Best of BYOND

Lets get started, shall we?

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:39:52 GMT

We need some more games, guys! Start suggesting some, or I'll have to pick some out, and I'm sure my opinion differs from everyone else's.

Now, the point of this post: Lets get started reviewing. I thought about it for a bit, and decided that reviews should include a few bits of information in them. These are the guidelines:

Gameplay

Simplicity - Is it easy to understand the general concept / get the hang of, or does it take hours of playing to understand?
Complexity - Does the game have any depth, or is it just simple button mashing?
Fun - Simple- how fun is the game? Do you enjoy playing it, or is it dull and boring?
Replay Value - Is it a game you can play a few times, or one that you'll stay away from after one or two plays?

Presentation

Pixel Art - Simply how the pixel art looks. Is it appealing?
Sounds - Does the game have any sounds? Do they fit well?
Fit - Do they go well together, or do the icons clash and look like they're from other games (or ARE they from other games)?
Originality - Did the staff of the game make the icons / sounds, or did they get them from somewhere else?

Originality

Concept - Was the game's concept thought of by it's creator, or based off an already existing thing?
Programming - Is all of the programming made by the staff of the game, or is some of it not theirs?
Presentation - Are the icons and sounds made by the team of the game, or are they ripped?

Overall

Should be based on the other scores, and also affected by the overall experience the reviewer had playing this game.

I think it's a pretty good system; If you guys agree, I'll start reviewing, and others are free to submit reviews as well, as long as they follow these guidelines, and write a non-biased review. However, these guidelines are subject to change.

A little off-topic: Does grammar matter?

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:49:33 GMT

I know I'm supposed to be doing more polls for game ratings, and I will soon. I just need people to start suggesting games. Anyway, so now I wanted opinions on something kind of random- does grammar really matter? In my opinion, if you're writting a blog, proper grammar is essential. But does it matter if you're commenting, or just on a game? I've always thought higher of people who took out the time to actually write out words like "you" and "are", and use proper capitalization.

I can never really take anyone who types like a second grader seriously, no matter what they're talking about. Especially BYOND programmers / game developers- I've known at least five or six who claim to be awesome developers, yet still type like they're six years old. I mean, it's common for just random players (no offense to any of you random players, out there) to not type out full sentences, and such... But I just can't take any developer seriously who doesn't even understand elementary school level writing.

But enough of my rambling- what do you guys think about it? Vote! Also, don't forget to suggest any new games that should be added. You can page me, or leave a comment.

Possible new system?

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:01:00 GMT

Somebody submits a game normally, or emails me. I put up a poll (or ask for comments), and the game is to be rated. I'll make a custom content box that has the game's hub icons / banners, and based on the rating they got, they'd get a little "rank". Like a small pixel trophy- if they got 9~10, then they'd get gold. 8 would be silver, and 7 would be bronze. 6 would be no trophy, and 5 and under wouldn't be allowed in.

All types of games would be allowed in, fangames, original, etc. Anyone who wants could submit a review (for approval), and I'd be doing review pretty often. If you'd like your game to be reviewed, and it's at least worth looking at / up often, I'd do that.

Also, thanks to the CSS Guild for the new layout. I messed with it a bit... hope I didn't screw anything up. So, any suggestions to improve the system would be helpful. It's just an idea, though- so if you don't like it at all, at least offer another idea!

Changing Guild

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:07:34 GMT

Since obviously "Best of BYOND" isn't doing too well, and no one person (especially myself) can judge which games are the best, I figured I'd change the theme- or, get rid of the guild altogether. I think I should still use it as a guild, though. I'd never be able to make a personal blog... It's pretty obvious, but I'm not that interesting.

Any suggestions for what I should turn the guild in to? Or should it stay the same, just be improved? I was thinking a place to put original games, but that's been done so many times I'm sure you guys are sick of it.

Thanks much for reading. That's all.

EDIT: Removed the PS, but I still have to say, I'm going to change the CSS... Well, actually GET a CSS... Remove the disgusting background, and make a banner that doesn't suck. Any other suggestions, yeah, feel free to say them.

A Re-review of DNU

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:10:24 GMT

By request of Ganing, I've written a new review. There have been claims that "only 3 icons need to be replaced", "the game has so much potential", "it's 100% original now". I didn't really want to, but I logged in and was dissapointed, to say the least.
Gameplay - 3/10

Okay, so you make your character, give them a name, a real name, etc. Then you're on the streets. It's not exactly said what you're supposed to do, but it's a roleplay game, so even with a lack of helpfile, it should be obvious you roleplay. Well, the roleplay was... below average, to say the least.

^{Darker Kira shouts: pff fuck u shoot again

Darker Kira shouts: u have bad aim dick head}

I guess not all games are required to use proper grammar in roleplay, but the roleplay that I saw was pretty ridiculous. My friend got jailed by someone (I have no idea who) for standing somewhere- apparently because he was "suspected of a crime". Community aspects aside, the game is lacking in the interractive category.

It was hard to find somewhere to buy myself a shirt, even with the map. They have a variety of "says" to use (and I won't rant on about how they're all in DNO as well, I have ranting covered later on in the review), though it's kind of confusing as to how they're grouped in the tabs.

The gameplay wasn't very impressive as a whole, but you could at least do something... kind of. So, a 3 / 10 in this category.

Presentation - 3 / 10

The graphics don't fit together... at all. That's because majority of them are, you guessed it, ripped. You can check out the next section for a nice bulky list of that. Anyway, the graphics that were made by the DNU Team are easy to distinguish- they're very simplistic. Now, I'm not saying simplistic is bad. Some games actually pull it off quite nicely. However, when simplistic graphics are paired with graphics from Mitadake (much more complex), Naruto BOTLS (also more complex, and way different styles of pixeling) and DNO (totally different types of pixeling as well), it just plain looks bad.

I will admit, they have some more original pixel art than before. Given, not that much (not much at all, actually), but still, more. Most of it looks rushed though, and pretty unprofessional. All it needs is a little time and effort. Or even just changing all of the icons to one theme- that'd look much nicer.

Originality - 1/10

Oh, here we go. The worst part about DNU. Not only unoriginal with icons, but with concepts as well. I compiled a little list of the unoriginal things that should probably be changed. It's quite a bit more than three icons, I'd say. Tl;dr version of what you're about to see: A lot of icons were ripped.

^{From DNO:

- Hair Icon; Mello. This icon was NOT "availible for public use". I made this icon FOR DNO, and ONLY DNO.

- The bookcase icons are from DNO. There was a minor attempt at editing them, but it's hardly noticable.

- Icons of Alcohol are from DNO. The shelves with liquor, as well as the liquor on the table.

- The icon of the tea cup is also from DNO.

- The table / desk icon is DNO, as well.

- They use our television icon, but it was recolored... badly, might I add.

- Silver storage bin icons are from DNO.

- Munraito Restaurant sign is from DNO, and was there last time I checked too.

- Sakura TV graphic is still being used.

- Flower icons from DNO. (Was there last time, too.)

- Grass Icon from DNO

- And finally, our clock tower icon. One of my favorite icons from DNO, which I spotted RIGHT away... I'm depressed.

From Mitadake:

- Classroom icons. The little signs that said "1-A", "1-B", etc.

- The toilet... Self explanitory.

- Crates are from MH too.

- Power generator. The worst part is, these icons don't fit in... At all. It's obvious what icons are ripped, and what are theirs- there are very few made by the staff of DNU, and a good majority of the icons they "Made" were just edited from someone else's.

Misc. Games

- Charas bases. I can't really complain though, they're public use... I wish they would edit them up a bit to look nicer, though. I'm sure with just a bit of effort they could touch the icons up nicely.

- A lot of tiles ripped from BOTLS / WOTS.

- I'm not quite sure where some of the icons came from, but they don't look at all like the original ones made by DNU, so I'm sure they're ripped from SOMEWHERE...}

I won't go ranting on about every single concept and why it's not even close to original, because you get the point by now. Oh, they took out "Death Bot" though- well, renamed it. Kudos for that, at least.

Overall - 3/10

Well, what can I say that I haven't said before. It's, honestly, the same game I logged into 2 months ago. Sure, some things were changed, but there was nothing MAJOR that really wowed me. Now, think what you want, that I did this for "revenge", or anything, but everything I've said here is 100% accurate. Don't believe me? Stop into DNU for your own.

They say that the big problem with ripped icons is because of their pixel artists, and that nobody has the right to be mad because of that. I honestly think that the owner needs to rethink hiring ripper pixel artists- or better yet, just for once replace every ripped graphic in the game. Even with icons that aren't as good, it'll look better alongside the DNU made graphics.

If this comment section will turn into a flame war like it did before, I'll just close them. Feel free to discuss the game without insulting eachother... and if you absolutely must, keep it to a minimum. By the way, I had to get rid of my old review to re-review it. I saved it and will upload it somewhere for anyone who's interested in reading.

(Oh, and here are two random screenshots from in-game.)

This one in particular shows off some ripped icons.

Review of Murder Mansion

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:59:30 GMT

Lately I've been writing some negative reviews, so it's time for a positive one.

Gameplay - 9/10

As you enter the game, you're greeted with the rainy outside of a mansion, with a "Click here to play button". In the background is music that sets the mood for the game. Then, you're thrown into a gigantic mansion- or, in some cases, a hospital, or a camp.

I decided to start a game, without hosting- which is made possible because of Murder Mansion's surprisingly intelligent AIs (aside from the repetetive dialogue, that is). There are many modes to choose from, including Classic- there's a murderer in the mansion, and you have to find out who; Clue- find clues in various rooms to find out that Mr. Green did use the candlestick in the kitchen; Escape- find what you need to be able to get out of the place; as well as many more. To find out about those modes, you'll have to play for yourself.

Aside from a wide variety of choices with maps and game modes, you're also given choices for your character, and for what weapons you'll use to slaugher your victims.

Now, about the interface. At first it seems a bit complicated to use, and I'll admit, I had to play a few games to get used to it. However, after you play a few times, you'll be able to quickly navigate through the "hands" (including the punch, push, and interacting one), and it'll make it much more fun to play.

Presentation - 9/10

The graphics are very beautifully done. Everything goes very well together, and the fact that they're all original is even better. They may not all look amazing, but they work very well for the type of game it is. The thing that really won me over in this category is the sounds. To really enjoy this game, you absolutely need to turn your sound on.

Whether it be the rain outside, the thunder, the eerie background music, the scream of a victim... they all fit the game very well, and luckily, they don't get annoying either! The sounds really amaze me, though. Out of all the games I've ever played on BYOND, this one has the best audio.

Originality - 8/10

For BYOND standards (being a site that has mostly games based off anime or pre-existing games), it's very original. However, I couldn't give it a perfect score because I always (even without the mode) saw it based on Clue, even if only a little.

Overall - 9/10

Murder Mansion is an amazing game. You can play it a hundred times, and not get bored, with all of the things you can change around. There are numerous possible outcomes of the game, and no two rounds are exactly alike. In my opinion, the game should be much more popular than it is now. To sum the game up, it's similar Mitadake High, with a more controlled community, built in maps, less popular, less "RK", and a more interractive environment.

If you like Mitadake High, those classic horror films, or are just in the mood to beat someone to death with a shovel, Murder Mansion is most definitely worth a try.

(I didn't add any screenshots because the hub has PLENTY.)

Apples to Apples Released

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:20:22 GMT

I released Apples to Apples today. It's simple yet fun gameplay to pass the time. You can download it, but to play you need to host it, as there's a three person minimum to be able to play. It's not perfect, especially considering I coded it all today, because the old version was crap. http://www.byond.com/games/SabakunoKira/A2A

Submitting Games

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:01:43 GMT

No more new members can submit games, and only long time members can submit blogs for review. The same people submitted the same game again and again and again for about a month, and I'm getting tired of it. That's all, pretty much.

Though, on a random note, DNO2's going into it's third launch of Closed Alpha pretty soon.. so that's some good news.

Moving files

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:45:46 GMT

Just a little update.

Slowly but surely I've been moving files from my main computer to my laptop, which I use much more often. All I have to do is move a few more project files over here, including- Surprise- Code Lyoko: BYOND!

So, I'll get back to work on DNO2, and CLB. I'd say it's safe to say in a month or so, CLB would be alright for closed testing, and the same for DNO2.

I'm also planning to start a few new projects in the future.. by that, though, I mean in a few months- have to get DNO2 and CLB in the alpha stages first, before I take on too many projects at once.

Survey! What do you do?

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:30:47 GMT

Just to see the results, I'm curious about how many BYOND-ers have actual skill doing what.
Please be honest, it's fine if you can't code or icon, and can barely get to level 100 on -insert game name here-. I'm just curious.

Also, when I say 'iconner' or 'coder', I don't mean 'can you recolor a base icon', or 'can you change around admin'.. I mean an actual iconner or programmer, with decent skill, that you can make your own game in full. Same with mapping, etc.