Nifflas' Support Forum

General => Other Free Games => Topic started by: TechnoGeek on July 16, 2009, 21:04:56

Title: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: TechnoGeek on July 16, 2009, 21:04:56
Type: Platformer

Description: you are an egg who must find where to go and what to do
Spoiler: more specific (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Screenshots: (click to show/hide)

Download: http://mattmakesgames.com/games/AnUntitledStory.zip (http://mattmakesgames.com/games/AnUntitledStory.zip)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Pick Yer Poison on July 16, 2009, 21:50:16
I remember playing this a long time ago. I gave up at the Black Castle, though; never finished it. :/
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Salmoneous on July 16, 2009, 23:10:03
I like the game design and variation of environments in this game. The graphics are pretty basic and bad.
But the game itself is good, its a real challenge thought.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: minmay on July 16, 2009, 23:26:02
This remains among the best games ever.  Right up with Iji and Cave Story.  In my opinion it does just about the best job of any game at maintaining an atmosphere of exploration and discovery, and unlike many games of its type it also remains a fun challenge at the same time.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Mathexpert on July 17, 2009, 03:26:49
Quote from: TechnoGeek on July 16, 2009, 21:04:56
Spoiler: spoiler (click to show/hide)
wow, what a huge, horrible spoiler.... :moody: <_<  >(

btw-i put the spoilers there-it wasnt originally there, just so no one gets confused. :P

EDIT:
comments about the game-
I think that this is a very good game. I actually like the graphics... and I also like the "shop" idea.  C)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Pick Yer Poison on July 17, 2009, 03:29:39
Quote from: Mathexpert on July 17, 2009, 03:26:49
wow, what a huge, horrible spoiler.... :moody: <_< >(
I agree. Put that in spoiler tags, please. Let's not ruin what little story-related events there are.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: googoogjoob on July 17, 2009, 03:47:54
Quote from: minmay on July 16, 2009, 23:26:02
In my opinion it does just about the best job of any game at maintaining an atmosphere of exploration and discovery, and unlike many games of its type it also remains a fun challenge at the same time.

I felt like I was exploring and discovering things until I died and had to replay the same areas dozens of times. (This happened in Seiklus too, with its horrible instant-kill things.)

The gameplay is good. But, the graphics and music aren't. The graphics are at least consistent, though, even if I don't personally like the style. However, the music is all bland, painful MIDI (at least, I didn't recognize any non-MIDI instruments), and it feels pretty slapped-on: like a placeholder for better music to be made for the game later.

Also, I felt the heart barrier things were pretty cheap. Forcing the player to replay the same area until they can get through it without getting hit once in order to advance is really irritating.

So: I think this game is worth playing, but not worth replaying.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: TechnoGeek on July 17, 2009, 03:57:09
Quote from: googoogjoob on July 17, 2009, 03:47:54
Also, I felt the heart barrier things were pretty cheap. Forcing the player to replay the same area until they can get through it without getting hit once in order to advance is really irritating.

you don't actually need to go through one of those to beat the game.
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: googoogjoob on July 17, 2009, 05:33:52
Quote from: TechnoGeek on July 17, 2009, 03:57:09
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)

If you're good enough to get past an area without getting hit at all, I don't think you need a toughness upgrade.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: minmay on July 17, 2009, 16:19:37
Uhh, a few things here.

Quote from: googoogjoob on July 17, 2009, 03:47:54
I felt like I was exploring and discovering things until I died and had to replay the same areas dozens of times. (This happened in Seiklus too, with its horrible instant-kill things.)

Since when does Seiklus have instant-kill things?  Since when does Seiklus have any kill things?
As far as getting stuck, there's almost always somewhere else to go, barring the very beginning, very end, and the second Grotto boss.

Quote from: googoogjoob on July 17, 2009, 03:47:54
The gameplay is good. But, the graphics and music aren't. The graphics are at least consistent, though, even if I don't personally like the style. However, the music is all bland, painful MIDI (at least, I didn't recognize any non-MIDI instruments), and it feels pretty slapped-on: like a placeholder for better music to be made for the game later.

Personally, I really like the way the graphics look, but I'd agree on the music.  I never liked MIDI (does anyone?), and a few of the tracks are pretty poorly made.

Quote from: googoogjoob on July 17, 2009, 03:47:54
Also, I felt the heart barrier things were pretty cheap. Forcing the player to replay the same area until they can get through it without getting hit once in order to advance is really irritating.

Ugh, this has been covered so many times (though not on this forum, obviously).  You don't need to trigger a single heart gate in order to beat the game.  The only one you should feel obligated to get through is the StoneCastle one with the jump upgrade, but honestly, it's very easy.  Actually, I never had any trouble with any of the heart gates.  However...

...this brings me to my next point about the game: I think it's really, really easy.  Laughable, even, on Simple and Normal, and only vaguely challenging on Difficult.  I found it pretty hard on my first playthrough, but that was on Masterful.  Currently I'm only likely to die if I play on Insanity (though obviously very likely, but...).
Other people seem to find the game very hard, and I think that probably keeps me from understanding what other people say about it.  I'm not sure why I find this game so easy because I, as a general rule, suck at games, but oh well.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Bored2death on July 17, 2009, 18:27:43
Quote from: minmay on July 17, 2009, 16:19:37

Quote from: googoogjoob on July 17, 2009, 03:47:54
I felt like I was exploring and discovering things until I died and had to replay the same areas dozens of times. (This happened in Seiklus too, with its horrible instant-kill things.)

Since when does Seiklus have instant-kill things?  Since when does Seiklus have any kill things?
As far as getting stuck, there's almost always somewhere else to go, barring the very beginning, very end, and the second Grotto boss.

Seiklus has instant kill things in the...
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Pick Yer Poison on July 17, 2009, 18:29:32
Quote from: minmay on July 17, 2009, 16:19:37
...this brings me to my next point about the game: I think it's really, really easy.  Laughable, even, on Simple and Normal, and only vaguely challenging on Difficult.  I found it pretty hard on my first playthrough, but that was on Masterful.  Currently I'm only likely to die if I play on Insanity (though obviously very likely, but...).
Other people seem to find the game very hard, and I think that probably keeps me from understanding what other people say about it.  I'm not sure why I find this game so easy because I, as a general rule, suck at games, but oh well.
I couldn't even finish the Black Castle. Now I feel even worse... :moody:
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Bored2death on July 17, 2009, 18:36:54
What difficulty were you on?
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: minmay on July 17, 2009, 19:00:30
Quote from: Bored2death on July 17, 2009, 18:27:43
Seiklus has instant kill things in the...
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)

Ah, I suppose you could call those instant-kill things, yes.  Forgot about those to be honest.  (Though that is only the one room...)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: googoogjoob on July 17, 2009, 21:18:42
Seiklus also has those
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)

Not technically instant-death traps, but functionally the same.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Pick Yer Poison on July 17, 2009, 21:19:47
Quote from: googoogjoob on July 17, 2009, 21:18:42
Seiklus also has those
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)

Not technically instant-death traps, but functionally the same.
Oh God, I hated that thing. Hardest part of the game. X)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: minmay on July 17, 2009, 21:20:07
Okay, yeah, those were annoying.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Bored2death on July 17, 2009, 21:47:18
I hated that part sooooo much. I almost quit the game. Anyway, to talk about Seiklus, maybe we should create a different topic, instead???
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Mathexpert on July 18, 2009, 04:15:04
lol, mimmay you think an untitled story is easy?! who could forget how hard the
Spoiler: spoiler (click to show/hide)
were?
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Bored2death on July 18, 2009, 04:17:43
Quote from: Mathexpert on July 18, 2009, 04:15:04
lol, mimmay you think an untitled story is easy?! who could forget how hard the
Spoiler: spoiler (click to show/hide)
were?

Spoiler: on Mathexpert's Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Pick Yer Poison on July 18, 2009, 04:31:20
Quote from: Bored2death on July 18, 2009, 04:17:43
Spoiler: on Mathexpert's Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Seconded. :/
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Shawnachu on July 18, 2009, 05:18:22
I'm attempting a minimal health Masterful run.

It's not going well.  :/

Great game, though, beat it on normal.  C)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Bored2death on July 18, 2009, 05:20:08
Good luck, if you're doing that, you might as well do
Spoiler: secret mode (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: minmay on July 18, 2009, 15:00:35
Agreed.  Prefer playing on Insanity; you'll get an extra fifteen seconds on the last part of the final boss, too.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Purple Pineapple on July 18, 2009, 23:05:19
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: googoogjoob on July 18, 2009, 23:07:54
Quote from: Purple Pineapple on July 18, 2009, 23:05:19
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)

As for quitting, doesn't escape work?
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Purple Pineapple on July 18, 2009, 23:22:56
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Pick Yer Poison on July 19, 2009, 00:46:52
Quote from: Purple Pineapple on July 18, 2009, 23:22:56
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)
I think I know the one you're talking about.
Spoiler: (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: minmay on July 19, 2009, 02:21:29
ESC worked back when the game was in the beta stages, but the functionality was, for some reason, removed.  You need to go to the map screen, go over to Options, and then select Quit.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Purple Pineapple on July 19, 2009, 02:44:45
I did. What button do you press to select?
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Bored2death on July 19, 2009, 02:56:46
"Z"
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: minmay on July 19, 2009, 03:53:21
"X," actually.  (Z sometimes works, though.)

(Okay, so it actually depends on your control setup, but X is default.)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Bored2death on July 19, 2009, 05:00:14
Whoops! My bad!
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: TechnoGeek on July 24, 2009, 16:42:59
And now he's released like the 3rd update this week! :crazy: O_o
after being dormant for like 6 months...
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Niffreak on July 30, 2009, 18:50:21
I really like this one.

Gameplay: 9.5/10. This game keeps me going without ever boring me out. It's not easy, sure, but the difficulty is fair enough for me to not feel like "This jump just is impossible", rather like "C'mon, niffreak, you know you can do better than that!" The only bit are those heart barriers, but those aren't neccesary, so they aren't that much of a deal. It's just my completionist sense that keeps nagging on me.

Graphics: 8/10. I'll give you that, they're not very detailed, but they do what they have do. They really change my mood: from obnoxious to charming to relaxing. There is just the lack of detail.

Music: 7/10. This one variates. The music at nightwalk, for example, is very soothing and sets the mood. Into the next zone, deepmountain, this devolves into a drum and a horrible electric guitar, and so on. It's not too good, but when it's good, it REALLY is good.

Overall: 8.5/10. Bonza job. (Sequel, sequel, sequel...)
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: 1020/Collen on August 02, 2009, 14:02:21
IMO this is a really awesome platformer (I downloaded it last week.)
I love the music it was some of the best ive ever heard.
I like the Chest music. I has an ubeat that sounds like "You can do it!"
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: kaizoman666 on August 02, 2009, 14:03:24
I believe Raocow is doing a Lets Play on the game, so if you can watch his videos if you want to see what its like (or if you're trying to find hidden items).
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Mathexpert on August 02, 2009, 18:40:39
Yes, but his walkthrough is going to be blind, and I alrealdy saw him skip tons of powerups, so I think that hateworkboy's walkthrough is the best.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: 1020/Collen on August 02, 2009, 23:17:13
Quote from: Mathexpert on August 02, 2009, 18:40:39
Yes, but his walkthrough is going to be blind, and I alrealdy saw him skip tons of powerups, so I think that hateworkboy's walkthrough is the best.

I like raocow's lets plays. There very good.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Mathexpert on August 03, 2009, 00:41:31
Quote from: 1020/Collen on August 02, 2009, 23:17:13
I like raocow's lets plays. There very good.
They are certainly funny, but good? :huh:
Lets get back on topic anyways. (not that we have gone very offtopiccy, but stil :))
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: TechnoGeek on August 03, 2009, 16:59:55
Quote from: Mathexpert on August 02, 2009, 18:40:39
Yes, but his walkthrough is going to be blind, and I alrealdy saw him skip tons of powerups, so I think that hateworkboy's walkthrough is the best.
I might do LPs of this, if I can find a decent video-taking program that is okay quality and doesn't slow down my computer by 5x.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: minmay on August 03, 2009, 17:47:29
I was going to do an LP on Insanity, but Ducko already made a series of INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS which kind of defeats the purpose.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: TheoX on August 04, 2009, 17:31:11
Meh. I really don't understand why so many people like this game so much.  I've tried it out once or twice, but never bothered to get very far.  I just... can't find anything redeeming about it to keep me playing.  The BGM is mediocre and often brash, the graphics look haphazard and bland, and the sound effects are extremely irritating - especially the 'powerup gained' sound.  I don't find the gameplay to be of particularly fine quality either.  The powerups seem randomly placed, the enemies' hitboxes cover more than their sprites do, and the 'jump on enemies to kill them' idea is stock.  It's pretty much the default way to kill enemies in a game when you have no other ideas.  From what I've read earlier in this topic, it sounds like the game has a memorable plot, but the beginning levels just seem too uninspired to hold my interest, and just end up annoying me.  I suppose after having played a plethora of freeware platformers with superior controls, graphics, music, and overall polish - WaDF, LiCS, La-Mulana, and Cave Story to name a few - this game just seems very sub-par.  A lot of things could definitely be improved.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: kaizoman666 on August 10, 2009, 18:58:26
Quote from: TheoX on August 04, 2009, 17:31:11
I suppose after having played a plethora of freeware platformers with superior controls, graphics, music, and overall polish - WaDF, LiCS, La-Mulana, and Cave Story to name a few - this game just seems very sub-par.

Actually, WaDF has somewhat similar graphics (just not as 'rounded' as much of the graphics in AUS is).
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Bored2death on August 10, 2009, 21:29:29
If any of you are interested in a bigger AUS, then read this (http://nifflas.ni2.se/forum/index.php?topic=1495.0) (and feel free to help, we'd really appreciate it!).
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Zelakon on January 26, 2010, 22:11:50
Great game!  Completely unoriginal since it admittedly took SO much from Seiklus, but it definitely expanded upon that.  It took me a few days to 100% it (due to its huge content) and it's easily in my top 20 indie games of all time.

Overall rating - 7.9
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Pick Yer Poison on January 26, 2010, 22:19:57
Quote from: Zelakon on January 26, 2010, 22:11:50
Completely unoriginal since it admittedly took SO much from Seiklus,
Beyond the basic features that most explorational platformers share, I don't see many similarities.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: minmay on January 26, 2010, 22:51:28
...AUS takes more from Metroid than it takes from Seiklus.  Seiklus takes more from Metroid than AUS takes from Seiklus.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Zelakon on January 27, 2010, 14:26:56
1) Graphical Style
2) Sound Effects
3) Map Screen
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Pick Yer Poison on January 27, 2010, 23:27:52
Quote from: Zelakon on January 27, 2010, 14:26:56
1) Graphical Style
I...what?
Spoiler: Seiklus (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: An Untitled Story (click to show/hide)
Quote from: Zelakon on January 27, 2010, 14:26:56
2) Sound Effects
I can't really think of any examples of this. Could you point out some?
Quote from: Zelakon on January 27, 2010, 14:26:56
3) Map Screen
It's a standard puzzle-platformer map screen, really. Each room is divided into boxes, and they're all displayed in a grid. Then your collected items are displayed next to it.

Note I'm not saying that there aren't any similarities, I'm just saying that it didn't take a ton of stuff from Seiklus. :/
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: minmay on January 28, 2010, 01:15:22
The graphical style is similar to Seiklus', but not greatly so.  Knytt's style has more similarities to Seiklus' style than the AUS style does, so...yeah.
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Zelakon on January 28, 2010, 15:15:05
When I played this game, I felt Seiklus in the tone of background artwork.  I felt Seiklus in the sounds played (e.g. getting hurt) and I felt the map style was formulated with Seiklus clearly in mind.  I hadn't read anywhere before I played the game that this game was completely inspired by Seiklus, I only found that out after completion when it says so in the credits - and that's when everything clicked.  When I played through Knytt I felt no structural similarities, only that they're both explorational platformers.  Just because I felt that way playing it doesn't mean you lot should've too!
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Pumpkinbot on January 31, 2010, 00:40:30
I CAN'T GET PAST THE DAMN ROCK GUY FFFFUUUUUUUUU...[/rage]
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: Hmpf on February 01, 2010, 00:34:35
I remember wanting to try this game, but it kept crashing every time I opened the file, so eventually I gave up. :-(
Title: Re: [platformer] An Untitled Story
Post by: oskop on January 03, 2011, 11:20:30
I love this game, or I love what I've played of this game.

It's the best experience I've had in demistifying über polished graphics as a gaming necessity -- my first major playing experience was Final Fantasy IX, with all it's wonderful pre-rendered backgrounds and their agonizing mismatch with any other graphical element in the game; it's got a competent-to-great soundtrack; it sets up a large world while entirely avoiding epic fantasy/sci fi clichés; it has a special way of feeling shoddy and hastily put together and clunky to control and at the same time elegantly designed and organic and just good to play, just plain good-feeling to play and to get to know as a game. I have no problem with the abundance of power-ups and hearts; it makes the game feel generous and steers it away from masochore clichés that dominate a lot of harder games' mindsets.

It lacks in variation towards the later parts of the game -- which is why I've never gone all the way through. But overall it feels like a playground and it reminds me of the first moments I was excited by games, and it reminds me of trying to draw super-heroes in paint when I was ten years old, and I appreciate that a lot.