Secrets of Science - Chapter 1: No Time to Lose!

[Discosmurf]

Hey Guys!

I just posted a good old Point'n Click adventure for your enjoyment!

If you have nostalgic memories of games like Day of the Tentacle and the rebooted Monkey Island and Sam&Max series you are guaranteed to enjoy this!

For instructions on how to play, scroll to the bottom of this post!

Latest update 3/13/2011:

- Enabled for spectators.

There are now, as far as I know no major game breaking bugs. Thanks to you guys!
If you however stumble upon any issues, feel free to either PM me or add a post.
Thanks alot for the awesome feedback which has motivated me for going through with expanding this series.

Important message to all players:

Before you claim that the level is "broken", please make sure that you actually are doing what you're supposed to do according to the walkthrough.

Some screenshots:


Rich enviroment ready to be explored



Puzzles



Dramatic cutscenes



And a nutty professor with underground laboratories!




How to play:

For those unfamiliar with PnC logic, the aim is to navigate and explore the environment with the "mouse cursor".
When your encounter points of interest, bracets will appear around them. Then you can:
Press SQUARE to LOOK at the objects.
Press CROSS to interact with them and/or pick them up.

The inventory is opened by pressing R1.

Here you choose the object you want to use with CROSS. This will close the inventory, but it can also be closed with CIRCLE.

When holding an object, press CROSS to attempt to use it with points of interest.
Press CIRCLE to cancel and go back to explore mode.

Luv!

http://lbp.me/v/xq9-2f

[Discosmurf]

So far, based on feedback from other websites, the following will be adressed ASAP:

- The inventory system will be totally rebuilt, but based on the original build. This will also be implemented in Chapter 2, which is well on it's way.
It was basically what I built first, and at that time I wasn't fully aware of how all the tools worked yet.
- The pointer will be fitted with a follower that makes it easier to find it again after going back and forth between locations.
- Some of the action zones needs a little tweaking.

Come on guys, feedback

[blizzard_cool]

Hey, I'm sure I posted some feedback. Where did that post go?

[Discosmurf]

@Blizzard_cool: It was probably the other post. The one that wasn't F4F.
Still it wouldn't hurt to get some opinions. I sure would like to get some more plays, that is. Still haven't cracked that secret... How to get plays.

[blizzard_cool]

Well leave some feedback on other F4F levels and you'll probably get some in return.
You've got the pics covered...

Well, just be patient, it normally comes as yopu keep on creating

[Sack-Jake]

A very well done point and click adventure. I like how you really feel like you're a part of the world and not just a floating cursor. The visuals were great, but could use some tweaking. Maybe more things to click and interact with would be neat, there's potential for a lot of funny dialogue.
Nice work and good luck with the rest of the series!

F4F is in sig.

[Discosmurf]

**** MAJOR UPDATE ****

- The "mouse pointer" now moves the camera which makes for a much smoother transition.
- The inventory is more cooperative, but still there are issues. Known bug: The inventory camera does not turn itself off when an item is chosen. Solution: Just move the pointer to the sides and the camera is changing view.
- FULL SPEECH!!!

Known bug: Due to latency in the logic, when using items from the inventory in the environment, you may have to click a couple of times to get the girl to react.

I was hoping to be able to have a cinematic trailer from Chapter 2 up and running by the end of the night, but this latest patch kept me occupied, but I'll post as soon as I have something!

[ForcesWerwolf]

i liked it a lot, you should continue like you announced

works well and i have nothing to say except that it is good. sadly it is short. but you allready said its full... i wonder what takes so much space?
only bug i found is you can get the points multiple times just click on it again...

~FW

if you like you can do a short review bout my level as well:
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/sho...zle-Fusion-4.0
thank you

[Hotwlngz]

Mmm... A point and click adventure. Queued, and will leave review ingame.

Just check out my F4F thread when you get the opportunity ^^
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/sho...Suggestions%29

[TheDesertDrifter]

The level was brilliant, even though I got stuck on some parts on what to do. All of the problems I found are already mentioned above so it's all good.

[Discosmurf]

Thanks guys! Am playing your levels as we speak.

It's the darndest thing though.. After the update I'm not able to perform the same tasks twice, but apparantly this isn't the issue with every play.

Ok... more toggles to switch out with counters.... Hm.... Retracing the colored wire.. It should be possible to see where a wire is coming from, and not just where it's going!

[Shadowheaven]

Man, I'm unlucky: the first time I played it, I got stuck as soon as I used the bouce pad: the character was following the cursor when I pressed X, but didn't manage to turn on the lights; the second time the character got stuck in the left corner of the first room and the inventory didn't work; the third time I lost the cursor when getting down from the roof, and the 4th time it happened again, but I managed to recover it (looks like I had control of the cursor on the 1st floor while I was on the 2nd floor); lastly, on my 4th run, I had some trouble with using the keycard, but after several attempts, I managed to finish the level. For testing/debug purposes, please add a secret shortcut to skip the opening sequence, so it won't be this frustrating to do everything from the beginning should something go wrong.

Now, to the actual level: it's a very cool concept, but the logic isn't as stable as it should be, I don't see myself playing it again when it's this unstable; still, it has a lot of potential, and could become a masterpiece if well implemented; the speech is great and funny, and the characters are likable; the Point and click feeling was very strong and the level managed to grasp it greatly. I look forward to the completed project, should you decide to complete it.

For F4F, http://lbp.me/v/x30y03

[Discosmurf]

@Shadowheaven: The bugs you are mentioning has now been ironed out!
- The pointer(s)(gonna get rid of one of them in the next update) have followers that directs it to the player
- The item routines have been rewired to prevent multiple usage.
- The bounce pad routine has been rewired and should be working satisfactory.

And as a bonus, a screenshot from Secrets of Science - Chapter 2: The nuclear what...?
(hopefully there will be a cinematic trailer up by the end of the week.. just depends on how much I'm going to work)

[Trindall]

The level is a good set up with for the story and gameplay type, there are a good amount of steps to go through to get to the end for this type of introduction.

The sets are detailed and give a good sense of location but considering it is basically two rooms long this may or may not be a difficult thing. The screen shot for the next level is looking good so I think that you've got a good handle on set design. I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes and how the adventure continues.

The cursor is well implemented but the collision detection and the camera angle is tricky for some areas. The cursor appears to be below some areas that are getting highlighting in particular the drawer with the jump pad (Or the drawer to the left.)

The voice acting is done well and gives some character to the story and the cut-scenes are also well executed.

It looks like the inventory does not work in the telescope room as it is was actually open in the office area when I came back down. Also the Cancel/Use holo material is very bright and was hard to read the words clearly without a bit of work.

This has a good foundation and hopefully you've already cut your teeth on the tech and methodology so that the next level(s) are easier to put together on your side.

Cheers

[MDAZZO]

Queued up - looks great! Will leave fb