I started the game with a bit of apprehension, because my way of playing (which is more or less fierce beta-testing, even when the beta phase has ended), very quickly produced unsatisfying answers from the parser.
So I asked Manonamora if she was interested in a commented transcript, and a few hours later, I've finished the game, which was longer than what I expected at first :D
So yes, I found many things that I would like to see improved in the game to make it reach higher standards as far as *parsing* is concerned, but I actually enjoyed it nevertheless, and since not everyone is going to attempt to break the game as I do while playing, I believe it's already a lot enjoyable as it is, as other comments show it it.
The ambiance, the events, the people you meet, the puzzles, the story, it's all a lot better than what I first expected from a game intended primarily for beginner players.
I didn't want to publicly rate this while the TALJ was ongoing as I'm an organizer of the Comp, but now that it's been over for a hot minute, I feel comfortable circling back.
This is my single favorite parser from this author. They started as primarily a Twine author and have rather rapidly expanded into other authoring systems over the last two years. I don't know if it's from trial and error or simply from playing and reviewing so many different types of games, but this game shows an implicit understanding of the typical tropes and design shorthand that has risen up around the hobbyist parser scene over the last three decades.
As for the game itself, I really enjoyed the tone and especially the relationship with the Minotaur. It made me think of Emily Short's *Bronze*, but nowhere near as dark. The game is also a bit longer than you might assume; my playthrough was over 90 minutes. The built-in tutorial is robust and shows alot of consideration, and I would really be interested to know how people new to parsers interact with this game in particular. Something else to note is the design of the game is more open than one might assume. There are a number of optional side-quests than can be pursued at any time, as opposed to a system of rigid gating. My only friction with the game was some disambiguation issues, but that isn't anything that wouldn't improve with either more testing and/or more experience writing parsers.
I really hope this author continues writing in a variety of gaming engines.
(I wrote this as a review when rating the game, but I'm still not used to itch.io's review culture, only realizing after that only the total average rating is viewable and not the actual review, which ends up being effectively a private DM to the author, which seems... unintuitive? The review was written public facing for others contemplating whether or not to play the game. I wasn't trying to email the author, after all. So, I'm posting it here in the comments so it can still serve that purpose. )
Without a doubt, this is the best parser you have released until now. The take on Lysidice's character on the Minotaur mythology was a unique and enjoyable one. Nice work!
What I mean by "unique" take is MC's (Lysidice's) relationship with the Minotaur. In the original myth, she is one of the sacrificial victims sent to Minotaur, and interestingly enough, Theseus's aunt, the hero who killed the Minotaur. In the game though, their relationship could literally be called the "Beauty and the Beast", with the Minotaur helping and "protecting" her.
Unlike, other parsers, due to the setting being a literal maze, an escape room-like "technique" is used not only to introduce the maze puzzles (which work similarly to "The Trials and Tribulations of Edward Harcourt"), but also to introduce characters like Daedalus and Eriboa, the labyrinth's creator (Icarus's father) and the "Alôids' jealous stepmother who snitched on them about the location where they had jailed Ares".
Interestingly enough, her step-brats, Otus and Ephialtes's names are translated as "ear" and "he who jumps upon" (nightmare also), which could be linked to the whole passage on how MC struggles and solves the last obstacle to her freedom. These brats symbolize the scary surrounding of the maze which was confining Lysidice (here) similarly to how the brats tried to capture the goddesses (failed) and confined Ares in a bronze jar for thirteen months.
To be honest, the story was quite good, but I feel it was kind of a missed opportunity not introducing more characters from greek mythology, as the character explores the maze, making it kind of a "Explore the Greek Mythology" kind of maze.
Note for future players: If played on a Firefox browser on a phone, there's no problem with the UI, but on PC I recommend using Chrome or any other browser other than Firefox.
Also a little code syntax problem appeared: forward.Save
I'm so surprised how the names I picked share similarities with other myths and stories (I honestly just picked them from the list of names (list 2) of the sacrificial victims). So thanks for the links and the readings! I get to deep dive even further into mythology!
introducing more characters from greek mythology, as the character explores the maze, making it kind of a "Explore the Greek Mythology" kind of maze.
That would be pretty dope for sure, I just don't know if I have the chops to carry it out currently (and I don't think Adventuron could handle it, L&tM is considered a large game for that program already). But maybe one day?
The game allows the following combination of commands for this action:
add herb _ honey
mix herb _ honey
put herb _ honey
put honey _ herb
where the _ can be replaced with: in, with, on, at, into, to, for These preposition are "synonymous" in this game, and can be used interchangeably.
I will try to add the and to the code when I can get access to it again this weekend. (Adventuron is throwing errors right now...) Thank you for the report!
← Return to Maze
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
I started the game with a bit of apprehension, because my way of playing (which is more or less fierce beta-testing, even when the beta phase has ended), very quickly produced unsatisfying answers from the parser.
So I asked Manonamora if she was interested in a commented transcript, and a few hours later, I've finished the game, which was longer than what I expected at first :D
So yes, I found many things that I would like to see improved in the game to make it reach higher standards as far as *parsing* is concerned, but I actually enjoyed it nevertheless, and since not everyone is going to attempt to break the game as I do while playing, I believe it's already a lot enjoyable as it is, as other comments show it it.
The ambiance, the events, the people you meet, the puzzles, the story, it's all a lot better than what I first expected from a game intended primarily for beginner players.
Now hoping for a definitive edition!
I didn't want to publicly rate this while the TALJ was ongoing as I'm an organizer of the Comp, but now that it's been over for a hot minute, I feel comfortable circling back.
This is my single favorite parser from this author. They started as primarily a Twine author and have rather rapidly expanded into other authoring systems over the last two years. I don't know if it's from trial and error or simply from playing and reviewing so many different types of games, but this game shows an implicit understanding of the typical tropes and design shorthand that has risen up around the hobbyist parser scene over the last three decades.
As for the game itself, I really enjoyed the tone and especially the relationship with the Minotaur. It made me think of Emily Short's *Bronze*, but nowhere near as dark. The game is also a bit longer than you might assume; my playthrough was over 90 minutes. The built-in tutorial is robust and shows alot of consideration, and I would really be interested to know how people new to parsers interact with this game in particular. Something else to note is the design of the game is more open than one might assume. There are a number of optional side-quests than can be pursued at any time, as opposed to a system of rigid gating. My only friction with the game was some disambiguation issues, but that isn't anything that wouldn't improve with either more testing and/or more experience writing parsers.
I really hope this author continues writing in a variety of gaming engines.
(I wrote this as a review when rating the game, but I'm still not used to itch.io's review culture, only realizing after that only the total average rating is viewable and not the actual review, which ends up being effectively a private DM to the author, which seems... unintuitive? The review was written public facing for others contemplating whether or not to play the game. I wasn't trying to email the author, after all. So, I'm posting it here in the comments so it can still serve that purpose. )
Without a doubt, this is the best parser you have released until now. The take on Lysidice's character on the Minotaur mythology was a unique and enjoyable one. Nice work!
What I mean by "unique" take is MC's (Lysidice's) relationship with the Minotaur. In the original myth, she is one of the sacrificial victims sent to Minotaur, and interestingly enough, Theseus's aunt, the hero who killed the Minotaur. In the game though, their relationship could literally be called the "Beauty and the Beast", with the Minotaur helping and "protecting" her.
Unlike, other parsers, due to the setting being a literal maze, an escape room-like "technique" is used not only to introduce the maze puzzles (which work similarly to "The Trials and Tribulations of Edward Harcourt"), but also to introduce characters like Daedalus and Eriboa, the labyrinth's creator (Icarus's father) and the "Alôids' jealous stepmother who snitched on them about the location where they had jailed Ares".
Interestingly enough, her step-brats, Otus and Ephialtes's names are translated as "ear" and "he who jumps upon" (nightmare also), which could be linked to the whole passage on how MC struggles and solves the last obstacle to her freedom. These brats symbolize the scary surrounding of the maze which was confining Lysidice (here) similarly to how the brats tried to capture the goddesses (failed) and confined Ares in a bronze jar for thirteen months.
To be honest, the story was quite good, but I feel it was kind of a missed opportunity not introducing more characters from greek mythology, as the character explores the maze, making it kind of a "Explore the Greek Mythology" kind of maze.
Note for future players: If played on a Firefox browser on a phone, there's no problem with the UI, but on PC I recommend using Chrome or any other browser other than Firefox.
Also a little code syntax problem appeared: forward.Save
Such very kind words, thank you!!
I'm so surprised how the names I picked share similarities with other myths and stories (I honestly just picked them from the list of names (list 2) of the sacrificial victims). So thanks for the links and the readings! I get to deep dive even further into mythology!
That would be pretty dope for sure, I just don't know if I have the chops to carry it out currently (and I don't think Adventuron could handle it, L&tM is considered a large game for that program already). But maybe one day?
Nice game, with consistent story and fun puzzles. Maybe a little rushed in the final part, but overall a very good job. Congratz!
Thank you!
Nice adventure, I really liked the unusual point of view of the story!✨
Thank you! Really glad you enjoyed it!!
I tried multiple variations of "mix herbs and honey" to no avail, and then found out it's mix herbs with honey😰, maybe consider adding more synonyms?
Hi there,
The game allows the following combination of commands for this action:
where the _ can be replaced with: in, with, on, at, into, to, for
These preposition are "synonymous" in this game, and can be used interchangeably.
I will try to add the and to the code when I can get access to it again this weekend. (Adventuron is throwing errors right now...)
Thank you for the report!