TIGSource: Gun Mute

Gun Mute

Derek Yu — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:52:00 +0000

The desert sand squirms beneath your feet, alive with mutant nanomachines. Sheriff Clayton has Elias. He’s hanging him at noon.

It looks like you’re going to have to shoot some people.

So begins Gun Mute, a new interactive fiction game from Pacian, the developer of Snowblind Aces, a Text the Halls favorite.

And yeah, you’re definitely going to do a lot of shooting in this game, which may seem out of place for a text adventure. Non-linear exploration and item collection/usage are kind of the hallmarks of your “typical” IF, but in Gun Mute there are only two directions – forward and backward – and the only item you’ll ever need is your trusty six-shooter (ain’t that the truth!).

That Pacian can craft some tricky puzzles around such a limited set of actions is a testament to his abilities as a game designer. But it’s the narrative, set in a far-out futuristic Western, that keeps you hooked until the final, climactic showdown. Games like this really show off why interactive fiction is such a unique and exciting genre. Superb work!

EDIT: And if you’re stuck anywhere, you can type ‘HINT’ for hints.

"Gun Mute" by IndieJoJo

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:43:49 +0000

Wow, what a great little experience… any tips for getting all *20* points?

SPOILERS

(I only saw one opportunity to nod to Gertrude)

/SPOILERS

"Gun Mute" by Derek

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:10:06 +0000

I really enjoyed kissing Elias! His lips so soft… :O

"Gun Mute" by Terry

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:00:12 +0000

ok: I replayed the game and kissed Elias over and over again just to make you feel uncomfortable

"Gun Mute" by Ok

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:25:44 +0000

So, basically this tricks you into playing homosexual. Not saying that’s good or bad, but I am saying it’s a trick.

"Gun Mute" by George-Duckling Manburger

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:52:23 +0000

Uh, nevermind. I figured it out. The simplest of tasks prove to be difficult when you’re tired. My mind-bogling stupidity aside, I really enjoyed the game! I’m not a big text-adventure nut (o rly) but this was fairly awesome.

"Gun Mute" by Derek

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:30:47 +0000

Nope! There’s more you need to do.

"Gun Mute" by George-Duckling Manburger

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:18:17 +0000

Ok, I am aware of that I am incredibly stupid, but I seem to be having some trouble with [SPOILER] April, I shoot the jar until it shatters, but she smashes me anyway. Bug?

"Gun Mute" by Sigh

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:50:46 +0000

Mute’s a guy. Note the reference to his stubble.

"Gun Mute" by Oob

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:03:50 +0000

I shot the sheriff.

"Gun Mute" by Ok

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:46:34 +0000

So, is Mute female?

"Gun Mute" by gnome

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:29:18 +0000

An absolutely fantastic game that would have made a fantastic Crash cover-disk…

"Gun Mute" by Tenth

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:57:55 +0000

Quirky characters, great writing, lots of action, and a nicely done hint system. Combat does rely a lot on noticing minor details in the descriptions, but it really fits the theme well.

The streamlined movement definitely helps to emphasize the combat scenes, and there’s no question about where to go next to advance the story. (is there such a thing as a “casual text based shooter”? I guess there is now!) But the setting and characters were interesting enough that I wanted to wander around and explore more of it.

I did run into a bug during my second playthrough… I entered the exact sequence of moves to beat the “Reactor” scene, and at the end my gun was already full when I went to reload it. (As bugs go, really not a big deal. Kind of convenient, actually! ;-)

"Gun Mute" by Pita

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:38:55 +0000

Brilliant game. :O

"Gun Mute" by Joseph

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:36:22 +0000

WOW I just finished the game. Really special…

"Gun Mute" by Albert

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:09:15 +0000

Spoilers ahead

When reassuring Gertrude that Fiona’s alive, you can nod repeatedly for a point every time.

End spoilers

"Gun Mute" by Joseph

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:59:39 +0000

Pretty fuckin awesome! I’d love to see this illustrated…

"Gun Mute" by Mr. Shen

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:36:22 +0000

An excellent IF game, if I may say so myself… and yes, I am thusly saying so.

"Gun Mute" by Mischief Maker

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:32:09 +0000

You are standing on the curb west of a cream-colored house. There are two garbage cans here.

pick up garbagecan

I don’t know the word garbagecan.

pick up can

As you pick up the garbage can, you notice a man standing in the middle of the road staring at you.

Look at man

He is a heavily built man in a blue sweater. His eyes are wide and his eyebrows are waggling.

The man says, “Garbage Day!”

huh?

The man says, “Garbage Day!”

The man pulls a gun on you.

block with can

You raise the can to shield yourself.

The man shoots you. The bullet goes clean through the can.

NO!!!!

You fall to the ground. The man laughs manaically, blows smoke from the barrel, and twirls the gun. YOU HAVE DIED.

"Gun Mute" by Fishy Boy

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:52:30 +0000

This game makes text adventure EXCITING.

"Gun Mute" by Mr. Mr.

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:12:32 +0000

Man, even typing “reload” is exciting.

"Gun Mute" by moi

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:49:31 +0000

I remember the christmas commercials for Snowblind aces when I was a kid.

"Gun Mute" by Cojonciano

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:09:53 +0000

I remember playing Snowblind Aces when I was a kid.

Sweet 80s…

"Gun Mute" by MrBig

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:35:05 +0000

It’s a blatant Max Payne Rip!!!

"Gun Mute" by moi

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:01:32 +0000

Oh it’s from Pacian, the developer of Snowblind Aces?
I’m going to give it a try then.