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Parsely #5: Action Castle II
by H. M. L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 01/21/2011 20:10:22

Action Castle II is the sequel to the original Action Castle game. Parsely games are an homage to the text adventure games of yore. One player portrays the computer parser, the other players (1-100 of them!) input commands to control the in-game character on his quest.

Years have passed since the original Action Castle, and a new hero stars in this adventure - a humble cobbler from the village near Action Castle...

Not only has the Action Castle setting changed with time, the presentation and style of the product have developed as well. The 'Parsely engine' rules are not included in this game (experience with the original Action Castle is required). That leaves more room for a much more elaborate adventure. Action Castle II not only has more locations than its predecessor, each location is fleshed out by having multiple responses provided for the most likely player commands. The responses are a bit more sarcastic in style as well; they give the impression that, from the 'computer's' point of view, the kid gloves are now off. Action Castle II will likely end with a few senseless deaths for most groups, before the path to victory is discovered.

As a bonus, a Parsely mini-game is included with Action Castle II. Consisting of only two locations, 'Flaming Goat' is a rather surreal encounter/puzzle, ideal for introducing the techniques of Parsely play to players who haven't experienced the game before.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Parsely #5: Action Castle II
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Parsely #1: Action Castle
by H. M. L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 01/21/2011 19:03:23

Action Castle is the first Parsely game. For a fan of early computer-based text adventures, such as myself, the Parsely system is fascinating -- it's both a nostalgic nod toward games of yore, and a hilarious send-up of the sorts of things that happened in those games.

It was always great fun to sit at the keyboard with a friend or two, trying to figure out the puzzles of ZORK, or the Infocom adventure games. Parsely takes that experience (rather than the default 'solo play' style) and turns it into a party game: One player portrays the computer parser, everyone else comes up with commands which the parser interprets in the most literal fashion possible. Those commands control the in-game character as he explores his environment, trying not to die.

Much of the fun here is in the parser's performance, I suspect; delivering the adventure's sometimes cryptic, sometimes maddening lines in the right sort of HAL9000-inspired deadpan, and injecting just the right amount of malice into the phrase "You have died. Start a new game? (Y/N)".

The actual adventure in Action Castle is relatively short, and seems intentionally reminiscent of the opening of the venerable ZORK game. It's a good introduction to the method of playing Parsely, and its challenge level is ideal. It will frustrate players just enough to make them want to play again.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Parsely #1: Action Castle
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the farm: a game of hunger and horror
by Devon K. [Featured Reviewer] Date Added: 11/29/2010 08:57:52

The Farm is a super quick read. However, you'll find yourself wondering how to play as the setting is a very different approach from most (if not all) games and the subject material may be a bit challenging to accept. Having said that, the game is very solid. This is a great game for a quick pick-up and will make you think hard about what you're doing. There were a couple times when I felt the text could have made an explanation a bit more clear, but after reading it another time, it makes sense.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
the farm: a game of hunger and horror
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Lacuna Part I.
by Jeff Q. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/04/2009 02:36:40

Oh I understand now, this is First Attempt. The one without most of the game in it. The quickstart so to speak. The actual BOOK is the main game. Why did you do this exactly?



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
Lacuna Part I.
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Lacuna Part I.
by Jeff Q. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/04/2009 02:28:21

Is this the whole game? I know it's purposefully unfinished but the page on Lacuna on this site says 40 pages. Mine has 20. Unless it means the combined print and screen. I read on the net about the Static .. rule? whatever you'd like to call it, and it's not present. Is this missing something? Otherwise it's very interesting. Much potential. But I think this download is missing something.



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
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the farm
by Jez G. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 11/02/2007 08:55:40

I'll start off on a positive, I think this is a really cool idea, as soon as I heard about it I started thinking about how I could run it. This however is the only good point. The rules are awful and very badly explained with hardly any examples. There is little to no background and what there is is very vague, for example there are rules for electing leaders within the PC's but there is no explanation of how the leadership is enforced by the owners of "The Farm".

If you've read the blurb about this game then you've already got everything of value from it, if you like the basic idea you'll be better off developing it yourself for whatever system you prefer.

I know it's only $3 but all you're getting for this is a half assed set of rules and a basic pitch for an adventure.



Rating:
[1 of 5 Stars!]
the farm
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Lacuna Part I.
by Eric C. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 11/20/2006 00:00:00

This rpg seems to be a hash of ideas all put together w/ not sembelance of what it wants to be, or what it is. It just seems unfinished. I bought this because of the hype I heard about it. It is mentioned in the vain of indy rpgs that are unique and revelutionary (in system and/or concept). It could be something worth buyin if it was totally rehashed, but as for now it's a work in it's beginning stages. <br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: There's a little something there, but not much.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Totally unplayable. The rules are sooo basic as to be insulting. The story is not unique and tries to be too David Lynch-esque.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Disappointing<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Ripped Off<br>



Rating:
[2 of 5 Stars!]
Lacuna Part I.
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the farm
by Eric C. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 11/20/2006 00:00:00

This is a game where a review would spoil alot about the concept. The fun of this game is reading it for the first time. It has a unique and clever premise along w/ it being horrific. Now as the premise seems playable, it's not due to the lack of information provided in the game. I know the game is only $5, but this is a game that should either be a free download w/ some content taken out, or (my opinion) a larger download (maybe $8 w/ twice the page count) w/ alot more info on .... well, everything. When I say everything, it is not because I'm giving a shot but because it has alot of areas where one is reading it wishing there was more info so one could actually run a cool scenario/campaign. <br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: The central idea and mechanics as is so far. The creepiness/horrific atmosphere.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Not really playable at this point. I'm sure good GM's could do it, but I think more info could have alot more GM's out there running it in the vain creepiness it's supposed to be run in.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
the farm
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octaNe: premium uNleaded
by Sophie L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 11/17/2006 00:00:00

Very fun, but very challenging; you need a group where everyone is able to make stuff up on the fly (and not too self-conscious.) Very little structure, so you have to provide that yourself.<br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: Light, fast, fun, easy to learn and to play. Exciting action!<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Requires a high-energy group; if someone is having an off night, they might as well not show up.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
octaNe: premium uNleaded
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the farm
by Aaron M. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 12/28/2005 00:00:00

Very creepy atmosphere and some very good ideas, but the rules were poorly done. Would make a great setting/plot for your favorite horror RPG.<br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: Very original setting, with great atmosphere.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Would have been great if they'd included more setting and dropped the rules entirely.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
the farm
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Against the Reich!
by Paul P. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/29/2005 00:00:00

Your best pulp resource. Even if you never meet a single member of the DeutscheArbeitPartei.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: It's the best pulp RPG supplement I've found so far: it has a whole list of basic tropes, basic archetypes, and definitions of the pulp genre. The adventure ideas are all very neat (though the future space one was a bit off the wall for me). If you want to run pulp, get it. It's all pretty much rules-independent.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: The small-book format was quite annoying at times.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Against the Reich!
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Creator Reply:
Thanks for the review, Paul! I agree 100% that this is a great resource for action & adventure roleplaying of all stripes (the Playsets concept is pretty cool). I see what you're saying about Runaway Rocket but I think it's great *because* it's so off the wall. :) Jason, the author of that Playset, was inspired greatly by the weird fiction of the day and less by the actual serials (which were fairly low-key given their effects budgets and capacities).
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Lacuna Part I.
by Philip R. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 05/08/2005 00:00:00

My copy is printed and bound (Lacuna may have convinced me to include a printable version of digest-sized products in future releases) and absorbed. A strange, odd, wacky, unexpected, and unusual game. The heart beat mechanic is wonderful and something I wish I had thought of. As usual Jared's work is an inspiration. Highly recommended if you've only played D&D and similar games -- Lacuna will open your eyes to a world of new ideas.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: Made me think. A lot. Definitely loved the heart beat mechanic.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: It wasn't my creation. This is exactly the type of thing I wish my mind had summoned from whatever weird place Jared exists in.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Lacuna Part I.
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Creator Reply:
Thanks, Phil! Lacuna is a very experimental game (as most of my work seems to be) but those who like seem to REALLY like it. :)
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the farm
by Jim C. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 04/09/2005 00:00:00

The action in-game seems to consist mostly of the players acting out their ideas of how they'd react to a simple and horrific situation. Could be good in theory, could be very, very bad to play in. No real attempt is made to justify what's going on or to develop characters or a plot. It's a standalone concept on almost any level.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: The game rules are simple and well-adapted to the situation. There's no real happy ending.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: The game rules are more complex in some areas than they need to be, on consideration of what the game's about.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
the farm
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Creator Reply:
That's a spot-on analysis, Jim. It's an experimental game...not really for everyone. But I think it would be interesting to see how people would react. - Jared
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the farm
by James M. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 02/18/2005 00:00:00

Eh, it was a interesting concept with some interesting rules, but it just didn't seem complete somehow. Cool? Yes. Scary? Yes. Playable? Barely. Worth the $3? Maybe.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: Cool concept and original rules.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Not nearly enough. All you get is a little meat and a smattering of flavor. It just leaves you wanting more.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Disappointing<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Disappointed<br>



Rating:
[2 of 5 Stars!]
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the farm
by Derek H. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 02/13/2005 00:00:00

This rather short game has a couple interesting rules, but the overall presentation could have been much better. It is meant to be a game played in 6 sessions with each session lasting one week of game time.

I honestly don't know what could be added, but it feels like there is material missing.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: The rules encourage team play<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Disappointing<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Disappointed<br>



Rating:
[2 of 5 Stars!]
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