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Sprung: A Game Where Everyone Scores (DS) review"I wasn't around during the glory days of text adventures, but I would expect it to compare slightly to Sprung. This game isn't really a "game" itself, but a dating sim comprised of different choices you pick to beat levels. You don't actually play anything since you only pick choices throughout the game. It definitely won't improve your chances of picking up chicks in the future(good try, though), but the game does have its bright spots where it'll send you tearing up from laughter. " |
I wasn't around during the glory days of text adventures, but I would expect it to compare slightly to Sprung. This game isn't really a "game" itself, but a dating sim comprised of different choices you pick to beat levels. You don't actually play anything since you only pick choices throughout the game. It definitely won't improve your chances of picking up chicks in the future(good try, though), but the game does have its bright spots where it'll send you tearing up from laughter.
The game has two characters that you can select, each with their own scenarios that overlap to form one storyline. You can play as Brett, the guy who comes to the Ski Lodge because of his feelings for his best friend, or Becky, the blonde chick who wants to forget about her cheating ex. As you play, characters are introduced such as the obnoxious and rich Conor, a library-looking girl with no confidence, and your standard wannabe cool guy who sucks with chicks.
The characters in this game are drawn beautifully with animations and facial expressions as they talk. I was impressed with how well each one was colored and animated. The change from one character's position to another is very smooth and well done. Despite the gorgeous outsides, I found out that there really isn't much substance underneath the skin. The characters have an outline personality of what they're supposed to act like, but the game does a poor job of molding that into someone lifelike. A lot of the girls seem similar in which they're slick, like to tease, and also don't give rat's ass about you. Other characters seem cliché, such as Becky herself, who's just kind, pretty, and everything you want in a girl. There's no life in these characters, a rather large flaw in a game where the characters count for a whole lot.
The storyline also wasn't really carried out too great. The game is played by level, each one with a different objective. There are about 20-something levels, most of them being pretty short. Usually, the goal is to get a date with someone, obtain some random items, or help out a friend in need. That's cool and all, but very little of that stuff's related to the main storyline. I mean, it really frustrates me to go through stages such as navigating a dream sequence when it really doesn't affect anything storywise. Brett's storyline has more of these pointless scenarios.
The main charm of this game are the different choices that you select in the game. Each time the game prompts you for an answer, you get to choose from a bunch of selections or to use an item. It's pretty rare that you use an item. The choices can be pretty funny sometimes, but other times whole levels are just filled with boring lines. It's fun to try to get different answers and reactions from the characters that you're talking to.
This brings me to my next point, how the game doesn't really branch. Some levels are so damn easy in that pretty much every choice will complete the level. Others are so hard since that it takes forever to finish, and almost requires a walkthrough. The next stage will always be the same no matter what you do to beat it. There are a very limited number of choices you make that actually affect the game later on, so you won't be replaying it again. The only reason you would replay the game would be to collect all the items, which really have no purpose and to play the other person's storyline, unlocking art.
The game's life is pretty short. It'll last only about ten hours, more or less depending how much you suck at it. I found myself getting bored halfway through the game. At first, it seemed like you had control of the game, being able to steer towards the girl of your choice, going to places that you want to go to, or thinking that the things said actually meant something. Later, you'll find out that no matter what you do, the game will always lead to the same place. It gets bland, randomly guessing choices hoping to finish the level. It seems like it's all luck later on and very little skill.
I was disappointed with how the game turned out in the end. It had so much potential, but everything just turned out to be bland and boring in the end. The game takes place in about five locations starring the same hollow characters with identical flat music, picking random choices to finish a level. It can be funny at times and the art is just beautiful, but the core of the game is just a piece of rusted junk, dimming the light on all the positives that this game had. Having sweet graphics and a touch of humor is nice, but some substance to keep the game interesting is more important. If you're okay with reading, try this game. But it'll probably leave something to be desired.
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Community review by strawhat (November 29, 2006)
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