Post by BenJelter in The Machine comments

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Thanks so much for your feedback and playing so much! I don't want to spoil too much but you will want to hang onto your quiz answers for the final game. How did you play the game? In browser? On a handheld? You can get to the job fair and explore new paths in the final version.

Unfortunately playing the demo might exacerbate the experience of having to replay sections of the game but I think that since the game is longer in the final version those parts feel less repetitive. (No one has replayed it more times than I have, haha)

iceninexp3 years ago (1 edit)

My pleasure!

I played the browser version. I think that might have made the target shooting and hurdles so weird. Perhaps the Gameboy re-centers the X/Y axis and the web version does not?

Getting to the job fair there was enough of a hint with the puzzle not being available in the demo that it was fine.

The only other weird thing I can remember was in terms of story line. When playing the conveyor belt game that manipulates the worker's quota, if you (intentionally) get a really low score, the union people still complain about working conditions (more work but no extra pay) when their quota has been significantly reduced. And then the factory foreman tells Girt that he has to do at least 5 for his shift. Perhaps make the minimum for the conveyor belt game that sets the quota be more than the current quota or something similar? That would fix the union narrative - more work but same pay - and give Girt a reason to side with the union (or get fired and live in a squat and get addicted to Mapota).

Is there any way to win the claw machine, currently?

Really great stuff, overall!

BenJelter3 years ago

You can win the claw game but like a real claw game it is part skill part luck. Even if you do it right it may take a bunch of tries to pick it up.

iceninexp3 years ago (4 edits)

Good to know about the claw machine!

I encountered a soft lock when deciding not to buy the painting. I can't leave the art shop and the owner keeps saying not to talk to him and to look at the painting but the rich guy has already left.

Does the demo offer the option to go to prison? I got Girt arrested but demo ended there on that branch.

BenJelter3 years ago

Although that does sound like a bug (thanks for spotting it!) you aren't completely stuck because if you wander around there are a couple of other ways to progress. You can't go to prison in the demo. You'll have to get the full game to see more. Thanks for playing!

iceninexp3 years ago

Hmm... on leaving the shop I get "Stick to the plan!" and cannot leave. I can't interact with anything in the shop and the gallery owner says the same thing about looking at the painting. And I cannot access inventory.

BenJelter3 years ago(+1)

OK I looked into it and you are right! It got more stuck than I thought. I have fixed it for the final game. Thanks for your feedback!

iceninexp3 years ago

So very glad the issue is fixed :)

If you need a QA tester, let me know..my attention to mundane-repetition detail is pretty awesome!

BenJelter3 years ago

Hi iceinexp send me a message on Discord (jeltron#9267) or twitter (@benjelter) about testing.

itch.io

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