crusha_k_rool wrote:
Looks like Kirby, though I never played a game with him except Super Smash Bros.

That was the trap I was hoping someone would fall into.
The game has indeed some similarities in terms of concept with Kirby.

Consider this short description as a hint:
It is a puzzle platformer. The character normally looks like this:


The character can "integrate" one thing (only one at a time and its shape change accordingly). It can be either to move it around like the brick block.



Or it can be done to transfer some painting to a block (or other things that come later in the game). Once in a block, red paint makes it moves vertically, blue horizontally, yellow diagonally.
You can of course take some colour from one block to another, which results in the first block stopping to move while the other will start moving once it is filled with the paint.

Of course, things get more complex with time, with false blocks (some creatures looking like a block but moving away when you try to fill them with paint), levels with only one pot of painting which colour hsa to be changed through a switch (usually far away) etc...


I highly recommend to give it a try to whoever likes puzzle platformers such as The Lost Vikings (although the game to guess is a more on the puzzle side compared to TLV)

Two hints in a picture.

Okay, I'm getting a bit annoyed at how some ppl are trying (at least that's how it seems to me) to appear more hardcore/l33t/whatever by asking others to recognize unknown and obscure games from equally uncharacteristic pictures. I think it's time we set some guidelines just so this friendly competition won't feel "cheap" and everyone can have a chance at it:

- No shareware, freeware, open source, flash stuff. Games must have been commercially known and sold products.
- No japanese/german/whatever specific only versions. Games must have been released on NTSC and PAL format in the US and Europe respectively at least, and they must have had an english title too. That means no Akumajō Densetsu (悪魔城伝説) for the NES; either pick an image from Castlevania III or don't choose that game at all.
- Try to pick games from at least semi-popular platforms (consoles, computers) and manufacturers. An Amstrad/Amiga/C64/PC/Mac game or a Nintendo/Sega/Sony/MicroSoft console game (or a coin-op) can probably be recognized and identified - not so much an Atari Lynx or a NeoGeo Pocket Color one though.

Thank you.

I can understand your point(s).

I don't think it is a problem to post a screenshot from an "obscure" game as long as you give frequent hints that can help find the game.
Besides, it could be an opportunity to make people discover some new games (and therefore make them want to give it a try)

Regarding the hardcore/l33t thing, actually, of all the screenshots so far, the one I could never have found is the Halo 2 one because I have never played it.
I am of those who have no problem playing a game many years after its original release and hence I can be rather thorough towards some platforms thanks to modern technology (emulators + Internet)


Besides, if you want hardcore, have a look at the rules of the similar competition for Amiga games that I have mentioned (and try to guess some if you know the platform a bit):
http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=47173


Anyway, I am OK to change the game to guess. I'll post the answer to the current one (+ a link to a site with a nice detailed description) a bit later, leaving a bit of time to those who would like to guess it anyway (although it won't count for the competition).

Finally, I believe you should add the Atari ST to your list if your rules suggestions are to be adopted.


So here is the new game to guess:

I just think that because most people here don't know eachother and their gaming past/knowledge very well to push for something hardcore, it would better serve everyone if the level of the competition remained closer to, let's say, standard levels. Surely among other, more tightly knit online communities such contests might probably be much harder and could include way more peculiar entries, but I don't believe we've reached that level of familiarity with eachother yet and the only thing we can take as a given is, we all know UT games when we see 'em. I'm sure most of us have played at least a few weird or obscure titles in our past that no one else here could recognize, but would it help if we all started submitting pics just from those? My guess is no and that's why I made the above post simply to suggest how we can keep this fun for most here - I'm not trying to impose anything on anyone even if I did have that right (which I don't). Also, it's very likely that most of us have missed out on some very popular games, or whole series, during our gaming careers, but that doesn't mean the concept of popularity doesn't exist to guide us in what games to choose for this. I mean, hey, I've never played any FF games in my life (or any other RPG from the NES/SNES era to speak of) and probably couldn't identify any of those from a screenshot, but, statistically speaking, for most ppl that's fair game, you know? Same goes for platforms too, although those I mentioned in my previous post were merely examples, not a complete list; feel free to include games from whatever console you prefer. Going the opposite way would just frustrate people more than encourage 'em to try out that particular unknown game later once the solution to the riddle came out IMO. Btw, Halo: CE and Halo 2 can be played on PC with no necessary extra software, emulators or otherwise (for XP, Halo 2 does require a special loader file, but you can find that easily); I suggest you try 'em sometime if so inclined, they're decent enough I'd say.

So, no, I'm not calling for changing the game here. Let's just try to keep it accessible to most.

I have no problem with some limitations/guidelines, as long as they are clearly mentioned.

Given that people here are still playing a game that was released more than 5 years ago, it is a bit difficult to guess what is too easy or too difficult for them.

Maybe clear guide for allowed time periods and platforms should be posted and if, after a while, it seems too restrictive or some players think the game is too easy it would be modified to encompass a larger choice.


Well then, here is another screenshot to guess which should be fairly easy.

lilalurl wrote:





I have never played it, but could that be Deus Ex? I could imagine that this would be the style of the game.

No sorry, it is not Deus Ex.

lilalurl wrote:

So here is the new game to guess:


Oh! I play this game sometimes now Alley Cat
Very very cool game!

m-knell wrote:


Oh! I play this game sometimes now Alley Cat
Very very cool game!


Indeed a very fun, original and wacky game (omg, a broom!!!! help!!!!)

I was quite amazed when I read that it was still playable on modern PCs (so now it is 25 years after its release!!! ), tried and saw that is was indeed the case (even though you have to alt-tab and kill it to exit). You should even be able to run it from a USB key or download and play since it is all contained in a 60 Kb exe.

Here is a place to download it and detailed description/screenshot/reviews for those interested. A word of warning though, the sound will come from the PC beeper, so better not try it at school or at work .