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Indrah's (TOTALLY BIASED) Game Rundowns for the
Indie Game Maker Contest on RMW
Here’s the thing: I will be playing all the games for the Indie Game Making Contest that were posted on RpgMakerWeb, all 85 of them, over the new few days. I’ll be making short vids of my experience with all of them. You can find the playlist HERE. (I’ll also attach each video to the game on the list).
In the end, remember I’m getting more quick first impressions than deep reviews. Most I will play for 10-20 minutes, so the “reviews” will reflect that. What I say is obviously not gospel, but I will try to give out some shoutouts to the games I, PERSONALLY, WITH ALL MY BIASES, feel are worth at least a try.
And no, this does not mean the rest are HORRIBLE. It means there are 85 GOD DAMN GAMES IN THIS SITE ALONE FOR THE CONTEST. I can’t just say “yeah go play every one of them to completion!” because I am not even doing that myself.
Introduction
Some things to remember:
1- I am NOT one of the judges. I will be as biased and harsh as I like. If you’re not okay with that or think I’m being unfair, that’s fine. I’m not going to hurt your chances, you don’t have to listen to me.
2- I will take as long (or as short) as I like with each game, and won’t finish most. I will try to get a handle on if the game is recommendable or not, and what’s nice about it. I can’t be expected to do all 85 games for an hour each. I will do around 10 minutes or so in an attempt to draw some rough sketches/promising games.
3- If you see a game in the list below that was posted in RMW and I missed, please tell me and I’ll add it in at the bottom. Same goes for any game of the contest that was NOT posted in RMW. I will prioritise the games from the forum because…well, I hang out here
And hey, give our game a chance too! It’s nice I promise <3 (shameless plug yeee)
Sunken Spire: http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28622-sunken-spire-game-released/
85 Games Listed (as compiled on July 3rd)
[game title – developer] *games in green are done*
A Simple Life - Skyfrid
A Victorian Tale – minenschacht
Account Mu - Cashmere Cat
Aesparia – The Fallen –Brett Ultimus
Almost Lost – prorrabbit
Alyssa – Berri
Archdiem - RocketKnight
Ars Harmonia - Sailerius
Ashworth - PVGames
Beyond Reality – Hotfirelegend
Buntoki - Csg
Charon’s Sabbath – Synonysis
Clad Generation – LuckyCassette
Crimson Story – teamcrimson
Darkness of Hope – rondchild
Densetsu no Kusoge - Ratty524
Dictionary – endriu
Disaster on Aero VI
Earth Under Attack - Dekita
Eden – aspirestudios
Fancy and the Fox - IamDes
Fly Forever – TungerMan
Generic Fantasy V - TheWhiteRose000
Goats on a Birdge – Cabygon
Goblin Noir - Radiant Cadenza
GPR cireneF - davna
Hero for a Day – Ms Littlefish
In Arcem Miseria – Andrew
Interloper – InterloperGames
Island Tribes – Titanhex
It Lurks – LoneWolfDon
Jungle Rescue – Paladin-Cleric of Awesome
Kaleid – catchthefloaty
Les Visiteurs Dans L’Espace – Yellow_Magic
Leviathan - Missile
Listen – Shadow Dragon
Little Briar Rose – ProGm
Memories of Andrea – Tsimcha
Morendah – Search for a Cure – Xenos2112
Move! I'm Making a Movie - ye51d
Mythos: The Beggining - DarkGaia
Nesos; Castle of Promises - lamont3z
No Manatees Promised – SnowOwl
Oh Ko! – mostly useless
Our Hero! ORIGINS – Ste
Painted Heart – Trass
Panic at Casa Corotto - samshazam
Peace of Mind – Terminus Est13
Prelude
Princess Peril – Croc
Quest of Life - Vallar
Random – FantasyDR
Recurrence – Tommy Gun
Rogue Story – Anachronic Designs
Rozen – twistedshadows
Ruselan – runic
Sacred Earth: Promise – MirageV
Seraph Blade Online – migidu
Sin Unsullied – legacyblade
Solidarity - PhoenixDeath1
Soul Echoes – Tenchizard
Space Insignia – Busted Ed
Space Smuggler – pandulapeter
Stormblood – Empiron
Super Nuclear Riders – FuriousGamer87
The Clans-Cursed Souls - Clord
The Delusion - kartersaint
The Edge of Hero's End - 3GameMakers
The Exit Door – Dacuna
The Farming One – JorgeAamelo
The Heart Pumps Clay – Housekeeping
The last hour of Fairfield – valkill101
The vendor – Galenmereth
The Warello Network – Arkecia
Tirawmisu – Caz and Marimo
Trials and Tribulations – Silvestre
Unknown Designation – xeroborn
Unraveled – Cinnamon
Vultures – Killer Lobster
Wake: Blooming Lotus Dance – Neoend
We were made to perish – Mesonyx
Wold Remade – Artbane
Zarov’s Curse – Tiarali
Zofar-Man: Defender of Justice – Nimbus
Latecomers, extras and requests (these will go AFTER the main list)
Window of the Vampyr - Vox Populi
Pale Echoes - Raemyi
D is for Dungeon - dinkledaberry
The Swords of Blance - MrbumSete Ossos- felipefalcon
Together Forever! (suggested)
Cliche'd Quest (suggested)
The kindly king
Spirit World (suggested)
Removed from list:
Slumpy’s Shootout – Slumpymaster [Does not work]
Games
88 out of
*I am aware the embedded videos are broken, but I've tried everything I could and they are just not displaying properly :/
Games #1-43
(Letters A to N)
1- A Simple Life (by Skyfrid)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28120-a-simple-life-romantic-comedyfull-version-up/
A dating sim/Harvest Moon style game. Give it a try if you’re okay with slow paced things and wandering around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqzlZ9byk2w&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3&index=3
+Good mapping in some places
+My kicks and punches can destroy poor wolves (you monster!)
+/-Fun for all the wrong reasons
-Slow Intro (plus the excuse is overdone and meh)
-Important npcs blend in with inane npcs.
-Too many inane npcs.
-Average/sloppy presentation in some areas.
-Bad mapping in some places (oh god those houses)
To the developer: Remap some of the messier areas, weed out quite a few of the extraneous npcs and make the vital characters stand out more. As it is now the game is way too unfocused and not very compelling.
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2- A Victorian Tale (by minenschacht)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29314-a-victorian-tale-released/
I’m not sure if this is a suspense/horror game that starts VERY slowly or purely a story that is simply very compelling. Give it a try when you’ve got some patience and are interested in reading rather than playing or exploring around a lot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpU1Zzj15mI&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3&index=4
+The location map was nice enough
+Good atmosphere (tho it doesn’t go anywhere)
-Has no introduction hook, story isn’t gripping.
-All characters look the same, with no faces or anything to tell them apart.
-What can be inspected and what can’t is very ambiguous.
-Quit playing due to lack of interest.
To the developer: If you want to tell a story, make sure you have the players INVESTED early on. If it’s a horror tale, make sure something actually HAPPENS at some point. I don’t know exactly what was the intent of this game, but it doesn’t work well.
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3- Account Mu (by CashmereCat)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28631-account-mu/
I’ll be honest, I could not get past the fourth room, because I’m an absolute idiot XD
Seems to be a nice and simple puzzle game, give it a try if you like that genre!
Give it a try if you enjoy puzzle games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWniJb_43io&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3&index=5
+Presentation was intriguing in its simpleness.
+Get to the action right away!
+Music was oddly nice when it swelled up.
-Not the fault of the game, but I got stuck really early on (because I’m an idiot)
-No preface or context? (May be explained later as I stopped early).
To the developer: I am so sorry, I’m too dumb for this OTL The first “complex” puzzle did me in.
For what it’s worth, I liked the simplistic approach of the visuals! I’m just really bad at puzzle games.
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4- Aesparia: The Fallen (by Brett Ultimus)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29046-aesparia-the-fallen-game-download-available/
I played this more than the others time wise! It’s a solid little game. Not hard or easy, with enough customization to last you the game’s hourly target. The plot isn’t complex or too engrossing, there’s just enough exploration and the encounters are finite and evented so they won’t get on your nerves. Presentation overall is okay which makes this game a solid attempt.
Give it a try if you’re up for a simple turn based rpg and simple exploration and plot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYFyQVsklDQ&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3&index=6
+Nice overall presentation: menus, maps, characters, sound, etc.
+Nice battle presentation and animations.
+Gets to the action quickly.
+Does not care much for story and therefore doesn’t focus on it (this is a good thing, it does not try to put up pretenses and botch those up. I’d rather it skip the fluff if that’s not the focus.)
-Lacks some characterization.
-Very serious tone. (My own bias)
-Some of the battle sounds lacked impact and were downright dinky and hilariously weak.
-Maybe a wee bit repetitive with encounters. Could have had more variety since there were not many and finite.
To the developer: Good job on overall effort! This isn’t what I’d call a great classic or my favorite game, but I know enough about game making to know this is a solid attempt. Building on this and adding and refining stuff will get you far. You already have a solid gameplay and presentation base to fall on. Add some compelling story and characters and you’re set for your next projects.
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5- Almost Lost (by prorrabbit)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29254-almost-lost/
Nice concept, poor execution. Presentation takes a very sudden plunge early on that drove me away. Needs work.
If you’re more lenient than me you may want to give this game a try. It’s got a decent setup (traveling to another dimension) and (I think) recruiting enemy characters, but it’s very rough around the edges.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jNxEkwi7X0&index=7&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Nice concept (dimension traveling).
+Mapping in the introduction section is nice.
+Has some decent ideas about gameplay (changing elements was sort of cool, if annoying about spending a turn).
-Mapping takes a very ugly turn early on after the intro.
-Presentation is very rough and definitely needs work.
-Characterization and writing is mediocre at best.
-Full screen makes me rage ><
To the developer: Few things will make me rage about RM games like a compulsory full screen. I have a large monitor and RM games are NOT designed to be stretched like that. Optional fullscreen: yes. Forced fullscreen: NO. I had to crawl into the ini file and rip the fullscreen away. (Edit: ok so it's optional by pressing F5, but srsly what's with game devs thinking their game looks GOOD all stretched? It does NOT).
That rant aside: this project is very rough. Presentation during the futuristic intro was promising (except perhaps characterization which was quite meh) but once you arrive to the other dimension it all just comes crashing down with the godawful use of tiles.
Could this be made to work? Maybe. But I feel it’s one of those “early” projects that can be simply used to learn and leave behind. It has nothing that I would say “yes, you should rework the game entirely to keep THAT”, so I’d say learn from it and move on.
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6- Alyssa (by Berri)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28209-alyssa-beta-test-up/
Sort of shaky on this one. It seems to have promise but some shortcomings prevent me from getting into it.
Seems to be a horror/suspense story with some puzzles. The problem comes from the gameplay being a bit sloppy, and the scares and horror being…quite not scary.
Although I admit I stopped early on so I could be wrong. Give this game a chance if you like the genre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0ZfpPBqqd8&index=8&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Some nice scare effects/sound effects. I liked the voiced lines especially.
+Decent parallax mapping overall (with some issues).
+Has a good enough hook.
+Writing is nice enough (with a few shaky lines, but nothing that bad).
-Too easy to die/no attention drawn to saving. I could not be assed to start over a new game after 10 minutes of play.
-Taking damage has not enough visual impact/sound cue.
-Some passability issues due to parallax mapping/mapping errors/mismatches.
-Villain (I assume) is not threatening at all, and is downright cute.
-Some scares just are not threatening at all (those rtp sprite demons…)
-Gameplay has fuzzy rules and is overall not very engaging.
-I’m not a fan of the portraits. They work for the little girl, but on the other characters they’re too cutesy and fail at conveying what’s needed for a horror game.
To the developer: It seemed promised, but I simply could not bother to start over 10 minutes of game just because I touched some arbitrary furniture.
Presentation is overall promising, but I’d change some of the gameplay (or at least make saving available form the menu/call attention to it).
Some of the scares fall flat due to the graphics used, and that really hurts in a horror game (those demon sprites…). On the other hand, the creepiness of the voiced, distorted lines was really nice.
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7- Archdiem (by rocket knight)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28287-archadiem-new-alpha-demo-available/
This seems to be a very early alpha build, riddled with what I assume are bugs and just unfinished stuff (I could not get OUT of the menu, no idea how that works, nor progress the story any further).
I’d say not bother with this one until a better demo comes out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2vhYaFeSBk&index=9&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Some visuals were appealing.
-Text was rough. (I assume because English is not the dev’s first language).
-Intro was either unfinished or made no sense.
-Clashing graphics/blurriness.
-Too many things that don’t work properly.
To the developer: There’s not much I can say, it’s too early to tell. I could not get past the FIRST puzzle stance due to the game being too buffy/unfinished.
That said, it’s obvious the game is still in early phases and largely untested, so don’t take it too hard.
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8- Ars Harmonia (by Sailerius)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29308-ars-harmonia/
I can’t give proper feedback for this on the grounds I could not really stream it, since it’s a visual novel and that does not make for much commenting. It’s well presented and seems engaging enough.
Give it a try if you’re the mood for a visual novel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO8y0ZJBPp8&index=10&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Presentation overall was good.
+No glaring flaws in the writing (of what little I saw).
+Nice sound (I see you, Presence of Music >D)
-The blurring during the intro was a bit annoying because it made the text harder to read, and in a game BASED on text that’s not good.
-Could have used some event pictures for the big scenes (such as the intro…) though I understand this is a matter of resources and time.
To the developer: I can’t say much besides it looked like a nice visual novel from what I saw? I could not really tell much other than it wasn’t BAD.
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9- Ashworth (by PVGames)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28134-ashworth/
A horror/exploration game. I think. It certainly had jumpscares.
I’ll be honest: the graphic style turns me off. But this game held my attention surprisingly well. I can’t tell if the jumpscares will get really old quickly, but it did decently for the while I played.
Give it a try if you’re in the mood for a horror/exploration game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQR1EHuuwMU&index=11&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Exploration mechanics are nice (the popups when you get close are very handy).
+Seems to have a decent array of locations to explore.
+Mapping is decent, if sometimes too cluttered/busy.
+Had a few jump scares that got to me (but I’m a real wuss so that’s not a big achievement XD)
+Did not bog down with a lot of expository dialog outside the intro, which is good.
+I didn’t get to do it much, but I liked the concept you learn skills from simple things like learning prayers or add statuses by investigating stuff.
-Mechanics felt a bit clunky (some items would show up on the upper hint hub but yield no investigation, some had very precise touching to activate)
-While I will admit the jumpscares worked, they were a bit cheap and I don’t see them lasting long/working for a person more used to
-What the heck was that number question about…?
-I am really not a fan of the graphics…
-The god damn road was PITCH BLACK. What the heck.
-There are items hidden with no cues in the edges of forests? What?
-The intro could do with some guidance. You get set loose on the town with no limits and I got lost immediately. I know the menu says, but you should probably lead the player close to his target.
-The town map felt unnecessarily big. I would have rather had it split in different maps to help orientate myself. Also the menu took a really long time to close with such big maps.
To the developer: Well done? There was nothing that grossly threw me off this game (and I wanted it to, I don’t like those visuals OTL). I could not stay and play for a long time (75 games to go yet…) but it seems promising. Maybe I’ll play it fully after the list is done, who knows.
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10- Beyond Reality (by Hotfirelegend)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28821-beyond-reality-complete-download-link/
It’s a rpg. I think. Most of the 15 minutes I spent on it were all intro cutscene.
It feels like this game was a normal sized rpg tale that got squashed into 1/10 of the intended time, so it feels forced and rushed.
+It had decent mapping and graphics.
+Nothing wrong with the concept (going back to the past), but the execution is poor.
-I don’t buy for a second that that young and irresponsible looking main character is the leader of a serious organization. (minor bias)
-A memory puzzle right away? Really? Before ANY other gameplay?
-Salsa Ensalada, what’s her name, is a *****. She just forces people to come along? Am I supposed to care about her plight? Screw you for forcing your wants on me, ho.
-The scene skipping at the end of the intro feels really cheap.
-I felt none of the characters were likeable. A few were flat out asshats, the rest were bland. Worse, they felt tacked on and wholly unnecessary. Maybe mister Morningwood will be good later on, who knows.
-Trying too hard names. (totally personal bias, but STILL)
-Has no real hook to keep you invested. Intro section too long and not compelling.
To the developer: I know the feeling of having a nice set of resources you want to use, but these characters neither fit their roles nor feel NECESSARY. Half the cast was completely superfluous and devoid of personality, and the other half felt…weird.
It felt like this game was compressed too hard and lost its charm. Had it been a paced out adventure with time for the characters to develop a bit it may have been a completely different game, but as it is now it just does not work.
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11- Buntoki (by Csg)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29325-no-bun-intended-buntoki/
Can’t say nothing about this game since I could not play it :I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GPrRf2An_M&index=13&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+It seemed really cute?
+The mapping was nice
+The dialog beeps and display was cute and energetic.
-I can’t see ****, yo XD
To the developer: I could not play this game, as something prevented me from seeing the sprites and I could not really play like that. If it gets fixed I’ll give it a twirl after the list is finished.
RETRY!
I got linked to a fix for the game so I gave it a spin. I’m not sure if it’s still buggy or the current game build is still rough around the edges, but I had some trouble with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqTDG-ODPe8&index=14&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Cute, simple graphics.
+Bobbing sprites.
+The animations are pretty cute.
-Menu controls are stiff and considering how much menu-focus there is, that hurts.
-Having to fiddle with too many menus to do basic things.
-How do I even tell how much time I have to have things in the oven for? Its either white looking or burnt. (or maybe I’m just a terrible cook. That could be too).
-There is no people anywhere, so why bother having more than the shop at all?
-Where is my money displayed?
-I’m not sure if it’s a matter of balance, but I had nothing to do and no customers from the get go.
-There are no proper instructions. Even the brief intro doesn’t do much of a job at actually telling you much. (no one explains how the pricing works, for example. How am I supposed to know? Customers don’t say anything!). In this case, something as simple as a reference book with the basic instructions somewhere around the shop would be enough.
-How do I save the game?
-Lack of variety even at the start of the game is a bit extreme (considering I had nothing to do by day 2).
-Some people did not talk or give any notice when they arrived? The camera is not panned in a way to support that.
To the developer: I’m not sure if A-the game is still having issues for me, B-It’s still at an early-ish build where thing aren’t balanced and polished yet, or C- I am just a TERRIBLE baker.
If things got fixed and the balance was remade, I feel this could be a very cutesy entertaining game. As it is, I was doing nothing by day 2, not ideal :T
Or maybe the people left because my buns are terrible, who knows.
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12- Charon’s Sabbath (by Synonysis)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28956-charons-sabbath/
This game had promise, but a glaring, irritating instant game over mechanic that threw me off. I’d say that if the constant Game Overs were replaced with something more lenient (such as simply teleporting you back to the puzzle start) it’d be worth a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV4eAXhfl0M&index=15&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+ Good parallax mapping.
+Overall pleasing presentation.
+The use of odd runes signaling you could not talk to the live people was cool.
-Constant Game Overs at every failed step of every puzzle. NO TO THIS.
-Puzzles are more based on frustration than skill or trial and error. Some leniency is needed.
-Sprite used for the main character was a bit ugly and didn’t fit very well
-Tiles were sometimes manipulated in ways that crashed with each other. They could be too grainy or simply not match in the style, which brought the nice mapping down.
-Intro is a bit too wordy for what it needs to convey.
-Main character would probably be more appealing not speaking, as she has nothing compelling to say.
To the developer: just getting rid of the constant Game Overs would already change the game in a HUGE way, taking off the main offending frustrating factor. I feel the intro is too long and the main character too boring to merit dialog, but not offensively so like the god.damn.game.overs OTL I just could not get over how unfair they were and had to stop. It drove me AWAY from an otherwise decent game.
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13- Clad Generation (by LuckyCassette)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29358-clad-generation/
I’ll be honest: I’m not sure if this game is going to be great fun, or if it just had a fun moment at the right time before I stopped playing. It has some funny design choices and then some very tedious and questionable ones.
If you like retro style games and don’t mind some ugly colors here and there (and some grinding) you may want to give this a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHRuM3p4vlc&index=16&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Simple combat. (No pretensions, I like it)
+It seems to go into a nice direction with the writing (can’t be sure since I stopped early).
+Some dialog (Wifey was fun)
+That swinging penis hair killed me.
+Bling is an equipment slot. Nothing else needs to be said.
-Npcs feel really inane.
-Text crawl is wholly unnecessary if the king says the exact damn thing. It gets tedious.
-Mapping is lacking. I understand it’s supposed to be retro style but the colors (especially the greens) are really unappealing and the maps are too bare.
-Combat goes fine, except for the annoyingly slow sprite movement.
-The combat screen is a very ugly green color that really hruts the eyes.
-The immediate grind and difficulty is off-putting.
To the developer: I liked some things a lot, and the rest was either just okay or “wut”.
I’m not sure if you wanted the difficulty and early grind to be like a throwback to old timey games, but it doesn’t work for me. I was looking forward to having more silly items and hearing Wifey talk, but I only got ridiculous encounters and running back to town. ;-;
I had to stop early (I have 85 games total and all) but I may give this a twirl in the future. It seemed promising. (tho those ugly greens. Oh my god ><)
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14- Crimson Story (by teamcrimson)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29371-crimson-story/
An early demo for an action game. Has some interesting visuals, but very basic gameplay.
I’d say wait until a later demo comes out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ft7OzPF0BM&index=17&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Graphic style is interesting
+Controls are responsive enough.
+Generally does not bog the action down with tedious scenes.
-The smaller windowed resolution cuts off the text.
-The stark coluors can hurt the eyes after a while.
-The lack of detail makes things a bit confusing during the action.
-Camera pans out too far, making the action even more fuzzy.
-Impact effects when you hit things make the screen shake, which is disorienting.
-Overall the “action” is a mess of confusion (mind you, I’m not action oriented so my perception could be wrong).
-Camera pans during cutscenes are too slow
-Got stuck and could play no further.
To the developer: if this is as I assume an early-ish demo, I don’t have much to say. There’s a bunch of stuff that feels “early build”, but that would make sense. The overall style is simple and intriguing, but there’s not much to it right now.
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15- Darkness of Hope (by rondchild)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29369-darkness-of-hope-save-the-heart-of-painful/
Well polished fight system with some custom art that falls a bit flat on the writing and presentation.
You may enjoy it more than I did if you can be less nitpicky with dialog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywA7HIF9IVU&index=18&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+The combat style was fresh and interesting.
+Good use of combat animations/pictures.
+/-Mapping layouts were promising, but really lacked good tile use and detail.
+/- A lot of custom art, but some of it is a bit bland/falls flat (to my eyes).
-The intro is way too fast and compressed. It’s impossible to process even half of what’s going on.
-None of the characters were appealing, and the child was a pain in the neck.
-Writing is very unnatural (especially that child) and really need work.
-It seems to try to use Japanese manga-style sounds and uses, but comes across as really tacky.
-Custom sprites really do not fit the maps.
-That windowskin border color is really distracting and bright.
-The dungeon map seemed very lazily done compared to the house.
To the developer: it seemed like the gameplay in parts would be quite nice, but it’s bogged down by bad scenes and silly dialog. Overall it does not do a good job of making the player interested (and I can say that child’s unnatural dialog really turned me off. You can’t really expect players to accept such unsubtle messages).
If the presentation was more carefully remade and the text updated you could be up to something. The combat was interesting, but too caught up in unnecessary dialog that slowed things down. It’s an rpg, but it seems to be built like a minigame in a visual novel.
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16- Densetsu no Kusoge (by Ratty524)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28116-densetsu-no-kusoge/
This a troll game. I don’t think I have to explain much else.
If I had to say anything it’s that it’s not a fun troll game. It’s just bad-bad, not fun-bad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiIoNUcEMCo&index=19&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
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17- Dictionary (by endriu)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29216-dictionary-download-available/
A little adventure game with lots of references and cute little moments at the start.
I’m a bit torn on it. It has funny moments, but feels too wordy after the cute intro.
Give it a try if you like cute custom art and have the patience for longer text sections.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHOXDikm58o&index=20&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+The intro has cute art and cuter text. While the text goes on for longer than really necessarily, it’s well written and funny.
+The art is quite nice and custom.
+Lots of references to art, videogames, etc.
-Controls, especially during battle, are pretty shaky.
-The charm of the writing during the intro seems to evaporate after the intro is done.
-Everything seems to speak for too long and bogs things down.
To the developer: I was charmed by the introduction, but quickly lost interest as soon as we switched over to the main game. The writing seems to suddenly lose all sense of fun and it’s all boring, too wordy and too LONG exposition npcs. Coupled with the fact that there’s nothing much to do except follow the marked path it really loses steam early on.
The game may get better later on, as I had to stop quite early, but it still feels disappointing how the writing goes from funny to meh but keeps being too long for every scene. Perhaps if the dialog was punched up/shortened it would work better. The combat also felt a bit shoddy, the controls were pretty awkward.
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18- Disaster on Aero VI (by MobiusXVI)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29132-disaster-on-aero-vi/
An intriguing little adventure game. You seem to do nothing but manipulate machinery and tools to try and save your ship. It’s intriguing, but a bit hard to get into due to lack of initial guidance.
Give it a try if you’re up for some subdued and puzzle oriented exploration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TYOQFm8UnU&index=21&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Overall good mapping and presentation.
+The subdued tone is good as it leaves you intrigued rather than impatient.
+The amount of stuff you can investigate is nice.
+It’s not bogged down with initial long exposition.
-That said, the initial dialog goes for a SMIDGE too long. Just a bit. The two characters repeat the same general idea of “I have to fix it” for too long.
-The initial camera pan at the intro goes on for WAAAAYY too long. It totally saps any energy or ambience from the intro.
-The font is really not suited for the game, as it’s too hard to read and does not suit the futuristic tone. I’d recommend switching to a simpler font for readability.
-There are TOO many things to manipulate and no distinction of what is important. Some signals such as shiny spots or floating arrows would help a LOT to guide the player to the main machines and boxes.
-Some of the manipulation of machinery is not visual at all (closing those vents does not change them at all graphically, which is a bit awkward).
-The machinery menus have a very confusing background that does not help with readability.
To the developer: I feel like this game would be very good if a couple things got fixed: the font, the menu background, and the interactivity cues. Those are what I feel keep this game from being very nice, since they turn an otherwise intriguing game into a sudden “everything can be touched and I have no idea of what I’m doing at all since everything looks the same as before”. With some edits here and there (visual cues mostly) I think It’d be pretty nice. I may give this a twirl calmly and to full once the game list is over.
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19- Earth Under Attack (by Dekita)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/27745-earth-under-attack-download-available/
This is a shooter, so I’m not really qualified to give feedback on it. I’m not really fond of the genre, so…
Give it a chance if shooters are your thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgxH8MhL8OY&index=22&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Seems to have a good selection of ships.
+Presentation was nice, especially on the menus.
+Kudos for whipping the code of the engine into something like this.
-The screen keeps gong faster and slower depending on how many elements are on screen, which makes me queasy.
-No music except during bosses?
-The shoot button does not shoot as fast when you press it manually as when you leave it on. This means spamming the shoot button, which spells hand pain, which is a no-no.
-The background goes by too fast and has too much color/shape, so it makes me queasy after a while.
-All the ships seem to have the same attacks and tactics, so there’s no real variety.
-All enemies feel the same, combined with long stages make for bland gameplay (at least in low difficulty).
To the developer: I’m sorry, I’m really not big on shooters. It seems like a project made with love, but it lacks some variety. (Not necessarily DIFFICULTY; just different enemy patters and attacks). You may want to get someone who actually plays shooter games to look at this, I’m afraid I don’t have much context in this.
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20- Eden (by aspirestudios)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29295-eden-ecosystem-puzzle/
Another game I’m REALLY unqualified to review. I’m no good at these games. AT ALL.
Give this a twirl if you enjoy puzzle games, it may be your thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjvRpqp9lAQ&index=23&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Presentation is clean (except for he text sidebar being a bit too cluttered)
+Actions and changes on screen were smooth with satisfying sound cues.
+The art was appealing in a simple and understated way.
-I have no idea of what I’m doing and honestly the tutorials were hard to follow.
-The text on the sidebar was too tight and all the same colour, so it was hard to keep track and I soon lost interest.
-It seems like some of the mechanics were a bit contrived or not really easy to understand at first glance. Oasis needs a forest and water and grass? I…didn’t think oasis worked like that?
To the developer: I really can’t say much, this game is not really my thing and I’m a dumb dofus. The only thing I could objectively say I that the text sidebar is too hard to read (combination of fishy font+too tight+all same colour).
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21- Fancy and the Fox (by IamDes)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28282-fancy-the-fox/
A decent little game. The idea behind (silent film style) it is a better than the actual execution, but nothing about it drives you AWAY from the game. That said, there’s nothing really special about it either, just a little adventure game with no fights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jayi-0tCI14&index=24&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Neat idea (silent film style)
+Decent presentation.
+The music (I think it was only one track?) was fun and suited the silent movie style.
+You seem to have a solid grasp on eventing/movement, so cutscenes were not still.
-Please for the love of all that’s holy allow dashing.
-Sprite styles (XP and VX) clash.
-Mapping needs work: mapping errors and clashing tiles.
-While the writing itself isn’t bad, it’s not interesting enough to break the “light text” silent movie style. It feels like there’s TOO MUCH talking where the charm would be for it to be silent and very brief.
-Game objective ultimately seems too pointless to retain the player’s attention.
To the developer: The idea is good, the execution is okay…but the lack of conflict and clear objectives really hurts it. With a clearer objective and adding in some actual conflicts/gameplay elements (even simple puzzles or exploration would do) it would be a nice little game, but as it is it’s just not very interesting.
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22- Fly Forever (by TungerMan)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29236-fly-forever/
I’m not clear on what this game is. A joke entry, or a really rushed incomplete project.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktKt2bHIzY8&index=25&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+The art is charming in its own way?
+The intro has a certain funny aspect to it (not a riot, but has some fun lines)
-The “gameplay” is just not fun.
-Seems largely incomplete.
To the developer: I have no idea what to say. I don’t feel like this is a “game” right now. Maybe in a later build it will be. Right now it doesn’t really seem to have much point, and the “gameplay” is more annoying than fun.
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23- Generic Fantasy V (by TheWhiteRose000)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29041-generic-fantasy-v/
An attempt to make fun at clichés that misses out on the part where it’s actually fun. Felt forced and lifeless to me, but you may get a kick out of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZo711Vgrm4&index=26&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Title screen has neat art
+The dude is named Rose.
+Some of the “jokes” are amusing. Some.
+The voiced intro is neat.
-The “jokes” largely miss the mark and seem forced and lifeless.
-The game feels aimless and with no real point.
-The game has to be engaging, even when making fun of the genre. It is not.
-There is a certain lack of clear direction (Where am I going? Why? Why should I care?)
-Faces are different in the game than in the title screen.
-The mapping is not bad, but spacing and layouts are too huge (the castle is stupidly huge and empty).
-Music has some rough patches that make you go “what”.
To the developer: Satire games don’t work if the game itself isn’t fun. Poking fun at stereotypes is fine, but if the game has nothing to it even when using those clichés it just is not FUN to play. Saying “ha ha clichés” does not make for a joke. If the joke is that “ha ha look at what a plain game this is”….that is not FUN.
The game is not terrible, but it’s not good either. I didn’t find much to keep me playing.
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24- Goats on a Bridge (by Cabygon)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29266-goats-on-a-bridge-download-available/
The game seems like it could be quite fun, but the fuzzy controls and steep difficulty are definitely hurting it.
Give it a chance if you like skill puzzle games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfkRNXsVH0U&index=27&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Graphics are bright and appealing.
+Chubby’s “dialog”.
+Chubby in general darnit!
+THE GOATS ARE CUTE, OKAY?!
+ROLL ROLL THOSE FAT ROLLS~
+Ahem. Overall presentation is quite good.
-Controls. Too slippery and felt…off.
-High difficulty with no real learning curve.
-Some of the animations are underwhelming.
-Camera is a ***** when you try to move one single goat.
To the developer: Fix the controls, fix the difficulty (better starting levels with more space to move) and you’d have a very neat game. As it is it felt too difficult for a clumsy person like me and I could not get past the first level. =_= It still made me laugh tho, a pity I just don’t have the skill for these things.
In this case, I feel like “tile based” stiff movement would actually WORK with this game.
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25- Goblin Noir (by Radiant Cadenza)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28901-goblin-noir-cement-shoes-are-highly-unfashionable-now-with-demo/
I enjoyed this game a lot. It’s a (I think) fantasy gangster mystery (maybe?) where combat is completely driven by dialog. SIGN ME IN PLEASE. Combat was very enjoyable and context-based. There is no math crunching or elements, just dialog options and responses (flirt the world!)
Unless you really despise games focused on text and (good) dialog, definitely give this game a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7smGKZuM3ak&index=28&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Strong dialog (with a few odd uses of language here and there, but nothing major)
+Good presentation
+Character portraits are full of personality
+Nice use of fantasy races+“modern” setting.
+Dialog does overall a very good job with making each character feel distinct.
+The combat system is intuitive and very fun.
+The combat is REALLY FUN damnit (it ruined my livestream, I stopped paying attention to commenting because I was too busy just PLAYING)
-The sprites clashed with the environment quite a bit.
-The menu lacks some color and is a bit stark and hard on the eye. (Plus the submenus being default makes it look unfinished.
-I’m not a fan of the default font (personal bias).
-WHY WON’T YOU LET ME SEDUCE THIS DAMN SHMUCK (not a real minus, just me *****ing)
To the developer: This is definitely a game I want to play for my own after the enormous game list is done. I enjoyed it a lot (I’m sure you can tell by the squealing during the video…) and being someone quite demanding with good writing I was very nicely surprised and enjoyed the fight much more than I’d have expected (I’m not a great fan of gangster stories or mysteries). Overall, great job. There are a few nitpicks here and there, but definitely nothing that would stop me from playing this.
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26- GPR cireneF (by davna)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29385-gpr-cireneg-play-an-rpg-from-the-dark-side/
A game where you play as the monster growing stronger by defeating heroes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ipc3ysebpo&index=29&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Overall presentation is nice.
+Smooth combat sequences.
+The fourth wall joke was amusing.
-I understand the cave has to be dark, but it’s a bit TOO dark. It doesn’t help that I can never see where the corners of the room are and it’s hard to judge how to move along.
-Yellow font over red backdrop and yellow window border makes text hard to read.
-Does the password system replace saving? Don’t really enjoy that.
-Game lacks something to make it interesting and keep you invested.
To the developer: The concept is neat, but you don’t seem to actually do much with it. There is nothing horribly bad with the game, but it doesn’t really engage the player much unless you’re really enamored of the basic gameplay.
Something as simple as adding some funny cutscenes after every “stage” would do wonders for the game. As it is, the gameplay is not addictive enough to warrant the interest to keep playing just for it.
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27- Hero for a Day (by Ms Littlefish)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29151-hero-for-a-day-download-available/
You’re a drunkard who falls into a pretend game’s daily quest thing. I think. I’m not sure, to be honest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibMv9poKdIY&index=30&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Mapping on the town exterior is nice.
+Good use of expressions with the limited generator.
+The custom (I think) battlers were nice.
-Mapping of some areas is shaky (the interiors had some questionable choices here and there))
-The jumping mechanic is a bit odd/it’s not conveyed well enough (I can go on the black ceilings? Okay…)
-The characters we get to play as seem to be the least interesting ones. (The girl is just bland, and the main gets repetitive).
-Many sources mixed up that do not mesh well (generator faces with rpt faces, sprites from the Ds set and the rtp, etc).
-Lack of introduction to the setting sets some confusion. I’m having trouble deciding if this is a “pretend” game in a modern setting or an alternate “future fantasy” one.
To the developer: I feel this game suffers of that brand of diffuse “not bad, but not great either”. What it lacks is something to engage and hook the game in. It could be just me (I am as biased as anyone) and this game may work well for other people, but I had trouble staying interested when the girl showed up. Maybe switching that area up a bit and making the setting’s presentation clearer would help.
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28- In Arcem Miseria (by Andrew)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29257-in-arcem-miseria-tower-of-misery-complete-and-submit/
A 3d puzzle game with nice visuals. Give it a try if you like puzzle games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpHStzCwajo&index=31&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Graphics and overall presentation are appealing.
+I like the concept of splitting up to solve things!
-The mechanics of splitting up is “taught” very dimly and it took me a long while to notice it at all.
-I’m not a fan of puzzles, but I don’t think starting so early on with time dependent switches/doors is a good idea, especially when control isn’t exactly super-smooth.
-The camera is not really cooperating and making things much harder than they should be.
-Pathfinding (or the controls) is awkward and can slow things down.
To the developer: I am not a puzzle game person. That definitely colors my perception. But I’m sure I could have enjoyed this game more than I did if the camera and controls were not quite so awkward. That definitely annoyed me.
The mechanic of splitting up is good, but the pace of the puzzles (timed doors) so early on and with slow-ish controls really did not fit me.
I may be being nitpicky due to the genre of the game, but I feel like the cam and controls ruined a bit what could have been a nice game. Not completely, but definitely bring the overall down.
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29- Interloper (by InterloperGames)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/27876-interloper-download-available/
The game is incomplete due to (at least) a vital npc not triggering, so not much to say.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9a3kbBrP-I&index=32&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Intro is short.
-Game is broken (can’t advance)
-Making the player go back arbitrarily to get the same npc is ridiculous and not fun in any way.
-The town placed there breaks the pace (as it is). Having t show AFTER the king (I assume) gives you the quest would be better, I think.
-Mapping needs work, especially in the details section.
To the developer: First: the game is bugged and you can’t advance. The king will not trigger.
I could not see anything past that, so I have no idea of what the game is even aiming at. The idea of a modern person falling into a fantasy world isn’t new, so that bit isn’t exactly impressive.
There was nothing that jumped out to me as a great factor from what I could see so far, but considering the game was halted early, I can’t say much.
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30- Island Tribes (by Titanhex)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29283-island-tribes/
A survival (I think) exploration/crafting game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjdp2CsDyAw&index=33&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+The concept of having to manage your inventory and survive by crafting etc seems good.
+The plot is simple enough and doesn’t take ages to deliver itself.
+The sprite face instead of portrait face is a neat idea.
-Presentation was a bit shaky.
-No music during the tutorial drains the energy from the scene greatly.
-Too much information conveyed too quickly means nothing will get digested. The barrage of dryly delivered tutorials was just bad.
-Game crash when fishing.
To the developer: I was pretty burned out when it came to this game’s turn, so that accounts for some of the video’s harshness, but the extreme info dump and how DRY the tutorials are is just unacceptable. That is just not interesting or fun, just an enormous, music-less text dump. The crash definitely did not help and I just stopped playing.
I recommend heavily remaking the start of the game (which is a very important period where you have to make sure the player WANTS to keep playing and enjoys it). As I stated in the video, you may want to go for “a some gameplay-add new mechanic-some gameplay-add new mechanic” style, rather than dumping everything at the start. It just turns players away. No one likes dry tutorials. Delivering them while mixing them with actual gameplay will probably help the issue.
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31- It Lurks (by LoneWolfDon)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28744-it-lurks-a-horror-themed-rpg/
An oddly ineffective horror/rpg. Lacks a certain punch since the horror setting elements are not strong enough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLVHZe_qLU8&index=34&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Mapping is okay.
+Presentation is not too long (tho the dialog definitely needs some work, it’s still brief enough to get to the action quickly)
+/- The idea of the timing minigame is neat, but the execution is very shaky. The visual and audio cues for the minigame are not fitting, very small and hard to interpret.
-There is no real ambience of horror or mystery; making the game seem like a very odd or mismatched rpg.
-The zombies are extremely non-threatening.
-Outside of mapping general presentation is shaky with mixed resources and bad choices (icons, title screen, text color, etc)
-While not objectively terrible, the writing (specially the dialog) feels pointless and ineffective, to the point that having none at all or just the very basic outline of it feels like it would be far more effective.
-The “horror” sound design is extremely lacking. It’s not BAD, it just needs to be much better, as horror games rely a lot on it to create a suitable ambience and it’s very weak right now.
-The title screen is embarrassingly executed with desperate attention grabs. At least minimize those texts a bit; it just looks very childish and temporary rather than any sort of serious or polished game.
-The bright blue font is cartoonishly clashing with the somber aim of the game.
To the developer: If it’s an rpg, it needs better gameplay elements and hook. If it’s a horror game, it definitely needs to be redesigned to actually be scary or creepy, as it is extremely not. As stated this s mostly because the sound is not used for anything (important for horror games) and the zombies are just not scary in any way and you can see them coming miles away. The game is just not tense or intimidating in any fashion.
While no aspects of the game felt OFFENSIVELY bad, nothing felt great either. Not having the “horror” aspect or a good mystery hook (it’s very quick in showing the zombies and “red mist” so there’s no real tension) plus a complete lack of interest on existing characters leaves the rpg elements shaking on their own with nothing to excel at.
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32- Jungle Rescue (by Paladin-Cleric of Awesome)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/27877-jungle-rescue-download-uploaded/
As an “initial” build of a stealth game, it’s okay. As a final product, it leaves much to be desired on polish and smoothness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2Che3PLx6Q&index=35&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+General idea and presentation is ok.
+Nice busts and battlers.
+Jungle map is lively and varied. (not the helicopter scene, the jungle looks very silly then, tho the heli is cool)
+I like the windowskin, it’s very sleek and modern/espionage-y.
+I’m well and fine with the concept of different “visibility” areas.
-Sprites do not mach their busts (for no visible reason, as there ARE usable generators for what’s required).
-Game is too dark, making the visibility a bit of a chore, even with the setting.
-Execution and polish over enemy detection feels “cheap” as it’s not properly conveyed sometimes, ending in getting discovered when it feels you should be safe (as seen in the video).
-The menu feels odd and very clunky.
-No run speed? Come on.
-Too many options in battle not explained enough, with too many commands. It would be far more visually orderly if they were grouped in one or two submenus with a bunch or skills each instead of 4+ with 3 items each.
-Skills do not display # of charges left for the skill?
-Tutorial sections too close together, lack proper sense of flow (and feel more like a “here is all our mechanics in the first few minutes).
-Title screen is a bit underwhelming (minor point).
To the developer: I feel I ranted enough during the video and the points above. It feels like what I don’t like about the game is more the lack of polish/smoothness than the game’s core. The pacing of the tutorials is too sudden, the sight mechanics feel unfair, the combat has too much clutter. If that was all fixed (and I don’t think they’re big problems to touch up, hopefully) I feel like this could be a solid stealth game.
As it is now it feels a bit rough around the edges, at least for someone like me who isn’t particularly good at stealth games.
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33- Kaleid (by catchthefloaty)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29366-kaleid/
A colorful shooter game. Give it a try if that’s your thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdGucrlhznw&index=36&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Very colorful and simple graphic style.
+Movement and shooting felt smooth.
+Music is very nice.
-Could not make the screen smaller, causing eye strain and having to lean back to try and see the entire monitor at a glance.
-Too colorful. Too many elements onscreen blended together into a big “what is going on”.
-Lacks “introductory” level. I still have no idea if the hexagons are killing me or advancing my level, nor am I too sure on how life/mechanics work, as I was too frantic moving around form the get go to digest much.
To the developer: I’m really not big on shooters so I may be quite off, but my main problem was the fullscreen (I could not properly see what was going on since too large) and the confusion of just too many colorful things blending onscreen and not knowing what was going on. Perhaps if “explosion” graphics were way less intrusive and friendly and enemy graphics were more clearly defined I would have had an easier time. As it is the graphics made things colorful and vibrant, yes, but also really confusing and disorienting.
Its probably a good enough games for people used to shooters, but again, that’s not the case with me OTL
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34- Les Visiteurs Dans L’Espace (by Yellow_Magic)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29264-les-visiteurs-dans-lespace-download-available/
What could have perhaps been an interesting rpg is drained a bit by the long and dry introduction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NpInsIUUM0&index=37&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Interesting concept of medieval people in futuristic spaceship setting. (I think)
+Unique party roles.
+I like patrol enemies I can evade.
-I do NOT like empty rooms with an enemy ambush I can’t evade.
-Waiting is not a good game mechanic. I don’t want to HAVE to guard to do things, let me just DO them!
-The enemies are very lackluster and not “spacey” at all. The zombies were particularly unfitting and bland.
-The introduction feels too long and poorly conveyed.
-Personal bias, but I’ve never been a fan of the old timey speak mode. I have a hard time digesting what is being said.
-The characters seem to have barely any personality.
-Can’t be sure at this point, but combat balance seems a bit iffy (an enemy smashed through my healed in a hit? Ok…)
-While the mapping isn’t BAD it lacks detail and feels a bit barebones.
-That mil drinking comparison was ridonkolous.
-What’s the use of making up lore and dumping it all on me if you’re not going to use it? (Falcon? Nah I’m just a plain swordsman, yo)
To the developer: My main issue in this game is the intro. As I mention in the video it feels like a more visual “now in medieval razed town, now in spaceship (or whatever)” would have worked SO much better rather than a long dialog fest of characters I can’t bring myself to care about. Show, don’t tell. I KNOW the characters are going to be surprised, there’s no need to relay in bland dialog constantly what they think. It’s a case where less is more, and simply showing the situation and letting the player look for himself would have worked better.
=======
35- Leviathan (by Missile)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29278-leviathan-released/
A beautifully game that falls a bit short on the non-art aspects. If you can ignore poor sound design and really like pretty, slow games, give this a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzJrmcjrTjg&index=38&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+No BS, just game start.
+FRIENDS!
+The game art is VERY appealing.
+Having the very first map loop back meant I did an entire loop of the place like an idiot at the extreme slow speed. Not fun.
+I like the font and simplicity of the huds.
+Naming your party members is always fun.
-My main beef with this game is the lack of proper sound design. It drains away energy for me and feels lacking when there’s none of the sounds you’d be expecting (like the battle start, or general music in the beginning).
-Map passability on the whole is a bit shaky, but the invisible walls here and there with no visible cues are really nasty.
-No pictures from the front of your friends, so I can’t tell what they look like.
-Very slow moving speed. It’s not a problem at first, but gets tiring later.
-Somewhat high encounter rate combined with the slow moving speed.
-Menu can be slow and unresponsive.
-Your party line can cover up the enemy line.
-The walking sprite of the protagonist is a bit underwhelming and doesn’t convey movement very much.
-Fountain heals only heal the active party. (I understand it’s a roguelike game, but I have so many members so early in the game there’s no real way for me to really decide who I want yet.)
To the developer: I feel like this game could have been great if the sound design was better. The lack of proper sound drained away at my energy very quickly, which is a real shame. Even for a game which (I think) means to be slow and melancholic, the sound was too unused and low to support the game.
There were also some odd choices such as slow menus and some visibility problems during battle. One of my complaints is that I could not see what my friends looked like, which in such a pretty game is REALLY a shame. Also, who’s this “Fallen” I’m carrying with me?
I can’t comment on the combat much because I got by on attacking alone so far and I stopped playing, but it didn’t seem too bad. If this game gets some reword I’d be willing to play again, it seems like a pity that the sound and some polish stuff wasn’t better.
=======
36- Listen (by Shadow Dragon)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29272-listen-full-download-available/
A (I think?) story adventure of an invisible doll that can only be seen to people before they do and a little girl in the hospital. While the presentation is appealing, it seems to fall flat when it comes to gameplay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvq5PPyyIp8&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3&index=39
+Good use of behavior poses and sprites.
+Interesting concept for the doll character.
+Nice intro music.
+Good sound effect design.
+Nice and clean mapping.
-Hard to tell what the GOAL is.
-Intro feels a bit slow.
-Intro is totally automated, I can’t even press the text advance.
-No music during “gameplay” section.
-Can be hard to tell what the doll is actually doing.
-The pale orange windowskin doesn’t mesh so well with the white text.
-The game totally loses steam by the time it comes to “gameplay”.
To the developer: My main beef with this game is that once the “intro” is over we still have no idea what the goal of the game IS, and to make things worse the music is gone and it’s all unrelated item find and use puzzles? It doesn’t make for a very compelling experience.
While the characters are not unlikeable, they lack a certain something. If they’re all we really have to work with, they’re a bit bland. Ultimately the game does not seem to ENGAGE the player that much.
I’d recommend establishing or at least hinting at the goal of the game and to PLEASE put some music on during the gameplay section.
=======
37- Little Briar Rose (by ProGm)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29039-little-briar-rose/
A BEAUTIFUL game, sadly the gameplay is not up to par with the art. Seems to consists of puzzle games/riddles based on text or very vague hints, but if puzzles are your thing then give this a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wABMXaQqf-g&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3&index=40
+Beautiful and stylized graphic style.
+Nice game over concept (get replaced by a new prince).
+Prince sprite has the *****ingest, most curly hat I’ve ever seen.
-Overall, everything that is not graphics feels much less polished.
-It may be because I’m not native, but I feel like the English used is very shaky and odd in places.
-Puzzles don’t seem to be very fun (for me they were largely a guessing game).
-Instant “game over” when failing to guess at puzzles, must redo all the prior steps. Not fun.
-Dialog is not given all in one go but you must click and fiddle around for a while before they’ll let you get to work.
-Little to no sound design outside BGM. This feels odd during puzzle execution.
-Intro text goes by too fast.
To the developer: Major kudos on the graphics! But everything else needs work. There is nothing BAD in there, they just fall flat when you compare them to the oh so pretty art. The puzzles are vague and not that fun, there’s not much to do (as far as I saw, which admittedly is not much), the language use can be fishy and the actual action seems to be based on chores rather than any real plot (which by itself isn’t a bad thing, it’s just that the dialog isn’t particularly good or engaging).
I’m personally not a puzzle person, but I still feel like the “hints” are too fuzzy (that was supposed to be a WATERMELON? How was I supposed to tell?!) and the game overs are very annoying.
Tl;dr: The graphics raised my expectations for the game greatly but it feels very…basic. It doesn’t match its appearance in FUN factor.
=======
38- Memories of Andrea (by Tsimcha)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29224-indie-game-maker-2014-memories-of-andrea/
One of those games that seem very “newbie-ish”. Is a bit misguided and aimless.
-The entire intro is far too long and pointless.
-You’re making me water plants and check cows for a simple intro? WHY?
-Text is as bland and stock as can be. It delivers no emotion.
-“Taking a long time to recover” is three days, but “learning to fight to save my wife” is 6 years?
-The infirmary map is way too dark, I couldn’t see what was going on.
-No characters are interesting so far.
-Mapping definitely needs work, it’s all huge and empty.
To the developer: The intro is a huge turn off, as it’s boring and aimless and has no weight. I assume you intended to create some tension by introducing the wife first, but the presentation is so dry it’s just a boring mess. It’s full of pointless, boring steps which have no actual relation to the gameplay. It may have been a better idea to start from the simple scene with the wife by he water ad then show the bandits attacking, as the rest just feels like pointless fluff that’s in the way.
I’m sorry if I can’t seem to say anything positive about this, but overall it felt very…unnecessary. There was nothing about it (that I saw, which was only the intro) that was worth it. Maybe things get better later, but if the intro is such a turn off chances are the players won’t even get there.
Please don’t be too discouraged. I assume you’re still new to game making, and these things are necessary steps to learn.
=======
39- Morendah: Search of a Cure (by Xenos2112)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/27901-morendah-search-for-a-cure/
A space travel and exploration game that manages to feel like you’re never going anywhere interesting or have any real incentive to, as neither the plot nor the characters are properly introduced.
+Intro does not drag too long (thank god).
+The ship has a somewhat interesting design/decent mapping.
+The “space map” is a good idea (if poorly executed and bland).
-The intro with the kid and the grandpa feels completely superfluous (and their map is very oddly mapped with medieval looking tiles).
-Why are the kid and the grandpa just standing in the room?
-Mapping outside the ship is very bland and basic at best.
-Nothing about space looks any different than earth, so it lacks any charm there.
-I don’t mind if the game’s excuse is retrieving 4 random items, but if you care so little about the reason don’t try to pretend it’s a big deal for a cure or whatever (none of the characters act like it’s any big deal).
-Writing and characters are dry and stiff and lack personality.
-Face sets mismatch: the captain has a different style than his party members, and the two chars during the intro too.
-The planets feel, overall, very half-assed. This is a big problem in a game about SPACE TRAVEL. The settings are what we look forward to the most.
-Battle is uneven with no recovery options (outside the shops I assume, but do you really want to make a visit to those compulsory?)
-You have a bunch of characters NOT introduced in the formation. At least mention them!
-I’m all for different character having different attacks, but this is not mentioned anywhere.
To the developer: This game…is lacking. The concept of space exploration is always cool, but this feels very…lazy. I’m not accusing you, but that’s what comes across from this. When the planets look no different from earth then it feels like the maker didn’t try (even if it’s not the case). There’s no context or setting explained, no differences, everything feels the same. I understand it’s partly a matter with resources, but it still feels half-assed.
The intro feels pointless, no character is properly introduced and neither is the gameplay. I’m not sure of what the “forte” of this game IS, or where its focus lies. If you want to make this game WORK (as in remake it and not move on to another project) I’d recommend starting with the setting. Space Travel is lovely, but if it doesn’t feel like it then it’s a problem. Properly introduce the elements of your game: the setting, the plot, the characters, gameplay elements…it just feels very rough and “shoved in at the last minute” as it is.
If you’re going with an “alien planets” theme at least make them look somewhat DIFFERENT from earth. Even just a simple tile recolor, SOMETHING.
=======
40- Move! I’m Making a Movie (by ye51d)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28989-move-im-making-a-movie/
I assume this build of the game was bugged, because I could not progress past the first area.
+Nice and lighthearted intro: you see a commercial and decide you’re gonna make a movie. Sure!
+Custom artwork for tiles is simplistic but appealing.
+Not personally a fan of the character portrait’s pseudo-chibi stle, but it’s not bad.
+Dialog seems nice with some good reactions from inspecting stuff.
-There’s a bug somewhere, because I need some dude to come with me and he’s NOWHERE to be seen.
To the dev: I’m sorry, but I think that’s a bug and I can’t seem to do anything about it.
=======
41- Mythos: The Beginning (by DarkGaia)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28051-mythos-the-beginning/page-2
An rpg/horror game. While I didn’t get very far, seems nice enough. Give it a try if you like the genre.
+THANK YOU. No, I do not want fullscreen, but I appreciate you asked rather than shove it in my face by default.
+Character creation, yeeaaah!
+The voice acting is pretty bad. But in a funny way XD
+While not masterful the graphic and sound design is good enough.
+Bypassing puzzles? Why thank you.
+Decoding stuff gives me exp? Yey!
-It can be hard to notice what bits of the environment are interactable when it’s so dark (someone had to tell me to check near the door, I’d have never seen that number lock by myself).
-The typing machine at the intro is too slow. While I understand the point is to make it synch up with realistic typing speed, it just feels annoying.
-Oh come ON, the Master key is used up after one time? BOOO.
-Well I almost got friggin killed on the first obligatory encounter, what the frick?
-The “scary” noise cues are more startling than the graphics. Maybe I’m just jaded, but that penis headed dog (yeah I’m calling it that) does not look threatening.
To the developer: I didn’t play long enough to get a proper handle on the game, but it’s at least a promising start. The “scary” aspect is bit lacking when it comes to the enemies, but is good enough on sound (in fact the sound eclipses the graphics when it comes to scares). Some design choices are a bit shaky (using up the Master Key, vital elements being very hard to see, battle difficulty) but I can see it being a decent game. Maybe not a GREAT horror game, but still not bad.
==================
42- Nesos: Castle of Promises (by lamont3z)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29153-nesos-castle-of-promises/
A silly little game. Not great, but entertaining (also cats in top hats, I feel that needs mentioning).
+Overall the cheeky, lighthearted tone is something I enjoy.
+Some of the jokes work well (and some don’t, but still).
+CAT IN A TOP HAT.
+Mapping, while not great, is good enough for an “early” game (I’m assuming).
+I never failed to escape. A good thing, because I skipped fights a lot.
+It was sorta funny how he tried to use his old skills but fails. Neat little excuse.
+Nice use of behavior poses.
-I understand hermits are hermits by CHOICE, so him being desperate about company feels a bit off.
-The whole joke about him being a creep isn’t that amusing and is repeated too often.
-The plot lost me at “entering a tree made me young again”.
-So…the dude falls for Poon Tang because she’s…female. And the girl falls for him because…?
-Mapping is set in a very aimless structure, with it basically being long corridors to force some encounters and nothing else.
-No skill variety, battles are boring.
-(Minor) Why can’t I rename the other chars If I can name the rogue? ;-;
To the developer: I’m going to guess (no offence meant) that this is an early-ish attempt at game making, and with that in mind this game isn’t bad! Oh, it has a lot of shortcomings and rough edges and parts where it falls flat, but I had fun and it kept me entertained enough that I wasn’t desperate to turn it off, which is good.
Some jokes worked and some didn’t, most of the plot was ridiculous and forced, but the interaction and the savior that is Mr Boaps gave enough fun to last me half an hour, no mean feat (when I have a 100 games to play).
The game isn’t perfect, there’s a ton of stuff that needs improvement, but you already have some entertainment in there, which is what so many other “early” projects lack: a REASON for me to want to keep playing.
So good job. It’s not a great game, but it was entertaining while it lasted.
=======
43- No Manatees Promised (by SnowOwl)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29223-no-manatees-promised/
A bunch of minigames about fish. I…don’t think there’s much else? (I’m not a big fan of this sort of thing, so…). A frogger style game, a…fish catching(?) game, a memory game, and an obstacle course.
+Nice graphics. With the exception of the flying fish game everything felt fitting.
+The fakeout at the start is amusing.
+Control was responsive (except the flying fish minigame, which had me just going all around).
-The flying fish minigame felt unresponsive and wonky.
-I’m not a fan of time limits.
To the developer: I feel like I’m not really someone who can talk about puzzle games, because they are so not my genre. The graphics were very nice, but ultimately the variety of minigames was nothing I particularly wanted to keep playing (or even try again after failing, but then again I’m really piss poor at these things).
It seems like a lot of work went into the graphics and nothing (with the exception of the bird thing during the flying fish minigame) felt off.
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28120-a-simple-life-romantic-comedyfull-version-up/
A dating sim/Harvest Moon style game. Give it a try if you’re okay with slow paced things and wandering around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqzlZ9byk2w&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3&index=3
+Good mapping in some places
+My kicks and punches can destroy poor wolves (you monster!)
+/-Fun for all the wrong reasons
-Slow Intro (plus the excuse is overdone and meh)
-Important npcs blend in with inane npcs.
-Too many inane npcs.
-Average/sloppy presentation in some areas.
-Bad mapping in some places (oh god those houses)
To the developer: Remap some of the messier areas, weed out quite a few of the extraneous npcs and make the vital characters stand out more. As it is now the game is way too unfocused and not very compelling.
=======
2- A Victorian Tale (by minenschacht)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29314-a-victorian-tale-released/
I’m not sure if this is a suspense/horror game that starts VERY slowly or purely a story that is simply very compelling. Give it a try when you’ve got some patience and are interested in reading rather than playing or exploring around a lot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpU1Zzj15mI&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3&index=4
+The location map was nice enough
+Good atmosphere (tho it doesn’t go anywhere)
-Has no introduction hook, story isn’t gripping.
-All characters look the same, with no faces or anything to tell them apart.
-What can be inspected and what can’t is very ambiguous.
-Quit playing due to lack of interest.
To the developer: If you want to tell a story, make sure you have the players INVESTED early on. If it’s a horror tale, make sure something actually HAPPENS at some point. I don’t know exactly what was the intent of this game, but it doesn’t work well.
=======
3- Account Mu (by CashmereCat)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28631-account-mu/
I’ll be honest, I could not get past the fourth room, because I’m an absolute idiot XD
Seems to be a nice and simple puzzle game, give it a try if you like that genre!
Give it a try if you enjoy puzzle games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWniJb_43io&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3&index=5
+Presentation was intriguing in its simpleness.
+Get to the action right away!
+Music was oddly nice when it swelled up.
-Not the fault of the game, but I got stuck really early on (because I’m an idiot)
-No preface or context? (May be explained later as I stopped early).
To the developer: I am so sorry, I’m too dumb for this OTL The first “complex” puzzle did me in.
For what it’s worth, I liked the simplistic approach of the visuals! I’m just really bad at puzzle games.
=======
4- Aesparia: The Fallen (by Brett Ultimus)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29046-aesparia-the-fallen-game-download-available/
I played this more than the others time wise! It’s a solid little game. Not hard or easy, with enough customization to last you the game’s hourly target. The plot isn’t complex or too engrossing, there’s just enough exploration and the encounters are finite and evented so they won’t get on your nerves. Presentation overall is okay which makes this game a solid attempt.
Give it a try if you’re up for a simple turn based rpg and simple exploration and plot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYFyQVsklDQ&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3&index=6
+Nice overall presentation: menus, maps, characters, sound, etc.
+Nice battle presentation and animations.
+Gets to the action quickly.
+Does not care much for story and therefore doesn’t focus on it (this is a good thing, it does not try to put up pretenses and botch those up. I’d rather it skip the fluff if that’s not the focus.)
-Lacks some characterization.
-Very serious tone. (My own bias)
-Some of the battle sounds lacked impact and were downright dinky and hilariously weak.
-Maybe a wee bit repetitive with encounters. Could have had more variety since there were not many and finite.
To the developer: Good job on overall effort! This isn’t what I’d call a great classic or my favorite game, but I know enough about game making to know this is a solid attempt. Building on this and adding and refining stuff will get you far. You already have a solid gameplay and presentation base to fall on. Add some compelling story and characters and you’re set for your next projects.
=======
5- Almost Lost (by prorrabbit)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29254-almost-lost/
Nice concept, poor execution. Presentation takes a very sudden plunge early on that drove me away. Needs work.
If you’re more lenient than me you may want to give this game a try. It’s got a decent setup (traveling to another dimension) and (I think) recruiting enemy characters, but it’s very rough around the edges.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jNxEkwi7X0&index=7&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Nice concept (dimension traveling).
+Mapping in the introduction section is nice.
+Has some decent ideas about gameplay (changing elements was sort of cool, if annoying about spending a turn).
-Mapping takes a very ugly turn early on after the intro.
-Presentation is very rough and definitely needs work.
-Characterization and writing is mediocre at best.
-Full screen makes me rage ><
To the developer: Few things will make me rage about RM games like a compulsory full screen. I have a large monitor and RM games are NOT designed to be stretched like that. Optional fullscreen: yes. Forced fullscreen: NO. I had to crawl into the ini file and rip the fullscreen away. (Edit: ok so it's optional by pressing F5, but srsly what's with game devs thinking their game looks GOOD all stretched? It does NOT).
That rant aside: this project is very rough. Presentation during the futuristic intro was promising (except perhaps characterization which was quite meh) but once you arrive to the other dimension it all just comes crashing down with the godawful use of tiles.
Could this be made to work? Maybe. But I feel it’s one of those “early” projects that can be simply used to learn and leave behind. It has nothing that I would say “yes, you should rework the game entirely to keep THAT”, so I’d say learn from it and move on.
=======
6- Alyssa (by Berri)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28209-alyssa-beta-test-up/
Sort of shaky on this one. It seems to have promise but some shortcomings prevent me from getting into it.
Seems to be a horror/suspense story with some puzzles. The problem comes from the gameplay being a bit sloppy, and the scares and horror being…quite not scary.
Although I admit I stopped early on so I could be wrong. Give this game a chance if you like the genre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0ZfpPBqqd8&index=8&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Some nice scare effects/sound effects. I liked the voiced lines especially.
+Decent parallax mapping overall (with some issues).
+Has a good enough hook.
+Writing is nice enough (with a few shaky lines, but nothing that bad).
-Too easy to die/no attention drawn to saving. I could not be assed to start over a new game after 10 minutes of play.
-Taking damage has not enough visual impact/sound cue.
-Some passability issues due to parallax mapping/mapping errors/mismatches.
-Villain (I assume) is not threatening at all, and is downright cute.
-Some scares just are not threatening at all (those rtp sprite demons…)
-Gameplay has fuzzy rules and is overall not very engaging.
-I’m not a fan of the portraits. They work for the little girl, but on the other characters they’re too cutesy and fail at conveying what’s needed for a horror game.
To the developer: It seemed promised, but I simply could not bother to start over 10 minutes of game just because I touched some arbitrary furniture.
Presentation is overall promising, but I’d change some of the gameplay (or at least make saving available form the menu/call attention to it).
Some of the scares fall flat due to the graphics used, and that really hurts in a horror game (those demon sprites…). On the other hand, the creepiness of the voiced, distorted lines was really nice.
=======
7- Archdiem (by rocket knight)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28287-archadiem-new-alpha-demo-available/
This seems to be a very early alpha build, riddled with what I assume are bugs and just unfinished stuff (I could not get OUT of the menu, no idea how that works, nor progress the story any further).
I’d say not bother with this one until a better demo comes out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2vhYaFeSBk&index=9&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Some visuals were appealing.
-Text was rough. (I assume because English is not the dev’s first language).
-Intro was either unfinished or made no sense.
-Clashing graphics/blurriness.
-Too many things that don’t work properly.
To the developer: There’s not much I can say, it’s too early to tell. I could not get past the FIRST puzzle stance due to the game being too buffy/unfinished.
That said, it’s obvious the game is still in early phases and largely untested, so don’t take it too hard.
=======
8- Ars Harmonia (by Sailerius)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29308-ars-harmonia/
I can’t give proper feedback for this on the grounds I could not really stream it, since it’s a visual novel and that does not make for much commenting. It’s well presented and seems engaging enough.
Give it a try if you’re the mood for a visual novel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO8y0ZJBPp8&index=10&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Presentation overall was good.
+No glaring flaws in the writing (of what little I saw).
+Nice sound (I see you, Presence of Music >D)
-The blurring during the intro was a bit annoying because it made the text harder to read, and in a game BASED on text that’s not good.
-Could have used some event pictures for the big scenes (such as the intro…) though I understand this is a matter of resources and time.
To the developer: I can’t say much besides it looked like a nice visual novel from what I saw? I could not really tell much other than it wasn’t BAD.
=======
9- Ashworth (by PVGames)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28134-ashworth/
A horror/exploration game. I think. It certainly had jumpscares.
I’ll be honest: the graphic style turns me off. But this game held my attention surprisingly well. I can’t tell if the jumpscares will get really old quickly, but it did decently for the while I played.
Give it a try if you’re in the mood for a horror/exploration game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQR1EHuuwMU&index=11&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Exploration mechanics are nice (the popups when you get close are very handy).
+Seems to have a decent array of locations to explore.
+Mapping is decent, if sometimes too cluttered/busy.
+Had a few jump scares that got to me (but I’m a real wuss so that’s not a big achievement XD)
+Did not bog down with a lot of expository dialog outside the intro, which is good.
+I didn’t get to do it much, but I liked the concept you learn skills from simple things like learning prayers or add statuses by investigating stuff.
-Mechanics felt a bit clunky (some items would show up on the upper hint hub but yield no investigation, some had very precise touching to activate)
-While I will admit the jumpscares worked, they were a bit cheap and I don’t see them lasting long/working for a person more used to
-What the heck was that number question about…?
-I am really not a fan of the graphics…
-The god damn road was PITCH BLACK. What the heck.
-There are items hidden with no cues in the edges of forests? What?
-The intro could do with some guidance. You get set loose on the town with no limits and I got lost immediately. I know the menu says, but you should probably lead the player close to his target.
-The town map felt unnecessarily big. I would have rather had it split in different maps to help orientate myself. Also the menu took a really long time to close with such big maps.
To the developer: Well done? There was nothing that grossly threw me off this game (and I wanted it to, I don’t like those visuals OTL). I could not stay and play for a long time (75 games to go yet…) but it seems promising. Maybe I’ll play it fully after the list is done, who knows.
=======
10- Beyond Reality (by Hotfirelegend)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28821-beyond-reality-complete-download-link/
It’s a rpg. I think. Most of the 15 minutes I spent on it were all intro cutscene.
It feels like this game was a normal sized rpg tale that got squashed into 1/10 of the intended time, so it feels forced and rushed.
+It had decent mapping and graphics.
+Nothing wrong with the concept (going back to the past), but the execution is poor.
-I don’t buy for a second that that young and irresponsible looking main character is the leader of a serious organization. (minor bias)
-A memory puzzle right away? Really? Before ANY other gameplay?
-
-The scene skipping at the end of the intro feels really cheap.
-I felt none of the characters were likeable. A few were flat out asshats, the rest were bland. Worse, they felt tacked on and wholly unnecessary. Maybe mister Morningwood will be good later on, who knows.
-Trying too hard names. (totally personal bias, but STILL)
-Has no real hook to keep you invested. Intro section too long and not compelling.
To the developer: I know the feeling of having a nice set of resources you want to use, but these characters neither fit their roles nor feel NECESSARY. Half the cast was completely superfluous and devoid of personality, and the other half felt…weird.
It felt like this game was compressed too hard and lost its charm. Had it been a paced out adventure with time for the characters to develop a bit it may have been a completely different game, but as it is now it just does not work.
=======
11- Buntoki (by Csg)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29325-no-bun-intended-buntoki/
Can’t say nothing about this game since I could not play it :I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GPrRf2An_M&index=13&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+It seemed really cute?
+The mapping was nice
+The dialog beeps and display was cute and energetic.
-I can’t see ****, yo XD
To the developer: I could not play this game, as something prevented me from seeing the sprites and I could not really play like that. If it gets fixed I’ll give it a twirl after the list is finished.
RETRY!
I got linked to a fix for the game so I gave it a spin. I’m not sure if it’s still buggy or the current game build is still rough around the edges, but I had some trouble with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqTDG-ODPe8&index=14&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Cute, simple graphics.
+Bobbing sprites.
+The animations are pretty cute.
-Menu controls are stiff and considering how much menu-focus there is, that hurts.
-Having to fiddle with too many menus to do basic things.
-How do I even tell how much time I have to have things in the oven for? Its either white looking or burnt. (or maybe I’m just a terrible cook. That could be too).
-There is no people anywhere, so why bother having more than the shop at all?
-Where is my money displayed?
-I’m not sure if it’s a matter of balance, but I had nothing to do and no customers from the get go.
-There are no proper instructions. Even the brief intro doesn’t do much of a job at actually telling you much. (no one explains how the pricing works, for example. How am I supposed to know? Customers don’t say anything!). In this case, something as simple as a reference book with the basic instructions somewhere around the shop would be enough.
-How do I save the game?
-Lack of variety even at the start of the game is a bit extreme (considering I had nothing to do by day 2).
-Some people did not talk or give any notice when they arrived? The camera is not panned in a way to support that.
To the developer: I’m not sure if A-the game is still having issues for me, B-It’s still at an early-ish build where thing aren’t balanced and polished yet, or C- I am just a TERRIBLE baker.
If things got fixed and the balance was remade, I feel this could be a very cutesy entertaining game. As it is, I was doing nothing by day 2, not ideal :T
Or maybe the people left because my buns are terrible, who knows.
=======
12- Charon’s Sabbath (by Synonysis)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28956-charons-sabbath/
This game had promise, but a glaring, irritating instant game over mechanic that threw me off. I’d say that if the constant Game Overs were replaced with something more lenient (such as simply teleporting you back to the puzzle start) it’d be worth a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV4eAXhfl0M&index=15&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+ Good parallax mapping.
+Overall pleasing presentation.
+The use of odd runes signaling you could not talk to the live people was cool.
-Constant Game Overs at every failed step of every puzzle. NO TO THIS.
-Puzzles are more based on frustration than skill or trial and error. Some leniency is needed.
-Sprite used for the main character was a bit ugly and didn’t fit very well
-Tiles were sometimes manipulated in ways that crashed with each other. They could be too grainy or simply not match in the style, which brought the nice mapping down.
-Intro is a bit too wordy for what it needs to convey.
-Main character would probably be more appealing not speaking, as she has nothing compelling to say.
To the developer: just getting rid of the constant Game Overs would already change the game in a HUGE way, taking off the main offending frustrating factor. I feel the intro is too long and the main character too boring to merit dialog, but not offensively so like the god.damn.game.overs OTL I just could not get over how unfair they were and had to stop. It drove me AWAY from an otherwise decent game.
=======
13- Clad Generation (by LuckyCassette)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29358-clad-generation/
I’ll be honest: I’m not sure if this game is going to be great fun, or if it just had a fun moment at the right time before I stopped playing. It has some funny design choices and then some very tedious and questionable ones.
If you like retro style games and don’t mind some ugly colors here and there (and some grinding) you may want to give this a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHRuM3p4vlc&index=16&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Simple combat. (No pretensions, I like it)
+It seems to go into a nice direction with the writing (can’t be sure since I stopped early).
+Some dialog (Wifey was fun)
+That swinging penis hair killed me.
+Bling is an equipment slot. Nothing else needs to be said.
-Npcs feel really inane.
-Text crawl is wholly unnecessary if the king says the exact damn thing. It gets tedious.
-Mapping is lacking. I understand it’s supposed to be retro style but the colors (especially the greens) are really unappealing and the maps are too bare.
-Combat goes fine, except for the annoyingly slow sprite movement.
-The combat screen is a very ugly green color that really hruts the eyes.
-The immediate grind and difficulty is off-putting.
To the developer: I liked some things a lot, and the rest was either just okay or “wut”.
I’m not sure if you wanted the difficulty and early grind to be like a throwback to old timey games, but it doesn’t work for me. I was looking forward to having more silly items and hearing Wifey talk, but I only got ridiculous encounters and running back to town. ;-;
I had to stop early (I have 85 games total and all) but I may give this a twirl in the future. It seemed promising. (tho those ugly greens. Oh my god ><)
=======
14- Crimson Story (by teamcrimson)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29371-crimson-story/
An early demo for an action game. Has some interesting visuals, but very basic gameplay.
I’d say wait until a later demo comes out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ft7OzPF0BM&index=17&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Graphic style is interesting
+Controls are responsive enough.
+Generally does not bog the action down with tedious scenes.
-The smaller windowed resolution cuts off the text.
-The stark coluors can hurt the eyes after a while.
-The lack of detail makes things a bit confusing during the action.
-Camera pans out too far, making the action even more fuzzy.
-Impact effects when you hit things make the screen shake, which is disorienting.
-Overall the “action” is a mess of confusion (mind you, I’m not action oriented so my perception could be wrong).
-Camera pans during cutscenes are too slow
-Got stuck and could play no further.
To the developer: if this is as I assume an early-ish demo, I don’t have much to say. There’s a bunch of stuff that feels “early build”, but that would make sense. The overall style is simple and intriguing, but there’s not much to it right now.
=======
15- Darkness of Hope (by rondchild)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29369-darkness-of-hope-save-the-heart-of-painful/
Well polished fight system with some custom art that falls a bit flat on the writing and presentation.
You may enjoy it more than I did if you can be less nitpicky with dialog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywA7HIF9IVU&index=18&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+The combat style was fresh and interesting.
+Good use of combat animations/pictures.
+/-Mapping layouts were promising, but really lacked good tile use and detail.
+/- A lot of custom art, but some of it is a bit bland/falls flat (to my eyes).
-The intro is way too fast and compressed. It’s impossible to process even half of what’s going on.
-None of the characters were appealing, and the child was a pain in the neck.
-Writing is very unnatural (especially that child) and really need work.
-It seems to try to use Japanese manga-style sounds and uses, but comes across as really tacky.
-Custom sprites really do not fit the maps.
-That windowskin border color is really distracting and bright.
-The dungeon map seemed very lazily done compared to the house.
To the developer: it seemed like the gameplay in parts would be quite nice, but it’s bogged down by bad scenes and silly dialog. Overall it does not do a good job of making the player interested (and I can say that child’s unnatural dialog really turned me off. You can’t really expect players to accept such unsubtle messages).
If the presentation was more carefully remade and the text updated you could be up to something. The combat was interesting, but too caught up in unnecessary dialog that slowed things down. It’s an rpg, but it seems to be built like a minigame in a visual novel.
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16- Densetsu no Kusoge (by Ratty524)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28116-densetsu-no-kusoge/
This a troll game. I don’t think I have to explain much else.
If I had to say anything it’s that it’s not a fun troll game. It’s just bad-bad, not fun-bad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiIoNUcEMCo&index=19&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
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17- Dictionary (by endriu)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29216-dictionary-download-available/
A little adventure game with lots of references and cute little moments at the start.
I’m a bit torn on it. It has funny moments, but feels too wordy after the cute intro.
Give it a try if you like cute custom art and have the patience for longer text sections.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHOXDikm58o&index=20&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+The intro has cute art and cuter text. While the text goes on for longer than really necessarily, it’s well written and funny.
+The art is quite nice and custom.
+Lots of references to art, videogames, etc.
-Controls, especially during battle, are pretty shaky.
-The charm of the writing during the intro seems to evaporate after the intro is done.
-Everything seems to speak for too long and bogs things down.
To the developer: I was charmed by the introduction, but quickly lost interest as soon as we switched over to the main game. The writing seems to suddenly lose all sense of fun and it’s all boring, too wordy and too LONG exposition npcs. Coupled with the fact that there’s nothing much to do except follow the marked path it really loses steam early on.
The game may get better later on, as I had to stop quite early, but it still feels disappointing how the writing goes from funny to meh but keeps being too long for every scene. Perhaps if the dialog was punched up/shortened it would work better. The combat also felt a bit shoddy, the controls were pretty awkward.
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18- Disaster on Aero VI (by MobiusXVI)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29132-disaster-on-aero-vi/
An intriguing little adventure game. You seem to do nothing but manipulate machinery and tools to try and save your ship. It’s intriguing, but a bit hard to get into due to lack of initial guidance.
Give it a try if you’re up for some subdued and puzzle oriented exploration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TYOQFm8UnU&index=21&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Overall good mapping and presentation.
+The subdued tone is good as it leaves you intrigued rather than impatient.
+The amount of stuff you can investigate is nice.
+It’s not bogged down with initial long exposition.
-That said, the initial dialog goes for a SMIDGE too long. Just a bit. The two characters repeat the same general idea of “I have to fix it” for too long.
-The initial camera pan at the intro goes on for WAAAAYY too long. It totally saps any energy or ambience from the intro.
-The font is really not suited for the game, as it’s too hard to read and does not suit the futuristic tone. I’d recommend switching to a simpler font for readability.
-There are TOO many things to manipulate and no distinction of what is important. Some signals such as shiny spots or floating arrows would help a LOT to guide the player to the main machines and boxes.
-Some of the manipulation of machinery is not visual at all (closing those vents does not change them at all graphically, which is a bit awkward).
-The machinery menus have a very confusing background that does not help with readability.
To the developer: I feel like this game would be very good if a couple things got fixed: the font, the menu background, and the interactivity cues. Those are what I feel keep this game from being very nice, since they turn an otherwise intriguing game into a sudden “everything can be touched and I have no idea of what I’m doing at all since everything looks the same as before”. With some edits here and there (visual cues mostly) I think It’d be pretty nice. I may give this a twirl calmly and to full once the game list is over.
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19- Earth Under Attack (by Dekita)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/27745-earth-under-attack-download-available/
This is a shooter, so I’m not really qualified to give feedback on it. I’m not really fond of the genre, so…
Give it a chance if shooters are your thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgxH8MhL8OY&index=22&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Seems to have a good selection of ships.
+Presentation was nice, especially on the menus.
+Kudos for whipping the code of the engine into something like this.
-The screen keeps gong faster and slower depending on how many elements are on screen, which makes me queasy.
-No music except during bosses?
-The shoot button does not shoot as fast when you press it manually as when you leave it on. This means spamming the shoot button, which spells hand pain, which is a no-no.
-The background goes by too fast and has too much color/shape, so it makes me queasy after a while.
-All the ships seem to have the same attacks and tactics, so there’s no real variety.
-All enemies feel the same, combined with long stages make for bland gameplay (at least in low difficulty).
To the developer: I’m sorry, I’m really not big on shooters. It seems like a project made with love, but it lacks some variety. (Not necessarily DIFFICULTY; just different enemy patters and attacks). You may want to get someone who actually plays shooter games to look at this, I’m afraid I don’t have much context in this.
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20- Eden (by aspirestudios)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29295-eden-ecosystem-puzzle/
Another game I’m REALLY unqualified to review. I’m no good at these games. AT ALL.
Give this a twirl if you enjoy puzzle games, it may be your thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjvRpqp9lAQ&index=23&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Presentation is clean (except for he text sidebar being a bit too cluttered)
+Actions and changes on screen were smooth with satisfying sound cues.
+The art was appealing in a simple and understated way.
-I have no idea of what I’m doing and honestly the tutorials were hard to follow.
-The text on the sidebar was too tight and all the same colour, so it was hard to keep track and I soon lost interest.
-It seems like some of the mechanics were a bit contrived or not really easy to understand at first glance. Oasis needs a forest and water and grass? I…didn’t think oasis worked like that?
To the developer: I really can’t say much, this game is not really my thing and I’m a dumb dofus. The only thing I could objectively say I that the text sidebar is too hard to read (combination of fishy font+too tight+all same colour).
=======
21- Fancy and the Fox (by IamDes)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28282-fancy-the-fox/
A decent little game. The idea behind (silent film style) it is a better than the actual execution, but nothing about it drives you AWAY from the game. That said, there’s nothing really special about it either, just a little adventure game with no fights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jayi-0tCI14&index=24&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Neat idea (silent film style)
+Decent presentation.
+The music (I think it was only one track?) was fun and suited the silent movie style.
+You seem to have a solid grasp on eventing/movement, so cutscenes were not still.
-Please for the love of all that’s holy allow dashing.
-Sprite styles (XP and VX) clash.
-Mapping needs work: mapping errors and clashing tiles.
-While the writing itself isn’t bad, it’s not interesting enough to break the “light text” silent movie style. It feels like there’s TOO MUCH talking where the charm would be for it to be silent and very brief.
-Game objective ultimately seems too pointless to retain the player’s attention.
To the developer: The idea is good, the execution is okay…but the lack of conflict and clear objectives really hurts it. With a clearer objective and adding in some actual conflicts/gameplay elements (even simple puzzles or exploration would do) it would be a nice little game, but as it is it’s just not very interesting.
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22- Fly Forever (by TungerMan)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29236-fly-forever/
I’m not clear on what this game is. A joke entry, or a really rushed incomplete project.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktKt2bHIzY8&index=25&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+The art is charming in its own way?
+The intro has a certain funny aspect to it (not a riot, but has some fun lines)
-The “gameplay” is just not fun.
-Seems largely incomplete.
To the developer: I have no idea what to say. I don’t feel like this is a “game” right now. Maybe in a later build it will be. Right now it doesn’t really seem to have much point, and the “gameplay” is more annoying than fun.
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23- Generic Fantasy V (by TheWhiteRose000)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29041-generic-fantasy-v/
An attempt to make fun at clichés that misses out on the part where it’s actually fun. Felt forced and lifeless to me, but you may get a kick out of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZo711Vgrm4&index=26&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Title screen has neat art
+The dude is named Rose.
+Some of the “jokes” are amusing. Some.
+The voiced intro is neat.
-The “jokes” largely miss the mark and seem forced and lifeless.
-The game feels aimless and with no real point.
-The game has to be engaging, even when making fun of the genre. It is not.
-There is a certain lack of clear direction (Where am I going? Why? Why should I care?)
-Faces are different in the game than in the title screen.
-The mapping is not bad, but spacing and layouts are too huge (the castle is stupidly huge and empty).
-Music has some rough patches that make you go “what”.
To the developer: Satire games don’t work if the game itself isn’t fun. Poking fun at stereotypes is fine, but if the game has nothing to it even when using those clichés it just is not FUN to play. Saying “ha ha clichés” does not make for a joke. If the joke is that “ha ha look at what a plain game this is”….that is not FUN.
The game is not terrible, but it’s not good either. I didn’t find much to keep me playing.
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24- Goats on a Bridge (by Cabygon)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29266-goats-on-a-bridge-download-available/
The game seems like it could be quite fun, but the fuzzy controls and steep difficulty are definitely hurting it.
Give it a chance if you like skill puzzle games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfkRNXsVH0U&index=27&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Graphics are bright and appealing.
+Chubby’s “dialog”.
+Chubby in general darnit!
+THE GOATS ARE CUTE, OKAY?!
+ROLL ROLL THOSE FAT ROLLS~
+Ahem. Overall presentation is quite good.
-Controls. Too slippery and felt…off.
-High difficulty with no real learning curve.
-Some of the animations are underwhelming.
-Camera is a ***** when you try to move one single goat.
To the developer: Fix the controls, fix the difficulty (better starting levels with more space to move) and you’d have a very neat game. As it is it felt too difficult for a clumsy person like me and I could not get past the first level. =_= It still made me laugh tho, a pity I just don’t have the skill for these things.
In this case, I feel like “tile based” stiff movement would actually WORK with this game.
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25- Goblin Noir (by Radiant Cadenza)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28901-goblin-noir-cement-shoes-are-highly-unfashionable-now-with-demo/
I enjoyed this game a lot. It’s a (I think) fantasy gangster mystery (maybe?) where combat is completely driven by dialog. SIGN ME IN PLEASE. Combat was very enjoyable and context-based. There is no math crunching or elements, just dialog options and responses (flirt the world!)
Unless you really despise games focused on text and (good) dialog, definitely give this game a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7smGKZuM3ak&index=28&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Strong dialog (with a few odd uses of language here and there, but nothing major)
+Good presentation
+Character portraits are full of personality
+Nice use of fantasy races+“modern” setting.
+Dialog does overall a very good job with making each character feel distinct.
+The combat system is intuitive and very fun.
+The combat is REALLY FUN damnit (it ruined my livestream, I stopped paying attention to commenting because I was too busy just PLAYING)
-The sprites clashed with the environment quite a bit.
-The menu lacks some color and is a bit stark and hard on the eye. (Plus the submenus being default makes it look unfinished.
-I’m not a fan of the default font (personal bias).
-WHY WON’T YOU LET ME SEDUCE THIS DAMN SHMUCK (not a real minus, just me *****ing)
To the developer: This is definitely a game I want to play for my own after the enormous game list is done. I enjoyed it a lot (I’m sure you can tell by the squealing during the video…) and being someone quite demanding with good writing I was very nicely surprised and enjoyed the fight much more than I’d have expected (I’m not a great fan of gangster stories or mysteries). Overall, great job. There are a few nitpicks here and there, but definitely nothing that would stop me from playing this.
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26- GPR cireneF (by davna)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29385-gpr-cireneg-play-an-rpg-from-the-dark-side/
A game where you play as the monster growing stronger by defeating heroes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ipc3ysebpo&index=29&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Overall presentation is nice.
+Smooth combat sequences.
+The fourth wall joke was amusing.
-I understand the cave has to be dark, but it’s a bit TOO dark. It doesn’t help that I can never see where the corners of the room are and it’s hard to judge how to move along.
-Yellow font over red backdrop and yellow window border makes text hard to read.
-Does the password system replace saving? Don’t really enjoy that.
-Game lacks something to make it interesting and keep you invested.
To the developer: The concept is neat, but you don’t seem to actually do much with it. There is nothing horribly bad with the game, but it doesn’t really engage the player much unless you’re really enamored of the basic gameplay.
Something as simple as adding some funny cutscenes after every “stage” would do wonders for the game. As it is, the gameplay is not addictive enough to warrant the interest to keep playing just for it.
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27- Hero for a Day (by Ms Littlefish)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29151-hero-for-a-day-download-available/
You’re a drunkard who falls into a pretend game’s daily quest thing. I think. I’m not sure, to be honest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibMv9poKdIY&index=30&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Mapping on the town exterior is nice.
+Good use of expressions with the limited generator.
+The custom (I think) battlers were nice.
-Mapping of some areas is shaky (the interiors had some questionable choices here and there))
-The jumping mechanic is a bit odd/it’s not conveyed well enough (I can go on the black ceilings? Okay…)
-The characters we get to play as seem to be the least interesting ones. (The girl is just bland, and the main gets repetitive).
-Many sources mixed up that do not mesh well (generator faces with rpt faces, sprites from the Ds set and the rtp, etc).
-Lack of introduction to the setting sets some confusion. I’m having trouble deciding if this is a “pretend” game in a modern setting or an alternate “future fantasy” one.
To the developer: I feel this game suffers of that brand of diffuse “not bad, but not great either”. What it lacks is something to engage and hook the game in. It could be just me (I am as biased as anyone) and this game may work well for other people, but I had trouble staying interested when the girl showed up. Maybe switching that area up a bit and making the setting’s presentation clearer would help.
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28- In Arcem Miseria (by Andrew)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29257-in-arcem-miseria-tower-of-misery-complete-and-submit/
A 3d puzzle game with nice visuals. Give it a try if you like puzzle games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpHStzCwajo&index=31&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Graphics and overall presentation are appealing.
+I like the concept of splitting up to solve things!
-The mechanics of splitting up is “taught” very dimly and it took me a long while to notice it at all.
-I’m not a fan of puzzles, but I don’t think starting so early on with time dependent switches/doors is a good idea, especially when control isn’t exactly super-smooth.
-The camera is not really cooperating and making things much harder than they should be.
-Pathfinding (or the controls) is awkward and can slow things down.
To the developer: I am not a puzzle game person. That definitely colors my perception. But I’m sure I could have enjoyed this game more than I did if the camera and controls were not quite so awkward. That definitely annoyed me.
The mechanic of splitting up is good, but the pace of the puzzles (timed doors) so early on and with slow-ish controls really did not fit me.
I may be being nitpicky due to the genre of the game, but I feel like the cam and controls ruined a bit what could have been a nice game. Not completely, but definitely bring the overall down.
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29- Interloper (by InterloperGames)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/27876-interloper-download-available/
The game is incomplete due to (at least) a vital npc not triggering, so not much to say.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9a3kbBrP-I&index=32&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Intro is short.
-Game is broken (can’t advance)
-Making the player go back arbitrarily to get the same npc is ridiculous and not fun in any way.
-The town placed there breaks the pace (as it is). Having t show AFTER the king (I assume) gives you the quest would be better, I think.
-Mapping needs work, especially in the details section.
To the developer: First: the game is bugged and you can’t advance. The king will not trigger.
I could not see anything past that, so I have no idea of what the game is even aiming at. The idea of a modern person falling into a fantasy world isn’t new, so that bit isn’t exactly impressive.
There was nothing that jumped out to me as a great factor from what I could see so far, but considering the game was halted early, I can’t say much.
=======
30- Island Tribes (by Titanhex)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29283-island-tribes/
A survival (I think) exploration/crafting game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjdp2CsDyAw&index=33&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+The concept of having to manage your inventory and survive by crafting etc seems good.
+The plot is simple enough and doesn’t take ages to deliver itself.
+The sprite face instead of portrait face is a neat idea.
-Presentation was a bit shaky.
-No music during the tutorial drains the energy from the scene greatly.
-Too much information conveyed too quickly means nothing will get digested. The barrage of dryly delivered tutorials was just bad.
-Game crash when fishing.
To the developer: I was pretty burned out when it came to this game’s turn, so that accounts for some of the video’s harshness, but the extreme info dump and how DRY the tutorials are is just unacceptable. That is just not interesting or fun, just an enormous, music-less text dump. The crash definitely did not help and I just stopped playing.
I recommend heavily remaking the start of the game (which is a very important period where you have to make sure the player WANTS to keep playing and enjoys it). As I stated in the video, you may want to go for “a some gameplay-add new mechanic-some gameplay-add new mechanic” style, rather than dumping everything at the start. It just turns players away. No one likes dry tutorials. Delivering them while mixing them with actual gameplay will probably help the issue.
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31- It Lurks (by LoneWolfDon)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28744-it-lurks-a-horror-themed-rpg/
An oddly ineffective horror/rpg. Lacks a certain punch since the horror setting elements are not strong enough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLVHZe_qLU8&index=34&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Mapping is okay.
+Presentation is not too long (tho the dialog definitely needs some work, it’s still brief enough to get to the action quickly)
+/- The idea of the timing minigame is neat, but the execution is very shaky. The visual and audio cues for the minigame are not fitting, very small and hard to interpret.
-There is no real ambience of horror or mystery; making the game seem like a very odd or mismatched rpg.
-The zombies are extremely non-threatening.
-Outside of mapping general presentation is shaky with mixed resources and bad choices (icons, title screen, text color, etc)
-While not objectively terrible, the writing (specially the dialog) feels pointless and ineffective, to the point that having none at all or just the very basic outline of it feels like it would be far more effective.
-The “horror” sound design is extremely lacking. It’s not BAD, it just needs to be much better, as horror games rely a lot on it to create a suitable ambience and it’s very weak right now.
-The title screen is embarrassingly executed with desperate attention grabs. At least minimize those texts a bit; it just looks very childish and temporary rather than any sort of serious or polished game.
-The bright blue font is cartoonishly clashing with the somber aim of the game.
To the developer: If it’s an rpg, it needs better gameplay elements and hook. If it’s a horror game, it definitely needs to be redesigned to actually be scary or creepy, as it is extremely not. As stated this s mostly because the sound is not used for anything (important for horror games) and the zombies are just not scary in any way and you can see them coming miles away. The game is just not tense or intimidating in any fashion.
While no aspects of the game felt OFFENSIVELY bad, nothing felt great either. Not having the “horror” aspect or a good mystery hook (it’s very quick in showing the zombies and “red mist” so there’s no real tension) plus a complete lack of interest on existing characters leaves the rpg elements shaking on their own with nothing to excel at.
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32- Jungle Rescue (by Paladin-Cleric of Awesome)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/27877-jungle-rescue-download-uploaded/
As an “initial” build of a stealth game, it’s okay. As a final product, it leaves much to be desired on polish and smoothness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2Che3PLx6Q&index=35&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+General idea and presentation is ok.
+Nice busts and battlers.
+Jungle map is lively and varied. (not the helicopter scene, the jungle looks very silly then, tho the heli is cool)
+I like the windowskin, it’s very sleek and modern/espionage-y.
+I’m well and fine with the concept of different “visibility” areas.
-Sprites do not mach their busts (for no visible reason, as there ARE usable generators for what’s required).
-Game is too dark, making the visibility a bit of a chore, even with the setting.
-Execution and polish over enemy detection feels “cheap” as it’s not properly conveyed sometimes, ending in getting discovered when it feels you should be safe (as seen in the video).
-The menu feels odd and very clunky.
-No run speed? Come on.
-Too many options in battle not explained enough, with too many commands. It would be far more visually orderly if they were grouped in one or two submenus with a bunch or skills each instead of 4+ with 3 items each.
-Skills do not display # of charges left for the skill?
-Tutorial sections too close together, lack proper sense of flow (and feel more like a “here is all our mechanics in the first few minutes).
-Title screen is a bit underwhelming (minor point).
To the developer: I feel I ranted enough during the video and the points above. It feels like what I don’t like about the game is more the lack of polish/smoothness than the game’s core. The pacing of the tutorials is too sudden, the sight mechanics feel unfair, the combat has too much clutter. If that was all fixed (and I don’t think they’re big problems to touch up, hopefully) I feel like this could be a solid stealth game.
As it is now it feels a bit rough around the edges, at least for someone like me who isn’t particularly good at stealth games.
=======
33- Kaleid (by catchthefloaty)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29366-kaleid/
A colorful shooter game. Give it a try if that’s your thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdGucrlhznw&index=36&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Very colorful and simple graphic style.
+Movement and shooting felt smooth.
+Music is very nice.
-Could not make the screen smaller, causing eye strain and having to lean back to try and see the entire monitor at a glance.
-Too colorful. Too many elements onscreen blended together into a big “what is going on”.
-Lacks “introductory” level. I still have no idea if the hexagons are killing me or advancing my level, nor am I too sure on how life/mechanics work, as I was too frantic moving around form the get go to digest much.
To the developer: I’m really not big on shooters so I may be quite off, but my main problem was the fullscreen (I could not properly see what was going on since too large) and the confusion of just too many colorful things blending onscreen and not knowing what was going on. Perhaps if “explosion” graphics were way less intrusive and friendly and enemy graphics were more clearly defined I would have had an easier time. As it is the graphics made things colorful and vibrant, yes, but also really confusing and disorienting.
Its probably a good enough games for people used to shooters, but again, that’s not the case with me OTL
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34- Les Visiteurs Dans L’Espace (by Yellow_Magic)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29264-les-visiteurs-dans-lespace-download-available/
What could have perhaps been an interesting rpg is drained a bit by the long and dry introduction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NpInsIUUM0&index=37&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+Interesting concept of medieval people in futuristic spaceship setting. (I think)
+Unique party roles.
+I like patrol enemies I can evade.
-I do NOT like empty rooms with an enemy ambush I can’t evade.
-Waiting is not a good game mechanic. I don’t want to HAVE to guard to do things, let me just DO them!
-The enemies are very lackluster and not “spacey” at all. The zombies were particularly unfitting and bland.
-The introduction feels too long and poorly conveyed.
-Personal bias, but I’ve never been a fan of the old timey speak mode. I have a hard time digesting what is being said.
-The characters seem to have barely any personality.
-Can’t be sure at this point, but combat balance seems a bit iffy (an enemy smashed through my healed in a hit? Ok…)
-While the mapping isn’t BAD it lacks detail and feels a bit barebones.
-That mil drinking comparison was ridonkolous.
-What’s the use of making up lore and dumping it all on me if you’re not going to use it? (Falcon? Nah I’m just a plain swordsman, yo)
To the developer: My main issue in this game is the intro. As I mention in the video it feels like a more visual “now in medieval razed town, now in spaceship (or whatever)” would have worked SO much better rather than a long dialog fest of characters I can’t bring myself to care about. Show, don’t tell. I KNOW the characters are going to be surprised, there’s no need to relay in bland dialog constantly what they think. It’s a case where less is more, and simply showing the situation and letting the player look for himself would have worked better.
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35- Leviathan (by Missile)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29278-leviathan-released/
A beautifully game that falls a bit short on the non-art aspects. If you can ignore poor sound design and really like pretty, slow games, give this a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzJrmcjrTjg&index=38&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3
+No BS, just game start.
+FRIENDS!
+The game art is VERY appealing.
+Having the very first map loop back meant I did an entire loop of the place like an idiot at the extreme slow speed. Not fun.
+I like the font and simplicity of the huds.
+Naming your party members is always fun.
-My main beef with this game is the lack of proper sound design. It drains away energy for me and feels lacking when there’s none of the sounds you’d be expecting (like the battle start, or general music in the beginning).
-Map passability on the whole is a bit shaky, but the invisible walls here and there with no visible cues are really nasty.
-No pictures from the front of your friends, so I can’t tell what they look like.
-Very slow moving speed. It’s not a problem at first, but gets tiring later.
-Somewhat high encounter rate combined with the slow moving speed.
-Menu can be slow and unresponsive.
-Your party line can cover up the enemy line.
-The walking sprite of the protagonist is a bit underwhelming and doesn’t convey movement very much.
-Fountain heals only heal the active party. (I understand it’s a roguelike game, but I have so many members so early in the game there’s no real way for me to really decide who I want yet.)
To the developer: I feel like this game could have been great if the sound design was better. The lack of proper sound drained away at my energy very quickly, which is a real shame. Even for a game which (I think) means to be slow and melancholic, the sound was too unused and low to support the game.
There were also some odd choices such as slow menus and some visibility problems during battle. One of my complaints is that I could not see what my friends looked like, which in such a pretty game is REALLY a shame. Also, who’s this “Fallen” I’m carrying with me?
I can’t comment on the combat much because I got by on attacking alone so far and I stopped playing, but it didn’t seem too bad. If this game gets some reword I’d be willing to play again, it seems like a pity that the sound and some polish stuff wasn’t better.
=======
36- Listen (by Shadow Dragon)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29272-listen-full-download-available/
A (I think?) story adventure of an invisible doll that can only be seen to people before they do and a little girl in the hospital. While the presentation is appealing, it seems to fall flat when it comes to gameplay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvq5PPyyIp8&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3&index=39
+Good use of behavior poses and sprites.
+Interesting concept for the doll character.
+Nice intro music.
+Good sound effect design.
+Nice and clean mapping.
-Hard to tell what the GOAL is.
-Intro feels a bit slow.
-Intro is totally automated, I can’t even press the text advance.
-No music during “gameplay” section.
-Can be hard to tell what the doll is actually doing.
-The pale orange windowskin doesn’t mesh so well with the white text.
-The game totally loses steam by the time it comes to “gameplay”.
To the developer: My main beef with this game is that once the “intro” is over we still have no idea what the goal of the game IS, and to make things worse the music is gone and it’s all unrelated item find and use puzzles? It doesn’t make for a very compelling experience.
While the characters are not unlikeable, they lack a certain something. If they’re all we really have to work with, they’re a bit bland. Ultimately the game does not seem to ENGAGE the player that much.
I’d recommend establishing or at least hinting at the goal of the game and to PLEASE put some music on during the gameplay section.
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37- Little Briar Rose (by ProGm)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29039-little-briar-rose/
A BEAUTIFUL game, sadly the gameplay is not up to par with the art. Seems to consists of puzzle games/riddles based on text or very vague hints, but if puzzles are your thing then give this a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wABMXaQqf-g&list=PLJ3UljwnX8StmMyx3sZCaMeLLpDF_p1d3&index=40
+Beautiful and stylized graphic style.
+Nice game over concept (get replaced by a new prince).
+Prince sprite has the *****ingest, most curly hat I’ve ever seen.
-Overall, everything that is not graphics feels much less polished.
-It may be because I’m not native, but I feel like the English used is very shaky and odd in places.
-Puzzles don’t seem to be very fun (for me they were largely a guessing game).
-Instant “game over” when failing to guess at puzzles, must redo all the prior steps. Not fun.
-Dialog is not given all in one go but you must click and fiddle around for a while before they’ll let you get to work.
-Little to no sound design outside BGM. This feels odd during puzzle execution.
-Intro text goes by too fast.
To the developer: Major kudos on the graphics! But everything else needs work. There is nothing BAD in there, they just fall flat when you compare them to the oh so pretty art. The puzzles are vague and not that fun, there’s not much to do (as far as I saw, which admittedly is not much), the language use can be fishy and the actual action seems to be based on chores rather than any real plot (which by itself isn’t a bad thing, it’s just that the dialog isn’t particularly good or engaging).
I’m personally not a puzzle person, but I still feel like the “hints” are too fuzzy (that was supposed to be a WATERMELON? How was I supposed to tell?!) and the game overs are very annoying.
Tl;dr: The graphics raised my expectations for the game greatly but it feels very…basic. It doesn’t match its appearance in FUN factor.
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38- Memories of Andrea (by Tsimcha)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29224-indie-game-maker-2014-memories-of-andrea/
One of those games that seem very “newbie-ish”. Is a bit misguided and aimless.
-The entire intro is far too long and pointless.
-You’re making me water plants and check cows for a simple intro? WHY?
-Text is as bland and stock as can be. It delivers no emotion.
-“Taking a long time to recover” is three days, but “learning to fight to save my wife” is 6 years?
-The infirmary map is way too dark, I couldn’t see what was going on.
-No characters are interesting so far.
-Mapping definitely needs work, it’s all huge and empty.
To the developer: The intro is a huge turn off, as it’s boring and aimless and has no weight. I assume you intended to create some tension by introducing the wife first, but the presentation is so dry it’s just a boring mess. It’s full of pointless, boring steps which have no actual relation to the gameplay. It may have been a better idea to start from the simple scene with the wife by he water ad then show the bandits attacking, as the rest just feels like pointless fluff that’s in the way.
I’m sorry if I can’t seem to say anything positive about this, but overall it felt very…unnecessary. There was nothing about it (that I saw, which was only the intro) that was worth it. Maybe things get better later, but if the intro is such a turn off chances are the players won’t even get there.
Please don’t be too discouraged. I assume you’re still new to game making, and these things are necessary steps to learn.
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39- Morendah: Search of a Cure (by Xenos2112)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/27901-morendah-search-for-a-cure/
A space travel and exploration game that manages to feel like you’re never going anywhere interesting or have any real incentive to, as neither the plot nor the characters are properly introduced.
+Intro does not drag too long (thank god).
+The ship has a somewhat interesting design/decent mapping.
+The “space map” is a good idea (if poorly executed and bland).
-The intro with the kid and the grandpa feels completely superfluous (and their map is very oddly mapped with medieval looking tiles).
-Why are the kid and the grandpa just standing in the room?
-Mapping outside the ship is very bland and basic at best.
-Nothing about space looks any different than earth, so it lacks any charm there.
-I don’t mind if the game’s excuse is retrieving 4 random items, but if you care so little about the reason don’t try to pretend it’s a big deal for a cure or whatever (none of the characters act like it’s any big deal).
-Writing and characters are dry and stiff and lack personality.
-Face sets mismatch: the captain has a different style than his party members, and the two chars during the intro too.
-The planets feel, overall, very half-assed. This is a big problem in a game about SPACE TRAVEL. The settings are what we look forward to the most.
-Battle is uneven with no recovery options (outside the shops I assume, but do you really want to make a visit to those compulsory?)
-You have a bunch of characters NOT introduced in the formation. At least mention them!
-I’m all for different character having different attacks, but this is not mentioned anywhere.
To the developer: This game…is lacking. The concept of space exploration is always cool, but this feels very…lazy. I’m not accusing you, but that’s what comes across from this. When the planets look no different from earth then it feels like the maker didn’t try (even if it’s not the case). There’s no context or setting explained, no differences, everything feels the same. I understand it’s partly a matter with resources, but it still feels half-assed.
The intro feels pointless, no character is properly introduced and neither is the gameplay. I’m not sure of what the “forte” of this game IS, or where its focus lies. If you want to make this game WORK (as in remake it and not move on to another project) I’d recommend starting with the setting. Space Travel is lovely, but if it doesn’t feel like it then it’s a problem. Properly introduce the elements of your game: the setting, the plot, the characters, gameplay elements…it just feels very rough and “shoved in at the last minute” as it is.
If you’re going with an “alien planets” theme at least make them look somewhat DIFFERENT from earth. Even just a simple tile recolor, SOMETHING.
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40- Move! I’m Making a Movie (by ye51d)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28989-move-im-making-a-movie/
I assume this build of the game was bugged, because I could not progress past the first area.
+Nice and lighthearted intro: you see a commercial and decide you’re gonna make a movie. Sure!
+Custom artwork for tiles is simplistic but appealing.
+Not personally a fan of the character portrait’s pseudo-chibi stle, but it’s not bad.
+Dialog seems nice with some good reactions from inspecting stuff.
-There’s a bug somewhere, because I need some dude to come with me and he’s NOWHERE to be seen.
To the dev: I’m sorry, but I think that’s a bug and I can’t seem to do anything about it.
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41- Mythos: The Beginning (by DarkGaia)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/28051-mythos-the-beginning/page-2
An rpg/horror game. While I didn’t get very far, seems nice enough. Give it a try if you like the genre.
+THANK YOU. No, I do not want fullscreen, but I appreciate you asked rather than shove it in my face by default.
+Character creation, yeeaaah!
+The voice acting is pretty bad. But in a funny way XD
+While not masterful the graphic and sound design is good enough.
+Bypassing puzzles? Why thank you.
+Decoding stuff gives me exp? Yey!
-It can be hard to notice what bits of the environment are interactable when it’s so dark (someone had to tell me to check near the door, I’d have never seen that number lock by myself).
-The typing machine at the intro is too slow. While I understand the point is to make it synch up with realistic typing speed, it just feels annoying.
-Oh come ON, the Master key is used up after one time? BOOO.
-Well I almost got friggin killed on the first obligatory encounter, what the frick?
-The “scary” noise cues are more startling than the graphics. Maybe I’m just jaded, but that penis headed dog (yeah I’m calling it that) does not look threatening.
To the developer: I didn’t play long enough to get a proper handle on the game, but it’s at least a promising start. The “scary” aspect is bit lacking when it comes to the enemies, but is good enough on sound (in fact the sound eclipses the graphics when it comes to scares). Some design choices are a bit shaky (using up the Master Key, vital elements being very hard to see, battle difficulty) but I can see it being a decent game. Maybe not a GREAT horror game, but still not bad.
==================
42- Nesos: Castle of Promises (by lamont3z)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29153-nesos-castle-of-promises/
A silly little game. Not great, but entertaining (also cats in top hats, I feel that needs mentioning).
+Overall the cheeky, lighthearted tone is something I enjoy.
+Some of the jokes work well (and some don’t, but still).
+CAT IN A TOP HAT.
+Mapping, while not great, is good enough for an “early” game (I’m assuming).
+I never failed to escape. A good thing, because I skipped fights a lot.
+It was sorta funny how he tried to use his old skills but fails. Neat little excuse.
+Nice use of behavior poses.
-I understand hermits are hermits by CHOICE, so him being desperate about company feels a bit off.
-The whole joke about him being a creep isn’t that amusing and is repeated too often.
-The plot lost me at “entering a tree made me young again”.
-So…the dude falls for Poon Tang because she’s…female. And the girl falls for him because…?
-Mapping is set in a very aimless structure, with it basically being long corridors to force some encounters and nothing else.
-No skill variety, battles are boring.
-(Minor) Why can’t I rename the other chars If I can name the rogue? ;-;
To the developer: I’m going to guess (no offence meant) that this is an early-ish attempt at game making, and with that in mind this game isn’t bad! Oh, it has a lot of shortcomings and rough edges and parts where it falls flat, but I had fun and it kept me entertained enough that I wasn’t desperate to turn it off, which is good.
Some jokes worked and some didn’t, most of the plot was ridiculous and forced, but the interaction and the savior that is Mr Boaps gave enough fun to last me half an hour, no mean feat (when I have a 100 games to play).
The game isn’t perfect, there’s a ton of stuff that needs improvement, but you already have some entertainment in there, which is what so many other “early” projects lack: a REASON for me to want to keep playing.
So good job. It’s not a great game, but it was entertaining while it lasted.
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43- No Manatees Promised (by SnowOwl)
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/29223-no-manatees-promised/
A bunch of minigames about fish. I…don’t think there’s much else? (I’m not a big fan of this sort of thing, so…). A frogger style game, a…fish catching(?) game, a memory game, and an obstacle course.
+Nice graphics. With the exception of the flying fish game everything felt fitting.
+The fakeout at the start is amusing.
+Control was responsive (except the flying fish minigame, which had me just going all around).
-The flying fish minigame felt unresponsive and wonky.
-I’m not a fan of time limits.
To the developer: I feel like I’m not really someone who can talk about puzzle games, because they are so not my genre. The graphics were very nice, but ultimately the variety of minigames was nothing I particularly wanted to keep playing (or even try again after failing, but then again I’m really piss poor at these things).
It seems like a lot of work went into the graphics and nothing (with the exception of the bird thing during the flying fish minigame) felt off.
4- Aesparia: The Fallen: Give it a try if you’re up for some simple turn based rpgs and simple exploration and plot.
8- Ars Harmonia : Give it a try if you’re the mood for a visual novel.
9- Ashworth: Give it a try if you’re in the mood for a horror/exploration game.
18- Disaster on Aero VI: Give it a try if you’re up for some subdued and puzzle oriented exploration.
25- Goblin Noir: GIVE THIS GAME AT LEAST A CHANCE. Unless you despise reading, you'll probably like it. It makes very good use of dialog-based fights, and is overall very fun.
35- Leviathan: Give this game a twirl if you can ignore poor sound designa and a slow pace in light of very nice art (and can take roguelike elements).
44- Oh! Ko!: A cute little adventure game, simple find&use items style. The robot steals the show.
48- Peace of Mind: Great for anyone who enjoys serious but very engaging conflict. Very entertaining with great writing.
70- The Farming One: Hilarious harvest moon clone without all that time management thing. Give it a try at least for the lolacious dialog.
And I know someone will come *****ing at me for this. This is totally my personal, biased take on these games. I am not queen of objective feedback. You can not agree with my views, and that’s totally valid. Maybe you don’t feel my take was helpful at all. That’s fine. In my experience there are always folk who DO find something helpful and this may help some games get a little exposure that I feel they deserve, so there >p
71- The Heart Pumps Clay: A touching and funny little game. Has its ups and downs but I definitely liked it. Give it a try.
81- We Were Made to Perish: Recommended if you’re ready to read. If you demand gameplay, it’s not for you.
Updates:
-July 3rd: Added first 10 games.
-July 4th: Added another 10 games.
-July 6th: Added another 10 games.
-July 10th: Added another 5 games + replay of fixed Buntoki (#11).
-July 18th: Added another 10 games.
-July 25th: Added another 5 games. (Filled out the opening topic, continuing on third post ;-;
-July 28th: Added another 9 games. Removed game #60 (Slumpy's Shootout) sicne it does not work at all. Will fill that number with the next game in the next stream.
-August 2nd: Added another 11 games. Moved the Os to the second list becuase I coudlnt even add in the recs and the upadte lines to this OTL
-September 1st: Added the last 14 games from the first list. I MAY do the few requested ones at a later time, we'll see. For now the main list is DONE.
-September 6th: Added another 4 games (requested titles not in the original list).
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