Yurik 2
Release type: Freeware
Release date: 1997
Levels: 2
Author: Yurik Nestoly
Website: On Target Programming
Related games: Stickman!!! Die
At some point after testing the ground with Stickman!!! Die (aka Yurik), Yurik Nestoly banged together a much larger, more elaborate, and more deliberate clubhouse. Yurik 2 maintains most of the thematic and mechanical language of its predecessor -- the grim grassy fields tainted with the distant paraphernalia of death; the choice of gratutiously violent weapons, reminiscent of Flying Guts or Caves. The main difference here is in the ambition with which he employs those elements, and thereby with the world architecture that becomes the player's main guide and target of effort.
Whereas Stickman!!! Die asked only that the player move to the right, attacking everything in the way, Yurik 2 uses its space to construct elaborate and often rather well-designed levels, sprawling across both dimensions of the available maps. The first level falls into accidental pagoda design (a tendency for early users to design a largely horizontal level until they run out of space, at which point they push the character off a ledge and onto another horizontal tier -- and so on), but level two starts to actively use the space, offering several branching points and more of a mind toward setpieces.
You can see the thought that went into Yurik 2, in that despite the extreme senory content the design does seem to mostly take the player into account. Jumps can be tricky, but once you master the mechanics they're only rarely unreasonable. There are tricks and traps, but once you know what's coming they are easily avoided. There are only a few moments that present mandatory hits or poorly placed monsters, which stop the game's momentum while the player just tries to find a way past.
There is one particular spike placement, in level two, that may make progress impossible. It's a subtle thing; it looks like you should just barely be able to jump past -- but the ceiling is solid where it doesn't look like it should be, and you hit your head, and the engine leaves no room for you do do anything but land on the spikes, which you have no option to push through.
Curiously, Yurik 2 appears to have been planned as a much more elaborate game than what is now available. The game contains several unused elements that suggest some dramatic additions to the game's design -- a speeder bike sprite and a backdrop seemingly digitized from a custom-made model city. Put them together and it looks like the game was to have a racing twitch level along the lines of Twister, argh!.
Yurik 2 demonstrates pronounced growth over its predecessor, and a quickly developing confidence with RSD's tools. The game seems more brief than intended, and there are a few issues with what is here, but even at this early stage Nestoly is proving an adeptitude that outshines any early cyncicism.
Contents
Story[edit]
Stuff happens.
When the full version comes out, I'll release the official story. As if anyone will actually care. Come on, be honest, how many of you will be reading all the credits and stuff, and pay attention to all the hard work gone into this game?
Instructions[edit]
So, you want to know how to play my game, eh? Well I'm gonna tell ya how.
- left arrow: walk left
- right arrow: walk right
- down arrow: down
- up arrow: jump
on the numeric key pad:
- 9: jump up right
- 7: jump up left
- 1: move bottom left
- 3: move bottom right
- space bar: fires nail gun
- ,: throw grenades
- .: rear attack (with item)
- p/d: pick up/drop items
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @YOU WILL LIKE THIS GAME@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Credits[edit]
- Designer: Yurik Nestoly
- Special thanks to Alan Caudel.
This is only a test version of this game. When I finish the rest, you'll get many fabulous and wonderful things that will make mankind in awe. You don't even have to register the full version! It's free when it comes out! Whoopty friggn' do. Enjoy!
Background[edit]
Website copy:
- Yurik 2 is the best game in history! Although just a demo, the full version promises a very unique game.ContainsViolence!
Availability[edit]
This game was published to the On Target Programming Web site. Other distribution is unknown.
Archive History[edit]
On August 1, 2011, Alan Caudel forward a third wave of games, previously thought lost:
Links[edit]
Downloads[edit]
- Yurik 2 (467 kB)
