42 replies to this topic

[RevEng]

Died after the 3rd level getting to the 4th. I made what I thought was a perfectly fast run through the underwater portion but still ran out of air.

[Junosix]

I'll post a video of me playing it to show how those early levels can be completed. Try to learn where you're going to end up on a new screen, if the door is at the bottom then get ready to beat the crap out of the fire button so he can get a gasp of air. In that respect it's less of a straight platformer and a bit of a memory game/puzzler instead, you'll find as you get quicker at doing the levels then there'll be less water to swim up through on the next screen so you can get yourself a full stock of air again. You find on some screens the rising water level can help you and you can use that as a "hack" if the platforms are proving troublesome. Just don't be leisurely about it You'll also find that after every 4 rooms or so the water level drops as he escapes to the next floor so there's some respite there.

I'll be writing some instructions to stick with the game soon so I'll mention all that. It's possible to do a run from start to finish in about 5 minutes once you've learned the levels.

Edited by Junosix, Sat Mar 5, 2011 1:47 AM.

[Junosix]

Actually, maybe this test video I did a few weeks ago might give some clues:

[Koopa64]

On second thought, seriously junosix, this game has a ridiculously creepy synopsis. Even the title is giving me chills... Thank goodness this is on the Atari 2600, where things are never overly realistic. Damn that kind of graphics to hell from whence it came.

[Mayhem]

We don't do kind, happy stuff here in the UK you know... all doom and depression

I've known Juno a fair bit, he's good people... we're just an odd sarcastic, black humoured nation at heart hah hah...

[Junosix]

Too true, Mat No malice intended with this game, just tried to think of a bit of a backstory for it.

Have you fired it up on your Cuttle Cart yet?

Uploaded the absolutely final version in this Facebook link: http://www.facebook....3398833?sk=info (you don't have to be a FB member to view it), plus some instructions. Have fun!

[raskar42]

[Junosix]

Yes.

[KevinMos3]

I liked the first demo you posted a while back and was looking forward to more. I've tried out your "final" version and find the controls too frustrating to enjoy the game. I hope you will consider revising the controls before leaving it as totally finished.

I would love to see the player not be knocked down by touching a wall during a jump. Even the slightest miscalculation about the placement of your jump can keep you from completing the level and result in a game over. When going into water, this is especially frustrating. As you are sinking, if you touch the sides of a wall, your character will not respond properly once on the bottom. This usually guarantees death.

A continue option would also be a nice addition, especially if you don't want to revise the controls.

[Junosix]

It actually wouldn't be too difficult to add lives, you always start at the same point on a new screen so it would just be a question of pulling out a pre-determined RESP0 delay and vertical sprite level to position him back again and a pre-determined water level (and there are enough spare bytes in my level data to do that). But as it stands, The Wicked Father is done, dusted and complete. I might do a The Wicked Father 2 or a Super The Wicked Father at some point though, but I've got some other projects planned that I want to get done before I get back and do anything more with the evil old boy.

The key thing is when you're in the water is not to gingerly tap the fire button, but to hammer the heck out of it instead. Doing that will let you swim up even if you've hit a wall. Best thing to do though is try to avoid them if they cause you bother. One other thing to do is anticipate where you're going to need to start moving on each successive screen and get ready before the new screen appears (it of course means you'll need to die a few times to learn that). Admittedly some of the platforms are a bitch, but it is utterly completable as it is (remember, the water is sometimes your friend...), if I'd made it any easier it would turn out to be a very short, boring game. I'm really pleased with the challenge that's already there

Keep practising, there's 19 rooms plus an end screen and it takes about 5 minutes from start to end once you know it. I'm sure you'll get there!

(Would love to know how you got on with it Mayhem, I've seen you go nuts on a fire button before!)

Edited by Junosix, Fri Mar 11, 2011 3:42 PM.

[Junosix]

Got a proper Facebook username for the page now

http://www.facebook....thewickedfather

[Junosix]

Got asked for the source code to this so I thought I might as well pop in and post it here too if anyone's interested: http://junosix.adsl2...ather-final.asm (it's not well commented at all but some people might want to pick through it)

Got reviewed in UK magazine Retro Gamer a few months ago and got 78%!

Edited by Junosix, Sun Sep 25, 2011 3:26 AM.

[Junosix]

Been asked so many times about adjusting the difficulty, so later on today when I've got a bit of time I'm going to increase the time you have under water, slightly decrease the water speed, and also some other things. Quick hack, like - haven't really got the time to add lives and stuff!

[Propane13]

Though revisiting old source code for tweaks is kind of a pain, I'd recommend that you take your time and maybe look into a few of the recommended features.
I don't think there's any need for a hack-like reaction; this game seems it just needs a tiny bit more polish, and then it will make all of the difference.
People here are used to waiting for things that are worth it.

[Junosix]

Cool - I will!

[maibock]

get cracking Juno!

[BladeJunker]

Junosix, on Tue Feb 7, 2012 6:18 AM, said:

Been asked so many times about adjusting the difficulty, so later on today when I've got a bit of time I'm going to increase the time you have under water, slightly decrease the water speed, and also some other things. Quick hack, like - haven't really got the time to add lives and stuff!

Is there any chance multiple difficulty settings are possible since that would satisfy both camps and give those switches on the 2600 console some much needed use.

[Junosix]

maibock, on Tue Feb 7, 2012 9:31 AM, said:

get cracking Juno!

Yeah, think I will do two difficulties - the game -is- completable as it is, it's just hard as nails.