C. E. Forman Speaks:
"The Edifice"
My score for "The Edifice": 10 points out of 10.
Did I finish it?: About 2/3 done.
Notes to the author:
The score should pretty much tell you what I found wrong with it (well,
a few minor bugs, but mail me privately for them), so let's focus on
what I *did* like, for a change.
This was an exceptional work of I-F in every way. Actually three
stories in one, with a short prologue, but unlike "Curses" or "Jigsaw"
it didn't feel at all disjointed. Its design is both stylish and fair:
Using the edifice to tie the game together was well-done, and I loved
being able to do the parts in any order.
Ingenious, original embellishment of objects with proper names,
especially clever since so much of I-F is played that way: "kill beast.
drop rock and spear." I *loved* it! Puzzles are challenging but fair,
offering nice backtracking capability, flexibility and meaningful
goals. My favorite was figuring out how to converse with Stranger.
Easily the most satisfying puzzle experience I've had all year, even
if I missed most of the third scene through my outright refusal to look
at the hints for the second. But I will finish it. This is a must-
finish.
See, people? It *is* still possible to do a good puzzle-based game,
and this is how you do it. Original, story-related problems, original
*story* (Angela M. Horns take note), good prose, satisfying gameplay, a
serious theme, it's all here. Perhaps a bit laid-back, not an action-
packed thrill ride. This works to its advantage, though, as I felt
comfortable taking my time. And I had so much more *fun* with this
story than anything else so far that it just had to get top score.
One teeny suggestion: Put some unexpected funny bits in somewhere.
I tried "KISS MOTHER" in great anticipation of receiving a hideous pun
about "Edifice Rex." (D'OH!!) Umm... Nah, on second thought, don't.
It'd probably just ruin it, and I've already used the stupid joke here.
Very, *very* nice job, Lucian. You deserve to win.
This line last updated January 12th, 1998 AD
lpsmith
@rice.edu