Acalypha 0.8b
by VGamesoft
An incomplete Zelda clone, which really got me playing...
| Tail must find a treasure for the pirate he works for, but ends up on a big adventure instead! | |
| I think the game was well designed. For starters, it does remind me of a cross between Final Fantasy and Zelda. The game has a menu for you to choose which game to load and save. I think that there probably shouldn't have been a limit in the number of save slots since it is a computer game, but then again, it does have a console game feel to it. Perhaps the only real problems with this game was the lack of polish. Don't get me wrong, because this game is really well done. The engine itself shines through as a real jewel in the world of QBasic games. What I mean here is the lack of polish with regards to games in general. For instance, the game doesn't do a nice job of rewarding you for gaining levels. As far as I can see, you get to kill enemies with less hits and you gain one heart. However, while you play you will notice that a nice 20 pack of herbs might have been better since you tend to lose hearts easily. It isn't so much that the enemies are difficult, but that the enemies are quick. The key to fighting in this game is positioning. If you face up, for instance, your right side is practically protected while you strike, but your left is open to attack. Also if the enemy is just far enough to the left, your top is open to attack as well. It is more frustrating when facing left or right, since you have to protect your head and your feet, but the sword only protects so much. Another problem is that the game is a screen by screen scroller, like the original Zelda, but I had to remember to strike with my sword every time I entered a new screen because the enemies are randomly placed and so could likely be in the square I would enter! I would get hit just for walking forward. Also the readme.txt goes on about special items and spells, but I never came across them. I did see the long sword, and that was a sight for sore eyes (I didn't have to get too close to the enemies)! |
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| I liked the varied graphics in this game. Each area looked different from the last, and the cut scenes were scanned drawings that gave something else to the game. It reminded me of the RPGs of NES and SNES fame, and the different exploding enemies and the attacks also added some interesting visuals. In the caves, for example, I expected to be able to knock down some of the walls because I was used to games that had smooth surfaces with cracks to indicate that you could do so. Each of the screens would have what looked like multiple shades of lighting. | |
| I found that the game was easy enough to control, but that I would have liked to be able to control the sword play more. Facing up would limit the sword to only the right side and I would sometimes have to wait for the enemy to come to me so I could attack its side rather than get hit trying to attack it as I normally might. Still, the controls never left me feeling like it was jerky or missed a button press. Excellent work here! | |
| The music and sound effects were really refreshing and well done in this game! There are a number of different tunes depending on where you are in the game. | |
| The enemies weren't difficult, but at the same time, the game didn't seem to get repetitive. The save altars were far enough apart to produce sub-goals for you to attain. | |
| I enjoyed playing this game, but I would have liked the extras that the readme promised. It was also unfortunately too short, as the author stopped after the second chapter, leaving the story dangling with no hope of learning what happens to Tail. | |
| While short, it is sweet. Graphically it is varied and interesting. The controls leave little for want, and the story consumes you before spitting you back out too soon. The music is only slightly repetitive, but it is original and fits the current area that you would be in perfectly. It is an enjoyable experience, if short lived. (I wish to ask VGamesoft if they could pleeeeeease finish this game) | |
| .zip file: 1.15MB download |