I was so amazed at how different versions of a story can be told by just using 4 panels only. But this amazement quickly became frustration even after referring to the walkthrough several times as I tried to uncover the truth (Or secrets? I don't know. You decide.) between panels. Personally, I feel that it's pretty much impossible to complete the game without using the walkthrough and that it's still very difficult to complete it even with the walkthrough itself. So maybe you could do something about the difficulty level. You know, make the learning curve less steep or something. Having said that, I rather like this game.
Reviews for "The Self-Destructive"
AthleticDesign responds:
We expect it to be almost impossible if you haven't played the earlier games and even if you have played them, it still should be extremely hard. We will most likely make a game comic that will serve as a bridge between The Egocentric and The Self-Destructive. It should introduce some of the game mechanics in a more assisted way.
I liked it but I do think it was perhaps too hard. I wouldn't have even known that the pill bottles and such could be switched if I didn't look up the walkthrough. That said I barely made any progress without help. I'm gonna blame that on this being my first time playing such a game though.
AthleticDesign responds:
If you didn't play the preceeding levels/comics before this one, I really would expect you to be totally lost! Hopefully the walkthrough made it enjoyable nevertheless.
I played the previous games and I still struggled intensely to make any sense of this. Looking through the walkthrough, I really do think there is way too much of a stretch to be made (especially if you cannot see the appropriate button in some of the panels). I had to look up nearly the entire story. It's interesting for a change in one panel to effect changes in the other three, but when there's so many layers it's just frustrating.
That being said, I did enjoy the complexity of the characters.
AthleticDesign responds:
Ok, thanks. As I said in replies below, we will make at least one new level that will be placed before this one. And that level will introduce some of the mechanics of this one.
I liked the idea, but maybe I'm just a moron... I had NO idea what I was doing! Haha
AthleticDesign responds:
Then I really recommend that you play it from start
http://www.newgrounds.com /portal/view/613089
It's been awhile since I played this, but since I came across it again thanks you your new submission, I thought I'd write a review. The presentation of the story was the most stunning part of this game (I disagree when other commenters say this isn't a game. It's interactive and it can be won or lost so it is a game). Even the gameplay was interesting in that you needed to get the comic strips to interact with one another in order to win (although trying to activate the switch in the dark was a little annoying). I too had to use the walkthrough for even my second time playing this so it isn't easy! It is a great game though.
(Also, I am having trouble with your game "The Fanatic" that is still under judgment. I've run out of hot spots to click on to uncover more of the plot.)
AthleticDesign responds:
You know what? I wrote/designed The Self-destructive and I have trouble solving it myself after having been away from it for a while... Ok, that's a slight exaggeration but there is some truth to it.
I am looking forward to write walkthroughs to all of the levels. I hope you have solved The Fanatic by now. If not, check back later. The walkthrough will be made even if it may be a while.