For what is basically a very narrow category of gaming, room escape games can run the gamut of experiences. They can be epic, multi-layer challenges wrapped up in a small space that can take hours or days to solve, or they can be tiny, quick gems that are over in a few minutes. What makes a good game is not the length or the size, but the experience involved. This week's game is on the light end of the spectrum, a game that can be solved fairly quickly but still gives good value for the experience. Welcome to Matiawase by Bianco-Bianco. It's Weekday Escape Time!
Is this really an escape game? Well, you are trying to find your way around and perhaps out of the space, but as with First Love (co-created with Robamimi) Matiawase is more of an emotional experience. The nameless protagonist of this little room (space station? space ship?) appears more to be searching for someone rather than looking for a way out. Of course, the title of the game tells us this, as it is the word (machiawaseru, in Japanese) for rendezvous. This mood is heightened by found objects, each of which has a little phrase written on it. Is this a search for companionship? An emotional journey? Pointless teenage angst? The experience will be subjective, and dependent on the gamer's own perceptions as they wind their way through the corridors.
Bars that appear at the side of the screen will turn the player right or left, but bars at the bottom of the screen will either back you up from a close up or turn you around 180 degrees, a dynamic that can take a little getting used to. Fortunately, there is a handy little map at the lower right of the screen, highlighting which area of the L-shaped space you are facing. Play around for a few minutes and you will get used to the strange movement. Although there are a few puzzles, this game is mostly use of found objects and combinations thereof. There's a handy changing cursor to point out areas of interest, but there is still a little pixel hunting involved as you must sweep the area to find the clickable points of interest or objects.
Analysis: The space you are wandering around in appears to be...well, in space. The look and feel is that of a space station, or a ship, with interesting futuristic design and technology all around. Other than looking good in a nicely rendered 3D way, though, the location is rather incidental to the emotional story that appears to be taking place. The lack of a musical accompaniment only adds to the illusion of being somewhere where no-one can hear you scream. It's not completely silent, since there are appropriate sound effects to be had, but the overall feel is one of melancholy, or perhaps emptiness. Although this is a Japanese game, there is an English translation; you just have to remember to click the "English" button before you begin. Odd for such a small game, there is a save option, which can come in handy if you wish to go back and attempt to find the second ending. Yes, two endings, one happy, one sad, and each dependent upon the player's actions within the game.
This is not, perhaps, Bianco-Bianco's best. The strange navigation and somewhat choppy story detract a little from what is otherwise a fun escaping experience. The action required to get the happy ending is somewhat non-intuitive as well. Despite the flaws, though, there is still fun to be had. Just don't bother screaming in frustration, because, you know, space and all.
Some games are the equivalent of a multi-course feast, something that takes a while and must be spread out over a certain amount of time. Matiawase is more the equivalent of an hors d'oeuvre or an amuse-bouche, casual gameplay that is small and over quickly, but delicious nonetheless, and leaving you wanting more. Short, sweet, and sentimental, Matiawase is still an entertaining little escape from the everyday. Perfect for playing during a short break or using as an excuse to take a short break, something that will transport you away from reality for a few short minutes, a perfect cure for the mid-week and mid-winter blahs.
Walkthrough Guide
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Thanks for all the help.
Matiawase Walkthrough:
Click on the bracelet on the right hand side
Turn around and go down the hall
Face the Fire Extinguisher and (with the pink bracelet active) click under the pink button. Memorize the number that appears
Turn around twice, and click on the area where the floor meets the wall. You should get a rod
Turn around again. Look at the pink console. With the pink bracelet activated click on the grey square on top of the console. Enter the number
127, in case you couldn't remember
Head into the newly opened store room. Check the area between the right-most crates and get the item there. Check the middle crate gap and get the item there by using the rod
Look on top of the leftmost crates, and take the necklace there
Turn around and take the "GASS" on the ground
Head back towards the cabinet you saw earlier. Look at the cabinet and look at its side. Put the key you found in that slot. When it unlocks, take the paper, and then hand the necklace up on the post on the inside of the cabinet door
Look at the lighter in your inventory. Look at the bottom of it. Put the "GASS" in the small hole.
Head to the burner with the "NO FIRE" sign on top of it. Put the paper on it, then look at your lighter and turn it on, and then light the paper.
Go back to the Fire Extinguisher and take it. Take the blue bracelet under it
Go to your fire and extinguish it. Notice the new code that's appeared over it.
Go to the blue console. With the blue bracelet activated click the grey square above the console. Enter the code
Tada! You Win! I'm not sure if there's a way to get an ending other than the happy one. Please tell me if there is.
Posted by: Wisedude
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January 27, 2010 1:05 AM
My first walkthrough!
Matiawase Walkthrough:
Initial Exploration
1.
Right when you start, there's a pink wristwatch near the door on the left. Pick it up.
2.
Turn around, walk around the bend, then turn around again. You should now be facing the corner of the corridor. Blending in with the dark grey strip on your left is a rod. Pick it up as well.
3.
Turn around again to face the door near the pink console. Click on the left side of the screen to find a niche with a fire extinguisher and a pink dot. Click your pink wristwatch to activate it, then hover over the pink dot to reveal a number:
127
4.
Turn around again, and walk over to the pink console. Press the button on top to turn it on, then enter the number you found before. Press ENT, and the nearby door opens.
A New Room
5.
Walk into the cargo area. Check the back-left corner for a necklace.
6.
Look between the two right-most boxes for a key.
7.
Look between the two center boxes to spot a lighter. Use the rod you found earlier to collect it.
8.
Turn around. Pick up the gas canister sitting to the left of the door.
Wrapping Things Up
9.
Leave the cargo area, walk back around the corner, and take a look at the cabinet on the wall. While looking at the cabinet, click on the left side to find a keyhole. Use the green key to unlock it.
10.
Open the cabinet, and take the piece of paper found inside.
11.
Leave the cabinet, turn around, and walk over to the black plate to the right. Use the piece of paper on the plate.
12.
Double-click the lighter to examine it. Click the bottom to reveal an opening. Equip the gas canister, then click the opening to recharge the lighter.
13.
Use the lighter on the piece of paper.
14.
Return to the niche to collect the fire extinguisher.
15.
Grab the blue wristwatch that was hiding behind the fire extinguisher.
16.
Return to the fire you started and use the extinguisher on it. This reveals a number:
367
17.
Walk to the console near the unopened door. Equip the blue wristwatch, then press the button at the top of the console to activate it. Enter the number you just found, then press ENT to open the door.
Both Doors Open
18.
You're free! When you leave, you'll either get the "Fin" or the "Happy End", depending on whether or not you...
...placed the necklace on the hook on the back of the door of the cabinet. Make sure to do so for the happy ending!
Posted by: Opa-Opa
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January 27, 2010 1:05 AM
Matiawase Walkthrough
General Information
There are two endings, happy and sad.
Single click on items in the inventory to activate them (they glow blue) for use.
Double click on items in the inventory to pull them up in close up.
Click around the objects in close up, you can turn them around or over.
Read the notes carefully.
Enjoy!
Main Game
You begin facing a door with a blue console beside it. On the floor to the left is an object, pick it up.
The object is a pink bracelet. Click on it to turn it over (I don't know...).
Close the object into the inventory and click on the cabinet door to the right.
There's a clickable area on the left of the cabinet, between the hinges. Click on it.
Okay, we need a key. Back up twice.
Click on the blue console for a close up.
The panel is not active at this time. Back up.
Click on the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen to turn around.
You are now facing a bend in the corridor that goes to the left. On the right is a small black platform. Click on the platform.
Notice the sign above the platform, no fire! Back up.
Hover the mouse above the floor and notice the arrows pointing to the left. Click on the arrows.
You are now in a corridor facing another closed door, this one with a pink console.
There is a clickable area on the left wall, click on it.
Cool, a fire extinguisher! We can't get at it yet.
There is a panel to the right of the extinguisher with a pink button.
Wonder what happens if we use the pink bracelet on it?
Using the pink bracelet on the panel causes the code 127 to flash.
Back up and turn around (using the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen.
You are now looking back at the bend in the corridor. On the lower left, where the wall meets the floor, there is a clickable area. Click on it.
You now have a stick (I want...).
Close down the stick and turn around again to face the pink console.
Click on the pink console for a close up.
At the top of the console is a dark square the exact same size as the bracelet. Click on the bracelet in your inventory then click on the square.
The console should light up pink. Now enter the pink code (127) and push enter.
Back up. Yay, the door is open!
Go through the door.
Okay, lots of boxes. To the left is a clickable area. Click on it.
On top of the boxes you will see a necklace and a note. Click on the necklace to pick it up.
While the necklace is in close up click on it again to turn it over (to you).
Close down the necklace and read the note. "I can't take this one. Please put on there..."
Back up.
Between the two middle boxes is a clickable area. Click on it.
There is a small blue object between the boxes. Use the stick to get the object.
You now have a lighter that says, "My heart is burning!"
Close down the object and back up.
Now click on the area between the right two boxes. There is a green object on the floor between them, take it. A key! (I can't answer...)
Close down the key and back up.
Back up again (this actually turns you around) and you are facing the door to the corridor. On the floor to the left just by the door is a small can, take it. You now have gass! (I know. But I don't say...)
Go through the door.
Turn right, you should now be facing the blue console again.
Click on the cabinet to the right of the console for a close up.
Click on the area on the left of the cabinet for a close up and use the key on the keyhole.
Back up and open the cabinet. Before you take anything, notice the little peg on the inside of the cabinet door.
Take the item in the cabinet. You should now have a note (I wait for you. I want to know your thinking...).
Back up and turn around until you are facing the black pedestal. Click on the pedestal for a close up.
Place the note on the pedestal.
Pull up the lighter from your inventory and click on the bottom.
Use the can of "gass" on the lighter.
Use the lighter on the note. Fire!
Back up and go left down the corridor.
You should now be facing the pink console again. Click on that area to the left to see the fire extinguisher.
The glass is now open, you can take the fire extinguisher (I am cool...).
There's an object behind the extinguisher as well, take it.
You now have a blue bracelet (Do you like me?).
Turn around and go back to the black platform where the fire is still burning.
Put out the fire with the extinguisher. Notice the code that appears when the fire is out (367).
Back up, turn around, and go back to the blue console.
Use the blue bracelet to activate the blue console, put in the code (367) and push enter.
Back up. The door is open!
Decision time.
Sad End
Just go out the door. All you'll find waiting for you is a note.
Fin. (the end)
Happy End
Before you go out the door, remember the note with the necklace?
It said, "I can't take this one. Please put on there..."
There must be somewhere to put the necklace.
Click on the cabinet to the right for a close up.
Open the cabinet and notice again the peg on the inside of the door.
Place the necklace on the peg and back up.
Now go out the door.
Oh look, she was waiting for you. Happy End!
Posted by: grinnyp
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January 27, 2010 1:43 AM