Michael Behringer Reviews Ectocomp 2024

No MoreTabitha

Attached is the transcript for my playthrough of No More.

transcript of no more.pdf (123.0 KB)

I’ve been warming up somewhat to the smaller parsers that Tabitha puts out- their keen eye for detail and meticulous implementation, with an emphasis on discovery-play and exploration rather than fiendishly difficult puzzling makes them a treat to sit down and enjoy.

This piece quite closely aligns with some of my own interests in interactive fiction: Gothic Horror, unhealthy relationship dynamics, complex father-daughter relationships, the looming spectre of the patriarchy- and beautifully critical moonlight.

I did get slightly stuck at some points- but there was never a point where I was so trapped as to have to throw in the towel- and once I cottoned onto what was happening here: the story rolled on smoothly. It has a very viscerally satisfying ending- though I did have a good laugh at the story’s response to my pre-emptive cannibalism.

This was a very impressively polished piece for such a small slice of time. My one wish would be that if this wasn’t a piece of Speed-IF, (in that I acknowledge it was, and therefore do not hold it against the piece while ranking or considering it- this is more of potential thoughts for later revision if the author so chooses,) to include a line or two about the mother and sisters- I think it would have been very powerful to see how the protagonist felt they were feeling about having her whisked away off to a nunnery: the conflict between the mother and father’s wishes is hinted at, and the girls are tearful at the start- but especially given the protagonist is stewing in her thoughts about her father throughout the ride, more about the family dynamic would have been great.

I forwarded notice of a minor typo to the author- and was happy to hear that my transcript was helpful for later planned polish to the game. A fantastic high note to begin the competition on, and a contender to become my favourite out of the bunch. I really loved sitting down with it!

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