null on 5/10/2004 at 01:14
Interesting how the sets of impressions continue to be so polar; the exact choices that became key wins for some players pretty much hamstrung the experience for others.
(ex: "Crawling with Undead!" vs. "Empty Intro & 9 puppets on Expert")
I wish I'd had time for a few more maps to experiment with alternate tension / release patterns. The original AvP, for example, was a very intense experience when played as a marine -- but to me, it was just tense -- not scary. The enemies kept coming, forever and ever, and eventually I memorized the various hatches from which they emitted.
Without the cycle of curiosity, trepidation, and revelation, I became inured to the enemy presence on a psychological plane.
Instead, my tension was generated by the fear of failure and the loss of progress. Thinking on a a physical, or mechanical plane. I think with the Cradle, I was resolved to occupy the former (anticipatory) space, for as many players as possible.
But, I digress. I stopped by for an entirely separate reason. ;)
Some of you will be way ahead of me on this, but for the rest, a little Halloween present.
I just saw the Japanese version of Ju-On (The Grudge) at the Alamo Drafthouse here in Austin. It was excellent for genre fans, despite a few obvious weaknesses.
A subset of Japanese directors are developing (upon, perhaps) a national surrealist horror mythology with its own visual and aural languages, at this point. But you need to view this offering in the proper environment. If you have any access whatsoever to this film in the threatrical format, go see it. You need theater sound, and plenty of darkness. DivX rips and / or tiny TV speakers simply do not do it justice.
A friend of mine watched it that way, and it was basically ruined for him. Do not make the same mistake. Enjoy, though ... it'll be interesting to see the Raimi-produced remake by the same director who did the Japanese version, as well. Maybe our country's function will be to simply reap the creativity of other nations, tripling budgets and widening the potential target audience sweep. ;)
It be a dark harvest, child...
Muzman on 5/10/2004 at 02:51
The record for importing directors to remake their own thrillers in the States isn't great (The Vanishing and Nightwatch particularly), resulting in wussified versions and the director running home far from nightmarish committee filmmaking.
Hopefully the combination of Raimi keeping lookout and extra clout from being truly successful back home will keep the 'interested parties' away from the script.
Anyway, chalk me up as an atmosphere fan. With the AvP comparison might as well throw in good old Doom 3 as well. Certainly was the case for me (what I've played of it); after jumping at things for a while it's just rote "ooh, funny noise; monster attacking; sidestep; fight back; run away; doo de doo; ok I won/oops, died, reload; hey that looks cool; what's on TV?". There were a couple of good moments (some room with lots of cryotube looking things and spooky noises, but...nothing happens), but mostly same old same old.
By comparison The Cradle, the Inner Cradle particularly, made itself fundamentally unpleasant. Even after I know I've put all those things down for good I just don't like being there, there's always the lingering worry of something around the next corner and I want to get away as soon as possible.
People being scared by 'the past' is kinda weird to me though. I thought the clever thing about it was that it provided such relief from the nightmare of the present, but (until you get good at it) you're one touch away from being sent back (occasionally to some very nasty spot). It's a relief, but a very precarious one.
Moriturus on 5/10/2004 at 04:27
Quote Posted by null
Interesting how the sets of impressions continue to be so polar; the exact choices that became key wins for some players pretty much hamstrung the experience for others.
Feh. At least some of the critics of the level are just trolling . . .
FenrisUlf on 5/10/2004 at 05:49
Good observations, null! To me, levels like Robbing the Cradle break through the barriers of the physical and mechanical and delve into the mental and emotional of the player. And once you've done THAT, you seriously can unravel the physical and mechanical facets of the player's game. The first time I saw a mental patient, I dropped the keyboard and could only stare in fright as he sliced me up. Even the critters in the Doom series haven't affected me like that.
ReapMyster on 5/10/2004 at 11:10
Gonna ask again cause Im hoping for an answer. Did anyone see a figure near the fountain? Cause i didnt and im wondering if there is?
Naartjie on 5/10/2004 at 11:52
Quote:
If it had been "crawling with undead" it would have destroyed the atmosphere.
Nah, it would have just created a different atmosphere. RTC was an absolute undead pit, and so the atmosphere there was one of unrelenting loneliness and pursuit. By going low on undead, the Cradle became too easy and has sacrificed replay value - I know next time I'm there I can zip through the outer section because nothing's going to attack me.
bobarctor on 5/10/2004 at 15:04
tbh no recollection of the fountain "figure". i'll replay the cradle when i get there and tell you if i do.
ne one else not find RttC particularly scary?
marglar on 5/10/2004 at 16:01
Quote Posted by ReapMyster
Gonna ask again cause Im hoping for an answer. Did anyone see a figure near the fountain? Cause i didnt and im wondering if there is?
I just loaded up the cradle on my xbox and i see nothing there.
Nightshade31 on 5/10/2004 at 20:19
Quote Posted by Pint0 Xtreme
Hey guys, I can't find the Nursery Tower to get Lauryn's diary. I know there's a sign that says "Nursery Tower" but I don't know where it is referring to and how to get there.
Anybody help? I'm creeped the hell out the way it is already. :confused:
You have to find one of the former patients "toys" and then place them in the appropriate place.
Then You'll go back to the past and be able to enter the "Nursey tower"!!!
242 on 5/10/2004 at 23:49
Offtopic, but null, have you played SH4 already? What do you think of it in comparision with previous chapters in the series?
