Foreign AGS reviews

[fidodido]

Hello everyone,

I just found two big arcticles about my game "Conspiracy of Songo", but sadly for me they are both in the Czech language, and Google can't translate them.

http://plnehry.idnes.cz/navody/conspiracyofsongonavod.html
http://plnehry.idnes.cz/adventure/conspiracyofsongo.html

I was wondering if someone could translate them for me, or maybe there's a program to translate Czech to English?

Thanks in advance.

[Dave Gilbert]

I once asked the same question myself.  Apparently it gets asked once a month.

I couldn't get mine translated either.

[jaz]

OK, here you go.......


Conspiracy of Songo â€" a perfect adventure

Conspiracy of Songo is simply one of best freeware adventure games of this year. It´s long but not too much difficult, it offers an interesting story with a light twist of conspiracy, lovestory and a casual joke from time to time. Fluent and enjoyable gameplay is a hallmark of this project.

Conspiracy of Songo was created by well known AGS engine. This tool created by CJ has already been used by hundreds of developers but these titles were in many cases bland with only a few screens standard interface and minimum of puzzles. This, however, doesn´t apply to this game. Sierra interface had been replaced by a single click one and the author had succeeded in designing really logical puzzles using advanced scripting.

But the ground of every adventure game is indeed a story. Here we have two characters â€" Jerry and Sheila who encounter a shark during Sheila´s birthday sail. Trying to escape they shipwreck on the shores of an unknown island. Sheila is injured so Jerry goes to seek help in a nearby town. Soon he gets arrested by two armed detectives and is sentenced to spend rest of his life in a cage for conjectural theft of statute of local god Songo. Next day Sheila goes to search for her missing friend and slowly gets involved into web of mystery of the statute which has power to fulfil the wishes of prayers. There are 25 â€"30 locations that are here to discover for Sheila, the “detective newbie“ , including the island and two towns that were affected by Songo madness. It is possible to interact with about 10 well profiled NPC´s to push the story further.

Design and especially puzzle design is a big plus of this game. It´s true that at the very beginning  player encounters an illogical moment (climbing a cliff on bottle is quite unusual) but this will soon be forgotten thanks to other puzzles like vodka cups puzzle and hilarious job interview. Fortunately, difficulty is not that high and the gameplay flows pleasantly. Somehow harder puzzles are at the end of the games. Authors have almost completely avoided pixel hunting, there is only minimum of miniature and almost invisible objects which should be appreciated. Playtime counts approx. half a dozen hours which is excellent for a freeware game. As for storytelling and game actions, there are only words of praise for Songo.


If we´re to find a weak spot of the game and it´s probably going to be the graphics. It still is well above average compared to another games on PH (the server, PH stands for Plné Hry, Full Games in English), but it´s hard to suppress the feeling of emptiness in some locations as the drawing seems sometimes oversimplified . It´s however, necessary to mention that it´s noticeable that the author was continually getting better, as you progress further you will see more attractive locations. There is nothing to complain about sound, maybe it would be interesting to make a talkie but even without speech the sound is very good. Music varies quite often and it adds to relaxed atmosphere of the game.

To sum it up, I will repeat what has already been written in the first paragraph â€" one of the best amateur adventure games recently. If you are interested in a long relaxed and well made adventure, don´t let the size of this game discourage you.

Pretty positive review, congrats fidodido

The other article is a walkthrough.

Laters

[Dave Gilbert]

So somebody does speak Czech!  Nice one, Jaz.

Is it possible to translate mine as well?  Pretty please?

http://plnehry.idnes.cz/noconv/adventure/postmanonlydiesonce.html

I think there are several other amateur games on that site, too.

[big brother]

Sorry to throw everything on you, Jaz, but I would be forever in your debt if you were to translate this one for me, too:
http://plnehry.idnes.cz/adventure/apprentice.html

[jaz]

Allright Dave, here it is:


Postman Only Dies Once.

What a weird name for a freeware adventure game by Reality on the Norm Team (apparently a misunderstanding of RON concept) that was created using AGS. This game has won numerous AGS 2001 Awards (2002 Awards haven´t been awarded yet, only nominations were presented)

Main character of the game is detective Max Griff. Experienced private eye doesn´t do much bussiness lately and his office floor is covered by unpaid bills. One evening Max sits behind his desk meditating over his critical situation when he hears somebody screaming outside. His intuition tells him that this might be an interesting case and he rushes out quickly.

Outside he sees dead postman laying in puddle of blood, a good friend of many town folks. Standing over the postman, there is an instant suspect â€" a zombie  And what the hell â€" there is a sheriff rushing into the scene. It doesn´t take him too much time to solve the case. He demands an explanation and when our orderly zombie is not able to speak a word, he promptly arrests him and puts him into local jail.

It seems like another unhappy end of the case. But next day an unexpected visitor comes to his office- an intrusive journalist Mika that pays him to investigate the case and forces him to take her as his partner.

That´s when the player takes over the control. His mission is to walk through the town and question all possible suspects, find out who was the real murderer and free our poor innocent zombie.
This all comes as a classical point and click adventure game, like most games created with AGS (note that it´s possible to make for example an arcade game with AGS)

I wont tell you more of the story because it would spoil the fun it´s on everybody to fight his way through, but I can tell you that the story overall is very good and that a vast majority of players wont know how the game will end till the last moment.

Atmosphere of the game is specific. Town where the game takes place is kind of Wild West style, there is a sheriff but is significantly more civilised than the towns were in the second half of 19th century. And particularly: one encounters undead frequently. Somebody might like such a hotch-potch, somebody may just grin but in any case it´s an interesting mix.

Unfortunately technical side of the game is not the best we have seen. All graphics are computer drawn and one can tell. Main character is OK but his animations doesn´t match the those of Dieter from Permanent Daylight. Environment is mostly visually poor and too thick outlines of the objects don´t add much to overall feeling.

The conclusion: PODO is only slightly above average adventure game. It has an interesting story, rich dialogues, both, funny and serious moments and can entertain a player for more than a couple of minutes, but it´s only a second class game compared to Permanent Daylight, P.D. or recently reviewed hit â€" Out of Order.

Well I think that it´s a little bit harsh review but to sum it up it says it´s a good game and that´s an unbiased opinion of independent person.

By the way, this server is a part of iDNES servers which are run by the most popular newspaper in the country so you can bet they take things seriously and their webpages get some hits. As I have noticed this article had 2562 views, which is not bad for a freevare adventure.

Sorry for any grammar mistakes/typos as I have whipped up these translations pretty quickly.

jaz

EDIT: they seem to know a lot about our community at plnehry, isn´t that nice?

[jaz]

Hi Bro, enjoy...


Apprentice â€" a magic adventure


To be an apprentice of a great wizard, that´s Pib´s greatest wish even though his father had been a pinnacle of chivalry. But Pib is different and today is going to be his great day, the day of his first spell. Will he succeed? It´s up to you…

Big freeware adventures like KQ 2, The Uncertainity machine or recently reviewed That Night Before don´t come out every day. Fortunately there are is a fair number of smaller interesting projects.  Apprentice is one of these a pleasant game that keeps you entertained for about an hour. The game was created by H.E.P. using AGS by CJ.

The game starts with strange intro that is separated from the rest of the story, that really wasn´t necessary. Main character, a wizard apprentice Pib is confrontated  with history of his father â€" a great knight. Pib is forced to choose a „career“ of knight instead of his beloved magic. Pib refuses but it´s a classic nightmare. He wakes up pretty nervous in the morning. This motive is not very important in game itself so we only hope that more will be explained in possible sequels

After intro the game concerns on Mortimer Pibsworth´s aka Pib´s big day. He has to leave the  theory ond create his first own spell. He gets the instructions from his elderly master to obtain three ingredients necessary to perform the magic procedure which outcome is to remain surprise to the very end. Master then leaves for nearby oasis to get some magic water. The ingredients are cheese, cucumber and oregano powder. Cheese is not anywhere near so it will be necessary to make it from cow milk. It´s not as hard to figure out as how to get the powder since Pib doesn´t know the herb or how to get a delicious cucumber sandwich from angry woman at the crossroad.

Apprentice sports a nice comprehensive story that doesn´t go too far away for a project of this size. It would be hard to save the world or princess on seven screens and not to make the game looking awkward. Plot of apprentice is on appropriate level and the point is surprisingly bitter.

Game design is very good as well, all tasks and combinations are logical except opening the closet and sandwich book puzzle and if you think a little bit you can solve all the puzzles without combining everything together.

Apprentice is a point and click adventure but the interface might have been better, All commands are on roll up panel at the bottom of the screen or under 1, 2, 3 and 4 keys (look, pick up, talk, use) and it is not possible to skip through with RMB which is  surprisingly useless. There is a magic book â€" like inventory which is stylish but it´s only possible to look at two items at once which forces the player to list through up to ten objects. It´s almost like in Tomb Raider which really is not optimal.

Graphics are in 320 x 200 and even though the game works in higher resolutions, it pixelates noticeably. But otherwise there is nothing to complain about its drawn glory. Especially Pib´s room, magic tower and barn interior are just sweet. But the other backgrounds don´t fall behind. Maybe Pib is a little bit of a disappointment since he is not very detailed and his movements are bit clumsy

Music, however, is excellent, little bit short but it wont annoy you soon. Fairy tale tunes are memorable

All important had been said and it´s upon everybody to decide whether to download this slightly bigger file or not. Walkthrough is also available at plnehry.

[fidodido]

I don't know how to thank you, Jaz.

[big brother]

Thanks so much, Jaz!

I can't believe they didn't like the closet door puzzle. And they think that Pib's movement is clumsy. They do have a point about the GUI. I think we're going to speed up its movement.

[Dave Gilbert]

Thanks Jaz!  It's not THAT harsh.  They had a lot of nice things to say about it.  It doesn't sound like the reviewer has heard of the other RON games, which might have caused some confusion.  

[Las Naranjas]

Hehehe, Czech reviewers apparently don't know the names of Noir films very well.

Novo Mestro is reviewed there as well. I tried putting it through a translator and got alot of Czech back, with isolated English phrases like "Aromatically Best". Somehow I feel i should be content with that.

[jaz]

Hmmm,

I´m sorry to say that Novo Mestro didn´t get much positive review.

Which Noir movies BTW? I don´t get it as well.

[Dave Gilbert]

The title was based on the movie "The Postman Always Rings Twice."  Try and see the original 40s film with John Garfield and Lana Turner.  The 80s remake with Jack Nicholson is godawful.

[jaz]

Ah, of course...  *jaz slaps his forehead* It even is a popular saying in Czech that "Postman Always Rings Twice" It probably was so obvious that we both have overlooked it. I have seen the movie a couple of times.
As we also say: "We haven´t seen a tree for all those woods"

BTW I´m glad you guys found my translations useful.

Maybe I could make a list of AGS games reviewed on plnehry with short description of every game if anybody is interested. If so, Dave could change name of this thread so it won´t be necessary to start a new one.

jaz

[Vel]

Hey there jaz!
I'd be pretty grateful if you translated the following. I do understand some Czech, but it consist only of common Slav words: http://plnehry.idnes.cz/adventure/wwtlf.html
Thanks in advance!

[jaz]

Well Vel... just because it´s such a positive review

Who Wants To Live Forever? A suggestive question in the title of even more suggestive game. WWTLF is an interactive movie, but a good one, full of emotions and with unexpectedly sad autumn mood. Old love doesn´t rust!

WWTLF is one of the most peculiar and unique adventures recently. WWTLF is more a short interactive movie than a game, but it´s not bad at all because the plot is strong and authors have more than succeeded in evoking sad autumn atmosphere. You won ´t understand what I mean if you don´t try. This game is very moving even though the graphics are not excellent and there are some things that could have been thought out better.

Main character is an elderly writer Andrew Barksdale whose women had passed and his last â€" and only â€"friend, Sean, is dying. Now he is alone with a shelf full of books. Wait â€"there is something more. Last wish. To find a girl named Gail and to give her a present from the dead friend which he haven´t given to her even though he had loved her all his life. He wasn´t able to express his feeling and he was only to see his love to marry an old rich man. The man passed and she inherited his millions and now she lives in luxury in his mansion

Andrew goes to places where he spend his childhood with Sean and remembers long forgotten memories of kid´s games and first loves. Nostalgic mood is replaced by a deep depression at the end Heroes realise that their lives are vain. Possible connections between them are getting clear shapes and they see that they could have lived thousands of happy days if should they have chosen different way, but nothing can be brought back. They all die. But completely. When Andrew reaches the end of his way he gets an interesting offer…

WWTLF is a short game (maybe term game is not appropriate) Regarding it´s linearity and difficulty the playtime is about 15 minutes. Nobody should get stuck in this game.

Controls are simple, it´s enough to click with LMB, RMB on hotspots, no inventory is necessary. Only one more difficult aspect of the game is the diary in which are encrypted some important information necessary to solve the puzzles. The difficulty is really really low, but it´s not a minus If we consider WWTLF an interactive movie then the story has to flow fluently and rich plot should grab the players attention and that´s what low difficulty and plot does.
 
Music is excellent and exactly fits the mood it really enriches the atmosphere. It´s also thanks to music that nobody will laugh at sometimes overcomplicated relationships. Itś a pity that graphics don´t match the sound. Some screens are fine but some just seem too simple. Especially the characters are too schematic and they don´t fit in the detailed Bgs. They lack more shading. and facial expressions are too sharp. Only few BGs are excellent, especially the autumn forest.

Who wants to download WWTLF can expect pleasant 15 minutes which will maybe make him to think about whether he doesn´t live the same life as heroes of this interactive movie. I can´t say that this game will force people to forget their vain desires and turn toward people they love and so on but even to think about it is a good thing.

P.S. you won´t need a walkthrough this time but it´s available in any case.

[Vel]

Thanks a lot, jaz!
^_^

[EldKatt]

In case anybody would for some reason be interested, there's a free machine translation service called InterTran, which takes much pride in being able to translate the occasional word in a text into a random word in another language. With a lot of imagination you might understand bits and peices of, say, a Czech webpage.

As an example, the phrase 'Old love doesn't rust' in the Czech review of Vel's game was translated by InterTran as 'Think much hug stainless'.

Additionally, the title of said game ('Who Wants to Live Forever?') was translated from Czech into Swedish (and now, of course, translated by me from Swedish into English) as 'Who the flaw what living forehead?'. The name of the author of the review (Tomáš Krajča) is apparently anglicized as Tomahawk Section.