For those seeking some old-school gameplay, OffGao of Japan may have just what you're looking for. At first glance these games may appear as nothing special, but as was the case with many early video games, it's all about the gameplay.
Dot Action 2 is a cute little platformer with a personality. Use the [space] bar and the arrow keys to jump and run, respectively. Navigate the little stick figure character throughout each stage to collect all of the blue dots (large square pixels) to move on to the next.
Some interesting gameplay elements are included here, such as electrified orange dots that may be passed through only by collecting a red dot first. But the power-up effects of the red dot don't last long, so you have to hurry. Green dots invert the screen for some inventive level design. There are even grey dots that act like water you must swim through. You will sink unless you keep pressing [space] to swim.
Much of the game text is in Japanese, but you shouldn't have any trouble at all playing with a few simple directions: There is no mouse control in these games, even the menus are completely keyboard driven. You may pause the game at any time by pressing [enter]. To end the level and return to the stage select screen, press [enter] then [right] arrow, then [space]. To exit and return to the main menu from the stage select screen, press [esc]. Be sure to jot down the 6-digit code (nnn-nnn) for the highest stage you've reached before pressing [esc] if you wish to pick up again where you left off (or just consult our complete list of level codes.)
From the main menu, use the arrow keys to select, press [space] to activate. Here's a break down of the main menu:- New game - choosing this will start a new game beginning at Stage 1.
- Enter level code - choosing this will allow you to begin the game at any level providing you have the level code for it. Entering a level code will also allow you to play any level prior to that one.
- High score rank - choosing this one brings up the high score list. Unfortunately the high scores don't seem to be working; however, you can get to Random mode from here. For Random mode, just press [space] again to play. The objective of random mode is to see how many randomly generated stages you can get through by moving to the right. To get back to the main menu from the high score screen, press [right] arrow then [space].
- Instructions - instructions for the game are entirely in Japanese, so perhaps we can get some translation help in the comments in case we missed anything. =)
Analysis: There is a lot to love about this simple little game. The stages are inventive without being too complex or too difficult to complete, and there seems to be just the right amount of challenge to keep the player engaged. The game is very reminiscent of some of the classic platformers of the early years of video games as can be seen in its graphics and its gameplay. Even the charming midi soundtrack evokes fond memories of the arcade, and there is just enough sound to create a very retro-feel to the game without becoming annoying.
The downside is the game file is huge for a game with such simple graphics (5MB). It will take several minutes for your browser to load the game before you're able to play.
It's a compelling little game that will give you an hour or two of fun, and if you enjoyed this one and want more, you might want to try out the author's first Dot Action game, as well.
I almost passed this one by today on my travels, but I am glad I revisited the site for a 2nd look.
Walkthrough Guide
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Level passwords:
760-812
641-337
291-160
165-623
747-043
393-646
774-632
962-662
820-695
214-929
169-757
807-706
404-811
282-142
639-521
647-624
176-187
191-537
211-986
070-236
609-732
641-942
646-427
947-021
358-117
074-487
340-214
789-951
592-214
908-189
748-494
052-781
211-564
322-260
247-744
600-789
848-903
339-813
882-815
723-130
406-397
966-735
677-474
813-877
774-361
652-858
454-916
286-658
667-387
475-549
535-818
339-379
384-677
733-636
567-174
632-400
385-727
922-767
966-207
188-268
977-566
897-199
076-249
349-512
066-594
806-866
949-792
114-226
763-716
197-168 (omg really really hard.)
639-753
131-167
714-337
279-275
835-354
693-799
556-987
322-933
473-669
246-810
424-145
863-506
577-279
071-433
897-472
897-472
539-132
529-059
655-860
883-674
389-744
181-057
036-096
310-115
063-448
800-396
656-029
326-632
494-558
809-936
086-754 (stages 101-108)
Cheers to Harukio, Art, Kero, atomic, Zephren, Setia, theprogram00, OfficiallyHaphazard, Kuehlbaum, WooHooll, Albert, and ZinVertigo for helping to gather the list together. =)
Posted by: jay | April 9, 2007 3:08 AM