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* World of Horror is out of early access! The weird, niche, passion project by a solo dev making a game pixel by pixel in MS Paint is finally done. I need to replay it. I mostly played it in early access before it was possible to save game files. Release trailer for the game CW: horror, body horror.
It's really unique and compelling. But, some people will want to play it, some people will want to watch a youtube essay instead and for some it will not be their cup of tea. It's like if someone tried to adapt a horror manga into a video game back in 1995. It's a very specific vibe.
* Slay the Princess is finally out after some annoying hiccups and radio silence from Steam that caused delays for the devs. They were supposed to launch during an indie showcase and entirely missed the window. It's the same creative team is behind Scarlet Hollow, one of my favorite games of all time, but this is just not clicking with me so far. It's possible once I play it more it will click and I will be singing a very different tune.
I am very in the minority here, both critical and player reviews have been overwhelmingly glowing. I am so happy for the devs and fandom that this seems to be a smash hit, but I am just sitting here shrugging.
* I've finally bought The Excavation of Hobb's Barrow. My expectations were that I'd love the art, story and characters, but hate the gameplay and engine. So far, that's exactly what's happening. I caved and bought it because it's got 2 actors from Baldur's Gate in it. Dave Jones (Halsin) talked in an interview about how a review of the game went off topic to just ramble about how sexy his voice was. He also talked about working with Samantha Béart (Karlach) on the game. Turns out, Sam voices the main character! It's not their Karlach voice but, wow, that is definitely Sam.
I will finish it, but I am taking it one small chunk at a time.
I want to love it, but I've already wound up in a situation where I needed to click something... don't know what... and most things I click on the game is all 'why would I want that?' And, you need to exhaust all dialogue options rather than choosing them. I hate these game mechanics, and really think that at least giving the twenty odd irrelevant objects in a room just a description instead of being all 'I *really* don't want that' on repeat would go a long way to helping the vibe if they can't switch/engine mechanics. Ironically it's Black Tabby Games (Scarlet Hollow / Slay The Princess) that are so good on marrying mechanics to the story that makes it harder for me to deal with Wadjet Eye (Hobb's Barrow / Unavowed) games. Wadget is so good on really nailing niche genres, but yeah. Meanwhile some of the ludonarrative stuff Black Tabby does is amazing. I've also run into a very surprising mechanic in STP that I think is really interesting, even if the game isn't overall clicking for me.
It's illogical, but I feel like a bad indie gamer for being so annoyed by Wadget's game mechanics. They hit a lot of niche genres and do right by them, which is rare. I can't even tell you how often I've had their project, The Blackwell Series, recced to me based on things I like. But, oh well. Also, I am not lacking for lots of games to play right now. I still have BG3 playthroughs to finish!
It's really unique and compelling. But, some people will want to play it, some people will want to watch a youtube essay instead and for some it will not be their cup of tea. It's like if someone tried to adapt a horror manga into a video game back in 1995. It's a very specific vibe.
* Slay the Princess is finally out after some annoying hiccups and radio silence from Steam that caused delays for the devs. They were supposed to launch during an indie showcase and entirely missed the window. It's the same creative team is behind Scarlet Hollow, one of my favorite games of all time, but this is just not clicking with me so far. It's possible once I play it more it will click and I will be singing a very different tune.
I am very in the minority here, both critical and player reviews have been overwhelmingly glowing. I am so happy for the devs and fandom that this seems to be a smash hit, but I am just sitting here shrugging.
* I've finally bought The Excavation of Hobb's Barrow. My expectations were that I'd love the art, story and characters, but hate the gameplay and engine. So far, that's exactly what's happening. I caved and bought it because it's got 2 actors from Baldur's Gate in it. Dave Jones (Halsin) talked in an interview about how a review of the game went off topic to just ramble about how sexy his voice was. He also talked about working with Samantha Béart (Karlach) on the game. Turns out, Sam voices the main character! It's not their Karlach voice but, wow, that is definitely Sam.
I will finish it, but I am taking it one small chunk at a time.
I want to love it, but I've already wound up in a situation where I needed to click something... don't know what... and most things I click on the game is all 'why would I want that?' And, you need to exhaust all dialogue options rather than choosing them. I hate these game mechanics, and really think that at least giving the twenty odd irrelevant objects in a room just a description instead of being all 'I *really* don't want that' on repeat would go a long way to helping the vibe if they can't switch/engine mechanics. Ironically it's Black Tabby Games (Scarlet Hollow / Slay The Princess) that are so good on marrying mechanics to the story that makes it harder for me to deal with Wadjet Eye (Hobb's Barrow / Unavowed) games. Wadget is so good on really nailing niche genres, but yeah. Meanwhile some of the ludonarrative stuff Black Tabby does is amazing. I've also run into a very surprising mechanic in STP that I think is really interesting, even if the game isn't overall clicking for me.
It's illogical, but I feel like a bad indie gamer for being so annoyed by Wadget's game mechanics. They hit a lot of niche genres and do right by them, which is rare. I can't even tell you how often I've had their project, The Blackwell Series, recced to me based on things I like. But, oh well. Also, I am not lacking for lots of games to play right now. I still have BG3 playthroughs to finish!
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Date: 2023-10-25 04:31 am (UTC)From:I have heard a lot of good things about Slay the Princess! I hope something in the continued playing makes it more appealing to you.
(I'm still excited to play Scarlet Hollow! I need to get my life in order and figure out how to make time work.)
no subject
Date: 2023-10-25 07:09 am (UTC)From:Time is very slippery!
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Date: 2023-10-26 04:16 am (UTC)From:Time is dumb!
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Date: 2023-10-26 09:23 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 02:38 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 05:21 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2023-10-28 02:42 am (UTC)From:It'd be cool if they could upgrade to something that felt a little more... idk, holistic. I don't know a TON about the different engines being used, but it sounds like an upgrade would benefit them and the end product.