Reviews by Max Fog
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Time-limited and tight puzzles, April 7, 2024This game was a light little puzzle about escaping a building. The puzzles were short and time-limited, and it felt a few times like I had done everything right, before realising that I hadn't - but when I realised what i had to do, it felt good (a nice puzzle, the elevator one).
Unfortunately, i got stuck at certain points, and the hints were no help. They also took up time in the game, which was very annoying because then I couldn't get the next hint (undoing removes it). And I found it extra annoying was when I tried to CUT THE WIRE WITH THE CLIPPERS, and it didn't work. I was stumped there for quite some time.
Overall, a mixed feelings game with some nice puzzles and timing but badly implemented parts. I would recommend playing it, either way.
From the Author
For context on why this game is what it is: (Spoiler - click to show)first effort by a 13 year old in time span of one year using ZIL (undocumented and unused since Infocom times), with multiple changes to the parser on a level that had truly never been documented or properly tinkered with before, also having to learn C++ in the process to rewrite the compiler. There's countless more things. Oh, yes it was larger than the original H2G2 game, and also trying to follow in the footsteps of 1) Infocom, the greatest IF company of all time, no doubt, and 2) in the footsteps of Douglas Adams, possibly one of the clever and funny writers of all time.
A bit much for a first, no?
(Some more ranting below...)
(Spoiler - click to show)Of course it wasn't going to be perfect. It was a cruel game (though purposefully), and many puzzles were obscure. The writing wasn't great. And worst of all: the bugs. Oh, the bugs scuttled across the floor in huge quantities, but that was during the competition, where it place 48th out of 75. Now the bugs are swept away, the writing has been fixed, and the reviews have not been updated. I, for one, would certainly give it five stars because that is likely the most ambitious game in the history of IF. But I don't want to be annoying or boastful or whiny, which this probably seems. So 4 is good!
HA HA HA!! Another great game to test on!, April 2, 2024Everything was watertight. Even more so than the Devil’s contract. There were very little mistakes (other than a missing full stop for the appropriate “That was not in my sight!”). Other than that, everything felt perfectly designed and created, and nothing was missing. Puzzles clever, descriptions funny and consistent. If only it were longer!
Song: Certainly My Iron Lung. The former has that gothic ‘creepiness’ that it’s basing everything off, also with the lyrics quite “I’ll show them all!” (read the meaning behind the song to kind of understand). (Definitely a top song & top game.)
A little too close to home, not really though, April 1, 2024Okay. I have to disagree with my own title for this review. It's not even close to home for me. I've never dated anyone. I can't say I've had that kind of argument. So no it isn't close to home.
But I know it is the kind of thing that will probably happen to me one day. I won't go into too much detail because that's personal and also insensitive, as I'm aware I can be without knowing. I am very close to removing this part of the review anyway.
This game loaded the UI in a way that felt familiar and also very clever. Easy to understand, and not hard to read or anything.
Now onto the subject matter. The game is based in the idea of a breakup. But a hard one. There are no choices but it felt right for the style of game. Although I'm very certain much of this was very very closely based off of real chats, I have to say it's very realistic and it's really clever. The breakup was emotional to me, and nothing was ever loose or difficult to use or boring. Everything perfect - which, sure, isn't how real life works, but in this gane there is no waiting that you want to be doing.
Though it was certainly understandable matter and some sharp words were brought from the offending side, nobody was not understood. Each person in the whole forum had a personality. Each person had their own way of expressing things and reacted differently to events. Nobody felt like they had no reason for anything that they said (although some people had much less justification than others, it seems). I know this all sounds redundant since most of it is probably an edited version of what really happened, I can't stress enough how much I felt with this one.
A dedication to difficult times, and their passing, April 1, 2024The writing of this game was superb. I want to put it out there, before I can say anything else.
Now, I'm not gifted at writing reviews in any shape or form, so apologies if this is blunt, but intricate details are not something I know how to use, unless in song lyrics or the design of a game.
I was at first very interested in the calendar layout of the game. I, however, would have liked to see more markings of those I have read, and those left to be read. I personally am not a fan of listing things like those to be read in that order. Which is funny, because I like lists. A lot.
But here, maybe even a different colour marker for clicked links would have been nice.
As well as this, it would have been nice to have some additional things occur every seventh page you read or so, to shake it up a little. Although I loved the writing and found myself drawn by the beauty of it, I could not help but be distanced from it by the sheer number of entries, all listed up neatly and as if ready to textdump. I know it was meant to be designed to be read in small goes, but i didn't get that sense from it. It felt like a bit overwhelming. Diary entries that are found later, for example?
Overall, however, I found it very strong with the writing, sparse in UI (although pretty and suitable for the idea), and maybe a little more complexity to make it an easier read. The meaning was obscure but vaguely present, subtle reminders you were not alone. I felt cold and shivery (the environment you described yourself as being in felt cold to me, which I could certainly feel), and yet nice and cozy.
I hope I noticed everything, because I wish there was more, April 1, 2024A game about a break up. With interesting animals reflecting your thoughts. A beautiful piece, with nice writing. This game has brought me to the final conclusion that Twine games can also be awesome!
Song: Faust Arp. Short but beautifully written.
Not just tricky - also mesmerising , April 1, 2024This game I really enjoyed. Long, interesting messages in a gruescript parser, it was interesting and peaceful. I liked the story and background, as well as the setting. It was very clever.
... And that's literally all I have to say.
Song: There, There. Plus some I Might Be Wrong.
Have ourselves a good time - and never look back..., March 30, 2024But maybe you just need to remember the past.
Honestly, the first thing I can say is quite clear. I could picture everything. Now normally, I have bad image creation in my head (can’t conjure up images or sounds or feelings etc., much less memories). But this one had very very simple descriptions, that conveyed the feeling very well. I could picture the curtain, and the bed. The voice felt familiar, even though I’ve only ever heard a meditation voice guide once in my life. But this displayed it with minimal words. Which is amazing, to be honest.
Other than that, I could understand what the person was going through (despite, because of age and limited experiences, never having gone through something even vaguely familiar). Which means a lot to me.
I was a bit sad that it ended so quickly, considering it was such an evocative and great experience. I can’t quite give it the as high as I want to give it, because there simply isn’t enough to rate, and it felt like at some point, I knew it wouldn’t go there.
I'm on a highway to hey look a squirrel!, March 24, 2024I found this game honestly quite humorous. It reminds me of every D&D session I’ve ever had (both as DM and as a player. Things make sense (although there is too few shouting and metagaming and talking generally out of game to be very relatable).
The setup was neat and vaguely reminded me of an interactive blend between a D&D character sheet and a rulebook. The options were clear and had fair ideas. I liked the characters much, even though suddenly it started talking about a “full moon” and a tail and I got very confused… until I realised that the characters weren’t actually human!
Overall, a fun and light game which I would play again any time, no doubt about that.
Game 1 in my list, and I'm all 4 it, March 22, 2024What a strong start to the competition! I am personally quite a fan of grotesque and dark subjects, but this one portrayed it very cleverly. I liked the general atmosphere of what is going on, and the mold really works well.
I adored the You will be loved (I think it was?) message, this chanting feeling, this overthrow, and the game’s flow worked well. I didn’t realise I really had any choices, it felt like a great flow. Also positive because I got the ending where I stand on the building and the spores take me over, which is a really good ending.
One thing that could have been a little better was the actual online bit. Although it was very tight and I understood exactly what was happening, I wanted that part of the story to develop a little longer in each story.
Honestly a very fun game, March 22, 2024I’m not sure there’s much to say about this game. Funny, for sure! Very mini IF, but certainly clever.
I like the reviews and the setups and everything, it all works together. Very meta. I like that, I guess?
I wish there were more combinations available between seeds, though. It feels like everything is quite rigid. Which lost some of the interactivity feeling.
I wish there was more to say. But I can't think of anything.
Simple escape room (am I missing something?), March 1, 2024Like the title says, this game appears to be a simple escape room.
Also as the title suggests, I feel as if I'm missing something very important.
Apparently there is some riddle involved, but I didn't see through to that. The game is heavily riddled (no pun intended) with severe implementation issues (objects still described in a location once they've moved, a door you can't open even once unlocked ["That's not something you can open." It's a door.] and the only exit to the south, "you can't go that way.")
Unfortunately, there seemed to be nothing to do. I wondered if it had some relation to the "see what you saw and saw the table to get a hole" riddle, but not as far as I know.
Like I said, this could be an awesome game, but I didn't get too see it due to lack of ideas on what to do, and annoying implementation that put me off very strongly.
Fight & Lun, February 18, 2024I enjoyed the idea of this game, but I didn’t feel it fully lived up to its expectations. Although the puzzles were definitely good and worked, I think it soon exhausted me. But very fun, maybe try and mix things up a little more, also maybe a little bit longer, but I thoroughly enjoyed what was there very much!
Song: I couldn’t find something that fully fits (also since not many of Radiohead’s songs are very goofy and lighthearted in the way this one is), but I found Permanent Daylight. Not my favourite song by far, unfortunately, and this game is very good, but the line “With your head on backwards” gave me the flipping-letters vibe.
I dunno about your reviews - I like it, January 25, 2024Look, I get what you guys have said - but seriously, the game is not that bad (personally, at least). Puzzles are very Meretzky-style: the puzzles are funny, make little sense, but still, it followed the Zorian rule. Every Zork game has countless empty rooms (which many of you complained about) - these add to the feel of the game and *also* very Meretzky!
The classic puzzles - sure, overused, but put to good use. Towers of Hanoi (which is the only one I think didn't need to move to the left *and* the right - but they were fresh and funny.
I get what all of you are saying, but there is much to enjoy in this enormous, crazy game - and they didn't need much reliance on the original (except a little too many Flathead jokes).
I know everyone's at: IKEA!, January 1, 2024This game is very, very fun. I liked the creating of different objects in certain places to get past obstacles, and the weird cultists! When writing this, I admit I haven’t finished, but I did have to use hints. It was a very fun idea, and I plan to finish it.
Song: A mix of 2+2=5 and Fake Plastic Trees’ music video. The cluttered idea of “two plus two always makes up five” has the weird contraption jumble of the game, and I have to admit I wasn’t “paying attention” for much of the game. The music video for Fake Plastic Trees has that shop vibe, and it starts quite happy, so that’s why.
Woah., November 6, 2023A crazy story with some extremely vivid moments (the bridge of bodies, falling, and the immediate aftermath with LIVE. I loved that.) and a strong sense of madness to it. Unfortunately I didn’t understand the whole bit from the eating of the headphones to the bridge (who was that other person? What was actually happening?) but overall pretty good.
An extra bonus point for the US Government speech. That was really, really good and I think people need to read it. It gives off a strong vibe with lots of meaning: people who have been born with no voice in the world (no say in what they can do), and are not even treated like people because others know they have the power to fight back.
Song: Paranoid Android. Personally my favourite song. Some of the lyrics relate really well.
Maybe better than I considered, but still..., October 6, 2023This game has a nice premise, with you being sent off the camp by your grandmother. Classic. However, this one takes it differently, in a more Camp Half-Blood way.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't *awful* or anything at all, but I got tired of it quickly, because the writing goes on, and on. It repeats itself, or the conversations become too distracting, which means I skip ahead and miss stuff. A little bit of cutting would help a lot.
Song: Lotus Flower. The game has a more pop-y relation to what the song would be, but not an absolutely great song, although still peaceful and melodic.
Prince Quisborne really shook the "feckless"!, October 6, 2023I beta tested this game, but that doesn't change how I feel about this game!
Now, this game is a massive, puzzly exploration through a highly detailed, fun fantasy world. I love this game. The puzzles are neat, the hints work fully, and so on. Plus, the coming-of-age story and the endless description add to a feeling of a world without stop, much like our world - but countless times more beautiful.
Song: There, There (The Boney King of Nowhere).
And what a mouth this lion has, October 6, 2023Personally, this was not one of my favourite games, but it was still interesting. The way you kept going forward and backward between states left me confused, which if it was purposeful, it was very clever. However, if it was NOT… then it was not my favourite at all. Very exclamation marks-heavy and nervous as well (which isn’t bad, just a note).
Song: Trans-Atlantic Drawl.
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