Here it is, the shiny reworked Deluxe Edition of Ben Jordan Case 1.Ã, This is what the first game would have been originally if I hadn't been so anxious to release it.Ã, It's got a slightly extended story (providing more of Ben's personal life and a glimpse into the overarching series plotline), reworked graphics and full voice acting.
(http://www.grundislavgames.com/images/bj1d.jpg)
As you can see, this new version is a bit gorier than the original, so if you're turned off by that sort of thing...well, you might want to cover your eyes.
Game database page here (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=760) or direct download here (http://www.grundislavgames.com/games/bj1deluxe.zip).
Damn you Grundislav, I was just about to go to sleep (it's quarter to six in the morning here) - Now I'll be up for another hour. Seriously, this is great news, can't wait to try it - maybe I'll play just a liiiitle bit before heading off to bed.
Congratulations on completing BJ Remix. I will play it.
Wow, this is absolutely great so far.
The voice sync is amazing, great job!
All right! I've been wondering when this comes out. Great job!
Wow, can't wait to try it out, looks awesome......
Thewalrus
Goo, goo, ga, joob!!!!!
For the new gorier BJ1 a little quote...... "Yellow matter custard, drippin' from a dead dogs eye!"
;D Happy ~desu!! ;D
Wow, the voice acting is great! And the lip sync is just about perfect.
I found it a little weird to have no text at first, but I found I actually liked it more.
Whee, I completed it! I found the additional puzzles and replacement puzzles to be quite superior to the original's. The voice acting was a wonderful touch, and the style of the cutscenes and the maze reminded me very much of the first Gabriel Knight. I only wish that the foreshadowing at the start had been explained (I suppose that will be the end of the final case) and that I hadn't missed those last three points... Still, the information about the next case was about enough for me.
just finished.
i cant wait for number 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! Christopher Walken is doing the voice acting for the Ranger!
Just finished it, it was enhanced immensely compared to the original first case! Keep up the good work Grundislav!
just out of interest, was the big storyline hintage only the bit after the credits or was there more that i did not notice?
great remake. love the extra gory scenes, music and sound. voice acting is also a great addition. ben jordan's voice sounds a bit wimpish (more a believable al emmo), but otherwise great remake. thanks.
I played the BJ1 parody Sven Goran just two days ago, so I remembered most of the puzzles quite well and went through the game without much hesitation. The voice acting was great - and I also thought Chris Walken when I heard the ranger speak (there seemed to be some recording problems with the hippie's lines though?). Usually I hate voice-narration for look-at and interaction messages, because it's much too slow, but I rather liked the southern drawl of the narrator - reminded me a bit of Gabriel Knight in fact (Gabe himself, not that awful narrator lady in GK1).
I'm also happy that the ending didn't feel as Scooby Doo-like as the original. It certainly felt like a more serious game, and the gore wasn't out of place. It's also nice that the silly puzzle with the composit photo was replaced with something more realistic. And the graphic novel style cutscenes were lovely, very GK but also very effective.
My one complaint is that the maze area felt more like a man-made park than a natural area (nice, crossing paths surrounded by bushes as compared to the overgrown swamp area in GK1). And the overarcing plot sure seems promising:
Spoiler
The backstory of BJ's grandfather and his exploits in Europe during the 1920's must surely become part of the story. And who's this Quincy Sanbourne who wrote the Paranormal Investigator book? I wonder what the Vatican guys mean by "We've found another one" - a virgin over the age of 18 :)?
Edit: Now that BJ1 had gotten a facelift, doesn't BJ2 seems out of place among these more serious games... No way, I'd rather see Grundislav spend his time on BJ6. Great in-joke about the series of books Ranger Rick is reading btw ;D
Wow this is amazing, now I cant wait for part 6. Keep up the good work.
Good times.
Sven Goran? Link, plz.
dont want to seem like a bother, but how far in development is scourge of the sea people?
Quote from: jet on Tue 08/08/2006 13:00:04
Good times.
Sven Goran? Link, please.
It's sven Gordan
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=695
Great I can wait... to play it!! finally we will hear the voice of the famous Ben Jordan.. ;)
I have played and just LOVE all of the Ben Jordan games. This one was no exception.
Great job and thank you!
Quote from: Alliance on Tue 08/08/2006 06:12:02I found it a little weird to have no text at first, but I found I actually liked it more.
Press Ctrl+T to switch.
Thanks very much! Plenty of new stuff to re-enjoy the game!
Ah, the deluxe version of this excellent game. Superb stuff! Gotta say, I really enjoy the Ben Jordan mysteries...
This was great, a significant improvement on the original. It felt at least 50%more Ben Jordanny.
One question, is this part of a campaign to normalise the wearing of green trousers? We know Ben wears green trousers, but looking at the dead ranger's get-up gives a response along the lines of "he's wearing an ordinary pair of green pants". Ordinary? I hardly ever see people wearing green trousers. Is this the famous question you're surprised no one has asked?
Also, what happened to that scene where Han Solo talks to Jabba?
I loved it, grundislav. It really is a big improvement, and I agree with Ali, a lot more Ben Jordanny. Though the original was fine too :). I'm almost finished (I think) with this game.
The voice acting was great. I don't know the names you mentioned in the readme, but I definitely recognized your voice and Disco's. I'd have to say Disco's voice acting was pretty impressive, he owned that character. Also Ranger Rick was awesome. Even though your voice is so easy to recognise, the characters you did sounded like different people. I was a bit dissapointed in Ben Jordan's voice. It wasn't a very strong voice, you know, like I imagined Ben would have. Someone like chicky (as I remember from podcasts) or even yourself could really have played this role. Ben really sounded very weak throughout the game.
The puzzles are also very much improved, haha, I liked the scene with the
Spoiler
receptionist and environmentalist at the tree
Hmm, the one puzzle I was wondering why the
Spoiler
the sharp tooth and arrow head didn't work, but the sign edge did, is it because it's got better grip?
The graphics were more in the styles of your other BJ games and thus more consistent with the series. The comics were really a nice touch and entertaining.
Thanks for an awesome game, grundislav, hope the next one goes well too.
Lastly, did you rip Blanka :o :)
Hey all, thanks for the feedback.Ã, I'm glad people seem to be enjoying the game.
Quote from: buloght on Wed 09/08/2006 18:22:08
I was a bit dissapointed in Ben Jordan's voice. It wasn't a very strong voice, you know, like I imagined Ben would have. Someone like chicky (as I remember from podcasts) or even yourself could really have played this role. Ben really sounded very weak throughout the game.
To me, Ben sounds pretty much as he does in the game.Ã, Keep in mind that this is the first case, he's new and eager about the whole thing, so to have him sound bold and confident or with a deeper voice just wouldn't work for me.
Quote from: buloght on Wed 09/08/2006 18:22:08
Hmm, the one puzzle I was wondering why the
Spoiler
the sharp tooth and arrow head didn't work, but the sign edge did, is it because it's got better grip?
Lastly, did you rip Blanka :o :)
Spoiler
Yes, the sign's edge was filed down to a point, so driving a big pointy stick through the tree would be more effective in making a big hole than small objects like the tooth and arrowhead.
And no, I didn't rip Blanka, but I did use him as reference ;)
Also, I'd like to add that GarageGothic is asking all the right questions.
Looks like someones been playing Laura Bow 2: Dagger of Amon Ra.
I finished it yesterday, it went pretty fast, because I already played the original and the remake before (although I got stuck once and needed to read the hints & tips-thread).
It was great, I really liked it. The comics were drawn very good as well (except maybe one or two panels, but that's no big deal) - I especially liked the image of Ben lying in front of the TV.
However, two minor things weren't as optimal as they could've been to me:
- As said before, Ben's voice. I see that he was supposed to sound unexperienced and young, that was completly okay, but he read some passages way to fast, especially at the end of sentences. I had to activate the written text as well to understand some of his words.
- Having no exits to locations and the need to use the map. That just wasn't expected, I spent half-an-hour to try how to exit the first location, the murder scene. I tried walking around everywhere, I thought I had to do something else there as well, I even tried to look at the map (after all, that should've maybe worked as well).
Anyways, it was nice and I can't wait for a new episode. I finished with full points!
The guy that did Jed has a sexy voice. I bet he's a hottie :=
I alt tabbed out of the game as soon as I could.
OH man. I literally have tears in my eyes from laughing at hearing "Walken" as the Ranger. Nice touch. Its fun to hear you do the voice at Mittens and such, but it fits really well in the game.
I can't wait to hear my job as Ranger Rick. Hope it came out well. btw, I'm Scott in the credits.
Quote from: [Cameron] on Thu 10/08/2006 11:36:15
The guy that did Jed has a sexy voice. I bet he's a hottie :=
Niiice, Cameron.
I finished played through the deluxe edition last night. I have to say it was very impressive. I liked the voice acting and I have no complaint about Ben's voice. Let's face it guys, he's not exactly the Dirty Harry type. And it his first case and all, he would lack confidence. I think it fit his appearence. Can't wait for number 6!!!
Thewalrus
Goo, goo, ga, joob!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG this looks awesome!!! I'm downloading it now!
Most enjoyable. Will have to play the rest of the series now :)
HA! Lip-sync! How awesome is that?!? ;D
And this glimpse into the overall plot is very interesting, too!
Great job!
are the ranger and his medicene man brother (cases 1 and 2) important in future cases at all?
Just started playing earlier, awesome as usual, and I nearly died when I heard the classic Laura Bow "You pick it up, and place it in your purse."
I died with the "It feeeeeeels like woooood."
ZOMG!!!111111!!!!!
BEN JRDAN CASE 1 DELUX AHS BEEN RELAESAED!!!!!!!!!111111111!!!!!!!
IST GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111111111!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously, keep up the good work.
I hope to see the promotional video soon...
what promotional video?
Why, this (http://www.grundislavgames.com/mittens06/videos/bjpromo.wmv) promotional video, of course!
Quote from: Grundislav on Fri 25/08/2006 01:48:20
Why, this (http://www.grundislavgames.com/mittens06/videos/bjpromo.wmv) promotional video, of course!
That John Smith sure is cool.
That was certainly the greatest promotional video ever.
Quote from: buloght on Wed 09/08/2006 18:22:08
I'd have to say Disco's voice acting was pretty impressive, he owned that character.
Yay! I have fans, I'm famous!
Seriously, thanks, though I owe it in part to Grundislav pushing me to record lines with a sore throat :P nah, he told me to wait until I was better, but I thought I'd use my illness to an advantage.
I'm downloading it now, hope this stolen wifi connection holds up.
Umm I talked to the ranger, and exausted all the topics but still he won't walk to the building.
I think you should examine your inventory, DrSnark. If I remember correctly.
Ok I got the Map thing, but I can't do anything, i talked to everyone.
You need to start a newsletter for when you complete new games!!!
That's how great your games are!
BIG fan, keep it up!!!
Great work!
Julie
Quote from: Julie on Wed 17/01/2007 07:46:19You need to start a newsletter for when you complete new games!!!
You mean like the email notification you can sign up for at his website (http://www.grundislavgames.com/benjordan/)?
I dunno whether you know this, but your game was featured in Games For Windows Magazine Feb 2007.
I realize this thread is like, over 2 years old, but I'm going to be reviewing the Ben Jordan series starting two weeks from now, I thought I'd reply to this message. Deluxe version seemed like the way to go. Out of curiosity, does anyone know if any of the other cases got the "deluxe" treatment?
Thanks
AFAIK the first one got the Deluxe treatment, then the rest didn't. I know for a fact that the latest one has voice acting in.
- Huw
My impression - correct me if I am wrong - is that case 2 had much better graphics than game 1, so Grundislav went back and gave case 1 a more polished look to fit in better with the rest of the series. So in that sense, every case from 2 onwards is already de luxe :)
Thanks guys, cheers.