Review-Breaking The Bank

Date Released-2008
Developers-PuffballsUnited
Genre-Adventure, Point-and-Click

Remember that 'alternate-choice' game I reviewed last time? Today, we have another one, but better. Breaking the Bank is a Newgrounds original game released by PuffballsUnited, as the first game in a series dubbed the 'Henry Stickman series.'

The game revolves around a stick figure attempting to...rob a bank. The game is simple, click an item and receive an outcome. This game actually features much to offer, as simple as it is. Even with the limited number of choices, the humour in every outcome balances it out. I'm a fan of physical comedy, and I was pleased playing this game for the comedy in it.

In short, this game features short, yet funny playthrough, at least for those who enjoy slapstick. If you're a fan of this, check this game out. Of course, I will be reviewing the rest of the series soon, so keep in for that. Did you play the game? Did you like or dislike it? What did you think of the review. Feedback and suggestions are appreciated, and I will see you all soon.

Official Walkthrough

Review-An Average Day At School

Date Released-2005

Developers-double-slash, NORM

Genre-Adventure, Point-and-Click

An Average Day At School is an adventure game originally uploaded to Newgrounds by users double-slash and NORM. The game revolves an unknown stick figure, going around the "Collège de Montréal" High School, an actual private high school in Quebec.

It's an ordinary Monday morning, and you're strolling to Math, only to realize the classroom is empty. After talking to the class coordinator, and completing a quick-time challenge, you find out the first class is Physical Education, and you quickly run to the gym. It's only after coming to the gym, however, that you realize the day is the 1st of November, and you came an hour early. The game ends after that.

So what did I think of it? Well it's definitely a very...interesting game. The idea is simple enough, which is to choose which scenarios play out, and choosing the wrong one having you "die," but the challenges don't have a set pace, resulting in a short game. Don't get me wrong, the challenges don't come too early, and at least the game has a palpable plot, but the game can have at least a tad bit more to it. Also, if you're expecting humour, there is little attempts at comedy, if at all. 

As it is now, it's a game that has a unique concept, but an execution in which there isn't enough time to play the game out. Hell, there's a review of the complete game, and it's three minutes long. It's just an amateur game that'll probably give you limited entertainment value. So did you play this game, and what did you think of it? Did you like or dislike the review? Tell me in the comments, it's very much appreciated, and I will see you in the next review.

Official Walkthrough

Review-Clear Vision I

Date Released-2007

Developers-DPFlashes

Genre-Action, Shooting

Clear Vision is a point-and-click shooting series developed by DPFlashes, a Swedish independent developing company.

The first game revolves around our protagonist, Jake. At a young age, Jake witnessed his parents killed by an unknown army general. After the murder, Jake is sent off to a remote camp, where he is trained to be a sniper. Now a free man, Jake works as a hitman, given missions to complete. To play, point your mouse at the screen, and left-click to shoot.

At the end of the game, on a mission to take down a "high ranked officer," Jake spots the mysterious army general. The game ends on a "To Be Continued...," implying this is an installment of a series.

This was certainly a good game. I believe the game ended with an ominous and vague enough ending to leave the audience wanting more. The gameplay itself isn't too difficult for players. I guess that the only complaint is that the game could've been longer,  but the game is part of a series, so I can't get too mad at it. This is personally a favourite of mine, and I  do recommend it, if you're a fan on shooters. There is a mobile version, and I do plan to review it, but later as we continue with this series.

Official Walkthrough

Review: Escape Culver

Last time, I've discussed how Whispers Room 6 is proof that escape games could be done properly. Now, let's take a look at Escape Culver, where I'll say none of those things.

Overview

Escape Culver is an escape game made by Victor Saponari and Max Ozawa, released on April 26th, 2007.

Plot

You're a student in military school, and you need to escape your room. How well thought out.

Flaws

Ok, I'll be honest here, there is hardly anything positive about this game, so, I'll just go over the faults.

• The art direction is horrendous. The entire game looks as if it was a class project made within a day or two, which actually explains a lot.
• The clock detection is wonky. Whenever you try to click on anything, at times, it won't work.
• The entire game is too easy. In fact, if you want to beat this game in under a minute, just type in "rosebud" on the computer.

Overall

This game isn't very good, and it serves as a poor example of escape games in general.

Walkthrough

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8MKC68Dlw4

Review-ESCape Prologue

Date Released-2009
Developer-Kevin Gu
Genre-Escape, Adventure

ESCape Prologue is an independent escape game created by Kevin Gu, who's currently working towards a degree in Computer Science in the University of Waterloo and Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, according to his website here.

The game revolves around an unknown stick figure, wandering around a seemingly abandoned house. The game uses simple arrow keys to move and space bar to interact with the environment. The game has many puzzles laid throughout the house, keeping you interested. The game ends with you blowing up the front door, along with a surprising ending, which I am not going to spoil here.

The game is definitely one of the more interesting escape games. The simple style of the game has an innocent charm to it. The puzzles are engaging, involving you walking around the house to solve them. The house isn't big, so the puzzles aren't tedious, either. The dramatic music sets the mood of the game, creating a very passive yet persistent atmosphere, and I applaud Mr. Gu for his choice of music. While the game isn't spectacular by any means, I personally enjoyed this game, and if you enjoy quick and simple escape games, this is definitely enjoyable.

Official Walkthrough

Review-Travelogue

Date released-2010
Developer-Unknown
Genre-Escape, Adventure, Point-and-click

Travelogue is an escape-the-room game, where you find yourself in a hotel room far from where you'd like to be. Use what resources are available to navigate around the hotel and locate items and clues that you can use to help you escape.

The game features puzzles which are logical in design, though I anticipate that many players will have a difficult time with the game. In particular, the navigation requires some careful steps to access all areas of the room. For example, even though you may be able to see a closet from where you are, you simply cannot get to it while sitting on the bed.

In terms of gameplay, Travelogue is a fairly simple game of its kind. As you move the mouse around the screen, the cursor will change to indicate any action possible. Clicking on an item when the cursor is in the shape of a hand will add that item to your inventory. Click the small tab on the bottom right of the game window to view or hide the inventory screen.

Graphically, the game features a somewhat low-resolution, 3D rendered, photo-realistic environment that is plain, and yet believable. And while there is nothing truly remarkable about it, significant production went into the making of the game and it is one of the better ones I've seen. If you enjoy escape games, you will likely enjoy this one, too.

Official Walkthrough

Review: Whispers Room 6

WARNING: Spoilers may be present.

BACKGROUND

Whispers Room 6 is a video game made by Origaming, released on April 5th, 2011. It's an escape game built around the horror genre.

PLOT

A couple and their child are driving at night, just as a storm develops. The husband (Mr. Johnson), agrees that they should stop for the night until the storm passes over. They discover a motel, and they check in, only to receive a room that has been dormant for years. Mr. Johnson goes to wash his face, only to be frightened by the sudden appearance of a ghost girl in the mirror. If that wasn't eerie enough, he finds that his wife and child have disappeared.

GAMEPLAY

Like many escape games, you click your way around, looking for items and doing puzzles. Nothing more could be said about it.

PROS

• The game delivers a chilling atmosphere, and it actually works. Throughout the game, you can't help but feel for the main protagonist

• The game is simple enough to play, almost to the point that even first timers could do it without a walkthrough.

CONS

• Depending on your computer, the game may not load at certain instances, only at pure luck.

• There're some instances of lag, but it isn't constant.

OVERALL

Whispers Room 6 is worth a try, if you're looking for a well developed game, and is right up the ally of horror fans.

WALKTHROUGH

PT. 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmh-eVuHVsM
PT. 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMBeOs_o1gY

Review-Pricilla Gone Missing

Date Released-2005

Developer-Johan Törnkvist

Genre-Adventure, Puzzle

Pricilla Gone Missing is an independent Flash point-and-click adventure from Johan Törnkvist, a talented design and technology student at Hyper Island in Kariskrona, Sweden.

The game begins with the player learning of the disappearance of Pricila (Aunt "Prissy"), which warrants an investigation. From there a charming little adventure unfolds in which the player must look for items and clues to progress through the story. But don't  expect to find Pricilla in this installment; the game is only the first part of what is promised to be a continuing saga.

Standard point-and-click protocol is observed by clicking on items to add them to the inventory, and by dragging found items into play or onto other inventory items. Navigation between scenes is accomplished by moving the player-character in a third-person perspective by clicking on a destination location.

This is a great start to what I hope is to be a great series. The clear graphics and the mix of two-dimensional and three-dimensional create an almost photo-realistic appearance, impressive for a flash-supported game released in the mid-2000's. The art design makes sure everything has the smallest details, making it very unique. The audio design and music create a very stern atmosphere, which I can tell was the developer's intention. The puzzles you encounter are logical, simple, and very subtle, accessible to even the most casual gamer. 

Johan has done an exceptional job of providing the basis for a compelling story-based point-and-click adventure with cunning graphics and gameplay, so let's give him lots of praise to motivate him to finish it.

Official Walkthrough