Neophyte-Ronin's game Reviews on Newgrounds

[Aliens Must Die]

Average

This could be a bit better.

Virtue (Replayability)

There are long stretches where you simply hold the gun down and weave around the "Waves" like nothing is there. Sometimes, the Enemy Waves appear right on top of your craft while moving, leaving little time to react and causing unfair deaths. People tend to shy from shooters due to this notorious trait.

The time between Waves is ill-determined; it is centered on the kill count, not a timed event. If some "Waves" were timed, then the player can learn the "New Enemy" patterns better by witnessing it for a brief period before the next wave; a "survival of the new enemy type" wave, essentially. If a tricky opponent is taken down too quickly in a blast of firepower, later encounters might prove to be too much because the player couldn't memorize the patterns. That is another good source of frustration.

The handling is still smooth, and the game is paced better than most games. It has Arcade written all over it, although the Health gauge and one Life formula is a step outside the norm.

Material

The play is simple: score as much as you can before dying. Since the aliens are endless, there doesn't seem to be much purpose in sticking around after uploading the game once or twice.

I understand the gun power-up and invincibility shield, but I never once saw a Craft Repair/Health pick-up anywhere. You'd think a survival-oriented game would forgive a couple of early mistakes.

Aesthetics

I like robotJAM's handling of the artwork and effects. One thing about shooters is that they have to make endless swarms of creepers utterly wonderful to look at. Also, it is easy to distinguish the ships and their artillery, making for better reaction times even for beginners.

I am no fan of the vapid sound effects or pseudo-erotic female voice overs, however. They fail to produce tension or serve to direct attention or warn players about what is happening. Much of this is due to lack of diversity and of practically everything sounding muffled. Seriously... this one pretty much tore the whole experience down. I know sound doesn't travel in space, but that's where we have to be creative--what else would be heard by a pilot firing at countless enemy vessels... like, in his or her cockpit?

Escapism?

Not for long, it's not. I suppose some people might grow attached to this, but it's not an innovator or a solid example of greatness. It's okay, and it certainly can be better. Fortunately, it is better than a few of the shooters around here, so don't feel horrible. Keep out the bad stuff, and keep up the good work, that's all.

[Asteroid detonater!]

Repetitive, No Sound... but Amazingly Good ANYWAY!

I usually don't get into most games in Flash, because they tend to either suck, or not hold my interest long enough. For you, I see great potential in what is obviously the base of something tremendous. This game can rock out if you observe some crucial details.

First of all, I understand no sounds travels in space itself, but it killed the ability to correctly and intuitively avoid and mow through the space debris. At least a few sounds should be heard inside the cockpit.

Second, there was a gauge that never filled. And my craft kept getting pounded, and there was no score or any gauge of how well I was doing. I felt a little more than depressed at that. It had all the necessary graphical features for a game, but didn't seem like a game in itself.

But you certainly outdid yourself with the trial to create a graphics engine and fantastic sci-fi features, as well as a perspective that you had when you played Star Fox. Those elements remain crucial in how you scored so well. With some careful revision, you can program some improved features and sound effects. Also consider browsing NG's bottomless audio portal for a suitable, blood-pumping track that's both simple and ominous, just like the original asteroids.

I think I'm done. Sufficed to say, you have an excellent BASE for a game, but not a GAME... well, not yet. Keep at it, though--I'm looking forward to seeing this improve (or something even better).

[Fresh Prince vs. The KKK]

Very Good Game

Despite the lack of artistic savvy and appeal, the game and themes are fun. This is the workings of a good mesh of tactical intensity like out of the SNES game Blackthorne, along with some utter ferocity straight out of Contra. Hence, you're doing something right with how the game is played. Yet, the scenario is so short, and the game's borrowing of themes from the television show is weak.

It almost seems like ripping themes from the show had been an afterthought. While Will Smith makes an awesome action hero (Men in Black, Independence Day), your sequel might need to include themes from those movies, if you don't integrate more material from Fresh Prince. The only thing that kept Will from looking like some random thug with an unorthodox hairdo was the premise of rescuing Carlton. It's like Kiss: Psycho Circus for the PC. The band appears on the cover art for the box, but not in the game. Pathetic, right?

For research, check out Jeremy Lokken, the author whom I believe had created the Star Trek: TNG graphic adventure games, as well as the Saved by the Bell game. They're all explicit and gratuitous, especially his Reading Rainbow spoofs, but he is the classic guy that demands that his borrowed themes are fully immersed into the playing of the games.

Your next flash must immerse Fresh Prince themes a lot more; thick is the word, here. With the same play mechanics, but with boosted speed, additional skills, opponents, and a longer scenario (about five or six stages), you'd probably crush the competition with an incredible game. In any case, keep up the good work!

[The REAL revenge.]

Anything that makes you laugh...

I'm not surprised this flash didn't get a high score, but have a problem with swallowing how it got to be "Turd of the Week" (though the irony is a nice touch).

It lacks depth, and is just there for the toilet humor. I got no problem with toilet humor personally, but I won't endorse it, either.

If your flash projects had more depth and variety per flash, then you might reach the big time. On the other hand, who wants to see a Sith Lord expel a spiky crap out of his ass and expect some kind of "Meaningful Dialogue" with his unwitting associate?

Don't mix intent with output, folks. Rate flash on their output, not intent. Just because you think toilet humor sucks doesn't mean the flash itself sucks--this one happens to be well put together, considering its limitations and premise.

[Quickdraw]

Fine Finish... Recommended for western fans!

Western-themed games are rare these days. I won't buy "Red Dead Revolver" since developer "Rockstar Games" is notorious for using innumerable cliches (convince me with a straight face that the Grand Theft Auto series could possibly prove otherwise). It's a travesty to see so many shooters on Newgrounds without a western edge.

This game has two drawbacks: Part Two is too predictable in terms of enemy placements, and the boss battle hit direction is poor. Barrels didn't explode when I shot them, so you might want to consider some revisions. The game compensates greatly with Part One's concepts. I saw this idea in a samurai game, but that one gave you a split second to respond. This model is vastly superior. All you need are proper typing and reflexes. And the shotgun's "Kick," emulated by the cross-hairs turning invisible, aptly captures the effect of a real shotgun.

This solid, western-styled shooter sends water to once parched wastes, though things could have been tweaked further.

BARMan responds:

thanks for the well thought out review :)

[senkopé 5]

Like a "Choose-Your-Own" Without a Moral Compass

This Flash is downright despicable. Sure, the graphics and interactive values are well thought-out, but there is no ultimate satisfaction, no element of clarity, and just random depravity and violence. Also, the constant emphasis on gothic material (twisting everything above and beyond perversion) proves the designer is a pure goth, which explains why we can't access his profile. That should always be a warning signal about the quality of flash animation produced, if we cannot access Grounds Gold records.

[Tempur 1.0]

Nicely Done!

This fighting game has deep customization, but a limited game...!

I haven't seen flash fighting games recently that capitalize on a Dark Asian world like this one. The last customizable fighter involved signature characters from popular video games, but the originals here may be customized, and look quite good.

Unfortunately, while features are comparable to a fighting game, the game has little variation. There is one attack buttona and a specialty button for countering and grappling. That isn't hard, but since the game starts rewarding the counter-happy and punishes aggressors, the balance of the game loses sway. There are many aggressive-type fighting game players that would scream at the developer for this.

If a second version could expand with techniques earned through experience or tuition, like in River City Ransom or Double Dragon, then this game would be a sure fire hit. This is four out of five.

Jannata responds:

Thanks for sharing your thought on the game, Neophyte_Ronin.

[Fierce Battle!]

Good effort

I've played Flash Games, and I realize how simple they are. They're nowhere near a complete and truly complex battle system of tactical interaction, and neither are you. You might want to take advice from the developer of Absolem (hey, is this guy still around?) and use dice-rolling to gauge the odds of situations.

Every self-respecting Role-Playing game utilizes some kind of gambling buffered by character statistics, but I find most flash Role-Play games lack this. Instead, they pursue the "HIGH ENDURANCE" theory, which says no matter the lack of logic, the most powerful weapons and the highest endurance ratings win over everything. Such "I HIT, YOU HIT" lunacy from the Dragon Warrior series polluted the minds of flash game designers.

However, this game is tied to an arcade-style point-earning system and does not have the time for an intricate game. And despite my grievance over the physically impossible endurance issue, the "Fierce Battle!" game remains on a solid foundation.

[The Legends of Hiro]

Incredible

When something this cool comes along, everyone cheers (and bars their impressionable children from it). Make that a warning: This is geared TOWARDS ADULTS.

The style and execution are worth a player's time; the designer should look into designing inexpensive graphic adventures for a living, since this radiates quality and love for the craft. And since file size cap wasn't breached, could Newgrounds denizens expect a series of quests featuring "Guy Who's Wise Hiro?" Or did we misinterpret the "Legends of Hiro" part?

"The Legends of Hiro" centers upon interacting with the denizens of Hiro's region, collecting the components necessary to banish a demon from the nether-world. With witty humor littering the interplay, particularly skilled (and naughty) players may discover a big "secret" as well. Yet, the game is short like many Flash-based "Graphic Adventures" (the technical term for the genre, since role-playing encompasses more complex elements beyond conversation and item-collecting).

This game is exceelent, but it is also classier than the Frank's Adventure series, featuring a more vibrant character with the correct level of sensuality that doesn't become utterly tasteless.

Visual-Noize responds:

Woooha, that´s the best review I read till now! Thanks very, very, very much ^_^ Are you working with a games magazine? Trés cool!
Yepp, you´re right, it´s a Graphic Advneture, no RPG ^____^

[Gladiator Fixed!]

Another Good Concept

Not to knock you, but there are probably several reviewers whom I simply don't have time or patience to read, that state one thing. "This Flash is okay, but a greater degree of interaction and more opponents to fight would be great." This game can undergo an enhancement of depth to become memorable and exciting. With a string of small-size flashes under your belt, have you ever considered undergoing a major project? Now would be the time.