Adventure

Downfall Interview with Remigiusz Michalski

Martyn Zachary 8 Comments

We recently talked to the very accessible Remigiusz Michalski about some of the more burning questions relating to his horror adventure game, Downfall. In our interview, we touch on his feelings about being an indie developer – including how Steam had shockingly outright rejected the game as unfit for their audience – and how the game’s style and structure really came about. Michalski also clarifies how the game relates to the adventure game genre all the while gently jabbing poor Guybrush.

The interview additionally contains never before seen side-to-side comparisons of development sketches and exclusive versions of backgrounds – including unfinished art that never made it to the game – to allow readers more insight into Michalski’s development cycle.

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Here at the Slowdown, we also noticed how some players have been on the fence with the amount of gore in the game, so we wanted Remy to clarify the true nature of the horror present in Downfall. In turn, we also learned how some of the game and its locations are really reality-based.

Finally, we intend to publish our complementary review of the game, with more in-game screenshots to go, in a matter of a few days; If you’re interested in the game, the easiest way to read the forthcoming review is to subscribe to us on Twitter or to our RSS feed. Downfall is currently available on Direct2Drive, and our thank you goes to Mr. Michalski for taking the time to answer our questions.

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Mo’ Monkey Island

Martyn Zachary 6 Comments

Lightning just struck in the form of Telltale’s all-new episodic series, Tales of Monkey Island. Now sporting a spotless track record and a tremendous presence in the adventure gaming marketplace, Telltale were able to license the franchise from the smouldering ruins of LEC. We couldn’t be happier that the new series also paves the way for the imminent return of Michael Z. Land, the creator of the magnificent iMuse, as well as of Dominic Armato, the one and only voice of Guybrush Threepwood.

Here’s what Ron Gilbert has to say of the situation:

This next year is going to be very interesting.  Ron Gilbert, Dave Grossman and Tim Schafer all have games coming out.  Someone check the scriptures.  Might be a good time to start hording canned goods. 1)http://grumpygamer.com/8280380

Canned goods aside, that’s not nearly all; Telltale’s series is further complemented by LucasArts’ new, self-revised “Special Edition” version of the original Secret of Monkey Island.

This new rendition, then, contains hand-painted HD graphics and re-mastered, re-recorded audio; It also gives you the ability, if you so desire, to switch between the new “Special Edition” and a “Classic Mode”, which allows you to play the game as it always was.

Sounds good? Yes! My only concern for the Special Edition project – cries and whispers of rehashing aside – is that, frankly speaking, the 1080i Guybrush looks like a twat.

Who would have thought?

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Blackwell Cartoon Shorts

Martyn Zachary Leave a comment

Wadjet Eye Games, having fiendishly teased its fans for a good while now, have just published their first cartoon short for the Blackwell game series:

This might be completely uncalled for, but the way poor Rosangela is played for comic relief in the first episode feels slightly off-register. Not to complain about free laughs, obviously, but in my very generic understanding of the series, the depth of the cast goes far beyond what is on display here, and in that sense, Blackwell newcomers might be somewhat confused as to where the ‘true’ register of the game series lies.

While the assemblage of characters in the series does seem to contain some influence of the American sitcom tradition, I’m not so sure that situational comedy, at this point in time, is the best way to deepen the characters, especially since we are – forgive the worn-out turn of phrase – not laughing with Rosangela, but at her.

I’d love to hear what others think of the cartoon short, though (for all I know I might be wrong about this) and obviously for now I’ll have to hold my judgement in anticipation of the subsequent episodes. In any case, I believe the cartoon is a first for indie adventure gaming, and it’s always delightful to see an ‘extended’ universe at work!

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Downfall Demo Review

Martyn Zachary 1 Comment

At this point, most of you have probably had the chance to familiarize yourselves with Remigiusz Michalski’s odd-one-out horror adventure Downfall, so instead of simply laying down our impressions in anticipation of a full review, I’m jotting down my two cents on both the new and the old Downfall demo.

I’d also like to attempt to propose the answer to two questions: First, do either manage to capture your interest? Second, do the demos succeed in their utilization of demonstrative methodology? Difficult questions that I hope to address in my post. Read on, and check out some more comparative screenshots after the jump!

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Downfall

Martyn Zachary 2 Comments

Remigiusz Michalski’s new 2D horror adventure game, Downfall, is the latest AGS-based indie project to make it gloriously over to the retail market. The game, designed to attract those craving “…for an intellectual adventure that puts complex storyline and immersive dialogues before the polygon count”, and features “scenes of violence and gore, sexual content and strong language and it is suitable only for persons of 18 years and over”.

From the Harvester Games website:

“Quiet Haven Hotel was supposed to be just a one night shelter for Joe and Lucy Davis. But things soon start to go wrong. Lucy’s panic attacks get worse and soon she disappears. And in the morning hotel changes too. Nothing is what it seems anymore. Joe is left alone, trying to understand what is happening, trapped between reality and the nightmare.”

While the game is obviously another testament to Chris Jones’ fantastic adventure game platform, it’s also a delightful example of perseverance: Back in 2007, Downfall was a mere batch of relatively clumsy, gorey screenshots posted over at the AGS forums. In fact, an early demo version(!) is still available for download in case you’re the kind of person to obsess over a game’s entire production curve. Here is a comparison, of the “old” and “new” Downfall, to really drive home the amount of improvement that’s gone into the project:

At this juncture, the game looks fierce, and sports an interesting, aesthetically cohesive look and feel. The game will be sold, for the modest price tag of $9.99, at Direct2Drive.

Update:

A demo has been released for the game and is currently available on FilePlanet.

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