| 5 OCT 2005 at 6:21pm |
| Deleted User | Wow, has this thread gone full circle, OT or what! I still can't wait to play the full version. The demo was awesome. I won't say anymore because it would just be repeating everything good that has already been said about it. I know, I have only played the demo but it's got the feel of something great. I have not had that feeling in a long time. People can argue all they want on whether it's an adventure game, I don't care. For me personally, if the game has more adventure elements than anything else, it's an adventure game. If you don't agree on my definition, I don't care.
I can't wait to see the JA+ review of this game.
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| 6 OCT 2005 at 7:58am |
| Deleted User | The game is really great!
I am enjoying it big time!
***Spoiler***
The kid resqueing part in the parc and the scene afterwards with the cop, was like actually being there.
***end spoiler***
The only flaw I can think of (If I have to) is the action sequences where you have to push to directionbuttons in the right direction. I am not good at that.
I even liked the 'timed' puzzles. In easy mode of course.
***spoiler***
The first one in my room hiding all evidence was really great. The fact that at first you don't know what to do, but if you think about it you got the answer (unlocking door, cloth in washing machine etc. In 3 tries I had it done.
***end spoiler***
I am a happy adventurer.
See ya,
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| 9 OCT 2005 at 7:10pm |
| Deleted User | I now have the full game to play, and I really like it too! Some parts I've experienced so far are simply brilliant. But... I must admit I don't like the interface at all.
The walking part is fine and easy to use imo. But I don't see a benefit in using mouse dragging to select your options. Action keys would have been easier. It's harder this way, and the gameplay is not about making that particular part challenging.
The physical effort part with quick keying is a good idea, but... did anyone actually like that kind of fast two-key pressing ever? It's like freakin' Track and Fields!
But the worst part imo is the "get ready" action sequences. I'm not allergic to games that have these kinds of elements, but the problem is that you have to devote your entire focus on the flashing symbols on screen. Nothing wrong with that in another scenario, but here there are actually some rather nice action sequences playing out on the screen, but you're too busy to watch them! And it's not only action. I didn't mind sitting down in Lucas' apartment and playing a little guitar for myself, but when he was doing it to his ex girlfriend, a sensitive moment that I would have loved to just sit there and watch, they turned it in to a freakin' action sequence!
But the drama! And the immersion! It's really quite addictive and better told than most games of late. Arguably not brilliant, but generally very well done. It sucks you in right away and keeps you interested. Even if the story gets worse in a later stage of the game, as some people claim, the storytelling itself feels fresh and very cinematic. The mood of it is quite similar to that of Max Payne, the action game that also takes place in a wintery New York. From my point of view the adventure genre is as viable as the stories in the games are. I don't think people in general who buy games like this care that much about where the balance between adventuring and action is. It's the storytelling that needs to be well done to make people tell their friends about it and remember it for a long time.
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| 9 OCT 2005 at 7:32pm |
| Deleted User | Originally Posted By Petter_Holmberg (9 OCT 2005 7:10pm)
But the worst part imo is the "get ready" action sequences. I'm not allergic to games that have these kinds of elements, but the problem is that you have to devote your entire focus on the flashing symbols on screen. Nothing wrong with that in another scenario, but here there are actually some rather nice action sequences playing out on the screen, but you're too busy to watch them! And it's not only action. I didn't mind sitting down in Lucas' apartment and playing a little guitar for myself, but when he was doing it to his ex girlfriend, a sensitive moment that I would have loved to just sit there and watch, they turned it in to a freakin' action sequence!
I thought that too, especially at the first big action bit at Lucas' work, where I actually completely tune out what was going on in the background. But later in the game, I don't know if the sequences were better timed or if I was better at it, I managed to follow both the action and the Simon rings. I was actually standing up shouting at the end of one !
But the drama! And the immersion! It's really quite addictive and better told than most games of late. Arguably not brilliant, but generally very well done. It sucks you in right away and keeps you interested. Even if the story gets worse in a later stage of the game, as some people claim, the storytelling itself feels fresh and very cinematic. The mood of it is quite similar to that of Max Payne, the action game that also takes place in a wintery New York. From my point of view the adventure genre is as viable as the stories in the games are. I don't think people in general who buy games like this care that much about where the balance between adventuring and action is. It's the storytelling that needs to be well done to make people tell their friends about it and remember it for a long time.
Glad you like it Peter! I think that for some unidentifiable reason, the magic opperates in this game -whether it's the story, the choices, the motion capture or the music, I don't know. But all in all, the whole is better than each of its part IMO. Far from perfect but truly memorable.
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| 9 OCT 2005 at 7:54pm |
| Deleted User | Originally Posted By Randdom (9 OCT 2005 7:32pm)
I thought that too, especially at the first big action bit at Lucas' work, where I actually completely tune out what was going on in the background. But later in the game, I don't know if the sequences were better timed or if I was better at it, I managed to follow both the action and the Simon rings. I was actually standing up shouting at the end of one !]
I'm glad to hear it! I've only begun to master these sequences myself. I've done rather miserably on many of them so far simply because I didn't understand that you had to use both the mouse and the cursor keys. It's rather stupid on a PC but makes more sense on the consoles I guess. Playing with a mouse and keyboard, I find it easiest to just do both keys and mouse movements at once all the time, making the double flashing circles design only feel like another distraction from the scene rather than having one circle.
Glad you like it Peter! I think that for some unidentifiable reason, the magic opperates in this game -whether it's the story, the choices, the motion capture or the music, I don't know. But all in all, the whole is better than each of its part IMO. Far from perfect but truly memorable.
Yeah. It's just that thing that makes me want to argue that adventure games should play it. It has rekindled my hope in non-linear storytelling as a viable idea. This game manages to tell the story right no matter what actions you take, and without making you feel cheated because you had to chose between a number of options. You don't miss out on the story because you make a bad choice. It's giving you a lot of freedom within what's actually a constrained story, and the balance is just right. I also think the tension level feature gives it an interesting new dimension. I doubt that this exact system is the best you could come up with, but I like what it does. Rather than being all about inventory-based and logic puzzles, you get a logic challenge in the game that is all about feeling what the character does. If the character is uncomfortably down, you start thinking of what things you could do to get more happy if you were that character yourself, and you get more careful about things that could make you more unhappy. Like the TV in the apartment. You think that it could be good to learn the news and see if the police is after you, but on the other hand you don't want to be more upset by seeing exactly that. It gives you so many reasons to identify with the characters and become immersed in the game. This is something I want to see more of in future adventure games!
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| 9 OCT 2005 at 8:26pm |
| Deleted User | Originally Posted By Petter_Holmberg (9 OCT 2005 7:54pm)
I'm glad to hear it! I've only begun to master these sequences myself. I've done rather miserably on many of them so far simply because I didn't understand that you had to use both the mouse and the cursor keys. It's rather stupid on a PC but makes more sense on the consoles I guess. Playing with a mouse and keyboard, I find it easiest to just do both keys and mouse movements at once all the time, making the double flashing circles design only feel like another distraction from the scene rather than having one circle.
Ohh please, do yourself a favor and reconfigure the keys so both circles are on the keyboard side by side!! Keyboard + mouse asked me way too much effort! On the down side, this configuration requires you to "jump" rather inelegantly on the keyboard when you see "GET READY" !
If the character is uncomfortably down, you start thinking of what things you could do to get more happy if you were that character yourself, and you get more careful about things that could make you more unhappy.
Yes, and the same applies for conversations; the fact that you cannot ask every topic accessible seems pretty frustrating at first (being the systematic adventure gamers that we are ), but it forces you to ask yourself "what do I really want to ask now?" instead of exhausting every topic 'till something interesting comes up.
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| 9 OCT 2005 at 8:26pm |
Lucien21Guild Master
Posts : 4876
Joined: 9 JUL 2003
Location: 0
Status : Offline | I started playing it yesterday and couldn't put it down.
So far it has been the best adventure game I have played this year. Long way to go though.
Dear Diary, My teenage angst bullsh*t now has a bodycount.
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| 10 OCT 2005 at 2:47am |
BazzaLBPrivate Detective
Posts : 512
Joined: 27 AUG 2005
Location: AU
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Lucien21 (9 OCT 2005 8:26pm)
I started playing it yesterday and couldn't put it down.
So far it has been the best adventure game I have played this year. Long way to go though.
I dunno, for me "Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory" comes close
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| 14 NOV 2005 at 6:55pm |
| Deleted User | Originally Posted By DeathRay (5 OCT 2005 6:21pm)
I can't wait to see the JA+ review of this game.
Great review Randy and I couldn't agree more.
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| 15 NOV 2005 at 4:55pm |
The Terror of the Wolf part 3Schattenjger
Posts : 2391
Joined: 11 OCT 2002
Status : Online | I bought a copy of Fahrenheit yesterday, by sheer chance. I thought "I've not played a good murder mystery for a while, let's splurge some cash on it."
I was utterly absorbed for six hours last night, and will probably do the same tonight. The cinematic elements of the game work really well, and the characters are presented in quite a believable manner.
It's very gripping, and the pacing is just perfect. I'd be curious to replay it a few times and see what I can do to play it differently.
During one sex scene (you control the character during this scene, flick of the mouse to thrust and so on), all I could think was "This is never going to get released in the US." Seems that it was edited, according to the review. I also realise why it feels so much like Nomad Soul, same creators.
Some of the action sequences are rather annoying, mainly because you end up pressing buttons for so long. But it's the storyline I bought the game for, and that's outweighing the button-pressing for me. They're not hard (left hand on arrow keys, right on number pad, and it's no problem), but it's repetative.
Thoroughly enjoying it. Y'know, it has been ages since I played a good murder-mystery game, can anyone suggest me a few others that've been released in the last few years that I've missed?
[url=http://www.justadventure.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1136331866/0#0]GAMES FOR TRADE!![/url]
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| 15 NOV 2005 at 6:25pm |
ElfstoneGuild Master
Posts : 5892
Joined: 4 NOV 2002
Status : Online | my review is up on Chris' review thread
I mapped WASD and the direction keys, that was quite easy. But whenever the gauge appeared I had to switch to A and D exclusively, because I can't press those keys quickly with just my left hand. Not enough muscle or something? Does anyone else have to do it that way? Or can you actually make the gauge grow with just your left hand? If so, I admire you.
[b]playing[/b]: Destination Treasure Island (done in two sittings, but it's nice), Syberia (ho-hum), Dracula: Last Sanctuary (on hold)&&[b]reading[/b]: even more study papers&&[b]listening to[/b]: [url=http://www.last.fm/user/Brax82/]this and that[/url], plus [url=http://www.musicovery.com/]Musicovery[/url]&&[b]TV favorites[/b]: (currently) Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Journeyman (cancelled! grrr...), Heroes&& all-time) 24, Stargate SG1, X-Files, Lost, House
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| 15 NOV 2005 at 7:27pm |
Chris.Schattenjger
Posts : 1842
Joined: 8 MAR 2005
Status : Online | I wrote a review? ??? My memory isn't what it used to be. And that was only 6 weeks ago.
(Oh God, I hate reading stuff I've written. It sounded so pompous--I even used semicolons!)
...not to be confused with Keira Knightley
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| 15 NOV 2005 at 7:35pm |
ElfstoneGuild Master
Posts : 5892
Joined: 4 NOV 2002
Status : Online | Pompous? Why? A review should be a bit colorful. But I think I know what you mean. If I read stuff I've written a year ago or two I sometimes think, "Look at that stupid crap you wrote back then...". It's only that I don't think that thought in English.
I believe this very reply will be a shining example for what I just said.
[b]playing[/b]: Destination Treasure Island (done in two sittings, but it's nice), Syberia (ho-hum), Dracula: Last Sanctuary (on hold)&&[b]reading[/b]: even more study papers&&[b]listening to[/b]: [url=http://www.last.fm/user/Brax82/]this and that[/url], plus [url=http://www.musicovery.com/]Musicovery[/url]&&[b]TV favorites[/b]: (currently) Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Journeyman (cancelled! grrr...), Heroes&& all-time) 24, Stargate SG1, X-Files, Lost, House
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