Ratings and Reviews by namekuseijin

Fine prose and setting as well as organic puzzles in the form trade-this-for-that make this a charming little IF work. I have to agree with the reviwer for BAF's that characters are very underdeveloped, leaving you watering for something while you hunger just as much as the protagonist. Still, one IF I'd no doubt recommend to beginners.

ok, I may bash lame twitter fiction to death, but not so much poetry -- I like it. This is poetry, and good one at that: carefully woven verse interplay between what is said and what is meant. And that it is interactive and allows you to be in the shoes of the poetic persona is fascinating.

It seems Porpentine, when not in the mood for blatant puke-inducing passages, is able of showcasing fine word craftsmanship. The short poetic prose is quite excellent, and the metaphors creatively apt. Each verse pulsates through the screen vividly, each given proper screen estate as you usually don't find in static poems.

There are quite a few game-like aspects -- the few lock-and-key puzzles, a few tasks to complete -- and a few meta-game aspects -- like chosing this or that setting or your personal features -- but the poem really shines in the writing and message.

On the whole, an enjoyable renunion of fine presentation choices (including the loveable font, font effects and sound effects). Even though what it presents us is a bleak story of (Spoiler - click to show)rape, abortion and dehumanization. Poetry that matters, after all.

kudos

You're a general sent by the king to help out the defense at Swineback Ridge against the barbaric hordes of the Phartipu. Only once you get there, (Spoiler - click to show)the troops have deserted and the leader has commited suicide. It's up to you to come up with a way to revert this terrible situation.

The author seems to think this is a good beginner IF. And indeed it has many good points going for it, like a built-in hint system and, best of all, the PC won't take actions that should deem too stupid, effectively canceling possible dead ends. There's also no timed puzzles so you can go at your own pace at solving them and the puzzles are mostly fair and sensible enough, though a few require careful attention to the surroundings. Except that to win the game you need this item from (Spoiler - click to show)close to the beginning. :) but even this makes it clear you need to come back later with another item by the description to a failed action.

It features no NPCs but still tells a sensible tale of warfare and courage against adversities wrapped in finely crafted prose. I've gone through it this evening and though it doesn't let you get stuck, I had a replay to see if I was following alright.