Media Update

[kingandy]

Finished Grim Fandango; I wanted to be able to say I did the last year without looking up walkthroughs, but sadly this is not the case.  Several times I failed to spot exits, one time I missed the right option because I was slightly misaligned, and for the very final puzzle I just failed utterly to try solution.  I blame this on the fact that at no point does the game say "BTW water from this tank is sprayed through the greenhouse in a fine mist, not just piped in".  Without giving too much away, there's only about three usable objects in the area (only one of which you have not used), and you have about three items in your inventory (one of which is a useless empty bottle), and somehow the solution is about the only iteration of combinations that I managed not to try.  Still, I reiterate my conclusion that it is a fantastic game let down by a poorly-conceived interface.  I miss being able to sweep my mouse around the screen for hotspots.  It would have helped me spot exits.  I suspect I still would not have managed all the random object combination puzzles, but at least I would have had access to all the areas.

After I finished that game (Monday), I started on the new Zelda game for the GBA - "The Minish Cap".  It's visually appealing, they've made good use of the GBA's pseudo-3D "Mode 7" graphics in some nice subtle ways (yay barrel-rolling!) and such.  It is, however, clearly aimed at the lower age bracket.  I think I'm halfway through already, after two nights' play.  Maybe there'll be a further sequence of dungeons after the four I'm working through now, but if that turns out to be it I'll be most unimpressed.  Even Oracle of Seasons & Ages had eight each, and they were only half-games really ... and none of them approach the epic scope of the A Link To The Past, which came on the same size cartridge after all.  I can't help but think maybe they've bloated it out with sound samples and chubby graphics, or something.  (On a side note, I have had to check a walkthrough once so far - because in order to proceed past a certain point you have to throw a bonb at a wall that is unmarked in any way, go in and get some water.)  Still ... it's entertaining enough.  We'll see how it goes.

Comments

[kmazzy.livejournal.com]

me and Nick are being pretty lame at Grim Fandango. but we are understanding the randomness of the combinations of things you can do better.

but i agree, the interface is painful. at least Manny tilts his head to help. but he doesn't do that at doorways. :(