The Little Mermaid:
a modern retelling
Platform: Javascript
Feeling a little unsure, at a loss for words, or just outright shy? That's how one anonymous office worker feels as he watches the new hire Julie pass by his desk each day. But will he ever gather the courage to voice his feelings? Look to the title of this modestly designed interactive narrative for your hint.
Playing The Little Mermaid: A Modern Retelling involves moving your character around the screen, clicking on options such as "read email" or "talk to Ed" where they pop up. Much of the action is in the dialogue, so be sure to not skip any of it. Click on the bottom corners to enter the next scene or start the next act, when it's possible, although there is little direction for how or when to do these things. If you get stuck at the edge, it means you can't go that way—just go the other way instead. Acts begin and end unceremoniously while the "restart" button tempts you to retry, to double-check that nothing was missed, and may cause more questions about possibilities that don't seem to exist (for example, there appears to be only one ending). Because it's not especially clear on where to go or what is the right response, you tend to roam about without much sense of purpose. Maybe that mirrors what it feels like to be secretly in love?
Despite its lack of clarity in directions, The Little Mermaid: A Modern Retelling feels very well put together, especially considering it was created in only 58 hours for TOJam 2012. The title soundtrack by Kevin MacLeod is very pleasant; meanwhile, the office chatter and street noises add to the ambiance but also grate on the nerves ("music off" mutes all). The artwork of John Bilokrely, Derian McCrea and Ming Iu—who also did the coding and design—is minimalistic yet aptly conveys the expressions and emotions of each character. It's remarkable how much is communicated by the turn of a head or the slump of a shoulder. The artisan effect of the graphics and game mechanics also fits with the thematic elements. If you're familiar with the original story by Hans Christian Andersen, it's easy to see the parallels between it and this game—mainly the protagonist's unwillingness or inability to speak up for himself. On the other hand, there is a note of satire, perhaps unintentional, in the ending homily that is either irksome or humorous or merely disappointing.
The Little Mermaid: A Modern Retelling will strike a chord with anyone who's experienced the frustrations of shyness, especially in our modern socially-networked culture. Whatever your social aptitudes, though, you'll find a poignant and thoughtful experience within these rough edges—Hans Christian Anderson had a few of those, too.
Walkthrough Guide
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The Little Mermaid: a modern retelling—narrative guide
Although there's no one right way to experience this narrative, this guide helps streamline the play through.
ACT ONE
Check e-mail.
Go right.
Talk to Ed.
Go left then left again to exit the building.
Go right to go home/start act 2.
ACT TWO
Check e-mail.
Go right.
Go right again to stand by Selene. Then, talk to Selene.
Go left twice to exit the building.
Go right to look up at the building and observe Julie's reaction.
Go right to go home/start act 3.
ACT THREE
Go right.
Talk to each of your three co-workers in order: Carl, Selene, and Ed.
Go left twice to exit the building.
Go right, look up at the building, and watch Julie's response.
Continue right to go home/start act 4.
ACT FOUR
Go right.
Draw on the window.
Go left.
Go left to exit the building. Then, go right to look up at it.
Observe Julie's response then continue right to go home/begin act five.
ACT FIVE
Read e-mail.
Go right and ask Carl about "Windows" and about the "Gallery."
Go left twice to exit the building.
Go left toward town.
Continue left to learn you're not dressed well enough to go out on the town.
Go to the Boutique and "Buy New Clothes."
Enter the Gallery.
Move right and look at the art.
Respond to Julie (any response you select should produce the same result.)
Do this two more times for the other painting and statue.
Follow Julie out.
Go right to go home/start act six.
ACT SIX
Check your e-mail.
Go left to exit the building then go left again two more times towards town.
Continue left past Pete's Coffee to enter the Park.
Move over by Julie then select "Help clean". Any response will do.
Move toward the bush in the middle and "Clean."
Go over to Julie as she's standing by the kite in the tree; Help Julie. Any response will have same effect.
Go right and enter Pete's Coffee.
Move over to the table and sit.
Continue sitting. You're too shy to talk it seems and not much for standing up for yourself so, thus, you just keep sitting!
After Julie and Troy (that cad!) leave, head left to go home/begin act 7.
ACT SEVEN
Go left to exit the building then go right to go home.
Move over to the couch and "Sit."
Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to dig into your ice cream and Final Fantasy marathon.
Select "..." when the three Bros of the Air show up.
Continue through the conversation.
Then game ends, leaving you to contemplate the moral of the story:
Is it similar to Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid?
Too cynical?
A good point about the frustration of being shy?
Posted by: elle
|
June 7, 2012 2:56 PM