vashtsakared's game Reviews on Newgrounds

[Phoenotopia]

I can say without a doubt that this is one of the greatest games I have ever played. It accomplishes an aesthetic that mimics the RPGs and platformers of old, but stands on its own as a unique work, much the way Cave Story did.

The boss battles are challenging and well-made, the graphics are top-notch, and the music is fitting. At first I didn't care for the soundtrack, but as the game goes on and the story unfolds, it gets better and better. And the graphics are simply amazing in the Mul Cave, and I get the sense that both the music and the graphics were arranged to get better and better in step with the story arc, to give that feel of increasing awe and gravitas. This game is a masterpiece, and I am sorry that I rated so many things so highly in the past, if only because it detracts from the full marks I give you now. Congratulations!

[Double Hitler]

They should've replaced themselves with a wacky waving arm flailing inflatable tube man. I can't believe Himmler fell for that balloon.

[You Are Disabled]

This was a really cool idea, but I'm not sure if it had the effect you were going for. First time playing, I got the "spastic" disability. Dying five or six times without even touching the keyboard, and I don't feel sympathetic. I just think, "ha, quit spazzing out you tard!" So I guess your game made me want to laugh at someone with disabilities? I don't know, man. Maybe platformers just aren't the best medium for a PSA.

Cool game, though.

[You Only Get One Face]

Pretty fun stuff. The Hitler 'stache response was great. Only beef I have is, the Zappa looked way off. I mean, I had the perfectest Zappa ever, but I had to keep trimming it down, and then the picture is just, eh. Otherwise, great job.

[Superblade]

This has great graphics and music, and the concept is cool. However, making the player die whenever the enemy occupies the same square is just stupid. It seems like an attempt to raise the difficulty level artificially as an afterthought. This, I think, is the main reason for the hate. Enemies being immune to spikes is fine - I can see them, they're right there. You're fighting friggin' ninja. But being vaporized the instant you share a square makes no sense.

[The Exam]

This was a pretty cool idea, and mostly well executed. As Dacuna said, it is a little bland, and medals would help by pointing out some clear goals. It seems like this is the freeform kind of game that you can sort of play how you want (like if you wanted to, you could force him to study, as drakke125 seems to have done).

I successfully got guitar up to 51/50 on the first run! I think that's a much better outcome than beating the exam; for all we know, the subject was something useless that the main character hated, like accounting or English lit. It does make me a bit sad to think he only considers the value of his guitar in terms of "will I be a rock star?" However, continued pursuit of the instrument should ultimately be more intellectually and personally fulfilling than whatever stupid test he was trying to pass, especially given his great reluctance to study for it.

[Socrates Jones: Pro Philo]

As everyone has pointed out, this game was amazing. Applying the Phoenix Wright formula to philosophy actually makes more sense than applying it to law. It was very exciting to debate philosophy, and it was also much more educational than trying to read philosophy (especially Kant). The visuals were great, especially the designs of Ariadne, the Arbiter, and the protagonist. Music was sweet. Everything is good.

I hope you make more of these, but I'm afraid they'd all end in the same conclusion as this game did. Still, it'd be fun to do this over with various branches of metaphysics.

[Convey]

This was a pretty excellent idea, and great job making it in 48 hours. I enjoyed being a total sociopath to everyone, but I have deducted half a star because it is impossible to make everyone cry in the same playthrough.

Zanzlanz responds:

It is possible to make everyone cry. That's why it's an achievement.
And thanks, haha! :D

[Beavus]

I am very disappointed in the lack of dick jokes. You did, however, keep me entertained for a good fifteen seconds.

whileworking responds:

Use your imagination o|o

[Infiltrating the Airship]

That Power Armor is rad as fuck. I didn't have enough horns for that. Sweet game, bro.

PuffballsUnited responds:

Get more horns