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It’s Another Crisis, Alright
Addit- 11/05/2014 01:58 PM
- 3986 views
A Game Made By: Puddor
Created Using: RPG Maker VX Ace
It's A: RPG Game
That Roughly Takes Around: 15 - 20 Minutes To Complete
And It's A... DEMO VERSION!!!
(As of November 2nd, 2014)
It’s funny how life can work out sometimes… One minute you’re enjoying your light, favourite crispy snack in one hand and the other moment you just managed to clumsily drop it on the floor thanks in large part to the left side of your hand being covered entirely in chocolaty covered gooey-goodness… What’s this have to do with this review - I dunno! I’m just saying this because I just dropped a bunch of chocolate covered bread sticks all over the ground, and I’m afraid to pick them up and start eating them again. I mean, I haven’t vacuumed my room in weeks! Oh well… I guess I’ll just stare at them from up here, then…
Anywhoooo – review time! As most of you haven’t been paying much attention lately around here, just a matter of a few weeks ago, at the beginning of October, a certain contest was be-thrusted upon many these past couple of fortnights, where the object was to take something that you once failed miserably at making when you were young, stupid, and possibly high, and turn that embarrassment into an semi-outstanding achievement. The name of this contest was the “Revive The Dead” event – and it was a pretty good shindig.
Of course, I failed to do anything sort of remote and live up to any sort of expectations, but at least everybody else that wasn’t entirely lazy and glued to the boobtube was able to put out something. Good for them. Makes me think I should really re-manage my time a lot better.
So what sort of “scary concoction” am I playing today? Oh, there are so many to choose from, and…
The Story
Hey, stay out of my brain!
Zoom! A battered down train carrying two unexpecting passengers are racing towards an abandoned Ominax factory where mercenaries for hire, Kumo At…Atsuuuu…ki… (god damn it – NOT AGAIN WITH THE NAMES) and Levi…Renos…are investigating a serious matter into finding out what exactly in the Levi Jeans is going on over there. It’s not quite known exactly why the factory was abandoned in the first place, but that’s where Kumo, our Cloud Strife wannabe, and Levi, the other Cloud Strife wannabe, are going in to find out, costumes and cosplay in all! Little do they soon realize the trouble that they’re getting themselves into…
Sometimes, these types of jobs aren’t really worth the five bucks in friendship…
For an introduction sequence, the story starts off quite well. There’s a lot of intrigue built up with the creepy atmosphere that’s going on and some of the character interactions that it definitely keeps you interested all the way through until the end of the demo. For those of you who haven’t played Cosplay Crisis before, the original game that this one’s loosely based off of, or its other entry, ReEvolution, you might be a little confused a little about why the two main characters in this game almost look identical to Cloud and Squall from the Final Fantasy series with no explanation why this is or not. Although, most likely, this will be covered a little down the road in a later entry, my best advice is to go into this game with prior knowledge of playing Cosplay Crisis and/or ReEvolution to get you up to speed. It’s not really required for this demo, but it kind of helps to know a little about what’s going on and not be as confused as I am still.
The dialogue…I dunno, it kind of a feels like it’s a bit stiff in some parts to me, like some of the jokes come off a bit too unsophisticated for my tastes… Then again, Cosplay Crisis was kind of similar in that regards as well. But for this type of more mature setting, at least for this part of the demo, I don’t think it really works that well… Also, Kumo and Levi sure like to squabble a lot in this demo…. There were a few times I just felt like saying, “I don’t care; let’s just get to the end and just fight the big, bad boss guy, already. Shut up, already, yous!”
The demo ends, of course, on a cliffhanger after getting your asses handed to you by some mysterious figure hiding in a water cooler that’s been following you around this whole time. A water cooler? Seriously? That kind of sounds even more ridiculous the more that I think about it.
Definitely a much different setup compared to Cosplay Crisis, that’s for sure.
The Gameplay
This tin-can’s pretty tough! But the ATB bar here will be your greatest challenge.
All I can say after playing this compared to the previous game is that this game is veeeeeerrrry different…and I’m not sure I really like it or not. Gone is the materia system that once was and gone is the way with most of the elements from the previous instalment. However, limit breaks, happily, are back, and they work pretty much the same like before, where you they can charge up and you can save them and use them for whenever you wish.
However, one thing that this game does that does discourage me a little bit is the ATB system and how it handles itself. Now, now, I understand that everything isn’t fully implemented yet, and I don’t really mind this setup at all, since it was in the first game; I just don’t like it that it doesn’t have a pause functionality when you’re in the menus trying to select something or simply just want to pause the game while you’re running to go grab the phone or something.
You see, battle time flows with EVERYTHING that’s going on. When you access the menu to select an item or a spell, the enemies can still mercilessly pound on you until you’re nothing but moon dust. In most RPG’s that use an ATB system, you have the option to wait while you’re in a menu so it gives the player a more calming demeanour during certain hectic times. There were quite a number of moments where I had to move my ass because I didn’t have time to slow down and carefully plan out my next move, which I really didn’t find being comfortable with, being rushed and all.
I also didn’t like how you couldn’t use the vending machines, especially in that one scene that Kumo talks about grabbing a soda, to buy some more healing supplies with the money you’ve already earned or even having a restore point to replenish your lost HP’s and MP’s. You actually go through your items quite a bit in this demo, so having a way to replenish your stock would have been greatly appreciated. Again, this is just a basic build, so I’m sure Puddor, here, will be addressing that later on.
The encounter rate I also found was a bit too high for my tastes. I think in one small map alone I had about five encounters to deal with. That’s pretty high, in my opinion. Luckily, the regular enemies don’t put up much of a fight, but there’s this one enemy in this one area that will catch you off guard if you’re not careful.
Also, is it just me, maybe it is, but does the movement speed and the dialogue speed seem kind of a bit slow…like, really slow? Maybe it’s just me, but this game definitely feels like it’s lagging in some departments, even during some of the menus in regards to scrolling.
The Soundtrack
O…kay.
I was actually expecting, especially after playing Cosplay Crisis, that I was in for a game that was going to be a chockfull full of Final Fantasy remixes and original tracks to boot. But, to my astonishment – that actually didn’t happen! Gone are the days when you can choose between either listening to the FF7 battle theme or FF9’s battle theme in favor of something more…industrialist? Yeah, this game’s supporting some nice, but equally creepy, industrial and dark techno and ambient tunes this time. And, you know what, they’re actually pretty good! I really like the boss and the regular battle themes; it’s like something that Neok would have probably used, and everything else really delivers itself quite well in-game. It’s not the best, sure, but it’s actually quite surprisingly good and I wasn’t expecting.
Sound effects seem to be mostly RTP with a couple of ones that I kinda of recognize from a few places. It’s not overally well used as effectively as most games, but I do like some of the ambient sound effects used in some places here or there to add to the creepiness factor. Made me think that I was playing something more along the lines like Resident Evil then I was a Final Fantasy fangame…well, sort of.
The Aesthetics
Oooo…spooky.
Very, very different...especially in regards to the original game. Gone is sort of the colorful, bright look of the original piece in favor of something a bit more…edger than before. It’s almost like a complete 180 from what I remembered before! If it wasn’t for Kumo and Levi wearing Cloud and Squall’s old apparel from their respective games, then I would have no idea that this was in relation to the original game, let alone think that this was something completely different entirely.
Mapping wise, it’s definitely a massive improvement from the original game. I remember there was a ton of little mapping issues here or there that stood out from time to time, but this game doesn’t seem to have any of those issues; everything looks great. The lighting effects from the different lights and the torch that you get are a nice touch, and even the portraits of the characters and the enemies, not to mention that sweet animated title page look absolutely fantastic! And I’m sure the rest of the game is going to look even better once Puddor’s gets her wrist back in motion and gets a-cracking on the rest of it.
The End Result
What!? Already!?!?!?
I didn’t even get to finish my popcorn… :(
I felt a bit conflicted after playing through the demo and at the same time thinking back to my earlier days of playing and reviewing Cosplay Crisis. At the time, I thought that the original game had a great concept behind it with some lovely artistic flair that just got overshadowed by all the overwhelming bugs and confusing plotline that basically made the whole experience feel almost like a negative one. With this reboot to the series, kinda, I’m not sure if I like some of the direction that this game is taking, but, alas, it is an early demo of the game and things are bound to change over time. It will be interesting to see exactly what type of form that this game will ultimately take and whether the steps taken will lead to a much greater experience than before. All I can hope for is the best.
(Please don't kill me, Puddor.)
OVERALL GRADE:
2.5 / 5 - C- ~ Passes, But Just Barely.
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Closethis review makes me really want to play this game for some reason
WHY CAN'T MY PC RUN IT
WHY
WHAT'S ITS PROBLEM >:^C
WHY CAN'T MY PC RUN IT
WHY
WHAT'S ITS PROBLEM >:^C
Thanks for the review! I really enjoyed it. However, I do want to kind of say that in terms of design, I don't really think Kumo and Levi look exactly the same? Similar, sure, but similar on the lines of Cloud and Prompto more than Cloud and Not-Cloud. At least, this is the first mention I've gotten since this game was released. I could probably take a few more deliberate steps, but aside from a fur collar and a turtleneck the designs aren't that similar.
Are they?
Are they?
Addit
6394
Oh no, I only put in that line in there for comedic relief. Of course Kumo and Levi are completely different from one another. I mean, come on, they’re both dressed differently...
And I just noticed one glaring grammar mistake as of right now. Silly me. *fixes*
This is what you get when you write this thing at 2 in the morning. X_x
Speaking of that – what possessed you to even write something like that? I mean, yeah, sure, I’ve come up with my fair share of ridiculous / cornballish lines in my time (“The Prowler only uses one hand to do his job,” lol, for example), but couldn’t you have figured out something a bit better for him to say, like, “Lock and load,” or something? No wonder why Levi doesn't like hanging around him. :/
And I just noticed one glaring grammar mistake as of right now. Silly me. *fixes*
This is what you get when you write this thing at 2 in the morning. X_x
author=Ratty524
"Buckle up, fuckboys."
Speaking of that – what possessed you to even write something like that? I mean, yeah, sure, I’ve come up with my fair share of ridiculous / cornballish lines in my time (“The Prowler only uses one hand to do his job,” lol, for example), but couldn’t you have figured out something a bit better for him to say, like, “Lock and load,” or something? No wonder why Levi doesn't like hanging around him. :/
I was meant to take it out but ended up leaving it. It's sort of a tumblr reference *shrugs*
*and i meant 'kumo and levi don't look exactly the same in comparison to cloud and squall*
different clothes, different builds, different hair cuts, facially different (though its hard to capture that- Kumo's descent is essentially a Japanese/European mix, mostly their world's Japan's equivalent, and Cloud is modelled as European. Cloud's face is longer and sharper, while Kumo has a round face) different weapons, different skillsets, different backstories. Levi shares eye colour/skintone with Squall. Kumo shares hair colour, and they share a few outfit elements (fur collar and turtleneck).
*and i meant 'kumo and levi don't look exactly the same in comparison to cloud and squall*
different clothes, different builds, different hair cuts, facially different (though its hard to capture that- Kumo's descent is essentially a Japanese/European mix, mostly their world's Japan's equivalent, and Cloud is modelled as European. Cloud's face is longer and sharper, while Kumo has a round face) different weapons, different skillsets, different backstories. Levi shares eye colour/skintone with Squall. Kumo shares hair colour, and they share a few outfit elements (fur collar and turtleneck).
Addit
6394
author=Puddor
*and i meant 'kumo and levi don't look exactly the same in comparison to cloud and squall*
Oh, okay, I see some of the differences now after taking a look at the Kumo concept art that you put up some time ago; he differently does look a lot more different compared to before. Although, yeah, Levi does still resembles Squall quite a bit still, but, like you said, it’s really only in some of his mannerisms and some of his facial features that Squall has.
author=Puddor
lets not make buckle up fuckboys the new punch me in da dick
Too late. I’m nominating that for best quote in the upcoming Wisao awards that should be coming up pretty soon. :P
(Well…whenever Liberty decides to finish up last year’s one first, that is.)
One minute you’re enjoying your light, favourite crispy snack in one hand and the other moment you just managed to clumsily drop it on the floor thanks in large part to the left side of your hand being covered entirely in chocolaty covered gooey-goodness… What’s this have to do with this review - I dunno! I’m just saying this because I just dropped a bunch of chocolate covered bread sticks all over the ground, and I’m afraid to pick them up and start eating them again. I mean, I haven’t vacuumed my room in weeks! Oh well… I guess I’ll just stare at them from up here, then…
This is gross and you're gross, boy. Clean ya damn room.
author=Ratty524
"Buckle up, fuckboys."
I actually thought that "fuckboys" had to be an Australia thing.
SobiSoft
0
Just letting you know, I am testing your game. And I will give you feedback on your game :)
This actually looks pretty good from the footage you've got up.
This actually looks pretty good from the footage you've got up.
NTC3
5625
author=Max McGeeauthor=Ratty524
"Buckle up, fuckboys."
I actually thought that "fuckboys" had to be an Australia thing.
Trust me, it isn't.
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