Good God!

[Pogwizd]

Me and my wife would like to present our first game: Good God!

Story: If there is one thing Zosia really hates about her younger brother, Bartek, it would be the fact that he always copies everything she does. Every time she picks up a new hobby, you can be sure that a couple of days later her brother will do the same. Can you imagine how frustrating it must be? A couple of days ago, Zosia’s grandfather sparked her interest in Slavic Mythology which she absolutely fell in love with.
Although Bartek doesn’t know anything about Slavic Mythology, it’s just a matter of time when he comes to Zosia claiming to be an expert on the subject. When that happens, Zosia might need your help...

About: Good God! is a short adventure game developed in AGS. It offers up to an hour long gameplay and features a Game Boy-inspired artstyle, although the mechanics and controls are of a point'n'click game.

Note: the game uses Slavic paganism as one of its main themes but it's not meant to be treated seriously or as a reliable source of information.

Note 2: the game originally was supposed to be submitted in the October 2019 MAGS, but we simply ran out of time : )

Link: https://lazy-squirrel.itch.io/good-god

Any comments about what you think of the game are welcome : )

 

[Laura Hunt]

This looks super cool! Downloading as we speak

Just a tip, though: a lot of people here don't like .exe files, so maybe it'd be a good idea to offer an alternative download as a .zip

[Pogwizd]

Thanks Laura I hope you will enjoy the game.

Also, thanks for the tip. I've added a .rar file with the game, too. I think there is no need for the .exe file but I wanted to have a proper installation wizard. Out of whim, I guess

[lorenzo]

Nice to see the game finished, congratulations on the release!
I was looking forward to it, can't wait to play it!

[Pogwizd]

Thanks lorenzo! I am relieved to see it finished myself because the last few weeks have been all about bug fixing, filling the gaps in the dialogues and pulling my own hair out of frustration... Anyway, I hope you will enjoy it

[lorenzo]

I've just finished the game, it was really nice!

I liked the two brothers, their dialogues were quite funny.

Spoiler

The ending, also, made me laugh.

[close]

Graphics are nice and clean, with a pleasant colour palette. Puzzles weren't difficult, but logical.

My main criticism is the player's walk speed, which is a bit too slow.

Spoiler

It's especially noticeable during the table puzzle.

[close]

But it never gets too annoying, because of the game's length.

All in all, a short but fun game! And I've learned something about Slavic Mythology by playing it.

[Laura Hunt]

I've played it too, and...

Spoiler

I haven't managed to finish it.

When I carved the name on the desk, she said the pendulum is not sharp enough to carve anything, so I went crazy looking all over for something to sharpen it. But then I was allowed to do the table puzzle, so I guess I did the carving part successfully, but the message certainly seems to imply that the task is not finished.

As to the table, I went around three times, she said "That should do it", and then... nothing. I've been wandering around the house trying everything on everything, and nothing happens. No ending, no new interactions, nothing. It's very frustrating and ended up making me quit the game despite in theory having completed all three puzzles.

(Also, even if you've walked around the table three times and the "That should do it" line has been triggered, she still keeps saying something like "maybe I should go around three times?" every time you look at it. If the task is finished, I feel that the message should change.)

So... that's my impression, I'm afraid. The visuals are cute, the music fits well, but you're sometimes left with no idea what to do.

And a couple of little things: there are a couple of typos (one is "summonung" and the other I can't remember right now, but it's in the initial dialogue with your mother), and if you walk all the way to the right or left of the screen, half of the character's body will be hanging out of the room boundaries.

A nice little first game for sure, but it needs a bit more... polish (ba dum tss)

[close]

[lorenzo]

Spoiler

When I carved the name on the desk, she said the pendulum is not sharp enough to carve anything, so I went crazy looking all over for something to sharpen it. But then I was allowed to do the table puzzle, so I guess I did the carving part successfully, but the message certainly seems to imply that the task is not finished.

As to the table, I went around three times, she said "That should do it", and then... nothing. I've been wandering around the house trying everything on everything, and nothing happens. No ending, no new interactions, nothing. It's very frustrating and ended up making me quit the game despite in theory having completed all three puzzles.

[close]

Yes, that's what happened to me too at first.

Spoiler

You can find a tool to sharpen the pendulum in the kitchen, last cabinet on the right.

[close]

[Laura Hunt]

Spoiler

When I carved the name on the desk, she said the pendulum is not sharp enough to carve anything, so I went crazy looking all over for something to sharpen it. But then I was allowed to do the table puzzle, so I guess I did the carving part successfully, but the message certainly seems to imply that the task is not finished.

As to the table, I went around three times, she said "That should do it", and then... nothing. I've been wandering around the house trying everything on everything, and nothing happens. No ending, no new interactions, nothing. It's very frustrating and ended up making me quit the game despite in theory having completed all three puzzles.

[close]

Yes, that's what happened to me too at first.

Spoiler

You can find a tool to sharpen the pendulum in the kitchen, last cabinet on the right.

[close]

Spoiler

I swear I've clicked on everything like three or four times and never found that I'll try, thanks lorenzo!

In any case, this is another gameplay issue: I don't think you should be allowed to do the table puzzle without having completed the two previous ones first: after all, the list implies that there is a specific order in which you need to do the steps for the ritual.

[close]

[lorenzo]

Laura Hunt:

Spoiler

Be sure to look at it, first. Then you can use the pendulum with the cabinet. You can't actually pick up the sharpening knife.

[close]

[Pogwizd]

First of all, thank you guys for playing our game and for your comments. It's always interesting to hear what others think about your work (be it a game, a short story or a painting), because then you always learn something new about it

@lorenzo: I'm more than pleased to hear you enjoyed the game and the graphics. We tried to make it simple but consistent
When I've got a minute I will try to add an option to adjust characters' walking speed.

@laura hunt: I'm sorry to hear you couldn't finish the game...

Spoiler

...however, as lorenzo pointed it out, the pendulum can be sharpened in the kitchen.

(Also, even if you've walked around the table three times and the "That should do it" line has been triggered, she still keeps saying something like "maybe I should go around three times?" every time you look at it. If the task is finished, I feel that the message should change.)

I admit that what Zosia says after walking round the table three times is a bit enigmatic. I will try to change it, as well as the line when she inspects the table after completing the task.

In any case, this is another gameplay issue: I don't think you should be allowed to do the table puzzle without having completed the two previous ones first: after all, the list implies that there is a specific order in which you need to do the steps for the ritual.

I have only now realised that the list doesn't specify that the tasks don't have to be finished in any specific order. However, the freedom in completing the tasks in any order was intentional, as I did not want to limit the player to focus on only one at the time. In my opinion this would make the game unnecessarily longer because then the player would have to inspect the whole environment three times to find the solution for each task. Besides, I drew on other point'n'click games where you often are given a list of things to do which you can complete in any order (or rather in the order that depends on how lucky you are with finding items ). Anyway, I admit that the list dosen't say that there is no order. I'll will try to add it. I will also try to update the line said by Zosia when reading the list again, so she mentions which tasks have been completed

This being said, I hope it won't discourage you from finishing the game

[close]

[Pogwizd]

I have uploaded a new version of the game.

Changes made:

Spoiler

1. The list specifies the order (or rather the lack of it).
2. Zosia says specifically that a task has been completed (including when she finishes the one with the table).
3. At any point of the game, the player can check what tasks are left by inspecting the list.
4. When joining the list with the table after completing the task, Zosia says that there's no point in doing it again.

[close]

[Laura Hunt]

I managed to finish it thanks to lorenzo's tip (I must be totally blind to have missed that!) and I LOVED the ending. I actually laughed aloud!

A really sweet game overall, despite the initial hiccups. Congratulations!

[KyriakosCH]

Looks very cool ^_^

Congratulations on finishing your first game!

[Pogwizd]

@Laura Hunt: I am really glad you managed to finish it. But I am particularly happy that you enjoyed the ending 

@KyriakosCH: I am happy to hear you like the artstyle. Hope you will enjoy the game too

[Racoon]

Hey, congrats on finishing your game. It is a very cute game with a lot of charm. Everything fits together very well.

Spoiler

By the way, I also got stuck at the carving puzzle. It kind of irritated me that when interacting with the cabinet I think it says something in the context of :I don´t need anything from here.

I loved the circling around the table puzzle, it seemed really original to me:)

[close]

[Pogwizd]

It is a very cute game with a lot of charm. Everything fits together very well.

Racoon, I really appreciate you saying that. It's our first game and we did our best to make a game that feels "right". I'm glad you enjoyed it

Spoiler

I'm sorry you got annoyed by the carving puzzle. The line Zosia says when interacting with the cabinet for the first time is by design. We didn't want to make a hint that this particular cupboard will be important later on, because it is a part of the puzzle to remember where the sharpener was. However, when interacting with the cabinet after trying to carve the name out and after inspecting it first, Zosia mentions that she may find the sharpener handy.

[close]

[ukz530]

congratulations on the release!  I just finished playing the game.

Spoiler

I was also confused several times in the table puzzle.
I've been turning the other way and wandering around many times. lol

actually, It was different because I was not used to English.
But I finished the game without any hint and enjoyed it.

I didn't know about Slavic mythology, but it was an opportunity to look for it. It was a good time. Thank you.

[close]

[Pogwizd]

It was a good time. Thank you.

ukz530, thank you for checking out our little game! Providing a bit of fun was our main objective

[Shadow1000]

I played this game last night. I have to preface by saying that I played the current release, so perhaps some of the concerns expressed a month ago have been solved.

- Cute idea and art style
- I found the game to be fun and the puzzles straightforward and reasonable.

I have to confess to spending about 40 minutes after completing the game reading Wikipedia to find out about Slavic paganism. I knew nothing about the topic before the game.

[Pogwizd]

Shadow1000!,
many thanks for checking out our little game! Also, it's really great that the game sparked your interest in Slavic mythology.

Btw, just for the record, I'm not an expert on the subject myself. To tell the truth, I just happened to be reading a book about it when the October 2019 MAGS started, hence the theme of the game

[LimpingFish]

Just a moderator test. I'll leave this post here, as it seems to fix the problem.

[sthomannch]

This was a funny little game, nice style and cute little riddles, not too difficult. With looking a few times and re-trying you can surmount all obstacles. Well done!

[Pogwizd]

sthomannch,
Thank you! Given that this was our first game, we literally jump for joy everytime someone says they liked it

[Marcin K.]

Who calls slavic god using American vegetable? Definitely Reddit users

Nice, funny game although I would speed up character a bit. I like the graphic.

[Pogwizd]

Spoiler

Who calls slavic god using American vegetable?

Hah! You are absolutely right, I hadn't thought about that

[close]

I'm glad you enjoyed the game. I've been planning to speed the character up ever since Lorenzo mentioned it before but... other things keep getting in the way

[Marcin K.]

Hah! You are absolutely right, I hadn't thought about that

Oops! I though it was a part of the parody (like anachronisms in American movies) Nevertheless - the puzzle was fun.

Spoiler

For me the key problem was finding the dictionary - I knew the French names beforw and tried to use the potato right when I found it.

[close]

[Marcin K.]

A little off-top Once I started to draw some Slavic creatures for kids as part of educational program that did't work out.

[Pogwizd]

Oops! I though it was a part of the parody (...)

Ekhm... of course it was! I knew perfectly well what I was doing                              *I didn't*

Wow, these boards look really nice! Did you use any bestiaries as a reference to make them?
I'm really happy that such things are made because in my opinion our country's dropped the ball on the folklore.
Also, I never heard of Chmurnik, so even if the kids didn't benefit from them, I just did

[Marcin K.]

Wow, these boards look really nice! Did you use any bestiaries as a reference to make them?
I'm really happy that such things are made because in my opinion our country's dropped the ball on the folklore.
Also, I never heard of Chmurnik, so even if the kids didn't benefit from them, I just did

Seriously? Chmurnik aka Planetnik is one of the most common characters
I used many sources, mostly googlin (book of Zych & Vargas probably I had in hand for a moment).
Slavic mythology a "reversed engineering" in most part and partly completely new creations from the Romantic Period and 60s. Not much survived. Technicaly whole folklore in any place in the world is about the same: sex, weather and who's stealing food

[Pogwizd]

Nope, there was no Chmurnik/Planetnik in my bedtime stories

Slavic mythology a "reversed engineering" in most part and partly completely new creations from the Romantic Period and 60s. Not much survived.

Oh yeah I agree. What I meant is that during my childhood (and later) the pagan folklore wasn't really talked about or celebrated (maybe with the exception of the Drowning of Marzanna). Although, now I believe it's getting more and more popular (folk bands, some references in Witcher 3 etc.)

I happened upon this bestiary once at the uni but never had time to actually read it. Always wanted, though

[Crimson Wizard]

Is Kastchey also in? There's one on forums, lol

Now I got curious about this game.

[Marcin K.]

Is Kastchey also in? There's one on forums, lol

First: "WTF is Kastchey and what it has to do with this game??" You ask about the character from Slavic (Russian to be specific) folklore or the monster from the Witcher? None of them I've seen in this game but maybe Pogwizd will include him in sequel

[Crimson Wizard]

I found small bug: when you load game there's "GAME SAVED" gui on screen .

[Pogwizd]

Given the growing popularity of You Tube Let's Plays we probably shouldn't be surprised that someone made one about our little game. Well... we're surprised nonetheless. If anyone out there hasn't played the game but still would like to see how it feels, here is the video (it's a complete playthrough so... SPOILERS!):

Spoiler

[close]

I found small bug: when you load game there's "GAME SAVED" gui on screen .

Thanks Crimson! After watching the video I got a whole list of tiny bugs to fix. I will fix that one as well.

[xandmatt]

I had fun helping beta-read and playtest this. First ever game I did anything towards.

[heltenjon]

I finally got around to playing this. And I liked it, especially that you have included lots of descriptions that aren't really necessary for the gameplay, but which adds a lot to the atmosphere. Also great humour in the dialogue and funny, easy puzzles.

A nice touch was

Spoiler

that you could use the dictionary to see what every item was called in French.

[close]

[Pogwizd]

I am really glad you enjoyed the atmosphere and the game in general. We had loads of descriptions written for this game but had to scrap some of them, because otherwise the game would be awfully long!

Spoiler

I am glad you liked the idea of having a dictionary. Every person I saw playing the game never really used it this way. So who knows... maybe you are the first to have actually noticed it 

[close]

[selmiak]

and here is another longplay of this cute little game (with spoilers of course)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kV3gFMj54E

[Pogwizd]

Many thanks for taking the time to play the game and record the longplay. It feels great to have our little game featured among other AGS games on your channel.
After watching the video I realised, though, that at some point I really need to change the music to something game-ish...

[FormosaFalanster]

What a lovely game! I really liked the simple palette and art style; I am very fond of the idea of blending past genres, and your game graphically looks like a Gameboy JRPG but plays like a point and click, this is a lovely  blend. I also have a lot of respect for people who use a game as a medium to communicate their culture!

I stayed with a friend in Warsaw in January 2002 in such a unit and I could almost feel back there except the cold! What is even more admirable is that you take the grim environment of Jaruzelski era buildings and turn them into a cute Secret of Mana-ish world, I really love that a lot!

It was simple and finished in a very short time but I can tell the goal was to make a short game so no problem with that. The puzzles were actually quite original. I would advise you make a longer game using that kind of art style and maybe even the premise of turning a grim Polish suburb into a magical land! I believe there is a story to write there!

PS I used to live in LIthuania where I was introduced to the Romuva gods of the Balts, the thunder god is there called Perkunas so it is almost the same name, interesting right?

[Pogwizd]

FormosaFalanster, thank you very much for your kind words! Especially for

I also have a lot of respect for people who use a game as a medium to communicate their culture!

, as this is exactly what we wanted to do. The idea was not to be pushy or preachy but simply to show something that... I don't know... we know from our own experience and that is uncommon in the mainstream. I am not quite sure why I am "obsessed" with blocks... I think living on the 10-th floor as a child must have had some impact on me.

I would advise you make a longer game using that kind of art style and maybe even the premise of turning a grim Polish suburb into a magical land!

You just reminded me that a very (very very) long time ago I drafted an epic semi-fantasy story set in a block-ridden suburb. I think the main vilian (a dark king of some sort) was supposed to be a ring-leader of local football hooligans I wonder if I still have it somewhere. As for the art-style me and my wife have recently been watching a lot of Brandon James Greer's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u535Rr4KJM&t=114s&ab_channel=BrandonJamesGreer) vidoes, so who knows - maybe we will come back to it one day. In the meantime, though, you may try out the demo of Absurdistan. The art-style is completelly different but it's set in a universe very similar to the one of the Jaruzelski era

PS I used to live in LIthuania where I was introduced to the Romuva gods of the Balts, the thunder god is there called Perkunas so it is almost the same name, interesting right?

I am not an expert on the topic, but this sounds like the same (or very similar) deity