Party of Four
Release type: Freeware
Release date: May 12, 1997
Levels: 1
Author: Mike Perrucci
Website: More Mazeguy
Related games: none
In 1997, Mike Perrucci was asked to provide for a college art class a "4D" interpretation of a comic that he had written and illustrated. The resulting game is a sort of a rushed effort. There is no in-game text. There is no sound. Monsters do no damage. There is no real distinction amongst the characters. The single level map consists of straight corridors built from just a few simple, repeating blocks. And yet, what's there is pretty intriguing.
You can choose a character and play from start to end. The characters all have individual attacks, which aside from projectile speed largely amount to the same in the end. The monsters are all appealing and well-animated, with their own unique behaviors. Defeated monsters emit a nice burst effect, adding a bit of crunch. The characters may have slightly different walking speeds, though it's hard to tell.
The game looks great, and on the surface seems to promise some complexity. Presumably that was enough for the assignment, and all that Perrucci could achieve by the deadline. Also presumably submission put an end to any development.
That's a pity, as what material there is in Party of Four is plenty good; it's just largely unexplored. Make the monsters a threat, put more attention into level design, maybe throw in some puzzles or traps, and you've got a respectable Gauntlet-style action adventure. Add some meaningful distinctions amongst the characters -- either different specialties (speed, attacks, whatever) or unique powers that change the way the game is played, and maybe the paths available -- and we're entering classic territory.
Contents
Story[edit]
"Party of Four"
By Mike Perrucci.
Chris: Are we there yet, O Great Leader?
Brandon: Shut up, shorty! 15 more minutes, okay?
Ivy: That's what you said 15 minutes ago.
Paul: Hey, everyone. There's light up ahead!
Ivy: Eerie. The entire place is in ruins.
Paul: Do you think the person... or thing... that caused this could still be here?
Chris: Bad guys?
Brandon: Ow!
Chris: Lemme at 'em!
Ivy: Calm down, Chris... Maybe we can explore this place without slicing stuff up...
Paul: Or crushing Brandon's nose.
Brandon: I don't think we're in Concash any more.
Paul: What hit this place?
Brandon: I don't know, Paul, but it almost destroyed some great artwork.
Chris: How does this stupid stool go down?
[CLACK]
Ivy: Hey, everyone. Come take a look at this.
[Out of view]: What is it, Ivy?
Ivy: It's a calling card from our friend, Yarnus.
Paul: Anyone who destroys a place that brings out people's creativity is no friend of ours.
Instructions[edit]
Find your way to the end of the dungeon. Enemies do no damage, so don't worry too much about their activities.
To select your character, use the left and right arrow keys to move the Yarnus symbol then press the space bar to make your selection.
Control your character in four directions with the arrow keys or numerical keypad, and shoot with the space bar.
Credits[edit]
Graphics, animation, design, story:
Background[edit]
I made this for a college art class. We had to draw a large comic page as well as a "4D" version of it. Mine was based on a group of four typical role-playing heroes that didn't always get along. The "game" half is really simple; the enemies are fairly stock and can't hurt your character, and the only difference between them is the distance his or her weapon travels. After finding your way through a cave, you arrive at the ruins of my old classroom. I've attached the companion comic that is required reading in order to make sense of anything. I think I got a good grade for this... :D
Availability[edit]
Prior to its publication on this archive, this game was not publicly available.
Archive history[edit]
This game was provided to the archive on September 15, 2010, by its author Mike Perrucci.
Links[edit]
Downloads[edit]
- Party of Four (106.2 kB)
- Dungeon Map (74.2 kB)
