The Shadows of Mordor: A Software Adventure Review by Professional Game Designer Stanislav Costiuc (Watch Dogs Legion, Trials Rising), with 10+ years of AAA, AA, and mobile development experience.
The Hobbit: A Software Adventure Review:
https://youtu.be/Vxb_Ey6L02I
The Fellowship of the Ring: A Software Adventure Review:
https://youtu.be/hAHcmnO7gyA
The Lord of the Rings videos on the channel:
The Hobbit: A Software Adventure – https://youtu.be/Vxb_Ey6L02I
The Fellowship of the Ring: A Software Adventure – https://youtu.be/hAHcmnO7gyA
The Shadows of Mordor: A Software Adventure – https://youtu.be/oOlJQzc8ES0
The Crack of Doom: A Software Adventure – https://youtu.be/XuKA4BHP1ig
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (PS2/XB/GC) – https://youtu.be/Rp5pUyx2Of4
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (GBA) – https://youtu.be/6XgAgnfCbRY
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Java) – https://youtu.be/ql-B84oX1fM
The Hobbit (2003) (PC/PS2/XB/GC) – https://youtu.be/Y8bI_Q1BNJs
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (PC/PS2/XB/GC) – https://youtu.be/YysjdAt0TR8
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (GBA) – https://youtu.be/hm9hcsbFvag
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Java) – https://youtu.be/P0qId-CdfGo
Want more The Lord of the Rings videos? Check out the playlist here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8I_eAsEKxfjiqOGlJI6OqEnih2lCEMjA
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00:00 – Introduction
01:02 – Design – What’s in a Puzzle?
02:48 – Design – The Worst of Two Worlds
06:34 – Context
07:56 – Aesthetics
08:33 – Cohesion
09:27 – Emotions
10:04 – Stasocritic Rating
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So, how many people do you think will start watching this video because they think it is about a different game entirely?
By the time a company reaches the third instalment, it's when they have officially figured out what works and what doesn't, so the lower and more disappointing score I think is earned when that's not the case. I don't know if it's just me, and I don't know how difficult it was to code text adventures in the '80s though I assume it was far from straightforward, but it seems like a case of a developer gradually growing less passionate and more fatigued with each instalment. Then again, these sequels were well received by magazines, so maybe it's just a case of being products of their time to a level of 'you gain good press for at least trying to change, tweak, or evolve some things'.
But yeah, hopefully the last one can be a surprise, but I'm expecting potentially the weakest instalment. Great video as usual.
Please be careful with thumbnails that trigger arachnophobia 🙁
Seeing you review these adventure games really makes me want to see you review graphical (point 'n click) adventure games as those are the ones I played, and have nostalgia for.
I'd personally really like to see some of the Humongous Entertainment adventurs such as Pajama Sam, Spy Fox, Freddi Fish and Putt Putt. As those are very nostalgic as I played them as a child. However I actually think an analysis of games such as Day of the Tenacle and Monkey Island 1/2/Curse would be more inrresting videos. Though if more people share my nostalgia for the Humongous Entertainment games, those might prove more popular…
I'd also be interested in the Sierra adventure games as I've never played those.
Great video. Would you consider doing a review of "Aragorns Quest"?
I like how all that IF games incorporate some immersive sim elements. Can you pls recommens something similar(preferably less cryptic as the 80s if games tend to be cryptic)?