Adventure Gamers - Forums

What do you guys think of JULIA for those who have played it? It’s not what I thought it would be, it’s basically filled with lots of puzzles (many which I find annoying). The whole space adventure thing and exploring planets really intrigued me but I’m not sure if I want to go through frustrating puzzle after puzzle just to trudge through the game.

Best I can say is…..... it is ok but I hope that the duo who made it learn from their mistakes. Rather more exploration would have been good and, whilst I think that the puzzles were certainly contextual enough, a couple of them were ill thought out. Having a tool to allow one to understand an alien language is good. Having it time constrained was stupid and illogical. Much better to have made the translation more difficult but static as would happen in real life. And disposing of Xir! Sheesh. Talk about irritating. I know you can fail 3 times and the game will do the job for you but it shouldn’t have been so annoying. And the panic in Rachel’s voice was distracting and, in this case, out of context. I got so annoyed at this juncture that I stopped playing.

But, as said at the start, definite promise shown by the developers.

I played the Demo, but wasn’t blown away by it.

Thanks Jabod, I’ve just finished the first planet and already the puzzles are getting in the way. I enjoy the exploration sequences though, I like how you get to click on things you want to explore and stuff, reminds me of a “Choose your own adventure” book without being able to die.

Lucien21 - 07 June 2012 03:39 PM

I played the Demo, but wasn’t blown away by it.

Smart move, think I should have did that before I bought it.

Upon starting the game, it actually feels like an old school DOS game.

Just an observation. Not really what I expected upon booting it up, expecting it to be a modern game.

Oscar - 08 June 2012 12:25 AM

Jubilee - 07 June 2012 11:55 PM

, it actually feels like an old school DOS game.

This is a good thing….right?

sure it is

Jubilee - 07 June 2012 11:55 PM

Thanks Jabod, I’ve just finished the first planet and already the puzzles are getting in the way. I enjoy the exploration sequences though, I like how you get to click on things you want to explore and stuff, reminds me of a “Choose your own adventure” book without being able to die.

It does improve after the first planet - previous points not withstanding. The rebuild of the memory blocks on the first planet to allow you to discover the rest of the planetary system was not very good and somewhat tedious but it was, at least, logical. I’d continue with it if I were you as, given what you’ve said, there will be quite a bit that you will enjoy. I’ll be going back to it in a few days but I have a PC to fix for a friend first (looks like I’ll neeed to wipe and rebuild ) plus I’m replaying The Pandora Directive (Project Fedora is funded! Yahoo! Now for the stretch goals). A friend who has completed J.U.L.I.A. gives it 3/5 which is about what I reckon. And he tells me from the Xir battle I have about an hour to go to complete.

I finally finished the game, a fair few things hindered my enjoyment of it. It’s not a long game by any means, I think the annoying puzzles actually dragged it out a little.

I reviewed it here if anyone is interested, gives a different perspective to the AG review.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/185561/Lace_Mamba_Global_Statement.php

Lace Mamba strikes back.

I have no doubt that CBE’s version is the more truthful one.

Jackal - 31 January 2013 01:21 PM

Sadly, this is far from the first time this has happened from even well-known adventure game publishers. I’d say it won’t be the last, but there are almost no adventure game publishers left, so maybe it will be.

I agree, but on the other hand that led us to proportionally larger increase in companies which act as a self-publisher - Telltale, Daedalic, Phoenix Online… Also, “French school” seems to be on the rise again - Anuman/Microïds utilized more than active Facebook page. As for the “remnants” of The Adventure Company, Nordic Games serves as a support “placeholder” and publishes KING Art’s games.

Jackal - 31 January 2013 01:21 PM

I think it’s pretty clear that Lace Mamba is broke. They haven’t released an adventure game in ages

Only Lucius three months ago, as they seem to shifted more to other genres in 2012. They do however seem to collaborate with an Iranian developers of Murder in Tehran’s Alleys 1933, and the developer of Lifeless Planet confirmed one month ago flying to London to sign a publishing deal.