DVD Talk Forum

DVD Talk Forum (https://forum.dvdtalk.com/)
-   Video Game Talk (https://forum.dvdtalk.com/video-game-talk-15/)
-   -   scribblenauts anyone? (https://forum.dvdtalk.com/video-game-talk/561140-scribblenauts-anyone.html)

pinata242 09-15-09 02:42 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
Now, now, don't be hasty. Maybe it's just me. Maybe it just hasn't grabbed me yet.

I'll give it more time later. If you're on the fence about opening it, I'd say don't and wait for more impressions to come in.

Maybe I'm not just in a creative mood right now to fully enjoy it.

Brent L 09-15-09 02:43 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
brianluvdvd, if you really have a problem with extremely picky and loose controls, then you seriously may have a problem with this game. I'll be honest, I'm usually more forgiving than most, but even I had to really force myself once I realized what the issues with the controls actually were. If you think you can adapt to them and get over that hump, then by all means crack it open and get to playing, but just be warned...the control problems are indeed present, and enough to kill interest for a lot of people.


Originally Posted by Michael Corvin (Post 9710680)
To which handheld game would you bestow that honor? A sequel of some kind?

I have no clue which game I'd say is the handheld GOTY off the top of my head, sequel or otherwise. I'd say that even Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is of a much higher quality than Scribblenauts, and that's just something that was released on the very same day.

I'd say GTA:Chinatown Wars as well, although that's also sorta a sequel I guess - at least a game in a continuing series if not a straight up sequel.

As far as flat out original DS games this year, I'd go as far to say that Henry Hatsworth is a higher quality DS game overall. The controls in that one are great, and it's also an original concept game. I should also mention Retro Game Challenge here.

And that's just the DS, I don't have a PSP but I'd be willing to bet there have been better overall PSP games released this year than Scribblenauts.

That's not to take away from this one though. If anything it's praise to the quality of handheld games here lately.

If you're going to play this game, you must use your head to come up with creative ways to play it. If you don't do that, and you instead just decide to beat the challenges any way you can, you wont have much fun. I'm two worlds in so far and their hasn't been a lot of variety in the specific items that you have got to use.

Some examples...

Spoiler:
If you need to go somewhere higher than you can jump, just type jetpack and it will pretty much do the job every single time unless it's just incredibly high that you run out of time to use the jetpack. If you need to break something open just use a bat, no real need to use anything else unless you want to get creative.

It's also incredibly easy to dispose of baddies (unless it specifically says to not harm them). Just create a T-Rex, let it take down any enemy on the screen, then just drag the T-Rex to the trash and you're free to explore without any harm. Fish in the water? Just drop a toaster and it pretty much does the job every time.


Keep in mind I'm not too far into the game, but still, I don't know if I see things changing too much. The key here is to force yourself to be creative. The game doesn't force you to do it, you've gotta do that on your own.

superfro 09-15-09 03:10 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 

Originally Posted by Brent L (Post 9710447)
This is a great little game, but for those of you expecting a GOTY, well, just lower your expectations. Heck, it's likely not even the best handheld game of the year.

And there are indeed issues with the controls, and they are bad enough to turn some people totally off of the game even though it is very creative and a great overall title.

Just...be prepared, and have realistic expectations.

It's great, it does for the most part deliver what it promises, but the control issues are there, and it's bad at times. If you can overlook the flaws in that area, you'll love it a ton. I just can't say that it's any sort of GOTY with that sort of flaw.

IGN gave it an 8.7 out of 10 score, and that sounds just about right to me.

http://ds.ign.com/articles/102/1024059p1.html

Honestly tight controls is not why I have high expectations for this game. It's the fact that I can write "God" and the dude shows up. It's that I can then write "chainsaw" and put it in God's hands. It's that I can then type "T-Rex" and chase them all around. That's all I need for "gameplay" with this game. Those are the reasons why it's the best game of my life. :lol:

Is God holding a chainsaw? Is he running from me while I'm riding a T-Rex? Yes to both? Game of my life. rotfl

Brent L 09-15-09 03:15 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
That is really cool, it's why I love the game too. But the further along you get in the game while playing the puzzle and action stages, the more problems you're going to have and the more frustrating you're going to get.

I've spent a great deal on the start screen (like a sandbox really) just goofing off seeing how things interact with one another.

Like, just now I thought I'd try to see how a cowboy and an indian would get along. To my surprise...

Spoiler:
you can't spawn an indian by typing "indian". It doesn't register that word at all, and nothing like "American Indian" works either. To get an indian you have type "native American".

Quake1028 09-15-09 03:18 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
I went from head over heels excited for this game to not even getting it at all, thanks to the controls. I'm easily frustrated and know I would end up hating the game, even the cool parts because of the shitty controls.

darkside 09-15-09 03:27 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
I'm enjoying it, but the controls can be extremely frustrating. I am getting used to the quirky nature of them now though so you do adjust to it. The fun of the game easily makes up for it though. I created a dragon to kill something else then it tried to kill me so I summoned god who was quickly killed by the Dragon. Should have given God a chainsaw I guess.

superfro 09-15-09 03:35 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 

Originally Posted by darkside (Post 9710852)
Should have given God a chainsaw I guess.

Always good advice. :lol:

slop101 09-15-09 04:07 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
I'm fine if I just use Cthulu every time.

pinata242 09-15-09 04:08 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
Isn't Cthulu a proper name? Guess he's above the law.

pinata242 09-15-09 04:28 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
Hey! I live in Oklahoma! That is not a STORM CHASER CAR, that's just a regular car. I could drive through that tornado with the proper vehicle...

slop101 09-15-09 04:31 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
Proper names are okay as long as they're not copy-protected.

It's even got some internet-memes in there like Keyboard Cat and such.

pinata242 09-15-09 04:33 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
Yeah, not according to the rules in 0-6.

pinata242 09-15-09 04:35 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
Real-life, physical object. (Cthulu: Debatable)
A Place (Cthulu: :up:)
Proper Name (Cthulu: hmmm...)
Suggestive Material (Cthulu: :up:)
Shape (Cthulu: :up:)
Latin or Greek Root Word (Cthulu: :up:)
Race or Culture (Cthulu: :up:)
Vugarity (Cthulu: :up:)
Copyrighted (Cthulu: :up:)

That said, I am happy to see him in the game :lol:

WMAangel 09-15-09 04:39 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
I went to my nearby TRU today at 2pm, and they were already sold out! Next closest one they called was already out of copies as well, but luckily the last local store (which is slightly further away) still had all of theirs because their game department must be run by morons....they didn't know anything about the promotion or had even put the game out on their shelves...
Anyway, I was able to get a $15 GC for Mario & Luigi 3 at the first location due to their ad mistake, which I then used at the other location on Scribblenauts...$15.74 out of pocket and out the door with another $15 GC to use later on, not a bad deal at all...

squidget 09-15-09 04:52 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
I picked up my copy this morning but haven't had a chance to play it yet. The reviews are coming in now about the wonky controls but I'm still excited. We'll see if that holds up after tonights play

mhg83 09-15-09 05:34 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 

Originally Posted by slop101 (Post 9711049)
Proper names are okay as long as they're not copy-protected.

It's even got some internet-memes in there like Keyboard Cat and such.

Even Pedobear?

pinata242 09-15-09 06:31 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
I think I'm done with it already. I wonder if TRU will buy it for more than $15 :lol:

mhg83 09-15-09 07:55 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
If you can summon God, can you also summon Satan?

Brent L 09-15-09 08:02 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
You can summon Satan, using "devil" also works.

And while you can summon God, it's more of a broad term. What spawns when you type "God" is the same as what spawns when you type "Zeus".

Spiderbite 09-15-09 08:09 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
Pinata and all the mentions of the poor controls are really making me consider returning the game unopened. Any other thoughts from the brave souls who have tried it yet?

Brent L 09-15-09 08:16 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask. I've got the game on right now.

Spiderbite 09-15-09 08:27 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
I've read what you have put so far and between you and pinata's opinions, this sounds like I may just wait on a trade and use the $15 bucks for Fallout 3 GOTY. I was reading so other people's thoughts at CAG and several were stating that while it is a decent game, it doesn't touch the hype and is just an average puzzle game at best. Add the control issues and this sounds like it may be better to wait, even at the 15 buck price point.

pinata242 09-15-09 08:35 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 

Originally Posted by brianluvdvd (Post 9711495)
I've read what you have put so far and between you and pinata's opinions, this sounds like I may just wait on a trade and use the $15 bucks for Fallout 3 GOTY. I was reading so other people's thoughts at CAG and several were stating that while it is a decent game, it doesn't touch the hype and is just an average puzzle game at best. Add the control issues and this sounds like it may be better to wait, even at the 15 buck price point.

I'm not trying to taint yours or anyone's opinion before they play it, but what you described is pretty accurate.

It's just boring and terribly implemented. There are moments when you go "heh, that's neat", like:

Spoiler:
There's a level with a tornado you have to go through. Eventually I summoned a STORM SHELTER, got in it, and moved myself through it.


And then I go to the next level and I'm stuck again:

Spoiler:
The star is dangling from a bridge you're standing on and it drops into the water below with barracudas. You can't get down there without them killing you. So I summoned a BUDDY and dropped him down there to distract the fish.


So, eventually, you like the game and it's novelty, but then you always get to another level and it's just more of the same. I've done about 20 of them so far (1-1 through 1-11 puzzle, and 1-1 through 1-something action). There are ten worlds with, I guess, over 200 of these same things.

Part of the problem is timing. You have to do things in a specific order to succeed. Ok, that's the puzzle, but you're graded on number of objects spawned, time used, and "style". Well you can't go quick at all because of the control scheme. If you want to use more items to clear obstacles you'll blow your object par. It just all works against itself in one annoying way or another.

I, personally, feel I've seen all this game has to offer me. I'd rather keep playing DQ5 and M&L3 on my DS, with Kingdom Hearts on deck Scribblenauts is just white noise.

It's a neat concept, but the game wrapped around it is trite and annoying.

Michael Corvin 09-15-09 08:41 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
What control issues?

I've done each level in the first world/area multiple times. I can see how it may not live up to the hype but I'm having fun with it. I really dig the 'advanced'(clear the puzzle 3 more times using different items each time) challenges for each level.

Try the advance challenge piņata, you'll have to think more outside the box. Oh and a toaster or blow dryer works great on pirahnas. :)

pinata242 09-15-09 08:45 PM

Re: scribblenauts anyone?
 
I find the character tends to move beyond the stylus point, it's not very accurate, and when you're using items it's kind of unintuitive.

For example,
Spoiler:
I gave myself some wings (angel, icarus) but the flying seemed to only do it when it wanted to and in short bursts. There was no way to know how long you could fly or even how to start it.


Believe me, I want to be wrong about this game. I want to at least like it. Right now I'm merely tolerant.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:23 AM.


Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.