Who wants to go on a treasure hunt? Everybody? That's what I thought! Then grab your green backpack and safari hat, and dive into The Fabulous Explorationsland, a new adventure game from StefanT, and one of the top entries in our sixth Casual Gameplay Design Competition!
Gameplay is completely keyboard-driven, with [WASD] or [arrow] keys to move, and [space] or [enter] to interact with the environment. Menus, although few and far between, are also completely controlled with the keyboard, so you won't need your mouse at all for this one. The aim of the game is to light all of the torches and open all of the chests, with a brief list telling you what you're looking for at the beginning of each area.
There's a reason this game tied for first in fitting with the competition's "explore" theme; that's what you're going to be doing the entire time. No enemies, no time limit, just a brave adventurer with a jaunty green backpack and a hunger for hidden treasures. Although there are some visual clues to let you know where to go, you're still going to have to check every corner to work your way through to the end. From the beginning you'll only be able to explore the ancient temple, but other environments will unlock as you progress. Although the game progresses in a fairly straightforward fashion, you're free to go back and find anything you may have missed on your first trip through a level.
Analysis: With its cute graphics and quirky sense of humor, The Fabulous Explorationsland manages to capture your attention from the very beginning and keep it all the way to the end. One of the biggest challenges of creating a game revolving around exploration is trying to keep the player interested in exploring everything. Each world gives you an inventory of what you need to find, but there are a lot of little surprises to keep you interested on the way. Nearly every piece of scenery you find can be interacted with in some way, even if it's just to give you a quick description, and there are plenty of other objects to find that you didn't even know you were looking for, making you feel like you're participating in the world's most abstract scavenger hunt. Burrito shop? Check! Soccer field? Check! Jackal-headed depiction of "The Thinker"? Better believe that's a check! I think the only things you don't find here are Waldo and Carmen Sandiego, and that's probably just due to copyright issue.
Artistically, the game gets it right in every way. The background music does a good job of adding to the light-hearted atmosphere, and the bright colors make it clear from the very beginning what you can expect from the game. Each area has a different theme, with the graphics done accordingly. Even the random decorations that are scattered about the landscape seem to fit within the theme of the area they're located in. Sure, there may be a soccer field inside of a ziggurat, but it fits! It's a ziggurat-themed soccer field! The designer clearly took great care in making this game, and it shines through in all of the small details that are guaranteed to keep a smile on your face.
Packed with secrets and surprises, The Fabulous Explorationsland is a shining example of what exploration is all about, and is sure to keep you grinning all the way through.
I know that song at the beginning of the video from another game... I am thinking it is Yummy Drink Factory or another game by Amaranth Games? Or maybe I'm just having some crazy dejavu.
I played the game a few days ago, actually, and thought it was good. Not necessarily one of my favorites, though.
Just like the game earlier this week, I couldn't turn off the sound and that sucks.
No offense to anyone who loves it, but I don't understand how anyone could find this enjoyable. There were no puzzles to solve and no logic to the location of the various rooms. Unless I'm missing something, all the game is about is walking around looking for wall panels that are a slightly different color. And then when you find out you have missed something, you have to go back through the entire "dungeon" a second or third time.
I played it without sound, but unless the soundtrack is somewhere on par with Abbey Road, I can't imagine it making that much difference.
I actually found it quite enjoyable. There was no plot to worry about, and the art was pretty. I enjoyed finding the funny little details, and each new place to explore. Reminded me of the games of my childhood I suppose.
The little guy moves awfully slowly, which is a major turn off for me. HATE games where the character moves slowly.
Very nice way to spend a few minutes. Zero challenge, but that's ok for what this is trying to be. Figuring out the logic of the game was pretty much the whole game, plus cheesy jokes.
A very nice little game. The graphics remind me of Final Fantasy/Legend Of Zelda. There's not much in terms of gameplay, but it's fun to do some exploring.
Love it so far, but I can't get the treasure in the ice caves!
debaser80, I can't help but feel that you're like the Grinch who doesn't understand that there's more to Christmas than lights, presents, and roast beast.
In this case it's just that you need to realize that there's more to games than tricky puzzles.
Your use of the word dungeon is a dead give away that you're missing what this game is all about. A dungeon is a challenge that has to be overcome, but this game is about something completely different.
When I was a kid I used to explore the countryside around my house. There weren't puzzles to be solved. It was just about finding out what was behind the next grove of trees or in the next clearing or abandoned shed.
Likewise this is a game about discovery. No there isn't really challenge or puzzles. There's just a world to discover. And that's why I loved it.
Obviously it isn't for everyone, but you asked what makes this great and that's the best answer I can give you.
Post a walkthrough already! Some of us are stupid! I remember trying this one during the challenge and being stuck on the first floor. A little help for the (insert your politically correct noun here) aka gaming challenged would be much appreciated! Keep the peace!
I can't get
the treasure chest that is surrounded by the black area in tombland!
really, some of us are quite stupid. what about the timed lever near the girl?
What a jolly little exploratory game this.
The music, though simple, really manages to convey a gentle mood, and underlining the different places.
I need a bit of help though, at the very end (or so I think)
I've lit all the fires and found all the chests - but there's still one room in the ice cave I've yet to enter - the one with the fan and woman. I can't find any passages! Frustration abounds! help.
Oh the power of post. I solved it.
Just a little hint, "rainbow"
Done it!
Foob:
After you've found all fires and chests, a rainbow path opens on the main screen. Step on it behind the pot of gold and walk right up. You'll make it from there.
Sorry if this one is really obvious but inside the pyramid theres a box still waiting to be opened but i can't reach it, there's a square black outline around it.
Well I just luved it. Simple challenges but challenges all the same plus I never died. More like this plesae.
Re: that black square with the chest inside
When you stand on the red colored square, it moves away. Chase it and stand on it. :)
I can't get the chest in the ice area. Where are you supposed to go after you pull the second switch? (I got the one leading to the torch).
That was silly, I spent a lot of time wandering around because
the rainbow path looks like it's going straight up, so I didn't know I could walk on it. Perspective is a good thing!
I can't get the element in the top right section in the cloud room!
An how do you get to the thing behind the burrito shop?
Where's this "digitally locked door"? Please help... I forgot where... I have a bad memory. xD
I need help with finding the
digitally locked door
I know you can unlock it by
turning off that fan in the ice cave then light the fire.
I wonder if this is a bug (because it is inconceivable that I would not be able to figure out a puzzle such as this).
In the Ice Dungeon I pulled the lower lever and made my way to the brazier next to the fan. Having lit that brazier I then pulling the second lever and noticed a transient passage to the chest room appears - but I can find no way to get down there. As near as I can figure I did these things out-of-order and now I am permanently stuck in the game? Am I wrong?
moofins,
you'll find the "digitally locked door" back in Lost Templeland.
Nevermind! I was wrong! Secret path discovered after some more searching.
Could somebody please tell me how to get the last torch in the pyramid? The only way I see to go there is through one of the sarcophaguses, but it's sealed!!!!! X(
What no walkthrough! Please help me out guys, I can't do it without you!
Need some help here! How on earth do you get to the
last chest in the ice mountain? All I know is that you pull a lever to open a path, but where does the path lead from?
Nevermind. Just found it. Wasn't looking hard enough.
AWwww that was such a cute game!! I was gutted when it finished, although to be fair to woud be boring if it went on forever.
Vaxjo, enlighten us as to where the second passage is?
Ok, can't figure out how to get to the newly revealed passage at the bottom of the screen when you pull the second red lever in the ice cave. Just can't find the way there - can go down and left, but not down far enough. Help!
Never mind. ;-p
IMO, the best of the comptetion. Keep it going, StefanT!
What? How are you people getting to that last chest in the Ice Mountain Base? I know it's got something to do with the 2nd lever, but i just can't get to it.
Oh um. Nevermind, found it.
For the Ice Mountain chest:
Flip the 2nd lever, then run over to where you first appeared when you entered the dungeon. You'll find the secret passage flashing there.
Fantastic game. I really felt like I was an explorer trying to unlock the mysteries of these lost tombs!
How do you unlock the digital safe thing and get to the girl?
"Found 'Caesiumfrankolithicmixialubidiumrixidexidixidoxidroxide'!"
hahahha... I love the little pleasures games can bring... :D
This was an adorable game - I loved it, more like this, please! :)
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