Messages

I am stuck at the

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force fields

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. Does anyone have a suggestion how to get past them?

SHADOW

and those are some great compliments SHadow100!,, but masterpiece?,, naah, Im no pro by any means, but hopefully this will look a bit better than the blocky, somewhat ugly MoE 3d graphics,  ;P

Well, the reason I said "could be" is because to me, a great game is mainly how well the puzzles, logic, flow, plot, and characters are developed and the graphics are only a small percentage. I've been an adventure gamer since the old classic Adventure and many other completely text-based games.

That said, because of the environment provided by what I've seen in your screens, I think that the immersion factor is really boosted. They are just so beautiful and set the tone for the game in the sense that they are just as one would picture the world to look like that it brings you right there.

I'm looking forward to playing this!

SHADOW

I have to say that I LOVE the scenes so far!

I think that they are so true to the genre and environment of the game and brilliantly rendered! If this all comes to fruition it could be the next masterpiece.

Good luck!

SHADOW

I have the authentic necklace from the pawn shop, and the Key and Photograph from the hotel room. Now I'm stuck.

One good rule when playing the game:

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if you don't know what to do, speak to Mulkin...

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SHADOW

@Shadow -> thank you kind Sir for this in-depth review!

Dude, I didn't heap the praise on highly enough! Honestly, I don't have enough words to truly reflect what a good time I had playing the game!

You can't view the profanity and sexuality among the flaws, though, because they were intended and form the total effect of the game, it's tits for tits' sake.

Notice that my heading was not "things I don't like" or "flaws", which is what I usually do when I rate a game. In this case, NONE of the points I made lessened the experience. I called them "weaknesses" just as things to think about. I had to really nit pick to find anything negative, just to be thorough.

As I said in that section, it's not a flaw, but rather an element that while perhaps makes it more fun and appealing to many people, it also reduces the audience for the game. Consider it just something to think about when analyzing the game rather than a flaw

Also, thank you for the bugs report: I will iron them out in the next version,

You're welcome. None of them really took away from the game or were serious but just to bring them to your attention

Once again, congrats on an outstanding game

SHADOW

[INTRODUCTION:]

Ok, my remarks/review now that I finished the game:

INTRODUCTION:

DONNA: Avenger of Blood is easily one of the best point and click adventure games I've played to date. With graphics suiting the overall environment, a compelling plot and some of the most logical and solvable puzzles, this is one of those must-plays that only comes around every few years. The length of the game is long enough to be considered a full-length game (although I've only been playing since Saturday but I couldn't stop till I finished!)

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE GAME:

There are two main reasons I rate the game so highly. First, as I said, the puzzles are logical enough to be solved with some thinking, trial and error and persistence. Unlike games where you just shake your head thinking "how the hell was anyone supposed to guess that", the flow and direction of the game keeps moving at a pace where you actually feel progress combined with the satisfaction of having solved a good puzzle. This experience, of course, is what makes the genre of adventure game compelling. The puzzles are generally a good balance of dialogue choices with inventory items. Many are unique to this game (at least I haven't seen them before). When stuck, there are several in-game hint resources that get your brain spinning to lead you to solve the puzzle. If I had to summarize what made this so good, I found myself almost never wondering "ok, NOW what am I supposed to do? I have no objective or anything to solve now" which is what happens in poorly-designed games.

The second strong point of the game is the plot. It's complex, unpredictable and immersive enough to make you want to keep playing without having so much detail that it becomes impossible to track (or you just don't care anymore about tracking) what's going on. Despite the length of the game, it never gets repetitive or boring. The pulse-quickening unexpected ending is well-suited for the game.

Some other appealing features:

- the photographic, dark/greyscale graphics are perfect for the game.
- The worry-meter (whatever it's called!) and blood meter add to the playabilty.
- Character development was very good
- The detail of the animation and effects was not overlooked.

WEAKNESSES OF THE GAME:

- Despite the strengths of the puzzles I mentioned, (I know I have to nit-pick to complain!) there were a few points that I was completely stumped with nothing to do and no leads. The reason for this was because I missed one detail in an animated scene. Not a good idea to have the game at a dead-end because the player sneezed.
Another was similar: I missed one small point in a dialogue and ended up having no leads as a result.

- I mentioned the dialogue combinations as being a good tool in puzzles. I found that many of the dialogue options basically get you to the same place and really did not serve much purpose to advancing the game and were just a drag.

- It's clear that a lot of effort went into the graphics and it's a pleasing style found in a number of games (I'm thinking of Raindog Story) and it works most of the time. However, at times the clipped photographs put together have a certain unappealing choppiness, particularly when there is motion.

- I'm sure that some people will disagree with this point but I'll make it anyway. Although the people playing the game, myself included, are not offended by the nudity/sexuality/language, it limits the game to a smaller audience. This game is not suited for younger players or people who find those items as offensive. Of course there are ample warnings and those people don't need to play the game, but in rating the game I have to put an element that diminishes the appeal to a wider audience in the negative column.

BUGS:(you knew this was coming!)
-

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when on the balcony next to the swimming pool, if you walk toward the hanging rope, you will keep climbing. I'm sure this is not intended!

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-

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I'll be vague here so as not to ruin it. When solving the location for the video, I actually solved the name of the location based on the hint in the note. Despite typing in the correct solution, the game told me it was wrong BECAUSE I DIDN'T first look at the photograph!

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CONCLUSION:

The amount of work and attention to detail in the plot and flow of this game, combined with creativity and excellent gameplay, polish and execution makes Donna: Avenger of Blood a compelling must-play for any adventure game fan.

Bravo, Blaze! You have a lot to be proud of!

SHADOW

welcome

The rat is to fast and the crowbar is not long enough

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bait the rat with the dead bird

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I think you haven't talked to everyone.
Some old friends?
Academic, clever ones?

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Ohhh...that....ok

Ok, it says that it's dawning and she's still sleeping and I don't want to wake her. I even tried calling her. She answers but she's still sleeping. My smoke hint is to get some sleep. I'm missing a step...

Ok, never mind. I figured that one out. There is a fair bit of guessing and trying everything in this game..

SHADOW

1) I'm stuck:

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I have the videotape but when I put it into the VCR it says that it's not working and I should ask her in the morning and it's almost dawn. I don't know how to make it become dawn. I'm sure there's something small I'm supposed to do now but I've visited every place on the map and I can't figure it out.

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2) I have a few small bugs that you might want to know about. Should I post or PM?

SHADOW

I did search "Jeremy Mulkin" online. I tried Kunduku, vampires, magdala, personal tragedy, genesis and Ernest rightwell for the phone conversation and he still won't talk to me.

Hmmm...did you try just "Mulkin"?

SHADOW

No...

D'oh! I'm so stupid!

Thanks for the tip.

LOL...most welcome...enjoy the game

SHADOW

I did search "Jeremy Mulkin" online. I tried Kunduku, vampires, magdala, personal tragedy, genesis and Ernest rightwell for the phone conversation and he still won't talk to me.

Hmmm...did you try just "Mulkin"?

SHADOW

1)

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don't worry about getting into the hotel till later

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2)

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if you want info on Mulkin to know what's interesting to him, why don't you search online? do you know where to do that?

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SHADOW

Glad I could help

SHADOW

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Do you mean on the roof with the door or with the antenna? Are you referring to the area with the satellite dish? I'm not clear from the description.  I assume the solution has to do with the antenna but nothing I own can interact with it.

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never mind...figured it out!

SHADOW

Don't feel bad; I got stuck at exactly the same place

The good news is that the rest flows quite smoothly with some imagination and logic.

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try interacting with the kite and you'll see what it really is...

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Let me know if that helps!

SHADOW

Shadow, have you tried walking to the left of the screen?

You mean to the area with the antenna?

Thanks, wiseawl! I'm stuck at the next part now...lol....but I'll figure it out (eventually)

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getting off the roof now that I blocked the door and have the cable

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SHADOW

Hah, Shadow and wiseawl, you're at the same moment it seems ;-)

Ok.

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- You can enter the  hotel only when the cops have moved to the left side with their car. If they're on the right, it's too early.





- You don't need to find the distraction until Donna says so! This is what you get for reading the hints section ;-)




- You have to try to enter the hotel first.





- By INTERACTing with the ivy grate under the open window.

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.

Yes, did all that. Still unable to do anything.

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it says that the cops are now on the left and she needs to create a distraction.

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You have to try to climb inside first to be able to ask a sexy girl for help.

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I see the

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open window and the ivy

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but no apparent way to get there.

SHADOW