Reliving a Memory || When the Past Was Around [DEMO] (PC)

"Past is a nice place to visit, but certainly not a good place to stay." --Unknown

Title screen

When the Past was Around is a unique point and click, puzzle solving tale created by Mojiken Studio.  I played and wrote about another game by Mojiken Studio a while back called A Raven Monologue. Mojiken Studios branches out into these experimental types of story telling that are charming and wonderful to behold. If you haven't played A Raven Monologue, I suggest you do so because it too is quite a tale. 

In When the Past was Around, you unfold the tale of a young woman and a beast in a surreal world where the woman’s memories play out in vignettes. This game is still just a demo, so the game will be build up and things might change in terms of how the game plays, but for now we’re going to talk about the demo.

The art style used in this game is absolutely stunning. The colors are soft and gentle, the characters and the environments are crafted lovingly with great care. Everything flows together nicely from scene to scene, lead along by the beast. I have to say, it feels wrong to call him a beast. This game feels so gentle and loving that using a harsh sounding word like beast feels wrong.

Photos of Memories

The music and sound design are also delightful and add to the overall gentle and relaxing flow of the game. The puzzles are rather simple, and you can manage your way around simple by clicking on everything if you get stuck. Good old trial and error. Nothing was too difficult, and the game focused more on the journey than creating a struggle with the puzzles or mechanics.

There is no spoken dialogue in this demo, all of the story telling is told through the imagery and puzzle solving. This game manages to do that very well, particularly towards the ending of the demo when we get a small idea that perhaps not everything is sunshine any rainbows(and also a small assault on my ears). It reminded me that this was a demo and that there was something more to come.

Where will they lead us to next?

Overall, I think I fell in love with this demo. The art style was enchanting, the music was relaxing and the story was told in a beautiful way. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what more comes from this game in the future.  I definitely recommend that you pick up the demo and experience it for yourself. You can grab the demo free from Itch.io HERE.

How do you feel about a game that uses the art to tell a story as opposed to words? Have you played a game that plays in a similar way before? Comment down below and let me know what you think. Until next time, happy gaming, friends!

The gift of Myrrh...dur! Murder! || 1st Degree [DEMO] (PC)

“When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.” –Mark Twain

I love the intensity

1^st Degree is a murder-mystery 18+ BL visual novel in the works by Parival. You play as Rei, a detective / copycat murderer, who is trying to catch / understand the methods of a killer that has been dubbed “The Doctor”. Outside of the whole murder thing, Rei is a typical smart ass, sarcastic protagonist that we all know and love. The game is still in demo mode, but it has me excited to see a full version.

You meet a large cast of characters in the demo, each with a unique personality. I love that this demo is fully voiced, since it really helps to bring something a bit more personal to the characters. All of the voices seem to fit the characters, but man… Aiden’s voice gives me shivers (in a good way). But in terms of looks, I think it’s a tie between Leo and Minami.

Good ol Rei

I like the story of the game. I’m always a fan of murder-mystery, and I think the twist of having the killer (or one of them) as the main character is interesting. I also wonder how his… extra-curricular activities will cause conflict later in the game. 

The artwork is very nice, and the designs for the characters are all lovely. I love the variety of expressions, as well as the well detailed backgrounds. The sound and music are well done as well.

One thing that I really appreciated with this demo was the use of a glossary. 1^st Degree uses a lot of different medical terms which can be confusing some someone who doesn’t have a lot of medical background. While I didn’t need to use the glossary, I think it’s a wonderful thing to include for players.

Everyone has to relax somehow

Overall, I’m very excited to see how this game develops. Rest assured I’ll be buying the full copy when it releases! If you’re interested, you can download the demo free from Itch.io *here*, and there are also links on the page to follow the game as it progresses. Let me know what you think down below!

Thank you, as always. Until next time!

Bellannmae

Step Back into Another Time... || I Am Here[DEMO]

"It hurts to know you'll never remember the things I'll never forget." --Tiffany William

I am Here.

I am Here is a narrative driven story in the works by Lavalamp Games. You play as Karen, a woman who was once a successful writer, and is looking for her partner, Lisa. You’ll get to explore your surroundings, and memories, as you unfold the story and struggles of Karen and her partner as a gay couple in the 1960s.

The graphics are beautiful, and the style and aesthetic of the house makes it feel like a 60’s styled house (my great grandma’s house STILL looks like this…). The voice acting is nice, although it seems a little flat. If there was just a little bit more emotion in some parts, I think it would be spectacular.

Hard decisions need to be made in life.

Second to the story of a gay couple in the 60’s, I also get the feeling of there being a memory disorder effecting Karen. Perhaps Alzheimer’s? Before the job I have now, I worked in a nursing home where I saw many residents in many stages of Alzheimer’s and memory loss. It’s truly heartbreaking, so I can imagine the stress and pain that Lisa speaks of in the game.

This demo is very touching, and I wonder where the developers plan to take the game in the future. The game, despite the sentimental nature, does have some spooky sequences, that did me quite a frighten. I walked through the dark sequences wholly expecting something to jump out and scare me.

Seriously looks almost exactly like my Great Grandmother's...

I hope you’ll all give this lovely demo a try, it’s free and you can download it from Itch.io *here*. Be sure to leave your feedback and encouragement for the developers. I can’t wait to see where it goes! Be sure to stop in every Tuesday and Saturday at 11 AM to see what we play next! Until next time, happy gaming!

Bell 

Deep in the Heart of Trouble || Date or Die (Prologue/Pilot)

Title

 

Date or Die is an episodic (so far) visual novel game in the works by Arden. You play as “Hero” and you’ve awoken to find yourself in a metal room with no immediately apparent escape. There is one door, but it’s locked, and a computer screen built into one wall. When the screen comes to life, you’re given a strange quiz and it matches you to another person, who you don’t even know. After which the door opens. You can even be matched to the host.

You’re met with some other folks who appear to be in the same situation as you are. They can’t remember their names either, nor do they remember how they got there. You do all have matching pink rings, however. They must have some significance.

Gang is all here!

I like the variety of characters. They all have a unique design and they all seem to have their own personalities as well. I really like the art style they are drawn in. I was matched with “Mesmer” in the beginning quiz during my first go, but “Luna” and “Six” caught my eye also.   

You soon meet the host, who explains that he has this game show to prove that anyone can find love. ANYONE. You have no choice but to participate, since those pink rings are able to poison you at the host’s whim. You’ll be participating in some challenges, designed to test your devotion to the idea of love (according to the host, anyway). But how far are you willing to go? A human’s natural instinct is to survive, but are you willing to kill another to have your chance…?

Mesmer's grin, though...

In the Pilot Episode, you get some sneak peaks with either the Host, or with “Mesmer”. Mesmer is one of the other characters being held captive for the game show. I don’t want to talk about them too much cause I don’t want to spoil any of it. I did enjoy both branches of the pilot, though. I’m intrigued by the host and I really want to know more.

Overall the Prologue and the Pilot Episode are great. They’re well written, the plot is interesting, and the characters are unique and they make me want to learn more about them. I can’t wait to see more from this developer for this game. You can download and play the prologue *here* and then try the Pilot Episode *here*.

Thank you all so much for stopping in! I hope you’ll give this game a try. Let me know what you thought in the comments below! See you next time!

Bell

Demos to Keep an Eye On #4

Hello Friends! Demos are a great way to get the feel for a game before you have to consider laying down the cash for the full game. I like to play demos, myself. They provide a quick snapshot and give me, generally, a good idea of whether or not I want to make plans to get the full game. I hope you'll find a game here to keep an eye on for yourself.

1. PiAwk (In Development)

Source: PiAwk on Steam Greenlight

PiAwk is a cute, although unfinished, platformer game about a little bird created by HiWarp. You play as a little bird in a strange world. You are started off with no real directions or objectives, and you just wander on your own. Eventually you find yourself in trouble and must get your other captive birds to help you.

The thing I love most about this game, besides the adorable bird, is the style if the game. It’s very cute and minimalistic. The black lines over the white background is an attractive look, I think. It’s very well done. You can play this little prototype for yourself by downloading it from Itch.io for free *here* or from Steam *here*.

**update: the game is slated for release in Fall of 2017 so I am looking forward to it!

2. Slipping Soul (Prototype)

Source: Itch.io Page

Slipping Soul is a platforming puzzle game in creation by nelsonliangamedev where your goal is to reach the door. You do this by moving leavers to alter the landscape, dodging monster eyes, and possessing said monster eyes to allow movement. These eyes have a line of sight, and if you cross into the eye’s line of sight, then you must start over. However, you can possess the eyes and alter their line of sight for a short time.

This game involves moving quickly, and was an enjoyable platformer. I’m not skilled in platformers, particularly those where I have to use a keyboard. I would have loved for it to have full controller support—but while my Logitech controller let me move, I couldn’t jump. Alas, I had to use the keyboard.

Even so, the controls felt smooth and natural. I liked the graphics and the music also. If you enjoy platformers with more puzzle aspects, then this game will be for you. I look forward to the full version. You can download the prototype and play the game for free *here*.

3. Insight (Prototype)

Source: Screen Capture from Game

Insight is a unique puzzler game created by Havendaze. Insight surprised me as a game, and is all about perception and point of view. Your goal is to reach the giant fire of the Gods in order to steal it, and in order to do that, you must reveal the path. Around the area, there are buttons to press, and each button corresponds to a color. When you press each switch, certain walls will flood with that particular color, usually revealing a new path to take.

This game was a very unique experience for me. I appreciated the puzzle elements of the game, as well as the use of colors and “empty” space. The landscape appears differently depending on where and how you look at it, which is something that I find intriguing. The music is relaxing and overall the game provided a relaxing and enjoyable experience. I look forward to seeing an expanded project, but until then, I recommend you try the prototype for yourself which can be downloaded and played for free *here*.

4. Don’t Kill Her DEMO (In Development)

Source: Itch.io Page

Don’t Kill Her is a strange puzzle platformer created by wuthrer. You play as a, so far, unnamed character, traversing a strange and sometimes unsettling world in pursuit(?) of a woman. According to the Itch.io page, you are this woman’s murderer. Is she a ghost? Or are you trying to kill her now…? It’s a mystery, and I’m dying to solve it.

The visuals for this game are so unique, hand drawn, and give the appearance of one plaything through a sketchbook almost. The audio is also spot on, I feel. The story… well, much isn’t revealed at this time, but I kind of like it that way. The controls felt smooth and I was able to use a controller—which is a plus for me cause platforming on keyboard controls is not so good for me. In any case, this demo is available on Itch.io, and the game has also been greenlit on steam, so keep an eye out for that. You can download the demo from Itch.io *here* or from Steam *here*.

As always, be sure to leave your comments for the game creators on their Itch.io pages. Words of encouragement or helpful criticism are always welcome, so that the developers can continue to improve their skills and content. 

Happy Gaming, Friends!

Bell