Ryanson's game Reviews on Newgrounds

[Solipskier]

Skiing Has Never Been So Hardcore

Warning: This game is pretty epic. Those not ready for the epic should stay away.

Skiing games usually don't translate well to Flash, nor do most sports team or otherwise. But this one stands out as one of the best, a game that takes its concept and runs (or rather, skis) with it. Drag and click to create your own slopes -- a simple concept that has worked well for other kinds of games, but never a skiing one.

You can control the slopes, make them go up or down, zig-zag, or even stop-and-start to make your character perform cool tricks (you can also kill your character, which is kind of funny). It's this simplicity that allows for a bit of openendedness -- even if you CAN follow the tunnels and such, you don't have to. It will add a little color to the gray, though.

The black-and-white artwork (with hints of rainbows in them) and the high-flying guitar music may lead some to think this is extreme skiing. They would be right. This is skiing in its most extreme form, it's simplest yet its most inventive. Embrace it.

[Punk-o-matic 2]

A Masterpiece

Very few games are worthy of all 10 stars, this is true. But this one is.

The first Punk-O-Matic was a surprise hit, with fun-to-create songs and unusual comedy. But there was something lacking, and after a while the riffs got old. Still, the fanbase held strong and worshiped the game like nothing else on Newgrounds.

When this game arrived in January, there was a big split in the fanbase -- what was this "story mode" shit? Guitar Hero-esque performances, what? -- but those who were open-minded enough to try out this new game would be pleasantly surprised, if not completely blown away.

The 31 riffs in the original game are here, but have been recreated AND expanded upon greatly -- any kind of riff or chord you can think of, you can create in this game (including ska/reggae chords). Plus a bass guitar has been added into the mix, leading to a much fuller sound. Solos, breakdowns, melodies, and the like are all now able to be inserted into your song.

Unlike the first game, you don't stop at creating songs and watching your band play; there's a full on story mode, where you have to perform your songs a la Guitar Hero or Rock Band. Game secrets and cash are your reward, and your able to spend your cash on new gear for your band. Customization? Forget about it -- and best of all, you can choose NOT to play story mode and simply revel in your own punk-rock-metal dress-up.

If there is a weak point in this game, it is the humor -- when you first play it, the cut-scenes feel all too serious. Turns out, the first game's marijuana humor is supposed to be the main focus, but only *subtly so.* Still, if that's the only fault in your games, good job -- better than any other game out now.

With the first game, Evil-Dog seemed eager, raw, ready to prove himself to the world. With the sequel, he's more than done that. This is his masterpiece and should be a Newgrounds classic for years to come. The game engine is unlike any other for a Flash-based game, and the online support is sure to make many users shout out in glee (or disappointment). If there is a third game coming in the future, he has a lot to live up to.

But if the improvement over the first game is a sign, maybe Evil-Dog's up to the challenge.

[Alice is Dead - Ep 3]

Another End Of Another Trilogy

It all comes down to this. Questions answered, a final confrontation -- there have been countless trilogies in every spectrum of media, and the third part is more often than not the worst in terms of quality and satisfaction. Unfortunately, Alice is Dead 3 falls under that large "part 3" umbrella.

The effort put into the quality of this game, perhaps encouraged by unfathomable anticipation and expectations, is certainly equal to if not superior than the previous outings and in fact most games on Newgrounds. But there is no life in this one -- something that saddened me greatly, since the first two games seemed to breathe out a world that made Tim Burton's Wonderland movie look low budget.

The third one is highly detailed, and Hania's theme song is just as creepy and memorable and gorgeous as any other song in these games, but every moment felt forced. It didn't have that bit of magic that connected this grim world to the world of C. Lewis Carroll. In all honesty, it leaves a taste similar to that of "Tin Man," Sci-Fi's sad excuse for a gritty Wizard of Oz.

Well, maybe that's just a tad TOO harsh. I'm not saying this is a bad game. Like the previous ones, it takes much effort (and clicking!) to put all of the pieces together -- discovery is again the key, and it will keep you hooked until the end. Rabbit's thoughts were just as clever as ever, and the voice actors were there long enough to remind me And if the ending fengels a bit off (I wasn't too satisfied myself), the post-credits scene will wash down that bad taste and remind you why you fell in love with it in the first place and undoubtedly make fans crave for yet another continuation.

Like the Matrix and Spider-Man trilogies, this collection of games certainly had the potential to be perfect. The final part is the curse that many bear, the one thing that keeps it from being classic. In retrospect, Alice Is Dead might have gone down more smoothly if it were all released as one single game. But that would defeat the purpose of this anthology -- to leave the player asking questions and wanting more. In that extent, it fulfills all that and more.

[The Room Tribute]

Simple, Boring and Plenty of ROOM For Improvement

The Room may be one of the most memorable movies anyone will ever watch. It's hilarious quirks, over-acting, and gaping plot-holes certainly make it more fun than it should be.

The same cannot be said for this love letter of a tribute. Despite Tom Fulp's previous point-and-click success with the Newgrounds classic "Pico's School," he can't quite rediscover the magic this time. Almost every point in the game feels like a bore, and I don't blame anyone for falling alseep in the middle of playing. The quirks don't translate well, and replay value doesn't exist with a plot so straightforward. The simple "quests" and repetitive point-and-click action certainly took a bit of effort for program, and they do help the game follow the plot of the movie word-for-word -- but why go through the effort if it makes the overall quality suffer? Why make it just a point-and-click game when in the past games so much better than this we made so many times before?

The graphics are reminiscent of a time when games like this were common amongst the NES and SNES games, and it's actually kind of clever how everything looks altogether (haha, nudity in a "T" game). The designs are simple and capture how pleasant the characters look -- save for Johnny. Seeing as he wasn't much of a looker to begin with, it's excusable that without a complete overhaul he would look as bad as he does here. Thus, the best thing about the game isn't the design or the artwork; it is the music. Oney's theme, while repititive, has a distinct feel to it -- it could have been used in Maniac Mansion, a game that this tribute tries and fails to emulate.

Overall, this game is just... bad. A lesser, inexperienced programmer could have gotten away with this and still have managed to redeem himself quickly, but sir? You've hit your first low, and it's REALLY low. If you wanted to a game that captured the quirkiness of The Room, you might want to consider an Alien Hominid-styled tribute instead.

[Guy of My Dreams]

Cute, simple, fun

Considering the overload of masculine games where sex and violence is the main theme, this is a breath of fresh air. Not only can you control a girl protagonist, but you have to (get to?) get her in a relationship.

However, while fun and cute (the design and music certainly fit together in perfect harmony), the game lacks a real challenge and it's hard to remain interested after a while. Plus, though it may not have been intended as such, this seems like a game that sends the wrong message to young girls.

Maybe I'm just looking too deep into this. Lucky you, girls don't come to Newgrounds.

[Take a Walk.]

Calming Experience

I was expecting to completely hate this game -- it doesn't fit with the exciting, action games the site has to offer.

But it's not supposed to -- dare I say, it's supposed to be the complete and utter opposite. A calming experience to be... experienced. A simple walk in the park, with calming music. The entire game is entirely pre-planned, and is always as-is (minus the birds) but that makes it even better -- no unexpected turns. No surprise twists. Just a soothing rhythm game.

And it's practically perfect in everyway.

[Epic Coaster]

Not as Epic as Implied

A cute copy of similar games, though one I had high expectations for. Of course, the twist is great -- it's a freakin' roller coaster! It's also deceptively complex for a simple game, and the music while reptitive keeps the game rolling smoothly.

Of course I understand why there are no loop-de-loops or any such epicness -- it may be complex to code, and would clash with the game you already made. Also, the distractions are very distracting (durr) and add nothing but a little color.

It's fun, and I won't slam you for it. My expectations may have been too high -- and either way, it's an addictive, straightforward game. On a side note, I'd love to ride this roller coaster some day.

[Epic War 4]

An Epic Game... BUT...

It's not that I don't like the game; I really do, after I gave it a chance!

I mean, the game is entertaining. It takes a wee bit of strategy to win a battle. the level up system in unlike any for a Flash game, with creatures and spells and heroes galore! And the music? I almost orgasmed. It's a simple, epic game -- with the feel of a Lord of the Rings movie.

But... I guess I don't like it. I probably wouldn't play it again; defense games aren't usually my cup of tea. However, I cannot condemn the game -- it has an audience, and that audience will be very pleased.

[IQ Ball]

A Near Flawless IQ Game

In the style of many modern games, this game makes puzzle solving quite fun and inventive. The "IQ" idea in general is pretty interesting as well.

The only problem I had was the sudden increase in difficulty; maybe it's just me, but around level 20 it stopped being easy and suddenly switched to difficult. Perhaps a smoother transition?

Otherwise, a great addition to the Newgrounds Puzzle-Game canon.

[Newgrounds HQ Showdown]

Decent, but repetitive

I'm not gonna hate this game -- it's certainly better than anything I could do. And the fact that it takes place in "the real world" as opposed to inside the ever-changed "world" of NewGrounds is kinda interesting and refreshing.

Sadly though, there are many faults. The controls, while simple, require much repetition; it's easy to spam the A button and win. The choose-a-random-weapon thing inbetween levels is an interesting idea, but really is pointless and/or annoying.

It's not a bad game. It's just needs a tad more variety.