Adventure Game Studio

AGS Games => Completed Game Announcements => Topic started by: Grundislav on Fri 26/03/2010 03:55:17

Title: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Grundislav on Fri 26/03/2010 03:55:17
Just like Case 1, Case 2 gets the Deluxe treatment!

Download here! (http://www.grundislavgames.com/games/bj2deluxe.zip)

Features:
Fully voiced (but no lip-sync)
Extended storyline and better puzzles (No more blowing up safes with dynamite!)
Upgraded graphics (your opinion may differ)

Screenshots

(http://www.grundislavgames.com/images/bj2-d.jpg)

(http://www.grundislavgames.com/images/bj2-d3.jpg)

(http://www.grundislavgames.com/images/bj2-d2.jpg)
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Gilbert on Fri 26/03/2010 03:57:47
OMG downloading.


1st reply :=

Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: xenogia on Fri 26/03/2010 04:06:50
So grabbing it right now :)
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Captain Ricco on Fri 26/03/2010 04:22:50
OH SNITZ!!!!


Downloading right away!!
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Fri 26/03/2010 05:55:26
Hey, it's out and you didn't tell me! DOWNLARD TIME.

Edit:  A BJ remake that really surpasses the original in every way.  Very nicely done, Francisco.

The map music made me want to make a cowboy game, so bravo to Ghormak/Peter/whoever made it.

Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: SomeSickSelf on Fri 26/03/2010 06:19:21
Awesome!  I've been waiting for this.

I wish I could start playing but it's 2am and I need some sleep.
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: arj0n on Fri 26/03/2010 08:39:43
Yeeh!  :D
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: qptain Nemo on Fri 26/03/2010 10:54:44
Well, was it nostalgic.  :) I barely remember the original, so enjoyed this one just as if it was new. Very adventurish feel overall which is good. Radley's house location turned to be remarkably atmospheric for me, so I guess I liked it the most. However, I'm not sure if it was that good idea of replacing the blow up the safe puzzle with
Spoiler
cracking the safe with stethoscope
[close]
I mean, come on, it's just so over-cliched that it's arguably worse than blowing the safe up. It was done many times before. But geez, at least thanks you didn't make us find the code hidden and/or cyphered somewhere.

Music is brilliant as it was back then. I sure liked the voices. ProgZ is a hell of a funny old man.  :=

And this animation wherever the ghost kicks your ass was fun. :D
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Intense Degree on Fri 26/03/2010 12:08:21
Oooooh Yeah!

Downloading now!
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: JayBTV on Fri 26/03/2010 13:18:02
Just downloaded after noticing the tweet on my phone this morning. 

Very excited to play!!
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: sergiocornaga on Fri 26/03/2010 13:46:42
Well, I finished it! But with 81 out of 82 points... tell me, is it worth replaying the game just to hunt for that single point? Will I be rewarded in any way?
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Wesray on Fri 26/03/2010 13:51:47
Yeeeah, can't wait to play it! Unfortunately that will have to wait until tomorrow. :(
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: RedTalon on Fri 26/03/2010 16:16:24
Looks great. Can't wait to give it a go.
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Grundislav on Fri 26/03/2010 17:08:18
Quote from: SergioCornaga on Fri 26/03/2010 13:46:42
Well, I finished it! But with 81 out of 82 points... tell me, is it worth replaying the game just to hunt for that single point? Will I be rewarded in any way?

You get an extra little scene at the end of the game which sets up the plot of Case 3.
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Stupot on Fri 26/03/2010 18:09:19
Downloaded.. Will get on this tonight :)
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: NsMn on Fri 26/03/2010 18:12:44
Mrs Roberts' voice sounds so familar... it's really weird.
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Tom S. Fox on Fri 26/03/2010 18:19:57
Quote from: NsMn on Fri 26/03/2010 18:12:44
Mrs Roberts' voice sounds so familar... it's really weird.

It’s hercrabbiness, if you are familiar with her.
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: NsMn on Fri 26/03/2010 18:32:30
Ah, I knew it! Thanks.
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: tzachs on Fri 26/03/2010 20:44:30
Oh man, I finished it with 81 points too!  >:(
Where oh where was that lost point?
Spoiler

I'm guessing something to do with that weird hole in the cave although I tried all my inventory on it...
[close]

Great game nonetheless, a big improvement over the original, and now waiting for bj8  :)
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Tom S. Fox on Sat 27/03/2010 00:03:27
Quote from: tzachs on Fri 26/03/2010 20:44:30
Spoiler

I'm guessing something to do with that weird hole in the cave although I tried all my inventory on it...
[close]

Spoiler

No, that hole only shows that this is the place from where Bianchi took the relict, like the box in case 6.
[close]
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: GarageGothic on Sat 27/03/2010 00:15:06
Quote from: tzachs on Fri 26/03/2010 20:44:30Oh man, I finished it with 81 points too!  >:(
Where oh where was that lost point?

Spoiler
Did you return the silver bowl?
[close]

Excellent remake, Grundislav. I especially liked the second half of the game - brand new gameplay and some great character. The graphics were basic but a vast improvement on the original and the voice acting was the best in the series so far.

Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Tom S. Fox on Sat 27/03/2010 00:28:23
Spoiler
Did you return the silver bowl?
[close]

Grundislav, you magnificent bastard!
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Tom S. Fox on Sat 27/03/2010 00:49:17
Is it just me or does the game crash after the extended ending?
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: sergiocornaga on Sat 27/03/2010 01:55:13
Quote from: GarageGothic on Sat 27/03/2010 00:15:06
Spoiler
Did you return the silver bowl?
[close]

I tried to, in fact I was pretty convinved that was what I had to do. But I thought I'd get an opportunity to at the end of the game, and I didn't. Time to restart!

EDIT: Well, I just played through the entirety of the game again. Gotta say, for anyone in the same situation I was, it's not really worth it!
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: PuNKKoMmANDO77 on Sat 27/03/2010 11:27:51
good job Francisco  :=
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: xenogia on Sat 27/03/2010 13:07:37
I just finished, but realised I forgot to give the bowl back to the wife.  Going to have to start again to do just that to get the extended ending.. haha..  Playing it made me redownload all the old episodes.  Slowly playing them all again :)
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Kweepa on Sat 27/03/2010 18:16:48
Thanks Grundy!
I didn't finish the non-deluxe version, but this kept me entertained for an hour to the (non-extended) end.
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Wesray on Sat 27/03/2010 19:05:25
Sooo, I managed to finish the game yesterday night after all. Who needs sleep when a new Ben Jordan is out? ;)

Really liked the game, especially the brand new puzzles once you got to the Salton Sea. The metaphor puzzle was particularily great. I also appreciated the subtle references to the other games, e.g. the Italian tourist that was mentioned or the hole in the mine.

Spoiler
I also forgot to return the bowl! Seems I have to play the game again.
[close]
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Hammerite on Sat 27/03/2010 19:23:35
Grande!
Something to play over the Easter holidaysh!
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Stupot on Sat 27/03/2010 23:11:12
Finished.  And I didded the doodah to get all 82 points.
Good job Grundy.  Had some genuine laugh-out-loud moments.
Is that poor mullet guy based on Randall Flagg?

Also...  The British tourist is based on me (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=40467.msg534349#msg534349), right?

Also, good to hear that Charlie Feathers track again :-)  Classic Ben Jordan!
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: markbilly on Sat 27/03/2010 23:46:44
All round brilliant. Really loved the art and animation. All the characters were interesting and unique, too.

Laughed out load when
Spoiler
Mama carried the Mullet Guy off! :D
[close]
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: LRH on Sun 28/03/2010 00:55:30
Quote from: markbilly on Sat 27/03/2010 23:46:44
All round brilliant. Really loved the art and animation. All the characters were interesting and unique, too.

Laughed out load when
Spoiler
Mama carried the Mullet Guy off! :D
[close]

I was playing through with my GF and she laughed for quite a while at that one as well.

All around fantastic job, Grundi!
Much better than the original, I'd say :D
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: GarageGothic on Sun 28/03/2010 03:17:16
One thing I found absolutely hilarious:

Spoiler
The animation of Ben bouncing off the wall and landing on his feet when you try to pick up the ghost's treasure! I kept clicking on the gold just to see it happen again.  :D
[close]

Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Shadow1000 on Sun 28/03/2010 07:54:44
An excellent remake! I'm a Ben Jordan fan so I couldn't miss this one.

Here are my comments:

- I don't know if anyone else had this but I had to fiddle with the settings to get the game to run on my computer. I've never had this with an AGS game.

- The puzzles were just hard enough to keep me thinking but not hard enough to frustrate or make me want to stop the game. That's probably the most important way I'd rate a game.

Spoiler
- I thought the song-writing puzzle was brilliant. I've never seen anything like that in AGS and that type of originality makes the series stand out from the crowd.
- I hope I'm not being overly critical, but I think that proportionately, the moonshine quest occupies too much of the game. I think that almost half the points in the game are earned before going to Bombay Beach but if you consider that the moonshine quest is really peripheral to the main theme, I'd recommend either extending the essential quests (perhaps while on the ship there should be some items to collect before releasing George or capturing the ghost) or minimizing the moonshine quest.
- The way that elements from earlier in the game are used or tie into later parts of the game (such as the coffee and moonshine) show some really good planning that enhances the game
- I don't know if this is a bug but when you finish the Bombay Beach quests, they remain on your to-do list.
[close]

I could go on about how much I enjoyed the game but this will suffice.

Many thanks for an outstanding series.

Paul
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Sam. on Mon 29/03/2010 15:51:51
Lovely job, played it in one nice, funny chunk.

Out of interest, what is taking priority? Remakes or the next game? Or subtly undermining Starbucks?
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Captain Ricco on Mon 29/03/2010 23:30:02
What i dont get yet is why they left the treasure behind?
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Cogliostro on Tue 30/03/2010 04:09:18
The original Case 2 was good, this version was great.  If your artistic vision for Case 8 continues to prove elusive... a remake of Case 3 & 4 would be AWESOME!!!!!

- Cogliostro
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Grundislav on Tue 30/03/2010 04:17:42
I'm (mostly) happy with Cases 3 and 4, so full dedication to Case 8 from here on out.
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: CaptainD on Tue 30/03/2010 15:45:52
Looking good so far  ;D

Though I liked Case 1 anyway, I have to say that Case 2 is a massive improvement.
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: xenogia on Tue 30/03/2010 21:49:30
I do like the fact it takes you about a year to release an episode, as this gives enough anticipation for the next episode :D
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Iliya on Wed 31/03/2010 12:05:24
3rd screenshot - very good!
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Shadow1000 on Thu 01/04/2010 17:00:42
Ok, I finished with 82 points!

Spoiler
I just realized that you have to give the bowl back BEFORE you go back to the prospector; right after creating the moonshine. My first time around, I actually used the bowl in the Sea for the silver component
[close]

Other than my earlier small points, I give the game five stars!

Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: InCreator on Sun 04/04/2010 00:28:36
Why is there no text during speech? It annoys the hell out of me. Sure, I can understand spoken English, but I always prefer captions also! I'm sure it's so with many non-native English speakers here. Deciphering accent and trying to understand also what's being said and what that even means is exhausting.

What an awful, awful design choice! And how about hearing impaired people out there? Screw the full-speech, I'd rather play with text-only than with speech and no text.

Will not play  >:(
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Ali on Sun 04/04/2010 01:29:40
*Checks to make sure April Fools is over - concludes InCreator is serious*

Press Ctrl-T to bring up text!

I think this deluxe edition is a worthy improvement, and the desert screenshot is one of the best backgrounds in the Jordon opus.

The only thing that niggles me is that the medicine man doesn't quite sound Scottish, except when he says "Take care of yourself, laddie". Otherwise the voice acting is some of the most enjoyable in AGS games.
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Sun 04/04/2010 03:53:54
I found that odd as well, Ali, especially since I've HEARD Francisco do Connery on tokbox and he's quite good at the voice normally!  I can only conclude that he was trying for an understated performance to make it sound less like a parody and be taken more seriously.  Also, I was a bit surprised by the lack of text next to the portraits as well, especially since half the time I will read the text more quickly than the voice and want to skip to the next line (bypassing filler) so the lack of text with speech was a bit odd but not bothersome.
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Buckethead on Sun 04/04/2010 14:48:12
it actually says that you need to use CTRL+T to switch through the speech modes when you click on the help in game.  :)
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: InCreator on Mon 05/04/2010 00:33:31
 :D
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: Bjyman on Sat 17/04/2010 02:41:00
With the exception of the barista puzzle I like the original one better. One character just makes me want to throw up.
Title: Re: Ben Jordan Case 2 Deluxe
Post by: paolo on Sun 18/04/2010 10:32:00
I've just finished this. Congratulations, Grundislav - the remastering was really worth it, and the gameplay is now much more solid.

One question:
Spoiler

I see Mama was voiced by a man. I thought she was a man in drag the first time I saw her portrait... Was this intentional, I wonder?
[close]

...and one quibble wrapped up in a compliment:
Spoiler

I liked the song-writing puzzle because it was original and you had to let it develop before you could solve it, but they are similes, not metaphors.
[close]