itch.io

The writing delighted me. "Chud card (which you hate)" still makes me smile, a couple days later. It's well implemented (check out that lego set), with a very manageable level of detail. It manages to have a very cohesive identity, apparent very early on, despite being a collab. The premise is a fun setup for a parser, and the approach feels... fresh, maybe? Vibrant? It's got a lotta heart. Also, I'm a glumpus fan for life! Jelly Hug forever!

Two notable things happened in the first 30 seconds playing this game: I died, twice, which made me groan, but I kept playing. This game's writing is immensely charming, with a succinct but distinct narrative voice, and despite an early death being generally a bad sign of punishing, old-school sensibilities, this felt different. It is. The writing, for one. It's quite funny. The repetition of "chud glumpus (which you hate)" still makes me smile. It's well implemented (check out that lego set), with a very manageable level of detail. It manages to have a very cohesive identity, apparent very early on, despite being a collab. The premise is a fun setup for a parser, and the approach feels... fresh, maybe? Vibrant? It's got a lotta heart. I'm not really qualified to speak on puzzles, but I thought some could probably have been signaled a little more obviously; that's really my only real criticism. 
Also, I'm a glumpus fan for life! Jelly Hug forever!

I tested this one and had a great time. Though I'm not a particularly skilled or patient parser player, I solved this with a little thought. I think the addition of Manzio, and making the rescue an optional part of the puzzle, is brilliant. It gives even this small scale story stakes and character choices. Environmental worldbuilding, a fun four elements theming that justifies the map,  and a world-altering gadget that's really fun to use. Great stuff! 

I really like the setting here, it's a fun take on archaeology-- a restaurant that, to us, is vaguely futuristic, and to the protagonist is entirely alien and ancient. The puzzle introduces a classic parser quest-- find bits needed to push the buttons that open the doors that you get you your prize-- but it's signaled clearly, fairly small scale, and focused. The tutorial "level" is short but gives the player the tools needed to handle the more complex environment and puzzle. I think this is a solid intro for beginners. I'm not a great parser player, but I solved this with a little thought and experimentation, no real problems. Nicely done!

I'm astounded that this puzzle, which is essentially fitting broken fragments together jigsaw-style, works without any images. It's pulled off with quality writing, carefully considered design, and an engaging environment that feels complex and vibrant without being overwhelming. I'm clapping my tiny, nimble hands at this one, I think it's quite an achievement. 

My advice here is the same advice I was giving people during that one weird part of the pandemic: I don't care how catchy their sea shanty is, don't sing along with the sailors or you'll regret it. 

I kept forgetting this was an LPM. Really nicely put together, and genuinely tense. These millennials and their early bedtimes are threatening the unfinished business industry!

Maybe the real horror was the friends we made along the way. . . 

I regret not buying the sas-squash. 

Delightfully spooky! Love the little "post credit scene" ending. 

Delightfully spooky! Love the little "post credit scene" ending. 

If the robots can resurrect the Carolina Parakeet, I for one welcome our new overlords.