Messages

Guys, I understand and I have modified my profile name for your convenience. I hope it helps.

Thank you Kh4n! Looking at the feedback so far, people do seem to enjoy the puzzles (which is awesome, given I had thought I wasn't very good at puzzle design) so if I manage to release a finished version there is definitely going to be more focus on that aspect.

Thanks LostTrainDude! That's really inspiring... I don't want to make promises because you know all too well how this usually ends , but I'm at least *hoping* to expand the game a little after this month's voting phase.

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For a short game, I would have preferred fewer items in the inventory. I hope there will be a long version developed later because it's an interesting storyline.

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Thank you for your comments. I will surely be releasing a more polished version after the 16th to address all the issues pointed out by reviewers (missing interactions, rushed graphics etc.). I don't know yet if I will manage to extend the actual content, but we'll see!
As for the

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the number of inventory items, there was supposed to be a third puzzle "hub" after the rope and the glass pane and these items were meant to be used for that purpose. I barely managed two "hubs" but the items stayed. I hope it doesn't look too much as if I was trying to artificially increase the difficulty level by adding tons junk that doesn't do anything...

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Thank you!

There is also a playthrough video uploaded by selmiak should anyone need a full walkthrough.

Hey there, no, there was a bug that was fixed later. Apologies for the inconvenience, please re-download the fixed version from here.
It will need to be replayed, too. Sorry about that!

Open for everyone now hopefully means everyone, not just the participants..? /looks around nervously

I just wanted to drop by to say that it was a really entertaining and exciting read, well done guys. Don't worry about losing, or winning too easily, or not managing to tip the balance with your powers. It was a great show, and as a mere observer I really did feel everyone participated and contributed equally well.

And Sinitrena, that was some beautiful storytelling, can't wait for more!

Well that's MAGS for you Sorry for the cliffhanger.
But it's always nice to get a seal of approval from a fan of the horror genre, so thank you =)

Thanks for the feedback, Buckethead. I'd be very interested to hear which items were harder to read so I can address this in the post-maggie polished version. A pm with more detailed feedback would be great if you could spare some time

Regarding the puzzles, puzzle dependency charts have helped me a lot. It's a bit hard to get started but once you get it going, the dots really start connecting. Listing out every single thing you can think of that may be found in your chosen settings helps too.

If it powers up and flashes normally then the first thing I'd do is connect an external display (even a TV would do if you have a matching socket) to see if it's not any part of the built-in display that died, but if you're taking it to a repair shop they will check it for you.

Best of luck getting it sorted!

imsomnia212, that Neverending Story cover looks absolutely stunning. Such a pity you lost the files... Was the demo based on the book, or the film?

Hint:

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You need something to drop down onto, something sturdy and close enough to the bent plate.

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Solution:

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Interact with the barrels directly underneath.

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Was the hotspot at the bottom of the room to get back to the hallway too small?

I think the issue was not with the size of the hotspot but with the placement of it, at least that was my impression.
When you enter the room with the front door, it looks as if you entered from the doorway on the right rather than the area at the bottom of the screen. It may be just me though.

@cat: Thank you for your feedback! Glad you liked the game. As for

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combining the inventory items both ways, yes, this is something I will want to address after MAGS is finished. I tried to script interactions both ways as much as I can, but as there is quite a lot of items the interactions work two ways for maybe half of them, at the very best so you definitely have a point there.

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/hits the longplay for 1 points of view

Thanks selmiak for both the video and the review in the description.
And I've just discovered how useful a playthrough video is for finding spelling errors and missing interactions

[Features]

Sgt. Reed has been tasked with descending into an abandoned underground facility, activating the power generator and opening the main entrance.
But things did not exactly work as planned...

[imgzoom]http://i67.tinypic.com/30xjxp3.png[/imgzoom]
[imgzoom]https://s8.postimg.cc/wmsxak9xx/scr01.png[/imgzoom]

DOWNLOAD (v3.1)
Download directly from Google drive
Download from Filedropper
(Watch out for fake download buttons)

Original MAGS competition version HERE

This game was made within a month for the July 2018 MAGS competition: Shocking.

Features:
* Classic point & click adventure
* Hand made pixel art and animations
* Around 40 minutes of gameplay
* Adventure/horror-esque atmosphere

Art & scripting: Kastchey
Music:
* Title screen: Audiobinger - The Darkside (freemusicarchive.org)
* In-game: Myuu - Phantom (Horror Soundscape) (thedarkpiano.com)
Sounds: Lazylids, Davilca (freesound.org)
Proof reading: Durq
Preliminary testing: Mandle, Shadow1000, slumber, selmiak
(also big thank you to everyone who reported non-critical bugs!)
Playtesting: artium
GUI module: BASS LW by Ghost
Credits module: SSH


Changelog:

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31st Jul: v1.0: initial release
01st Aug: v2.0: review following preliminary feedback, tweaked game music and fixed several interactions, improved walkcycle
02nd Aug: v2.1: critical bug fix (save/load issue)
03rd Aug: v2.2: critical bug fix (rope/combat knife issue)
30th Dec: v3.0: Final MAGS release (list of changes below)
30th Dec: v3.1: Removed debug mode. Duh.

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Changes in the final release of the MAGS version:

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*New title screen
*New GUI graphics
*Revised walkcycle
*New animations
*Proof reading
*New hotspot interactions
*All item interactions should now work two ways
*New help menu
*Bugfixes

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[Slasher]

Oh, okay There's now a hint thread started here, if you feel you're stuck at any point ask away!

And as I've finally managed to play all the other entries, here are my thoughts:

Stories of the unexpected: 'Until further notice' by Slasher

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I enjoyed the subtle humour, the part in the storage room was hilarious (I can totally see how this guy ended up doing time) and the ending was brilliant. As for the puzzles, I think I would have preferred a little less guidance, e.g. in the final safe puzzle the game would almost directly tell me which item to use next. Overall the game felt like less of a standard adventure game, more of a "guess which tool to use next out of a wide variety available", which is an interesting concept and the mini-game was a nice addition. Well done!

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The Lightning Spell by Buckethead

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I loved how the game tried (not too hard) and failed (with style) to have a storyline, and how it turned out as a sorta mixed parody of all things fantasy from classic tales to online games ("we're out of mana" ). Of course, more focus on puzzles would have made the game even more fun but in a way, the trivial-obscure puzzles work in favour of the game because they fit the overall silliness perfectly.

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WELCOME TO NOD RIVER by Mandle

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This was one sweet intro, the pixel art was lovely and the pylons growing out of the ground in the background incredibly creepy. I've watched it a few times just to see them sprouting up again.
You're not going to abandon this project are you? I want to know what those hellish pylons are!

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Pizza Calls by VampireWombat

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You know what, I liked it! Sure there wasn't much in terms of actual gameplay and the whole was very rushed, but the setting gave me sort of a surreal horror vibe which was kind of cool. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your August MAGS game.

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It wasn't an easy decision but my vote goes to

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The Lightning Spell by Buckethead. And it wasn't so much the sweet graphics that have won me over, but the humour and the dialogues. I genuinely felt an urge to replay the game just for the fun of it!

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[slumber]

@slumber So.. it does break the game, unfortunately. My apologies :< My only excuse is that the last game I scripted on my own was released in 2009...
Here is a link to the fixed version:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1p2N25CRFMhZwim8C2UrWsKI2CPmHJkua

@abstauber Many thanks for the feedback and the kind words! I'm glad the game didn't disappoint

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I have to admit that I'm a huge fan of Kastcheys work... since forever? So I'm a bit biased here.

Aww.. thank you. I'm still a fervent fan of your mad coding skills!

especially because pliers on wire work, but not the other way round etc.

I've tried to make the interactions work both ways but I was sure I didn't manage to catch all of them. Thanks, this is definitely to be addressed in a post-MAGS version!

(/me looks at the postapocalyptic snow queen)

*cough* I have a folder for that, and a remake folder for that, and a second remake folder... which makes me think you're probably right about the Snow Queen, but I'll try to do better with this one! =)

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@Shadow1000

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I wasn't expecting such detailed, well-though out puzzles.

Thank you! I'm so happy to hear this, because I thought I had trouble designing puzzles that are actually entertaining.

I got stuck at the same place as Mandle but I did get past it.

I was worried about that particular puzzle because it might have been unfair to the player as it is based on something that is not necessarily common knowledge. I tried to improve it a little bit by adding less confusing descriptions after Mandle's initial feedback so I hope it's less frustrating now.

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Yes, sounds like a bug as you

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do not need to interact with the rope anymore.

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I don't think it should affect the gameplay much but will double check. Thank you for reporting!

@abstauber: Thank you for your comments! I'll respond in more detail later but hey, the Snow Queen is still among the "in progress" folders! and at least I can now say I did a Snow Queen-themed game before it was cool.

Thanks Mandle (again!).

Below is a link to the fixed version. Tjere are no other changes so if you have managed to finish the game there is no need to re-download.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rOCWUf6oYpcDFgnQ3zUq7Oz78LFJpH_U/view?usp=drivesdk

It did, so I'm glad the save issue wasn't too off-putting.
Thanks a million for your feedback and comments, and I'm happy that you enjoyed the game overall!