Recent posts by hok0003 on Kongregate

Topic: Game Programming / GiTD [#33] Votes recounted, congratulations Zoib!

1st – Devi ever – Morty’s Lost Catacombs
Even before I’d ‘explored’ the game long enough to figure out what any of the items did, it was easily the most enjoyable game to play. A little strategy, a little skill, a little luck, some amusing powerups – a very nice, novel game.
Once you get a few items it’s overpowered and fairly trivial. It’s still fun getting to that stage though.

2nd – Zoib – Exploration: Signs of Life
Lacks challenge, but I felt satisfied when I completed it, so it’s worth a point. Is the dome at the end supposed to rise automatically? The only reason I could think of for the other 4 buttons was to raise the dome, as they didn’t seem to do anything.

LazerBomb – No given name
I hope it’s my own computer making it run so slowly and not the intended speed. It should be plenty of fun when it’s done.

evan999333 – Delver
On initial inspection, this looked to be the best. However, all of the problems that others have mentioned add up to a lot of problems. Q bug, weapon description, wall penetration, excessive slowdown (I know it’s part of the strategy, but it’s more frustrating than fun), little attack variety, little enemy variety, little level variety, enemy arrows look the same as hero’s arrows, angle of incidence equals angle of reflection (in the wrong direction). Also, I’d rather not lose because of picking the wrong door; the locked rooms would serve better as extras and not prevent progress. Floor equipment description boxes can cover each other. There’s a spot near the top left on the second floor that wouldn’t reveal the next room either time I played (the first time the stairs were in there) – image thereof.

Feffers – Dungeon Seekers
I’ve enjoyed (completed) games like this. It’s a bit early for much of a critique.
It didn’t feel very exploratory, given that everything is already highlighted on a map.

Plasmatic429 – Don’t Ask
Without the restrictive fuel, the gameplay might flow better, making controlling the vehicle more of a fun challenge than an annoying challenge.

Shalmezad – .explore
It doesn’t do a lot, but it does it well. It’s a decent, complete game, but too luck-based for me to feel any satisfaction in achieving a ‘good’ score, so it’s not for me.

Topic: Game Programming / GiTD [#32] Voting finished! [imp2]

imp2 – Theifer O’Greedy
I’m surprised people haven’t talked about the second half of the game. Replaying the levels avoiding everything was a great gimmick that turned a pretty standard (though overly slippery) platformer into an enjoyable (though frustrating) novelty.
Unfortunately, it means that half the game has nothing to do with collection.

Elyzius – The Proper Care and Feeding of Your Demons
I’m not concerned with the amount of luck involved. The battles are long enough that one or two big combos won’t ruin your chances. I spent enough time labouring over many decisions to feel as though I had sufficient control over my fate.
You probably shouldn’t be able to use more demons than your opponent. Not only does it make for some easy fights, but it meant there was little need to consider the differences between the demons and make strategic selections. You just play them all until the final round.
As for the theme, I’d have been more impressed if I didn’t have the full set until after the last fight.
Kudos for start muted.

VBCPP – Mr. Collecter
Kudos for making the theme so prominent.

gobologna – Cat Burglar
With only the one, very basic level, it’s hard to make a judgment about how effective this would be as a full game. With additional features it could do nicely. The use of the theme is pretty generic though.

I_love_you_lots – Collectron
With only the three, very basic levels, it’s hard to make a judgment about how effective this would be as a full game. With additional features it could do nicely. The use of the theme is pretty generic though.

Sushin – TheCollector
There’s nothing too extraordinary about the game; it’s just very well implemented. Not too long, not too easy or hard, comfortably controllable. I didn’t use tumble, slow motion, slash or change holster, some or all of which are likely unnecessary.
I interpreted the use of “collection” here as a euphemism for killing. The character is an agent who specialises in missions with high body counts, operating under the codename: The Collector. He collects diskettes … and bodies. When one collector dies, another agent takes his place, hence the change in appearance.

nutter666 – BodyBagger
I was pleasantly surprised that victory wasn’t trivial, but that may not sit so well with more casual gamers that would be the likely target demographic of the game. Still, it’s a fine example of its genre and a straightforward use of the theme.

Kewry – Hunting Sim
I don’t know where the value is in an idle game, so I have no strong opinions on the game beyond ‘not for me’.

BadEgg – Klecter
Fun enough, but lacks urgency. As you’ve identified, having to avoid the enemies would be preferable to the time limit. You’ll have to do something about them spawning too close to you with no warning.
I can still see an orb collecting goal working, though perhaps better suited as a target to reach to win a level than as an open-ended high score. If you’re going with a single level approach, then it sounds like you’re on the right track.

Russpuppy – Photo Collection
This fills its niche quite beautifully. Not knowing what anything is worth is part of the charm. However, it will alienate many players, as it makes the objective a little unclear. I’m concerned that the rare objects detract from the game, making the regular scenery seem worthless by comparison. I end up waiting to see if something turns up rather than just making the most of the views available.
As far as I can tell, each photo is valued independently. The theme is already well reflected, but could be stronger if the photos could somehow be valued as a collection. For instance, reduced values for similar photos or bonuses for running themes.

FadiLoutf – Forest Of Death
With only the one, very basic level, it’s surprisingly easy to make a judgment about how effective this would be as a full game. The graphics are impressive, but also the only interesting thing the game brings to the table. The use of the theme is pretty generic.

MrHasuu – Surviving in the Wild
Pretty. The food is an entertaining gimmick and works fairly well as a game mechanic. I’m sceptical about the relevance to collection. I’m unsure if there’s a way to ‘win’ or if it’s just about eating everything. Having the camera behind the character would make it easier to understand where you are in relation to the various objects, particularly when trying to jump on things.

Topic: Game Programming / GiTD [#32] Voting finished! [imp2]

1st: Elyzius – The Proper Care and Feeding of Your Demons
2nd: Sushin – TheCollector

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

2)
B(adgers) r(arely) e(at) a(ny) m(ore)
Bream is not a bird.

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

1 8 2 3 6 9 7 4 5
3 6 4 7 1 5 8 9 2
7 5 9 4 8 2 3 1 6
5 3 1 2 7 8 9 6 4
6 4 7 1 9 3 5 2 8
2 9 8 6 5 4 1 3 7
4 1 6 5 3 7 2 8 9
9 7 3 8 2 6 4 5 1
8 2 5 9 4 1 6 7 3

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

I’ll assume that the numbered pages are counted in the etc. and say 0.

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

5 1 2 6 3 7 4
1 7 4 3 5 6 2
7 6 5 1 2 4 3
3 2 6 4 7 1 5
6 5 3 7 4 2 1
2 4 7 5 1 3 6
4 3 1 2 6 5 7

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

Originally posted by racefan12:

Originally posted by SamsterSamster:

Half for race, half for betterplayer then.

Um…

I realize I can’t prove this, but betterplayer originally had posted 0 as his answer for #2, and must have edited it to 16 later.

I wouldn’t have posted my solution of 16 if someone else had said it first.

I agree. racefan12 was the first to post 16.

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

1) 36
2) 23/64

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

High; fair; corn; boat; left; lift; free: GIRAFFE.

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

296

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

Christopher Eccleston – Doctor Who
Johnny Galecki – The Big Bang Theory
Matthew Fox – Lost
Nathan Fillion – Castle
Zach Braff – Scrubs
David Boreanaz – Bones
Bryan Cranston – Breaking Bad
Benedict Cumberbatch – Sherlock
Matthew Perry – Friends
Richard Hammond – Top Gear
John Krasinski – The Office
Andrew Lincoln – The Walking Dead

I wouldn’t really call recognising people a puzzle.

Topic: Game Programming / GiTD [#31] Game Reviewing and Critiquing

I have a couple of points on Wizard Element Defense.

I liked the attack customisation aspect. It provides a good opportunity to employ some strategy. The opportunity would be better if the elemental strengths/weaknesses were mentioned somewhere, and if they didn’t get so overpowered, as Solsund mentioned. Rather than purchasing more powerful gems, it might be better to start with all the gem types at a standard power rating and get rid of exp entirely. That would make it about strategy rather than grinding.

As simplegoogly indicated, many waves pass before any real interaction is necessary. Tower defense games can have 30 waves in a level because you keep adding and upgrading the towers as you go. Here, it’s dealt with between levels, so it doesn’t make as much sense to have so many waves.

More, shorter levels. More than 1 enemy element at a time. Clear, significant elemental damage modifiers.
There should be more focus on picking the right weapons to handle the specific challenges of each level.

Topic: Game Programming / GiTD [#31] Winners Announced!

1st – feartehstickman: Wizard Element Defence
2nd – 3ndl3ss: Douse

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

Topic: Forum Games / The thinking puzzles

63

Topic: Forum Games / The thinking puzzles

It should be
red and green are both smaller than £1.00
instead of
red + green is smaller than £1.00

Topic: Forum Games / The thinking puzzles

If anyone’s still interested, there is enough information for a unique solution to puzzle 11.
C-R: 1-0
C-A: 1-0
U-C: 2-0
T-R: 3-3
U-T: 0-0
T-A: 1-0
U-A: 2-1

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

pineapple upside-down cake
orangutan
cow and chicken
dark chocolate gateau
codename: kids next door
aorta (or rat)
poison dart frog
great dane
tiramisu
chocolate ice cream
right atria
fairly odd parents
anaconda
happy tree friends
tarte au citron
ed, edd n eddy
tricuspid valve
adventure time
baked alaska
vena cava

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

26

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

1 7 8 5 4 6 2 3
7 6 3 2 1 5 8 4
8 5 4 6 2 7 3 1
4 3 2 7 8 1 5 6
6 4 5 8 3 2 1 7
5 2 1 4 7 3 6 8
3 8 6 1 5 4 7 2
2 1 7 3 6 8 4 5

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

How about this?
Therapies: gene, aversion, electroshock, gestalt;
Belts: green, bible, asteroid, radiation;
Golf course areas: rough, bunker, fairway, out of bounds;
Sewing trims: ruffle, fringe, gimp, braid.

Topic: Game Programming / GiTD [#30] Winners Announced!

1st: CuriousGaming – Dungeon Blocks
2nd: MossyStump – Untitled Dungeon Puzzle
I have no observations that haven’t been covered already.

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

Starboard.

Topic: Forum Games / [Continuous] Samster's Puzzle of the Day - Join in at any time!

A N G E R
L _ R _ I
I C I N G
A _ L _ H
S P L I T

Across: Heifer; Happen; Alien; Sum; Jetty; Vienna; Flamenco; Greenfly; Soggy; Debut; Rush Hour; Insomnia; Dry Rot; Audio; Duo; Ladle; Detain; Narrow.
Down: Exile; Finance; Rest; Himalayas; Pajamas; Elton; Mauve; Synonym; Rib; Forbidden; Gnu; Admiral; Tombola; Hurdler; Steel; Sidle; Rodeo; John.