STIVEN202'S PROFILE

author=Liberty
I played longer. I wouldn't say the story picks up, but at least the actual playing isn't too bad and there's a little more interest in what's happening but that's a given when the first part is so dull. It's not so much that your writing is bad (well, the technical side needs a lot of work, but the characterisation is decent) it's just that there's a lot of info dump. Cut out anything that doesn't need to be known at that point. For example, talk about her dog being dead could be left until you meet the puppy. There's no real reason to mention it before.

Also, some of it makes no sense. They say they're going to sleep, then they're having food? I thought they were having breakfast and that it was the new day OR that they were different people completely because their clothes had changed into more formal wear (and where did those come from?) and it was just very jarring and weird.

I've yet to be able to use the shooting (I assume you get a gun of some kind later) but what is there so far is pretty standard of an adventure game. It's not the best I've seen but it's far from the worst. I'd recommend making side-doors a bit easier to see, and the lighting is pretty bad - add some grey to the tints and make them lighter. Atmosphere isn't built from darkness all over the place. People need to see where they're going. I was very confused about the lights all being blue when there's actual flames being shown (the camp fire and candles). It's pretty weird.

It's a bit blah so far, but it has some promise. I'd give it a solid 2, myself, but I'm known for being a bit soft when it comes to scoring games. There's a lot that needs working on especially when it comes to the dialogue. The first part of the game has no portraits for Lily and Matt which I think is a bug, and so far there's not much to do but explore and try to find your way around.

I did want to give points for the sound direction, but not the music part of that. There's a lot of silence when it comes to background music which is jarring when it does swoop in. I recognised a fair few sounds from other horror games but at least they're put to good effect. It's one of the better things about the game. The purple face portrait was... pretty bad. I recommend using something like GIMP to make a layer and colour over the skin on that layer then use blend options so it doesn't stick out so badly.

I don't understand why you criticize the darkness of the game. That darkness helps the game to has a better atmosphere.

It is true that players must know where they are going, for that I put a neon lamp, for use and light up the environment.

Do you have played Amnesia The Dark Descent? It is a very scary game and most of its scenarios are very dark even you having gas lamp. Then will you criticize Amnesia? the game has been very successful and is one of the best rated horro games. The darkness is part of the atmosphere and helps the player feel fear.

If I put bright scenarios, the game would not fear, because the player at all times be able to know that hides in the shadows.

the game has about 5 or 6 beta testers (some youtubers) and other four people who have sent me mail or have contacted me by facebook, all these people has taken more than 6 hours to complete the game.

I appreciate all opinions, criticisms and comments and I apologize if I extend this post more than necessary.
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A few days ago I carried my laptop to university and lent it to several classmates to do some works.

At university we work in groups, and within my group (5 people) I'm the only who has a laptop. (I don't like to take it to class since there's a risk it can be stolen on the way home, but I have to do this to make class tasks in groups).

Some of them know my game and have played it, even many of them know rpg maker web sites I frecuent visit. maybe one of them got my laptop and wrote the review. Tomorrow I go to university I'll talk to them.

I usually enter many web sites from my university on my laptop.
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ok, I accept the criticism and most certainly will improve several things for future projects. I will improve for future projects. :)

author=eplipswich

author=stiven202
5 hours it took me.

Some beta testers and others who have finished my game, they sent me screenshots that shows 6 hours, even more.

360 minutes = 6 hours

the rule of three (math):

360 minutes -> 100% of the game
40 minutes -> % ?

(40 * 100) / 360 = 11.11% of the game

He doesn't play anything, practically.

And now you suddenly changed it to 6 hours? Who are you trying to kid? You clearly said 4-5 hours!! Why did you suddenly even take beta testers into account? Stop trying to find excuses.

If you take beta testers into account, then I might as well say I'll take 10 hours to complete the game.

And I said he most likely played more than 40 minutes, not 40 minutes exactly. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

EDIT: And like Red_Nova said, you're only wasting your time arguing here when you could have used this time to improve your game!

please, put minute 24:11


sidmarck (spanish youtuber) and beta tester of black winter, it tooks more than 6 hours (almost seven) to finish the game.

5 hours it took me.

Some beta testers and others who have finished my game, they sent me screenshots that shows 6 hours, even more.

360 minutes = 6 hours

the rule of three (math):

360 minutes -> 100% of the game
40 minutes -> % ?

(40 * 100) / 360 = 11.11% of the game

He doesn't play anything, practically.

author=Dragnfly
I never understood the whole "you can't review something unless you experienced 100% of it" mindset. It's just silly and I don't believe anyone who says they follow that rule themselves 100% of the time. If you go to a restaurant and the place is dirty, the waiter is rude and the appetizer has dead cockroaches in it you can sure as heck review the restaurant even if you didn't stay for dessert. You just can't honestly rate the dessert part. Just like I didn't rate the combat. Who knows, the dessert might be awesome. I'd never know because I refuse to eat dead cockroaches.

Like InfectionFiles says, watch/play/eat something you don't like and see how far you get.

don't do analogies that are irrelevant.

this is not about restaurants, this is about videogames.

look at all the web sites that analyze videogames, IGN, 3Djuegos, Kotaku, vandal, meristation, Gameplanet, etc.

all those websites do not give a final verdict until they have played 100 % of the game, they like it or not, that is a review, because a game is much, it is not only 10% of the game.

what you did was not a review, it was a "preview" or "first impressions" which are different things.

author=Bondogonzo
IDK IF THIS IS A SPOILER BUT FIRST PART CAN BE soooo...
*Spoiler alert*

Show

I stucked in the room with two buttons on the ground. They are activating spikes when u go on. Tried almost everything, but cant figure it out. I unlocked a rock with 4 statues, but cant push it to any room, dunno what to do about this.

It should be helpful to put the walkthrough in game folder just in case like this, for example. It isnt bad idea, cause people who dont want to check it, won't do it, and people who stuck, can pass through the moment they stuck, like me.

And a few of my thoughts about the game.
Light is too dark, barely can see things. Probably it was done specially but in my opinion it is too hardcore.
Doors are invisible, u need to check literally everything to find a door in a wall. Nothing to guide to the door. Sometimes u are just surprised to find it.
For this moment game doesnt look like something special, but isnt very bad. I have kind of a enjoyment when playing it.
(Sorry for my bad english too)

Rock puzzle, look this video