Posted by Tim
Sun, 22 Oct 2006 12:18:00 GMT
Since BMcC let the proverbial cat out of the bag, here’s another community project that has been going on for about a year now. Anyone can participate in the development of SPHINX, though there’s plenty of work left to do as the massive project will span over four episodes in total.
Design and production are actively discussed in the forums, while an outline for the first chapter has already been written. Background artists have a handy style guide to refer to.
With more progress, the act one might see a release some time next year.
Posted in Adventure, Previews | 3 comments
Posted by BMcC
Wed, 11 Oct 2006 09:25:00 GMT
Spurred on by the success of their first-person survival horror game/tech demo Penumbra, Frictional Games has announced they’re developing a full commercial trilogy of games in the Penumbra universe, the first of which being Penumbra: Overture.
The game is due to drop “Q1” 2007, which I guess is Spring, but I don’t really know and I don’t feel like Googling it even though I could’ve done just that instead of typing this exposition.
Through a deal with Lexicon Entertainment the game will be available “in stores world-wide” for a retail price of €19.99 (or $328.35 USD). Now you can pay to have Penumbra crash your system! Ha ha, I kid. You go, Frictional Games!
Posted in Adventure, Windows | 2 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:57:00 GMT
Sam & Max… god, what an awesome game that was. I’m excited that Telltale Games is bringing these characters back from the grave. I think the jump to 3D is alright, too. I’m not excited by the fact that it’s episodic.
You’ll be able to testdrive the first episode via GameTap on October 17th and then purchase the full game from Telltale on November 1st. Click here for the official announcement and links to some gameplay videos.
The voices for Sam & Max seem a bit off, don’t you think? Maybe I’m just too used to the ones from the original.
Posted in Adventure, Previews | Tags TelltaleGames | 3 comments
Posted by Tim
Sun, 10 Sep 2006 04:47:00 GMT
Nope, the title doesn’t refer to me or any of the other editors on TIGSource. (rather apt, though!)
In Missing, you play the role of an ex-cop investigating the disappearance of his wife and child with only a handful of clues as leads.
Most players are likely to struggle with the controls at first but persistence is rewarded with one of the best stories this year. It’s important to note that save games are only allowed in your room and nowhere else. Moving your character around can be rather confusing, though a little experimentation will solve that problem in a matter of minutes.
Tension builds up rather quickly after the protagonist settles into bed for the first night. There’s a mystery to solve and a few twists in the tale that will keep you playing right till the end.
Highly recommended, two thumbs up, and not to be missed by anyone with an interest in adventure games.
Posted in Adventure, Windows, Freeware | Tags StudioEres | 8 comments
Posted by Eos
Fri, 08 Sep 2006 23:21:00 GMT
I just finished playing the demo for the first episode of The Exchange Student by Pan Metron Ariston, which was was released recently.
This game can be read as a very clever way of satirizing games that invoke the stereotypical male desire to get laid. Because it can’t be just a particuluarly campy soap made into a point and click adventure game. No, and do you know why? Because, according to anonymous’s review on MadMonkey, Pan Metron Ariston’s initial sales statistics show that 40% of the customers so far are female gamers and therefore, they must must be on the right track.
Interesting.
Being a female gamer myself, I know how well I can relate to a 22-year-old upper-middle-class, upwardly mobile, male university student with slimy hair, who happens to think he’s a sexy beast deserving of attentions from blond, bouncy-breasted women.
In conclusion, possibly 6 men liked this game because they can identify with having to hide adult magazines under their beds. And likely 4 women liked this game because they secretly wonder what the thrill of hiding adult magazines under their pillows is like.
I don’t know if these figures are accurate. I’ve never taken a stats course before but I think I can say with certainty that my interpretation and presentation of the data is absolutely objective and completely free of bias.
Posted in Macintosh, Adventure, Windows | 8 comments
Posted by Eos
Sun, 27 Aug 2006 22:56:00 GMT
Hi there, I’m one of the slew of new writers here. Derek, desperate to establish a female narrative in the male-centred world of gaming, knew that he must find another authentic “girl gamer” to fulfill this task, grovelled and begged until I agreed to write for TIGSource.
The first order of business would be this game I found while reading IGDA’s Sex & Games news source. It’s
called VirtualHottie2 (NSFW). I had some trouble categorizing this one, as I am new (any constructive criticisms or comments for the newbie would be appreciated!). Anyway, I just could not figure out whether it belongs in “Adventure” or “Shooters?”
So this piece really is not just another reaffirmation of how well sex sells, it will revolutionize the way beer-guzzling is animated. You can enjoy the “stunning detail and 3d animation” here.
Also, Clickable Culture gives a stellar example of their stunning artwork.
I read somewhere that these types of games don’t usually succeed because gamers condemn the terrible gameplay and apparently everyone else is too shocked at the content to buy such a game. But the first game must have been extraordinarily orgasmic for them to make a sequel.
Posted in Adventure, Community, Previews | 10 comments
Posted by Tim
Wed, 23 Aug 2006 15:17:00 GMT
Park it under the late news department, a demo for The Silver Lining is out. This King’s Quest sequel had been the debate of many but with Vivendi’s approval it was then elevated to a partially official status.
The developers have gone the route of impressing with 3D graphics instead of concentrating on telling a story. Character models don’t look too good either. Fairly disappointing to play, especially when just about everyone had such high expectations for it.
I’m certain that Matt will disagree with us. Placing a ‘save King’s Quest XI’ banner on TIGSource? After trying out the demo, this game really does need saving from being a mediocre adventure riding on the name of a famous series.
Posted in Adventure, Windows, Freeware | 19 comments
Posted by Tim
Mon, 21 Aug 2006 20:23:00 GMT
The Exchange Student is a new episodic adventure game much like Telltale’s Bone adventures and the upcoming Sam and Max. In it, you assume the role of a twenty-two year old Italian casanova using a student exchange program as a cover for attempting to bed hot Swedish girls. If you’re thinking Leisure Suit Larry, then you’re partly right.
The game uses a verb coin interface (renamed “Amore”) most commonly found in classic Lucasart productions. Voice work is impressive considering the cast they had roped in, sounding much better than Himalaya Studios’ debut effort. No demo available yet, but a 50MB trailer showing quite a bit of in-game footage can be downloaded from the official web site. The first episode is set to be released soon.
Posted in Macintosh, Adventure, Windows, Previews | 1 comment
Posted by Derek Yu
Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:36:00 GMT
Façade, the AI-driven interactive fiction game that puts you in the middle of a uncomfortable dinner party, is now available for Mac. Provided you have a 2.0GHz G4 or G5 (or better), you MacHeads can try out the game that the New York Times apparently called “the future of video games.” Which I think was a bit premature, considering that this is the future of video games right here.
But really though, the game’s AI and text parser are pretty impressive, so you should check it out.
(Source: Insert Credit)
Posted in Macintosh, Interactive Fiction, Adventure, Windows | 5 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Wed, 09 Aug 2006 11:01:00 GMT
Something Awful’s Flash Tub is usually one of the more worthwhile features on that site, and this week is no exception, because everything else is pretty crummy. The Stupid Room is kinda-fun adventure game that features some not-too-annoying voiceovers and some decent video game references. Two very mediocre thumbs sideways!
(Actually, to be honest, I thought it was pretty amusing.)
Posted in Browser Games, Adventure | 3 comments
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