Stream Journal
001 – Lost Memories
May 15, 2020
So, this story starts a bit tragically. I was not very familiar with streaming, software involved, and services offered. Therefore, I made a bit of a blunder for my first stream by setting the service to delete my video while simultaneously not recording it locally. Unfortunately, the posterity of chronicling my streaming journey will forever be incomplete. From a game completion perspective though, the first stream simply covered the introductory levels of Pilotwings which are very easy to score perfectly on.
002 – Rudely Awakened
May 16, 2020
Much like the first stream, this was a productive evening. I wrapped up Class A tests by completing the Hang Glider and Gyrocopter. Class A was relatively simple, yet, introduced new types of challenges for each vehicle. Although it took several attempts for each test, they were quick, didn’t frustrate me, and were satisfying to complete. Upon completing the straggling tests of Class A, I set my sights on finishing Class B. The third Hang Glider test ramped up the frustration since it required me to land in a 2-3 second window of the 3-minute mark. Taking pictures also became more difficult considering a moving object was one of the targets. Failing to acquire the 100 in either of those multiple times, forced me to move onto a different vehicle. Class B Gyrocopter added wind physics around the runways which was the reason for nearly all failures with this vehicle. When landing the aircraft turned out to be the only real obstacle, it made the beginning half of the tests a drag to get through. I finished the stream with my expectations adjusted downward.
003 – Persistence Paid Off
May 16, 2020
The game’s challenges were still on my mind from the previous stream so I started up another stream later that night. I wanted to put the Class B-3 Hang Glider test behind me, and after only three attempts I got the score I was looking for. Turning back to the photo test, I approached it with much more patience and gained some consistency in scoring, but it still ended in less than a perfect score. Wanting to boost my morale, I moved to the Class B Rocket Belt and finished those with relative ease. With my back still turned away from the Hang Glider, I hopped into the Gyrocopter. This vehicle’s tests were fun to complete even when it took many attempts to perfect. The third test was particularly fun; shooting a mechanized version of the character, Hawk. Two out of the three tests were completed, but Metal Horizon, the same test from last stream plagued me with scores of 99 repeatedly.
004 – Bonus Vehicle Progress
May 17, 2020
When at least a silver medal is achieved in each vehicle for a given class, a bonus vehicle was unlocked. Shifting gears away from the difficult Class B tests, I decided to have fun with the Cannonball. The first level of the Cannonball was completed quite simply and even contained a fun Easter egg in the first test. Level two wasn’t as easy; I needed to write coordinates down on paper to achieve a 100. Skydiving was the next bonus vehicle and I hammered out attempts on level two. Trying to balance the momentum and lift of the parachute made landing the most difficult challenge for this bonus, but persistence was all that’s needed. Finally, I explore the Pilot Class challenges for the Hang Glider to see what I had to look forward to. Coincidentally, I was able to acquire a 100 on the first test, the first try. The other two tests remained incomplete but helped set my expectations.
005 – Remembered How the Game Worked
May 17, 2020
At this point, I was becoming addicted to sharing my gaming experience on stream while simultaneously determined to complete as much as possible. This would be my fifth stream in three days. I had remembered that while taking pictures, the c-buttons could be used to adjust the camera viewfinder, which made taking a good picture of the whale much easier. With that piece of knowledge, I scored a 100 on the final test of Class B Hang Glider. That momentum carried into the completion of Class B Gyrocopter as well after five attempts. I wished a bit more time was spent with the Rocket Belt, because in short order, I perfected the Pilot Class badge. For the next hour or so, I would hit a string of failed attempts in Cannonball Level 3, Pilot Class Hang Glider and Pilot Class Gyrocopter tests. Enough of the Pilot Class was completed to earn the final bonus vehicle, the Jumble Hopper. This was a fun bonus with catchy music. A challenge to control, but enjoyable to use, I ended stream on a high note completing the first level.
006 – Perseverance Tested
May 21, 2020
After a restful weekend, I get back into the pilot seat looking to finish my first bonus vehicle. Level 3 Cannonball was a formidable opponent. I switched pilots to Goose hoping for better results. Even with my notepad handy, it took all stream to complete this one test. Upon completion, I had to contain myself a bit since my wife was sleeping in the next room.
007 – Sustained Momentum
May 22, 2020
Closing in on finishing the game, I aimed to complete another bonus stage, Skydiving. A lot of time was spent sifting through failed attempts until I came up with the right approach to the landing sequence and earn the 100. It seemed that every time I took a break from playing and came back, tests were easier to complete. The final Gyrocopter tests fell into place after solving the ring puzzle, shooting down Mecha Hawk, and learning to use the wind to help with landing. Rising Creek was another timed Hang Glider test where the challenge lies in finding the quickest route. Figuring I messed up the landing, the perfect score caught me by surprise, leaving only the picture test for Pilot Class Hang Glider. The Jumble Hopper is such a fun vehicle, I wrap up the night completing the remaining levels, and watching the initial credits roll.
008 – Out of Reach
May 23, 2020
I felt like Goose was a letdown so I switched him out for Lark. The first run of the night was promising, but unfortunately, the entire night of attempts would end in failure only able to achieve a 98.
009 – Expert Photographer
May 23, 2020
I signed on again to stream later in the evening and I made another pilot change to Lark’s female counterpart, Kiwi. She started off her career by slamming into a tree right at the beginning. But then, I was completely stunned to see, the second run of the night would be my last for the game. I celebrate by saving each of the pictures to the cartridge save file and proceeded to watch the credits a second time with the message of “You’ve received a perfect score!!! We just can’t believe it… You’re unbelievable!!!” in glowing text. All that work for kind words in a fancy font; worth it.
