Messages

Fatman:

Spoiler

It's working now. There is indeed a way to harm the dragon with the sword. And there are two more fun segments after that. 

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Spoiler

Maybe you know that, but the dragon didn't get the memo

Kidding aside, not in my version. I tried every position with the sword when he lunges forward and always get torn. Maybe you're using a different version?

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Shadow1000

Spoiler

I read what you said and I just checked it out and it's actually another bug.
You already play the debugged version, don't worry.
But when you die you should always restart in the same room where you died and not at the very beginning.
I see that this doesn't work when you play from the very beginning, and I didn't really have to time to test it thoroughly enough, I mostly only tested every room by itself.
I fixed it now, let's see if it's good to post here.

I really appreciate your feedback though, so I sent you a fixed version to your inbox! Just so you can have some fun playing it to the end!

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Stupot

Spoiler

Hi Stupot.
I noticed from some feedback that there are some bugs that when the character is killed off he does not restart from the beginning of the current level, but the player is forced to start from the beginning or restart the game when it bugs.
So I fixed it.
I created a game profile of the game on this website in the meantime.
Is that considered an official bug for re-post, so I can post the link?
Else I wait for after voting deadline I don't mind, it's just for fun anyways

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Still no go...

Spoiler

The character does regenerate after dying, so you're getting there.
but:

- Still no functioning Save/Load
- Still no way to harm the dragon. You can spend an infinite amount of time shielding fireballs but there's no way to attack or hurt the dragon. I tried with the sword but got torn to pieces.

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Good luck!

Shadow1000:

Spoiler

For some clarification of problems you described:
The character speech is probably quite small to read everything, but as Fatman says, in the bat cave you only fight the male bats (the ones with a slightly blue dot on the front). The others don't attack.

Have you played the debugged version of the game?
Just so you understand, you have to take ALL 5 lifes from the dragon to beat him, that's probably why you weren't able to do it.

There is some good stuff coming after the dragon!

And you're right, it's better if the autosave is after the tutorial in a future version of the game.

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I didn't know there was a debugged version of the game. Does it allow you to save and load?

Spoiler

When I play, there doesn't seem to be a way to get past the dragon. He fireballs a few times and it's easy to shield, but then he extends his head and it's game over, right back to the beginning tutorial. I'd be willing to try again if I didn't need to start from the bat cave again

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I did see the part that says that only male bats will attack but I did not see the part that they are marked with a blue dot. I played again and I do see that some have a blue dot but realistically it's close to impossible to tell because they are moving.

[Sandi Knievel: Stunt Rider]

Wow...7 entries! I played all of them and here are my thoughts:


Sandi Knievel: Stunt Rider

Spoiler

This game was a lot of fun! It actually did give that tense feeling to see if the character will succceed the jump. Overall I had a good time playing but the strategy was very trial and error - take a guess, when you fail you're told what you did wrong and try again.

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Brothers & Wreckers - Episode 7

Spoiler

Also a fun arcade sequence. I got the hang after a few minutes and it was over. Albeit short, a good MAGS entry. I'd personally rather see something fairly complete than something overly ambitious that doesn't quite work.

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Barn Runner: Pucker Factor

Spoiler

I liked the variety of this game and how it moved in phases, from a dialogue-based dating sim, to an arcade sequence to a maze game. I know that when you start you're given the choice of cutting back on the dialogue but it just was too much and not my thing

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The Mind

Spoiler

Good idea, graphics and animations! I played a few rounds and then lost. I just didn't feel the patience to want to play a computer-based card game

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Whack-A-Soul

Spoiler

Sweet game! I had a few smiles and chuckles and love the little comments of the souls as you whack them. Nice voice-overs! A bit too easy - my first time through I did not miss any souls. I played again and saw that sometimes when you hit one soul, another one disappears?

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Dangerous Derek's Livestream

Spoiler

Awesome in every aspect! fun, but not too difficult puzzles. I think I was laughing almost the entire time I played. The theme is absolutely hilarious and a great parody of the stupidity people pull on YouTube these days. Good sound effects, graphics and animation really polish up this little gem and very impressive for a MAGS entry

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FATMAN - The Survival Tale of Jim Woods

Spoiler

Meets the theme of the month. Decent graphics and animation. The gameplay was a bit awkward and the game had an overall unfinished feel. Some examples: I didn't really have a feel as to whether a bat was in my "range" or not. I speculated that you have to be on the same Z-plane as the bat but there's really no way to tell. The save and load didn't really work for me, either. A game where you can die should have a functioning save/load, especially when you have to go through the first few minutes of tutorial each time (ok, probably more like a minute but still...). I couldn't pass the dragon. It says that I have a few lives on the bottom but as soon as you get out, the character stays mutilated and the dragon's head seems to break off and float in the air?

Overall a good idea but I think it needs some fine-tuning to get out some kinks

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FATMAN - The Survival Tale of Jim Woods v2.0

Spoiler

A multi-phase survival game with decent graphics and animation. Could be polished up with some sound effects and animation, especially when the player dies or harms an enemy as well as a save/load. I don't want to give away too much but it's an interesting mix between attack, defense, and figuring out what to do on each level. Overall, quite playable and enjoyable

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My vote (in case you couldn't tell) went to

Spoiler

Dangerous Derek. I think that all other things being equal, a good puzzle solver game with inventory and dialogues will top my list. This one has a brilliant theme, clever puzzles and overall polish that you rarely see in a MAGS entry

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Really well done.

That was awesome! Really, I think I was laughing from beginning to end. Good graphics and animations -  you name it. Thanks for the game.

I'm not going to comment on the graphics or animation because I think others have done that. I realize this release is a first attempt to use AGS so I just want to make one small suggestion as to how to improve your game development.

I felt a lack of goal or objective in this game. Most games will range from having an elaborate cut-scene style intro explaining who you are and what you want to do or at least a one line "help Johnny find his keys". I felt this game was a lot of wandering around a lot of rooms, finding small objectives here and there. I gave up when

Spoiler

I met someone hungry and thirsty, I gave him a hamburger and a drink, and then he was hungry and thirsty

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because of the overall lack of polish of the game, and similar things in the game (e.g. people telling you to do something and continuing to do so after you complete the task) combined with an overall lack of direction, I stopped playing.

My goal is not to criticize but more to help give you something to think about for your next release. Good luck!

Amazing job! Extra congrats for winning the MAGS on your first entry. I look forward to more games from JackPutter.

[Frozen Kingdom]

Spoiler

That was one of the major problems and you are expected to amend script lines.

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In that case, I've cast my vote.

Frozen Kingdom

Spoiler

Nice game! Great application of the theme. I liked that there were so many areas and things to do. The game was designed well with good flow (can't go where you're not supposed to yet) and I found it overall enjoyable. The graphics and animations were really pleasing for the most part although some parts looked a bit out of place, such as the blacksmith who didn't look like the graphic was consistent. Good story and puzzles. Very impressive for such a fast release

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The Frozen Shore

Spoiler

Great application of the theme. I liked the non-verbal communication. Good graphics and animation. Unfortunately, as some have pointed out, it was essentially one puzzle but I have to admit to smiling and chuckling when I got the boat going. I did enjoy it overall, despite the length.

Most important of all, CONGRATS on your first AGS game! Everyone starts somewhere and if this is your first, I really anticipate some awesome releases from you when you have the time to dedicate!

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Unfreeze

Spoiler

Intriguing story, impressive voice acting and music. Good graphics and animations. Incomplete and unplayable the way it is, as others have pointed out. I don't know if uncompiled games that require the player to modify code are admissible in the competition but Cassie was kind enough to compile it after the release so I'll overlook the uncompiled aspect.

I see the potential but my friendly advice would have been to take your idea and consider the time constraints of the competition and been more ambitious in a game that compiles and runs error free with a good story and puzzles rather on something so slick that might have been more appropriate for a long-term project with more participants

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My vote went straight to

Spoiler

Frozen Kingdom and something tells me that Slasher's going to nab this month's competition again

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Regarding Unfreeze:

I started playing but I keep hitting a snag where the cursor turns into the shoe icon and I cannot turn it back to allow me to look or use or any other icon. I must have restarted four times. Is there a solution to this?

@Slasher:

Thanks for the heads up. I'll bear that in mind!

@Cassie:

Thanks for the compile. I'll check it out when I have time later.

@TheManInBoots

Thanks for the explanation. I don't have the AGS game editor as I've never needed it to play anything released, competition or otherwise. Thankfully Cassie compiled it so I can check it out.

@Stupot:

Are there any regulations in the competition that define an acceptable entry, including at least being compiled and able to run "as is"?

I have no idea how to play Unfreeze and I don't see any instructions here or in the folder. I tried the different links and downloaded it and opened it three times into a folder over 2 GB and I only see a few dozen files that I can't open. I don't see any executable or readme or place to start. How is this entry to be played?

Thank you

I completed the game. Absolutely bizarre! I suppose that's the goal - to get into the mind of that disturbed individual.

I had the pleasure of being a beta tester on this game back in July.

I'll post some of the comments that I gave the authors here:

...this game is excellent in every area. Graphics, mood, game system, environment, story, puzzles, animation, music, immersion, this game is nothing short of top notch. Not just a point and click adventure, you put in a zombie-shooter game with leveling up system built into the game. AWESOME! It's mind blowing how much work must have gone into it, not just with the details but with the planning and everything.

There's a lot more that I would want to say about the game but it would require getting into details of some of the puzzles and I definitely don't want to give anything away.

Enjoy the game!

Congratulations on the win. I already made my comments on this outstanding games. Looking forward to more!

[Create your own game: Your dreamy Christmas by Slasher]

All three of this month's entries are awesome, but in my mind there is a clear winner:

Create your own game: Your dreamy Christmas by Slasher

Spoiler

Great adaptation of the theme; it's really like having the possibility of a whole bunch of completely different games under one roof based on the player's decisions. In fact, this is probably the one of the batch that stands out of the group for adaptation of the theme. Very slasher-esque graphics and room-specific puzzles. I know it's just a game but I found the theme culturally mismatched of the Prince of Persia looking for a Christmas tree? Otherwise, great entry.

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A Christmas Ghost by Racoon

Spoiler

BEAUTIFUL graphics, and who can't feel moved by a lonely old lady finding company to celebrate Christmas? This one also gives the player options so it meets the theme of the month but not as much as slasher's entry.

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A Christmas Nightmare by Alan v.Drake

Spoiler

I'm going to jump to the end here: I can only think of one other MAGS entry of all time that is SO complete in terms of story, puzzles, art, design, dialogues, creativity, amount of content created in such a short time, you name it. It looks like Alan v. Drake did this with no help? If so, then I am completely speechless. I especially enjoyed the book-man and broom puzzles. It's rare to see such well-designed puzzles in a MAGS entry. And without giving away too much, the choices definitely change the game. I LOVED the Christmas music.  My only uncertainty is that the game actually flashes and turns off when it does. I actually thought at first "WHAT?? THAT WAS IT??" until I realized...I'm not sure if I feel that this choice was brilliant or should be changed so as not to dissuade some players who don't realize that things are just beginning...

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In case you couldn't tell, my vote goes straight to

Spoiler

A Christmas Nightmare

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Shadow

Spoiler

Did you manage to find the manager?  Lorenzo is right, he hasn't moved since he asked you for the tequila.  And you only need to go into the arcade to give Deryl her hat (although it shouldn't be crashing at all).   

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To those of you that are experiencing crashes, I'm sorry it's happening.   
I'm trying to figure out what's causing it to crash, but it's tricky since I'm not seeing any crashes myself.   

I restored from a saved game and found him. I did the next quest and then got a crash in the kitchen area.

I spent a lot of time playing this and it's overall a really good game, especially for a first release!

The gameplay is a nice twist on the "complete the list" theme and any rock lover would be able to relate to this. I found there to be a LOT of walking (I set the game speed to the fastest) and a lot of the game environment is repetitive (i.e. a lot of similar rooms with similar decor and bathrooms). The flow of the game is pretty good, with being given tasks by characters you meet.

Unfortunately, I did not finish the game. I found that I was spending too much time restoring from crashes rather than playing that I felt that I would pass on this one until the bugs are ironed out.

As I said, great effort and great idea for a first game. I do hope to see more releases from this author.

Spoiler

That's strange! The manager should be waiting for you in the hallway where he asked for the tequila.

I believe you only need to go to the arcade to give Deryl her hat.

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I tried your trick of restoring from a backup and it worked. I was able to play for a few more minutes before the next crash. I think I'm going to pass on this, unfortunately.

I finished the game and absolutely loved it. I noted the attention to the graphics and having sounds play for almost every action. The story and length and pace are all to perfection.

I did like the cultural feel of an English bobby but considering the international audience, I'm not sure if the slang was overdone. There were a lot of expressions I was just not familiar with.

The puzzles were fun and on the easier side. I never felt frustrated or on the verge of giving up.

As far as the point system, my points disappeared sometime during the game. I'm not sure how that happened. I also agree with a previous post that there should be a way to adjust the walk speed.

Overall, it really reminded me of my Amiga games circa late-80s. Thanks for the fun!

Spoiler

I got the tequila and I can't find the manager. I checked every room except for the arcade. I can't enter the arcade because the game crashes with an error when I approach the door.

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Any suggestions?