The next time you catch yourself gearing up to complain that a game won't let you save wherever you want, remember that there was a time when games didn't have saves at all. Or colours other than "green-y, blackish". Nicolas Cannasse takes us back in time with EvoLand, a short action adventure/interactive art piece made in just 48 hours for Ludum Dare by Shiro Games that will remind you just how good you've got it. In the beginning, all you can do is move to the right, but as you open chests, you'll unlock everything from more abilities, enemies, NPCs and quests, to graphical improvements, sounds, and even game mechanic upgrades. Move with the [arrow] keys or [WASD], and use the [spacebar] to swing your sword when you get it. Be sure to avoid enemies initially since a single hit will kill you, and until you've unlocked save points, that means you'll have to restart the entire game. Because that was how we rolled back in "the day" and now you young whippersnappers get to experience it for yourselves instead of just listening to us oldsters wax on cantankerously about it from the comfort of our porch-bound rocking chairs.
EvoLand is a simple but effective little idea, and a great trip down memory lane. If you're old enough that you actually lived through the periods of evolution on display here (rather than only having heard about them as ominous legends left to the mists of time), it's definitely going to make you dewy-eyed with nostalgia. Of course, the problem with making an old-school game is that you come into old-school problems, like the annoying kick back to the title screen upon instant death and really, really straight-forward gameplay. It also would have been neat if the game had seen fit to weave a bit of facts into the gameplay as you unlocked each advancement, like telling you exactly which game and when was the first to implement save points. Especially since the game sort of feels like it runs out of ideas partway through. EvoLand might be short, however, but it's a great example of how far we've come and what we've got to be thankful for.
The game is also up for Steam Greenlight voting. If you like the game and would like to see it on Steam, please vote for it.
Umm.... I got so far as to opening 2 doors...
Nice game! Wonder how far it goes...
...power of posting :)
I've open one door, and I think i can't figure out how to push a rock?
This might help
It's not so much about pushing as it is about
repeatedly stabbing...
Couldn't open that lock on the left of map, wtf?
How do you get past the
powerful monsters section?
I have everything but 1 coin, In the dungeon there is a chest surrounded by blocks on all sides, Any way to get in?
I had forgotten just how difficult games of this type were... Man, do I feel old!
I finished with 4/11 gold coins found and 32/39 chests opened. I found two other chests, but I could not figure out how to reach them :/
There's actually three hidden chests in the dungeon. You can walk through certain wall blocks to get there.
There's one just west of the area you fall into, south-east of the fireball-enemy room to the north and south of the yellow floor plates.
Also, on the overworld screen keep an eye out for trees with orange fruits. Those are also passable.
I found all 39 chests and all 11 gold coins.
I can't find the last key to the door on the far left. I'm missing two chests and one coin. I've gotten all of the chests in the dungeon. Not sure what to do now...
@wjess: just kill all the monsters and the chest will open up.
I too am at end and I'm -1 coin, and 2 chest short. One is locked in the left section. One chest must have a coin, the other not sure. Does the fishing guy do anything?
Am I missing something? Whatever browser I open this in...it's just a page with ads. I can see where the "screen" should be for the game (I've played other games on that site that work, so I'm familiar with their layout)...but it won't load this game. :-S
What OS, browser and Flash Player versions are you using? Do you have Javascript enabled? Do you have any browser extensions installed that may interfere with the loading of the game?
The game loads fine for me in every browser I try it in.
Lol, while checking the source code out of curiosity, I found a cheat.
Press Ctrl+S to save anywhere.
I'd tried Chrome, Firefox, and IE and none worked...though - naturally - after posting it began working. :-S Sorry!
Neat game! I'm missing one coin, and two chests...
and one of the chests is the one behind the locked door near the start of the game. No clue about the other.
for the locked door waay on the left:
there is no key specifically for that. Instead, when you get the first key (or, for that matter, any other key which you can take back to the beginning), don't use it to progress. Go back to that door and use it there - there's another key behind the door.
@ crashlanding: Wow, the old key trick.
Thanks, got all the treasure, but nothing new happens at the end.
How do I unlock the left area that was near me at the very beginning of the game? I can't seem to find any more chests anywhere. I need one more coin, and two more chests. Can somebody please help me?
I wonder what's the meaning of Free Movement? It seems no different from what I have before that.
free movement allows diagonal; it might not be obvious if you're just using the arrow keys one at a time. try holding down two at a time (I'm not sure if the numpad works)
I can't find the first rock to move. And yes, I read Voodoo Smile's spoiler.
What's with the I like fishing guy?
Search for robacc18 on YT. He's making a Walkthrough
How do you get the one surrounded by trees in the first stage, at the place near the keydoor you need to progress?
I think you can push the
(>,_,)I can't figure out how to push dat rock also why is there an empty chest and how do I get through that STUPID top left door (>;o;)
Update