| Some
games have a certain style to them, a certain charm that sets
them apart from other games in the genre, and sometimes if
it's a series one volume can stand out over others just because
there was something "different" about it. A Butterfly's
Song, herein referred to as ABS is one of those kinds of games.
Graphics:
This is where style comes in, the game really deserves
a perfect store, everything is done with a little extra
pop. Maps are given little extras that add to the  scenery,
fog in the dungeons, butterflies abounding in the towns
and world map (if you can call it that). Smoke is emitted
from object and as you walk you get the feeling everything
around you is alive. Battle's are not done quite as well
though, everything is customly drawn, and as such all the
monsters fit into their places without any problems. However
the artist's personal style seems to be a little cutesy,
it's not a problem with most monsters, but there's one lizard
one that looks more like it should be giving you a hug than
fighting you, he's even got his arms spread in hug position.
But assuming it's all part of the style it would be wrong
to remove too many points for it.
Graphics
Final Score: 18/20
Playability:
Not Since Darkmax's Lufia fangame have I had so much
fun playing a game. ABS' dungeons are host to puzzles galore,
and while some of them had been done before there was one
in particular that worked similar to one of those slider
puzzles. I loved every second of the first dungeon, the
combat rate was just right and it needs point for allowing
me to walk five steps without running into a new batch of
monsters. Not to mention it hosts a small custom system
for save points which is very nice. No CMS or CBS but with
the battle animations and puzzles I could have cared less.
Playability
Final Score: 20/20
Story:
Starting out with a rather slow intro I wasn't expecting
much from the story,
Atherus (the main character) says goodbye to his mother
so he can move out in the beginning, it's programmed so
you have to wait for the whole scene to end, needless to
say I was more bored than impressed. However once a certain
event happens near your house my interest peaked. And while
predictable, the story does keep you entertained, being
both lighthearted and enjoyable I had a good time but wished
things would pick up a little.
Story
Final Score: 15/20
Music:
The music wasn't usually recognizable (maybe I just
need to play more commercial RPGs) I recognized a little
Suikoden, the title screen at least which is actually one
of my favorite tracks from the game, even if I could recognize
it, the songs weren't things you heard in every other rm2k
game out there, all in all the soundtrack did what it was
meant to, sounded good and there were no real problems.
Music
Final Score: 20/20
Finishing
The Job: In the end I can say I thoroughly enjoyed
ABS, Natrius obviously put a lot of work into it and I can
safely say this is one of the better more stylish games
I've played in the community. Great work and keep it up.
Finishing
The Job Final Score: 20/20
FINAL
SCORE: 93/100 = A-
Grading
Scale
100%-90%
= A - Wow you truly are god. Let me kiss your feet plz.
89%-70%
= B - You've got Kinks to work out but it's still a very
good game worth the time.
69%-50%
= C - Meh it's not bad but it's not great. You've still
got a lot of work to do.
49%-30%
= D - Wow this really is crap. This is so bad I've put an
ancient death curse on you.
39%
and below = F - This score shouldn't even be possible. Your
game has to be the worst piece of crap to ever grace this
earth. I feel sorry for you and if you ever have offspring
let me assure you they will be disgraced to know you once
made a game this crappy.
Please
keep in mind these are all MY opinions. You might love this
game so there's no harm in trying it out.
To those
of you interested in playing the game it can be found at
GGZ. |
