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Post by Ex on Oct 12, 2021 9:50:37 GMT -5
Another game I've been trying to get to work is Amber: Journey's Beyond. There is no GOG version of this game available, and it's notorious for being extraordinarily finicky to get to run. That applies to the DOS/Windows versions, the Mac version was the core development platform and worked well. That is to say it was hard to get Amber DOS/Windows to run in its own time, nowadays it's nigh impossible without setting up a specialized virtual machine. I did attempt to get Amber to work using various methods, including a custom 32-bit installer (it's a 16-bit game) but to no avail. (I don't care enough to setup the VM solution though.) Figured I'd mention this game because Amber was innovative for its time (1996). Though other adventure games have used the same concept since (help earthbound spirits move on to the afterlife). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amber:_Journeys_Beyondwww.mobygames.com/game/amber-journeys-beyondadventuregamers.com/articles/view/17435
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Post by Xeogred on Oct 12, 2021 11:01:44 GMT -5
That looks really cool.
I'm going to try and dig into some more stuff this week. Been a little hectic at the end of a certification course and my birthday heh.
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Post by toei on Oct 12, 2021 15:42:06 GMT -5
That does look cool. Any other horror recommendation that would also fit this thread?
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Post by Ex on Oct 12, 2021 16:02:27 GMT -5
That does look cool. Any other horror recommendation that would also fit this thread?Maybe you'd like some of these: Cosmology of Kyoto (1993)
Dark Seed (1992)
Ripper (1996)
Harvester (1996)
If you want to play any of the ones that aren't on GOG, I can help.
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Post by toei on Oct 12, 2021 17:24:34 GMT -5
Cosmology of Kyoto was that one game Roger Ebert reviewed, wasn't it? Apparently it's a very exploratory thing rather than a standard game. Seems interesting. Maybe Harvester might also be worth a look.
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Post by Ex on Oct 12, 2021 20:56:07 GMT -5
Yes Ebert was quite fond of the game. But he also hated Freddy Got Fingered so what does he know.
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Post by toei on Oct 13, 2021 0:11:05 GMT -5
That's a really well-written review, though. Concise yet evocative. Video game reviewers could learn a lot from him.
And I know you're joking, but Freddie Got Fingered came out in 2001 (to my surprise, because it's very '90s in my mind), and Roger Ebert was born in 1942. It's not really his age I'm getting at here, so much as the fact he grew up in the '40s and '50s. There's a world between the comedic sensibilities of his generation and crazy-ass Tom Green.
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Post by Ex on Oct 14, 2021 10:12:16 GMT -5
Made it to chapter 6 last night in Phantasmagoria. There's only 7 chapters total, so I'm getting close to having this one finished. Saw the controversial rape scene, which was fairly mild in the realm of film, but in the realm of video games back in 1995 yeah I can see why it was a big deal. I'll tell you what I've learned from this game, Roberta Williams has a dark and twisted mind. This sure ain't King's Quest.
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Post by Ex on Oct 15, 2021 1:30:54 GMT -5
Title: Roberta Williams' PhantasmagoriaPlatform: PC Region release played: USA Year of release: 1995 Developer: Sierra Entertainment Publisher: Sierra Entertainment Graphics: 3/5 Audio: 3/5 Challenge: 2/5 Fun factor: 2/5 Quick Thoughts: Phantasmagoria was a mammoth project for Sierra, involving 200 personnel, a 550-page Roberta Williams' penned script, two years of filming and programming, a $4.5 million (~$8 million in 2021 money) budget, created in a $1.5 million studio built specifically for its filming. Phantasmagoria was one of the forerunners of the FMV adventure genre, although with far more interaction than was common in the genre at the time. Phantasmagoria was also highly controversial upon release due to its dark subject matter and unflinching gore. There's also the matter of a violent rape scene which didn't sit well with many video game outlets, and thus refused to carry the game thereof. While Phantasmagoria often lacks compelling gameplay or riveting story, there's no denying this 7-CD project was hugely ambitious and influential within the realm of "movie games". +Extraordinarily aspiring for its time. +Technically impressive interaction of CG backgrounds with bluescreened actors. +Introduced the concept of QTEs before Shenmue did it. +Many optional cutscenes offers some replayability. +Gorgeous lead actress (protagonist). -Most of the actors were rather awful at acting. -Item puzzles are brain dead easy... -...while progression can be unintuitive regardless. -The final chapter is one long QTE-addled slog. -The plot comes across as poor man's Stephen King. Ex's time to beat: 5 hours 50 minutes Ex's rating: 6/10
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Post by Xeogred on Oct 15, 2021 9:49:25 GMT -5
That second death holds up in nastiness, though such practical effects are kind of funny to me now after so many slashers.
Considering how controversial Doom, Mortal Kombat, Duken Nukem, etc were in the mid 90's, it's easy to see how this one pushed the boundaries for its time.
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