Just (Free) Adventures
Rob Blanc I and II

Author:
Ben ‘Yahtzee’
Crowshaw
Creation Program: AGS
(Adventure Game Studio)
Rob Blanc I Download Size: 484 KB
Rob Blanc
I Approximate Playing Time: 30 Minutes
Rob Blanc II Download Size: 621 KB

Rob Blanc II Approximate Playing Time: 60 Minutes

By Audrey Wells

For
those of you who enjoyed my first
column, I bring you a brand new mini-review of the first two chapters of the
Rob Blanc series: Rob Blanc I: Better Days of a Defender of the Universe and Rob
Blanc II: Planet of the Pasteurized Pestilence. These are both small, free adventure
games available for all gamers to download! If you like these two games, look
forward to the upcoming third installment of the series, Rob Blanc III: The Temporal
Terrorists.

Click
here to visit the official site of the Rob Blanc Series
Click
here to download Rob Blanc I (484 KB)
Click
here to download Rob Blanc II (621 KB) (Right-click the link, then “Save
Target As …” (in IE) or “Save Link As …” (in Netscape))

Rob
Blanc I: Better Days of a Defender of the Universe is a small game that functions
as more of a prequel that sets the scene for the following game. In Rob Blanc
I, we are introduced to two powerful, multidimensional alien beings known
as the High Ones (also noted for their exceedingly funny remarks). The witty pair
have arranged to thwart the impending galactic annihilation and have located a
suitable hero on Sol 3 (otherwise known as “Earth”). The lucky hero,
named Rob Blanc, is soon unceremoniously abducted from his own bedroom by the
High Ones. They briefly describe the situation to Rob and then teleport him to
a Reman spaceship that has disappeared from the High Ones’ radar. Though the story
of the impending galactic annihilation is never quite explained in the game, the
objective of this short game is quite clear: figure out how to get Rob through
the obstacles on the defunct spaceship and prove his worth as Defender of the
Universe to the High Ones. Though I think the story should have been developed
a bit more (this is an adventure game, after all!), it is still sufficient for
such a short game.

In
the words of the author himself, Rob Blanc II: Planet of the Pasteurized Pestilence
is “bigger, better, and harder” than the first game. After the first
game, Rob underwent extensive training and innumerable body and mind upgrades
for his new post as Defender of the Universe. The second chapter of the Rob Blanc
saga begins when Rob is sent back to Earth for a vacation while the High Ones
construct his new spaceship. While checking into a classy hotel in Hawaii, Rob
meets a suspicious green-haired teenager named Paul, who appears to be incessantly
following him around. Could it be possible that the High Ones don’t completely
trust their fledgling hero and have sent a spy to keep Rob in check? Before long,
Rob and Paul both end up stuck together in a hotel elevator adrift in space above
an unfamiliar planet infected by some sort of plague. You guessed it–Rob’s mission
is to rid the planet of its “Pasteurized Pestilence.” Though I personally
feel that the background story should have been expanded upon a bit more, the
game’s story and plot is much better developed in this game than in its prequel
and sufficient for the short game.

The
graphics in both Rob Blanc games are not bad, though the colors are a bit
garish at times. This is partially due to the fact that the version of AGS used
for this game had a significant limit on the number of colors in any given scene.
Despite this, however, it is obvious that some time was spent making the graphics
look nice because they are well drawn and serve their purpose well.

I believe
that the game is supposed to have sound effects and/or music, but for some reason
(it’s probably my computer’s fault) I did not hear anything. Since the games are
so short, this was not a problem for me. As a result, I will disregard the Sfx/Music
category.

As far as puzzles go, both games consist of mainly of one big
linear interconnected inventory puzzle. This is not a bad thing, since I feel
they are put together well. Rob Blanc I is a tad on the easy side, but
the High Ones’ amusing comments in the introduction and finale makes the game
a completely worthwhile experience. It’s pretty amazing what a good dose of humor
can do for a game! Rob Blanc II’s puzzles are more a bit more complicated
than in the first game, but not too difficult.

Both Rob Blanc games
implement the Adventure Game Studio interface, which is based on the tried and
true Sierra style: icons for walking, talking, and the like. You can also save
and restore games. I had no gameplay problems with either of the Rob Blanc
games.

Story: C+
Graphics: B-
Music/Sfx: N/A
Gameplay:
B

Quite frankly, you can’t beat the price: free! And as freebie
adventure games go, these two have very minimal download times and are quite worthy
of your attention. Though the Rob Blanc games are not perfect, they are
still an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours and have a few laughs.

Final
Grade: B-