yeah, this game certainly is a distortion. A distortion of the truth! Cuz it doesn't work...
Links
https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=26139
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
Dig-n-Rig
eeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I could see possibly liking this game if I had a lot more patience than I do. Unfortunately, even if I weren't on a ridiculously tight schedule, I wouldnt have the patience to put up with Dig-n-Rig.
The whole game is about digging through the earth to find elements or something...see, that's the first problem. It's never really adequately explained why you're digging and rigging in the first place. This is just one of the many reasons this game is so unimmersive. It handles narrative very poorly.
before I get caught up in all the flaws this game has, let me run down some stuff that I didn't mind. The aesthetic has that "new-age NES" feel to it. You know the kind, where the pixels are still gigantic and the sound is composed of chiptunes but it's clear that those are stylistic choices rather than technological barriers? Yeah...that.
The game feel is actually not bad until you hit rock. Until then, you can just kind of gleefully glide through the dirt and collect resources, but once you get to the tougher rock, the game suddenly takes a hit right in the pacing, and the game feel suffers.
The conveyance in this game is also a load of crap on a cracker. Somehow, you're supposed to infer that you need to vacuum up the minerals you dig up with the "v" key and take them back to a conveyor belt with the "x" key. This wasn't even explained in the preposterous all-text exposition dump at the beginning.
all-in-all, play this game if you want something really dull and repetitive to turn your brain to jelly for a bit. Otherwise, pass.
Links
whistle while you work: https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=24629
I could see possibly liking this game if I had a lot more patience than I do. Unfortunately, even if I weren't on a ridiculously tight schedule, I wouldnt have the patience to put up with Dig-n-Rig.
The whole game is about digging through the earth to find elements or something...see, that's the first problem. It's never really adequately explained why you're digging and rigging in the first place. This is just one of the many reasons this game is so unimmersive. It handles narrative very poorly.
before I get caught up in all the flaws this game has, let me run down some stuff that I didn't mind. The aesthetic has that "new-age NES" feel to it. You know the kind, where the pixels are still gigantic and the sound is composed of chiptunes but it's clear that those are stylistic choices rather than technological barriers? Yeah...that.
The game feel is actually not bad until you hit rock. Until then, you can just kind of gleefully glide through the dirt and collect resources, but once you get to the tougher rock, the game suddenly takes a hit right in the pacing, and the game feel suffers.
The conveyance in this game is also a load of crap on a cracker. Somehow, you're supposed to infer that you need to vacuum up the minerals you dig up with the "v" key and take them back to a conveyor belt with the "x" key. This wasn't even explained in the preposterous all-text exposition dump at the beginning.
all-in-all, play this game if you want something really dull and repetitive to turn your brain to jelly for a bit. Otherwise, pass.
Links
whistle while you work: https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=24629
Descension
Hey guys. I'm going to be moving pretty fast for the next couple of reviews because there's a certain game that I want to review on Wednesday. Oh Dean, you and your wily ways
anyways, Descension is a boss fight that reminds me a lot of Space Deadbeef on the ground. For all 100% of you who don't know what Space Deadbeef is, here's a supplementary summary:
Ooh, look! A giant mechanical dragon that outguns you in every sense of the word and wants you dead. Here's a pea shooter, some powerups and a series of platforms. Have fun, sport!
The controls are fluid and every death typically seems like your fault, so the game is solid in that respect. Can't complain about the graphics or the aesthetic. It goes for that whole "neon dystopia" look, which I rather like. The experience is fun and tense till the very end, which will probably come sooner rather than later because the dragon is so hard to kill.
All-in-all, this game is kind of rudimentary. Nothing really stands out that makes this game a learning experience or a revolution in the medium, but it's just a fun way to pass a few minutes. Check it out if you're bored and looking for some pretty lights to occupy you for a few moments.
Until next time, stay shiny
Links
whoosh bang kapow pew pew: https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=24625
anyways, Descension is a boss fight that reminds me a lot of Space Deadbeef on the ground. For all 100% of you who don't know what Space Deadbeef is, here's a supplementary summary:
Ooh, look! A giant mechanical dragon that outguns you in every sense of the word and wants you dead. Here's a pea shooter, some powerups and a series of platforms. Have fun, sport!
The controls are fluid and every death typically seems like your fault, so the game is solid in that respect. Can't complain about the graphics or the aesthetic. It goes for that whole "neon dystopia" look, which I rather like. The experience is fun and tense till the very end, which will probably come sooner rather than later because the dragon is so hard to kill.
All-in-all, this game is kind of rudimentary. Nothing really stands out that makes this game a learning experience or a revolution in the medium, but it's just a fun way to pass a few minutes. Check it out if you're bored and looking for some pretty lights to occupy you for a few moments.
Until next time, stay shiny
Links
whoosh bang kapow pew pew: https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=24625
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Derrfex
Remember a while ago when I said tower defense games aren't really my thing? Well, it turns out that simple role reversal is not enough to persuade me otherwise.
Derrfex is the first tower offense game I've ever played. It's a clever concept. You need to figure out the best route to take in order to destroy your objectives with the fewest casualties. You're given a squad of 4 adorable woodland creatures, each with their own special ability.
I definitely know some people who would get a kick out of this game, but I just don't see the appeal. Games like this turn me off in general because I think of calculations that the player has to run the same way I think of grease on pizza. A lot of it can, if used responsibly, greatly enhance the flavor of the game, but only if the other ingredients warrant it. Okay, let me pull this back into the realm of sanity. See, I have no problem with games like Pokemon requiring me to run these calculations because I can play them at my own pace. Derrfex, however, forces you to keep up with it, which I find more frustrating than challenging.
I managed to get through the first level without too many broken bones, but when I laid eyes upon level 2, my brain took control of my fingers and forced them to strike alt+f4.
Try it if you're up for a challenging strategy game featuring a new twist on an old classic. It ain't for me, but I totally recognize my own bias here.
Links
animals with heavy weaponry creep me out for some reason: https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=26004
Derrfex is the first tower offense game I've ever played. It's a clever concept. You need to figure out the best route to take in order to destroy your objectives with the fewest casualties. You're given a squad of 4 adorable woodland creatures, each with their own special ability.
I definitely know some people who would get a kick out of this game, but I just don't see the appeal. Games like this turn me off in general because I think of calculations that the player has to run the same way I think of grease on pizza. A lot of it can, if used responsibly, greatly enhance the flavor of the game, but only if the other ingredients warrant it. Okay, let me pull this back into the realm of sanity. See, I have no problem with games like Pokemon requiring me to run these calculations because I can play them at my own pace. Derrfex, however, forces you to keep up with it, which I find more frustrating than challenging.
I managed to get through the first level without too many broken bones, but when I laid eyes upon level 2, my brain took control of my fingers and forced them to strike alt+f4.
Try it if you're up for a challenging strategy game featuring a new twist on an old classic. It ain't for me, but I totally recognize my own bias here.
Links
animals with heavy weaponry creep me out for some reason: https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=26004
Derelict
To be fair, this game isn't broken per se...
It's a multiplayer-only game and not too many people are playing Derelict at any given moment, so I got stuck for all eternity at a "searching for players" screen. Oh well. Looked like a cool game.
Links
https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=25913
It's a multiplayer-only game and not too many people are playing Derelict at any given moment, so I got stuck for all eternity at a "searching for players" screen. Oh well. Looked like a cool game.
Links
https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=25913
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Deity
Oh, man, finally! Not only a game that works, but a game that works well!
The most striking feature about this game is that it can be played using only the mouse, which leaves one hand free for sipping hot chocolate, instantly improving the play experience.
Deity isn't an incredibly long game, but it's long enough that if I were playing it on a weekday where I only have an hour at most to spare for this little project, I would have had to stop before the final level, which would have been a shame because this game is impeccably paced and the last level is very satisfying.
The basics of this game are simple. Teleport your way around, using torches and gargoyles as your conduits, to take down guards with the power of darkness and progress from level to level. Killing enemies head-on reduces your health by almost half, so stealth is a necessity. This game is, to me, just the right mixture of thinking to execution
The aesthetic of this game is kind of similar to that of League of Legends, but with a lot more emphasis on darkness (just like in Corruption, you play as an ambassador of darkness). In fact, this game as a whole kind of reminds me of League, only this game is actually good (okay, settle down. League is good too, it's just not my cup of tea). Mouse movement, stylized characters, particle effects and stealth gameplay make the similarities easy to notice. The real difference between this and League is that this is a PvE, singleplayer game, whereas League is not. I find this kind of gameplay to be much better suited for a singleplayer game, because it allows you to play at your own pace. I'd elaborate, but this would soon turn into a review of League, so in the interest of staying on topic, let's move along.
This is the most fun I've had with a DigiPen game in a while. Pacing, aesthetic, control, narrative, game feel...all of this is nigh flawless. I would say that the real selling point with this game is the atmosphere. It's the only game so far on this list that gave me that jarring feeling when I stopped playing it and I realized reality is still a thing. That's something not even many mainstream games can do for me. The last game that was able to pull that off was Spec Ops: The Line. Even though I was alt+tabbing in and out to chat with my friends while I was playing, I was still fully immersed in the experience, and that is a feat worth congratulations.
Actually, on that note, that's another thing I liked about Deity. Alt+tabbing is no big deal. A lot of these games make chatting on Skype or Facebook a nightmare, but Deity respects your right to screw around with something else and return to the game without much annoyance.
Mind you, this game's not perfect. There are a few conveyance issues, like the firey walls that instakill you even though you've had no trouble phasing in and out of fire beforehand. Come to think, the conveyance as a whole is kind of ham-handed. The mechanics of the game are presented by little illustrations of the mouse buttons right over the place where you are to press them. It doesn't affect the atmosphere too much, but still, I'd expect better from students who were ostensibly shown this stuff in a "what not to do" lecture.
The teleport move doesn't take you quite as far as you'd expect, leading to a few mildly irritating moments where I wanted to teleport just outside a lighted area that would hurt me, only to be plunged directly into the light.
All-in-all, Deity doesn't give me the most raw sense of fun out of all these games (Attack of the 50ft Robot still takes that honor), but I would wager to say it's the best experience overall. I can't do it justice with digital ink. It's a game that you've got to experience for yourselves. Deity definitely gets my seal of approval. Good work, Double++. Keep on rockin.
That's all for now. Until next time, stay evil.
Links
https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=24653
The most striking feature about this game is that it can be played using only the mouse, which leaves one hand free for sipping hot chocolate, instantly improving the play experience.
Deity isn't an incredibly long game, but it's long enough that if I were playing it on a weekday where I only have an hour at most to spare for this little project, I would have had to stop before the final level, which would have been a shame because this game is impeccably paced and the last level is very satisfying.
The basics of this game are simple. Teleport your way around, using torches and gargoyles as your conduits, to take down guards with the power of darkness and progress from level to level. Killing enemies head-on reduces your health by almost half, so stealth is a necessity. This game is, to me, just the right mixture of thinking to execution
The aesthetic of this game is kind of similar to that of League of Legends, but with a lot more emphasis on darkness (just like in Corruption, you play as an ambassador of darkness). In fact, this game as a whole kind of reminds me of League, only this game is actually good (okay, settle down. League is good too, it's just not my cup of tea). Mouse movement, stylized characters, particle effects and stealth gameplay make the similarities easy to notice. The real difference between this and League is that this is a PvE, singleplayer game, whereas League is not. I find this kind of gameplay to be much better suited for a singleplayer game, because it allows you to play at your own pace. I'd elaborate, but this would soon turn into a review of League, so in the interest of staying on topic, let's move along.
This is the most fun I've had with a DigiPen game in a while. Pacing, aesthetic, control, narrative, game feel...all of this is nigh flawless. I would say that the real selling point with this game is the atmosphere. It's the only game so far on this list that gave me that jarring feeling when I stopped playing it and I realized reality is still a thing. That's something not even many mainstream games can do for me. The last game that was able to pull that off was Spec Ops: The Line. Even though I was alt+tabbing in and out to chat with my friends while I was playing, I was still fully immersed in the experience, and that is a feat worth congratulations.
Actually, on that note, that's another thing I liked about Deity. Alt+tabbing is no big deal. A lot of these games make chatting on Skype or Facebook a nightmare, but Deity respects your right to screw around with something else and return to the game without much annoyance.
Mind you, this game's not perfect. There are a few conveyance issues, like the firey walls that instakill you even though you've had no trouble phasing in and out of fire beforehand. Come to think, the conveyance as a whole is kind of ham-handed. The mechanics of the game are presented by little illustrations of the mouse buttons right over the place where you are to press them. It doesn't affect the atmosphere too much, but still, I'd expect better from students who were ostensibly shown this stuff in a "what not to do" lecture.
The teleport move doesn't take you quite as far as you'd expect, leading to a few mildly irritating moments where I wanted to teleport just outside a lighted area that would hurt me, only to be plunged directly into the light.
All-in-all, Deity doesn't give me the most raw sense of fun out of all these games (Attack of the 50ft Robot still takes that honor), but I would wager to say it's the best experience overall. I can't do it justice with digital ink. It's a game that you've got to experience for yourselves. Deity definitely gets my seal of approval. Good work, Double++. Keep on rockin.
That's all for now. Until next time, stay evil.
Links
https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=24653
Dawn of Empires
Again?! Seriously??!!!?!
okay, this is getting a little ridiculous. This is like the 5th broken game in a row. These games may be making my job a hell of a lot easier, but I'd wager to say that they're making the blog a bit more boring.
This time, it said OpenGL2.0 is not supported on my computer. I'm running OpenGL version 4.2.0, so I assume I might be able to get this game to work if I played around with drivers and stuff, but last time I tried messing with my video card, I ended up blowing out my entire motherboard.
I don't know. I may not be technologically illiterate, but I can't figure this one out. I would assume version 4.2.0 would be compatible with programs that require version 2.0, but whatever. I won't question it.
Until next time, stay patient...One of these games is bound to work...
Links
https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=8723
okay, this is getting a little ridiculous. This is like the 5th broken game in a row. These games may be making my job a hell of a lot easier, but I'd wager to say that they're making the blog a bit more boring.
This time, it said OpenGL2.0 is not supported on my computer. I'm running OpenGL version 4.2.0, so I assume I might be able to get this game to work if I played around with drivers and stuff, but last time I tried messing with my video card, I ended up blowing out my entire motherboard.
I don't know. I may not be technologically illiterate, but I can't figure this one out. I would assume version 4.2.0 would be compatible with programs that require version 2.0, but whatever. I won't question it.
Until next time, stay patient...One of these games is bound to work...
Links
https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=8723
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