Well that is great news... so even if this thing bombs completely, there is a chance they'll be able to make another one.
I'll be first in line to kickstart anything these guys put up.
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Obduction |OT| Explore, uncover, solve, decide in a Mysterious world
- Thread starter guybrushfreeman
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Well that is great news... so even if this thing bombs completely, there is a chance they'll be able to make another one.
I'll be first in line to kickstart anything these guys put up.
tensuke
Member
It's not quite as involved maybe but I would recommend the Submachine series, there's 10 and a few extras and the whole series won't take that long to beat. They're flash games, so free, and they start to get really good. Plus the worldbuilding is really neat and kind of Myst-like.
asker
Member
I finished it today but I can't say it was an enjoyable experience.
Sure, it's gorgeous, but the "puzzles" are more a matter of pushing through the tedium of running and teleporting back and forth, and your reward is a shortcut to decrease the running you will have to do in the future. What I needed to do to progress was often clear to me, but actually doing it was painful.
The other kind of puzzle was finding a number and then inputting it on a keypad.
The story had its moments but when a mechanic of your game relies on a 15-20 second load screen (and I run the game from raid 0 SSDs), don't have it be the main mechanic to solve puzzles!
Edit:
Sure, it's gorgeous, but the "puzzles" are more a matter of pushing through the tedium of running and teleporting back and forth, and your reward is a shortcut to decrease the running you will have to do in the future. What I needed to do to progress was often clear to me, but actually doing it was painful.
The other kind of puzzle was finding a number and then inputting it on a keypad.
The story had its moments but when a mechanic of your game relies on a 15-20 second load screen (and I run the game from raid 0 SSDs), don't have it be the main mechanic to solve puzzles!
Edit:
Did anyone find a way to get the scale to go up to the red marking?
Oh my gosh, I remember playing the first couple of those when they were new, years ago. Absolutely loved them, and didn't know there were so many new ones! Thank you for reminding me that it exists!
Gamespot review - 7/10
Reviewer seems to have really liked the game but found it too difficult in the late stages.
Reviewer seems to have really liked the game but found it too difficult in the late stages.
prag16
Banned
The text without the score reads to me as a 7.5 or even an 8 to 8.5. Saw this earlier without first seeing the score, and was surprised when I got to the bottom and it said 7. And out of his two main complaints, one of them can be completely dismissed out of hand with "get gud".
A mostly positive review that will probably cause a not insignificant amount of people to see the score and say "meh, pass" unfortunately.
ProfessorLobo
Banned
The seed I found took me to a ledge overlooking a door, with a panel. I opened the door with the panel and there's nowhere else to go from that ledge.
Is there another jungle seed I've missed?
Is there another jungle seed I've missed?
I didn't look that up, but it really is a bizarre decision to make the only
Villein number to regular number conversion in the game actually be an incorrect one.
auto-correct sound and movement meant I entered something correctly, which made me confused later on during the bridge construction at first.
And yeah Fract is excellent, that game does some really impressive stuff which is unfortunate since it flew under everyone's radar.
ProfessorLobo
Banned
I think so. After the opened door there should be two pathways, one to a bridge that hasn't been opened and the other to a seed.
ProfessorLobo
Banned
Okay, I've had enough mindless wandering.
EDIT:
How the hell do I get to the bleeder tower? I don't remember any unsolved puzzles or anything that are left in the game
EDIT:
Nevermind, ugh. Was there a piece of dialogue I missed somewhere?
asker
Member
Yes, you can get to that jungle door from a seed in the Earth world. I'm sure you can already reach it, it becomes available early in the game. Let me know if you want a more precise location
tensuke
Member
Peterthumpa
Member
Fuck, I don't want to look for it but I'm mindlessly walking around for 3+ hours straight already and I can't seem to find how to move forward.
It's fucking disappointing but at the same time I'm really trying to avoid answers, I'm pretty sure it's going to be fucking satisfying as soon as I figure this one out.
C.W asks me to connect the damn battery, but all I see is a cable hanging over a railing, which by the way is non interactive. I can't drive the mine cart up, unless I'm missing something.
Also "turned on" the tree but I can't enter in any of the portals. Found two "mother seeds" (not sure if that's the name though) which allow me to go to the forest world and the snow world, but I can't go far in both since I'm probably missing something to do in the initial area.
Also "turned on" the tree but I can't enter in any of the portals. Found two "mother seeds" (not sure if that's the name though) which allow me to go to the forest world and the snow world, but I can't go far in both since I'm probably missing something to do in the initial area.
It's fucking disappointing but at the same time I'm really trying to avoid answers, I'm pretty sure it's going to be fucking satisfying as soon as I figure this one out.
Fahzgoolin
Banned
Don't give in! Just keep at it. The longer you are stumped, the more rewarding the answer will be. =)
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
I'm a good chunk of the way through
and yet I never
what are people talking about? I couldn't find a way inside
big machinery mining world
turned on the tree back on Hunrath
Oh, I thought that would be left for the end of the game? I haven't found a code for
the elevator tower
D
Deleted member 30609
Unconfirmed Member
This was the very last thing I did in the game, but it can be done much earlier IF you don't use a mechanism a certain way -- MILD HINT
the things you need to access the tower are all in Hunrath, but turning the fan thing around in the river so that it points toward the opposite shore can mean you're locked out for a while.
Dsyndrome
Member
Holy shit, I can't believe putting
into the
in the garage actually worked! I thought for sure when
that I would just be barking up the wrong tree, but thankfully it gave me
.
Haven't had to use a guide yet, very happy.
that 15 shape
alien machine
the shape changed
the door code for the center
Haven't had to use a guide yet, very happy.
D
Deleted member 30609
Unconfirmed Member
I tried to play Riven earlier this year and was getting sporadic crashes. I really want to play it. Is there a version that plays nice with W10 or OSX?
D
Deleted member 30609
Unconfirmed Member
Steam. It would play fine for a while and then hang on a load after time IIRC. I'll take a look into the GOG version.
Edit: there's also an iOS version. Not ideal, but I'll give it a try.
Man, seeing and reading things like this throughout the weeks is rewarding for someone that follows someone like Rand Miller. Dude is legit in unique ways. Hopefully in the future he decides to keep doing this stuff.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
Yeah this is a large part of why, while I loved The Witness, I found all the talk about how it was a "true successor" to Myst to be...incorrect frankly. The Myst series is, if anything, more about worldbuilding than it is about puzzles. Thus far Obduction handily continues that tradition
Robot Pants
Member
Yea the witness was not what I hoped it to be. Disappointed in it. Definitely wasn't a successor to Myst
Fahzgoolin
Banned
had a very upsetting game breaking bug... The vellein base 4 number pads were either unresponsive in connecting certain nodes, or the "enter" button wouldn't show at the top. I got stuck and couldn't get out.
Totally game breaking.
This game needs manual saves ASAP.
Btw, the puzzle you guys keep saying was too hard or tedious was actually really fun for me... lol *shrug*
Stuck down in the pods area in Maray.
Totally game breaking.
This game needs manual saves ASAP.
Btw, the puzzle you guys keep saying was too hard or tedious was actually really fun for me... lol *shrug*
Man i dont have a gaming pc or one that could come close to running this game but i watched a stream of it not having any idea what it was and 4 hours later i was hooked. I had to turn it off as i need to play this game and didnt want it ruined. But the game just oozed atmosphere a d that old school puzzle design had me so excited.
I hope more people play the game so maybe in the future consoles can either get a port or a sequel.
I hope more people play the game so maybe in the future consoles can either get a port or a sequel.
It kind of has manual saves already. Just go to the "load game" menu and make a copy of the latest auto-save.
D
Deleted member 30609
Unconfirmed Member
Probably wouldn't have helped in the case mentioned above, but turning on point and click mode will save you from falling through the world or getting stuck in the geometry if it ever happens.
Fahzgoolin
Banned
Yeah, but I discovered that AFTER my game broke and I'm forever stuck. Also, it's still a broken system because if you progress in a given save file, the auto save will overwrite your save file.
Not good.
I decided to check how Obduction was doing with regards to review scores. I was thinking it would level out somewhere between 80-83 on Opencritic. I think it was somewhere around the low 80s last time time I checked. I was shocked to see it all the way down to 73! That's when I noticed the Game Revolution review giving it a 1/5 rating.
It's really bothering me. I'm not upset that guy gave it a low score. He makes a few fair points and is entitled to his opinion. I kind of assumed the game would be divisive. The Myst series seems to have people who love it or hate it and I don't see this game being any different. I'm more upset that because there's so few reviews it dropped the score by like 8-10 points on its own. Hopefully over time it balances out a bit as more reviews are added, but something tells me it's going to stay this way for a very long time. It's a somewhat niche PC exclusive. It seems like if this was a PS4 exclusive under similar conditions it would get more attention simply because it would be on a console.
I don't use these sites very often, but once in a while I check scores on somewhat obscure games, or newer indie games. I try to actually read or skim reviews to get a better feel for varying scores, but I would be lying if I said that big average score didn't sway me. I understand 73 isn't that bad, but It's low enough to scare a number of people off.
It's really bothering me. I'm not upset that guy gave it a low score. He makes a few fair points and is entitled to his opinion. I kind of assumed the game would be divisive. The Myst series seems to have people who love it or hate it and I don't see this game being any different. I'm more upset that because there's so few reviews it dropped the score by like 8-10 points on its own. Hopefully over time it balances out a bit as more reviews are added, but something tells me it's going to stay this way for a very long time. It's a somewhat niche PC exclusive. It seems like if this was a PS4 exclusive under similar conditions it would get more attention simply because it would be on a console.
I don't use these sites very often, but once in a while I check scores on somewhat obscure games, or newer indie games. I try to actually read or skim reviews to get a better feel for varying scores, but I would be lying if I said that big average score didn't sway me. I understand 73 isn't that bad, but It's low enough to scare a number of people off.
The random 1/5 review bums me out a bit as well, and I try not to get bothered about that stuff. I read it and while he's free to his negative opinion he faults the game heavily for succeeding at what it set out to do, it's not a very thoughtful or analytical piece of writing and I don't agree with his conclusions. Hates FMV, hates the environmental puzzles and storytelling, couldn't get it to run well and blamed the devs (zero performance issues here), one lukewarm positive comment about graphics with a typo. Don't think I'll be using that site for opinions moving forward.
Fahzgoolin
Banned
Yeesh...my goodness. That's ridiculous. If you don't like a game for what it sets out to do, then just state that and try to review it based on the merits of it's intention.
You don't play Halo and give it a 1/5 because you don't like skill based shooters lol
Hope the devs know that those who have been wanting this type of game are overjoyed. Hope their bottom line turns a decent profit for all of them.
Man...that review. 
Hope its weight in the aggregators doesn't hurt sales too much. Well, the Myst series definitely had its share of haters back in the day (seems the GameRevolution author was one of them), so there were bound to be a few like this. I don't know why GameRevolution picked someone who is inherently opposed to the style of game though.
Hope its weight in the aggregators doesn't hurt sales too much. Well, the Myst series definitely had its share of haters back in the day (seems the GameRevolution author was one of them), so there were bound to be a few like this. I don't know why GameRevolution picked someone who is inherently opposed to the style of game though.This game continues to amaze me, and it's one of the only games to cause me to talk out loud as I play. Mostly this is reactions to the environments I'm seeing, or reactions to solving a problem and making progress. Sometimes I talk out loud to keep track of things to check out later, or new ideas I have that I want to experiment with.
I have played for about 8 hours so far and feel like I am barely scratching the surface. I'm really taking my time, as I do with these types of games. Savouring the world, looking at the vistas, listening to the ambience. Just soaking up all of the effort that went into creating these worlds.
In Hunrath I have just gained access to
The snapshots really come in handy, and can kind of replace making written notes, but I still like making notes. Maybe that's old school of me but I feel like more of an adventurer when I do.
As for those seed spheres scattered around,
What a wonderful game. I hope it finds a way to sell a bunch of copies and get some widespread recognition, because it's well-deserved.
I have played for about 8 hours so far and feel like I am barely scratching the surface. I'm really taking my time, as I do with these types of games. Savouring the world, looking at the vistas, listening to the ambience. Just soaking up all of the effort that went into creating these worlds.
In Hunrath I have just gained access to
the main level of the tower and that's where I called it for the night last night. I'm looking forward to reading the journals in there. I have a theory about the elevator code that I am going to try out soon after that.
As for those seed spheres scattered around,
I was blown away by the first world I went to. Not sure what it's name is but it's the one high in the cliffs with gigantic chains and machinery everywhere. I found myself astounded by the sheer spectacle of that place. I didn't make much progress in it, but did figure out that I needed to bring the cart back and zap the bubble device. Didn't get very far past that. I also went to the other world but was stopped by a locked door. Is this place called Heart? Anyway, it's fun to just wander around and seek inspiration for things to check out.
What a wonderful game. I hope it finds a way to sell a bunch of copies and get some widespread recognition, because it's well-deserved.
prag16
Banned
That's what I was complaining about the other day with regard to the gamespot 7/10. It's definitely low enough to steer some people away.
The gamerevolution review I don't really understand. Spending 1/3 of his play time in loading screens? That seems like a GROSS exaggeration. His criticism of the puzzles a all "find a hidden button!" was pretty reductive and unfair. Two minutes at a clip for load times? I haven't finished the game yet, but I am 100% sure I haven't seen anything even close to ONE minute long. Also not sure why he was having such allegedly bad performance issues. My 2550k/970 setup was running the game significantly better than his i7/980 by the sound of it; not sure how.
While I also agree with his issue with the handwriting not always being easily legible, I don't understand the hate for the FMV clips. And finally, the best part, "The Witness puts this game to shame????" My head just exploded.
Damn.
In related news: PCGamer (76%): http://www.pcgamer.com/obduction-review/
I unfortunately have to say my load times are much the same. The initial load from the menu screen is a definite two minutes having used a stopwatch. Loading the additional areas isn't too bad at maybe thirty-forty seconds, but anytime I load Hunrath I can easily catch up on a thread or two from GAF on my phone before it loads back in.
Fahzgoolin
Banned
Yeah, I don't know what these reviewers were thinking. I think it's a combination of rushing things, not paying attention, being impatient, and just being dense.
I never ran into something in the game that seemed overbearingly obtuse or hidden. It seemed about as difficult as Myst Exile, if not a little easier overall.
Besides my game breaking bug that I eventually got around, the game is superb.
prag16
Banned
Ah, forgot about that initial load. It's probably around a minute for me (though I didn't time it). Loading to/from Hunrath is about 20 seconds typically, maybe up to 30 on the high end. It did become mildly irritating when I
rotated the sphere, and it took 4 tries to get the staircase facing the right way because I'm a moron
I didn't get to the one that's apparently REALLY annoying yet which is later in the game, where some people said took dozens of transitions to get right. I guess I could see that being an issue if EVERY load is 30 seconds or more.
If that puzzle is what I think it is, I had that figured out and solved in about 30 minutes!
Just had what is hopefully the only bullshit-moment in the game. All I'll say in public is: pods.
Just had what is hopefully the only bullshit-moment in the game. All I'll say in public is: pods.
I just spent an hour trying to figure out the logic of the dots. Eventually stumble upon the correct pod. Nothing happens. So I spend another half-hour trying other pods to see if there's something I'm missing.
There's absolutely no audio/visual clue that a door has opened elsewhere when you view the correct pod.
There's absolutely no audio/visual clue that a door has opened elsewhere when you view the correct pod.
...and there we go. Watching 23,000 backer names on the credits having done two endings. Sure glad my name doesn't begin with Z.
Overall, I'd give it an 8/10 and it's currently standing as my game of the year. The obvious cut content near the end and a lack of clear direction in a couple of instances just manage to stop it from reaching that 9.
Overall, I'd give it an 8/10 and it's currently standing as my game of the year. The obvious cut content near the end and a lack of clear direction in a couple of instances just manage to stop it from reaching that 9.
s_mirage
Member
That puzzle actually reminds me of the maze puzzle from Myst: if you don't work out how the puzzle works from something in a completely different section of the game, you get stuck or have to solve it through trial and error. I partially cheated and had to look up how the numbering system works, as there's no way of returning to Hunrath to figure it out if you haven't already.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
Well I think it broke. Froze to a red screen when I went to take a picture so I forced it to quit and now I can't load into my save game
Fahzgoolin
Banned
Finished the game. Overall, it was a splendid experience. Some performance issues aside, it looked and sounded amazing. A few bugs along the way, one potentially game breaking. However, I was able to get around it.
I loved the ending, which is a huge plus.
I'd say I still prefer Myst and that universe, but this comes really close.
Thank you Cyan for putting yourself out there on Kickstarter! I really appreciate the game and I hope you continue making more games. =)
I agree with the "obvious cut content." It was a little jarring. I think the ending still wrapped it up nicely, but there was some seriously jarring occurrences that pulled me out of the experience that led up to it. 8/10 for me as well and it's my current Game of the Year.
I loved the ending, which is a huge plus.
I'd say I still prefer Myst and that universe, but this comes really close.
Thank you Cyan for putting yourself out there on Kickstarter! I really appreciate the game and I hope you continue making more games. =)
I agree with the "obvious cut content." It was a little jarring. I think the ending still wrapped it up nicely, but there was some seriously jarring occurrences that pulled me out of the experience that led up to it. 8/10 for me as well and it's my current Game of the Year.
RepairmanJack
Member
I'm still really early in the game and I'm loving it, but I was kind of bummed when
pointing the cart laser at one of the airen(?) bug things didn't do anything. I tried so long and so hard to line up a shot too.
Huw_Dawson
Member
I think Exile is legally OK to reference for Cyan, they're just not allowed to distribute it because it's wholly owned by Ubisoft...
I had the plot for a Uru fangame at one point which would have kept things as simple as 'there's linking books to other worlds, and someone has been stealing them for their private collection.'
Keeping D'ni out of a Myst re-introduction is very hard as it's the core if the franchise's lore, but I'd avoid doing any serious D'ni stuff. 'This is happening in the real world' a cool enough narrative hook.
That's because
if you read one of the journals, it says that the beam only disrupts a certain alien's technology (Mofang). That bug you saw is a different type of alien (Arai)
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