Reviews

---

Review by Onewing all reviews by Onewing

Good: Equating Britney Spears to Trash
Bad: Concept.
I imagine this game is better than her movie…

Maybe ho2go thought he/she was being funny, but really, this game made me cry myself to sleep. There’s very few things you can do, the graphics are bad and the game doesn’t make sense (not that you’d expect it to) nor does it work. If you are going to have a game with Britney as your main character, for love of bubblegum, put some hot pictures of her. If we’re going to have to play your game, a little eye candy would persuade the scores. It only takes a few seconds to google and there used to be a time when she wasn’t completely trailer trash.

Overall: You’re not that innocent: 1.
Artistical: Using news and tabloids as the main purpose of the game helps, but the horrid graphics doesn’t. 2
Technical: The game doesn’t seem to end, meaning it doesn’t seem to have a purpose. 1
Genre: Just because Britney is trash nowadays, I’ll be a little generous. 2

Scores: Overall 1 Artistical 2 Technical 1 Genre 1

---

Review by Onewing all reviews by Onewing

Good: Priests
Bad: Priests wielding handguns tsk, tsk.
No random comment for this game, as the story in-game provides enough randomness.

I thought it was weird. Not necessarily bad, but weird. There’s a zany story (that the author obviously didn’t take very seriously) at the beginning and zany characters. Hmmm, this game might have done better at last year’s speedhack. Anyway, at least it’s playable, to some degree. Trying to click the enemies is feverishly annoying.

Overall: There’s a story and a battlefield. But, there’s no music and you can’t die. Well, there’s also some instructions, so that’s a bonus. I guess a very low 3, am I right?
Artistical: I guess it’s kind of based on some kind of news item…Meh, 2.5, another generous 3.
Technical: No fire, no death, glitches in in-between menus and bad gameplay. Smoke effect is pretty neat though. 2.
Genre: Yeah, two.

Scores: Overall 3 Artistical 3 Technical 2 Genre 2

---

Review by Allefant all reviews by Allefant

Pyrotrash is an online multiplayer game of up to four players. Each player can choose one of the four beautifully animated characters:

Crisp packet
Rather slow, but strong attack. Burns good.

Milk carton
Faster, but weaker attack. Also burns.

Energy drink
Very fast, and can walk through fire without too much harm.

Burnt chicken
Slow, but fire resistant and can start fires.

After characters are chosen, the game begins in a random generated level. There are usually several floors connected by ladders. Each player can run around with their character and shoot. The goal is to survive the longest.

This opens the possibility of different strategies. One is to ignite lots of fires, then hide behind in an open space. If the other player is in a smaller space, and doesn't have a fire resistant characters, you will win for sure - if the other player runs through the fire to attack, he will lose a lot of health. If he waits, the fire will catch him sooner as he is in the smaller space.

Another strategy is to assault the opponent directly, before fires start spreading. Here it is important to know the strengths and weakness of your characters. E.g. if you have a fast bug weak one, try to dodge hits and use your speed for surprise attacks. And with more than 2 players, it's always good to keep an eye on all the other players.

In the games I played, I had a lot of fun, even though currently, it seems a bit unbalanced.. but if you can find a server with players, definitely worth playing a few games. With some improvements, I think this has the potential to be a great game.

But for a TINS entry, even the current version is quite polished and playable.

Scores: Overall 5 Artistical 4 Technical 5 Genre 4

---

Review by guilt all reviews by guilt

This game is an intellectual game. It needs quite a bit of thinking, I believe.

The smoke, fire, garbage all all well touched on. I believe that there isn't enough scope for current news events though.

The game is very hard to play, and the aim is to survive.

If i could understand how to play and win, I'd write a better review :)

The game is a finely finished product.

Scores: Overall 3 Artistical 3 Technical 3 Genre 3

---

Review by Onewing all reviews by Onewing

Good: A relatively large world.
Bad: A relatively boring world.
Not terrible, says the burning bush…

Trash Man’s got music, sound effects and even a purpose! Shocker! A game that you could say is actually complete and well-rounded. Unfortunately, it is a little slow paced.

I always enjoy a world to explore, even if there’s hardly anything in it. In fact, I popped open Mappy just to check out the world _sven created. I was even more excited to give my wrists a break when I found out I could a gamepad to play the game. Unfortunately, the controls of the gamepad aren’t as manageable as the keyboard controls. Still, it’s nice _sven put in this functionality on top of everything else.

There were a few things I didn’t figure out, like how to restore my health or how to not grab a bomb-infested item. Once I beat the high score and had a gander around the world, I pretty much put the game to rest. A few more sprinkles and this would have been a real treat, so it was slightly disappointing.

Overall: I semi-enjoyed my time playing this game and all the little details (including picking up bushes) makes this game overall pretty solid. I think it’s deserving of somewhere between 3 or 4, so I’ll be nice and make it a very low 4.
Artistical: The news isn’t very prominent in the game, but serves its purpose. Graphically, the game isn’t appalling. Once again, I’m thinking between 3 and 4 and I’ve already given out a 4 so…
Technical: No bugs (unless you could periodically getting stuck on things briefly a bug) and the smoke/fire effects are affective like an effect should affect. Can’t really argue with that, 4.
Genre: It’s all about picking up garbage. Honestly, I don’t have any reason to give less than a 5.

Scores: Overall 4 Artistical 3 Technical 4 Genre 5

---

Review by Hard Rock all reviews by Hard Rock

This is an okay looking game and being a programmer and not an artist I can understand the developer’s heavy overuse of the gradient tool, as that’s something I like to do myself to shade things.

Now as for the actual game, it’s really slow placed. The reason for this is probably because it’s a lot easier to develop a game and perfect timing for a variety of a maps running at a slower speed then it does at a faster one.

The game basically plays as a “collect and return all the items” type game, and to add variety you have to dodge different weather all elements who besides their appearance all do the exact same thing. A simple concept and one that gets boring really quickly, but this is a rather decent entry and overall it is not too bad.

Scores: Overall 2 Artistical 3 Technical 2 Genre 3

---

Review by Onewing all reviews by Onewing

Good: Functional and elegant
Bad: Not very entertaining or…orginal.
Not Recommended to: people with Alzheimers. Actually, can you recommend any game to someone with Alzheimers?

This is one of the games I had to review. While it does everything you’d expect it to, you’d expect it to do more. Sounds like something your parents would say…

Anyway, back on track, it was only a few weeks ago that I made a memory card game for MinorHack, a 1-hour competition. BNW is a memory card game for a 72-hour competition. You’d it expect it to be 72 times better, but alas, it is not. I guess you can’t really expect someone to actually use every hour of the competition though.

Overall: I didn’t run into any bugs and the game is fairly well-polished. However, it’s pretty boring, slow and not very original. And even though I didn’t like X-men 3, I will give you a 3.
Artistical: I’m not sure how news is an art, but I’m not a journalist either. The news is blatantly obvious and the rest of the game-art is fairly appealing. Unfortunately, I just can’t shell out more than another 3.
Technical: I’ve already mentioned several times the game is functional. The fire and the smoke, although very plain-jane, work effectively within the game. I’ll give you the exact count of how many times I said “expect” above. What more could you expect from me?
Genre: When you have to open the readme to see how garbage (and it’s related items) fit with the overall scheme, the genre is not very obvious. Two for you, Scooby Doo.

Scores: Overall 3 Artistical 3 Technical 4 Genre 2

---

Review by Hard Rock all reviews by Hard Rock

A rather simple game, this one consists of you running and collecting garbage bags and putting them on a truck. Now to be honest if I was this guy I'd quit my job since the people of this city seem to have no respect whatsoever for the poor garbage collector.

So basically you hop, dodge and collect garbage to put on your truck and save the world from global warming. An okay concept but the game is rather simple, and the concept seems to get really boring fast (especially since you truck always likes to stay a good 30 feet behind you (What a nice guy, he likes to make you walk 20 seconds per garbage bag). This provides little incentive to pass through all 26 (wow that’s a lot) levels.

On okay game that could do with some variety and enhancement. A solid attempt for the time period.

Scores: Overall 2 Artistical 2 Technical 2 Genre 4

---

Review by amarillion all reviews by amarillion

In this game you control ballz, a genetically manipulated ball specialized in close combat and ball warefare (as a molecular biology major I must strongly object to this kind of unscientific nonsense, but luckily it is of no importance this review). Ballz may be a ball which has mastered speech and intellect, but that doesn't mean he has full control over his movements. No, Ballz, being a mere ball, can only do two things: 1) roll forward at uniform speed and 2) bounce. And only by timing Ballz' bounces in an excruciatingly exact manner is it that you get him through this game.

All this results in very inovative gameplay. By making precisely timed jumps you must make your way through 18 levels. The main goal is to simply reach the exit of the level, but you also have to collect all the yellow stars you find on the way to unlock the next level. Collecting stars is optional in that you can finish a level without them. However, you really need to get almost all simply to unlock the next level.

Now this all starts out simple enough. You jump a little here, a little there, collect the stars, find the exit and there you go. From about level 6 though, it gets very challenging.

More depth is added to the gameplay with several new game elements that are added as you progress to newer levels. You'll encounter fire and spike blocks that kill you instantly. There is water in which you float. There are blocks that crumble after you touch them once. Also, after level 6 or so you get a new ability, a special super jump that lets you rush horizontal in mid-air. All this really keeps the interest in the game high, and really makes you want to continue playing the game. For this review I only managed to play until level 10, so there may be even more surprises that I don't yet know about. But I'll definitely keep trying to get to the end of the game.

This game was made by a team of four and that shows. In my opinion this game has the most polish and the highest replay value of all entries. I haven't even mentioned the level intro sequences and the pretty artwork. There is a catchy tune playing in the background. The game is balanced, easy in the beginning but challenging near the end, with constantly new elements being added to keep the gameplay interesting. Now having said all that, the implementation of the garbage theme is a bit weak. Therefore I award high scores in all categories except the genre category.

Scores: Overall 5 Artistical 4 Technical 4 Genre 2

---

Review by Hard Rock all reviews by Hard Rock

In this game you pilot a plane and try to dodge space aliens, showering garbage and some strange golden arches which I can't explain. The premise is okay and the game plays fine. I would have liked the plane to be able to move a bit faster, but the controls are responsive.

A neat touch is the included collision; space junk can collide, change direction or explode which adds a nice touch to the game. The environments are also well coloured and attractive looking.

Where the game lacks like many games, is on following the rules. There isn’t any real dynamic fire (its part of a few sprites) and the news is strange to say the least and can't figure out where the aliens fit in, but other then that there’s not much to complain about.

Overall a good entry.

Scores: Overall 3 Artistical 3 Technical 2 Genre 4

---

Review by Hard Rock all reviews by Hard Rock

This was an interesting game to play. It has a rather unique concept (you put together newspaper headlines from falling words to match current new headlines retrieved from a variety of news websites).

This puts this game by far as the best artistic implementation as it is essential to the game. Also the game is very cleanly structured, performed without a hitch and the presentation is excellent.

However with that said, I couldn't bring myself to like this game. It needs some for of added excitement or a twist to make the game unique, no time limit makes the game an exercise of patience rather then enjoyment for example.

Scores: Overall 4 Artistical 5 Technical 4 Genre 2

---

Review by amarillion all reviews by amarillion

This game is based on the story of the UK Marines captured by the Iranian military, a recent story that hit news channels around the world. The hero is an angry citizen desparate to do something about the situation.

Patriotic as it may be, what he does next doesn't seem to be the smartest course of action. Wearing nothing but the Union Jack, he drops in Iranian territory in search for the missing marines. All alone, with only a puny little pistol to defend himself.

Lucky for you, the author of this game never had time to add real enemies to the game. Otherwise, no doubt, you would have seriously failed your mission. All that happens now is that you, the hero walk across garbage heaps, dodging the occasional Barrel that is thrown at you (Supposedly the barrel is filled with Oil? I guess they have plenty of Oil). But you must avoid the barrels at all cost because if they hit you there is an explosion which results in the bloody amputation of both your legs and the end of the game for you. Luckily this is not how the news story unfolded in reality. I'm not sure it would have been a good ending this way.

The background, which scrolls at a slower speed than the foreground, displays a slightly blurry garbage heap, which actually gives it a nice depth effect. Also, the terrain is varying in height which is a nice technical touch. You can jump, you can duck, you can shoot your gun although there is nothing to shoot at.

Ok, so the author apologizes in the readme because the game was written in only a single day. This shows. Still I'm going to give it a 3 for artistical, because of the relation to the current news event.

Scores: Overall 2 Artistical 3 Technical 1 Genre 2

---

Review by muller all reviews by muller

This game has all the major elements. For me i think there could have been more of the news integrated with a splash screen of some story behind this adventure. This would have made me give it a higher point in the genre category.

besides that, I found it hard, but fun to play. Overall it is good game.

Scores: Overall 3 Artistical 3 Technical 3 Genre 2

---

Review by graue all reviews by graue

Seems like one of the more polished entries in the competition.

The smoke and fire effects look excellent, and the graphics are generally very well-done.

The garbage theme is very well integrated into the game, and the appearance of the garbage is very garbage-like.

The news aspect of the game is also very appropriate and well-integrated, though it could have been nice to see it explained within the game.

Overall, though, a polished and enjoyable product.

Scores: Overall 4 Artistical 3 Technical 4 Genre 5

---

Review by guilt all reviews by guilt

This game was pretty difficult to set up. The provided binary didn't work as zlib was missing. After installing FModEx and a host of other libs, I finally got it to run.


The game is about rescuing soldiers from iran hostages. It has non-dynamic smoke and flame fx. I couldn't make out garbage either. The current events are touched upon, happy to say that.

The game will definitely need some little work to be finished. Playable overall!

Scores: Overall 2 Artistical 4 Technical 1 Genre 1

---

Review by Hard Rock all reviews by Hard Rock

Normally I like adventure games. Really, I'm a huge fan and I even try to support the genre by buying its latest games such as the new Broken Sword.

But this has some horrendous art (draw in paint for sure) I guess with the intent of trying to add humour to supplement for the clear lack of talent in the artistic drawings (now I can't draw any better.... but this is not pleasant on the eyes one bit).

The story is fairly weak (the most important part of an adventure game), what’s interesting is the supposedly powerful scripting engine going on underneath, and hopefully the team will spend some time on trying to get something solid out of it, as the current graphical showcase is definitely lacking.

Scores: Overall 1 Artistical 1 Technical 3 Genre 1

---

Review by Onewing all reviews by Onewing

Good: A unique experience.
Bad: Perhaps too unique…
What the game should have been called: Gay Bob, Green Pants.

Welcome to the wacky world of Allefant’s game, Garbage, a very fitting title, both in what the game is about and how you’d sum up the game. This is another game I had to review.

First off, the most noticeable thing about this game is the style/environment. It may seem like it was drawn by a three year old, but the fact that everything is squibbly and cartoony gives it a very unique feel to it. From the classic five-point stars (which rotate, of course), to the Chinese Trashcans (yeah, I know, it’s a trash lid not a hat, but this whole game does feel like an Asian acid trip, ya?), to the orange dogs (which fly, totally predictable), to the main character and his green tights. Take a very good look at Bob, he seems extremely happy to be dueling it out with his weirdo opponents, not to mention his slow stick-laser ability, something we should all have. I’m quite certain HE’s on that acid trip…ya?

There’s quite a bit of little details that make this game attractive. Of course, the style itself is outstanding, but notice the particle affects and how neat the flames look, if you manage to get to them. Everything fits together really well.

Unfortunately, the gameplay is so bad, you might want to take some acid before attempting to play this game. The garbage cans take 20 hits to destroy and the jumping (more like floating-on-happy-thoughts) flat out sucks. And if you try really hard to see where this game goes, how it ends, it’s too bad, because at about 64%, there’s a jump you can’t make. I was sooo everly frustrated. You should get a 64% for that! That’s a D, mister!

Overall: I’m sorry to do this, but it was a pain to play through this (or at least, 64% of it). I can’t offer more than a 2, even with all the purdy graphics. Yeah, I said purdy.
Artistical: There’s news in the game (relayed in the corner) that directly relate to the game. Don’t know how true they are, but it works well with the game. Not to mention all the style-listic awesomeness of this game, I’m very tempted to give the favorable 5 out of 5. But I say no to peer pressure, so 4 it is.
Technical: I love the fire and I love the smoke. However, the fire does nothing but look pretty and the smoke does nothing but block the view. On top of that, the functionality of the game is weak. At least it didn’t crash…Three sticky stars for ya?
Genre: It’s all about garbage in a junkyard. Bonus points for the game being garbage itself. 3+1=4

Scores: Overall 2 Artistical 4 Technical 3 Genre 4

---

Review by Onewing all reviews by Onewing

Good: Title screen gives you a short-lived chuckle.
Bad: The complete lack of functionality and/or purpose.
Where’s the carnage? I wanted carnage!

There’s not much I can say about Trash Carnage, because there’s not much you can do in the game. There’s a title screen and the layout of what seems like might actually be a fun little time-waster, but sadly, all you can do is shoot flames and watch newspapers fly. Sometimes, the newspapers disappear mid-air, which makes me think the collision of the flames and the newspapers is really poor. Unfortunately, Trash Carnage is just an incomplete thought at best.

Overall: See above. 1
Artistical: The orange sky and cutesy smoke makes me feel lenient, so I’ll give a 2.
Technical: Nothing impressive, but at least you’re number 1.
Genre: Burning newspaper waste? I guess it counts, but I’m still giving you a 1.

Scores: Overall 1 Artistical 2 Technical 1 Genre 1

---

Review by Hard Rock all reviews by Hard Rock

This was a pretty interesting game. The graphics are nicely animated, the smoke is smooth and the concept is really cool. It's sort of like Pacman except with a twist, that the monkeys can only follow you on paths you have moved on, which is a really neat idea.

In theory this would be cool, if it worked for the fact that the game has some serious flaws. First the monkeys for the most part only go up and down and never really try to chase you. Secondly, you can drive off the screen and hide if they ever do. And thirdly the game plays the same on every level each time. There doesn’t seem to be much of a point to continuing to play except for small variations in the between each level.

However on the positive side, with a bit of work this game could really work, the concept is novel and with some work it could be something special.

Scores: Overall 3 Artistical 3 Technical 3 Genre 5