I am currently planning on writing a long article/essay/guide about 'the reasons why we like the adventure games that we like' and I need your help. Well, it could be based on my own experiences or common sense but I do not want to limit this with me and I believe common sense is always pointing old classics. I do not want to sound like "'Grim Fandango' 'Monkey Island' 'Broken Sword' are great examples and you cannot do a better adventure" because respecting the classic value of these titles, it is simply not true. I want it to be about whole genre judged fairly without exception. So it also can be a nice guideline for game developers which does not say that the best is already done.
You can answer these questions in the comments. Please avoid cliches like "It has to have good puzzles and good story". You do not have to put numbers, nor have to question all of them. Just answer so I can consider your opinions while writing the article. Thanks in advance.
1. What is your favourite adventure game so far? Why?
2. What was your best moment while playing adventure games?
3. Why do you think people tend to say that classic adventures are better?
4. What was the hardest adventure game puzzle so far? Why do you think it was so hard? Stupid of the game or you?
5. Have you shared a moment with someone else while playing adventure games? How did it happened?
6. Do you think a good story is needed for a good adventure game? Why?
7. Do you think a good visualisation is needed for a good adventure game? Do you prefer 2D, 3D or mix of both? Why?
8. Do you think good sound effects and music are needed for a good adventure game? Why?
9. What is your favourite character in adventure games? Why?
10. Do you think adventure games are not taken seriously? Why?
11. What are your advices for adventure game developers? Is it possible to make games better than old classics?
1. What is your favourite adventure game so far? Why?
ReplyDeleteI have loads but the current Hector Badge of Carnage series really has me hooked with a fun but not too taxing story and a great art style with some really great humour.
2. What was your best moment while playing adventure games?
While playing would be the early days of discovery, unlocking that hidden secret and playing out a story that was mine to go at my own pace was a really great experience. I've always loved characters and design and for me each game had its own classics to enjoy.
3. Why do you think people tend to say that classic adventures are better?
Its a nostalgia genre in a lot of ways and seeing as it doesnt need high res graphics or a crazy budget to make a game the games back then are as good as any today - maybe some are better, maybe ;)
4. What was the hardest adventure game puzzle so far? Why do you think it was so hard? Stupid of the game or you?
Um... I think the early sam and max hit the road got too frustrating too soon for me, when I was young. I think that - at the time- the challenge was made too high too quickly, it could have been balanced better for sure.
5. Have you shared a moment with someone else while playing adventure games? How did it happened?
At the beginning it was my brother who - if Im honest - was better than me at sam and max. Now its on the internet and through Kickstarter I got to 'meet' the guy behind the Hector series which was a very cool experience!
6. Do you think a good story is needed for a good adventure game? Why?
Absolutely, its all about the story. You are essentially creating the story your way as you move through it, you choose which lines are spoken, which characters or items to interact with, its a great play style that leaves the whole game open to you.
7. Do you think a good visualisation is needed for a good adventure game? Do you prefer 2D, 3D or mix of both? Why?
I prefer 2d as it just appeals to me but you dont NEED great graphics or animation to make an adventure game but I do think it helps, if only to make the area and items clear enough to find and interact with.
8. Do you think good sound effects and music are needed for a good adventure game? Why?
Good audio is essential, it brings the game to life - in my opinion, anyway. From footsteps to voices, its all about the experience and is such an important feature.
9. What is your favourite character in adventure games? Why?
I love Hector - clearly - although I really did enjoy the old Discworld games if only because I'm a huge Terry Pratchett fan so interacting and playing a character that I already loved was a lot of fun.
10. Do you think adventure games are not taken seriously? Why?
At the end of the day, they are games - why take them seriously at all? They are meant to be fun, a challenge but can also be a great tool to learn as they are slow paced and full of explanation and story. You immerse yourself in the story and its detail, I cant think of many games that run at this pace but perhaps this is why people dont take them seriously because the face and style of game playing has changed massively, especially recently with mobile and virtual platforms.
11. What are your advices for adventure game developers? Is it possible to make games better than old classics?
It is possible and like any genre we should look at what came before and try to be inspired but not work in competition as such. If I had one piece of advice is that think about what you enjoy, what makes YOU play these games and put that heart and soul into your own titles.
Start small, make a few room escape games and see if you are still passionate about making a full title as those early wins and getting people playing your games is a real buzz!
Have fun and if you have the time, make sure you check out www.jasonthegreek.com!
Hope this helps a little,
Kris
aka Jason The Greek
Thank you very much! I got a break (like you did) for the real life stuff, especially school and trying to find a job. Now I'll have my semester break and I can finally write this guide/article. And your opinions will help me a lot :)
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