Giveaway of the Day Forums

1. 

   starsrift
   Member

   Something you said in your review of Lost Colony (Giveaway for Feb 21st, 2009) piqued my curiousity, WhiteRabbit!

   "I would strongly suggest to the developer that he/she add some decent {and colorful} effects to the game and create some mini games or at least add some decent power ups."

   Scrolling shooters are usually designed around the concept of keeping things frenetic enough that the player doesn't have time to play a mini-game, and even that a mini-game would be distracting. I'm curious as to what kind of mini-games you would enjoy seeing in a scrolling shooter and how they would reward the player?

   Posted 15 years ago #
2. 

   Whiterabbit-uk
   Games Guru

   Hi starsrift.

   The idea of a mini game was suggested because I found this particular space shooter a little boring. A couple of different mini games would add extra content which would then give more value and possibly improve the overall feel of the game. As it stands there's nothing but the same sort of ships and power ups throughout the levels that I tested. The more recent arcade space shooters that I’ve bought have a multitude of different ship types, loads of weapon upgrades with different visual effects and several missile types. Each level looks interesting and challenging, whereas I found this game far too easy to play once I’d got used to the movement of the ships. The boss was so easy to kill off despite it taking hundreds of hits. I could move my ship into such a position that the boss was firing the opposite way to where I was. Gently moving my ship from side to side prevented the enemy ship from turning around to bring to bear it’s own weaponry. It should have at least had homing missiles to help it. :)

   w.r.t. the mini games……..You could add games such as a space orientated breakout level, or a space invaders style level. These would break up the monotony of what the game offers at the moment. I’m not suggesting that all space shooters of this genre follow these suggestions, only this game because as it stands I think it’s not worth the money that’s being asked. I bought Freespace 2, a brilliant 3D space shooter for less than this game costs as well as several other excellent DVD based games such as all three of the fall out games that were released prior to Fallout 3 – all three cost me the equivalent of $4.50, which is half the price of this game. Besides, Freespace 2 is considered one of the classic space shooters of all time and even now it’s hard to beat it’s game play.

   I agree that space shooters are frenetic and it's one of the qualities that I like about them; but most newly released games of the past few years also include pit stops in between the frenetic activity where you can chill out and spend some time in the upgrades shop. I see that as something akin to a mini game (Though not literally). They would serve similar purposes, that is, to break up the monotony of dong the same thing over and over again as well as add something different to the game.

   Many newly released games are now including mini games that are cross genre and so far all the games I've bought that include such mini games, I’ve found interesting and good value for money.

   Posted 15 years ago #
3. 

   ibwebb
   Member

   I was happy to see that someone started a thread regarding this, but my comments go in a completely different direction. Yet, to save on the number of threads I am just going to use this one.

   @WhiteRabbit
   I can understand where you come from with you comments on this game:

   ** Pardon me for not being sure how to make this a quote**
   Conclusion:
   I’m afraid I can’t say I like this game. It’s got nothing that inspires me to play it. The graphics are poor compared to most games of this genre I’ve seen over the last five or so years. There’s no color to the game apart from the satic background and each space ship is colored. Explosions are virtually monochrome and gun effects are white lines. I’d expect to see a psychedelic cacophony of colorful explosions in a newly made arcade space shooter as well as lots of gimmicks to keep the player glued to their computer screen. Instead you get a bland rendition of a tired genre. Some of the weapon upgrades don’t appear to do anything, and I didn’t notice any perceptible difference in the power of any individual shot. I recommend you check out the links I’ve posted below (if you haven’t already). Most are links to Gametop or Freegamespick, but I’ve also linked to the space shoot em ups thread and the synopsis of games because you’ll find many freeware, abandoneware and browser based space shooters there. As for scoring, If I was to compare it to any one of the free downloads below it would come out on the bottom rung.
   I feel aweful slating the game as I’ve always believed any game has its merits, but I also believe in giving an honest review of a game. I would strongly suggest to the developer that he/she add some decent {and colorful} effects to the game and create some mini games or at least add some decent power ups. The ones you get in game were very uninspiring. The only positive thing I would say about the game is that initially it was quite challenging due to the ‘wandering’ enemy spaceships.
   ********

   BUT, you need to understand that so many of us (basing this on what I have read) jump immediately to your review to get an idea on what it is 'truly' like. That 'truly' in there is a big word. I hope that you don't think it is unfair of me to say this, but your word has been the final straw on giveaways in the past if I download and try it or not (when I am teetering on which way to go). I know that you always give the program the benefit of the doubt and are honest about what it was like. Even going out of your way to offer free versions that are similar and then telling the difference between the free ones and the actual one. Anyway, I applaud you on being honest and offering this conclusion. It just wouldn't be fair to put the 'WhiteRabbit stamp of approval' on something you didn't feel comfortable with.

   Well, that is my 2 cents worth and I have to wait until next payday to say anymore. -chuckle-
   ibwebb

   Posted 15 years ago #
4. 

   Whiterabbit-uk
   Games Guru

   Thanks ibwebb - it's rare that I find a game uninteresting, or bland, but this was one of them. However that said I believe I feel this way because I have virtually all of the space shooters that have been released over the last three or four years and some are beautifully made, with exactly what I describe above, i.e. a psychedelic cacophony of colorful explosions, plus changing backgrounds and fantastic power ups. So to see one such as today's giveaway was very disappointing..... The one I posted a few days ago called Optimus Apparatus(together with Privateer) was much better than today's giveaway in my opinion. not only did it have better graphics (IMO) it also had something unusual that mad eit stand out from the crowd.

   It's always appreciated when someone voices their support. i thought at first that I was going to read something that was calling into question my review, lol.

   Regards
   Stephen

   Posted 15 years ago #
5. 

   midori
   Member

   "The Whiterabbit stamp of approval." Now I really like that! It's the "Goodhousekeeping seal of approval" for games. Whiterabbit. The New Standard. Look for it at a game distributor near you. Accept no substitutions! Make it a habit: put your trust in Whiterabbit. *W:-D

   Posted 15 years ago #
6. 

   starsrift
   Member

   Interesting!

   Posted 15 years ago #
7. 

   2SweetSandy
   Member

   Cute, Midori! I like it! LOL 2sweet

   Posted 15 years ago #
8. 

   Whiterabbit-uk
   Games Guru

   lol

   Posted 15 years ago #
9. 

   starsrift
   Member

   Whiterabbit-uk: "It's always appreciated when someone voices their support. i thought at first that I was going to read something that was calling into question my review, lol."

   Oh, no, not at all! I didn't bother with the game myself, based on your review (and I only like scrolling shooters occaisionaly, so personal pref. played a factor) but I was curious about the suggestion you made.

   Posted 15 years ago #

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