Notgames Forum

Perhaps you have heard of my last project, The Cat and the Coup (http://www.thecatandthecoup.com (http://www.thecatandthecoup.com)).  I have been working hard on a new one, Rehearsals and Returns (http://rehearsalsandreturns.peterbrinson.com (http://rehearsalsandreturns.peterbrinson.com)).

DOWNLOAD but don't share for Mac or PC:
http://rehearsalsandreturns.peterbrinson.com/dkjekjreld/ (http://rehearsalsandreturns.peterbrinson.com/dkjekjreld/)

It takes about 20 minutes to play.  
We are not done, but don’t hold back on feedback because you think some aspect is simply incomplete.  

Finally, this version is American-centric, admittedly, simply because that's the audience I've most easily been able to playtest.  We have plans for various other versions.  You’ll see what I mean.

Thank you,
Peter

P.S. An image is attached of my email address.

I finally played it! Downloaded it again today.

I must say that I'm impressed. And I'm not quite sure why. The game feels very mysterious. But also smart and funny. I played it my tv in the living room. I'll try again at my desk where it will probably feel more comfortable (the joystick controls didn't work for me).

Is the loose graphic style the direction you're going for? Or is it placeholder?
I'm not sure what style I would like for this game but I'd like to know before commenting further.

I like the flow of the game, the repetition. Reading all the smart quotes is amusing. Combining them with the banal love and hate messages is funny. I like the feeling of traveling through memory, like fulfilling wishes like "if only I had said this or that" or "if only I could go back in time". The game feels very sincere, while there is also room for whimsy.

I'm still a little bit surprised that I liked it so much. I don't care much for the graphics. References to platform games tend to bore me. And the interaction is quite absurd. But still I feel fascinated. I'm really curious where you will take this.