Another ToL1 review (few spoilers)
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:53 pm
Almost two months after I first heard about "Tales of Lemma 1", I finally found the time to give the game a try. I wasn't expecting much when I heard "about 20 minutes of game time" and read that the policy of Blue Lemma was "to get the game finished, even if playing time is only five minutes". I'm a semi-professional writer, and I've never been good with short stories; I do narrations because I think a good tale needs time to be told.
To my great relief, I found that my preoccupations about "ToL1" were wrong.
"Tales of Lemma" may not be very long and doesn't tell an awfully complicated story, but it DOES take the time to dive into Miko's character to a surprisingly high degree. And since the game is about getting together with her, that's always a good thing. I found her personality rather well-rounded (not unlike her butt... but that's another story) and really likable, lively but without having too many strange quirks.
Technically, the game could be better, but then again, 99% of all visual novels and dating sims could be better. I never expected full voice acting from a free fan-made game, and the graphics were appropriate if maybe a little repetetive... for my taste, Miko sticked out her tongue at me a little too often. The only true technical problem I saw was the "battle sequence" - the mushrooms don't look terrifying but terrible, and the battle is way too easy to win. It was also a weird aspect of the story, but then again, the story is all about Miko, and her part was really satisfying, so not much to grumble about here.
Slight critique, though: I found the transition from a "good ending" (get out of wilderness safely) to "best ending" (get Miko) a little random. For example, I think it matters whether you are into writing or sports - Miko is a very active girl herself, and of course she'd like the athletic type better. But then again, does her love to you depend on what she hears from you the moment she meets you? Shouldn't your experiences on the trip together blot out such a "minor flaw"? As far as I've found out in my test games, answering something else besides "sports" prevents you from getting the "best ending". I totally understand that Miko wouldn't want someone as her friend who pulls down her pants, or always makes sexist remarks, or calls her fat... well, as I said, I found the transition a little random.
Nice little game which gave me one hour of fun and something to rant about. I'll give it a thumbs up and three stars out of possible five.
To my great relief, I found that my preoccupations about "ToL1" were wrong.
"Tales of Lemma" may not be very long and doesn't tell an awfully complicated story, but it DOES take the time to dive into Miko's character to a surprisingly high degree. And since the game is about getting together with her, that's always a good thing. I found her personality rather well-rounded (not unlike her butt... but that's another story) and really likable, lively but without having too many strange quirks.
Technically, the game could be better, but then again, 99% of all visual novels and dating sims could be better. I never expected full voice acting from a free fan-made game, and the graphics were appropriate if maybe a little repetetive... for my taste, Miko sticked out her tongue at me a little too often. The only true technical problem I saw was the "battle sequence" - the mushrooms don't look terrifying but terrible, and the battle is way too easy to win. It was also a weird aspect of the story, but then again, the story is all about Miko, and her part was really satisfying, so not much to grumble about here.
Slight critique, though: I found the transition from a "good ending" (get out of wilderness safely) to "best ending" (get Miko) a little random. For example, I think it matters whether you are into writing or sports - Miko is a very active girl herself, and of course she'd like the athletic type better. But then again, does her love to you depend on what she hears from you the moment she meets you? Shouldn't your experiences on the trip together blot out such a "minor flaw"? As far as I've found out in my test games, answering something else besides "sports" prevents you from getting the "best ending". I totally understand that Miko wouldn't want someone as her friend who pulls down her pants, or always makes sexist remarks, or calls her fat... well, as I said, I found the transition a little random.
Nice little game which gave me one hour of fun and something to rant about. I'll give it a thumbs up and three stars out of possible five.
Praise and criticism are both useful in game-making, as long as the comments are honest and sincere.
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It's embarrassing! 
You better not start that, too, Zintar! 
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