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1 people found the following review helpful:
A "bridge" episode that doesn't stand on its own, October 31, 2023Another Earth, Another Sky, the second installment of the popular Earth and Sky series, is a significant step up from its predecessor in terms of technical sophistication. Object implementation is complete but not very deep, matching a relatively spare descriptive style for locations. What stands out most is the "situational implementation" -- the game's bug-free logic is prepared for a wide variety of actions that the player character (Earth) might take, or might ask the key NPC (Sky) to do.
This attention to scenario detail was atypical at the time, and the game was exceptionally well-received. Not only did it win the 2002 IF Comp, it received 2nd place in the comp's Miss Congeniality rankings and was later nominated for five XYZZY awards (winning only Best Use of Medium). This last is almost certainly due to the use of comic-book style graphical elements (title cards and onomatopoeia-based "sound effects"), an affordance of the Glulx virtual machine that was still little-used at the time.
Unlike the first installment, which sweeps the player along quite quickly, this episode has a slower and more contemplative pace. The bulk of the action occurs in three parts: (Spoiler - click to show)a short investigation at an abandoned cabin, a much longer investigation on an unusual artificial planetoid, and a brief climax and denouement. The second portion will take up the bulk of the playtime, consisting of one long puzzle about gaining access to the endgame. The scenario is designed such that you must explore the entire area to find the pieces that you need, creating a "travelogue" type of experience that encourages you experience the sights, sounds and smells of the various geographical sections. Sprinkled through this are various optional discoveries that let the thorough player unravel the mystery that serves as a plot, but a full explanation will be provided before the cliffhanger ending in any case.
The game does not stand very well on its own, since the plot continues the events of the first game and seems largely designed to supply backstory for the third episode. The climax encounter with a new NPC is disappointingly short, especially when contrasted with the earlier interaction with the PC's superhero sibling. Rather than attempt this as standalone entertainment, it is probably best enjoyed as part of the series.
One minor item of interest is that the startup menu allows the player to optionally specify details of the resolution of key events that occurred during his or her playthrough of the first episode. The answers have a small impact on the introductory text, but I did not notice any other consequence.
- elysee, June 3, 2023
- TheBoxThinker, January 21, 2023
- Edo, February 11, 2021
- Zape, August 19, 2020
- kierlani, April 17, 2020
- Rovarsson (Belgium), November 29, 2019
- Stian, September 13, 2019
- Jimmy Maher (Oslo, Norway), August 8, 2019
- Stas, March 29, 2018
- Pegbiter (Malmö, Sweden), March 15, 2017
- Aselia, September 6, 2016
- Denk, July 21, 2016
- Matt Bates, June 2, 2016
- Dhary, March 8, 2016
4 of
4 people found the following review helpful:
Mid-length superhero game; more developed but more repetitive than first game, February 3, 2016I played Earth and Sky and this game, its sequel, this morning.
This game was enjoyable, and I enjoyed the varied environments and the fun use of powers.
This game features the superhero Earth, who can break things and jump very far. You navigate a small set of areas (I think six), each with an inside and an outside.
At first, and at the end, I really enjoyed playing around with the powers and learning about abilities. But I found the middle game repetitive, especially because you have to travel the map repeatedly and exits aren't undoable in the normal way (i.e. going east and west doesn't return you to where you started).
Overall, a good game, but I preferred the first one.
- Janice M. Eisen (Portland, Oregon), November 30, 2015
- thebloopatroopa, May 28, 2015
- kala (Finland), April 2, 2015
- Thrax, March 12, 2015
- Sdn (UK), September 6, 2013
- Floating Info, April 11, 2013
- E.K., March 8, 2013
- DJ (Olalla, Washington), February 6, 2013
- Lubulos, September 10, 2012
- deathbytroggles (Minneapolis, MN), January 30, 2012
- Sam Kabo Ashwell (Seattle), July 24, 2011
- Nemansphere, July 3, 2011
- Rotonoto (Albuquerque, New Mexico), May 16, 2011
- baywoof, April 25, 2011
- Felix Pleșoianu (Bucharest, Romania), March 18, 2011
- JohnW (Brno, Czech Republic), March 16, 2011
- Patrick M. McCormick (United States), May 4, 2010
- Mr. Patient (Saint Paul, Minn.), March 12, 2010
- Shchekotiki, August 3, 2009
- Stephen Gilbert (Canada), July 11, 2009
- Newbot, March 8, 2009
- Shigosei, February 15, 2009
- Linnau (Tel-Aviv, Israel), October 31, 2008
- hywelhuws (Clynnog Fawr, Wales, UK), September 19, 2008
- Genjar (Finland), August 31, 2008
- jwbjerk (Mid-West USA), July 22, 2008
- Einar Faanes (Trondheim, Norway), March 23, 2008
- jfpbookworm (Hamburg, New York), February 25, 2008
- J. Robinson Wheeler (Austin, TX), February 22, 2008
- Rose (New Zealand), January 23, 2008
- frankpape (San Jose, California), January 18, 2008
- incandenza (carrboro, north carolina), January 17, 2008
- VK, December 1, 2007
- Hauston (Seattle, WA), October 30, 2007
- Brian Slesinsky (California), October 27, 2007
- Quintin Stone (NC), October 23, 2007
Baf's Guide
This game continues the charming vein of Earth and Sky, this time from the point of view of the brother in the brother-sister pair. This episode is longer than the first one, with relatively easy but well-designed puzzles and a compact, memorable setting. It features entertaining NPC dialogue, and advances the unfolding narrative arc quite nicely. Uses Glulx's multimedia abilities to include comic-book-style sound effects -- a very satisfying touch.
-- Emily Short
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