OtisTDog

Top 25 Reviewer
Member since February 27, 2008
Last visited March 29, 2025
Profile ID (TUID): 8tqtppvpzluoq2jf

I've got some strong opinions for someone who's never shown the courage or skill to publish any IF of my own. Nonetheless, I am a big fan of the medium -- which I think is going to be rediscovered by the mainstream at some point -- and I hope you enjoy my reviews.

Here's a brief guide to my rating system. It is unusually harsh, because I intentionally rate using a power law distribution in which high scores are relatively rare:

5 stars -- a piece so incredible it effectively defines the genre or technique that it introduces or perfects. Very, very few works will get 5 stars from me.

4 stars -- a work that is significantly above average and achieves something notable. In general, a game that excels but does not quite reach the apex of its class. A relatively small number of works will get 4 stars from me.

3 stars -- a game that is competently put together and enjoyable to play, but lacks the special something that would make it stand out. Best summed up as "good, not great". Many games will get this rating from me.

2 stars -- a passable attempt that is deficient in one or more qualities that would make it truly enjoyable. Basically, something that could have been a 3-star game but fell short in some way, or otherwise falls into the "blah" category. Many games will get this rating from me.

1 star -- a work that, in my mind, has no redeeming qualities or is so horribly non-functional that any such qualities are not relevant to the playing experience. Very few games will get this rating from me, as I try to find something good about most games and generally avoid titles that look likely to score this low.

I am most harsh in my reviews when a work shows little evidence of effort on the part of the author. Conversely, I am inclined to generosity when I feel like the author tried hard to realize an interesting goal, even if he or she was not successful in doing so.

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Reviews by OtisTDog

The Abbey, by Art LaFrana   March 22, 2025 (edited: March 24, 2025)

"In 1993, everyone knew that "text adventures" were a dead genre, but, as has been lovingly documented by Jimmy Maher and others, a few..." - See the full review

Winter Storm Draco, by Ryan Veeder   March 22, 2025

"In my limited experience, works by Ryan Veeder never fail to delight on some level; if nothing else his signature wit is always good for..." - See the full review

Everybody Dies, by Jim Munroe   March 22, 2025

"This game made a notable splash upon its debut, taking 3rd place in IFComp 2008 and garnering high profile reviews by top author Emily..." - See the full review

The Bible Retold: Following a Star, by Justin Morgan   March 22, 2025

"Let's be honest: You're probably assuming that this game is a low-quality (if sincere) effort riddled with technical problems and poor..." - See the full review

Repeat the Ending, by Drew Cook   December 14, 2024

"Repeat the Ending handily includes its own faux history, its own imaginary criticism, and its own projected audience reactions. The..." - See the full review

See all 131 reviews by OtisTDog
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