PoisonHeart's game Reviews on Newgrounds

[Dream Symphony]

Cool, if not short. I really like this spin on click 'em climbers. The goal is noble, to finish the symphony. The backgrounds and characters flying about make you really think about all kinds of things. The game is interesting and makes you want to beat it...not only because there IS ACTUALLY AN ENDING, but also because you want to see what it looks like a little higher up.
And just when you start to get bored...a little....you find that through your own skill you can finish the game.

I am dissapointed it wouldn't post my highscore, however.

out of 10...

gfx - 9 (fit perfectly, very quirky)
sfx - N/A (i haven't a soundcard)
design - 9.5 (never a dull moment)
gameplay - 8.5 (not a new genre, but definitely helps redefine it)

overall, this is a positive and enjoyable experience that just sort of reminds me of everything that's good in the world.

[Bouncy Boxer]

Great! Very simple concept, could have used some more power-ups. I like the smooth graphics and interesting twist on shooting games.

out of 10...

gfx - 9 (very clean, cool, charming graphics)
sfx - N/A (i have no soundcard)
design - 6.5 (could have used upgrades)
gameplay - 7 (very entertaining for a while, but gets repeatative)

overall, this is a great simple game. It only lacks depth, and more dynamic levels.

[Mage Runner]

Pretty interesting game, I really wanted to get into it, but I think the levels are just too long. I am wondering more and more lately if it is my computer, but the framerate seems very slugglish. In fact, the entirety of the game is rather sluggish. Also, it seems like sometimes there is just no avoiding obstacles. And, you can't possibly hope to collect every pick-up on every level.

out of 10...

gfx - 10 (quite stunning, really)
sfx - N/A (i have no soundcard)
design - 7 (slow pace, limited/boring upgrades)
gameplay - 6 (sluggish response-time,. can't avoid obstacles)

overall, i think this could be a great game if the framerate were higher and it had been optimized for everone, would have even translated well to mobile since it is essentially a one-button game.

[Slide Soccer]

Not terrible! Could use more fluid framerate and more depth to the gameplay, but other than that this isn't bad. I like the graphics.

out of 10...

gfx - 7 (good psuedo-3d)
sfx - N/A (I have no soundcard)
design - 5 (could use more accurate hit-detection)
gameplay - 4.5 (should have been smoother)

overall, this is a pretty basic idea executed decently, but without real PIZAZZ!

[Block Breaker: Beginings]

Very decent game. I like the concept, and think it would translate well for mobile devices. That being said, I think this is the ugliest-looking game I have seen in a while. Simply horrifying font! Those MS-Word "3D" fonts have always been horrible.

Also, the levels themselves are very bland. I suggest using more of Flash's built-in filters like "drop shadow" and "inside glow".
Other than that, this is very solid design, and very simple. Which is why I like it.

out of 10...
gfx - 1.5 (almost nothing, and what is there is ugly)
sfx - N/A (i have no soundcard)
design - 7 (solid concept and level design)
gameplay - 7 (pretty fun, maybe reaction-time could be shorter)

overall, this would be a great game that more people would enjoy if it had more levels and had better graphics.

[Shadow Tag]

Good gfx, overrated gameplay.

I like the almost "Zombies Ate My Neighbors" approach, how in every level you had to rescue the remaining survivors...here it is rescue your keys.
Interesting idea, "shadow tag", and when you lose you know what it means. Very freaky!
However, the gameplay suffers in one way that should have been easily remedied even in 48 hours. The pacing is almost painfully slow.

out of 10...

gfx - 8 (cool "doll-eyes" style)
sfx - N/A ( i have no soundcard)
design - 7 (good idea, not greatly executed)
gameplay - 6 (suffers from old-people walking speed syndrome)

[Candy Catcher]

Pretty cool idea, could have been carried farther. Smooth graphics without much glam, but very polished and clean. I think there should have definitely been more work put in here, as I like the idea of an overflowing bucket of candy but don't like that losing most of it is unavoidable.

If this had been Halloween-themed I think it would be very popular, especially if there was more here to enjoy, As is, there is pretty much a fixed maximum candies to collect with a random factor of how many more you can stack on top.

out of 10....
gfx - 8.5 (very clean, shiny)
sfx - N/A (I have no soundcard)
design - 7.5 (should have been given levels)
gameplay - 5 (initially very fun, ultimately unrewarding)

overall, this seemed like a promising game for being lightly developed, but wasn't carried far enough to be satisfying.

[Harvey's New Eyes]

Overrated.

Very resource-demanding, slow pace, extreme reading-time, unclear level design.

I like the newsprint graphics-style...like an old children's book. However, I hate a lot of the design that went into it. The people look like Lemmings. If that was your goal, then that's kinda cool but still ugly. Lemmings were always ugly.

out of 10...
gfx - 7 (good style, poor design)
sfx - N/A (i have no soundcard)
design - 5.5 (did not optimize for everyone)
gameplay - 6 (somewhat dull and frustrating)

overall, this is probably a very great game but without your bothering to optimize it so I can play it as intented, why should I bother playing much at all?

[Fruit Labyrinth]

Is not bad. I got the high score....but the pace is really slow. Even the initial count-down to start the game is really slow....the birds (which are adorable) pull up the fruit cards way too slowly, new fruit appears too slowly, everything is just too slow!

I like the clean graphics, and the birds pulling up cards are really adorable and add a lot of charm to the game. I also like the overall idea, and it is an ambitious goal to combine such elements into one game...but I am not sure you hit that mark here in all areas.

1. How is this educational? Teach children what fruit looks like?
2. The entertainment value is low due to the slowness of the game, provides little thrills.
3. Competition may not be strong here, as people will most likely not care enough to WANT to compete.
4. It definitely is a cute, simple game. I really like that!

out of 10...
gfx - 7 (clean and darling, but not well-polished)
sfx - N/A (I have no soundcard)
design - 8.5 (great combination of complex elements in a simple game)
gameplay - 4.5 (very sluggish, few people may actually sit through a whole game)

overall, I think this is a wonderful effort with a lot of heart, that may have fallen short on some of it's goals.

[Sun Hop]

The relatively easy-going pace and "easy to learn, hard to master" gameplay combine for what could be an addicting hit many people will return to time and time again.

I was somewhat frustrated at first because I didn't understand how the physics worked. However, I am glad there isn't a lengthy tutorial level, because those always piss me off. Maybe there should have been one, but with an option to skip it at any time.
Also, like the "gummy" feel of the player character and the way I can take my time and really...uh...TIME my moves. Most frustration part is having to start the entire level over because you missed a jump, and some levels can prove time-consuming.

out of 10...

gfx - 8.5 (workable, charming, and clean)
sfx - N/A (i have no soundcard)
design - 9 (straightforward, simple ideas)
gameplay - 9.5 (unique physics, easy on processors)

overall, this is a great gem with much value. Surely this will make front-page by tomorrow or the next day, I think.