For fun, here are my first impressions just from the games’ titles and blurbs. Hopefully there’s nothing spoilery in here, since I haven’t actually played any but the first game. Maybe when I’ve finished all thirty-five, I’ll compare each impression to the actual game. I thought this might be useful, since often a first impression carries a lot of weight when it comes to evaluating the actual game.
Afflicted
I didn’t really have a first impression about this, and have already played it. The blurb seemed to have a bit of awkward wording (maybe the word “only” could go, in the second sentence). Not much else to note.
Riverside
No blurb on the game information and voting page. “Riverside” makes me think of downtown Wichita. Maybe something peaceful, tranquil. A pleasant, easy-going kind of slice-of-life game.
Snack Time!
Something humorous, or possibly sinister. Blurb leans more toward the former. Probably very puzzly.
Project Delta
Sounds ambitious, and with a title that’s kind of generic. Custom engine, referred to as a custom universe. Could be good if done well, but hints at over-the-top cheesiness.
Ananachronist
Hmm. Something like All Things Devours or Mobius, maybe? Time/paradox puzzles. Probably difficult. Hopefully fun.
Opening Night
Something very centered around the story, maybe. Sounds like a period piece.
Trein
On the one hand, it seems clued for Silent Hill (“Trein Hill” … “all is silence” from the blurb). On the other, mention of taxes and rebellion, making me think maybe something politically-themed?
Everybody Dies
From the title alone, a very grim story. From the blurb, it’s hard to say.
LAIR of the CyberCow
From the title, a joke entry. Something over the top. A little promise shown from the blurb. I’m guessing a short game, and yeah, maybe a joke entry.
Nerd Quest
Ha! I want to play this. Java, eh? Should run on my laptop. Probably silly, probably lacking in the niceties offered by more widely-used IF development systems, but we’ll see.
Search for the Ultimate Weapon
Cringe… I used an example like this in my pre-comp review introduction for this year. Generic title. A genre that holds little interest for me. But will hope for the best!
Cry Wolf
A clever title. Interesting blurb. First impression: this’ll be a serious entry, and a well-written game.
The Absolute Worst IF Game in History
Doesn’t Stephen Bond have a whole page about titles not to use? Or is this game attempting to make the list? My guess is, it’s trying for irony, but probably will be kinda bad. Then again, it could be a good game about the worst game ever (kinda like Tenacious D’s “Tribute”). But probably a joke entry.
Freedom
Death by blurb. The title’s okay, and could lead one’s imagination in many direction. The blurb is probably going for irony, but does nothing to excite a potential player.
A Date With Death
Ah, I wondered if DW would make an appearance. From the title alone, though… isn’t this just like 10 other games? The setting reminds me a little of another recent Adrift entry (different author). There’s a certain… force and flavor, maybe… to David’s work. Looking forward to it.
Violet
Title alone: just various women named Violet. Blurb: an unassuming, simple college term paper simulator, probaly with puzzles and a smallish plot. But these are the kind that are deceptively nondescript, and then blow you away. So we’ll see.
April in Paris
Sounds artsy. Cultured. Over my head, perhaps. Ah, a familiar author, but haven’t played his prior work. My expectations are high.
Red Moon
Wolves. A western. No blurb, so nothing to contradict me yet. Probably involving death or blood. Of course, it could be sci-fi, taken literally.
When Machines Attack
Ha! Re-purposing a familar phrase. That works! Author’s name sounds familiar. The Chinese Room, maybe? No blurb, so no other thoughts except it’s probably a spoof of some kind. Maybe with a Terminator flavor.
Piracy 2.0
Ah… already totally wrong. From the title, I was thinking “software” piracy (and maybe the “version number” is purposely misleading). But the blurb knocks that idea away. So are we talking sea pirates, or something in outer space? Either way, sounds like a fun romp. (Note: the admiral’s last name is the same as somebody I know in real life, and, uh, don’t have high regard for).
Recess At Last
Students, or a courtroom drama. Blub says the former. Sounds like it’ll be a good game for kids, maybe with lightweight puzzles.
The Ngah Angah School of Forbidden Wisdom
Harry Potter? Hogwarts? I got nothin’ else on this one. “Ngah Angah” is a little, er, clumsy-looking.
Buried In Shoes
A title that suggests a mystery, and urges the player to find out more. A good title. No idea what to expect. Maybe the PC gets buried while wearing shoes. Dunno.
Berrost’s Challenge
Sounds like one where a semi-evil wizard forces you through a series of trials. Let’s check the blurb. Oh! Hey! I might not be too far after after all!
Magic
A very simple title. This’ll make it hard for the author to Google for reviews and miscellaneous chatter, though (I had the same problem with Distress). Only other thought that comes to mind is a plot line in “Apollo Justice - Ace Attorney” which I’m playing on the DS now. Magicians. Hmmm.
The Hall of the Fount of Artois
Sounds like high fantasy. Blurb… doesn’t necessarily confirm that. “Hall of the Mountain King” pops into my head when I look at the title. Sounds like it’ll make for a fun game, though.
The Lighthouse
Memories of a “lighthouse” adventure on the CoCo 2 (TRS-80) from the 80’s. Something from the Rainbow Book of Adventures, I think. I was enthralled by “text adventures” then, and a well-done lighthouse adventure might bring back fond memories. Ah, maybe TMI from the author in the blurb.
Escape from the Underworld
Hmmm. Another seemingly generic title. Blurb is a winner, though. Looking forward to it!
Martian Odyssey
First thought - The Martian Chronicles (Bradbury). I’m a sucker for this sort of thing, though. A title like this has a wealth of promise, which is probably hard to live up to.
Nightfall
Bradbury, and now Asimov? And wasn’t there a similarly-named game a few years ago, dealing with werewolves or vampires? But man… I have to trust that author. Expectations are high for this one.
Grief
As long as the game doesn’t give me grief… har har. Hmm. Grieving? Death? Or just annoyances cast upon the PC? Oh, the author was 10th in 2006 (or was it 2005 - I remember the name because I did the T-shirts).
Dracula’s Underground Crypt
Hmm. Is this going to be the Year of the Vampire? Seems like every year has an accidental theme common to an abnormal number of games. But it’s not incredibly original, as a title. Comedy is a tough genre in IF. It’s easier to get players to take seriously whatever you take seriously than it is to make them laugh at whatever you find funny. But it could work!
Channel Surfing
What was that John Ritter movie? Stay Tuned, maybe? That’s my first impression. Something TV-related, or possibly an intentional switcharoo (maybe involving actual surfing).
The Lucubrator
Okay… if your game’s title is easily misread as “The Lubricator,” you might have problems. It’s probably a very serious game, yet I’m chuckling at my mistake… (A minute or so later.) Okay, well, that just proves my need for a more well-rounded vocabulary. It’s a real word after all. Woops!
The Missing Piece
Sounds promising from the title alone, but I remember a little about the author’s previous entry. It was kinda… hard to play. The blurb… isn’t that pretty much the same concept as the author’s previous game? Generic RPG-type stuff. But hopefully a good one.
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