The Linux Game Box #5: GNU Robbo

I took a pause from playing to Mass Effect 2 on the Xbox360 to give a try to another Linux game in the series.

This time the game’s called GNU Robbo, a reimplementation of an old 1989 game for the Atari XE/XL console.
GNU Robbo is a puzzle game in which you control a robot aiming to escape mazes by solving puzzles and collecting items.
GNU Robbo project is being developed and kept alive by Arkadiusz Lipiec, Marcin Klimczewski, enjomitch and Cyprian Zawadzki

Title: GNU Robbo
Genre: puzzle game
License: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2, June 1991
Website: http://gnurobbo.sourceforge.net/

Installation requirements --> 9

The web site has a page dedicate to the multiple version of the game for each specific OS. For Linux packages are already ready to be installed via synaptic. Instruction for installing via RPM are listed in the help page of the website.

Gameplay fun --> 9

The player controls a robot that must escape from a maze by collecting a certain number of screws in order to open the gate leading to the following level. By doing so the robot must find its way by moving blocks, destroy others with its laser gun and avoid threats like laser beams and monsters. As far as I have played, the difficulty curve is very flat but the simplicity of the concept and gameplay make the game highly addictive. At certain times I found myself unable to quit trying pass a certain level where, despite of the simplicity, I was getting continuously killed by one of the swarming monsters.

Graphical appeal --> 8

GNU Robbo is the reimplementation of a game released in the late eighties. This mean that the graphics is recreated as it was in the original game. The player mustn’t expect a renewed graphics, therefore any confrontation to 21st century games is out of line. By keeping this in mind, I judge the graphics delightful and worth its purpose.

Sound delight --> 2

At this stage of the development sound is almost non existent. It is possible to enable it but it must be done by changing parameters and recompiling the game. Instruction can be found in the help file.

Story enchantment --> 4

I give the game a 4 because there’s no story, not even a skeleton of a story in the game. The only thing the player can glimpse comes from the game design itself. You’re a robot, you’re somehow mazed and you must escape.

Bonus points --> 7

The game includes an editor that can be accessed by pressing Toggle Designer control. The editor allow the user to modify an existing level or create a new one from scratch.

OVERALL SCORE --> 6.5

For what concerns some important aspects the game is neat and worth to be played. Should the project in the future succeeded in including music and sound by default and just a draft of a story, GNU Robbo could really kick a**

The Linux Game Box #3: Secret Maryo Chronicles

The game I'm about to present you for this instalment of The Linux Game Box, it's just one of those title so polished, smooth and fluid that lets you think that yes, there is hope for Linux to be just a little more of a gaming platform. I say this despite the simplicity that marks every aspect of this particular game.

I don't wanna waste more time so let me introduce you Secret Maryo Chronicles.

Title: Secret Maryo Chronicle
Genre: Platform
License: GNU Public License v3
Website: http://www.secretmaryo.org/

Secret Maryo Chronicles is platform game heavily inspired (someone could find it a clone) by Nintendo's Super Mario series. The game is coded in C++ with SDL and OpenGL libraries and it's really pretty fluid on my 4yo laptop. On January 2008 SMC has been awarded #1 in the 5 best (free) open source games chart by the Australian computer magazing APC.



INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS → 7
To install Secret Maryo Chronicles on (K)Ubuntu is sufficient to add the repository to your repository list with Synaptic or Adept.
The repository for (K)Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex is this:

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ intrepid universe

The packages to be installed are called:
smc
smc-data
smc-music
The Ubuntu Package page can be found here. The download page on the official site is here

GAMEPLAY FUN → 9

Of course Secret Maryo Chronicles is pure fun. Just like the old 2D Super Mario games you have basically to explore and travel through various levels running and jumping to crush enemies or discover goodies hidden behind bricks. There's no more to say about it as this is a well tested formula of simple and mindless game fun. The sensation of running a Nintendo classic on your Linux machine is strong and, as far as I'm concerned, this is also a strong plus for this well done game.

GRAPHICS APPEAL → 8

The graphics is simple but just perfect for the game. I would say it's flawless either in concept or in design. The sprites and the world components are well refined with a great appeal. Again, main character apart all the graphics in the game strongly resemble that of Super Mario 2D games. This is not a drawback in my opinion but I must be honest and say that even if the guys in the wiki faq say they don't want to clone Super Mario (that's why they redrew the Maryo sprite) the sensation of playing a clone is pretty strong.

As already said the 2D engine runs perfectly fast in all the conditions I have been able to test.

SOUND DELIGHT → 6

The sound is generally nice and does is job well.  The music is well suited for the game and again it reminds the Nintendo block buster. The sound effects are nothing special but they work sufficiently well.

STORY ENCHANTMENT → 3

You couldn't expect the story to be a high score aspect in a game such as this one. The game ratio is all focused on the gameplay that, as I mentioned above, scrapes perfection. However even the Mario game's attempted to sketch a story, at least as a sort of frame to give a "structured sense" to the action. Super Maryo lacks in this aspect. When you start the game you are presented with no introduction and no hints are shown during the games (at least during the few levels I played). At the beginning there's just a map showing your progress in the world and that's all.

A manual for the built-in editor can be found in the game wiki here.

BONUS POINTS → 10

The game comes along with a built-in editor which is so simple and intuitive to be a valuable tool for enthusiast level creators. As a matter of fact by installing smc-data you are supplied with lots and lots of user created levels. To enter the editor you just press F8 when playing a level and you are allowed to modified everything with a drag and drop fashion by means of a side bar presenting all the game components. Creating a level with the SMC editor it's really simple and fun. To prove this you can see a screenshot of my messing around and creating a dummy Wiz & Chips level.

OVERALL SCORE → 8.6

Here below you can see a video footage showing the game in action.

If you want browse more videos you can check the Secret Maryo Chronicles YouTube channelhere