Post by violinist on Nov 25, 2009 3:02:40 GMT -5
Sorry if this is too long, or this ain't the place - I felt like my review was way too short on newgrounds, though, and really wanted to get my thoughts out. Keep in mind that this'll be spoiler heavy, so if you want to move it or flag it or something, uh, folks've been warned?
TCT was one of the best things that I've played recently, and I mean that sincerely. It made me remember my goals and life and filled me with the desire to do good in the world and enjoy the best of times while rolling with the worst, and I'm definitely going to spread word around to my friends and family.
Where to start - well, the characters. Alex was one of the most likable protaganists I've seen in some time. She never gives up, never backs down, and has limitless energy and confidence; but she still expresses fear and concern realistically; she feels like a brave kid armed with a shovel and good intentions should feel. Her and Kyle's interactions in particular feel incredibly natural and organic, but her dialogue with others is great too.
Kyle is wonderful; a main character who is a guy, but is also a healer primarily (not that he can't whup some serious ass in a pinch!), but both sensitive *and* strong? Excellence! He works great as a foil to some of Alex's more hairbrained ideas; I have a feeling that they probably caused the police force plenty of problems even without the whole adventuring to save the world shenanigans. I liked how Alex acts without rationalizing things, and although usually Kyle is more reserved, he tends to do just the same when the chips are down.
Bella was great, and I felt her characterization was top-notch. From her snarky attitude to her incredibly cunning ability to cause dischord in the party, her clingyness to Kyle contrasted with her dependability and refined willpower just made her feel cool. Also, using an umbrella didn't hurt! Perhaps more lonely than she let on, I think hanging out with our heroes was an more than just an adventure for her, it was having fun with kids her own age. And that leads me to someone she shares that in common with-
Chad! For some reason I got young Fox Mulder vibes from Chad. Maybe it was just the UFO thang, I dunno - that, and kindofa Picky feel, from Earthbound. His cloudheaded thoughts and ramblings were great fun, and really endeared him to me - especially near the end of the game. A tough decision for someone way tougher than he's given credit by some of the other players I've talked to.
Paige... Well, I'll get to her later.
Other characters of note to me were Anna, Mr. Pierce, and Maxwell.
Anna, although more than possibly 'deceased' obviously lives on in spirit, and in dreams - the place we all return to, if we aren't there already. I feel like dreams'll play an important role in the next game - and hopefully the game after that, because I would love to see this series continued, especially if you have more ideas you plan to weave into the story!
Mr. Pierce reminded me of *THAT ONE TEACHER* everyone has, sometimes multiples of. Perfect pseudo-sexual dialogue that goes right over the heads of the cast, who are both innocent and subconsciously aware of everything he implies. To me, Mr. Pierce doesn't even acknowledge himself as evil; he's greedy, need-oriented, and can't acknowledge faults in himself; the sort of person who makes awkward jokes and expects everyone to laugh along with them, or claims that a person or thing 'belongs' to them, no one else. He, and people like him are the most dangerous kind of evil, because they aren't always as easy to spot, and seem to gravitate to places where they can try to get their tendrils into peoples minds and fears.
As for good officer Maxwell, the poor guy gave off plenty of fallen templar vibes to me- I bet he even played cops and robbers as a kid, but took the roll of super-tough invincible cop to heart while sacrificing his ideals, forgetting that at the end of any game, you let down your guard and resume being friends with the people you're playing with. People like Pierce, who trade status, favors, and whatever they can sell for power or wealth, are a dime a dozen; but people who sell their morals for what they believe is the 'only choice' are a true prize for the Others. Hope to see Max back in part two, and perhaps some other older characters, either as villains or young-at-heart heroes- and hopefully we'll find out what made him the person he is.
There were so many things I thought while playing - I loved the friendship between Alex and Kyle, and it's strains and their confusion as Bella waded into the thick of things with her eyes set on her brave savior! The plot itself seemed at times to revolve around the dreams and wishes of the cast as much their goal, in my opinion - Alex wanted adventure, Kyle wanted to be a superhero, and both wanted to help the world and those they love. Bella had visions of being captured, then saved by a knight, Chad wanted to retreat from the things that scared him and have true friends... But what about Paige?
Although she's pegged as being the same age as the rest of the cast, she seems a bit older to me; although she might fight for the same goals as everyone else, it seems to me that her methods -never compromising, constant deception and an inability to trust anyone or anything besides herself- are drawing her ever closer to the others, dangerously close to a Maxwell-esque adoption of the status quo to protect something, or perhaps even just for power itself. She, of course doesn't see that- but everything from her official-looking shades to the fact that she is the only member of the cast to use an actual weapon, suggest that she is more serious... And more of a danger to herself.
There are a bazillion things I'd love to ramble on about - how I thought that the power levels seemed fine for the game, my random psychological-horror esque ramblings, how I'm pysched that the next entry'll be darker, but hope to high heaven it'll still have an upbeat undercurrent/ending(or at least a cliffhanger to carry us on to part three!), and my speculations on where characters'r going, but you've already kept with me so far. Just keep rawking on, please, and hope you don't mind if I stick around! Peace!
TCT was one of the best things that I've played recently, and I mean that sincerely. It made me remember my goals and life and filled me with the desire to do good in the world and enjoy the best of times while rolling with the worst, and I'm definitely going to spread word around to my friends and family.
Where to start - well, the characters. Alex was one of the most likable protaganists I've seen in some time. She never gives up, never backs down, and has limitless energy and confidence; but she still expresses fear and concern realistically; she feels like a brave kid armed with a shovel and good intentions should feel. Her and Kyle's interactions in particular feel incredibly natural and organic, but her dialogue with others is great too.
Kyle is wonderful; a main character who is a guy, but is also a healer primarily (not that he can't whup some serious ass in a pinch!), but both sensitive *and* strong? Excellence! He works great as a foil to some of Alex's more hairbrained ideas; I have a feeling that they probably caused the police force plenty of problems even without the whole adventuring to save the world shenanigans. I liked how Alex acts without rationalizing things, and although usually Kyle is more reserved, he tends to do just the same when the chips are down.
Bella was great, and I felt her characterization was top-notch. From her snarky attitude to her incredibly cunning ability to cause dischord in the party, her clingyness to Kyle contrasted with her dependability and refined willpower just made her feel cool. Also, using an umbrella didn't hurt! Perhaps more lonely than she let on, I think hanging out with our heroes was an more than just an adventure for her, it was having fun with kids her own age. And that leads me to someone she shares that in common with-
Chad! For some reason I got young Fox Mulder vibes from Chad. Maybe it was just the UFO thang, I dunno - that, and kindofa Picky feel, from Earthbound. His cloudheaded thoughts and ramblings were great fun, and really endeared him to me - especially near the end of the game. A tough decision for someone way tougher than he's given credit by some of the other players I've talked to.
Paige... Well, I'll get to her later.
Other characters of note to me were Anna, Mr. Pierce, and Maxwell.
Anna, although more than possibly 'deceased' obviously lives on in spirit, and in dreams - the place we all return to, if we aren't there already. I feel like dreams'll play an important role in the next game - and hopefully the game after that, because I would love to see this series continued, especially if you have more ideas you plan to weave into the story!
Mr. Pierce reminded me of *THAT ONE TEACHER* everyone has, sometimes multiples of. Perfect pseudo-sexual dialogue that goes right over the heads of the cast, who are both innocent and subconsciously aware of everything he implies. To me, Mr. Pierce doesn't even acknowledge himself as evil; he's greedy, need-oriented, and can't acknowledge faults in himself; the sort of person who makes awkward jokes and expects everyone to laugh along with them, or claims that a person or thing 'belongs' to them, no one else. He, and people like him are the most dangerous kind of evil, because they aren't always as easy to spot, and seem to gravitate to places where they can try to get their tendrils into peoples minds and fears.
As for good officer Maxwell, the poor guy gave off plenty of fallen templar vibes to me- I bet he even played cops and robbers as a kid, but took the roll of super-tough invincible cop to heart while sacrificing his ideals, forgetting that at the end of any game, you let down your guard and resume being friends with the people you're playing with. People like Pierce, who trade status, favors, and whatever they can sell for power or wealth, are a dime a dozen; but people who sell their morals for what they believe is the 'only choice' are a true prize for the Others. Hope to see Max back in part two, and perhaps some other older characters, either as villains or young-at-heart heroes- and hopefully we'll find out what made him the person he is.
There were so many things I thought while playing - I loved the friendship between Alex and Kyle, and it's strains and their confusion as Bella waded into the thick of things with her eyes set on her brave savior! The plot itself seemed at times to revolve around the dreams and wishes of the cast as much their goal, in my opinion - Alex wanted adventure, Kyle wanted to be a superhero, and both wanted to help the world and those they love. Bella had visions of being captured, then saved by a knight, Chad wanted to retreat from the things that scared him and have true friends... But what about Paige?
Although she's pegged as being the same age as the rest of the cast, she seems a bit older to me; although she might fight for the same goals as everyone else, it seems to me that her methods -never compromising, constant deception and an inability to trust anyone or anything besides herself- are drawing her ever closer to the others, dangerously close to a Maxwell-esque adoption of the status quo to protect something, or perhaps even just for power itself. She, of course doesn't see that- but everything from her official-looking shades to the fact that she is the only member of the cast to use an actual weapon, suggest that she is more serious... And more of a danger to herself.
There are a bazillion things I'd love to ramble on about - how I thought that the power levels seemed fine for the game, my random psychological-horror esque ramblings, how I'm pysched that the next entry'll be darker, but hope to high heaven it'll still have an upbeat undercurrent/ending(or at least a cliffhanger to carry us on to part three!), and my speculations on where characters'r going, but you've already kept with me so far. Just keep rawking on, please, and hope you don't mind if I stick around! Peace!
