Path: chuka.playstation.co.uk!news
From: "pal" <pal_news@hotmail.com>
Newsgroups: scee.yaroze.freetalk.english
Subject: Re: New game: Squeak
Date: 13 Sep 2001 10:39:37 GMT
Organization: PlayStation Net Yaroze (SCEE)
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Ok Ben, here are my feelings about Squeak.

First, let me warn you that I do not really like the game, although it was
able to get me playing up to level 6 (which actually took some time since I
was not very good), but that's a matter of taste. I do prefer your other
games, esp. Defender. I don't feel there is enough room for strategy, as
you do not have much choice for your moves (you can obtain chains, but it
is rarely other than by chance, isn't it? - maybe I just did not play long
enough though, or did not catch the rules accurately!). I keep wanting to
move the blocks freely as in Tetris Attack/Pokemon PL. However I do
appreciate the action (when not looking desperately for some pieces to get
together), pop, pop.

- I like the overall design, especially the YarozeScene effect, and the
beginning-of-level effect; the sound is perfect, and the menu is as it
should be. The fruits look better than the vegs, but you know that ;)

- I am not sure about the rules... when the first item is selected, I can
still go anywhere in the playfield, although it seems that I can only move
items next to the selected one. Did I miss something? If not, I feel that
other than that the controls are appropriate, and I would not prefer a
mouse version (even less an a-stick one). (this does not mean that a mouse
version could not be added for those who'd like it of course!)

- The feedback is very good, which is not always the case although very
important for this type of game. I love the 'pop' sound and I can feel the
pieces pop and the cursor move.

- however, chains are not visually rewarded. Even just a "2x chain" message
or a special effect would add to the fun.

- it is not obvious enough how much of the time bar you gain for popping
things. Maybe making it into pieces would help (eg you get one "piece" of
time for any pop, three for a 2x chain etc.; time may still decrease by
units lower than one "piece")?

- the joker (if I understand it right, ie it is used with the circle
button)... wouldn't it be better for it to be just like a 'life'? You're
never sure you're stuck (well, I sometimes was, but time always proved me
wrong ;) ), so this would simplify the game a bit (I must admit the joker
was a bit confusing to me at the beginning).

- I'd welcome a 2player mode. Should not be very long to code, and would
definitely get me playing more.

- a warning before time ends would be helpful.

- stucked situations should be predictable, and the computer might avoid
them... if this is not possible, then what about changing some pieces
randomly from time to time? (The computer may choose pieces that cannot be
moved so that this does not disturb the player)

Overall, nice job.
Cheers,

pal