Review time XD
The same review here --->
http://the-monkey-ninja.deviantart.com/ ... -292922609Excuse the madness. =3
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Review Corner:
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Title: Elements The Academy (demo)
Author: Ana (aka Veniae)
Artist: Dee (aka DudaDippe)
BG Artist: Nickel-Buckle-9
Team: Mushroom Samba Productions
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Rating >>> 46/50 >>> 9.6/10
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<b>Warning:</b>
I'm not following the exact review system here, so be prepared for madness, unprofessional remarks, large text, and a semi-followed review outline.
Please note that my own sentence structure may be atrocious (on holiday, lack of focus on ensuring I write formally and properly). Enjoy.
*I am in no way responsible for causing insanity, crazed actions, or any other side-effects resulting from the content of my journals and reviews. Thank you.
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The first demo of <u>Elements The Academy</u> by <u>Mushroom Samba Productions</u>, which gives insight to the upcoming otome game, is a refreshing start to a group I hope to see more games from in the future.
As a synopsis, it takes place in the modern day world, on an island, following Estelle through her daily academic life in an Academy for those born with Elements. That's the basic sketch of it, there's a far better synopsis on the actual game page and the blog:
http://mushroomsambaproductions.wordpress.com/ --- the blog is updated regularly and provides more in depth information on the game world itself.
viewtopic.php?f=43&t=13309 --- You can find general information on the game here, as well as the download link.
Starting from the main menu, to in fact all the menus in the main screen system (Prefs, Load, Exit) I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The layout of the mainscreen is not only creative but entertaining, especially when I curiously hovered over the 'Exit' button and was greeted with a sad face - the result? Laughter which again allowed my family to question my mental state. XD
But on a serious note, the work put into the main screen and all side screens is impressive. In fact, what makes a game better than others from first glance is presentation. One can have a brilliant story, soundtrack, art, characters, and even voice-overs, but then one has to remember that when such a game is compared to another, the immediate thing most will consider is how the game was presented just before the 'Start' button is clicked. While some games achieve this factor with a pretty background to their main screen, others use starting movie clips to make a person overlook the lack of care placed in the game as a whole.
However, what many see little of is the customised system. This, to me, is what serves as a beautiful part of, yes I dare repeat the word, presentation. It not only shows that the those working on the game are interested in making it the best, but it also indicates that the team (especially the director who ensures it is done) is willing to go the extra mile.
To go a bit further and dab a bit of humour into it alongside actually making what is displayed tie in with the game setting, is impressive. I often feel stripped of the desire to play a game when it gives me no opening movie, greets me with a main screen plus an option screen half-heartedly (or in some cases neglected) worked on, and to add insult to injury lacks an interesting start. <u>Elements The Academy</u> however, has given me a gentle pat on the shoulder and guided me to something that I will not throw the keyboard at (yes I do this). It has given me detail, and prettiness.
SO, presentation wise I'd say we're pretty much clear on the fact that its a 10/10 in that respect. Now that I've been seated on a rather high chair my expectations will be even higher. Let's move onto the demo of the game itself and see if it lives up to the standards in mind.
Game Start *click*
Doodling in class while old teacher drones on and on? My immediate thought is "FOOL YOU MAY GET CAUGHT! *has too much skill too in own classes* -shot-". And well my fears are realized XD
From this I'd like to say that it's a good way to make the target audience (or generally anyone who has been in school/university/etc) associate themselves with the main character. I mean, who hasn't doodled in class at least once? And before some smartass says they haven't, well if you've drawn a line, or even a dot that was not meant to be in your book, then that's doodling. In its most basic form, like it or no. *serious business face*
*serious business face off* Okay, back to the game. Although I'm surprised a nice principle exists (most of the ones I know are nice but never have they been a woman, young, and friendly XD Though of the opposite gender yes, in my old old school when I was about four. But perhaps that idea was only due to being praised and given a gold star for colouring a page in vibrant happy colours (of which the image I claimed to be a close[up view of a rainbow). THAT ASIDE *went slightly off topic* having a good school-related adult is nice break from the strict and scary (in fact I am glad to see a mix of young and old for teachers, because that is far more realistic than just one age set for educators).
Hopping to the presentation note again - customised text box? Perfect.
Through the introduction of the game I'm pleased to note that you are not left sucking theories or ideas out of your thumb until you get some clarity as to what the hell is going on hours later. In <u>Elements The Academy</u> your thrown straight into the facts. There are 'Elements', of which most are associated with, and you are learning to control this in the Academy the game starts off in. As the demo goes on Estelle fills the player in on more and more parts of the Academy, what this whole Element deal is, and easily elbowing away any "what" moments.
So far so good.
Art wise I quite like it! A cartoon-like style helping to break away from the usual anime geared art for otome games. A refreshing addition easily compared to a cool midsummer breeze batting away the heat, or the cold and damp feel of clouds enclosing you in white atop Table Mountain (Cape Town) discreetly reminding a person that they are alive. If you didn't get the comparison there then I'm afraid that you have brought dishonour upon yourself, your cow (or local milk providers), and your teacher. COME ON MAN! -table'd-
Well to translate I'm saying the usual styles seen in most games is like the summer heat (blow away with a breeze = different art style) or the dry, sleepy fog that threatens you daily which is cleared once a cold wave of cloud hits you. ...Simple terms = its good XD
Mind you I'm speaking of character art here, which has the cartoon feel to it. I'm very pleased with the large amount of expressions given to the sprites alongside the consistency with their looks and the colouring in CGs. CGs of which add another pot of awesome to the humour stack.
Background art wise, while it does suit the game, I am a person who obsesses over detail and the attractive points of something (its 'pretty' - no other word in my mind sums that up better). I imagine the backgrounds are photos altered with the 'painting effect' tool in photoshop - I've seen it in some other games, and heck tried it too at one point. This, since I am writing an honest non-biased review here, nags at me like fly in a food court.
Its an attempt to stray from pre-done backgrounds though, so as a very picky person and reviewer, I will not slander something for an aspect most otome games neglect (taking a pre-done background from a site counts as neglecting too before any other game makers think they can 'hurr' over this!). Note of course, if I had not already been introduced to the lovely aspects I have so far mentioned, my remarks would change heavily. Effort and care to a game is the first thing I personally search for, and can decide the fate of the game I'm playing/reviewing within minutes.
I don't want to spoil things in the demo (though if someone is reading this I imagine they have played it already XD), so I'm not going to go through this scene by scene. Let's hop over to characters.
Personal thoughts on each~!
# Estelle --- LOL, THANK YOU! Finally, an intelligent main character. I MEAN SERIOUSLY THANK YOU! I don't know how many otome games I've played where the main character is a complete <i><b>idiot</b></i> or so clumsy it makes me want to puke (hey, this actually goes hand in hand with many shojo mangas). The skin of cliche is broken once again here, and I can say I enjoyed playing through Estelle's eyes.
On a whole note before I continue, the comedic relief handed out generously in this demo, the serious moments which can be pushed past with a fun scene yet still retain the fact that 'stuff went down' (The serious side doesn't overshadow the humour and vice-versa), and the even balance between them helps to enhance the actual fun of playing the game. What I often find in games, books, movies, and most story based things is that the fun is there at the beginning, then lost later on, or heavily toned down. To balance the business and comedy is honestly an admirable feature. This may change in the full game, but if its kept, then I will have to take off my hat to <u>Mushroom Samba Productions</u>, more particularly to Ana (Veniae) for writing it in such a manner. Its yet another feature I believe helps to set the game apart from others, make it playable, <i>want</i> to be remembered, and not leave you with a half-smile and a feeling of disappointment.
# Ezio --- I am highly entertained by the banters between Estelle and Ezio. When there are large egos about, there's room for a grinning session and cackles of joy that can last from ten minutes to three hours (based on how well the ego factor is handled and countered against). The one thing that will win me over is a battle of wit or good character interaction - something believable, which is exactly what the scenes between Ezio and Estelle are. And how can I tell that the ego element has been done well? Well dear readers, I have a brother (second eldest of the two siblings) who has this very aspect to his personality. Mind you he has reason to, but the fact of the matter is - I can speak as an individual from experience and not as a random organism giving their preconceived ideas of an egotistical being. ...What. WELL BASICALLY (yes I warned you of large text), I applaud this character and how they are handled. In odd terms, interest sparked, humour high, and a nice dollop of lol sprinkled with cinnamon.
# Shari --- Intelligent friend - check. Wit - check. Reprimands you yet is fun - check. She's actually far more unique than one might think, or should I say, she is a realistic character, and this is brought out even more when she shows her own shy side (for her crush). What I like about Shari and Estelle's relationship is their understanding of eachother, the space given when needed, the equality, and the non-clingyness. Its a healthy, believable, fresh friendship which I find sorely lacking in otome games that I have played (considering the fact that in most other otome games the friend of the main character is often treated as purely a support character, lacks depth, or is a bumbling idiot too stupid to pay attention to their 'friend's' feelings -- may the gods help the game I review which has used the flaws I've mentioned countered).
# Casey --- Aw man, you know I love these kinds of characters XD The big puppy type, always playful, a bit of a fool, and always carrying entertainment wherever they go, no matter the time, and no matter the people. GAH I WANT TO GIVE HIM A HUG HE'S SO CUTE! XD Adorable check. Comedic relief of awesome check. Gamer check. XD Casey truly is an enjoyable character, I must say without him a good slice of the 'life' in the game would be missing. To have a character intergrated in the story and providing that much influence is excellent.
# Daffyd --- Good ol' Taffy XD I say it again, I love the banters. He seems pretty smug, almost as much as Ezio, but then again Ezio takes it to another level while Daffyd is more on a playful side - one which doesn't make you want to slap him across the face (mind you I just grin when I see Ezio, love the interactions XD).
# Boris --- At first I tossed the paleness and fire element aspect in my head. Under normal circumstances I would have said that made no sense, but then I re-called he's a (fellow XD) nerd. The life of the gamer often results in lack of tan, lol! So that aside XD A sweet character, his shyness wasn't exaggerated and not underdone (can't think of the right word for that now), and the slow coming-out-of-the-shell was done nicely too (the more you interact with a shy person, the more comfortable and talkative they become afterall!).
# Alain --- Only has one scene of which changes based on a choice of which I will not disclose here XD He's...interesting. I must say I want to have more chances to interact with Alain, I don't know what it is, perhaps the mocking tone? XD I presume he's a darkness element based on his appearance, if so - *_* I want to see more of what Casey was getting at XD Them being 'different' I mean. If he's not that element then in general, which one? And I KNOW THERE IS MORE TO THIS CHARACTER *SHAKES* I KNOW IT.
I can't say too much of the characters so far since this is only a demo, though at current I find them all lovable! My favourite guys so far are Ezio and Casey, but its already difficult to say that because I like the others so much as well! XD
For the writing part of this game, Ana already knows this but I love how she writes. The English is fantastic, witty, draws you into the story, plus ensures the occassional inclusion of slang to make speech between teenagers more convincing. The writing is one of the most improtants parts of a visual novel - because its part novel (revelation to some?). If you don't write well, no matter how amazing the game is or how imaginative the story, a game will lose 80% of any positive attributes, {i}that's{/i} how important script is.
In the demo of <u>Elements The Academy</u> I felt no urge to rip my hair out - note I get this urge when I come across SMS talk, mis-use of English, and general awful (in today's meaning of the word) text. In this game's case the English was, <i>is</i> beautiful, not only showing the skill of the writer, but also working in such a way that you feel drawn forward, eagerly lapping up each sentence, and craving the banter pie in all its glory. The writing itself is humourous which, again, keeps one interested. It goes with the flow, the style of the game, making it a fantastic game (demo).
As a whole I'd like to say that I'm definitely looking forward to the finished game! When the demo ended (it seemed so sudden!) I actually yelled, "NO!!!!" because I wanted to play more. A game addict stripped of the chance to continue to the end, its truly a cruel thing to do. Haha, but a demo is a demo! I'm looking forward to reviewing the finished game once its done (and I've fangirled and played XD).
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Score:
Presentation - 10/10
Art, CG, and BG - 8/10
Writing - 10/10
Characters - 9/10
Playability - Good 9/10
Total >>> 46/50
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Review by: Ashley Fairfoot (The Monkey Ninja)
Date: 29 March 2012
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