Score: 0

"Horrible."

submission: AVGM

date: March 18, 2009

Drawing focus to gamers' tendency to continue with unenjoyable tasks - specially when time has already been invested - is really nothing new. Chris Deleon already did this with his maze game and 'reach 40' in his 'game-a-day' series.

To me, this simply epitomises the breaking point - showing the point at which gamers will no longer continue and the game's role as a source of pattern learning or varied experiences has vanished, with the game seemingly betraying our expectations of a source of entertainment with your '10-endings' claim and whatnot.

I bet you're laughing at the many, many man-hours you've wasted around the globe, you evil bastards.

Score: 6

"Promising."

submission: My first Flash game :D

date: March 6, 2009

Wow, that beanstalk was annoying.

Unless I was super-precise with my jumping, I'd hit my head and fall down a step. Except that as I did so, my mouse would then move below the beanstalk, making me fall all the way down.

Actually, I 'only' failed 3 or 4 times at the start and only once near the end. But having to repeat a section like that, which I'd already done, just seemed super-annoying.

Though I've often seen the mouse used to aim and fire, never have I seen it used quite like this. Maybe you could have 1-screen puzzles, force us to think about both the mouse and the character's movement... Maybe rather than just a button that opens a passageway, have a button that closes some doors and opens others. Add enemies. Maybe there's a puzzle about pushing buttons at the right time to let ourselves through and keep enemies away...

Anyways, despite the beanstalk annoying me, I'll have fond memories of this idea. Charming music, fun graphics, novel idea.

There's very little to do, though - it feels like a tutorial and there's a fair bit to walk between each point of action, so to speak. I was hoping for something to happen after the long descent through the water.

Not a great game in and of itself, but I really look forward to seeing this turned into a fuller game.

Score: 6

"Excellent idea, flawed execution."

submission: Clinically Obese SMB

date: February 21, 2009

The entire conceit is brilliantly amusing.

I felt you could've done more to make it actually interesting to play though (maybe making the levels even shorter, or making the ? blocks release cake - fattening Mario more and more) and the ending (I was killed at bowser) seemed to make no sense to me.

I was looking forward to seeing an obese Peach.

The end of stage 1 was cool though.

Score: 6

"I liked the animation and sounds."

submission: Puke Surprise

date: January 26, 2009

The title kinda ruins the surprise, rendering it not particularly funny.

I actually like the animation - the style you use for the vomit reminds me of Norman McLaren's work where he painted directly on film.

Maybe showing some residue would've been cool but generally just keep going. Maybe make a music vid or an animation with longer story?

Score: 7

"Very good for what it is. And a secret too! Whoo!"

submission: NG London Meetup Jan 2009

date: January 26, 2009

I think the Happy Sheep has Ockeroid to his left (our right) and Burnzoid is to the left of him (his right).

Quality production! I liked the 'secret' with the tramp! I wouldn't have found it if someone hadn't hinted at it in a previous review. I still wonder about him... was he really the bro of that lad from East 17? Was he really making an album? If so, his rapping was... not up the standards I'd expect of a pro.

Or was he lying - trying to impress us or have a private chuckle, seeing how many folk he could fool?

Or was he delusional? Convinced of this and countless other untruths?

We may never know.

I think the 'lol' in a circle should have been a musical note or something to show more clearly that it might turn off music. And maybe the hobo link could twinkle once every minute-ish to help folk who would otherwise never find it?

Quality production though - I'm impressed at all the links and the scrolling works well and is at a well-judged speed with a good size of 'dead zone' in the middle.

I approve of this PRODUCTION OF LOVE.

Score: 7

"I TOTALLY APPROVE."

submission: Happy Birthday Luis

date: January 22, 2009

I was actually just trying to remember your name... heh.

The 'controversy' one was my fave.

Wasn't there another one you made? did you delete a clip, or is my memory failing me again?

Anyways, a fun tribute to a fun guy. I TOTALLY APPROVE.

(But it's not as energetic as your dancing.)

Score: 6

"Those noises... made it unique."

submission: orkutiana animation

date: December 4, 2008

Seriously, those sfx are insane. I guess the coughing and other weird noises for humour value? Well it worked - I was giggling away and this is definitely gonna stick in my mind.

I enjoyed the way the style kept switching but the story progressed on - like a 'pass-my-flash' effort.

There were some weaker parts of animation but thankfully nothing remained onscreen for long and there was usually a better bit of work to make up for it.

I'd suggest that for your next effort you either try and get better animators working together or maybe do what Luis did and have folk competing for the next spot.

Though I'd never recommend this, it did put a smile on my face.

Score: 6

"Made me chuckle first time."

submission: Cows Pooping

date: November 30, 2008

Given the fairly long 'intro' with a static screen and music before the cow appears, I was expecting something a bit longer.

This then falls into the category of 'made me chuckle because the shortness was a surprise'.

The sound efect was disgustingly suitable and I like the way you animate the poop as a constant flood - it looks like vomit or diorrhea!

The walk cycle could have been a lot better. Even if you couldn't be bothered to do a realistic one, having the legs move a bit more in a silly rubber-hose-type way would have maybe been visually interesting. Just now they look kinda stilted if you know what I mean.

Score: 4

"A brief smile gave way to brief boredom."

submission: Instawin

date: November 1, 2008

I've seen this 'trick' a couple of times before. However, I renjoyed the 'you win a prize' voice and brought a faint smile to my face.

I felt that your gaps - between each 'scene change' should have been eliminated. And the final comment - that you have a voice - doesn't make this particular submission better. The reverse, in fact.

Also, you really need to stop being so lazy. 2-frame animations of a badly-drawn-stickman just aren't that interesting for the eyes. Try making new drawings. Do something that looks good - whether better drawings or more animation.

Score: 4

"Not enough material here."

submission: Death Note ending demo

date: October 28, 2008

I was pretty disappointed with this.

The 'metamorphosis' when you tween a 2nd, similar, image is kinda cool.

The 'messed up' effect works well. Maybe the vertical lines could be slightly different in width - that looks artificial - but the fuzzy white that popped up and the black spots were well-placed.

Overall, I was just hoping for more animation.

I guess it'd be fine as an ending, but the only reason anime gets away with so much tweening and 3-frame cycles is because folk overlook those aspects to enjoy the story.

The pic you drew was really cool though and you have a talent for drawing - now push yourself and do some fbf! Or make something with a story! ;-)