Path: chuka.playstation.co.uk!news From: "Ben James" Newsgroups: scee.yaroze.freetalk.english Subject: Re: New game: Squeak Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 20:04:47 +0100 Organization: PlayStation Net Yaroze (SCEE) Lines: 80 Message-ID: <9nr0bf$2qp11@www.netyaroze-europe.com> References: <9nghq2$hav7@www.netyaroze-europe.com> <01c13c3f$d7fa5d00$LocalHost@pal-s-omnibook> NNTP-Posting-Host: du-026-0130.claranet.co.uk X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2919.6600 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2919.6600 Thanks pal, cheers for the comments - honest as always :) This sort of game definitely goes down to taste. It's really just a little Flash game ported to a console so it's going to be a bit limited. Plus it's designed for use with a mouse and the joypad feels rather clumsy. Getting 4 or more in a row is in fact rewarded with more points, though perhaps some extra time would be appreciated more. A warning is actually given in the form of a flashing time bar when time is about to run out, though a sound effect might have been more helpful. Look out for a secondary release thisweekend if you can asked. My next game is an all action bio-shooter which may be more to your (and my) tastes :) Cheers -Ben "pal" wrote in message news:01c13c3f$d7fa5d00$LocalHost@pal-s-omnibook... 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