Keys very nearly placed among the winners in our game design competition, and if we had but one additional prize, it would have. This mysterious and charming little puzzle game fit the theme perfectly by closely resembling a puzzle you might find in Click Drag Type. In fact, there weren't many other games that came this close to exactly what we were looking for.
Rob Allen of England, UK, is the creative force behind this delightful game of sight and sound. And if you're concerned about accessibility, don't be alarmed: the game can be solved with the sound completely turned off. But keep it on if you can, as it adds to the overall enjoyment of the puzzle.
It is a simple puzzle that will surely have you scratching your head with wonderment while trying to figure out exactly what to do. But it's not very difficult, so I don't want to give away anything about it here. Click.
Analysis: If I could make one change, it would be the implementation of a more complex set of rules governing each 'key'. As it is, once I figured out the key it then became a simple task of trial and error. Overall, Keys is an excellent puzzle that leaves you wanting more.
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Comments (may contain spoilers)
That was a fun little puzzle. Not too hard to figure out how to begin, I just wish we got some sort of musical prize at the finish.
Posted by: Default | September 6, 2006 1:01 AM
I found the game simple and entertaining.
The only thing I don't like about it is the following:
Posted by: Duy | September 6, 2006 1:07 AM
How about this, Duy...
Yay! Duy!!!! Good going! Woohoo! Go-Du-y, Go-Du-y! =D
Posted by: jay
|
September 6, 2006 1:09 AM
Why are we posting previously enjoyed games?
Posted by: jkent | September 6, 2006 1:26 AM
Because these games have not yet been reviewed, and because each of them deserves a page of its own on which to receive comments, praise, and constructive criticisms.
And because there are plenty of people visiting this site that were not keeping up with the competition, and are likely to be playing these games for the very first time. Just take a look at the reviews for Thief, Clack, Gateway, and Cyberpunk and you'll understand. Especially please note this comment to understand what it means to the wonderful people who made these enjoyable experiences possible for you and me. =)
Posted by: jay
|
September 6, 2006 1:34 AM
Haha, thanks, Jay. If only every game I beat (which is like 5) cheered for me like that. By the way, I'm not forgetting your birthday this year. :)
Posted by: Duy | September 6, 2006 1:37 AM
Oooh, now you've got me anxious and it's not for another 3 months yet! =p
And the reason that none of these puzzles reward you with anything more than the satisfaction of solving them is because the competition was designed to produce entries like Click Drag Type, and so that they could all be put into a similar collection. In that game when you solve a puzzle, it simply returns you to the main menu and lights up the puzzle indicating you've solved it.
The variety of entries we actually received made that idea less than feasible. Therefore, many of the puzzles just end, and so you should blame me for that.
Posted by: jay
|
September 6, 2006 1:50 AM
Jay: thanks a lot for the much enjoyable site. I noticed it only a few days ago, but have had some wonderful time on it since then.
All: I have no idea where to start at "keys". Sometimes [space] and [tabs] trigger something, sometimes not. Nothing else seems to work. Is my flash player broken? Some hints where to start would be appreciated.
Posted by: notwendig | September 6, 2006 2:40 AM
notwendig, the game uses mouse, not keys. Did you find the piano? Try clicking the keys in the keyboard. And notice what happens to the bubble-thingies.
Posted by: tonypa
|
September 6, 2006 3:15 AM
Hahaha, a puzzle game named "keys" that uses the mouse, not keys on the keyboard. And yet you must click, with the mouse, keys on the keyboard to play. Now that is indeed a puzzle. ;)
By the way, thank you kindly, notwendig. I'm pleased you found us, and welcome. =)
To get started:
Posted by: jay
|
September 6, 2006 3:37 AM
I loved this game. It took me a while to figure it out, about 5 minutes just to find the piano! The rest took me about 10. The only problem that I have with this game is that it really is just a load of trial and error, but in the same sense, that's what makes it so good. I wouldn't mind seeing more of this type of game around, as to me, it is the best type you could have.
Posted by: Jebus | September 6, 2006 4:05 AM
I was fairly happy with this game, but I'm always a fan of piano games using the keyboard. I know that's a lot less simple or impossible, depending on the limitations of the developer, but I'm the player so I get to be extra-demanding. ;)
Posted by: John | September 6, 2006 5:10 AM
Thanks a lot for the helpful hands.
Posted by: notwendig | September 6, 2006 5:23 AM
Although I liked this game, I didn't really like the trial and error aspect to it:
Posted by: Sarah
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September 6, 2006 4:39 PM
I really enjoyed this game! Thank you for posting about it or I never would've played it. <3
Posted by: Snails | September 7, 2006 12:36 AM
how do you get past the dog
Posted by: tom | September 7, 2006 8:05 PM
What keys do you use to make the key turn?
Posted by: Melissa | September 7, 2006 10:58 PM
Ah, another enjoyable little timewaster from the head of http://foon.co.uk/ . I did like this puzzle although I agree that it is a little easy. Implement some dominant seventh structures or something, and you have a winner.
Posted by: Rincewind SW | September 9, 2006 12:53 PM
I guess I'm the only one having this problem, but it seems impossible for me to actually finish the game.
Posted by: Nezuji | September 9, 2006 10:33 PM
Nezuji - the purple key:
Also, your spoiler was almost correct. Use angle brackets instead of square brackets and you're golden. (I fixed them for you) =)
Posted by: jay
|
September 9, 2006 10:41 PM
One bug in this game is that if you get a little key, then drag it behind the piano keys and let go, you can never click on it again and you cannot win.
Posted by: Andrew | September 10, 2006 2:04 PM
Sarah:
Posted by: Nikkou | October 30, 2006 1:13 PM
Where is the last key ?
Posted by: Screened | April 22, 2007 2:09 PM
Hints:

When something is covered, what would you do to uncover it? Maybe try taking the cover off of it? Maybe by dragging?

Click on the piano keys. You'll note that sometimes the various colored balls on the top briefly expand and contract based on which key you hit. Note which keys affect which balls.

As you click on the piano keys, note also that sometimes a light on one of the balls lights up. Perhaps if you press certain keys in the correct order, all lights will light up?

The keys that will light up each ball are the same keys that caused the balls to briefly contract and expand. So it's just a matter of trial and error to figure out the correct sequence.

With only one exception, the correct sequence of keys goes exclusively in one direction -- i.e.: either left to right or right to left on the piano.

Can you find a spot where you might place the yellow keys? Perhaps on a symbol that is similar to the keys?
Complete walkthrough:Posted by: Simone Manganelli | April 23, 2007 5:18 AM
for people who are just plain LAZY
heres the walkthrough
the numbers mean which key from the left
b#= key number on black row
w#= key number on white row
(w5 is on every sequence)
orange
red
blue
purple
green
enjoy
Posted by: FOX McCLOUD | February 13, 2008 12:55 PM