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The Eternal is the seventh scenario by Nikki.
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The Eternal 7.44 (8.5/7.0)
MultiQuote
#2
Master Ackrovan 
- Anama High Priest
-
- Group: Banned
- Posts: 310
- Joined: 26-November 08
- Location:The Spire
Posted 02 June 2009 - 08:41 PM
Master Ackrovan's Review of The Eternal
The Eternal is a 24 hour scenario. Meaning, it was made in only 24 hours (21 to be exact). While the scenario designer lacked time, he made up for it in skill, tenacity, and good story telling.
The Plot: The The Eternal is a kickin' adventure-horror scenario. It is fast paced, short, sweet and straight to the point. The story itself it tight and leaves little room for error and does not folly in terms of boredom or useless text.
The Graphics: The graphics in this scenario are pretty and comfortable to look at. While they certainly aren't the best in a scenario so far, they meet standards and deliver with a satisfying ting in your eyes.
The Characters: This one cannot be actually judged by, simply because there are not characters in the first place. This fits well into the story, and helps to add to the tense atmosphere.
The Dialog: The Dialog is what really pushes this scenario over the greatness scale here. It has a poetic licence that sounds more like a passage from a horror novel rather than a scenario. The descriptions are great, and the author very ably advances the plot through the course of the play.
The Game Play: The game play is average. There are no shops, no trainers or anything of the sort. There is little room for one to get lost or confused as you play through, so it can be expected that you will be able to understand what is going on in the scenario at all times.
The Combat: Unfortunately, combat is none existent in this game. While the plot prohibits somewhat for the author to integrate some good ol' fashion violence in this game, the fact that the scenario has absolutely no action is rather a disappointment.
The Ending/Beginning Text(s): The beginning text is superb. Right off the bat, you get introduced into a tense atmosphere and a hair-rising plot. Unfortunately, the ending is anti-climactic and a let down if compared to the build up from the rest of the scenario. While the ending text is still well written and interesting, the "it's coming, it's coming, it's coming, it's coming" feeling you get in this scenario never come.
Over all, The Eternal acts more like a book with pixels and the occasional video interaction. A very well presented plot with a well-played story that is compromised by a anti-climactic ending and little to no action. Highly recommended for those who enjoy plot and presentation, while those who want a little, for the lack of a better word, violence and action might still want to give this a try and ignore the anti-climatisy of the scenario.
8.5
The Eternal is a 24 hour scenario. Meaning, it was made in only 24 hours (21 to be exact). While the scenario designer lacked time, he made up for it in skill, tenacity, and good story telling.
The Plot: The The Eternal is a kickin' adventure-horror scenario. It is fast paced, short, sweet and straight to the point. The story itself it tight and leaves little room for error and does not folly in terms of boredom or useless text.
The Graphics: The graphics in this scenario are pretty and comfortable to look at. While they certainly aren't the best in a scenario so far, they meet standards and deliver with a satisfying ting in your eyes.
The Characters: This one cannot be actually judged by, simply because there are not characters in the first place. This fits well into the story, and helps to add to the tense atmosphere.
The Dialog: The Dialog is what really pushes this scenario over the greatness scale here. It has a poetic licence that sounds more like a passage from a horror novel rather than a scenario. The descriptions are great, and the author very ably advances the plot through the course of the play.
The Game Play: The game play is average. There are no shops, no trainers or anything of the sort. There is little room for one to get lost or confused as you play through, so it can be expected that you will be able to understand what is going on in the scenario at all times.
The Combat: Unfortunately, combat is none existent in this game. While the plot prohibits somewhat for the author to integrate some good ol' fashion violence in this game, the fact that the scenario has absolutely no action is rather a disappointment.
The Ending/Beginning Text(s): The beginning text is superb. Right off the bat, you get introduced into a tense atmosphere and a hair-rising plot. Unfortunately, the ending is anti-climactic and a let down if compared to the build up from the rest of the scenario. While the ending text is still well written and interesting, the "it's coming, it's coming, it's coming, it's coming" feeling you get in this scenario never come.
Over all, The Eternal acts more like a book with pixels and the occasional video interaction. A very well presented plot with a well-played story that is compromised by a anti-climactic ending and little to no action. Highly recommended for those who enjoy plot and presentation, while those who want a little, for the lack of a better word, violence and action might still want to give this a try and ignore the anti-climatisy of the scenario.
8.5
"If at first you don't succeed, won't hurt to smoke some weed"
"America...the only country where a poor black boy can grow up to become a rich white woman"
- Enalya
"America...the only country where a poor black boy can grow up to become a rich white woman"
- Enalya
#3
N-methyl D-aspartic acid
- Materia Girl
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- Group: Members
- Posts: 435
- Joined: 26-January 07
Posted 02 June 2009 - 09:00 PM
I liked it. It's in typical Nikki romantic fashion, but there wasn't an actual romance, just something dark and hinting. The terrain was well-done: The Geneforge graphics add a very nice touch. There's something nice about the idea of an angel in the swamp. The angel graphic isn't quite what I'd like--the one in the ending flash screen has a much more innocent, non-menacing figure--but what other terrain faces four directions? It had a nice mood going, far better than TV, so there's some progress occurring over time. There's no "combat," as usual, but I don't care, because I was actually worried the angels would strike any round... I mean, by the third time, I knew it only happened when I tripped a node, but it was okay nonetheless. (Maybe a timer would have given some very brief challenge? Although I was 5 levels below the minimum--bravely--and that 20 damage killed one of my PCs.)
Whatever. It's good; go play it. 7.5
Whatever. It's good; go play it. 7.5
#4
Parus major
- Skribbane Smuggler
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- Group: Members
- Posts: 1,305
- Joined: 29-January 07
- Location:the Netherlands
Posted 03 June 2009 - 08:42 AM
The Eternal, as was already said, is a rather typical Nikki scenario, although the mood and atmosphere is better than in previous scenarios. I wasn't quite overwhelmed by the story though. To me it seemed as if it tried to be more than it was, but failed... The angels were great, and they managed to actually scare me. However, I wasn't quite convinced by their back story. Although plausible and frightening in some way, I felt slightly let down. Particularly when...
Anyway, despite the fact that I was not overwhelmed by the story (I liked TV's story a lot more), I really like the plot (meaning, what you did in the scenario, not what it was about). Incidentally, the plot reminded me a lot of HIM2: You come to a place you don't know, everything is silent creepy, all the people vanished, you come to a deserted town, and the scenario ends with the party running for their lives. Out of curiosity, I asked Nikki if it wa sinspired by HIM2, and he assured me it wasn't. Anyway, regardless of it being inspired by HIM2 or not, I really like the atmosphere and the horror-sense to it all. I definetely think these sort of scenarios should be designed more!
As per usual, Nikki's choice of graphics, scenario design and writing is all excellent. Of all scenerios I played, it's Nikki's I tend to like most in the sense of writing. The graphics were Genefore stuff mainly, and it looked very pretty.
In short, I enjoyed this scenario for what it gave me, and despite the fact that the story let me down a bit, I enjoyed the rest.
So, 7.5 from me.
Spoiler
Anyway, despite the fact that I was not overwhelmed by the story (I liked TV's story a lot more), I really like the plot (meaning, what you did in the scenario, not what it was about). Incidentally, the plot reminded me a lot of HIM2: You come to a place you don't know, everything is silent creepy, all the people vanished, you come to a deserted town, and the scenario ends with the party running for their lives. Out of curiosity, I asked Nikki if it wa sinspired by HIM2, and he assured me it wasn't. Anyway, regardless of it being inspired by HIM2 or not, I really like the atmosphere and the horror-sense to it all. I definetely think these sort of scenarios should be designed more!
As per usual, Nikki's choice of graphics, scenario design and writing is all excellent. Of all scenerios I played, it's Nikki's I tend to like most in the sense of writing. The graphics were Genefore stuff mainly, and it looked very pretty.
In short, I enjoyed this scenario for what it gave me, and despite the fact that the story let me down a bit, I enjoyed the rest.
So, 7.5 from me.
The Wrath of the Elderburry Cheesecake, home of my stuff, including my scenarios, scripts, graphics and the Largas Nephilseãs grammar and vocabulary guide.
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#5
tridash
- Mad Monk
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- Group: Members
- Posts: 64
- Joined: 28-May 07
Posted 14 July 2009 - 10:08 AM
It was very well-written (which helps in a story scenario...), and though there wasn't really any dialogue, it didn't matter. The lack of characters was made up for by the abundance of text boxes describing all the buildings etc. that helped to build the atmosphere. The graphics were good, with the Geneforge trees giving a nice effect, and I particularly liked the outdoors of the island.
Although it was a bit short, being a 24 hour scenario, I certainly enjoyed playing it (enough that it seriously influenced how I approached making my own 24-hr one) so I'm giving it an 8.2.
Spoiler
Although it was a bit short, being a 24 hour scenario, I certainly enjoyed playing it (enough that it seriously influenced how I approached making my own 24-hr one) so I'm giving it an 8.2.
#6
Smoo
- Mad Monk
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- Group: Members
- Posts: 80
- Joined: 02-February 07
- Location:Hallowed Hell
Posted 27 August 2009 - 11:03 AM
This thing has Nikki written all over it. The overall design is pretty. The dialog is atmospheric. There is no combat (really). It is so very short. Actually, that about says all you need to know about The Eternal, but let's try and be more in depth, shall we?
The scenario starts with the player being washed ashore on a strange island that seems to be deserted... Or is it? Basically, the player wanders around the seemingly abandoned island, reads a bunch of nicely descriptive dialog boxes, and catches a glimpse of something strange/spooky now and then. Then the player discovers what the strangeness is and the mock fight begins... That is about as in depth as I can get without going into major spoilers.
In short, there is nothing wrong with the Eternal, apart from its shortness. Some might also consider the lack of combat to be a problem, but it did not bother me. What I liked especially, though, was that there was an assortment of loot to be found, and the loot was appropriate for the level range of the party. The level range being otherwise pointless. And Heck, the writing alone is good enough to justify The Eternal's existence, although my PCs were a bit too wimpy if you ask me. Nobody did, though.
7.0
The scenario starts with the player being washed ashore on a strange island that seems to be deserted... Or is it? Basically, the player wanders around the seemingly abandoned island, reads a bunch of nicely descriptive dialog boxes, and catches a glimpse of something strange/spooky now and then. Then the player discovers what the strangeness is and the mock fight begins... That is about as in depth as I can get without going into major spoilers.
In short, there is nothing wrong with the Eternal, apart from its shortness. Some might also consider the lack of combat to be a problem, but it did not bother me. What I liked especially, though, was that there was an assortment of loot to be found, and the loot was appropriate for the level range of the party. The level range being otherwise pointless. And Heck, the writing alone is good enough to justify The Eternal's existence, although my PCs were a bit too wimpy if you ask me. Nobody did, though.
7.0
A poet could not but be gay - William Wordsworth
#7
Ephesos
- Voice of Reason
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- Group: Members
- Posts: 1,116
- Joined: 15-January 07
- Location:Somewhere dark... damn torch still won't light.
Posted 14 September 2009 - 11:17 PM
Absolutely spiffy. It looks pretty, and I love me some towns with limited lighting.
Story, interesting. I have not seen the relevant Doctor Who episode, but I think I'd like to. The actual gimmick of the scenario was cool, but I feel like it didn't really do what it was supposed to.
Overall, it's short, it's fun, and you should play it. 7.0
Story, interesting. I have not seen the relevant Doctor Who episode, but I think I'd like to. The actual gimmick of the scenario was cool, but I feel like it didn't really do what it was supposed to.
Spoiler
Overall, it's short, it's fun, and you should play it. 7.0
#8
Sarachim
- Filth Finder
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- Group: Members
- Posts: 43
- Joined: 19-January 07
- Location:Brooklyn
Posted 28 September 2009 - 02:45 PM
The good:
Atmosphere. Things start out spooky and get spookier. Nikki nailed this part. The writing gives a little more detail about mundane things than usual, like the contents of chests with no useful items or the smell inside the abandoned bakery. A little bit of this is vital to making the setting feel as spooky as it is, but any more would have been excessive. I also liked that, when I stepped through an important doorway or onto the down staircase, the usual "sure you want to do that?" message didn't appear; instead, I just advanced. It reinforced my feeling that I was being herded forward, which of course I was. That's kind of a silly thing for me to highlight, but subtle touches like that are what make The Eternal work.
Less good:
After the big reveal, things fall a little flat; the "fight" isn't that scary or that dangerous, and the solution comes too quickly and too easily. I was honestly surprised that things ended so quickly, and was expecting a final ambush or something before I left.
On reflection, the plot doesn't make a whole lot of sense. There's enough tension during the scenario that you probably wouldn't notice this, but thinking about it afterwards makes the whole experience less fulfulling.
The good part of The Eternal is significantly longer than the less-good part, and is good enough to make it worth playing. BoA isn't terribly well-suited to horror/suspense, so I think it's impressive that Nikki makes it work this well.
7.0
Atmosphere. Things start out spooky and get spookier. Nikki nailed this part. The writing gives a little more detail about mundane things than usual, like the contents of chests with no useful items or the smell inside the abandoned bakery. A little bit of this is vital to making the setting feel as spooky as it is, but any more would have been excessive. I also liked that, when I stepped through an important doorway or onto the down staircase, the usual "sure you want to do that?" message didn't appear; instead, I just advanced. It reinforced my feeling that I was being herded forward, which of course I was. That's kind of a silly thing for me to highlight, but subtle touches like that are what make The Eternal work.
Less good:
After the big reveal, things fall a little flat; the "fight" isn't that scary or that dangerous, and the solution comes too quickly and too easily. I was honestly surprised that things ended so quickly, and was expecting a final ambush or something before I left.
On reflection, the plot doesn't make a whole lot of sense. There's enough tension during the scenario that you probably wouldn't notice this, but thinking about it afterwards makes the whole experience less fulfulling.
Spoiler
The good part of The Eternal is significantly longer than the less-good part, and is good enough to make it worth playing. BoA isn't terribly well-suited to horror/suspense, so I think it's impressive that Nikki makes it work this well.
7.0
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