Alright, so with 524 rooms completed I think I may finally have a grasp of this game (at least a bit). I liked it. Thus I’m writing here. Most of all, I think, I liked the story. It was epic and complex and I didn’t understand everything, but it gave some good chills down my spine from the excitement. I think it’s the story I’ve liked best of any computer game I’ve ever played.
The next portion contains some spoilers:
Click here to view the secret text
×Secondly I liked the new weapons, and how they were presented. There are some brilliant puzzles with each of the weapons. The secrets of shattered mine was the last I played, and they (and the way to get to them) really showcased the pickaxe at its best. The combination of pushing weapons and mimics (or in some cases, temporal splits), was really interesting. The dagger is just pure fun, and I love the fact that you got to play the same level with a dagger and a sword. I didn’t really like how the stick and the caber were introduced, but both weapons gained my respect in a few brilliant rooms. Seeding Ground 4N1E was one of my favorite rooms, and it featured the stick. And for the spear I loved Tar Recycling Annex. Such an interesting mechanic to be able to cut tar in that way, and such an interesting way you had to shuffle around tar babies.
Thirdly I really liked a lot of the puzzles! I’m extremely picky when it comes to DROD these days, and the fact that I hardly ever felt the urge to throw my hands in the air and quit is a HUGE compliment. I also really liked the spike traps, and the updated graphics, especially the custom-graphics for certain epic events. The first two levels was fine. Clean and beautiful, and with a few puzzles I really enjoyed, like Training Hall 2N4W. I didn’t really like the Gentrii. All the puzzles was fine, since they were finely crafted, but I think I would rather have seen something different.
I liked all four ways. Fun theme, clean puzzles, and one of them featured my all-time favorite element, the speed potion. Fluff was a pain, though. Being forced to press wait so many times really ruined the fun for me. The puzzles were good, but I would really have liked the ability to wait for next cycle of 5-moves in one button-press. In fact that goes for all instances of “something happens every x moves”. The ability to wait for next fluff movement would have made fluff-puzzles go from tedious to fun.
For some reason I really liked the story of the Diamond Dolly, and the fact that you had to return for it, and that you didn’t actually have to steal it. Forbidden Underpass was probably my favorite up until that point in the game. Some clean, fun lynchpin puzzles. And spike traps is a great addition to DROD! I think Temporal splits was introduced in a decent way, and there are some puzzles I actively enjoyed, but for me it’s easy for the counting involved in managing my splits to become tedious. And unfortunately that only worsened in Temporal Anomaly. A beautiful level, with masterfully crafted puzzles, but full of annoyance for me.
I really enjoyed Eye of the Storm, and experiment of ages was fine. What I really did enjoy was the story of the time-travel. And lemming beach was a mighty fun addition to the game. I really liked most of the rooms there. The finale of the time travel, Arcane Laboratory featured the room I think I enjoyed most in the entire hold, 1N1E, and really showcased how temporal splits can be used in a way that I enjoy.
Scorching Path was a bit meh from a puzzle perspective, but good from an atmospheric perspective. And there were a few puzzles I really liked in Fire Hotlands. Security Gates was a mixed bag for me. Some puzzles I absolutely loved, like 2N2W (another really good stick puzzle) or 2W, and others (a few) that felt a bit tedious. Same goes for Rapid Fortifications. The thing about constructs is that it feels a bit messy sometimes to micromanage them into the right position. The lynchpins are often great, but the execution of the puzzles can become a bit tedious. Same goes for the construct warehouses. Ore refinery is one of my favorite levels, though. Lots of brilliant puzzles, and the traps and kegs are put to very good use.
I love Larrys roach queen puzzles, so Mother of all Roaches was a treat. I loved the Darts level as well, and the final level. I suspect the final room was one of Jacobs, since he is very good with interconnected multi-rooms, but I may be wrong. Lost Central Station was a fun diversion, and some of the Raygun rooms were really fun. I didn’t care for the mansion rooms though. And the flower level is mostly unfinished.
All in all I am very pleased with this game. Before TSS I would have to say that the peak of the main games was at JtRH, and I’m pleased to say that is no longer the case. TSS ranks amongst the very best holds out there! I just wish there had been more speed potions in the game :-)
, but the effort you guys put into this is too much, in a good way.
I just realized I forgot to say something. Thanks so much for taking the time to develop this game. That goes to everyone involved, but especially to you, mrimer. I am truly humbled by people spending so much time on a labor of love. You may not have become rich, but I hope you realize how many thankful thoughts are sent your way from all over the world.