Score: 7

"Pelo says..."

submission: Jesusmas

date: December 15, 2009

Pros?
~Smooth animation.
~Cute in its own way.
~Good natured.

Cons?
~A little short.
~Sound quality is poor.

Overall?
Yeah, so what if you're trying to spread the word of God? If people can spread the word against Him, why can't others share their love? Please note, I'm not religious in the slightest, but I find it hypocritical when a person who openly declares one thing gets butthurt when his opponent says the other in a humble way.

Regardless, cute animation, but the sound quality could have been better.

~Pelo

Score: 10

"Wow!"

submission: Scatmambo

date: November 12, 2009

That was amazing! Though the animation style was cartoony, it flowed very well, matched the essence of the song, incredibly smooth, and the lip syncing was virtually perfect.

The right song with the right animation makes a phenomenal Flash. Props.

~Pelo

Score: 8

"Amusing!"

submission: Hamlet - Act Five

date: October 18, 2009

I must say, this was a very well done take on literature. It was simple, funny, but also told the main parts of the story. Kudos!

I can relate to you on making something like this for English class...I played off of Catcher in the Rye (oh god what a horrible book), but somehow got a 90. What did you get?

Nice little gem among the rough.

~Pelo

Score: 8

"Interesting little thing here..."

submission: Time Fcuk

date: September 17, 2009

This review is broken up into two sections: Its gameplay and plot.

First and most important is the gameplay itself: It was your simple puzzle platformer. The controls were decent and made sense, but sometimes I would confuse a for space (or vice versa), resulting in death from switching dimensions instead of jumping. What exactly did up do? It just raises his arms. Any significance?

The puzzles provided great challenges and were very enjoyable, but on the Explore feature, I got no challenging puzzles at all. Maybe instead of just choosing the same ones over and over (I swear, I got "1" at least five times), it should choose a puzzle based on the ratings it got (like easy in the beginning, average in the middle, hard at the end, things like that).

The reset was a good idea, but it's a little flawed. It takes time for him to kill himself, and when I was stuck in a portal loop later in the game, I couldn't use the reset because he wasn't on the ground. Also, the Skip button at the end of the game doesn't take you back to the menu. It stays on that frame and starts the intro music again.

Switching between dimensions is a good idea, but it took awhile to realize you safely swap dimensions in areas with light backgrounds. That should have been clarified early in the game.

Now on to what I feel the meaning is...or at least how I interpreted this game:

I'm guessing the person who's texting you constantly is not really you. I think it's actually Steven trying to fuck with your mind. I say this for two reasons: The first is some of the things weren't logical, even for a game that doesn't want any of it. "You" text yourself from the past, mention that you're going backwards, ask about Steven in Level 2 and 4, and say that the person in Level 6 says not to trust you. Not once in Levels 2 or 4 was Steven mentioned, and you're never called a liar in Level 6. Also, "you" claim Steven leaves you soon, but he apparently leaves the level you receive the message.

Finally, the ending scenes make me believe your messenger is Steven. Why would you force your past self to get in the box in the first place? Wouldn't one want to avoid a hell like that? But how you end the final level is what gets me: If you commit suicide, "you" leave the box and tell yourself to get in; if you solve the puzzle, the two of you fuse together and form one being, leave the box, and tell yourself to get in. Seems that the player never leaves the box.

Well, I'm probably being overly analytical. I won't bother with trying to explain its deep meaning simply because I didn't figure out its meaning, but because someone already nailed it with the treadmill example.

Regardless, it was a fun game to play with an interesting (and quite mind fnciukg) plot. Sorry for boring any reader with lots of text (and kudos to those who stomach it all).

~Pelo

Score: 7

"This is a good game, but..."

submission: Popopop 2

date: September 14, 2009

This is a very good puzzle game, a rather unique game that is enjoyable. The puzzles are challenging, but not to the point of ripping your hair out.

Two issues: The first is the hammer. It feels choppy. In order for it to pop the balloon, it needs to be in the direct center of the balloon. You should mention this in the tutorial.

The second is my biggest complaint: The lightning bolts. My first issue with it is if I pop more than one lightning balloon, I only get one shot. Easily overlookable. However, the aiming is a real bitch and difficult to master. Level 32 is the main culprit. Sure, I need deadly accuracy, but I feel rushed and can only get it when I'm not supposed to fire.

What I'm saying is I can solve the puzzles, but the means of solving them are annoying. As daniel-mcl said, it seems some puzzles depend on reflexes. It takes away from the fun.

Otherwise, very well done.

~Pelo

Score: 10

"Beautiful"

submission: Waiting for the Bus!

date: September 10, 2009

This is by far the best work you guys at Explosm have ever done. Period. The story is very well told (and even somewhat heartwarming). The animation was smooth, the graphics were great, and the music fit perfectly with the whole thing. Even if the ending seemed to kill the mood, it still is quite amusing.

Very well done, and I hope we'll get to see another beautiful short from you guys in the future.

~Pelo

Score: 7

"I liked it."

submission: Turn Based Battle!

date: August 20, 2009

I'm not a fan of turn based games, but this one was pretty well done. The animation and graphics were nice, and it was quite amusing.

However, it just seemed too easy. Once I got the JRPG blade, I felt there was no need to get any magic at all.

I'm not sure if I like shopping/using items doesn't take up your turn. It's helpful, but at the same time I fear it makes it a little too easy.

Regardless, it was a cute game that was fun.

~Pelo

Score: 10

"Very good!"

submission: Bonehead: The Cereal Box

date: August 2, 2009

Not bad at all for a first movie...the antics were quite amusing, and despite it not being the flashiest of art, it flowed very well and defines your style.

Well done, and congrats on Daily 2nd on your first submission!

Score: 7

"Decent..."

submission: Beatin' Luis

date: June 24, 2009

Amusing and decent graphics, but too easy...and I would really appreciate it if you gave me some credit for using my music.

Thanks for using the music!

~Pelo

Score: 9

"It was amusing."

submission: 8 Bit Pwny Club ep.1

date: June 22, 2009

I like the hosts and their different personalities, their sense of humour was decent, and the topic was not expected.

Another great toilet moment is in Half Life 2 (possibly Episode One)...an achievement is received if you kill a bad guy with a toilet.