Kwing's game Reviews on Newgrounds

[flapping bird]

What can you say that hasn't already been said about Flappy Bird? Same graphics (nice color scheme though), same sound effects (nice music though), and the same gameplay. I was a little annoyed by the fact that the bird moves so slowly in this version, but considering it doesn't really matter how far you get I wasn't really frustrated.

What did frustrate me was that the game hiccuped like crazy. From the moment I started the game, the music frequently cut out for split seconds, and it was common for my spacebar to decide not to work while playing. I don't know if this is made in HTML5 or Unity or what, but you probably could have made this exact same game in Flash 5 and it would have been more stable.

That said, the dialogue was decent, well-written, and poetic. What I found odd about it was that you used Flappy Bird as a medium to express the text. I get that there's this whole "jumping through hoops" thing but honestly the hype surrounding Flappy Bird made it very hard to take this seriously. One of the things that made Flappy Bird viral was how STUPID the game was, in a funny sort of way. That doesn't translate well into the existential depression expressed in this game. This doesn't catch me in the gut the way Billy Suicide did, or provide original gameplay like Fixation did - it just presented a sub-par game with a message that tried to fit in and didn't. The result is that the two clash pretty badly. Oh well, if nothing else it's kind of funny.

[Shopping Cart Hero 2]

It took 126 jumps but I beat both bosses. I have to say I'm really impressed.

The graphics are a nice switch-up from the last game. The ground looks much better, and while that's the only major change, it counts. I wish it were a little more blurred or more detailed, though. As it is, I can see strange blurred textures with razor sharp edges running across, as if you have a texture that doesn't loop well. The buttons, tricks, and new graphics (such as the rockets and dumpster) look very good and for what this game is I wouldn't ask for anything more.

The sound effects are kind of basic and I wish you had more variety, perhaps with voice acting as well. You could probably make a really funny plotline to a game like this, it's too bad it's not really expanded on. I'm glad there's no music, as I spent a long time playing this and would have gotten sick of anything you put in.

The gameplay is definitely improved from the last game. The upgrades are simple and effective, though I'm really not a fan of all of the new tricks since it became hard to remember some of them. Overall I liked the whole risk-reward thing with the groupies, and it was satisfying building my way up. The one problem I would note is that between having all of the equipment and upgrading to the dumpster, earning the money for it takes far too long and ends up being a very protracted part of the game, especially in contrast with how cheap Dumpster Dive is immediately afterward. The same can be said for the golden cart and Hang Glider.

The main reason I really like this game, though, is that you incorporated those two boss battles. While I felt they were both way too difficult, I also liked that they broke up the gameplay and offered a stunning level of variety. My only gripe here is that you can only fight each boss once. I wish there were options that would have allowed players to pull off a bunch of tricks, fight a boss, and then stick a really cool landing all in one go - maybe even allow the player to fight both bosses in the same run. The 2000 point bonus is also pretty measly considering the difficulty of the bosses, I think a x2 multiplier would be more appropriate.

Overall I like the added replay value and updated features, but something should be done to improve end-game replay value. Perhaps certain challenges that isolate height, distance, and style, or more challenges involving specific upgrades or bosses (eg. go X meters only using the single booster).

[Alex]

Decent, I suppose. The graphics, physics, sound, and presentation are all very tight, though I think the game could stand to be more difficult and maybe include more features just for the sake of being a good game. Since the game never required the player to perform impossible feats, I never felt very debilitated by the lack of jumping or climbing. Perhaps it would have been better if you had a stamina gauge instead that would drain faster, increasing the difficulty, or perhaps having jump height or climbing/walking speed decrease more gradually. I definitely didn't like that I was still able to run really fast even after my jump height had been reduced so much.

The dialogue is fine but didn't really move me, I think that's pretty much impossible for a game this short. I also want to point out how stupid the word 'cure' is. I'm really sick of people acting like you can just throw money at a bunch of scientists and more money will miraculously equal more progress, even as cancers and autoimmune diseases have been steadily increasing. Obviously we're giving money to the wrong foundations if the problem is getting worse. But enough politics, this is a good game.

[10 is Again]

Much better than the first one. I think the soundtrack could have been changed, and you might have been able to add different color themes as unlockables. Most importantly this is still lacking a random level generator, which could make this a lot more interesting.

9/10 because you've made major improvements, -1 because it's still not perfect.

[Magic Runes]

Interesting game. When I saw the bad graphics and error in the stage size, I immediately expected an old school game, and this was just that - with all of the addictiveness of those old games intact! I found the first few levels to be moderately challenging, with an easy period followed by a difficulty spike at level 13. I must admit this gets old a little faster than it should but it's still good for what it is.

[Pico's School DX]

Very authentic remake, I really like everything in here. The graphics and soundtrack are just perfect - very close replicas of the originals while still looking much better. Not much to criticize here, this is all-around great.

[OverSexEd demo SFW]

I think the main reason I was curious about this game was because it had 'sex' in the name, yet was listed SFW. I wondered how the hell this would work, and... Ugh.

First off, the game is ugly. There is little if any aesthetic put into the menus, buttons, and graphics. I don't like that the entirety of the graphics are just ripped images, although I do think that games can do that and still be enjoyable. It's just that there isn't enough content that shows you're making the most out of existing artwork, rather the images become a crutch. The music loops are incredibly short, repetitive, and annoying.

Onto gameplay... Very repetitive, and I don't like that you have to go to the gym or lab to teach those subjects, it really isn't necessary. Having fewer required clicks for each action would have been nicer, especially if the buttons were in more predictable places and a bit more aesthetic than a long, narrow bar. What I really don't like is that you just keep all of the bars even, click options to make yourself a nice teacher, and then... That's it. The days advance, you can buy stuff, and occasionally you see new events, but nothing really advances the plot. The students don't come onto you, you can't come onto them. You can't seduce them, you can't get fired. You can't do anything except do the same thing until day 69 (which I didn't get to, even sleeping all day took too long in my opinion). The events are also too few (or maybe it's that the days are too many).

My suggestion is that you make your choices more transparent in what resources are balanced by what actions, cause multiple events to happen during each class session that you teach, and make the game shorter (tests every 5 days for 40 days - an eight week semester). With a system like that, you could keep the player more engaged in strategizing and rationing out resources, although it's lame that the teacher is expected to teach all students in all subjects... Lolwut?

[Windows XP Version 19.914]

The graphics are basic and a lot of the humor isn't funny, but you're spot-on with the sounds and the Martha Stewart gag had me roaring with laughter. Nice job man, this is basic but also iconic. Overall I would prefer having a few programs that actually worked (Paint, Word) as well as some websites to explore (like Windows Doors has) and moreover a more consistent system for layers (start menu isn't always on top.)

[Nobody Said It Was Easy]

Oh hell. Graphics and sound feel as if they're making fun of me. I really didn't enjoy either. The gameplay is really interesting although I don't like that the buttons are control and spacebar. Lots of variety but the difficulty curve is kind of obnoxious - I can nail a really tough level and then sit through several easy ones. I'd prefer a more consistent difficulty curve, it would have made me more optimistic about getting all of the stars.