Damned irritating
I like platform games (nostalgia), but this is crazy. I played on normal mode, and got to the final boss with 6 lives and all 4 relics. But there's no PURPLE checkpoint before that, and the boss is very tough without a lot of practice. Also, it doesn't actually save your game to the hard disk, which is a problem because I just accidentally hit the "back" button in my browser.
If I ever decide to replay this game it will be on "easy" mode to save myself the aggravation.
Gorgeous gameplay
In case you are wondering why I put a 9 out of 10, it's because I haven't beaten the game, I simply ran out of lives and got too frustrated to beat it. Maybe some other time. I haven't seen the rest of the game so I cannot say that it is perfect, but the first 3 checkpoints that I got to were damn close to it.
I love the game you've created, and I can't wait to see more out of you.
wtf?
This game had a terrible control scheme. I could not control my character at all and the buttons kept sticking. I got half way through level one before I quit.
That is a browser issue with a specific version of Internet Explorer; you probably need to change or at least update your browser.
Awesome,
so 'nuff said.
Completely Uncompromising and Unforgiving....
...But not the least bit frustrating. I'm running FireFox, and so far haven't encountered the glitch problems mentioned below this review. The game itself is surprisingly difficult and challenging, but in a completely different way than other flashes such as Meat Boy; it feels exactly like the oldschool NES games of past, which at times required multiple replays and a lot of patience (as one of the in-game signs playfully poked at) to overcome, eventually in itself becoming a sort of skill. The level design and placement of checkpoints felt just right, and the difficulty managed to increase with each passing, but moderately, as if each level before it were just a sort of training for the one ahead, teaching you rudimentary platformer skills that would eventually be used constantly as the game wore on. And I've relearned, as all gamers eventually will, that sometimes rushing the game will only further your demise... and give you your just reward. (Starting at the very beginning. V_V)
The music at first confused me because of the purported sci-fi genre of the game, but as it continued I realized that it fit quite well with the scenario, and did not once seem annoying or distracting from the gameplay. It is also well composed, with subtle tones that sort of lure you into the mystery of the "cliche'd ghost ship".
The main character and his story are also well made and even fun to listen to. Even though (as he puts it himself) the storyline seems cliche'd, I actually enjoyed going through the cutscenes as well as reading his reaction to every odd sign along his journey. Though a blue alien-lizard-dragon creature, he is very believable as a wisened space pirate with a healthy skepticism, and his wise cracks are simple but funny enough to bring out his character without taking himself too seriously, or being obnoxious.
All in all, what you have here is brilliance in going back to our old roots, although at this writing I have not yet finished the game. (2 in the morning) Rest assured, I will beat it. Even if I have to play each section to perfection. I'm sure the ending will well fit the effort.
-Mac