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Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games #1116287
07/03/17 12:19 PM
07/03/17 12:19 PM
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I get an awful lot of requests from developers to post news on various "adventure games", that to me are seriously walking the line, or not even near the line of what I consider an Adventure Game. I try and help out the Indies especially, because, face it, they are the future of gaming and need to feed their families.

In order to post the things that you all want to see, may I ask what it is that you enjoy as far as what you consider an adventure. There are lots of walking simulators, platform games, interactive storybooks etc.

How far away from the traditional P&C do you enjoy?

What do YOU consider an adventure and what kind of games do you like to see announced?

Thanks for your input! Much appreciated! No right or wrong opinion!

Ana wave


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Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116296
07/03/17 01:36 PM
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You ask really good questions, Ana. In terms of what kinds of games the word is applied to now or as part of the description, the word "adventure" has been rendered almost meaningless if you are a traditional adventure game player.

Point and click, puzzle solving, inventory, dialogues and story are what constitute an adventure game for me. I will also include a mouse/keyboard interface if the game is compelling enough to me to want to play it. Anything with action sequences/quick-time events excludes it from being an adventure game as far as I am concerned. wave


Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116298
07/03/17 01:48 PM
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Well, I was getting my thoughts together for a post and then I read Marian's post. With the exception of point and click - I prefer mouse/keyboard interface - I would include everything Marian did. I like a good story as long as it's not too heavy on massive amounts of dialogue, puzzles that make sense with the story, easily accessed inventory and limited trudging around from place to place. One thing I really don't like is having to keep notes and will avoid a game that requires this. A good journal goes a long way there.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: Marian] #1116301
07/03/17 02:03 PM
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Thanks for asking, BrownEyedTigre smile

For me, an Adventure game should have a good story, interesting puzzles and a friendly interface.
But NO timed, action sequences smashpc

I do prefer point & click navigation but can cope with a mouse/keyboard combination.
And a relevant musical score can also be a bonus - but I'm not that bothered about having the highest flying graphics.

However, an "absolute must" is the option to save as and when I wish throughout the game yes


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Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116303
07/03/17 02:12 PM
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That's a very nice idea, Ana, especially as it could also be a great help to the (indie) developer community!

I would include all of the above mentioned by Marian and Draclvr (yes, also this idea of a logbook or journal, good one), and add the ability to freely explore environments at leisure, and also go about tasks in a non-linear fashion, both as a welcome bonus, not a prerequisite.

The 'free exploration' and 'non-linear tasks' may be at odds with the 'limited trudging' that Draclvr mentions, but I suppose it's all about striking a happy balance.

Oh yes, not (just) autosave, but definitely also user-controlled (manual) saving!

Artistic graphics and music can also win me over!

Best,

Rich

Last edited by RichAlexis; 07/03/17 03:56 PM.
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: Mad] #1116306
07/03/17 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted By: Mad
However, an "absolute must" is the option to save as and when I wish throughout the game yes


Absolutely. wave

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116307
07/03/17 02:33 PM
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Pretty much what has already been said. I don't mind taking notes at all but I don't like a lot of dialogue puzzles. No jumping, timed stuff, or arcade things please, and nothing that will make me dizzy.

Prefer point and click but keyboard is ok and manual saves. I don't care for games with big blocky pixels that you can't make out the shape of anything. Don't know if I'm saying that right.

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116308
07/03/17 02:35 PM
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I love these comments - they make me thing of the things I should have included in my post. I agree that an absolute MUST is the ability to save any time and as often as I want. I have stopped playing some games because they are so strictly linear it became frustrating. I like the ability to explore and go about tasks in a non-linear fashion as Rich said. The trudging I was referring to is the endless back and forth taking up large amounts of time to accomplish a simple task or puzzle. Much as I loved the game, The Longest Journey nearly drove me nuts with the time-consuming trips to one place or another and back again, over and over.

Musical score is also important to me as is good voice acting. I've found these can make or break an otherwise good game.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116312
07/03/17 02:50 PM
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Hah! This question interests me, because when doing the list-thing, I do it wrong every time lol.
There are games that I think are adventure games, but that are later disqualified.
That doesn't really answer your question though, does it?
OK, an example. I played a few years ago, a small indie game called "Papers please". Really cool game, set in the cold war times (I think), and you are sitting in a booth, checking passports and looking for errors you might say. Now, perhaps this game was allowed, I don't recall, but what category is it otherwise? Simulator? And there are a lot of small, different games out there, that I would feel are adventure games, but perhaps they're really not?
I will follow this thread, and I look forward to when you can conclude exactly what an adventure game is Ana. lol

EDIT. OK, I see I misunderstood the questions, so perhaps you CAN answer wrong... whistle



Last edited by RebKean; 07/03/17 02:54 PM.
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116314
07/03/17 03:09 PM
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No, you were spot on, RebKean! Tell me what YOU consider to be an adventure game. What features make it one in your mind. No wrong answers!


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Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116320
07/03/17 03:41 PM
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To paraphrase a certain YouTube rant...
The most important thing about a game is whether you can play it.

It's unfortunate that some developers don't realize there is a percentage of their audience whose clicking finger doesn't move until 3 seconds (or more) after the brain tells it to. Putting QTE's in what is otherwise an adventure game creates dead ends (as in Lost Horizon 2). Saved games are not as easily transferred as they were back when games kept saves in the game folder, and lack of manual saves in many recent games makes things worse. Casual games from Big Fish include "Skips" but I haven't seen them in any adventure games I've played. Nor is skipping QTE's a solution for games where QTE's are 90% of the gameplay.

To me, an adventure game has some combination of puzzles, story/characters, and an environment to explore. It doesn't have to be the same ratio in all games. In fact, I like some variety. Right now I'd like to play 1st person Myst type games, but back when I first started playing games, most available games were 1st person games and I was looking for 3rd person games. Even after I learned to configure my Win98 computer for sound in DOS mode, and the number of 3rd person games I could play increased dramatically, I was looking for "new" 3rd person games to alternate with the new 1st person games I found.

I'm not a fan of the "without puzzles" subgenres (Dear Esther), but some people like them and as long as there are no dexterity barriers I don't have a problem seeing them posted here.

I don't want to impose my preferences on anyone, but there are many game genres for people with quick (or "normal") reflexes. How many genres are there for people whose reaction time is orders of magnitude slower than what the developer considers "normal"? or for people who have sufficient dexterity but want to relax with a game and not be rushed by QTE's or other forms of attack?

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116322
07/03/17 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted By: BrownEyedTigre
No, you were spot on, RebKean! Tell me what YOU consider to be an adventure game. What features make it one in your mind. No wrong answers!


Hehe, OK then. Well, I am a very emotional person, and my feelings control most things in my life. So I can consider almost anything an adventure game. I would say that it's all about the story. I mean, of course there are lot's of things, and others have said very good things already. But a very personal answer would be any, really. I'm writing this as I'm thinking, so let's se if you can follow lol.

Let's try an example of what I've just said. I really love The Sims, and can spend hours playing god. Now, that is NOT an adventure game, but when you create a mission for yourself, then it's a slightly different story. I know there are sites that have challenges on them. People writes and says that, "create a family of 5, in a house this big, and you may not have this job", and so on and so on. Now when you play it like this, it feels more like an adventure game than just a simulation. I mean, it still IS a simulation, but I don't think any game is just one category. Don't answer that. lol

Fallout Shelter, is obviously a platform game. However, it feels like an adventure since you see all these people raise children, go on quests and stuff. So the word "adventure" is pretty difficult to define.

The story. I guess that's the thing. If I feel like I'm on an adventure, than that's what I am. A game where you play chess is a board game. But if they add a story, a backdrop or what have you, then I can get into it on a deeper level. But then again, we are all different, and not everyone needs a story as bad as I do. I'm thinking of my hubby, he can play solitaire on the computer for no real reason. I have to have an objective. Before I start, I need to set a goal, or at least decide to take notes on stuff. Statistics. If I don't do that, I can only play until I win one time, then it's no fun anymore.

So, the simple, but very complicated answer is, that (probably) any game can be an adventure game. I'm betting that helped? sherlock

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116342
07/03/17 04:39 PM
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An adventure game is a game with a story and is set in an environment that you can explore, and it must have plenty of puzzles or challenges. They must be logical, not based on luck or reflexes. If it doesn't have puzzles, I don't consider it a game. I don't like to be rushed, so nothing timed, and having a save where I need it is important. I don't want achievements, or enhancements to worry about, nor do I want to die in the game. I want the controls as simple as possible - no keyboard, just a mouse for the PC games. I would never use a game controller. Thankfully, I am ok with 3D movement, but point and click works too.

I've always played Adventure games as a peaceful passtime that kept the grey cells working. I have my graph paper and color pencils for diagrams and maps, B lead pencil for my notes - it is a process of how I approach the puzzles and the game. Sometimes I just wander about - like in Riven or Uru - to escape and get immersed in another world. This is what I expect from an Adventure game.

Last edited by colpet; 07/03/17 04:40 PM.
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116380
07/03/17 08:35 PM
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I agree with Colpet's description 100%. A game with an interesting story. A place to explore and relax in while taking in the views. No timing or looking over your shoulder. Hopefully good music to fit the location and mood. Building up an inventory and trying to figure out how and where they can be used to advance the story. I often take notes and make drawings and then find them in a box somewhere several years later. Yes, I love adventure games.

Mr. Bill

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116390
07/03/17 11:51 PM
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Ditto the last two. I like taking notes, drawing things, etc. Riven et al is the perfect example.


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Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: mrbill] #1116420
07/04/17 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted By: mrbill
I agree with Colpet's description 100%. A game with an interesting story. A place to explore and relax in while taking in the views. No timing or looking over your shoulder. Hopefully good music to fit the location and mood. Building up an inventory and trying to figure out how and where they can be used to advance the story. I often take notes and make drawings and then find them in a box somewhere several years later. Yes, I love adventure games.

Mr. Bill


Haha, that is so funny, I also have found really old notes and lists from games. And even though I don't know how to play some of them on a new computer, I can't throw the notes away! lol

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116427
07/04/17 08:49 AM
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I agree about QTEs and any other puzzles that depend on quick reflexes. The QTE format effectively excludes me from the Telltale Games audience. The company name is ironic given the lack of story independent of QTEs.

There are genuine adventure games that include isolated timed elements. How forgiving I am of those arrogant intrusions depends on how good the story and characters or in some cases just the story are otherwise. I carefully considered whether I should put "Book of Unwritten Tales" on my 2017 list because the last time I tried to replay, which was several months ago, I abandoned the attempt after I tried and tried to get through the horrible dance puzzle. How much slower my reflexes are after 7 or 8 years surprised me. This time that %$#*)! puzzle stopped me cold. Beast Within is a Hall of Famer, and I doubt I could finish the final showdown today. That isn't so bad because I have finished the game before and the sequence is at the end, so if I replay I only miss the denouement. Of the two scenarios, Beast Within's is more acceptable. A similar contrast between games is found in Nancy Drew, compare the nightclub dance puzzle in the Venice game with several others in the series that have a nasty death trap as the climax.

What You-Tube rant?

Last edited by 8dognight; 07/04/17 08:52 AM.
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: RebKean] #1116437
07/04/17 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted By: RebKean
Originally Posted By: mrbill
I agree with Colpet's description 100%. A game with an interesting story. A place to explore and relax in while taking in the views. No timing or looking over your shoulder. Hopefully good music to fit the location and mood. Building up an inventory and trying to figure out how and where they can be used to advance the story. I often take notes and make drawings and then find them in a box somewhere several years later. Yes, I love adventure games.

Mr. Bill


Haha, that is so funny, I also have found really old notes and lists from games. And even though I don't know how to play some of them on a new computer, I can't throw the notes away! lol

I have mine filed away in 2 drawers of a filing cabinet. I have referred to them in replays, but still start from scratch, since that is part of the experience for me. I am playing The Witness now, and have over 50 pages of notes.

That brings up an interesting point. Some people say that The Witness is not an Adventure game. I would argue that it is. Very similar to the Rhem games, with a much bigger world to explore and many more puzzles. And it is long. I have been playing it on and off for almost a year!

Last edited by colpet; 07/04/17 12:06 PM.
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116442
07/04/17 10:33 AM
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8dognight, we have a saved game for Book of Unwritten Tales for right after the rain dance at Mystery Manor. If you want to get back into the game, it is available here...

BOUT After the Rain Dance Puzzle Save


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: colpet] #1116444
07/04/17 10:36 AM
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"I often take notes and make drawings and then find them in a box somewhere several years later."

Yes !! I still have the little maps I made for the King's Quest and other early games SO many years ago. They sit with the games in their lovely old boxes happydance happydance happydance


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Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: colpet] #1116455
07/04/17 11:18 AM
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Yes, very good, concise summary from Colpet!

I noticed some people are averse to taking notes or making drawings, as, I suppose, it takes them out of the game, like when you have to rush to your bookcase, or open another window on your monitor to consult a dictionary or an encyclopedia.

But I really don't mind, as long as there are not too many instances. I remember working out the Mayan numeral system for Atlantis II on paper, and drawing maps of mazes and complex buildings, which especially handy, even essential, if you have 3rd-person perspective with wildly shifting viewpoints, as in Odyssey: The Search for Ulysses and, sometimes, Syberia.

I also subscribe to the idea that relaxed, careful progress should be a big part of the adventure gaming experience. I guess I approach games in a very traditional way, either as an explorer, or a detective, so I hate to be rushed and be under constant pressure - you wouldn't make a good adventurer or sleuth in real life if you rush headlong into buidlings or jungles hacking away or knocking over stuff! I suppose that's often a matter of age, but then again I've always been that way!

Best,

Rich

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116456
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"I have mne filed away in 2 drawers of a filing cabinet."

A both safe and sensible spot for them. I have several times seen puzzled expressions cross the faces of friends who have happened to glance down at notes of mine near sink or telephone written on the backs of envelopes or grocery lists, maybe sketches of arcane symbols or hieroglyphs accompanied by cryptic remarks on the order of "part of curse" or "lock code in secret passage."

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116461
07/04/17 11:53 AM
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MaG will probably remember another time when someone was talked into a 3D using Keyboard rather then mouse to get around. The reason I mention MaG is because she and I were writing walkthroughs and desperately trying to help all of the desperate adventure gamers with this new release that was delayed for at least five years and almost didn't get released due to publisher problems. A lot of you folks will remember it as well. Simon the Sorcerer 3D. It too was a little buggy at first. Anyway we adventure gamers will probably get pressure to go this way or that way. We have stood our ground quite well I believe and if they can convince us that they have a better way we will have a look at it and then once again speak our mind honestly. I hope the new guard will continue this legacy.

Mr. Bill

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: mrbill] #1116471
07/04/17 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted By: mrbill
I hope the new guard will continue this legacy.Mr. Bill


Can you clarify what you mean by this, please and thank you?


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Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116515
07/04/17 03:42 PM
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Simply - The younger generations (New Guardians) will continue to maintain the integrity of what we refer to as adventure games. Using honesty and integrity in writing reviews or the like and not spending the money if they don't meet our requirements.

Take care,

Mr. Bill

Last edited by mrbill; 07/04/17 04:34 PM.
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: colpet] #1116600
07/05/17 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted By: colpet
I don't want achievements, or enhancements to worry about...

I think achievements are the bane of modern games.
There's nothing like some ridiculous pop-up obscuring your view of the screen to break immersion in order to announce an "Achievement" and remind you you're only playing a game. There may be some game genres or subgenres where it doesn't matter so much, like a pinball game or a game that's trying to simulate a Q&A TV show like Jeopardy. But with games that try to immerse you in a different gameworld, such pop-ups and other reminders you're "only playing a game" should be optional or not there at all.

I've seen posts on other forums by people who claimed the presence of achievements made them feel they had to go back over every inch of the game to find them all, making playing the game a grind and sucking all the fun out of it. As far as I can tell "achievements" are just a mechanism to artificially extend playing time with minimal effort from those producing the game. I don't know if including so-called "achievements" is the developers' idea or something that is "suggested" by the publisher, but I find their presence is a good reason to avoid a game.

When I play an adventure game, I want to be immersed in the gameworld, not dogged by artificial "achievements" and kicked out of the gameworld every time there is an announcement that I happened to stumble over one.

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: Jenny100] #1116607
07/05/17 03:19 PM
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I do agree, Jenny100 yes

And if I play a game where such things are included, I ignore them as much as I can.

Of course, in some games they can't BE ignored and the on-screen interruption occurs willy nilly - which I find extremely irritating rolleyes


Time : The Most Precious Commodity
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116622
07/05/17 04:30 PM
07/05/17 04:30 PM
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I also loathe these so-called achievements. The pop-ups are very annoying.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116642
07/05/17 06:40 PM
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Whilst I am pretty conservative in my choice of games I don't mind the occasional QTE elements. They seem quite natural parts of some games such as Walking Dead (which I'd still consider largely an adventure game).

I do have a couple of adventure game pet hates though. Firstly I don't enjoy games without (somewhat) realistic characters and dialogue. (I therefore haven't enjoyed Myst and others of that genre). Secondly I hate games which are played in badly lit scenes.

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116833
07/07/17 10:02 AM
07/07/17 10:02 AM
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A lot of things are fine to me, from walking simulators to story-based exploradion platformers. I'd draw the line at games with no real story or where story is just a filler for tons of gameplay.

Example with first person games - Dear Esther is good, Half Life 2 is not, Stanley Parable is suspicious, Portal is more "no" than "yes", Proteus is a big "no", Amnesia is suspicious... It's all very subjective.

Btw. I love all the above games, but this forum is great because it's specialized for adventure games smile

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: colpet] #1116851
07/07/17 02:07 PM
07/07/17 02:07 PM
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Reenie Offline
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We are kindred spirits, Colpet. I could not have said it better than you did!

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116852
07/07/17 02:28 PM
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I have problems with stress now, because it can cause me chest pain. So I prefer not having someone attacking me, and no "arcade" stuff (fighting, jumping chasms, hopping across moving lily pads floating in lava, having to solve a puzzle before something explodes and you have to start over). So if a game presents that stuff, forget it. High stress is the only real deal breaker for me.

Although I like to see the following in a game, I'll still buy one that doesn't meet these preferences:

1. Interesting environments with some variety of locale, exotic or not, and the ability to explore relatively freely.
2. A main character with positive motivations. He/she can be flawed (aren't we all?), but basically should be motivated by the desire to help.
3. No instances of breaking the game wall (pop-ups, unrelated filler, etc.).
4. Puzzles! I enjoy solving all sorts, and a good game brings out the colored pencils, calculator, graph paper and a book or two off my shelf. happydance
5. Backgrounds not TOO dark. At my age, eyesight isn't what it used to be.
6. Sense of humor is fun sometimes, self-referential snarky comments and such, but this is not essential.

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116901
07/08/17 12:23 AM
07/08/17 12:23 AM
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Kiev, Ukraine
Iurii Offline
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Good questions - and great comments!

I tend to define adventure games as those oriented on unhurried world investigation and generously equipped with some story and/or puzzles. Both 'Myst-like' and 'Dear Esther-like' ('walking simulators') games are indeed adventures in my understanding, but the absence of quick actions is the most important criterion that makes adventure games different from 'action-adventures'.

Still, there is a problem of separating adventures not only from the 'dark side' games. but from casual games as well smile

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1116955
07/08/17 11:03 AM
07/08/17 11:03 AM
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I noticed on a lot of sites That "adventure Games" includes a lot of gamers that were not traditionally thought of as Adventure Games. duh But what the Heck! woozy

As long as it has puzzles and there is no shooting, that is fine with me, I love to consider them and sometimes take the plunge and get them! wave2


"Nobody murdered me. Or put me in a potato. Or fed me to birds. I had a pretty good life."

GLaDOS

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: LeBelleRachael] #1116970
07/08/17 12:08 PM
07/08/17 12:08 PM
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For me it is all about the story just like a good book. The game has to have characters that you care about. If the game can make the characters real to me and add in clever puzzles then I know I am going to enjoy the experience.

One of my favorite games of all time is Gabriel Knight The Beast Within. I love how you played one chapter as Gabriel and the next as Grace. To me this was a genius way to immerse the player into caring for the characters. Add in one of the greatest plots ever and this is a game that stands the test of time for me.

Guybrush Threepwood, Rincewind and Simon the Sorcerer won me over with awesome puzzles and great humor. April Ryan and Kate Walker became real people that I cared what happened to them and needed to know their destinies. So for me there are two ways to hook me on a game. Either give me great puzzles or characters that I want more of.

Zak McKracken gave me some of the best puzzles ever but not really any characters that I became invested in their future. George and Nico were people that I rooted for and wanted to see what happened next. When you really strike gold is when the puzzles, the plot and characters that you love all come in the same package. That creates games that stay with you long after you have finished playing them.


It's nice to be important but it is much more important to be nice.
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1117375
07/12/17 06:57 AM
07/12/17 06:57 AM
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colpet Offline
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So, I am curious, did these replies help you, Ana? Did you get the type of information you needed?

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: colpet] #1117392
07/12/17 09:25 AM
07/12/17 09:25 AM
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BrownEyedTigre Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: colpet
So, I am curious, did these replies help you, Ana? Did you get the type of information you needed?


Honestly, it left me more confused. rotfl I feel more than ever that I am announcing games, that people do not consider adventure games, but but it's what available.


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Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1117410
07/12/17 10:32 AM
07/12/17 10:32 AM
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Ontario, Canada
colpet Offline
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Originally Posted By: BrownEyedTigre
Originally Posted By: colpet
So, I am curious, did these replies help you, Ana? Did you get the type of information you needed?


Honestly, it left me more confused. rotfl I feel more than ever that I am announcing games, that people do not consider adventure games, but but it's what available.

I have to admit that while there are a lot of 'announcements', I have raised my eyebrows at a few of these new games introduced both here and at AG. Many are not what I would consider adventures because of lack of puzzles, QTE, levelling up, or scrolling sideways. I guess the question is whether we as Adventure gamers can be inclusive enough with our genre. Or do we relegate these variants to a separate 'dark-side' for clarity. It seems that more and more new 'games' are indeed something other than old school Adventures.

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1117424
07/12/17 12:05 PM
07/12/17 12:05 PM
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Reenie Offline
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My take-home from what everyone wrote is that 'Boomers members prefer their Adventure games NOT to have "Action" elements. That was the common thread, embellished with secondary preferences by each responder.

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1117458
07/12/17 04:43 PM
07/12/17 04:43 PM
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Chicago
oldbroad Offline
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No action, no platforming, no monsters, no arcade, no rpg, no walking simulators, no strategy.

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1117761
07/15/17 09:31 AM
07/15/17 09:31 AM
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RichAlexis Offline
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Originally Posted By: BrownEyedTigre
Honestly, it left me more confused. rotfl I feel more than ever that I am announcing games, that people do not consider adventure games, but but it's what available.
I really don't mind these announcements at all! Even the classic, 'vintage' adventure games sometimes had action elements, timed sequences, multiple instances where you could die, involved a lot of walking, included 'recreational' games which didn't influence anything etc.

As long as it is clearly indicated (if the developers are willing to divulge it) that it involves killing, getting killed, horror, arcade games, or whatever, I think we can make up our own minds. As soon as so-called divergent elements become known, the original post could be edited to reflect this.

I put this Rotterdam game on this forum, knowing that it would be just a walking simulator or exploration game to most of us, as the little game element there is of no use to non-Dutch speakers. I think I purposely made this clear in the original post. Nevertheless, I thought it was interesting enough to post it here, also to get feedback on similar projects, or how it might be expanded. To most regular gamers, it would just be dead boring and have 'lame graphics', while this board represents a far more thoughtful group.

Best,

Rich

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: Reenie] #1117769
07/15/17 10:57 AM
07/15/17 10:57 AM
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southeast USA
Jenny100 Offline
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Originally Posted By: Reenie
My take-home from what everyone wrote is that 'Boomers members prefer their Adventure games NOT to have "Action" elements. That was the common thread, embellished with secondary preferences by each responder.

I'd agree. I think it's best to draw the line at games where people with slow reflexes can't finish the game -- or can only get a bad ending in a game that relies on QTE's.

Originally Posted By: oldbroad
No action, no platforming, no monsters, no arcade, no rpg, no walking simulators, no strategy.

Not sure I'd agree with excluding "walking simulators."
Dear Esther was fairly popular around here, wasn't it?

Where would you put "walking simulators" if not with Adventures? They're not Darkside if they don't require dexterity, and the system requirements are often quite a bit higher than for casual games.

Originally Posted By: RichAlexis
Even the classic, 'vintage' adventure games sometimes had action elements, timed sequences, multiple instances where you could die, involved a lot of walking, included 'recreational' games which didn't influence anything etc.

There's a difference between a game having two or three "dead ends" caused by impassible action or timed sequences (requiring someone else's saved game to proceed) and a game having that kind of thing throughout -- especially when the game relies on it to the exclusion of more traditional adventure gameplay -- and especially these days where transferring saved games can be so much more confusing than it used to be (if it's even possible).

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1117775
07/15/17 11:27 AM
07/15/17 11:27 AM
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Chicago
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I don't know Jenny100. I was just listing things that (to me) aren't adventure games although I can't pinpoint what IS an adventure game. I've never actually played a walking simulator though I think I have a few, and I don't really think that I would dislike them. I have games with all of those elements in them and don't necessarily dislike them, though some give me trouble.

It's as RichAlexis said:

"As long as it is clearly indicated (if the developers are willing to divulge it) that it involves killing, getting killed, horror, arcade games, or whatever, I think we can make up our own minds. As soon as so-called divergent elements become known, the original post could be edited to reflect this."

Knowing what's in the game, you can decide for yourself if you want to invest in it and how much. I pay less for games I know I may not be able to finish.


Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1117876
07/16/17 10:19 AM
07/16/17 10:19 AM
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I appreciate Ana's efforts to point out new games, and I agree with RichAlexis, any info from the publishers or from the first players about questionable aspects of the game would be very helpful. Armed with this extra info, let the buyer beware. We can vote with our game dollars, and the publishers and developers could see in the post the aspects of the game that are objectionable.

I'm a little late to this survey, but I'll put in my two cents anyway. Below are some aspects of an adventure game on a spectrum of personal preference, from most desirable to most objectionable:

Most Appreciate:
Good story
Immersive game play
Characters you care about, one way or another
Puzzles
Good voice acting
Nothing bad will happen if you walk away for 10 minutes

Might Have (most appreciate):
Manual saves, unlimited slots
Ability to skip a characters response rather than hear it for the Nth time
Non-linear game play
Many places to explore
Nice graphics, to a point (shouldn't bog down your computer or require a $$ computer)

Might Have (more offensive):
Rare possibility of death; restart just prior to death
Rare event requiring some dexterity, that is skippable
Endless dialog trees

Can't Have:
Action sequences
Timed events
Tests of dexterity of any kind
Many opportunities to die; restart at last save
Running/hiding from pursuers to avoid death
Arcade games that can't be skipped, or skippable games that happen often.

It's still good to at least hear about games containing "Can't Have"'s, since Dreamfall would have not been announced by these criteria, yet I'm very glad that I played it despite its shortcomings.


I point, therefore I click.
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: ergggo] #1117933
07/16/17 10:02 PM
07/16/17 10:02 PM
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no timed puzzles thumbsup

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1118165
07/18/17 03:13 PM
07/18/17 03:13 PM
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The following Definition of an Adventure Game came from the first page of the Adventure Games Coalition. This Coalition was formed by many former and presently existing Adventure Gaming Websites and this was their collective Definition.

What is an Adventure Game?


An Adventure Game is about using your mind instead of your trigger finger; about

testing your clever thinking and creative problem solving instead of your

dexterity and reflexes. It is based on a story (any kind, from fantasy to fact

and from humorous to serious) in which the hero (that's you!) is on some kind of

quest or adventure (the plot): in other words, there is a problem of some sort

which must be resolved in order to successfully complete the game. To succeed

you usually must visit different locations (called "worlds"), interact with

objects and/or people, and figure out where to go or what to do next, collecting

clues and/or objects along the way to help you solve the puzzles and problems.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Take care,

Mr. Bill

Last edited by mrbill; 07/18/17 03:14 PM.
Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1118167
07/18/17 03:25 PM
07/18/17 03:25 PM
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All MYST series and URU series.........if games have those qualities, then I'm in....that's why I'm greatly anticipating XING. When I search for games to play I always look at the trailers. If the game is "cartoonish" looking, no thanks. I like taking notes...I have the notes, drawings, etc. for every game I have played in the past 12 years. Although, a game journal also works for me. Do prefer to save when I want to, not at a prescribed destination in the game. Thank for the question BrownEyedTigre......

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1118533
07/21/17 12:21 PM
07/21/17 12:21 PM
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A good story, no action, good voice-actors, music that fitts the game,
you can save when you want, no long diary entries, non-linear would be nice
(in certain games even preferable, when you want to explore
a beautifull environment), but no problem when it's linear in a detective.

I would love a game that lets you interact with all the persons
you meet, and their reactions change according to how you act youreself.
Quality puzzles of course, but they have to be logic,
do not want hours spending on a puzzle that
afterwards turned out to
be illogical. slapforehead

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1118539
07/21/17 01:10 PM
07/21/17 01:10 PM
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BrownEyedTigre Offline OP
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THank you all for your responses and feed back! I really appreciate it. I will continue to post them as I have been since tastes are varied and I want everyone to get the news that they want to hear.

Ana wave


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Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1118540
07/21/17 01:36 PM
07/21/17 01:36 PM
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...blip...

Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1118563
07/21/17 05:10 PM
07/21/17 05:10 PM
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lol Jenny! I can see a million responses to difficulty finding the types people like, because we all want more of what we like! grin

And as far as missing info, if I could change things in the announcements, I would, but regardless of what people want to know, eg. is it point and click, will it be available somewhere DRM-free etc. I post what the developer wants released and what I can find if it seems lacking.
And other times, I know answers to many questions, but it may not be something they want public until they release. I'm always searching for news.

Ana wave


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Re: Taking a Little Survey on "Adventure" Games [Re: BrownEyedTigre] #1118681
07/23/17 09:40 AM
07/23/17 09:40 AM
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United Kingdom
Mad Offline
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We know you give us all the info you can, BrownEyedTigre, and appreciate that very much !! praise


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