For some, running around with guns blazing never gets old. For me, it was old hat before counter-strike source. The core gameplay hasn’t changed much since. So I’m always delighted to see different modes styles of play, or even a change in scenery, when it comes to video games. Often times, I find that playing short but sweet games gives me a different perspective on modes of play, that are fun and engaging than your typical run and gun standard fare.
Some Privacy Plz
There were 3 games in the Hot New Games column at Kongregate that drew my eye. Lets take a peek at The Love Letterfirst. Basically you try to read the love letter while no one is looking. You’ve got to push and shove your way out of crowds and hide around corners so you can read your letter without being embarrassed when you are caught. Watch out for those classmates who will track you down after spotting you from way across the hall. It’s so hard to get some privacy when you are so popular.
from a secret admirer
There is a thrill of not wanting to being caught in act. There is also frustration in trying to read the letter while watching your back. The risk/reward is well balanced to bring an engaging game. You can find this sort of style of play in FPSs as well. You need to hide behind corners and walls and try to fire on your enemies without them knowing before hand. But when you do, you have to make sure that you aren’t flanked as you fire upon one of your many enemies. Just think how boring it would be if you had to shoot another player in an empty room. Add in a few boulders and crates and suddenly it’s much more interesting experience. I think the gameplay of cat and mouse is more thrilling than being able to hit a target faster than your opponent.
Poor kitty
2nd on the list is Nelly. It tries to be gloomy and depressing, with it’s minor chords and grey visuals. Not to mention a dead cat randomly thrown in for good measure. It’s a simple but quirky puzzle platformer game (the best kind right?). In it you gain 2 powers. The ability to see objects that aren’t there and the abilities to not objects that really are. A formula for madness! I kind of wished more was done with it.
What? You didn't get the memo!? No worries the MemoHuntress will hunt it down for you.
As noted lets remember the 3rd of in the list, Memohuntress. In my younger years, I looked forward to going to the dentist for my check up. It’s not because I was excellent and brushing my teeth, rather it was because of the Where’s Waldo books. Going over a scene and trying to pick out the minute details so you can find what you are searching for. This game, at it’s core, is like a Waldo book. Unlike the books, this game abuses parallax scrolling hiding things when you stand in one place, but revealing it in another. In addition, the scenes are animated, so sometimes you have to wait around until someone lifts a hand or moves out of the way to reveal hidden items.
A lively atmosphere
Scavenger hunts are a staple of most games. It’s the reason behind for achievements, we love to collect them. But even in game, finding items are also rewarding. But, just like running and gunning, it can boring fast. What we can do to make scavenging interesting is adding a bit of Role Playing with a pinch of misdirection. It wouldn’t be necessarily lead to a dead end, but perhaps lead them down a path they wouldn’t think of taking. Enticing them to go down a rabbit hole only to find a completely different world.
So the real thrill of scavenger hunts are not so much the collecting so much as the exploring. Even better if you train the player to read into clues a certain way. Which helps them to find, serendipitously, more explorative opportunities.
Sorry for the lack of posts, but I plan to update at least once a week, except probably next week. I’m going to Boston. Maybe if I can get my hands on a computer and an internet connection probably upload some photos.
I truly am
