Free and Worth Every Penny - Issue 1: Don't Look Back

[Bandango]

So I've been stumbling across a bunch of short, free games lately, indie games, even, and I've decided to review them for your benefit and my own. I'm going to start with a game recently featured on the Gamers with Jobs (http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/) website, so I'm not exactly a detective here, but if this happens to be more than just a passing urge I'll try and dig around for something fresh next time. Anyway, without further ado...

Don’t Look Back by Terry Cavanagh

http://db.tigsource.com/screenshot/image/1317/original/dontlookback.png



Don’t Look Back is a free to play flash game that feels like more than just a free to play flash game. The whole experience clocks in at just under fifteen minutes, but its impression lingered with me long after completion. It’s one of those ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ things. Nothing in particular makes this game great; at its core it’s a low rent platformer, but, like they say, it’s how you use it. And what little it has, the game uses, completing a simple narrative along the way.

Don’t Look Back is a take on the Greek myth of Persephone, so basically you’ll be going to hell. On the plus side, hell looks great. Terry Cavanagh cultivates the retro 8-bit style that seems so popular with indie games lately, and does so to great effect. With only the color black, three shades of red, and some tricky plays on perspective and lighting, he manages to create not only a convincing environment, but a pretty one too. The lack of detail works to its benefit; the occlusion of embellishment encouraged my imagination to fill in the blanks. If it were not for the score and the surprisingly decent sound effects though, I doubt I would have been so taken by the modesty of the art. The audio definitely completes the atmosphere.

Honestly, the presentation is the most appealing part of the game. It’s a platformer. You run, jump and shoot. Be prepared to fight a boss. Be prepared for crumbling ledges. Be prepared for cheap deaths. But the cheap deaths won’t burn like in some games, respawns are unlimited and immediate. Incidentally, if you miss a jump and die, you restart on the platform you were trying to get to, which is something I’ve never seen in a game before. To keep things interesting, the play mechanics reorient themselves halfway through from action to timing puzzles, with an added twist that will clash with all of your training as gamer. Its no mind bender, but you’ll definitely have a ‘doh’ moment or two.

So, after writing something that might just take longer for you to read than it will to finish the game, I suggest you go play.

Don’t Look Back is:
-fun, short, and pretty
-free
-totally cool and will give you indie street cred

Play it at http://distractionware.com/games/flash/dontlookback/

[NoName]

Interesting review, I'll give it a shot.

[biosc1]

Giving it a shot right now...wow...addicting and tough...and I just reached the point that gives the game its name.

Edit:

Wow...just finished...great game. I loved the boss fights...tough, but manageable. Great ending as well!

[NoName]

The first boss was a bit more difficult to figure out than the second, at least to me. That third shot was tricky!

[BigJonno]

I can't say I liked the graphics. They didn't have quite enough old-skool charm for me to ignore the fact that they were ridiculously old-skool. The colour pallete was awesome, though. Better graphics or even just more characterful animation on the protagonist, but with the same pallete would improve the game no end.

The sound is absolutely fantastic. I can't fault it there. Very atmospheric.

As for the game itself, the unique mechanic was interesting and it totally went against the platforming instincts that I'd had to rediscover for the earlier part of the game. However I would have liked to have had to think about it a little more. I was expecting some puzzles revolving around navigating the obstacles with the given limitation, but it was just a case of remembering not to press a specific button.

Other than that, it was a very basic flash platformer. Competently executed (there was only one screen that I felt relied too much on luck) but nothing to write home about.

Thanks for the recommendation, it was a pretty enjoyable 10 minutes.

EDIT: I can't believe I forgot to mention the beautifully simple, poetic ending. Best bit of the whole thing.

[Bandango]

I'm glad that you guys liked it. I'm thinking about doing another review next week. I started Cave Story today, so it might be that, but its supposed to be long. I'm wondering if I should only pick games that can be completed in one sitting though, stuff like this or gravity bone. What do you all think?

edit: and yeah that third shot was a pain in the ass

[BigJonno]

I'd like to see reviews of short, free games. It'd make for some good discussion as everyone would be able to play the game in full and it'd be fresh in their minds.

[Bandango]

That makes sense. I'll do that.

[biosc1]

I'd like to see reviews of short, free games. It'd make for some good discussion as everyone would be able to play the game in full and it'd be fresh in their minds.

Agreed. Games that take 10-30 minutes to play allow us all to quickly finish it off and the discussion remains fresh.

[Bandango]

Alright. I'll try and find something suitable for next week. I'll post it Tuesday. Have either of you tried gravity bone yet?

[squirrelTactics]

I beat this a couple weeks ago, I was amused that the creator of that game has the same last name as me, and that's not really the common way to spell it.

[National Kato]

Controls are a bit shite, though. No one else thinks so, or are we all just feeling generous?

[Ancalagon]

The controls are a bit cumbersome.

Does anyone else feel slighty confused by the ending?

Are they both ghosts or is he dreaming?

[Mike Kelehan]

The controls are a bit cumbersome.

Does anyone else feel slighty confused by the ending?

Are they both ghosts or is he dreaming?

I say the latter.

[TheKeck]

Just finished it myself. Unfortunately, because of using remote desktop and such, I reckon, I lost sound somewhere along the line and couldn't get it back. I wonder how much I missed. :(

[KamaItachi]

Just finished. Nice and atmospheric. Some of those screens reminded me just how much we have moved in terms of platforming games.

[Ancalagon]

Its.... maybe funny or ironic, that despite its "technical" limitations, it becomes addictive quite quickly. After just a few screens, I was compelled to play through to the end. I think unlimited and immediate restarts really helps actually, because despite the fact that its still hard in places, dying doesnt lead to irritation. In fact, that one little idea maybe one of the best ideas I've seen a platformer in decades. I wish Megaman games had this, I would have finished ZX and ZX Advent ages ago.

[Lint of Death]

My interpretation is that the game is the man picturing himself battling all the way through Hell just to bring her back, and in the end he reminds himself that he's only done such a thing in his mind. Very sad.

edit: Come to think of it, that sounds like a commentary on video games in general.

[TheKeck]

I came up with a similar interpretation. Also, I played it through again with sound the whole time. Adds something, for sure. Luckily it was much quicker on the second playthrough.

Edit: I also ended up playing another little "game" from that site. (Pathways) It was sort of interesting.

[TheKeck]

Add Xoldiers to the list now. :p

[Arphahat]

Fun little game. Not Persephone. That was more the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orpheus#Death_of_Eurydice).

[baz]

I really like the presentation and the game. On a technical note the jump key didn't respond quite how I'd like, felt like it wasn't quite precise enough or something.

[TheKeck]

Okay, now I've played Squish. That one was quite amusing. Switch between 2d and 1d(ish). Cool concept.

[KamaItachi]

My interpretation is that the game is the man picturing himself battling all the way through Hell just to bring her back, and in the end he reminds himself that he's only done such a thing in his mind. Very sad.

edit: Come to think of it, that sounds like a commentary on video games in general.

Certainly had shades of Gillium's Brazil about it. Vanquishing gigantic, horrifying foes as an act of death defying heroism, only to be brought back to the all-too harsh reality with a thump.

[Bandango]

Arphahat, you're right. Oopsies.

Lamaitchi, the connection to Brazil is interesting. I'm surprised at the amount of discussion and the different interpretations that have come from this game. What was it about the presentation of the narrative that made it work so well?

[KamaItachi]

Arphahat, you're right. Oopsies.

Lamaitchi, the connection to Brazil is interesting. I'm surprised at the amount of discussion and the different interpretations that have come from this game. What was it about the presentation of the narrative that made it work so well?

I'd say it's the minimalist nature of the graphics. Very simple, sparse, good use of sounds/silence. I think it works on the basis that your mind will fill in the blanks of what's not there than process high def textures and bump mapping.

Certainly the screens where you're sitting on the edge of a precipice surrounded by black adds a looming ominous quality where (at least in my mind) suggested a far greater depth or abyss than any artist could have drawn.

As for Brazil? maybe that's just my interpretation telling people more about me than than the game itself. The escapist/fantasy imagery reminded me of the film in relation to Harry Tuttles' more fantastic 'saving the heroine' daydreams which contrasted with his claustrophobic, dead end job run by bureaucrats. In the end, the character of DLB must face reality, despite how glorious his imaginary victory.

[Thanasimos]

I quite liked that. It was fun, and the ending was intriguing -- which is more than I can say for most games that take years to develop and millions of dollars.

[LongStepMantis]

I'm glad that you guys liked it. I'm thinking about doing another review next week. I started Cave Story today, so it might be that, but its supposed to be long. I'm wondering if I should only pick games that can be completed in one sitting though, stuff like this or gravity bone. What do you all think?

edit: and yeah that third shot was a pain in the ass

If we're talking about badass free games, especially platformers...I'd like to make a suggestion (http://www.remar.se/daniel/iji.php).

Trailer:
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