Cute! This is precisely the type of revival I want to see more often - take something niche or traditionally considered "bad", iron out the wrinkles, and make it something presentable while still preserving its original essence. Better yet, do so without requiring previous familiarity without the source material. You could theoretically play this without prior knowledge of Faces of Evil/Wand of Gamelon and come away thinking of it as a weirdly eccentric but perfectly fine Metroidvania.
I love as well that the game doesn't have much in the way of winks at the camera. There are of course references for people familiar with YTP/Animation Magic to get - don't think I didn't catch that the mayor rocks back and forth on the balls of his feet like I.M. Meen, or that a couple cutscenes are clearly just rotoscoped 3D models, or that Arzette's proportions vary wildly based on the cutscene. But it would have been so easy for Arzette to wink at the camera and say something like, "Boy, what are with these camera angles, amirite?" No, the work contains its integrity, just being a very strange little adventure.
Which isn't to say there isn't acknowledgement of oddness if you look for it! Keep an eye on Arzette's facial expression during that one cutscene where she gets the Smart Gun - 100% my reaction to the explanation she was given. There are a ton of great takes here, even beyond referencing moments from Faces of Evil/Wand of Gamelon. But the game retains its fourth wall integrity, which is probably necessary for the couple times the game reaches for something beside absurdist comedy. Even so, while I thought the part in the middle worked well enough, I don't really get where the part at the end came from (but maybe that's its own joke?).
Ah, the gameplay itself is fine. Sort of a means to an end, but that's certainly an improvement over the source material. By the end of the game, once you get all upgrades, Arzette's kinda fun to run around as. Though I also think a lot of the mid-to-late game upgrades don't really accomplish much. Like, that crow step is cool and all, but I don't think does anything practical. Unless that's a reference I'm missing?
I was content just getting 100% in Normal Mode. I appreciate that the higher difficulties exist - especially that one that brings back the CD-i gameplay jank, that's a great touch - but I'm happy with my one-and-done for this playthrough.
Best incidental character? Univor. Could not tell you why, just something about how bubbly and eager she is to help out. Love the guy in the library, too.
I love as well that the game doesn't have much in the way of winks at the camera. There are of course references for people familiar with YTP/Animation Magic to get - don't think I didn't catch that the mayor rocks back and forth on the balls of his feet like I.M. Meen, or that a couple cutscenes are clearly just rotoscoped 3D models, or that Arzette's proportions vary wildly based on the cutscene. But it would have been so easy for Arzette to wink at the camera and say something like, "Boy, what are with these camera angles, amirite?" No, the work contains its integrity, just being a very strange little adventure.
Which isn't to say there isn't acknowledgement of oddness if you look for it! Keep an eye on Arzette's facial expression during that one cutscene where she gets the Smart Gun - 100% my reaction to the explanation she was given. There are a ton of great takes here, even beyond referencing moments from Faces of Evil/Wand of Gamelon. But the game retains its fourth wall integrity, which is probably necessary for the couple times the game reaches for something beside absurdist comedy. Even so, while I thought the part in the middle worked well enough, I don't really get where the part at the end came from (but maybe that's its own joke?).
Ah, the gameplay itself is fine. Sort of a means to an end, but that's certainly an improvement over the source material. By the end of the game, once you get all upgrades, Arzette's kinda fun to run around as. Though I also think a lot of the mid-to-late game upgrades don't really accomplish much. Like, that crow step is cool and all, but I don't think does anything practical. Unless that's a reference I'm missing?
I was content just getting 100% in Normal Mode. I appreciate that the higher difficulties exist - especially that one that brings back the CD-i gameplay jank, that's a great touch - but I'm happy with my one-and-done for this playthrough.
Best incidental character? Univor. Could not tell you why, just something about how bubbly and eager she is to help out. Love the guy in the library, too.