As the title suggests, I just finished playing TSL Episode 1 for the first time. I realize that I'm a little behind, but I wanted to get through the entire series from the beginning first, so I was delayed a bit. Anyway, here I am, and here are my thoughts. Some of this has probably already been said, so I apologize if I'm bringing anything up that has already been hashed and rehashed, but I want to give my full impression.
And yes, spoilers abound.
The opening sequence was terrific. The music was wonderful and set the mood very well. I nearly jumped in my seat when Alexander spazzed out during the ceremony. That was all very well done.
The voice acting was good. I almost feel like it could have been acted a little more, but then I also feel like any more would make it seem too fake, so I think you did well.
The graphics were really good, especially the inanimate objects and backgrounds. I must admit that I'm a little disappointed by the characters. I assume the 3D modelers aren't pros, and I could have hardly done better (I've never tried, but I doubt I could model to save my life), but many of the character models, while very well detailed and textured, seemed unpolished. One specific instance I recall was a closeup of Azure's face while Graham was speaking to him. His left eyelids were scrunched up on one side, looking like they were disfigured in some way; it was rather unsettling. Lip movements on most human characters also seemed too exaggerated most of the time.
Graham's walking speed, by the way, was very good, but his stride was so short that it looked very awkward. It may look better if he was slowed down a tad and his stride lengthened.
The narrator - Amy's got a lovely voice. She reminds me a little of Cassima from KQ6, and I loved Cassima's voice actress. Most of what she said worked. However, I also found the snarkier comments to be quite out of place. Had the tone of the episode not been as serious as it was, there would have been little problem. As it was, the little attitude behind some of her comments completely ruined the mood. I appreciate humor, especially in a King's Quest game, but for this episode it was too out of place. Examples are her comments when Graham sits down outside the room where Cassima and Alexander are, her comments when trying to pick up objects you don't need or trying to open the chest outside of the pawn shop, the fourth-wall-breaking in Graham's bedroom and the mention of the TSL Asylum and her BSP. Those sorts of things should have been saved for the more lighthearted Episode 2.
I'm not going to touch on the short length and almost non-existent puzzles; I do know that this has been discussed at length and I am satisfied with the explanation that the team has provided.
Oh, and I don't think a little thank you to Vivendi and Activision in the credits would be at all out of line, seeing as how they were both willing, eventually, to let you use their intellectual property for free.
I know I said a lot of discouraging things in this little write-up, but let me make this perfectly clear: I am incredibly grateful for all of the work POS has poured into this game. No, it's not perfect, but I never expected it to be. You all have been through a lot to bring this to us, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm looking forward to future episodes, and I hope that at least some of what others and I have said will be useful to you all in the future. Thanks to you all! :)
Quote from: Enchantermon on July 19, 2010, 05:30:58 PM
Oh, and I don't think a little thank you to Vivendi and Activision in the credits would be at all out of line, seeing as how they were both willing, eventually, to let you use their intellectual property for free.
They said that the people they did came in contact with from Vivendi and Activision has been thanked in the credits, if I recall correctly.
Yes they are thanked in the credits.
We did indeed make sure to thank the people who helped us and worked with us at Activision and Vivendi, as well in other aspects along the way.
Thanks Enchantermon!! This makes my day. It's like reading a hug! I'm so glad you enjoyed the episode!
Good to hear that you remembered them, and doing it by personal names is even better than a generic thank you to the company. Awesome. :)
Quote from: KatieHal on July 19, 2010, 07:48:59 PMThanks Enchantermon!! This makes my day. It's like reading a hug! I'm so glad you enjoyed the episode!
I'm glad to hear it. Despite the things I disliked, just the fact that this exists is amazing, so you all definitely deserve kudos for bringing it all together.
Believe me, I'd give all of you big hugs, but distance makes that a bit of an impossibility. ;)
Quote from: Enchantermon on July 19, 2010, 07:55:35 PM
Despite the things I disliked, just the fact that this exists is amazing, so you all definitely deserve kudos for bringing it all together.
I agree. Many people/reviewers overlooked this fact. Considering that it was built entirely by volunteers who almost never met in person, it's really quite remarkable that the game came together at all, especially when you consider the percentage of fan projects that actually come to fruition.
Quote from: Enchantermon on July 19, 2010, 05:30:58 PMThe graphics were really good, especially the inanimate objects and backgrounds. I must admit that I'm a little disappointed by the characters. I assume the 3D modelers aren't pros, and I could have hardly done better (I've never tried, but I doubt I could model to save my life), but many of the character models, while very well detailed and textured, seemed unpolished. One specific instance I recall was a closeup of Azure's face while Graham was speaking to him. His left eyelids were scrunched up on one side, looking like they were disfigured in some way; it was rather unsettling. Lip movements on most human characters also seemed too exaggerated most of the time.
Graham's walking speed, by the way, was very good, but his stride was so short that it looked very awkward. It may look better if he was slowed down a tad and his stride lengthened.
My biggest gripe about the graphics is the backgrounds. Look at that side area of town. As soon as I walked into it and saw that texture that wraps around the top of the area, which I guess is supposed to look like other houses in the distance or something I thought "lol, PS1". Seriously, what is up with that? That looked absolutely awful. The texture on the restaurant building in that area looked pretty bad, too.
Edit- Here's a pic from a similar PS1 background and it definitely looks better than what's wrapped around the top of the new town area. http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps/375631-disneys-aladdin-in-nasiras-revenge/images/gs_screen-23