brainygamer
Moderator
Registered: 07/13/08
Posts: 524
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 10:51 AM | Reply with quote #1 |
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Welcome to our Another World playthrough, VGCers! 
This is the forum where we'll play and discuss Eric Chahi's classic 2D adventure plaformer Another World. I'll return soon with details on when we'll begin and how we'll organize the playthrough. I want to wait a couple of days to give people a chance to discover what we're up to and join in.
We'll be playing the version 1.1 15th Anniversary Collector's Edition of the game available for download purchase at GOG.com. If you already own a previous version of the game, including the free version that's been around for a long time, that's fine too. I'm encouraging folks to purchase the game to support Chahi's work, but that decision is up to you.
I look forward to our playthrough! More soon.
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Michael Abbott
Brainy Gamer blog and podcast |
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Doublehex
Registered: 01/21/09
Posts: 12
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 11:06 AM | Reply with quote #2 |
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I hate to say it, but I had already started to go through Another World. I am starting to see that as a somewhat poor move: I fear I'll be going through this long before you guys are even halfway there.
The visual aspect of the game is absolutely enthralling. You may chalk this up to my appreciation of anything the avaunt grade, but I love the simplicity of it all. I suppose I am far too used to the overly complicated graphics engines we have today, so when I see something that uses such simple techniques, I can't help but love it.
Simple is the name of the game, I think. Gamplay is quite simple: you could equate that it is a more luxurious version of Super Mario Bros. The similarities to Prince of Persia in the detail of the animations are uncanny.
And the difficulty! I love how brutal this game can be. You make one mistake, and you need to start all over. I wish more games had the courage to be of this caliber, and I wish more gamers had the will to triumph over such difficulties.
I was recently playing a StarCraft mod, The Flame Knives, and it is another example of this philosophy. You are always outnumbered, you usually have no resources, and most cases than not you have several fragile hero units that you must keep alive. The irony is that these hero unites usually need to be at the front lines to turn the battles in your favor. Most players would be turned off at the very first objective, where you must survive hordes of enemies charging your position for a 10 minute span. You have no turrets. You have less than optimal amount of units, and reinforcements are rare and dispersed. You have two hero units with the surivalbity of glass. And it's a blast. I have never been scared in a single minute than I was in that final minute when I was rushed by all sides. I was doing my best to keep my two heroes alive for those final seconds.
Enough rambling. I have to say, I am really excited to finish this game. I am loving every bone cracking minute of it.
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oozo
Moderator - Another World
Registered: 03/04/09
Posts: 95
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 12:34 PM | Reply with quote #3 |
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@Doublehex
Guess it won't be much of a problem if you are ahead - it's a pretty short game, after all, so even if the pack can't catch up, we won't be so far behind that we can't talk with you anymore 
You're touching some of the topics that certainly will be a focus of interest: The presentation, the difficulty (or "fairness" or "trial&error-school of game design", or however you like to put it), the minimalism (or pureness) of the controls...
So I'd encourage you strongly to stay with us, there'll be lots more to say about all of this.
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Nelsormensch
Registered: 07/22/08
Posts: 12
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 12:53 PM | Reply with quote #4 |
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Serendipitously, John Walker of Rock, Paper, Shotgun just wrote a retrospective of Another World for Eurogamer. If you haven't played Another World, there may be spoilers within.
As a side note, I may actually have to free time to get in on this. The last time I played Another World was on my SNES, I'd love to give it another go.
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Rowan
Moderator
Registered: 04/23/10
Posts: 305
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 01:17 PM | Reply with quote #5 |
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I saw that the new version was a "remaster," what's different about it compared to the original?
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Doublehex
Registered: 01/21/09
Posts: 12
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 01:56 PM | Reply with quote #6 |
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Beats me. I am playing the new version, but there is a save point system, and the graphics are very pretty. 
If the occasional FAQ I use is any indicator, the levels are identical.
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oozo
Moderator - Another World
Registered: 03/04/09
Posts: 95
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 02:39 PM | Reply with quote #7 |
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@rowan&doublehex The difference is mostly in the graphics, they got an overhaul, while staying true to the original vision.
This, and there a more save points, which anybody who has played the game will admit is a real change for the better.
Apart from that, the game was left untouched, as far as I know (but the anniversary edition comes with some extra feautres that Michael already mentioned - worth it, if you like to know more about Chahi and the development of the game).
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aeazel
Registered: 07/21/08
Posts: 26
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 03:11 PM | Reply with quote #8 |
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It's been a while since I've frequented these boards, but my gaming is turning more toward the retro with the summer coming up. Will gladly give this a go. Tried it once on a neighbor's SNES, but never got very far. All I can really recall is the impression it left on me.
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Denis Farr
Vorpal Bunny Ranch
GayGamer
The Border House |
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ILR
Registered: 08/27/08
Posts: 140
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 04:19 PM | Reply with quote #9 |
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I dropped off when I was unable to continue playing Thief after upgrading to Windows 7. After a little layoff a bite-size chunk of a game just like Another World is a good way to get back into the groove.
I was a relatively vocal advocate for this game last year, so I'm eager to see what kind of reception it will get from a larger group of people.
It's good to be back. |
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MikeDunbar
Registered: 04/26/10
Posts: 9
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 07:34 PM | Reply with quote #10 |
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Hi guys. I've never done one of these before, but looking forward to mucking in with this. Just showing my face.
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"Then MAYBE YOU SHOULDN'T BE LIVING HERE." - Mark Taffin |
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Rakishan
Registered: 04/26/10
Posts: 1
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 08:36 PM | Reply with quote #11 |
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I played the game through years ago on the AMIGA. >_> It was amazing and inspired me to buy may knockoffs that were hugely disappointing.
I have a message to the creator about the best way they can be compensated for buying the game today in the US. I will report back when I get a reply.
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brainygamer
Moderator
Registered: 07/13/08
Posts: 524
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 08:42 PM | Reply with quote #12 |
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Ooh, this is going be fun. Thanks for joining in, everyone. A few pertinent items:
- Thanks to oozo for joining me as co-champion for this playthrough. He's now a forum moderator, so be nice to him or he might start deleting your posts.
 Glad to have you aboard, oozo.
- We'll soon post a list of threads connected to each area of the game. Another World is divided into scenes which unfold linearly, so it will be easy to manage the playthrough discussion.
- As we've done in the past, I suggest we move through the game together at roughly the same pace. If you wish to play faster or slower, that's fine too. The discrete threads will prevent spoilerage.
- I propose we begin playing this Wednesday. Is that too soon for anyone? I also propose we set aside two weeks for this relatively short game. Will that pinch anyone too much? I'm happy to be flexible on both counts, so just let me know.
Let's play Another World!
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Michael Abbott
Brainy Gamer blog and podcast |
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scarr
Registered: 01/22/09
Posts: 13
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| Posted 04/26/10 at 11:34 PM | Reply with quote #13 |
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| I've actually never heard of Another World before. It looks intriguing, but with finals next week I'm gunna have to sit this one out. Best of luck! |
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artfulgamer
Registered: 04/27/10
Posts: 5
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| Posted 04/27/10 at 01:57 AM | Reply with quote #14 |
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| Good evening professor. I see you have driven here in your '72 Gremlin.
You had me at 10,000 trial and error deaths. Count me in. |
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madsdk
Registered: 06/22/09
Posts: 68
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| Posted 04/27/10 at 03:13 AM | Reply with quote #15 |
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Here's a little information for those of you who, like me, do not have access to a Windows machine. I have played around with running Another World (the original DOS version, not the new version with improved graphics) in DosBox on my Mac, and it works just fine. I found this great DosBox front-end called Boxer (http://boxer.washboardabs.net/) that allows you to create a game-bundle that can be launched straight from Finder - or from Spotlight. You simply 1) install Boxer, 2) drop the folder containing the DOS version of Another World onto the "Drop games to install" application that is installed in "~/DOS Games/".
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BinarySwan
Registered: 07/05/09
Posts: 39
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| Posted 04/27/10 at 05:55 AM | Reply with quote #16 |
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I remember seeing this game in my old Nintendo magazines I used to read when I was much younger and it has always that a great visual style that has stood out very well. I gladly picked up a copy from GoG to both support Chahi as well as further support a site that is doing such great work in keeping classic games playable.
@BrainyGamer: You mentioned that the gamer has been cited by some other game developers as being influential, might I suggest an topic for the discussion of what parts of the game they might be referring to?
The Wednesday start sounds fine for me. I don't know what the two week timeframe will mean for pace as I have never played through the game but it seems quite reasonable and will allow us to finish up just before all the big releases next Month 
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Gerard Delaney
Gamer and blogger @ http://www.binary-swan.com
Gamertag: kr3mlin SteamID: kr3mlin
Location: Melbourne, Australia |
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PatientRock
Registered: 04/25/10
Posts: 4
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| Posted 04/27/10 at 06:27 AM | Reply with quote #17 |
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Wednesday would be great!
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Austin Auclair: http://www.ZombieApocalypseToday.com |
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strictlymazarin
Registered: 03/17/09
Posts: 3
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| Posted 04/27/10 at 09:37 AM | Reply with quote #18 |
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Great - I'm hoping to play along for as much of this one as I can. I purchased a copy on GOG, so let's see how we go. At the very least, I look forward to following along with everyone's thoughts.
-Matt
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brainygamer
Moderator
Registered: 07/13/08
Posts: 524
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| Posted 04/27/10 at 11:55 AM | Reply with quote #19 |
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Quote: Originally Posted by BinarySwan
@BrainyGamer: You mentioned that the gamer has been cited by some other game developers as being influential, might I suggest an topic for the discussion of what parts of the game they might be referring to?
Good idea. Will do!
Quote: Originally Posted by artfulgamer
Good evening professor. I see you have driven here in your '72 Gremlin. You had me at 10,000 trial and error deaths. Count me in.
Welcome aboard, Chris. Oh, and about that '72 Gremlin...I traded it for a '75 Pacer. 
Welcome to strictlymazarin, BinarySwan, scarr, and PatientRock who joined since my last post. And thanks to madsdk for the DosBox install info.
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Michael Abbott
Brainy Gamer blog and podcast |
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katsavage
Registered: 04/27/10
Posts: 3
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| Posted 04/27/10 at 12:09 PM | Reply with quote #20 |
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Hello -- read about VGC on your blog, brainygamer and now I am here and excited to give it a go. Like Doublehex, I recently started a playthrough (SNES version) but it sort of fell off the table. The timeliness of this will get me to finish it and I'm looking forward to the discussion.
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a scene on the lid of a sleeper's eye |
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mcwizardry
Registered: 01/06/10
Posts: 10
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| Posted 04/27/10 at 12:38 PM | Reply with quote #21 |
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Looking forward to playing and discussing.
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ILR
Registered: 08/27/08
Posts: 140
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| Posted 04/27/10 at 01:29 PM | Reply with quote #22 |
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| Just in case anyone is concerned about the game's Windows 7 compatibility, there should be no reason to worry. |
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Rowan
Moderator
Registered: 04/23/10
Posts: 305
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| Posted 04/27/10 at 01:36 PM | Reply with quote #23 |
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So I'm going to have this song stuck in my head for the entirety of this discussion:
http://www.rhapsody.com/richard-hell/blank-generation - track 10 "Another World"
"I could live with you in another world
I could live with you in another world
I could live with you in another world
- not this one"
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MoriartyL
Registered: 01/20/09
Posts: 295
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| Posted 04/27/10 at 05:23 PM | Reply with quote #24 |
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I'm in the middle of something right now and won't really be free until Friday. (After that, my schedule's wide open.) But I guess if everyone else wants to start tomorrow, it shouldn't be too hard to catch up.
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My computer games (for Windows and Linux):
http://www.TheBuckmans.com/games.html |
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Jebus
Registered: 03/19/09
Posts: 92
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| Posted 04/27/10 at 08:16 PM | Reply with quote #25 |
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I sort of forgot about VGC after having less than stellar times playing through Alpha Centauri and Majora's Mask and being in between computers when the Thief play through started. Stupid Dell and their i7 Mobile shortages, or maybe I should say stupid Intel, I dunno.
Anyway, I got the email and VGC 2.0 sound awesome. I've never heard of Another World, but I love all three designers mentioned for using it as inspiration on Brainy Gamer. I'll buy the new version tonight and get it up and running for tomorrow. Should be fun.
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