Valet Service
This week’s experiment in keeping a schedule was a qualified success. I didn’t get the page of Voles entirely finished, but I did get it mostly finished and since it’s an establishing shot with tricky perspective stuff I don’t mind spending extra time on it. Also, I didn’t quite get GH2 ready for the next release but that part of the schedule was more a wild guess than a binding agreement. I know roughly how quickly I can draw (five hours a page for Mischa’s Story, three hours a page for Voles) but don’t have any good way to measure how quickly I can program. It’s possible that I can get both things finished up this weekend if Sean sleeps soundly during his afternoon nap.
Speaking of computer games, let me take you back to the year 1990. Shadow of the Beast II was a platform/adventure game for the Amiga computer. It was also one of the leading causes of nervous breakdown among the 16-24 year old geek set. You’ve heard of “Nintendo Hard”? Try Psygnosis hard.
It’s important to note that from the beginning of the game, you were free to explore anywhere and there’s no indication of the correct thing to do. The only way to learn this game was to die repeatedly. Even the invulnerability code didn’t help all that much- there are numerous puzzles which, if messed up, will prevent you from completing the game. Just look at the steps needed to reach the dragon; that took me ages to figure out.
When SOTB2 was released it was one of the most visually impressive computer games ever. I think it still holds up very well- the colors and surreality give it a wonderful dreamlike quality.
Like most games of the era, it had a thoroughly disappointing end. My guess is that the programmers never expected anyone to make it that far.
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