The Fabulous Screech
The Fabulous Screech has a traveling show, and you have one very expensive ticket to see it, given to you by someone you love. Jonas Kyratzes returns to the Lands of Dream in this short but extremely potent little narrative/point-and-click adventure about love, loss, and perspective.
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Oh my. I actually teared up a little at the end. Very beautiful, and very, genuinely, touching.
The whole experience is so sweet and very touching. If you've ever lost someone you love, this story really hits home. But more than that, it's a celebration of life. It's been a long time since I enjoyed a game that made me cry.
I had to have my 16 year old Italian Greyhound Claudia put to sleep a little over a week ago, so I'm bawling now. Besides being touching, this is so imaginative and witty. Be sure to touch every book and every object when you play. Wonderful.
My girlfriend Angie had Jonas make this game for me. It has easily been the most amazing present I've ever gotten, and definitely made me tear up.
:( Aww, that made me scared about my aging kitty at home.
What a lovely little story.
This made me cry, as well. I just lost my cat about a month ago, so it hit particularly hard. Beautiful and touching. Thank you for sharing this with us.
im actually rather surprised that no one has yet mentioned this: to a southern baptist, this game would be considered VERY blasphemous.
Gastron the snail tells you the password to God's home is bob, God's mentor. once inside, you find postcareds from the Easter bunny, as well as cards from many mythical gods. God's fake beard and magic wand lay nearby.
I don't find any of those things amusing in the least. As a matter of fact, i find them kinda offending to Christians. which is why i wrote this comment. so there you go. regardless of whether anyone else cares or not, i know if i read this comment, it would have stopped me from playing this game. now you know. sorry to people who really like it. i just cant bring myself to play it through because of that first part aforementioned.
I think I'm missing something or doing something wrong, cause all I can do is hang out in God's living room. Nothing happens and nothing is interactive. (I can't even read his salacious books!)
Delightful little game! I was quite surprised to see this, since I didn't know Jonas was making it, but it was a pleasant surprise.
Oh-so-cute--but I had to stop at Whack-a-Schaedle....impossible to play with a touchpad. Well, up to that point I was loving it!
@Ummmm,
There are two important items in the room, you just have to do a little careful searching!
The first item you need to find is in the large purple box in the left bookshelf, partially concealed by the red chair.
The second item is inside the very small blue box in the right bookshelf, sitting on top of the pink box.
the references.
oh lord, the references.
I love this game SO MUCH.
@ meg --
I'm sorry that your religious beliefs keep you from enjoying a lovely and uplifting game. I encourage you to remember that other people's religions are NOT mythical; they are as relevant to those believers as your religion is to you.
"Offending to meg" is not the same as "offending to Christians".
Some people are easily offended. The problem with some religious people is that they like to extrapolate their views unto others, whether these others share them or not.
Once I read that this game would cause me to cry I knew I would have to shelve it until I got home. But I certainly will give it a go. Sounds like a good game to play.
@ baba44713 your first sentence is spot on. Something we should all remember across the board.
@ Meg - I am a Christian, began where you are, and have grown to always remember Ps. 119:165 as I move through life and interact with people/situations/etc. In the verse, 'Peace' means completeness, safety, soundness, etc.; 'offend' means to cause to stumble/be a stumbling block.
Have a great day everyone. Jay, keep up the great work!
Note to self: read comments before you play games at work. Especially when there are kitties involved. :( *hides in bathroom for a few minutes*
walkthrough in the works?
Meg, I'm a Christian, and this game doesn't offend me. It touches me.
The Fabulous Screech Walkthrough
(This walkthrough contains all the steps needed to complete the game, however I also highly suggest you explore everything and speak to everyone to get the full enjoyment of the experience) :)
At the Circus
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Click right to face the circus tent.
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Click the cat, The Fabulous Screech, to speak with him.
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Select the conversation topic "Ticket" to get access into the tent.
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Continue forward into the circus tent.
In Heaven
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Click Screech the kitten to speak with him.
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Select the conversation topic "Help" to learn that Screech wants a hat.
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Click the snail sitting on the rock.
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Select the conversation topic "Password" to learn the snail wants a leaf.
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Take the Leaf on the ground to the left of Screech.
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Click the snail again to speak with it.
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Select the conversation topic "Leaf" to learn the password.
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Click the front door to go inside.
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Take the Hat inside the purple box on the left bookshelf, partially concealed by the armchair.
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Go back outside.
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Click Screech to speak with him.
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Select the conversation topic "Hat" to give him the Hat.
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Select the conversation topic "Help" to learn that Screech now wants a toy.
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Go through the door to return inside the living room.
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Take the Fish Toy from the small blue on the right bookshelf, sitting on top of the larger pink box.
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Go back outside.
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Click Screech to speak with him.
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Select the conversation topic "Fish" to give him the Fish Toy.
In Hell
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Talk to The Fabulous Screech to learn he is stuck behind the door.
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Continue left to the graveyard area.
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Click the skull lying at the base of the tree to speak with it.
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Select the conversation topic "Key" to learn he holds a copy.
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Select the topic "Whack-a-Schaedel" to start the minigame.
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Click the skull 9 times as it jumps around the screen to receive the Key.
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Go right to return to the castle entrance.
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Click The Fabulous Screech to speak with him.
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Select the conversation topic "Key" to unlock the door.
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Click the unlocked doors.
Home
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Click The Fabulous Screech to speak with him.
-
Select the conversation topic "Help" to learn he wants his favorite toy.
-
Move right to the other side of the room.
-
Take the Fish Toy on top of the table.
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Go left to return to the living room.
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Click The Fabulous Screech to talk to him again.
-
Select the conversation topic "Fish" to give him the Fish Toy.
The End
Hi - long time JIG fan, first time poster. This is the game that finally compelled me to create an account. I don't think I've ever had a game touch me so deeply, for very personal reasons. I'll spoiler the rest since it has to do with a major plot point, though it's sort of been mentioned above.
I played this game last night and it made me cry. My beloved cat of nearly 18 years, Tabitha, has been seriously ill for some time, and I've been coming to grips with the fact that her life may be near its end. Right now she's still fighting, and I'd like to think she'll let me know when it's time, but a lot is up in the air.
A lot of us pet "ownees" don't have it as easy as Screech's human. Instead of coming home and finding our four-legged companion has passed away peacefully, we're forced to make difficult and painful decisions, gauge our pet's quality of life, judge whether they are suffering or in pain when they can't tell us that - and often, we must choose when to end that suffering.
But though my circumstances may be different, this game still had much to say to me. The way the story progressed through Screech's life reminded me that I need to remember Tabitha as she was - from the sweet, playful kitten to the spunky old lady who even now dozes peacefully in my lap. And the game's conclusion, eloquently stated, reminded me to appreciate every moment of life - including whatever time I have left with my cat.
In my opinion, anyone who has ever lost a pet - or who knows they are going to lose one - should play this game if they really want to get in touch with their emotions, and be inspired and uplifted as well. Behind the storybook illustrations, irreverant humor, and lovely music lies a powerful and touching tale.
To the other commenters who have mentioned losing their own pets, my heart goes out to you.
I apologize for being long-winded here - I realize we're supposed to be commenting on the game and not sharing our personal lives - but sometimes the two are more connected that you'd expect.
And Jonas, if you are reading this - thank you.
I believe I'll put this in spoilers.. I'd hate to accidently say something and ruin such an amazing game.
I must admit.. In a way I prefered "The book of living magic" more.. Mainly for the fact that it goes on longer and was a pretty good game.. This on the other hand.. Although short, it completely made me get in touch with my feelings, and to really think about my pets..
I'd also mention how my heart goes out to everyone who has lost a pet.. But I feel that Tabby has said it for all of us commenters..
Just wanted to add that I, like Czaerana, am a Christian and didn't find this game offensive at all. I think some people need to grow a sense of humor :)
Also like Czaerana, I have an Italian Greyhound, although he is only a baby (1 in a few weeks). The thought of losing him is really awful. I'm thinking of Czaerana and all others who have lost pets. I hope this game gives you a little comfort.
I'm using spoilers to save space:
Thank you for sharing that scripture, MattersMost. And I agree! C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters also gives good coverage on how being too easily offended can be a stumbling block.
Meg's main point: can our reviews mention religious content because some visitors are sensitive to it? Well, to be fair to the writers here at JIG, if we had to give warnings about all potentially offensive content, then everything would be a warning.
The thing is, walking through the world as a Christian, almost everywhere we look there's the potential to be offended. Deciding what is "okay" and what is "stay away" is difficult--that's where keeping in the word and prayer (not a reviewer) comes in.
Perhaps the reason people get so offended when it comes in the form of a book or game or art, though, speaks to the quality and the power of that composition and its source. The Fabulous Screech is not just any old game thrown up on any old site. It's very effective at being moving and personal, drawing players into the story's world.
I also found myself smiling and crying as I played--yes, even at times I was put-off by the jokes. Yet here is a cat's view of life and his humans: an egocentric and oxymoronic blend of affectionate condescension and detached loyalty that outlines almost every cat's personality. I think that kitty is wrong about God but he did seem to have a good read on humans' frailties. I'm impressed with Kyratze's talent and ability to create something so deep with just words and some drawings.
Anyhow, it is nice to have a thoughtful discussion about games as art. Thanks!
I actually started crying when I got to the third "chapter".
I saw that the bowtie didn't fit him anymore and there was a bottle of liquid mouse for old cats.
I've had many cats in my life. Some got hit on the road, some fell ill and died, some ran away, and some we had to put to sleep.
I suddenly realized that Screech was a very old cat and that the calming music that had been playing all along meant he was going to die.
When I read that Screech's human might not get back before he died I just bawled. I've watched too many of my cat friends breathe their last and come home to far more that are no longer living. I can say for certain that being there for their last moments is preferable. If you can't be there, finding them lying there peacefully is the next best thing. Darnit, I can't stop crying.
And I just realized it says "final performance" on the menu. Now I'm starting to connect the darkness, the sense of being the only one in the tent, and the memories to the "trained humans".
Also, I am a Christian as well, and I found the objects in God's house to be amusing.
Elle:
Wow. Thank you for that post. I truly appreciate your very well-worded and thoughtful response. I don't Facebook, Tweet, Blog, message board, etc., so I had to post my thank you here. My apologies to JIG for using the comments section for this purpose!
@MattersMost,
Your appreciation is appreciated! :)
Oh my goodness. What a touching experience this game provides. I don't think I've ever been so moved by a game. My own mature cat Lumpy has been suffering some health problems of late, and after taking him to the vet today I stumbled on this little gem, and played it with him snoozing next to me. It is so hard to say goodbye to our animal companions, maybe because we can't use language in the way we do with people, to reassure them with words how we love them and say how much they mean to us and tell them not to be scared- all of that has to come across in our loving actions--petting them, playing with them, being gentle and kind. That's all that matters to them, and this game does a great job of highlighting that special relationship.
Also, so sweet that the whole game is the experience of visiting Screech in a dream. Reminds me of a footnote in one of Bill Watteron's Calvin and Hobbes collections. There was a strip where Calvin and Hobbes played together all day, and then agreed to continue their adventures in their dreams. In the footnote, Watterson explained that Hobbes was based on his cat Sprite. He wrote the strip right after she died, and hoped he would see her in his dreams.
Beautiful game, full of funny and poignant moments, and even just the music playing in the background right now is sort of choking me up. Great detail too--I couldn't believe that each individual book was titled! But most of all, deeply, deeply touching.
so very well written
I cried
such a beautiful game... and yes, I cried like crazy! :)
I laughed at the joke about the Pope looking similar to the Sith x)
"This box is bigger on the inside. It contains a TARDIS, which in turn contains a box just like it, with another TARDIS inside. God is a bit of a Whovian."
OMGee-OMGee-OMGee-OMGee I LOVE THAT QUOTE!
But besides that the game was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
I shed a few tears at the end with everyone else. What a beautiful game.
I loved clicking on all the books. Among the made up ones, there was the odd real book, like 'Last Chance to See' with Douglas Adams.
Moore sobs!
But
dead Ent in the fireplace! Gasp!
I must secretly be an android, or have a severe lack of empathy, but am I absolutely the sole person in the entire world that wasn't touched by this?
Alright, so he died. That's too bad, but why would one be deeply moved? He was old and he had a good life. Shouldn't you be happy about that? Maybe it's because I attempt to be rational all the time. Or maybe there's something terribly wrong with me. But still.
Hi Jonas. I have an almost 10 year old mini lop rabbit, a "senior bunny" as the vet calls him. This game really made me think about all the fun we've had over these quick years, and got me more emotional than I expected. Thank you Jonas for this important story, you're a very talented writer. I look forward to more from the Lands of Dream.
On a side note, the drawer in Bill's house with the scarves and egg made me burst out laughing. Glad to see Bill is enjoying himself. I wonder if we may finally meet him in The Sea Will Claim Everything?
Thanks again for your wonderful games.
That was so beautiful and touching....$lt;3
Hanging on in there for you tonight ole buddy
I absolutely loved this game. It managed to be greatly amusing and truly touching at the same time.
My own cat will be turning three in about a week, and even though she's still young, I know she won't last forever. The ending of this game told me that even though her passing is inevitable, if I give her a good life, it won't truly be a tragedy. I'm still crying.
That was wonderful and so unexpected. I'm quite emotional now. Thank you, it was lovely.
*sob*
so....
*sob*
so......
*sob*
*bursts in tears* D:> WOO..OO..O....O...OO.OOO...OO...O.OW
*FLOODS HOUSE IN TEARS*
Meg's not the only one offended by the blasphemy. I played this game because I enjoyed The Book of Living Magic, but the blasphemy kinda ruined this game for me. As an explanation: the Bible says that the LORD is the only God (Jeremiah 10:10). To insinuate that God is friends with gods is pure blasphemy.
Oh my.
What an experience, particularly after losing a cat I loved like a son only a few weeks ago. I just hugged his surviving sisters and hid old toys.
Whew...I have no words.
OMG
Of all the years to play this game. It is good to be reminded how important it is to relish those tiny moments that build on the foundation of our heart, soul and spirit.
Thank you Jonas Kyratzes for a stunning experience.
It's very well written. Every word has a sense.
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Game of the week
Walkthrough Guide
(Please allow page to fully load for spoiler tags to be functional.)
The Fabulous Screech Walkthrough
(This walkthrough contains all the steps needed to complete the game, however I also highly suggest you explore everything and speak to everyone to get the full enjoyment of the experience) :)
At the Circus
Click right to face the circus tent.
Click the cat, The Fabulous Screech, to speak with him.
Select the conversation topic "Ticket" to get access into the tent.
Continue forward into the circus tent.
In Heaven
Click Screech the kitten to speak with him.
Select the conversation topic "Help" to learn that Screech wants a hat.
Click the snail sitting on the rock.
Select the conversation topic "Password" to learn the snail wants a leaf.
Take the Leaf on the ground to the left of Screech.
Click the snail again to speak with it.
Select the conversation topic "Leaf" to learn the password.
Click the front door to go inside.
Take the Hat inside the purple box on the left bookshelf, partially concealed by the armchair.
Go back outside.
Click Screech to speak with him.
Select the conversation topic "Hat" to give him the Hat.
Select the conversation topic "Help" to learn that Screech now wants a toy.
Go through the door to return inside the living room.
Take the Fish Toy from the small blue on the right bookshelf, sitting on top of the larger pink box.
Go back outside.
Click Screech to speak with him.
Select the conversation topic "Fish" to give him the Fish Toy.
In Hell
Talk to The Fabulous Screech to learn he is stuck behind the door.
Continue left to the graveyard area.
Click the skull lying at the base of the tree to speak with it.
Select the conversation topic "Key" to learn he holds a copy.
Select the topic "Whack-a-Schaedel" to start the minigame.
Click the skull 9 times as it jumps around the screen to receive the Key.
Go right to return to the castle entrance.
Click The Fabulous Screech to speak with him.
Select the conversation topic "Key" to unlock the door.
Click the unlocked doors.
Home
Click The Fabulous Screech to speak with him.
Select the conversation topic "Help" to learn he wants his favorite toy.
Move right to the other side of the room.
Take the Fish Toy on top of the table.
Go left to return to the living room.
Click The Fabulous Screech to talk to him again.
Select the conversation topic "Fish" to give him the Fish Toy.
The End
Posted by: Trinn
|
February 22, 2012 12:37 PM