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Best Files » ACSC06 - The Little Things - Prologue
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ACSC06 - The Little Things - Prologue
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Author |
File Description |
Boosh |
Posted on 07/04/06 @ 09:32 PM (updated 07/15/06)
File Details |
Version: |
The Conquerors 1.0c |
This cut-scene, submitted for the AoKH Cut-Scene Competition, pushes aside the normal combat of Age of Empires, and looks at the deeper realm of human relationships. It delves into the importance of "little things" in everyone's life.
I hope you all enjoy the prologue of "The Little Things." While I have a lot on the table at the moment, the story itself has intrigued me to the point that I've mapped out most of it. If anyone would like, after viewing the cut-scene, to hear the rest of the story detailing the characters, please, don't hesitate to contact me. For now, enjoy the beginning of a story about what happens when an aged man and a bridegroom meet up on the way to Kiev.
Played best on Normal speed, 1024 by 768.
UPDATED: I forgot to cite the history section and Scouts section (which are the same) Before the history, it now reads "Information from Wikipedia." |
Pages: [1] 2 3 » Last » | Author | Comments & Reviews ( All | Comments Only | Reviews Only ) |
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Snaily |
Posted on 07/07/06 @ 02:08 PM
Umm, You didn't tpye what speed I should play at somewhere. You should do that, I played at normal first but it was so slow so I changed to fast.I hope it is made for fast speed, if not I suggest speeding up dialouges. |
Boosh
File Author |
Posted on 07/07/06 @ 04:07 PM
It's made for any speed. Fast, normal, or slow (slow shouldn't be necessary). It's supposed to be a slow paced.[Edited on 07/07/06 @ 04:08 PM]
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Kharzad |
Posted on 07/08/06 @ 07:03 PM
Excellent Cut-Scene Boosh! I like the longer cut-scenes so the length was a god addition for me, the story was good and I liked how it focused into the little picture, another thing that really grabbed me was the deep thoughts and philosophy put into the Beginning part, the music went excellently with that part. About my only beef with the Cut-Scene was the Piano-like music thaty went with the rest of the cut-scene, not my style really, im more of the string and softer piano playing when it comes to cutscenes and such, the piano also got a little repetitive.
The stroy was intriguing and I'd very much like to hear the rest of the story, and I wish you luck in the AOKH Cut Scene Competetion, your cut-scene will stand up well in the judging criteria that I read over. Good Luck Boosh, and nice work!
--Kharzad |
Mash (id: Mashek)
Staff
Official Reviewer |
Posted on 07/09/06 @ 07:32 AM
A brilliant cut-scene, Boosh! I was deeply immersed in the story, and really, really wanted to know what happened to Nikolai's marriage, the Old Man and the Drunken father. It seemed so real, and the moral background of the story just seemed to hit you in the face. The piano music really helped to enhance this as well. Mainly you really brought to life the world you created in Russia/ Ukraine. I was actually dissapointed when the cut-scene ended. But whattaya mean the cut-scene was way too long? It was way too short if you ask me. So long as the story is interesting, which in this case it was, I could sit there for an hour!
I will try and write a review if I have the time. |
Dantares IV |
Posted on 07/11/06 @ 06:55 AM
I think you should continue with the story. The only advice I can offer is to not drag on with the words. The intro could have easily been done in half the time it took. So shorten the timer by, at least, halfway. |
Mash (id: Mashek)
Staff
Official Reviewer |
Posted on 07/11/06 @ 09:20 AM
‘The Little Things’ by the author Boosh is an outstanding cut-scene focusing on the moral development of one character, a royal man set to get married to a childhood friend, a man whose father is a complete drunk, and by the sounds of things, a complete idiot. The main character is a good man, with a good heart and soul, and I believe, providing the cut-scene goes for longer than what it did (around 16 minutes 40), the story would really bring out who he is and teach us all a little something more about ethics.
The story begins here. On a particularly hot summer’s day, in the heavy-forested lands near Kiev, an old man walks alone, rasping from under the sweltering heat, dehydrated and with aged bones aching. The main character, Nikolai Goštautas in his carriage clattering along the cobbled grounding toward the same city, decides to stop for the old man, and lets him into his carriage, offering him a pouch of water. It is here that sparks a new ‘journey’ for Nikolai, a journey of moral guidance, a better picture of things, and a reason for why the old man is walking many miles to Kiev, even under such harsh conditions. But as the old man says, “One does what he must to get where he has to be”.
Nikolai is the one telling us the story, his story, one of revelation, awakening and better insight. The story is not some cliché, but something very, very different, and I must say, very intriguing –a story that embraces you like one does an old friend and keeps you hooked and at the same time, always thinking. The story seems so real, something we can all connect to, because it seems from the heart, something we can relate to. Not only is this cut-scene great because of the beautiful map design, the intriguing quality of view time and the striking originality, but because within this cut-scene lies a philosophical message very, very powerful, one that can even go as far to teach one a thing or two about living a balanced life, a good life, and I think this is what the cut-scene is cemented around.
Playability: (4.0)
I really enjoyed this cut-scene, a pure quality watch, and very original at the same time! ‘The Little Things’ is a cut-scene that all like-minded people should watch, because they can learn a thing or two from it. The cut-scene begins off with a well thought out introduction detailing the time when we are all naive, selfish and unwilling to see the world as it really is, to when we have encountered years of personal experience and emotional confrontation so that we begin to awaken from our sleep, climb from the dark cave and see the world as it really is and begin to really define our morals. Unfortunately, some people do not climb out of this state of selfishness and blindness. This cut-scene, in its relatively short time, helps to define what helping someone can really do –making one feel good and cared for. It is the greatest gift you can give anyone. The old man shows something Nikolai had not seen in a very long time as he offered him a seat in his carriage –Gratitude. The expression of one looking you in the eyes, smiling because you have offered them something so great is perhaps the greatest experience that man can ever possess. The music was another thing. It was well structured and chosen, and the piano music really helped to grasp the feelings and morality of the story and carriage driver, Nikolai, the character the story fuses itself around. The cut-scene was also very good because of other aspects like its map design, which was, to say the least, brilliant! Folks, download this cut-scene now, or else you will be missing out on something not so often seen in the Blacksmith. However, this cut-scene will prove a matter of taste. It will test your patience with its slow moving pace, but is necessary to develop the intended feel of the story. It will also test your personal choice in themes, and willingness to observe one man’s life slowly being unveiled before us. A little something to note, this game is not about action or war, but people’s lives. My only complaint is that the cut-scene was by far too short, though masterly orchestrated, and really needed to go longer to help explain the story further. But maybe the author, being the master designer he is will do just this and update the cut-scene sometime in the not so distant future.
Balance: (5.0)
When rating this category, reviewers must take into account the author’s intentions and goals of the design. It is in the intention of the author that this scenario evolves plot and story, and to show a cut-scene whereby the player receives no units to control and no struggle to survive. As such there is no deduction from the overall score because there is no fighting for the player.
Creativity: (5.0)
Starting off with a striking bitmap detailing the cold landscape of Lithuania, creativity is exceptionally excellent. The story was very original, with the author going as far as to have a very underlying philosophical message. The characters were named well, as was the title of the cut-scene, and were very interesting, which I felt had heart and background placed on them giving them life and quality, imagination and depth. One felt while watching this cut-scene that he wanted to know more about the old man’s reason for going to Kiev, which seemed so urgent, or Nikolai’s marriage and even the drunken father who rules his people with an iron fist. The fact is Boosh has done such a splendid job with his characters, and in such a short cut-scene, that they seem to be almost real –alive with human qualities. The cut-scene contains a few music files to say the least, and they are great. The cut-scene opens up under emotional music, which plays perfectly with the text and really helps to ‘connect’ the viewer. A little later on in the cut-scene a very embracing piano melody kicks in, really emphasizing a ‘rebirth’ for our main character, Nikolai and a story all to well placed on morality. Boosh has done a spectacular job considering the atmosphere created here. The map design is also very creative; muddy roads swallowing the thick, undergrowth of the Lithuanian countryside, under wilting sprouts of grass breaking through the cobbled grounding and by the many brown trunks of trees. Flowers speckle the earth in beauty and a true sense of nature and style is developed with ease and individualism. Boosh has also used the display-instructions effect to good use, dialogue that is written beautifully and without mistake and although tricks are not that diverse, the philosophical story, the originality and all that I have mentioned is enough to gain a perfect rating. Boosh has done such a fantastic job here that he has possibly created a new genre for cut-scenes and or scenarios altogether!
Map Design: (5.0)
Map design was exemplary. Boosh has a developed a true sense of individualism with his map designing. The use of mud paths to create his nature is astounding and perfectly crafted. His use of Gaia objects such as flowers, plants and piles of stone and gold are once again perfectly used to really develop a picturesque forest. Map designing seems to me as what Boosh is best at doing, next to creating stories that actually interest and keep one hooked. Terrain mixing is well done, with pines and oaks mixed to create a true sense of life to his countryside. The featured village or outskirt of Kiev is beautifully structured and develops that real sense of feudalism as present in such a time of our history. The mud paths used over the cobbled roads and farms are just precisely placed and beautiful to look at, at the same time. Also, the use of flowers so well used creates a really thick undergrowth offering the impression of an overgrown, rich and fertile countryside that is both picturesque and magnificent to look at.
Story/ Instructions: (4.0)
The story was outstandingly magnificent, as mentioned in exact detail above. An embracing story, both complex, well thought of and philosophical in nature that attracts its audience and leaves them wanting more, desiring more. I must say I really, really, really enjoyed it and it has really kept the brain thinking. This cut-scene opens the doorway to a whole new genre in cut-scenes and scenarios for that matter because I don’t think I have ever crossed a story so original in nature, so different from the typical style of scenarios of bloodshed and combat, that stoutly focuses on Human Nature more than anything else. The dialogue is just so beautifully written, with many interesting sentences offering very good quotes. It really keeps the story mature, poetic and so interestingly conveyed. It is all so professional. The History section is also good, detailing the life of feudal times and a bit of history on Lithuania and her surrounds. The Instructions text is also interestingly conveyed, with a short introduction telling us to look hard into the seams of history, and offering a bit of a head-start of what maybe to expect, and how to expect it. My reasons for not awarding this category a perfect rating is because since this is a cut-scene, and the story unfinished, under cut-scene guidelines I cannot award a 5.0. If the author somewhere along the track decides an update in which he extends the time of this cut-scene greatly, and perhaps even concludes this story, I would be more than grateful.
Suggestions:
I encountered a possible grammatical error, but I am still unsure about it. Here is what you said in 'Instructions'. "Do not become confused by the truth. Do not rest your conscience upon what you know now..." I was thinking that maybe "know now" should be "now know". But your guess is as good as mine is. Another suggestion is that when the carriage driver tells Nikolai that the carriage is too wide for the road, perhaps there should be a revealer showing the carriage, just to add more depth into this scene? Also, the ‘player defeated’ messages at the end of the cut-scene can be taken away by declaring victory to all players. I would suggest doing this, because for any cut-scene, to have the player defeated messages come up, unless intentionally, is a bit odd and it need not happen.
In short - An intriguing story about Good and one man's life, something that can teach anyone a thing or two.
In closing - A must download.[Edited on 07/02/08 @ 10:34 PM]
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Mash (id: Mashek)
Staff
Official Reviewer |
Posted on 07/11/06 @ 09:24 AM
There's your review, Boosh. Hope you enjoy reading it. I just wrote it up in a few hours, and I think it's the longest review I've yet written. Well done, a mervellous cut-scene. I haven't had time, by the way to proof read my review, it is late now and I need my sleep. Will proof-read tomorrow when I have the time. Cheers, buddy! ;) |
Boosh
File Author |
Posted on 07/11/06 @ 05:03 PM
I very much appreciate the review, Mashek! I'm even more astounded that you believed it has such quality. With such a review, after the cut-scene competition, I might even extend the story into the cut-scene by much more. I just figured that roughly 17 minutes is more than enough for the competition. I may take your advice on declaring victory for all, it would certainly clean it up a bit at the end.
The grammatical thing is not an error, because "now" acts as an adverb to "know." Modifiers can go either before or after their nouns, but I thank you very much for helping me and mentioning it. |
norte4life |
Posted on 07/13/06 @ 10:08 PM
uummmm i downloaded this campaign but i can't get to play it after u download it wat do u do i put extract files and extract to the C drive were my game cd is but it just says i am going to burn canpaign into the cd i would realy appriciate it if u helped me.... |
Boosh
File Author |
Posted on 07/14/06 @ 12:10 AM
The .zip file has everything ready for extraction. All you have to do is find the folder directory for Age of Empires II: The Conquerors, or as we call it, the main game folder. Find the filepath for that directory, and then, using a file unzipping program, unzip the .zip file to the Age of Empires II main folder. The campaign should work after that.
What do you mean by burning the campaign to a CD? I don't see much need to do that if it's available right here on AoKH.[Edited on 07/15/06 @ 06:23 PM]
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HGDL v0.8.2 |
Rating |
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4.5 | Breakdown |
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Playability | 4.0 | Pacing | 5.0 | Creativity | 4.3 | Map Design | 4.8 | Story/Instructions | 4.5 |
Statistics |
Downloads: | 876 |
Favorites: [] | 2 |
Size: | 9.29 MB |
Added: | 07/04/06 |
Updated: | 07/15/06 |
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