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The only things that make an adventure game awful are (in the order of importance): general boredom (in lots of games), reused assets or/and puzzles (Kyrandia 1, episodic Sam & Max), walking deads (every masochist should try Kyrandia 1 and Leisure Suit Larry 2), complete lack of hints for difficult puzzles

Sometime there are also really stupid puzzles that can drive you crazy, like pushing buttons in specific order and rhythm (Fahrenheit, Galador)

Time-blocks are great (if they're properly announced by the game of course). I loved watching the game world change in Gabriel Knight and Discworld

Thanks Atelier,

The flickering does not happen on my system - it would be great if you sent me your computer config info (PM me). Also, can anyone confirm that it's happening on their hardware as well?

If you find the game too challenging, there's a walkthrough for the demo in the Hints section for people who REALLY don't have the patiance to solve the puzzles on their own. Or for those who would like to see if they have missed some cool bonus features and interations.

Thanks a lot for the feedback, Wesray. I'm looking forward to more.

About the puzzles... I'm pretty sure all of them have decent hints, but they were also meant to be a bit challenging and twisted. The main challenge is probably the fact that it's all non-linear and there's a lot of stuff to try concurrently. But remember that the verbcoin's choices: nose, axe and mouth are Franko's basic means of learning about the world around him and you should be able to figure out all puzzle solutions.

Actually I think the only really crazy interactions I've put in there consist of either optional solutions, or things you can do just for fun without having any bearing on the progress within the game.

Hotspots:
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Spoiler

the difficult to find foliage is actually a puzzle - you are told that you need to provide moonlight for the spot on the ground. So you're supposed to guess that you have too look for something high up above the ground. Still, it's a puzzle that may need refining. How difficult was it to find the foliage for you?

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-

Spoiler

The axe hotspot is in there just for fun. And you can get a hint that it is a separate hotspot if you try crushing the axe polish with the axe

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Other things:
- I kept experimenting with different fonts and colors for a long time. The text is still not always perfect, but I think it's the best I could do.
- About the visual glitches while jumping - I just run out of steam and didn't fix them as they're only a bit ugly but harmless
- I added some more descriptions lately and they should be all completely covered in the final version
- So far most people have responded positively to the music and I keep feeling strongly about picking it myself- I was looking for an unusual combination of music and visuals

I've fixed some issues people told me about and updated the demo.



changes:

- fixed the very first puzzle. It got some people frustrated. The original version requiered the player wanting to explore a bit how the game works and paying attention to a seemingly not important response of the main hero. But now

Spoiler

I have included pointers to the fact that you have to somehow force Franko reveal how to open the bag. Of course it's not exactly what happens, but the player receives a much better direction to the solution

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- fixed the problems with Bloons not flying around when he ought to in the first location. Now Bloons keeps moving if The Head is not there and keeps in place if The Head is present - just like I originally intended.

- added additional comments from the main hero as some actions triggered only silence (there still may be a couple of those)



You can download the new version from the game's page. This will be the only update for a long time, but keep the suggestions coming.

Woah, that looks amazing. Not only the quality of the production, but the character designs are just superb.

Can't wait to see it in motion.

Not in all AGS games, just those that are really worth it..

I only meant that you're very supportive of new titles. I would never suggest that you're some kind of obsessed AGS-games-(doesn't-even-matter-if-good)-wacko-completist. No, no, no, no....

Come on, people, I need some more opinions here.

And thanks for the first impressions Matti. Did you manage to finish the demo by now?

I want to play but no time for it..will do though.

I must say I was really wondering why you never reacted in any way to the demo's release (You're just too famous for being interested in every new AGS game ).

I'm looking forward to your impressions. And the demo is quite big and not that easy so secure an hour for it at least.

Come on, people, I need some more opinions here.

And thanks for the first impressions Matti. Did you manage to finish the demo by now?

Not sure if it will be worth anything to anyone, but I've put some gameplay footage on YouTube. It's the very beginning of the demo after the introduction. Beware as it contains solutions for solving the first few puzzles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XuB0RPN_eQ

beware of bad dialogue and spelling...

Bad spelling?!!! In a grammar school?!

The school's reputation is ruined in my eyes then.

The problem is that I doubt Cyrus and Mr. Matti don't play any other AGS made games than Frantic Franko. They would have noticed if that was the case with each and every AGS game they play.

Yet most people I heard back from have the save feature work perfectly on their computers.

Hey,

Anyone got a clue why saving could work on some systems, but not other ones?

I haven't modified anything from the default AGS setup (No custom-made Save GUI!)

The situation is described in detail in this thread here.

Warnings before death annoy me to be honest. As a player I like to experiment with everything new, experience everything there is. Warnings are just an additional temptation, and when my character dies it doesn't make me happier that I didn't heed them. Actually in those moments I'm hearing the game designer in my mind telling me: "Didn't I tell ya?" - not particularly pleasant.

Also, such warnings are easy to forget while you keep looking intensely for a way to progress forward - happened many times to me.

What do you think of this as a solution?

I was thinking of warnings, such as if the player clicks on the outlet with his fork, a message goes "that wouldnt be wise"....the player ignores this, and does it anyways.

i say, in this istance, the player deserves to die!

In my game Frantic Franko if you hear "that wouldn't be wise" or "that would be dangerous" you definitely need to try that specific action again. Even if in hope of watching a death scene. You probably won't die! But you can of course save the game beforehand if you truly feel endangered.

I really enjoy the talking to Atapis part. I still haven't communicated successfully anything beyond "help", but it's already fun nevertheless. The unhelpful 'No' Atapi is the most intriguing one of the bunch.

Again, the same problem  :'(

Could you tell me how does the path to the saved games folder look like? AGS has problems with reading letters that are not found in English.

EDIT: Nah. That can't be it or no other AGS game would have their save feature working as well.

If anyone has any suggestions what could be causing this problem on some systems I would be grateful.

This worries me a lot as I didn't modify the save feature in any way from its default state. Also, it works perfectly on my system and none of the beta-testers complained either.

I've uploaded a new build where I changed some basic saved games options. It would be great if someone who has this kind of problems tried it and told me if saving/loading started working. You can find it here.

Looks very true to the original Quest for Glory. Does the different sex allow for any different skills than the male hero had?

This looks like a fun game.  I'm adding it to my list of games to play.

Thanks. How high up on your list is it?

I can tell you Atapi is already being played here. With no other games standing in its way.

So what happens when you hit the restore button in the restore saved game window (F7)?