onyxsunrise

Review for Photopia

I don't know why this doesn't have more plays - it's fantastic. Everything ties together, and I love that we examine one character through the lens of everyone but her. The prose is beautiful, truly a well written piece of work. The disjointed feel is great and I like that we are told outcomes before we are told the situations, for the most part. Very though-provoking and a pleasure to play. The attention to detail is amazing. I was annoyed by all the aside (That means...)s, but in the end it all makes sense. Bravo.

Review for Violet

While not perfect, technically speaking (as there are bugs in which the pet names won't show, for example), this game is a beautifully sophisticated look at a relationship between two very distinctive people, told in a delightfully appealing voice, all with the traditional puzzle features of a text-based game. I adored every little glimpse into the lives of these people. I felt as if they were really speaking to me. I wish I actually knew a Violet. The writing, primarily, is this piece's strongest point. The randomization of descriptions and other nice little touches are spectacular. Challenging, insightful, emotional, and a joy to play.