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Review
10 Second Defence is a single-puzzle game about laying out a booby trap for someone you know is coming after you, using a combination of objects found in your one-room apartment. There is a tiny amount of backstory about how you got into this situation, but really not very much: the game isn't so much interested in telling you a story as in setting up a replayable challenge.
When a piece is primarily about inventive uses of objects, implementation becomes extremely important. 10 Second Defence is a mixed success in this department. It doesn't always offer implicit actions that ought to be obvious ((Spoiler - click to show)such as picking up the glue before gluing something to the wall). Some of the actions are a bit surprising or require finicky wording ((Spoiler - click to show)I had to experiment with several phrasings before figuring out how to fill the syringe from the capsule), and one solution requires things to behave in a way I found a bit implausible ((Spoiler - click to show)it was hard for me to believe that even a very strong glue would affix the knife to the wall in a way that would successfully stab the hitman).
On the other hand, there are multiple uses for most of the objects, and the replay concept worked pretty well for me. I found that each playthrough gave me some ideas about what might work better next time, without being entirely obvious about it.
I was able to replay to a successful conclusion in about five tries, and enjoyed doing so.
Comments on this review
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I need a hint!
(Spoiler - click to show)So I pour the fluid on the floor, glue the knife to the back wall, glue the syringe filled with Sleep to the back wall ... and still the hitman somehow has the endurance to shoot me.
I expect I need to do something with the hitman after he's been impaled and stunned, but it's not clear to me what. The incense burner looks promising, but my "throw burner at hitman" is met with the rather inappropriate response that it's too heavy to "make it worth carrying it around". I haven't been able to think of a use for the potted plant or the photo.
OK, you seem to have run into a possible concatenation of circumstances that I never thought about coding.
(Spoiler - click to show)Filling the syringe and gluing it to the wall will injure the hitman, but not sedate him (the plunger can't operate properly when glued, after all). You need to either break the capsule on the knife in order to drug it, or burn the capsule on the oil burner (wear the mask if doing the latter, or you will be knocked out too).
Hope that helped. Not your fault that you're too clever for my game. :-)
Thanks, that helped! :-)
A review by Emily Short? For my game? Well, colour me proud!
Thank you very much for your review. Regarding the glue: within hindsight, I'm not very satisfied with that puzzle. My excuse is that it's the future, so very strong glue is at least a possibility.
I'm glad to see your review; I beta-tested this, so didn't feel comfortable leaving a review, but felt badly that no one had reviewed it at all. I agree with your review; it is pretty close to what I would have written if I felt comfortable reviewing it!
