Game reviews.

Red Beard.

Graphics
The graphics used on this game are simple yet effective, using bright, vivid colours. The character lacks detail, however the simplicity and changing forms when the user directs him or jumps, is a clever way of varying the interaction.

Game play
The game itself involves the character collecting coloured orbs, to allow the platforms to move. This may be something I consider when creating my game, making the environment interactive; to allow the user to change the way they interact with the different elements. A weakness of the game is that there are no enemies to destroy, it’s simply a “get to the goal” styled game.

Sound
The game has a range of sounds. The music in the background is typical of a game like this, and the interaction sounds i.e. when the user collects an orb or enters the water are similar to platform games I’ve played on previous occasions.

Animation
Aside from the interaction there are also a number of animated graphics. The orbs bounce, the waves sway and the clouds move across the sky. This seems a good way to develop the game more professionally.

Overall
I think the game has potential, and could be interesting with some small changes to the environmental and game play aspects. The lack of enemies and difficulty is something which needs to be amended, as it’s really hard to get killed, unless under water for over five seconds. Something’s I’d like to use in my game are the animated aspects, which clearly offer the user with a more exciting and developed looking game.



Indiana Jones.

Graphics
In comparison to the last game, the graphics are of a similar standard. The character itself is simple and uses a basic animation to move the legs as the user presses keys on the keyboard. The interface is clearly designed to flow through the levels with a clear understanding. The stone walls and floors, and Egyptian images, show the theme of the game successfully.

Game Play
The aim of the game is again to reach the goal. This is done by changing the environment, and so uses a similar way of programming as the previous game. There are problems though, when the bricks move up and down, even if they are up and safe, any contact will result in the user being hurt and loosing lives. The same is evident with the spikes, which are hard to avoid when falling through small gaps (shown above).

Sound
Because it’s a licensed game, the creator has used the theme music from the Indiana Jones game. The other sounds are when the user hits an object which is fatal to the character.

Animation
The animation in this game isn’t as exciting as you may expect. The lever is the only real object that the user can interact with, something which may be considered in future development. There is a good animation when the user hits a fatal object, where the screen changes colour.

Overall
The game is dull and boring, lacking in the parts of Flash game that we have come to love, such as animated backgrounds. The interface and game play are simple, but the user knows exactly what to do. Some of the levels are poor and there appears to be no change in the difficulty of levels.