15. Story Style: Changing the Game Appearance in Harlowe
There are certain games that you know you’re going to love before you’ve read one word. For me, Emily Short’s Counterfeit Monkey is one such game, and it has everything to do with the clever layout.
It’s a parser-style game with the story and command line running down the right side of the screen. The left side of the screen is filled with a game map. The streets on the map (and, by extension, the sections you can explore) are constructed out of words. The map is not only useful but sets a tone for the game: You’re going to play with, walk over, and twist around words.
Would going through the trapdoor in Zork feel as creepy if the screen wasn’t black? Would you feel confident enough to ...
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