Secret Agent Cinder
Platform: Javascript/HTML5
In Emily Ryan's interactive comic adventure Secret Agent Cinder, one person's fairytale is another's tale of espionage, as you take control of the titular heroine who's been tasked by her godmother to infiltrate the Royal Ball and steal the military plans before the stroke of midnight. To play, just click the choices you want to make as they appear onscreen, paying attention to the artwork for any clues as to how to proceed, and use the arrows to move around the castle... though if an arrow is pale, you can't go in that direction. (Yet?) Don't forget to play in fullscreen! There are two main endings, but a lot of events and options to encounter, from dealing with a particularly overzealous prince, to incapacitating guards. The artwork is gorgeous, using a limited colour palette to striking effect, and the text is simple but effective, leading you on and fleshing out the gameplay and environment without overflowing with unnecessary description. It's a short game, but the sheer variety of options encourages replaying, especially given the way your final score in several categories changes based on your actions, and leaves us hoping we'll see more adventures and missions from Emily Royal's dashing, daring leading lady in the future.
This is a unique and lovely take on Cinderella with some rich art. It's rare that we are able to find new ways to express old stories and revive them in such a way where they provide such interesting insight. It's this type of innovation that is so wonderfully refreshing and warmly welcomed by the community. (Much like what has been done with "Alice in Wonderland" games in the past.)
The mechanic, however, of constantly having to scroll within the game as if it were page of text and combat the scrolling of the web page, is a great learning experience of what not to do. This I'm sure works well on a mobile device, but is nothing less than frustrating when played on PC. Perhaps this comes off as "Nitpicky," but something to always keep in mind is: If a mechanic in your game works against your gameplay, then its these obstacles that should be tweaked to ensure a better overall experience of your project. This is a note for all games in general.
Hi there! I'm just checking, but did you play the game in fullscreen as suggested and advised by the developer and the article? :) I didn't experience any scrolling like that at all. Sorry you had problems!
Does anyone have any clue on how to actually get the military plans and escape?
A very clever story with lovely artwork, I just wish it was longer! And yes, it definitely needs to be played in full screen.
I did, actually, but I can't remember the specifics.
I know I went into the bedroom and closed the door so I could lower the chandelier, then I was able to use that somehow to get to the second floor above where the plans were.
Dora, yes I've also been able to escape, but haven't yet found an ending where you don't lose the military plans. Perhaps there isn't one.
To get a 3 star score
You need to keep dancing with Dauphin a few rounds until he says "I think I said this already".
Then at the end do not attack him or jump out of the window.
You will not get the revolutionary zeal tough, so I think it is impossible to get all the stars.
PS: The game counts "merde" roll backs, so you need to play it perfectly for 3 stars.
PS: the game scrolls for me even in fullscreen. Guess my screen just isn't big enough. When clicking the "for mobile" version it lets itself zoomed down well tough (ctrl+scrollwheel), albeit on a desktop.
Thanks fuzzyface.
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