Reviews for Abyssal

[Braatpit]

shows promise

I like your artwork and the monsters. I also like the idea of the flash, but it could've been better, here are some things i think you could incorporate the next time.

Make a storyline:
This flash seemed rather random, it didn't really have a goal or story behind it. Next time, try to let it make more sense. Doesn't mean you can't still make it surreal and horrorish, but it would be more scary if the main character actually did something besides sleep and dream of scary things.

Make things happen:
IT seemed as if all the monsters really did was float around and look scary and make noises. If they actually devoured something or did something else they would make a lot more of an impact.

This is the first time i actually had something constructive to say about a flash so i hope its appreciated. And if not, well who cares right :-)
Keep it up!

Scythemantis responds:

I probably should have had some little creatures being eaten by the others, somehow or other it didn't even cross my mind! If I ever come back to it in the future I'll probably add more content and animation :)

The implication of the ending is that he's not dreaming at all, but has been fooled into thinking he's home by whatever it is that swallowed him, but I left it unknown how he'd actually gotten there, which he didn't seem to know either :)

[GreenHell55]

I Was Thinking lol.

Well i Liked it Even Though I Was Covering half my face At The End I was thinking when he was about to get through the portal out of knowwhere it closes and all u hear is "Gotcha Bitch"would have been funny but either way its kool mostly kool also i looked at the show it very interesting plus your description helped so i later understood the meaning of this flash and yes we probably do all have this fear of something watching us.

[Scorpion971]

Am i still high??? lol

Whoa dude that was very trippy.

[RNNR]

A prime example of the importance of audio

It's rather simple, featuring only simple shots of the character surrounded by freaky monsters. The artwork isn't the best ever, yet the ambience created by these monsters, and the soundscapes produced truly make it a terrifying experience.

Kudos.

Scythemantis responds:

Thanks! I've always been easily unnerved by certain sounds. Even very mundane sounds are eerie out of context or when I think too much about them :)

[novousmihi]

Hmm

I'm sorry, but this didn't quite do it for me. I love this kind of horror, surreal, really fucking strange-WTF-horror like Silent Hill. But, I think the drawing style messed up the experience a little. Some of them looked cute and some of them just didn't have enough details to make out what actually makes them horrible. Of all the 10's I was hoping for some really psychadelic horror but I was sadly unimpressed.

Though a little tip: Never user screamers, and never start an animation/story with screamers. Because they require zero effort. They make people jump, sure, but even if you had the most beautiful landscape just appear from nowhere with a scream of ANY kind would make anyone jump. Even if it was Spongebob screaming "WOHOO!!!". It would make people jump.

The real trick is to make people scared, eventhough they clearly see what's coming right at them at a slow pace. Even if people know what's gonna happen and get scared anyway - then you're on the right track.

Don't have much more to say. Just go deeper and darker, really EXPLORE what might be horrible; think of the unthinkable, go beyond the border of your imagination. If you get alot of 10's and people writing stuff like "Are you on CRACK?!" and "W-T-F???", then you have succeeded. Most likely you won't get 10's because this kind of stuff doesn't appeal to the mainstream people of newgrounds - but that's not the point. The art is the point. The message you want to potray is the point. The points you get are pointless, if you don't make a lasting impression on anyone.

Looking forward too seeing more. Hopefully you will have a real ride for us next time that will leave a lasting impression. God Speed.

Scythemantis responds:

I actually didn't intend a jump/screamer kind of moment since I've never liked them myself (I use one just to make light of them in another cartoon) but I guess it was hard to predict since I knew too well what was going to happen.

I was going for some subtle cuteness in a couple monsters, especially for those I know who loathe baby dolls. I kinda tried to put too many simultaneous types of horror into the same monsters, I guess :)