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XCVG5 years ago(+1)

This is one of those games where I think it was done well but I just didn't like it all that much*. I'm not personally a fan of games where the only objective is score. I like my shooters simple; with constant spawns, the floor changing color, being able to fall off the map, and some enemies actually friendly there was just too much going on at once for me.

I don't know if it was actually happening or just seemed to be happening, but I thought some enemies were changing from green (friendly) to red (evil). After a while I gave up on trying to get a high score and just killed everything that might be a threat.

I think you gave the retro theme a good shot, but it just doesn't feel right to me. The biggest problem is that I'm not sure which period you're going for. The HUD tries to be 8-bit (although the drop shadow kinda breaks the illusion), the weapon sprites are mid 90s, and the 3D enemies and environments are late 90s-early 2000s. The company logo/intro is firmly New Tens and the main menu is mid-late 2000s.

I'm also not sure what's up with the streamer in the corner. I feel like it's a joke that I almost, but don't quite, get.

It's really, really hard for me to rate this one. I think it actually is a strong entry, but it didn't really click for me.

* You stand in good company at least; I put Undertale, The Witcher 3, and GTA V in this category.

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Esyverse5 years ago (1 edit)

Thanks for putting time for writing this review. I'm really glad that you noticed this game I made. 

As I mentioned in the description Abnormal is more like a mod of my older game and it is actually a game where my other games elements are mixed together with a new gameplay and crazy art style (as you said, it doesn't apply to one period).

I do know that my games are a bit (or a lot) harder than usual games, though the reason for this game is mostly because of the randomizable game play (I'm guessing you've played less than ten times or you're not very lucky) every game try has a unique difficulty, and based on players' skills, this can be a tool to get score in hard times, or grind in easier game plays. However, I might lower the difficulty in the next updates for Abnormal just like I did with my other games.

You noticed right! The enemies convert during the game and that's a part of gameplay.

The reason I put a funky streamer was to keep a tradition of having live action videos like the original game which this game is a mod of (see Cute adblocker), and to bring out a new idea of "getting your game commented before someone else does it".

I really appreciate your personal opinions, and if you think that this game is bad but in the meanwhile is good; doesn't that mean that it perfectly fits this jam's purpose? :)

The perspective of badness in games doesn't have to be a game with horrible art, poor gameplay or earrape. Sometimes it can be a heavy dose of fun which some people just can't take in one play! And I know, that's abnormal for a game.

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XCVG5 years ago(+1)

I don't know if I really found it too hard so much as just overwhelming in general. I think it was done deliberately, and I think it works for this jam, but I couldn't play it more than a couple times.

I've never played Cute Adblocker or any of your other previous games. That's probably why there were a few things where I felt were a reference to something but I didn't get.

To be clear, I think this was a good entry. I think it really does hit the mark on being "so bad it's good". It just wasn't really my thing.

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