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Crystal v0.3
(Singsong)


vvvvv

"A Medevil-themed ASCII Excavation!"


In the town of Goldform, twenty magical crystals are used to protect the buildings and it's people. But one day a monster stole the crystals from Goldform! A group of warriors managed to chase down and slay the monster, but the crystals were no longer in the monster's possession.


Now it's the villager's turn to help. You play one of the searchers of these lost crystals. Search through the mudhills and dodge mysterious creatures while travelling underwater and leaping over cliffs and plateaus, and swing your sword whenever you must go into battle!


Graphics (n.)
The use of animation and visual effects to stimulate the senses
N/A The text graphics in Crystal v0.3 Despite the changing ASCII color palette, you won't fight birds that look like birds, or crystal imps that look like crystal imps. You'll fight birds that look like pi signs and crystal imps that look like upside down question marks.
Sound/Music (n.)
The smooth blend of atmospheric sounds and original harmonies
N/A You can kill, jump, and swing your sword, but don't expect to hear the action of battle. That's because there area no sound effects or music in Crystal v0.3.
Gameplay (n.)The precision of control and involvement of character within its universe v
(Poor)
Gameplay is pretty linear. There are few options in the beginning of the game and the route to the portal/crystal is very straightforward, there are no pipes to duck through and kill enemies or collect hearts, you do not get a choice of which way to go, unlike other games.

You basically go through the level and kill everything (except for hearts, which gives you more life). Some of the enemies can be confusing, too, like spikes you can kill and swimming birds.

The classic space for jump turns on a special mode making your jumps perfect, but the majority of the time this is not used. The up arrow is jump which can make it confusing at times. On the other hand, the scrolling in the game is very good, like commercial games, and the game is flickerless. The creatures move in real time and the game still doesn't flicker. It feels like a platform game, despite all the setbacks.

Story (n.)
The creativity and presentation of the game's critical plot
vv
(Average)
You have been recruited to search for the stolen crystals in the nearby marshes of your town. The story seems like one found in a RPG. However, there's nothing that makes you say, "Oh, I've GOT to rescue the crystals!". Plus, the game plays like you know where the crystals are before you start, at the top of the level. When you start, you can skip 
the story if you've seen it before.
Replay Value (n.)
The timelessness of the gamer's delight, such that the experience can be repeated again and again
(Very Poor) Like most platform games, if you've played it once, you've played it a million times. This game is the same, and there are no special features like a high score to beat or try to beat. Once it's over, it's over.
Challenge (v.)
To strike the mental nerve in such a way as to stimulate human thought and reflexes
v
(Poor)
The game is not challenging enough in some places, just right in others, and too challenging in some very frustrating parts. The too challenging parts came from jumping, though. You need to be able to hold down the up key and the sideways keys in some places, especially after the first act.

Perhaps the greatest challenge is making sure you jump correctly every single time. It is very hard because the inkey trapping can only manage one key at a time and if you miss you fall to the bottom of the level and have to start the whole thing over.

Fun Factor (n.)
The overall entertainment value as maintained throughout the adventure
v
(Poor)
This would have gotten a five had my idea of fun been jumping up and down and cursing the fact that I couldn't figure the game out at first and then when I tried jumping on specific levels. It doesn't help the fun factor score that the levels are long and the player gets frustrated on the harder levels, leading to the player quitting the game. Crystal v0.3
can be fun, however, when you're underwater and racing the clock or about to finish the level.

In short, this game could be very good with original graphics and more features, like a timer or a high score list. Sound wouldn't hurt either, like a swish when the sword is swung or a splat when you get hit, etc. The flaws in the game are correctable for a beta version, and this game could be very good. However, at this point in time, Crystal v0.3 is just an average ASCII platform game.

Crystal v0.3 Reviewed by Diamond Titan

Players 1 player Genre: Platform Game
Rating To solve: 1 hour Final Rating: 5/35

To download this game, click here.
 
Installation Tip
wTo play Crystal v0.3, unzip the file and run "CRYSTAL.BAT".

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