I was going to make some clever P.T reference because of a similar title, but then I realized it's actually a P.T inspired game, so it's not as funny XD. Yes, Silent Hill, with a math twist. Silent Algebra 5: Homework, in theory anyway... It starts with a similar format where you have a looping room and occasional horror elements, but it also has some other ideas and overall feels more like an 'escape room'. It seems the game indulges occasionally in using assets, which is not ideal, but there are other elements of this experience I can talk about. FYI: the game does have English, select second option from the top, then top option, and you can change it.
So far I have some conflicting feelings about what I experienced, however, the game has a variety of good and bad puzzle sections, it just kinda depends on where you at, I actually think the game gets a little better after the first 60 minutes. There are some really cool visual effects in certain parts of the game, which is a bit unfortunate because it takes so much effort to actually get anywhere, but at least there is something to look forward to. The problem for me is that you have this contrast between dry and redundant puzzles when you also have some visually stimulating riddles mixed into the game, for example, I like the puzzle with the penguin and the flowers, you don't even have to complete a portion of it but it's visually nicely made, as well as some other cool-looking structures within the level design.
I actually started to like the game more once you departed from the P.T layout, once you started to manually put the rooms together I feel like the game projects more personality, and the occasional 3D effects you do are really cool. The game even has some chill puzzles like the moving picture on the wall, man I really wish it was 100% of the experience, just the relaxing puzzles, not the frustrating kind. Strangely the game allows you to skip some hard puzzles, but not all of them.
Is that an original song in the main menu? I hope so, it's very nice. You know, there is something to the game, I think it gives some very unusual vibes, it's just that the frustrating parts of the game overshadow what probably could have been a very relaxing experience.
[h1] Pros: [/h1]
(+) I mean, I feel like there are a lot of nice elements in this game, if you would clean up some frustrating sections I would not even have a problem with it, but it just feels like you have those occasionally nice-looking areas and nice puzzles, mixed in with assets and frustrating puzzles, so the overall experience is somewhere in the middle.
(+) When you doing your own thing, when you not trying to make a P.T, like the level design in the other rooms, you know it feels better, the puzzles are better, the visuals are more interesting, it gives off some unusual vibes, I kinda like that. I don't have a strong opinion on the narrative at the moment, but I was kinda following it, it has a nice mystery going for it.
[h1] Feedback: [/h1]
[u] Just some thoughts: [/u]
I think you really need to fix the save points, I am at the point where I am ready to rage quit because this MF game gives me bad save points after death and I have to do several puzzles again. Also, sometimes when you quit to the main menu, it seems the game does not give you the continue option, I have to restart the game to see it.
Is that timer thing necessary? No honestly, do you like when there is a monkey on your shoulder saying that you running out of time, but you don't even know what happens or what the game wants from you? That is some anxiety-inducing game design, like keep that junk out of games, not you specifically, but I hate it, I can't stand it.
There was some confusion early in the game after the puzzle behind the painting. It seems the game wanted me to read the second page to progress, but it's not clear that notes have multiple pages, maybe color code the button so the player can see it. It seems like if you are at that spot, forcing to go forward can also produce some glitches and confuse the player, so maybe a bit more guidance with what you want the player to do (and I am aware of the text on the wall).
You have some really nice puzzles and locations in the game, but they are somewhat overshadowed by less creative puzzles that feel like a chore, I think if you mostly focused on the easier puzzles like the cat painting or the visually driven color-coded puzzles, the game would be a lot more fun, I just want to see all of those cool visual effects in the game, I don't want to grind these annoying number puzzles. But, that is just me
[u] Sound Design: [/u]
Umm. The game has a lot of horror sounds when they are not needed, cheapens the game a lot. If you going to do that, use them sparingly, use them smartly, only when the situation calls for it, it's doing more damage to your game than you realize. Ruins the atmosphere.
[u] Using Assets: [/u] if you going to use assets, I think you need to at least rework them enough so they are not identical or extremely obvious, it makes your game so much worse when you recognize a model from a different game, better yet just don't use them, the original parts of your game are overshadowed when you take shortcuts.
[b] Overall Thoughts: (not rating it, could not beat it) [/b]
Like I said, I think you have a puzzle game that has many good and bad sections, so I think if you focus more on the relaxing puzzles, if you focus more on those nice visual effects that are so rewarding when you see them, that would be a really nice game. But right now, I have some issues with bad save points, I hate those **** timers, and sometimes the puzzles feel grindy, so it's hard to give the game the compliments it deserves, even though I really want to. I think you have the right idea, but I would prefer if you cared more about the overall expeirence instead of beating me with a logic stick, you have some nice visual moments in the game, I want to see them, but I have to deal with all of that crap to get there. Shame... There is a nice puzzle game somewhere in there, even with the assets, could be more friendly though.
[code]Niche, obscure and underrated games: http://store.steampowered.com/curator/31294838-Hidden-Gem-Discovery/ [/code]
