Forums

Topic: Jason Rohrer Anthology Impressions

Posts 21 to 39 of 39

Odnetnin

Well, I'll say that I definitely didn't hate it. It seems like TBD probably did, though. I need to play it more before forming a final opinion, and I haven't read you thoughts on it because I don't want to spoil it.

EDIT: Oh, and overall I liked the anthology enough to purchase the man's other game on DSiWare on impulse.

Edited on by Odnetnin

Six word TV reviews
The Worst Firework Displays of all Time

3DS Friend Code: 3093-7077-1059 | Twitter:

theblackdragon

@CB: it's just something that would take far too long to hold my interest... i've got two jobs and the forums to keep track of, and by all rights i should've been painting instead of mucking around with that game, y'know? if it were possible to do it all on my own, sure, i might like it, but depending on someone else to also stay interested for long enough to keep going doesn't really inspire me to keep going with it. If there were a way to save your progress and play in chunks here and there, or even a relay system (where you could play when you could, and your friend could play when they could if you've got different schedules), again, i might like it more, but as it stands i wouldn't be able to recommend it, myself.

Edited on by theblackdragon

BEST THREAD EVER
future of NL >:3
[16:43] James: I should learn these site rules more clearly
[16:44] LztheBlehBird: James doesn't know the rules? For shame!!!

3DS Friend Code: 3136-6802-7042 | Nintendo Network ID: gentlemen_cat | Twitter:

Philip_J_Reed

Actually I was more curious about the gameplay experience itself, as opposed to an opinion of the game. That is to say, I was unable to find much point in the endeavor at all, which makes me feel like I am missing something. The fact that you're not interested enough to keep playing is telling, though!

Philip_J_Reed

Twitter:

Odnetnin

Oh, okay. The only "point" I saw in the game was completing the tower, and I was hoping something would happen once that did, and at some point I would find out what the other player was doing.

I enjoyed how you can make the music increase and become higher quality by doing better in a BIT.TRIP mode-up type of way.

It took me a while to figure out how to make the blocks on the left turn into a certain block on the right, and when I did, it was sort of gratifying.

Six word TV reviews
The Worst Firework Displays of all Time

3DS Friend Code: 3093-7077-1059 | Twitter:

theblackdragon

@CB: ah. in that case, i found the 'gameplay' somewhat cumbersome. even in other 'artistic' titles (the Art Style and Bit.Trip series-es are what spring to mind, really) there's a very clear focus on the game and what you're doing as well as the music and stuff. in Between you're kinda left to explore and figure everything out on your own (unless you read about the game beforehand, of course, or are working together with your partner, which they specifically tell you not to do)... also, with the controls spread so far out (seriously, B and N are nowhere near W, and then having to control the arrow keys as well) it's just an added pain in the butt when you're on a roll and know what you have to do. i get that he's trying to get you to think, but he could've made getting around a bit easier on you. other 'artistic' games have featured much more fluid/intuitive controls, so there's no excuse IMO.

granted, i'd imagine it's a bit easier on the DSi, but i'm nowhere near inclined toward trying it out now that i've played the PC version, lol.

honestly, if you're correct in that there is no reward or end of the game when you've got the tower completed... seriously, it's not even a game at that point, just an interactive work of art. that's not a bad thing if it's what you're interested in, and there's certainly precedent for this kind of thing as DSiWare -- the Electroplankton series has about as much of a point on a gaming level. however, it's not really for me, and I do feel that Nintendo is doing people a disservice by advertising and selling these titles to the average joe as "games" as opposed to the works of art they are (which is exactly how i felt about Electroplankton when it hit the DSi Shop).

Edited on by theblackdragon

BEST THREAD EVER
future of NL >:3
[16:43] James: I should learn these site rules more clearly
[16:44] LztheBlehBird: James doesn't know the rules? For shame!!!

3DS Friend Code: 3136-6802-7042 | Nintendo Network ID: gentlemen_cat | Twitter:

Philip_J_Reed

Thanks guys. As bizarre as it may seem, I really enjoy reading about people's impressions of this game. It's interesting to me what comes to mind when the game forces people to reach for their own interpretations.

Also, if anyone buys this game and figures out that there's a goal apart from building the tower, please do let me know!

Philip_J_Reed

Twitter:

KnucklesSonic8

GreenAbobo wrote:

Instead of having the player just experience the game they would instead be chasing some superficial carrot on a stick. And sure you can do this in the game, focusing on your score and ignoring the message, but in the end just like a man who spends his time in pursuit of big numbers instead of a meaningful life, you can't take those big numbers with you when the game is over/you die.

That's, more or less, exactly how I felt after having just played this.

KnucklesSonic8

Philip_J_Reed

Out of curiosity, on the DSi does your friend need to buy the anthology in order to play Between with you? Or does it support download play?

Philip_J_Reed

Twitter:

Odnetnin

The following was posted in the Alt-Play Nintendo Life review comments after I had my mom play "Passage" and Panda asked me to report back her thoughts:
Okay, so she walking down the stairs because we were about to eat dinner and watch a movie when I called out, "What'd you think?" At first I was slightly irked that it seemed she hadn't been completely involved in just the "game" (not calling it high art per se, but certainly not a game) for the full five minutes, and was worried she hadn't gotten any meaning out of it.

"That was interesting," was her initial response. I had to wait for a commercial to ask her more, at which point she first commented on how surprising it was to see the spouse die. She said that even when that happened she still didn't expect her character to die as well.

I asked her if she had explored the southern portion of the screen at all and she said she did at first, but encountered an obstacle and figured the player was meant to progress along the northern path. (I have to say I love the symbolism in being discouraged by hurdles in life and taking the easy route or "normal" one at any rate.)

I took the next commercial break to explain the concept of treasures in the piece and the costs and benefits of marriage, score-wise, and she understood how every seemingly arbitrary choice in "Passage" was loaded with meaning. Frankly, I think she was just surprised and impressed that a slice of interactive entertainment (notice how I avoid the term "video game"), let alone a 16x16 pixel, $2.00, one-man production could actually communicate emotion.

And although I have immense respect for the fun and happiness games can bring, I have to say: so was I.

Six word TV reviews
The Worst Firework Displays of all Time

3DS Friend Code: 3093-7077-1059 | Twitter:

Kid_A

This is an incredible package. Haven't played Between yet, but the first two are some of the most touching, fully-realized artistic messages I've ever encountered in a game. Color me impressed

Blog: http://www.sequencebreaking.blogspot.com
3DS Friend Code: 2277-7231-5687
Now Playing: Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Kid_A

Odnetnin wrote:

Wait until you get to a certain part in Gravitation if you haven't yet. If not, well...you'll know when you experience it.

Yeah that's the one I want to go back to the most. Mostly because I loved how subtle-yet-effective its message was, but also because it feels like there was a lot I missed the first time. I haven't figured out the significance of pushing the blocks into the fireplace. Seemed to me like it was just a metaphor for work, and how it's hard to balance it with family, but something tells me there's more to it.

Blog: http://www.sequencebreaking.blogspot.com
3DS Friend Code: 2277-7231-5687
Now Playing: Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Bassman_Q

@Od- What is it? I really want to know! (Put SPOILERS around it if you feel you need to.)

Bassman_Q

Nintendo Network ID: QwikStix42

Odnetnin

@Qwikman

SPOILERS
This moment might not resonate with you like it does me, but right before you hit the roof of the game (you know, the part with an entire row of blocks over your head and Jason's initials?), there are these huge, superhuman jumps you have to make. You can only make them at the peak of your creativity, with your head on fire and everything, but the sense of empowerment in that moment is just such a far cry from the times when you have no energy that you feel like you're on top of the world and nothing can stop you. It's totally brilliant.
/SPOILER

Edited on by Odnetnin

Six word TV reviews
The Worst Firework Displays of all Time

3DS Friend Code: 3093-7077-1059 | Twitter:

Bassman_Q

@Od- Hm... interesting. I've never been able to reach the top before in any of my playthroughs but it sounds like reason enough to play it one more time. Thanks for sharing.

Bassman_Q

Nintendo Network ID: QwikStix42

This topic has been archived, no further posts can be added.