tag:cheerfulghost.com,2005:/games/24038Cheerful Ghost: Anodyne2024-03-29T07:25:35+00:002014-05-12T23:48:23Ztag:cheerfulghost.com,2005:Post/12242013-04-24T04:27:13Z2014-05-12T23:48:23Z/jdodson/posts/1224/anodyne-upcoming-level-editorAnodyne Upcoming Level Editor<img src='http://i.imgur.com/DsSRQoF.png' class='img-responsive' alt='http://i.imgur.com/DsSRQoF.png' /> <br/>Sean Hogan one half of the awesome duo that brought us Anodyne recently posed a question on Steam I thought was pretty interesting in regard to adding a fairly simple level editor to Anodyne.<br><br>"<strong>Would anyone be interested in this?<br><br>The thing is, Anodyne wasn't coded with it in mind, so it might be hard to pull off. But if I did, it would be pretty basic:<br><br>- No doors between different maps. Maybe doors in the same map.<br>- No NPCs or dialogue (possibly the rocks with a single "chunk" of dialogue)<br>- One and song per map.<br>- Maybe bosses.<br>- Likely most enemies/dungeon things</strong>"<br><br>I am totally down for this idea. I really enjoyed plunking out a few maps in Portal 2 and loved the process. Would you be interested in seeing a simple Anodyne level editor? Sound off on the Steam community thread:<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://steamcommunity.com/app/234900/discussions/0/810922320220339724/">http://steamcommunity.com/app/234900/discussions/0/810922320220339724/</a>2014-05-12T23:48:23Zjdodsontag:cheerfulghost.com,2005:Post/11462013-03-28T13:50:12Z2014-05-12T23:48:21Z/jdodson/posts/1146/continuing-the-journeyContinuing The Journey<img src='http://i.imgur.com/DsSRQoF.png' class='img-responsive' alt='http://i.imgur.com/DsSRQoF.png' /> <br/>Anodyne is one of the most compelling games I've played in quite some time. Every time I mull over what game to play next, Anodyne lulls me back. Its a very uniquely paced game and as such mixes in some really surprising elements. For instance, Anodyne contains some very cool art for certain levels that really does harken back to an older Super Nintendo era. Each dungeon has a hook to it, like the old Zelda dungeons from Link to the Past onward. For instance, in one dungeon you must master a series of jump puzzles that gets a bit fiddly, but once you learn the ropes it isn't too bad.<br><br>Anodyne has a story that may be hard to follow but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. Sometimes the game dialog and story go a particular direction and then in another beat some joke changes the flow which can be a bit odd. In a way, I appreciate how disjointed Anodyne is and if you are expecting it to hand you the narrative simply, this isn't your jam. I believe that games and life even is a journey which can incorporate multiple elements in story, art, music and overall feel of how it mixes together. The fact that Anodyne has a less accessible story doesn't bother me as I am really drawn into the journey of the game more than yet another retelling of Star Wars or The Iliad. <br><br>After a few play sessions I would say I am about 70% through the game and am looking forward to completing it. Anodyne is one of those games that has fantastic art and these are a few shots I took of it:<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://i.imgur.com/FUsCyh7.png">http://i.imgur.com/FUsCyh7.png</a><br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://i.imgur.com/uIzpWsD.png">http://i.imgur.com/uIzpWsD.png</a><br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://i.imgur.com/Ci6Ldkz.png">http://i.imgur.com/Ci6Ldkz.png</a><br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://i.imgur.com/IwKgsX4.png">http://i.imgur.com/IwKgsX4.png</a>2014-05-12T23:48:21Zjdodsontag:cheerfulghost.com,2005:Post/10292013-02-26T01:34:43Z2014-05-12T23:48:19Z/jdodson/posts/1029/finding-a-place-the-first-few-levels-of-anodyneFinding a Place. The First Few Levels of Anodyne.<img src='http://i.imgur.com/9OEXHoc.png' class='img-responsive' alt='http://i.imgur.com/9OEXHoc.png' /> <br/>I picked up Anodyne last week during The Pirate Bay sale. Since I am a sucker for game soundtracks, I opted for the deluxe version that came with the score. I am playing it on my PC and the game runs flawlessly.<br><br>Anodyne is a hard game to write about. From the very start it brought back memories of playing my NES. The moody tone hit me as very Link's Awakening-esque but unlike Link's Awakening that ramps you up, Anodyne hits you with the ethereal mood from the start. As the game continues past the opening area and beyond the first dungeon it opens the colors, music and tone a bit but the underlying ethereal current is always present.<br><br>If you are expecting a game to hold your hand this game isn't your jam. Just to be clear: I am having no problems making my way through this game at all. That said, after the first dungeon the game opens up very wide and if you don't pay attention you can get quite lost. I don't mind taking time getting acclimated to things and love exploring. I started playing Anodyne with the thought that this would be more of an experience than anything else, and to that point it hasn't let me down.<br><br>Using the overall design, art and score the game is pulling some interesting punches I don't see too often. When I load up my save and start walking around I am immediately flooded with feelings of discovery and a genuine wonder of what will come next. The game has surprised me with how well it plays to old Zelda and Final Fantasy design notes but then goes an entirely different direction. Often times I am not entirely sure what the game is trying to say with a particular set of events but the open nature of it isn't lost on me. Sometimes there really are few answers to things and Anodyne doesn't try to answer them all.<br><br>I have read a few reviews that knock the cryptic nature of the game and cite it as a flaw. I don't think this is a flaw and for me Anodyne works very well because not all games need to round every jagged edge and way point each mission. Its a refreshing take on the genre and its simplicity I consider a strength.<br><br>Fighting the 2nd level boss: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://i.imgur.com/qfKSof8.png">http://i.imgur.com/qfKSof8.png</a><br>Talking to a cat that started following me around: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://i.imgur.com/IJj7UGR.png">http://i.imgur.com/IJj7UGR.png</a><br><br>If you are interested in reading some information on some of the design thoughts in Anodyne, Sean Hogan blogged about them here.<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/SeanHogan/20121026/180270/Joys_in_writing_game_music_frustrations_of_the_place_of_games_in_society_and_the_potential_of_games_that_convey_experiences.php">http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/SeanHogan/20121026/180270/Joys_in_writing_game_music_frustrations_of_the_place_of_games_in_society_and_the_potential_of_games_that_convey_experiences.php</a>2014-05-12T23:48:19Zjdodson