Now this is MY kind of game. Real X-files-quality writing set in a brilliantly immersive text-based, first-person format. R!VET!NG.
Sound Design makes it work!!
Now: for the constructive feedback:
It would have been nice to have some wiggle-room. I understand that the story, as well as the programming, works owing to its claustrophobic stylings, but when my eyes are fixed in place it feels like I’m just too preoccupied to move around. Absurdity is best conveyed according to the TENS!ON BETWEEN action and reaction; hence futile chase scenes ending in dead ends are most conducive to the horror genre.
Please don’t use plural pronouns in singular mode. I understand that it’s a common grammatical error; believe me: it has triggered me for decades, though I am happy to say that I never accrued the habit. An alarming number of people seem to feel entitled to this sort of vernacular, but it is really offensive to the language, and it does your story little justice when the entire point was to distinguish this everyman from his GROUP of associates. (I will refer to the generic “he” here owing to the fact that Martin is a male name, modeled after Mars the God of War and Men, and anything of such blatant Greco-Roman origin will remain the same even as the “I” and “y” are interchanged in anglicizing the Greek.)
In short: I see tremendous promise in you. You managed to assemble a team of specialists who collaboratively captured the terrors and horrors of corporate life. This is the game that I wish Stanley Parable was, and seeing the appearance of the headless employee with the red tie suggests a possible kinship of influence betwixt us. I congratulate you upon a thoroughly original and immersive, albeit linear, work of art.
It's funny how you mentioned Stanley Parable since some of the visuals of this game (particularly the late 90s/early 2000s aesthetic) were inspired by that game.
I originally planned to confirm Martyn was male, but I later made it ambiguous as to what their gender was to characterize them less, and just never bothered to change the name. I guess I could've also made the gender a choice and made the female's name Martha, but oh well. It's not something I usually do, but for this game I wanted to thin the distinction between the player and their character quite a bit.
I freaking love this kind of game. A spooky story that my chicken self can play without yeeting a controller lol. It was really great I was really surprised by the story it was definitely multiple levels of mystery I hope we can get more games like this😍 I loved it. It reminded me a bit of Yuppie Psycho story wise and thats one of my favorite games so really happy about that 😋
I made a playthrough if you want to see my personal reaction but super recommend playing it for yourself.
This video made me discover a couple bugs that I hadn't noticed while playtesting the game, so thank you for that. (That letter thing was one of them; The letter isn 't supposed to change while you're looking at it)
How about: I DO forward the e-mail to my colleagues, and then something happens? Far less deterministic. I might die a terrible death, but THEY go free. :-} Just spitballing here.
← Return to game
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
I blogged about your game. Feel free to use any pull quotes.
https://pixelsandpins.com/2020/04/27/visual-novel-a-day-april-20th-april-24th/
Now this is MY kind of game. Real X-files-quality writing set in a brilliantly immersive text-based, first-person format. R!VET!NG.
Sound Design makes it work!!
Now: for the constructive feedback:
In short: I see tremendous promise in you. You managed to assemble a team of specialists who collaboratively captured the terrors and horrors of corporate life. This is the game that I wish Stanley Parable was, and seeing the appearance of the headless employee with the red tie suggests a possible kinship of influence betwixt us. I congratulate you upon a thoroughly original and immersive, albeit linear, work of art.
[({L.J.)}]
Thank you for the feedback.
It's funny how you mentioned Stanley Parable since some of the visuals of this game (particularly the late 90s/early 2000s aesthetic) were inspired by that game.
I originally planned to confirm Martyn was male, but I later made it ambiguous as to what their gender was to characterize them less, and just never bothered to change the name.
I guess I could've also made the gender a choice and made the female's name Martha, but oh well.It's not something I usually do, but for this game I wanted to thin the distinction between the player and their character quite a bit.I freaking love this kind of game. A spooky story that my chicken self can play without yeeting a controller lol. It was really great I was really surprised by the story it was definitely multiple levels of mystery I hope we can get more games like this😍 I loved it. It reminded me a bit of Yuppie Psycho story wise and thats one of my favorite games so really happy about that 😋
I made a playthrough if you want to see my personal reaction but super recommend playing it for yourself.
Glad you enjoyed the game!
This video made me discover a couple bugs that I hadn't noticed while playtesting the game, so thank you for that. (That letter thing was one of them; The letter isn 't supposed to change while you're looking at it)
This was good and unlike anything I've played before.
:)
Well done and thank you!
Just finished your game! Really awesome! Thank you so much for making it.
I was really curious if there was a secret ending or anything?
Thanks for playing! Glad you enjoyed it.
No secret ending, unfortunately. I'm not even sure what it'd be.
How about: I DO forward the e-mail to my colleagues, and then something happens? Far less deterministic. I might die a terrible death, but THEY go free. :-} Just spitballing here.
[({L.J.)}]