Bezman's game Reviews on Newgrounds

[Mario Breakout (OLD)]

Insubstantial and a bit messy.

aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
=====================================

---: when each level started, we were given hardly any time to get our paddle in position.

---: It seemed to always go the same way - we seem to have no control over the ball

--: only 2 stages

++: power-up.

++: fairly decent graphics

overall
=========

It's quite bizarre. With the ridiculously small times we get at the start of each level it's almost as if you're trying to stop folk from finishing, lest they discover that there's only 2 stages.

Too insubstantial a game.

But if you started it off a bit easier, messed about with fun powerups and stuff... it could be a fun wee game.

Biscayne59 responds:

I'll do a remake of it, just as soon as I learn action scprit better.

[Pong Rally]

Nothing new.

aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
=====================================

-: controls seemed silly.

++: it all worked well.

--: Why was so little of the screen used for the game?

+: the music tracks were nice

+: You had little movie clips
-: but they served no purpose and didn't react to the game.

---: It had no extra features beyond what pong offered, other than a tally of hits. Nothing new

---: Not really engaging.

overall
=========

I was looking forward to playing this, but was disappointed to find how similar it was to the original pong. You seem to have put a lot of effort into extraneous feature, but the core gameplay is lacking.

Casualty responds:

You're right on every point. Thanks.

[Five In One Tutorial]

A broken mishmash.

my play experience
====================

Read the tutorials in order. When I got stuck (see last 'aspect') I took that as my cue to leave.

aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
=====================================

------: I HATE FLASHES THAT START SONGS STRAIGHT AWAY! SOME PEOPLE LOAD A FLASH WHILST DOING SOMETHING ELSE, YAKNOW!
+: I really like the song.
--: It just keeps repeating. No mute button.
+++: 'five in one tutorial': I like the caps text with 3d block effect.

---: NG FAQS just copy-pasted.
--: in your 'startdrag() etc. code, I think you forgot semicolons.

+++: I didn't know the trig stuff myself.
---: you don't really teach, just give code. (teach a man to fish and all that)

I like the tutorial that has the little green pointer.

+++: It has more visual appeal

+++: getting folk to click on the buttons was a nice idea.

----: It teaches things already shown in the basic flash tutorial. Seriously, if folk haven't used that, why would they follow your tutorial?

------: When I went to the onion skinning part, everything enlarged and though I clicked around, I could seem to progress.

overall
=========
It seems a bad mishmash of broken areas, unexplained code handed over and info too basic to be of use to the few who would see this entry.

I approve of any desire to educate others though.

[Finger Dress Up 3]

Didn't interest me.

play experience
=============

Started up, watched credits, read instructions, checked out options, started game, looked at some items, placed a few on the finger, changed song, deleted items, changed depths, repeated placing and deleting, looked at all items, closed window.

Aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
===========================

++: Nice-looking intro
-: though a bit slow

--: Credits move way too slow. If they were 2x the speed, folk could still read them easily and more would actually sit and do so.

--: text in 'instructions' box seems way too large. Reading 2 lines at a time seems ridiculous.

-----: when scrolling through items, holding the button doesn't always seem to work.

+: all stuff is well drawn.

++: media player is really nicely designed (functionality and art)

+++: the way we place stuff, delete and swap depths is really impressive and works well.

++: amusing idea.

-----: As I see it, dress ups merely offer a way to see what ideas the author came up with then check out how they look next to each other. I often just feel it not worth the bother. I mean, I can visualise how those things match in my head... I suppose I just don't enjoy most dress-ups. It seems not that exciting a thing to base a game on...

overall
==============

It seems like a great game compared to the shittiness of the genre it's part of. Just didn't interest me.

Sorry. I realise a fair amount of work probably went into it.

[Frogbag gets a license!]

Crappy free alternative to Parappa.

Play experience
==============

I played this a short while ago (found in toplist of games). Failed it. Right-click played to see ending.

Did same just now. Got 7xx points

aspects
==========

++: the characters are mildly amusing

+++++: quality song
---: it's from Parappa

---: I'd have liked to know how many points I was getting for each thing. Parappa provides instant feedback, some aural. DDR provides instant visual feedback with Excellent etc. I'm assuming your 'pheer' was signifying a perfect hit, but it wasn't enough.

--: It just wasn't 'juicy' - pressing a button did little - just increase the score and potentially make 'pheer' appear.

-----: Ultimately, other (professionally made) games exist, which do the same thing as this, but much better. That's my main beef. I feel internet games shouldn't be crappy versions of a pro game, but an alternative, maybe simple wacky ideas that would never be made pro or things that can stand proud alongside their older brothers as shorter, quicker versions.

Overall
=========

I don't like it. If I want to hear this song again, I'll play Parappa. This is just a crappy free alternative.

[Rumble Ball field 4]

I felt at unease whilst playing.

play experience
=============

played through from start to finish. Collided with some bombs. Fell down a hole maybe 6 times.

aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
===========================

++++: nice sfx for hitting the things
-----: sfx all played after 1-2 second delay for me.
-: more sfx would be nice.

--: We can move the ball around, using hundreds of tiny pushes with no penalty. That seems wrong.

---: We're never sure how well we're doing in a level. Maybe a 'par' score or something would be nice.

------: I HATE flashes that play a tune on loading, before any user-input.

--: I'm not too keen on games like this, and golf games which are just about bettering a score. I like it when there's a max. number of shots or something, to give you an initial goal (just beating them all) before working on beating your high scores.

+: The lack of colour in the last level was interesting...

-: When I was picking up stragglers, I constantly felt like I was losing.

----: In fact, for some reason, I got the constant impression that I was doing worse than I was 'meant' to be doing. I felt like something had to click, maybe I was doing something wrong. And I never knew what.

Overall
=======

The sfx are all nice and sweet but it didn't really fill me with an urge to play on.

GameBalance responds:

That is unfinished idea. I was under stream of hi-scores games.
But I feel like it can be good level walkthrough game.
But - for some people it was intresting to try to beat hi-scores in this one.
Anyway I planning to make it non-hi-scores game in part 5. But need to thik up good features.
If u have good idea for this concept e-mail me it

[Mouse Avoider 2]

Another great version. A worthy add-on.

my play
========

Played it for yet another time just now so I could review.

Aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
=============
-----: I hate level 3 and the way it forces us to take a while to do the level. Seems kinda boring.
-----: I hate level 10 and the fact that it seems to be totally random. There doesn't seem to be any way of strategising to beat the level - just trying our luck.
--: no stats.
-: 5 levels are old

+++++: levels are all really varied
+++++: enjoyed it enough to want to play multiple times.
+++++: no lives.

--: I preferred black and white.

overall
===============
Same as #1, with one changed level, 2 crap levels and 3 good levels added. They and the fact that there's now no lives kinda balance out, I think.

It's still a great game.

[Mouse Avoider]

Cool inventive mousegame

play experience
==============

I played the sequel before, but started this, died, was returnd to the main menu, then tried again, this time died once (on the level with the inverted T) and completed the game.

Aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
==========================

---: sound is kinda repetitive
++++: level design is nice and varied.
++: I dig the minimalistic graphics.
---: I don't see the reason for having lives.
+: all levels are nice and short to keep us wondering what's next.
-----: When I finished the game, the 'main menu' button didn't work. Shoddy.

Overall
=========

Quality game. All levels offer different challenges and it's fun playing through. Having to restart is annoying though.

More levels would be nice, but not if you just ended up reusing ideas.

[MouseGame]

Reinventing an old genre.

play experience
===============

I've already played through this twice, enjoying it both times. First time was 14? deaths, a ridiculous amount of time. I went off though.

I will now play through again typing notable aspects. Aspect are rated from ----- to +++++.

=================

-----: If you right-click on the main menu, time and deathcount are
NaN. Initialise your variables, man!

-: Level 1 is maybe too hard for level 1?
-----: when on the death screen, time continues increasing.

+++: really like the multiple dimensions aspect
+++: all elements nicely introduced
+++++: level 2.1 is brilliantly designed

+: I enjoyed working out how to get past the spinny thing in 2.2
+: the way that each level 'blends' into one another is nice.

---: start of 2.5 seems greatly unfair, with blue thing killing us...
--: when we come out of the top-left portal in 2.5, we seem to be killed with an unfair amount of warning by the blue thing.
--: also, when we get the final exit from 2.5, we have to move so fast I find it not much fun.

---: in 3.1, on of the blue portals seems to 'jump' at one point - i.e. it's a bad loop

--: I was disappointed by the fact that stage 3 only has 3 levels when I first played.

---: the last level contains no surprises. I think the exit should have been a portal to another dimension. And maybe have 3-4 dimensions.
++: it is a fitting end.
-: it's not much fun repeatedly failing... ;-)

overall
===========

Brilliant game.

The lock and key puzzles (in the form of 'auras') and dual dimensions allow you to differentiate yourself from the crowd and set up some more complex paths to be followed.

It's an inventive take on the old genre.

===================================
By the way, thanks for letting me in on your secret. I'll definitely use your technique in Skears 2 and will credit you.

[Mouse 1.0]

I enjoyed it.

My play
==========

Played it a while ago to finish. Got a near-perfect score on bonus level (missed 3 PCs). This is the 3rd time I play it. It's not as interesting this time.

Aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
==========================

++: training levels are good

-/2: if we wish, we can 'jump' over obstacles by moving the mouse quickly
---: No explanation re: rocks given. We should be given a hint there, I feel.

+++: I like the way you have moving obstacles drawn as spiders, worms and such.

-: Lava L2 - having to 'wait'...
++: lava L3.

++++: changing 'skins' makes the game more interesting

+++++: a good number of ideas and some variation

-: dying if you press a button

overall
=======

Quality game. Inventive levels. Changing graphics spice things up.