Poll: Would You Buy A Text-Based Or Point And Click Adventure Game?

[scotth266]

One of the courses that I'm taking at college right now is Interactive Narrative, and we have a little class project: to make a text-based adventure game (think ZORK, or the Escapist's own Phantom of The Arcade [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/events/5403-Phantom-of-the-Arcade-A-Text-Adventure].) I've also been a big fan of point and click adventure games (such as Myst) in the past.

The recent addition of several games of each genre to Steam got me thinking: would anyone out there seriously consider buying new games in these genres if a developer started making good ones again?

I would, though I'd probably want to only pay a maximum of fifteen to twenty dollars for point and clicks, and ten to fifteen for text games. Now then, what do you scurvey dogs have to say?

 

[SharPhoe]

You bring this up as I just downloaded the first Tales Of Monkey Island episode. I guess I could answer this question a little better once I've actually played it, huh?

 

[Russian_Assassin]

I find text games to be incredibly boring, therefore I wouldn't consider buying one. As for a point and click, if it has an interesting story, then sure, why not.

 

[Harlemura]

Well, I believe Sam and Max falls under point and click, so yes. Yes I would buy consider it.

 

[Nu-Hir]

If I were to get either game, they'd have to have a very good story. I'd buy both, but I'd be more inclined to get something along the lines of Maniac Mansion. I love that game, and still break out my NES To play it from time to time.

 

[Kollega]

I think text adventures are too... let's say outdated. It can be a good genre for making light,free games,but i think adventures which would actually be sold should be point-n-click and strictly 2D,so i can admire Scenery Porn.

 

[TaborMallory]

sputter*

Remembering games like these (that last link is a bit of a joke, but I really did have a great time with it when I was a child), I'd be more than glad to buy a point-and-click adventure game .

Especially after all the bland, recycled, reused, remade shit we've been getting over the years.

 

[Xaryn Mar]

Yarr! I might buy either although the chance of me buying a point and click is greater than me buying a text only adventure game. But I like the genre and has played it a lot in the earlier days (Monkey Island, Kings/Space-quest)

 

[Deathsong17]

I like P&C games, and isn't Kings Quest text based?

 

[scotth266]

sputter*

Remembering games like these (that last link is a bit of a joke, but I really did have a great time with it when I was a child), I'd be more than glad to buy a point-and-click adventure game .

Especially after all the bland, recycled, reused, remade shit we've been getting over the years.

Putt-Putt Goes To The Moon. God, that game was awesome, AND it taught basic puzzle-solving!

 

[SimuLord]

I didn't care for point-and-click or text adventures during their heyday and I'm not keen on them now. Arguing with text parsers and hunting for magic pixels, even in the old days of 320x240, is not fun.

 

[Optimus Hagrid]

Time Gentlemen, Please! is 2 pounds off steam, which is insane.

Arguing with text parsers and hunting for magic pixels, even in the old days of 320x240, is not fun.

It's a good thing we're talking about point and click then.

 

[scotth266]

Arguing with text parsers and hunting for magic pixels, even in the old days of 320x240, is not fun.

It's a good thing we're talking about point and click then.

He was alluding to a problem with some point and click games having terrible puzzles that required you to click all over your screen, looking for a particular pixel that would trigger an event.

 

[tomtom94]

I bought both in one game, Sam and Max Season One.
...granted the text-based section was quite short and intended as an in-joke.
Anyway, that reminds me, I should really finish Zack and Wiki at some point.

 

[Andy_Panthro]

I'd play either, but I would tend to side with 2D point-and-click games, although I did love graphical parser-input games too (early sierra games).

I'd recommend people having a look at Zombie Cow Studios [http://www.zombie-cow.com/] for some fantastic point-and-click action, the first episode Ben There, Dan That is available for free (or a small donation if you're feeling generous!).

My personal favourites through the years have been mostly Sierra games, with Space Quest IV perhaps my pick of the bunch (Although Lucasarts did release several top-notch quality games of which I'm sure everyone is aware).

 

[ukslim]

I have paid money for both in the past. I'd still pay for point and click.

I love a good text adventure, but there's such a treasure trove of free ones out there, it would be difficult to justify paying for one.

Recommended: http://www.wurb.com/if/game/55

 

[Optimus Hagrid]

Arguing with text parsers and hunting for magic pixels, even in the old days of 320x240, is not fun.

It's a good thing we're talking about point and click then.

He was alluding to a problem with some point and click games having terrible puzzles that required you to click all over your screen, looking for a particular pixel that would trigger an event.

I tend to stay away from that kind of game (ie. I've never played a Sierra game)

 

[T3h Camp3r T3rr0r1st]

they should re-make "the Hobbit" exactly but with more

 

[More Fun To Compute]

For a text adventure, the price would have to be right and the quality would have to be spot on. Like, Neil Gaiman helped with the text and Steve Meretzky worked on the design.

I would also buy a point and click but not as some sort of sympathy "save teh adventure game" purchase. I would want it to look and play like something that I actually wanted. I want proper verb menus and puzzles. Graphics that don't look like poor 3d renders. If it spent too much time trying to "tell a story" with long, unedited, bad sequences of text or voice acting with no interactivity then that would also kill my interest.

 

[Aardvark Soup]

I bought most of Telltale's episodic games and I'm a big fan of the adventure genre in general, so of course. I have also played a lot of free- and abandonware text adventures, but never really spend money on one. I certainly would though if the game was good enough.