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Broken Age |OT| A Double Fine Adventure! [iPad/Ouya Act One out now]

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MBR

Banned
I've gotten
down to the ground again
in Vella's story after 2 hours of playing. It's great so far, and no major bugs, only two noticable, which I could recreate every time I "replayed" the event.

1: Shay's throat sticks through his head at one point (
When putting on radiation suit
), not game-breaking, just looks funny.
2: When talking to
the wolf
, a camera is weird, looking at a wall when the boy is talking.

If nothing else happens later, it's very safe to play this now.
 

duckroll

Member
So what's the aspect ratio for this game? It looks like I'm seeing extra screen information when I select the option to put bars on the left and right. Letting the game naturally fill a 16:10 window results in information being cut off at the top and bottom.

There might not be a native aspect ratio for the game. It's designed to fit various screens because they're also making it for phones and tablets. So they probably tested it to display anything you need on any given ratio. There probably isn't one which gives you everything.
 

epmode

Member
There might not be a native aspect ratio for the game. It's designed to fit various screens because they're also making it for phones and tablets. So they probably tested it to display anything you need on any given ratio. There probably isn't one which gives you everything.

From what I can tell, choosing a 16:10 resolution with bars on the sides gives the most information. Any other widescreen setting seems to cut off some stuff. Didn't test with 4:3. The art's really nice, I want to see it!
 
Stuck at the end (?) of Vella's section. Help?

The Mog Shothra (sp? I don't play with subtitles on) fight - I've got as far as shooting the three tentacles but I'm stuck as to what I can do next other than get grabbed, which resets the scene.
 

VandalD

Member
Huge spoilers. Do not read any of this without finishing act one. Took me about three hours. I liked it quite a bit.

The ending sure makes you think about things. I figured the "Dead Eye God" might've been Shay, but that was soon proven apparently wrong. Shay was actually the one grabbing up maidens at the feasts with the boom arms! But for what purpose, and what's Merrick's deal with all this? In thinking about how this all come together, I think I want to have another run through it to see if there are plot points that I missed. And then there's the fact that pyramid ship guy mentioned Project Dandelion. "Dead Eye God" is Merrick maybe? Oh man. Also, did anyone get past the snake?
Stuck at the end (?) of Vella's section. Help?

The Mog Shothra (sp? I don't play with subtitles on) fight - I've got as far as shooting the three tentacles but I'm stuck as to what I can do next other than get grabbed, which resets the scene.
Use yourself as bait. I think you'll get it from there.
 

mmitt

Member
Stuck at the end (?) of Vella's section. Help?

The Mog Shothra (sp? I don't play with subtitles on) fight - I've got as far as shooting the three tentacles but I'm stuck as to what I can do next other than get grabbed, which resets the scene.

the goal is to shoot the laser in his mouth
 
Yeah I got stuck at the very end for a little while.

Pretty much giving away what you have to do:
Use one of your items.
 

inm8num2

Member
Goddamn, they went all out with the inventory combinations. Nearly everything has a unique response. I'm having a blast just using random items on different things on the screen for humor.
 

RoyalFool

Banned
Just finished it, Double Fine delivered!

I think watching the documentary only made me enjoy it more, the same as how a sandwich is always tastier when you make it yourself - you really appreciate the art and voices after seeing the blood, sweat and brownies that went into it
 

VandalD

Member
I got the shooting the laser into its mouth thing, and I've been grabbed multiple times. I'm running around at the beach - is there something else I can do with Vella other than run around not getting caught? Other than getting caught. :\
Not sure how to hint you further without outright giving the answer, so here it is.
When he picks you up, put the ladder in his mouth.
 

deleted

Member
I have to go to sleep now, but I started the game and played for a few minutes. Amazingly crafted and beautiful. The Menu alone is above and beyond what I imagined for the game.Super slick. I hope the game itself holds up to the expectations, but my first super early impression is that it is a direct continuation of the Adventures of old. Only new.
 
Not sure how to hint you further without outright giving the answer, so here it is.
When he picks you up, put the ladder in his mouth.

Thanks! I already attempted to see if I could use items when picked up but the game seems to be bugged - there's no marker to indicate that you can use an item on him when he's picked you up.

BUG REPORT (I know you're reading this Chris Remo): I'm getting a severe bug with performance when full-screen. When full-screen, dragging items from the inventory causes a severe drop in performance. In some instances this causes the scene to unload for a second.
Specifically, when fighting Mog Shotha, dragging items onto the screen when he has Vella grabbed causes the scene to unload and the background scene (the wide shot of the Dandelion, the bay and Mog Shothra) to become visible.
. Running in 1080p.
 

Phatmac

Member
From what I've played(Shay's story) it's so damn pretty. My god, it's all just so beautiful. I love the writing and where the story is headed. My only complaint is how simple some of the puzzles are. I also didn't like the whole arm grabbing mini-game. It just seemed out of place and exceedingly difficult. Loving it so far.
 

AustinFelix

Unconfirmed Member
as an old skool fan, this game has delivered, what an absolute joy and fresh take on a genre not explored in years! Well done double fine! Steller!
 

zroid

Banned
Gahh I still haven't been able to start this. Now I've gotta run an errand.

Hopefully I'll find some time tonight :(
 

Saige

I must do better.
Just got done with it, very happy I backed this.

Can’t wait until part 2 when they can step up the puzzle difficulty.
 

mattiewheels

And then the LORD David Bowie saith to his Son, Jonny Depp: 'Go, and spread my image amongst the cosmos. For every living thing is in anguish and only the LIGHT shall give them reprieve.'
I'm really not wanting to blow through this too fast...was there a timeframe for the second part?
 

celebi23

Member
Spoilery question:
I started on Shay's story. I got to the point where Merick is crushed and Shay goes outside and sees that giant space eye "thing". Shay's helmet get's knocked off and I just got thrown to the start of Vella's story. Is that a bug or normal?
 

BearPawB

Banned
Spoilery question:
I started on Shay's story. I got to the point where Merick is crushed and Shay goes outside and sees that giant space eye "thing". Shay's helmet get's knocked off and I just got thrown to the start of Vella's story. Is that a bug or normal?

normal
 
One set of VAs I liked:

The VA or VAs for the druids and I think some of the robots on Shay's ship are voiced by the same people who did the voices for the Tachikomas in the Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex English dub. :)
 
Ooooh

iZAXQ61C2s429.png
 

Mifune

Mehmber
Game is lovely so far. Only about an hour into Vella's story.

Are you guys playing all of one story before going to the other or bouncing between them?
 

mattiewheels

And then the LORD David Bowie saith to his Son, Jonny Depp: 'Go, and spread my image amongst the cosmos. For every living thing is in anguish and only the LIGHT shall give them reprieve.'
After hearing Elijah Wood in this, he kind of reminds me of Dominic from the Monkey Island games. He probably would've done a good Guybrush Threepwood I bet!
 

Acosta

Member
Man, I'm so bad at graphic adventures, got stuck in a point, so it took
4 hours for me
to complete (and I have played enough adventures to know this was in the easy side).

Really good, top notch audiovisuals and the story is intriguing, I need that Act 2 right now. My main worry right now is that it feels quite short, it´s two acts, right?

Edit: added the duration in spoilers just in case people don't like those kind of details (it´s just the hours it took for me).
 

LiK

Member
playing Vella and only 1hr 30 min in. game is pretty easy so far but no complaints. not frustrating which is what i like. really love the VO, visuals and music. really great.
 

VandalD

Member
Thanks! I already attempted to see if I could use items when picked up but the game seems to be bugged - there's no marker to indicate that you can use an item on him when he's picked you up.
.
Maybe it's not bugged.
Did you shoot away all but one hanging tentacle before having him pick you up? That's the only way he'll get you with an arm free.
 

Gazoinks

Member
BTW, about one specific voice performance:

Jennifer Hale is a goddess, again

For someone who's so prominent in the scene, I feel like Jennifer Hale is kind of weirdly underrated. She was great as Katrina, Rosaline Lutece, etc., and she's been in a lot of stuff, but she doesn't seem to be brought up much for whatever reason.
 

Vitor711

Member
I need help - stuck at the 1 hour mark with Vella's search for
the egg. I have been to every area, gotten the golden egg, the large sky shoes, fruit and the ladder but I don't know how to knock that guy down from the tree so I can get past him.

Is there no tip system in the game? If not, that seems like an oversight and a pretty obvious area of improvement since Schafer was last making point and clicks.

Love the art style, story and everything but man, once you hit a brick wall in these types of games, it SUCKS.
 

Gazoinks

Member
I need help - stuck at the 1 hour mark with Vella's search for
the egg. I have been to every area, gotten the golden egg, the large sky shoes, fruit and the ladder but I don't know how to knock that guy down from the tree so I can get past him.

Is there no tip system in the game? If not, that seems like an oversight and a pretty obvious area of improvement since Schafer was last making point and clicks.

Love the art style, story and everything but man, once you hit a brick wall in these types of games, it SUCKS.

Fall through the right-most hole in the tree area.
 
I need help - stuck at the 1 hour mark with Vella's search for
the egg. I have been to every area, gotten the golden egg, the large sky shoes, fruit and the ladder but I don't know how to knock that guy down from the tree so I can get past him.

read this if you want help on this part:

There should be a hole above where he is hanging, fall through it and you should knock him off and free him
 
Just beat Act 1.

WHAT AN ENDING. I can see why they thought it was a good idea to break it into two parts!

This beta has a tonne of bugs that I might write up when I have time. However, I think I can sum up what works and what doesn't:

GOOD:

1) The ART. Very, very pretty, but it's so wonderfully subtle and painterly. It definitely feels cohesive and adds to the ambiance.
2) The MUSIC. Holy hell. So much good music.
3) The VOICE ACTING. Oh my goodness. Every single voice was amazing.
4) The WRITING. I am certain that Tim Schafer can make a good joke out of anything, but I love the comedic world as much as the individual lines. The two best were in Shay's side:
"I'm free! Free to cut the infinite vastness of space!" and "BANNED. FOR. LIIIIIFE."
But I'm certain that there are some interactions that I've missed which are funnier.

BAD:

1) Several times during the game, especially on Vella's side, close-ups on background elements were very low resolution. The worst offender being
the cloud shoe shop.
2) A lot of glitches.
3) One or two very annoying continuity and similar issues.
Vella knows what a spaceship is... somehow? Also, repeated instances of breaking normal player progression and knowing something the character shouldn't really know. I'll need to replay to describe them better, one minor example is that Vella refers to a Woodcutter without going downstairs in his house. Some other things, too. The bit with the guy running for mayor has this issue too.
4) Look, I know this is a tablet UI that you've probably had to crunch instead of a proper PC interface, but I should be able to use items without click-and-drag. That is poor design. Just have it as it is now, but as a click to select item, click to use item, right click to not use item and return to the normal cursor.
5) Difficulty wise I think it is actually exactly right for me, but I think that it ultimately could have used... it's hard to explain. It ultimately felt like it was going through the motions of puzzles without really wanting to make the puzzles the focus.

Now don't pull a Pandora Directive and make sure we get an ending to this story, DF. I think this might be the best Double Fine game.

Personal reaction to ending and subsequent thinking:

HOW DID I NOT GET THAT THE WHOLE CREATURE CAPTURE THING WAS THE SAME AS WHAT THE MONSTER WAS DOING. You even have a "creature" escaping...
 
I'm loving it so far, but I'm stuck near Vella's ending.
What am I supposed to do in the Temple of the Dead Eye God? I have the stool, the shoes, the piece of glass and the ladder.
 

LCfiner

Member
I’ve play a bit over an hour. split fairly evenly between the two stories. I think it’s really good. I do need to get to some more interesting puzzles which I assume are coming up. Right now I’m just in love with the art, writing and general vibe of the whole thing.

I’ll probably have time to finish it up tomorrow and then the wait for part 2. well, I guess there’ll be more backer documentary parts coming up before the second half comes out and I really like watching those.
 
4) Look, I know this is a tablet UI that you've probably had to crunch instead of a proper PC interface, but I should be able to use items without click-and-drag. That is poor design. Just have it as it is now, but as a click to select item, click to use item, right click to not use item and return to the normal cursor.

I'm just curious how much of the old SCUMM games you've played?
 
I'm just curious how much of the old SCUMM games you've played?

Quite a few, I've played MM, DOTT, S&M:HTR, MI1, M12 and IG&tFOA. Probably one or two others. I've also played a wide variety of other adventure games, including many modern games, Sierra games, the Broken Sword games, and even a lot of free games like Yahtzee's ...Days A... series.

The click and drag interface is bad! It's a poor alternative to actually using a mouse properly.
 

Doopliss

Member
Whoops, managed to overwrite my save file almost immediately after finishing. I wonder if I'll need a complete one for the second act... Not that I would mind replaying. Actually there are a couple of specific conversations I want to hear again in light of the events at the end of the act.

If I pre-purchase this now on steam will I get access to all the content on their website?
You mean like the documentary? I believe that will be sold separately. No idea about the developer blogs.
 
This is really disappointing...every time I try to launch the game, I hear the music and menu sounds as I move the mouse around, but I just see a black screen. Anyone else having this issue?
 

Acosta

Member
I'm loving it so far, but I'm stuck near Vella's ending.
What am I supposed to do in the Temple of the Dead Eye God? I have the stool, the shoes, the piece of glass and the ladder.

To solve the riddle? Go back to the ladder, go up, go pass the bird again, go to the extreme left of the tree, pick the branch to shackle it then go down the tree, go left and pick the fruit that fell. That´s the answer, just show it to the guardians.

And if you are already inside:

You need an idol to activate the device, go back to the lumberjack to ask for it.
 
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