirm that what no genius said on the elastic wallet is true. The elastic wallet prevents you from getting pickpocketed.

6. Here's a table I found from the dev's GDC talk showing the character traits --> http://imgur.com/TR7aT3u. I don't think you get to know which choices raise what, it will purely from observation and experience from your previous runs.

[PJ]

Thank you for replying! I didn't actually expect to get an answer as the forums seem dead-ish, and no one seems to be playing this excellent game anymore :(

Originally posted by no genius:

1. I'm guessing the elastic wallet stops you from getting pickpocketed. I don't know what the cloak does, but it probably gives you some protection from the cold?

2. And the sets do help you negotiate travel times/prices - to the point where they'll bring forward the departure date for free.

3. I'm guessing air traveller is more about balloons, gyrocopters, etc.

4. I don't think the valeting set lets you get any more health back than without it.

Other than that I don't really know.

1. Good to know about the wallet. Maybe I'll even try using it once in a while. I still fail to see what's the cloak's (and full set's) purpose is - I don't think it would protect you from cold.
Here's an idea, I once read that sometimes if your char decides to stretch his legs in the evening, possible outcomes aren't only getting some info and getting pickpocketed, but he can also be confronted and attacked by some criminal types. Mind you, this is only what I read in some guide, I never actually managed to get attacked and robbed when gong out in the evening (event removed, maybe?). Perhaps the cloak gives you immunity to getting robbed? Its description hints that it provides you with an urban disguise that makes escapes and evading chases easier.
2. Yeah, I know, I even wrote as much :)
3. Hmm, that is probable. Would make sense, too.
4. Maybe you're right. I noticed that sometimes, when there are no better sets available, the valeting set compensates 'heart' loss in Uncomfortable Conditions.

Originally posted by sprsclr:

6. Here's a table I found from the dev's GDC talk showing the character traits --> http://imgur.com/TR7aT3u. I don't think you get to know which choices raise what, it will purely from observation and experience from your previous runs.

Ohh, great! This table is what I've been looking for! Strange it's not available anywhere - not even in wiki and guides.
So, to sum up, there are 2 hidden attributes ranging from 0 to 100 - Style (called Manner in the game) and Skill (called Valeting in the game).

Style:
If you choose not to be reluctant for adventure; choose to be proactive, enthusiastic, optimistic, and compassionate; help and listen the local populace; be fascinated by foreign cultures; care about your style and attire - your style will increase, and your character description will move towards to right side of the table.
If you are sceptical and pessimistic; act like a stuck-up high-class twit; be repulsed by foreign cultures and happy to support colonialism and imperialism; act boring, racist, cowardly, uninterested and uninvolved in different activities - your style will decrease, and your description adjective will move to the left.

You can estimate how stylish your char is by checking your Manner attribute.
30-49 - Conservative
50-69 - Collected
70-89 - Passionate
90-94 - Flamboyant
95-100 - Extravagant
(I never managed to get other manner descriptions)

Skill:
If you perform your duties well, do not shy away from working and tending to Fogg; if you do not mess up adventures; choose the most elegant and neat solutions to the puzzles and challenges you encounter, your skill will increase, and your adjective will move towards the top of the table.
If you are lazy; skip and avoid the challenges; treat your Fogg bad; put yourself and your masters in awkward, difficult and embarrassing situations - your skill will decrease, and your adjective will be one from the bottom part of the table.

Your Valeting attribute will hint at how skilled your Passepartout is.
30-49 - Lacking
50-69 - Sound
70-89 - Strong
90-94 - Remarkable
95-100 - Unsurpassed
(never been able to be a bad valet ;) )


Hope that helps someone! If anyone has anything to add to this, by all means do! More replies are always welcome.

[sprsclr]

Originally posted by OldChapMax:

(never been able to be a bad valet ;)

Haha... Have you tried getting the no hotels achievement? Let's see if you remain a good valet then. ^_^

[PJ]

Originally posted by sprsclr:

Originally posted by OldChapMax:

(never been able to be a bad valet ;)

Haha... Have you tried getting the no hotels achievement? Let's see if you remain a good valet then. ^_^

Oh, as a matter of fact, I did not! In fact, it's the only IPad achievement I still haven't accomplished. Gonna try now and see what happens :)

[Electric]

If you travel to the North Pole, and you have a Russian winter coat, you can protect your master from the cold with it.