{"author_link":"\/users\/chris-hay","author_name":"Chris Hay","author_uid":1180845,"comments":[{"id":723578,"author_name":"torcado","author_uid":"torcado","epoch":1633418388,"text":"really nice! i don't think i've played a text adventure ludum dare entry before. not my usual kind of thing, but this was fun! art is lovely, as to be expected. there's not a whole lot to do, it's mostly following instructions. but i like the story the game sets up for you, and having an ending choice (however small it is) is a nice touch.\n\ngreat stuff!","format":"md","likes":2,"spam":"N"},{"id":734751,"author_name":"nethead","author_uid":"nethead","epoch":1633478219,"text":"loved it :D officer coolguy is officially a pro negotiator. the art was especially nice, and the dialogue w\/ the pizza shop owner was absolutely A+","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":736799,"author_name":"suisou","author_uid":"suisou","epoch":1633499146,"text":"Great graphics. It's a little difficult for me who is not a first languager to play, but it's a good story. \"This is not that kind of game\" makes me laugh. nice work!","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":745017,"author_name":"LDJam user 243193","author_uid":"243193","epoch":1633584530,"text":" This different kind of game for this jam. It doesn't feel unstable until the criminal mentioned the situation.","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":749607,"author_name":"Pascone","author_uid":"pascone","epoch":1633654355,"text":"What a gem of a game! Short and sweet, but I wish it was slightly less hand-holdy. I was basically led to the end without having to do much thinking myself, but it was still really enjoyable","format":"md","likes":2,"spam":"N"},{"id":749665,"author_name":"Chris Hay","author_uid":"chris-hay","epoch":1633655670,"text":"Thanks for all your comments so far - really nice to hear others have played the game and to get some feedback =) I agree it is fairly simple and linear - something realized in retrospect \/ not overcome in the limited time frame. May have over-compensated with the hand-holding, since text adventures can be challenging to general players not familiar with the genre (in non-choice-based sections).","format":"md","likes":0,"spam":"N"},{"id":749668,"author_name":"LDJam user 264629","author_uid":"264629","epoch":1633655692,"text":"I agree with @pascone, the game felt incredibly linear. It seems like only the last choice matters. Nevertheless, I enjoyed exploring the dialogue and overall really liked the game. Honestly I think this might be my highest rated so far despite being a text adventure.","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":749692,"author_name":"JPGFG","author_uid":"jpgfg","epoch":1633656115,"text":"Hahaha this was super funny and surely a good time.  I'm happy I came across it.  The mood was great, but I was slightly curious about how much the game sort of tells you what to do vs.  Letting the player figure out where to go next.  But I realize command based games are difficult due to the massive number of words a player could use.","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":751453,"author_name":"tomer_cool","author_uid":"tomer-cool","epoch":1633700099,"text":"Very fun to play I tried all the endings. I do wish there was a bit more mystery solving instead of the game telling me everything, but still there was a lot of content for the short amount of time and I really enjoyed playing","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":754403,"author_name":"der Mondhase","author_uid":"der-mondhase","epoch":1633777741,"text":"Got all three endings, nice variety of situations - even if obviously the E. ending was my favourite. The music was EXTREMELY well done, and the graphics too! It felt a bit rail-roaded, but for a Jam, one cannot expect a full graphic novel! The game was overall impressive!","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":754422,"author_name":"ditam","author_uid":"ditam","epoch":1633778253,"text":"Very cool. I was engaged enough that I went back to all (?) 3 endings. I liked the delicate balance between the \"open world\" of freely typed commands, and the narration guiding you through the linear story. Makes perfect sense for the jam format, impressive game design!\n\nI too have made a multiple choice story game for this jam, but otherwise our entries are quite different :)","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":754440,"author_name":"Antti Haavikko","author_uid":"antti-haavikko","epoch":1633778814,"text":"Pretty neat!\n\nSo first off I was faced with this, a fraction of the input text was clipped off. Playing in not full screen almost fixed the issue making it still be readable though.\n\n![Screenshot 2021-10-09 at 13.50.38.png](\/\/\/raw\/1e4\/3\/z\/47e85.png)\n\nThe game was way too linear for such a genre in my opinion. You couldn't really do anything that wasn't intended and even the correct solutions were completely spoon fed to you. Any of the choices you did prior to the last one didn't really matter either. They were just one extra sentence and loop back to the previous point. The only point really I think that didn't outright give you the answer just before you needed to type it was the searching the web. And even then you couldn't possibly know the answer the game was looking for and it then tells you the solution.\n\n![Screenshot 2021-10-09 at 13.57.19.png](\/\/\/raw\/1e4\/3\/z\/47e88.png)\n\nSo yup, really didn't take any advantages from the text adventure genre and could have as easily been just multiple choice game. I guess all that time save coming from not having to implement the text interpret engine could have then gone to make the story branches a bit more interesting.\n\nThe story was actually pretty well done. I usually don't expect to see such even in story focused jam games (and usually don't either). But this was simple enough and told in a way to keep the interest up. Kudos! \ud83d\udc4c\n\nWell yeah, this is exactly what is was trying to do...\n\n![Screenshot 2021-10-09 at 14.09.16.png](\/\/\/raw\/1e4\/3\/z\/47e87.png)\n\nI don't think a \"banker manager\" is a thing. Was it just a hack to not confuse \"call bank manager\" and \"call bank\"? \ud83d\ude05\n\n![Screenshot 2021-10-09 at 14.04.03.png](\/\/\/raw\/1e4\/3\/z\/47e89.png)\n\nThe music had this one point that really reminded of Gwyn fight track from Dark Souls. I was fully ready to meet a flame sword wielding old man and parry the crap out of him. \ud83d\ude0e\n\nI did all three endings but still think my first original one was \"the best\" one even though the game didn't feel that way about it...\n\n![Screenshot 2021-10-09 at 14.08.57.png](\/\/\/raw\/1e4\/3\/z\/47e8a.png)\n\nAnhyways, good job! \ud83d\udc4d","format":"md","likes":4,"spam":"N"},{"id":754554,"author_name":"Joror","author_uid":"joror","epoch":1633782364,"text":"Hah cool story game. Neat style of graphics and sound fx\/music. Would have loved to have had some more 'free form' text searching, or bonus points. The game let me off pretty ok when I did wrong, so I didn't have any need for saving I think.\nNice stuff!","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":758443,"author_name":"MattWoelk","author_uid":"mattwoelk","epoch":1633894700,"text":"![i_am_the_best.png](\/\/\/raw\/c23\/2\/z\/48023.png)\n\nI loved the graphics!\nThis was great. Just the right length. Just the right amount of help. \ud83d\udc4d","format":"md","likes":3,"spam":"N"},{"id":761344,"author_name":"GodDoesPlayDice","author_uid":"goddoesplaydice","epoch":1634032304,"text":"I really like this approach to game design, in which there is no hyper concern for the player. Unfortunately, due to my age, I did not find the era of text quests, but I have always had a high interest in them. Very good work!","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":761692,"author_name":"WilloXs","author_uid":"willoxs","epoch":1634058195,"text":"The text system is very well implemented and the story is fun. You also dont run into stuff and dont know how to get further as the game is fairly easy (even a bit too easy - the only real puzzle was to google the name from the picture). The visuals are super messy on purpose so it has a consistent style - that is nothing for everybody i guess but it works well for here. Audio is good too.\n\nI feel like the game is a bit to linear with the only path i found being the last choice with the endings. And i think you missed a big chance to make something super funny (which is hard to do but always very enjoiable).","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":762938,"author_name":"AndrewJL","author_uid":"andrewjl","epoch":1634143989,"text":"I enjoyed this game! The music was atmospheric and set the mood without getting distracting. The dialogue is funny and quippy. And I didn't run into any significant bugs. One thing I would have liked was more freedom to make your choices in the story. It felt like my options were very linear and that broke the illusion of choice for me.","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":765269,"author_name":"Raphiell","author_uid":"raphiell","epoch":1634393448,"text":"I had a blast from start to finish. Great art, music, writing, and pacing. The only thing is that it felt hand-holdy, I was always being told what to try next. A solution for that could be to list the things you have available to check on the side of the screen, rather than within the notes, so that I could kind of process of elimination try things until I figured it out, without having to do `check notes` every other command.\n\nI had a great time! Well done!","format":"md","likes":1,"spam":"N"},{"id":771344,"author_name":"Danielz","author_uid":"danielz","epoch":1637695162,"text":"I agree with you. Sometimes it is very difficult to delve into a specific topic. So I need help write my nursing essay. But in this service https:\/\/www.nursingpaper.com\/  I am completely confident. They always fulfill all the requirements. In addition, they have a clear planning of processes and stages, using the most authoritative sources.","format":"md","likes":0,"spam":"N"}],"format":"md","images":["ld49\/wayback-placeholder.png"],"links":[{"url":"https:\/\/eldritchrenaissancecake.itch.io\/the-markus-polo-hostage-situation","text":"Link"}],"metadata":{"g_key":"80997","g_author":"1180845","g_event":"LD49","g_eventkey":"119","g_subevent":"JAM","g_urlkey":"383449","g_title":"The Markus Polo Hostage Situation","g_status":"WAYBACK","g_place":"196","g_commentcount":"19","g_site2_node_id":"271483","g_hide":"N","g_has_icon":"Y","g_rqueue":"0","g_random":"0"},"nds":{"n_key":"271483","n_urlkey":"383449","n_parent":"258323","n_path":"\/events\/ludum-dare\/49\/the-markus-polo-hostage-situation","n_slug":"the-markus-polo-hostage-situatio","n_type":"item","n_subtype":"game","n_subsubtype":"jam","n_author":"180845","n_created":"1633382909","n_modified":"1763438493","n_version":"845596","n_status":"WAYBACK"},"node":{"_collation":{"body_sanitizer":"TextUtils::SanitizeHTML via existing importer","event":"LD49","removed_author":false},"_superparent":9,"_trust":1,"author":180845,"body":"# [CLICK TO PLAY ON OUR ITCH PAGE](https:\/\/eldritchrenaissancecake.itch.io\/the-markus-polo-hostage-situation)\n![Thumbnail.png](\/\/\/raw\/d62\/c2\/z\/45bf6.png)\n\n### STORY\nInvestigate a hostage-taker to diffuse an unstable situation in this text adventure police procedural!\u200b Created over a weekend in October 2021 for the Ludum Dare 49 game jam (theme: \"unstable\").\n\nWarning: This game features adult language and themes, and is not suitable for children.\n\nShould play well on a mobile phone or desktop\/laptop. If the audio doesn't play, we recommend trying the downloadable version. Save with \"SAVEF\" and load with \"LOADF\" to transfer your progress!\n\n\n### HOW TO PLAY\n\nType two word commands (e.g. check notes). Choose an option in multiple choice. And type inputs when requested! Tap\/Click\/Press Enter to proceed, whenever you see a flashing cursor at the bottom right. Save progress with SAVE or SAVEF and then resume with LOAD or LOADF.\n\nNote: Music won't play in Safari browser but will for others like Firefox and Chrome.\n\n![Screenshot2_v2.png](\/\/\/raw\/d62\/c2\/z\/46ad7.png)\n\n![Screenshot1.png](\/\/\/raw\/d62\/c2\/z\/45c23.png)\n\n![Screenshot3.png](\/\/\/raw\/d62\/c2\/z\/45c26.png)\n\u200b\n\n### CREDITS\n\nCoding by Chris Hay aka E.R.C.\u200b\n\nArt and font by mig-moog\u200b\n\nMusic and sounds by Nat aka Nathana\u00ebl Wsiaki\u200b\n\nStory and writing a team effort\n","comments":19,"comments-timestamp":"2021-11-23T19:19:22Z","created":"2021-10-04T21:28:29Z","files":[],"files-timestamp":0,"grade":{"grade-01":25,"grade-02":25,"grade-03":25,"grade-04":25,"grade-05":25,"grade-06":24,"grade-07":23,"grade-08":25},"id":271483,"love":0,"magic":{"cool":85.449325928221,"feedback":18,"given":17.25,"grade":24.625,"grade-01-average":3.957,"grade-01-result":196,"grade-02-average":3.609,"grade-02-result":535,"grade-03-average":3.239,"grade-03-result":826,"grade-04-average":3.5,"grade-04-result":779,"grade-05-average":4.174,"grade-05-result":267,"grade-06-average":4.045,"grade-06-result":121,"grade-07-average":3.714,"grade-07-result":266,"grade-08-average":3.978,"grade-08-result":197,"smart":-5.9365837996455},"meta":{"author":[180845,211575,271578],"cover":"\/\/\/content\/d62\/c2\/z\/45a9c.png","link-01":"https:\/\/eldritchrenaissancecake.itch.io\/the-markus-polo-hostage-situation","link-01-tag":[42336]},"meta-timestamp":"2025-11-18T04:01:33Z","modified":"2025-11-18T04:01:33Z","name":"The Markus Polo Hostage Situation","node-timestamp":"2021-10-08T01:13:08Z","parent":258323,"parents":[1,5,9,258323],"path":"\/events\/ludum-dare\/49\/the-markus-polo-hostage-situation","published":"2021-10-04T21:31:18Z","scope":"public","slug":"the-markus-polo-hostage-situation","subsubtype":"jam","subtype":"game","type":"item","version":845596},"text":"# [CLICK TO PLAY ON OUR ITCH PAGE](https:\/\/eldritchrenaissancecake.itch.io\/the-markus-polo-hostage-situation)\n![Thumbnail.png](\/\/\/raw\/d62\/c2\/z\/45bf6.png)\n\n### STORY\nInvestigate a hostage-taker to diffuse an unstable situation in this text adventure police procedural!\u200b Created over a weekend in October 2021 for the Ludum Dare 49 game jam (theme: \"unstable\").\n\nWarning: This game features adult language and themes, and is not suitable for children.\n\nShould play well on a mobile phone or desktop\/laptop. If the audio doesn't play, we recommend trying the downloadable version. Save with \"SAVEF\" and load with \"LOADF\" to transfer your progress!\n\n\n### HOW TO PLAY\n\nType two word commands (e.g. check notes). Choose an option in multiple choice. And type inputs when requested! Tap\/Click\/Press Enter to proceed, whenever you see a flashing cursor at the bottom right. Save progress with SAVE or SAVEF and then resume with LOAD or LOADF.\n\nNote: Music won't play in Safari browser but will for others like Firefox and Chrome.\n\n![Screenshot2_v2.png](\/\/\/raw\/d62\/c2\/z\/46ad7.png)\n\n![Screenshot1.png](\/\/\/raw\/d62\/c2\/z\/45c23.png)\n\n![Screenshot3.png](\/\/\/raw\/d62\/c2\/z\/45c26.png)\n\u200b\n\n### CREDITS\n\nCoding by Chris Hay aka E.R.C.\u200b\n\nArt and font by mig-moog\u200b\n\nMusic and sounds by Nat aka Nathana\u00ebl Wsiaki\u200b\n\nStory and writing a team effort\n","title":"The Markus Polo Hostage Situation","wayback_recovered":true,"wayback_source":{"capture":{"original":"https:\/\/api-jam.ludumdare.com\/vx\/node2\/get\/271001+271002+271003+271004+271005+271006+271007+271008+271009+271010+271011+271012+271013+271014+271015+271016+271017+271018+271019+271020+271021+271022+271023+271024+271025+271026+271027+271028+271029+271030+271031+271032+271033+271034+271035+271036+271037+271038+271039+271040+271041+271042+271043+271044+271045+271046+271047+271048+271049+271050+271051+271052+271053+271054+271055+271056+271057+271058+271059+271060+271061+271062+271063+271064+271065+271066+271067+271068+271069+271070+271071+271072+271073+271074+271075+271076+271077+271078+271079+271080+271081+271082+271083+271084+271085+271086+271087+271088+271089+271090+271091+271092+271093+271094+271095+271096+271097+271098+271099+271100+271101+271102+271103+271104+271105+271106+271107+271108+271109+271110+271111+271112+271113+271114+271115+271116+271117+271118+271119+271120+271121+271122+271123+271124+271125+271126+271127+271128+271129+271130+271131+271132+271133+271134+271135+271136+271137+271138+271139+271140+271141+271142+271143+271144+271145+271146+271147+271148+271149+271150+271151+271152+271153+271154+271155+271156+271157+271158+271159+271160+271161+271162+271163+271164+271165+271166+271167+271168+271169+271170+271171+271172+271173+271174+271175+271176+271177+271178+271179+271180+271181+271182+271183+271184+271185+271186+271187+271188+271189+271190+271191+271192+271193+271194+271195+271196+271197+271198+271199+271200+271201+271202+271203+271204+271205+271206+271207+271208+271209+271210+271211+271212+271213+271214+271215+271216+271217+271218+271219+271220+271221+271222+271223+271224+271225+271226+271227+271228+271229+271230+271231+271232+271233+271234+271235+271236+271237+271238+271239+271240+271241+271242+271243+271244+271245+271246+271247+271248+271249+271250+271251+271252+271253+271254+271255+271256+271257+271258+271259+271260+271261+271262+271263+271264+271265+271266+271267+271268+271269+271270+271271+271272+271273+271274+271275+271276+271277+271278+271279+271280+271281+271282+271283+271284+271285+271286+271287+271288+271289+271290+271291+271292+271293+271294+271295+271296+271297+271298+271299+271300+271301+271302+271303+271304+271305+271306+271307+271308+271309+271310+271311+271312+271313+271314+271315+271316+271317+271318+271319+271320+271321+271322+271323+271324+271325+271326+271327+271328+271329+271330+271331+271332+271333+271334+271335+271336+271337+271338+271339+271340+271341+271342+271343+271344+271345+271346+271347+271348+271349+271350+271351+271352+271353+271354+271355+271356+271357+271358+271359+271360+271361+271362+271363+271364+271365+271366+271367+271368+271369+271370+271371+271372+271373+271374+271375+271376+271377+271378+271379+271380+271381+271382+271383+271384+271385+271386+271387+271388+271389+271390+271391+271392+271393+271394+271395+271396+271397+271398+271399+271400+271401+271402+271403+271404+271405+271406+271407+271408+271409+271410+271411+271412+271413+271414+271415+271416+271417+271418+271419+271420+271421+271422+271423+271424+271425+271426+271427+271428+271429+271430+271431+271432+271433+271434+271435+271436+271437+271438+271439+271440+271441+271442+271443+271444+271445+271446+271447+271448+271449+271450+271451+271452+271453+271454+271455+271456+271457+271458+271459+271460+271461+271462+271463+271464+271465+271466+271467+271468+271469+271470+271471+271472+271473+271474+271475+271476+271477+271478+271479+271480+271481+271482+271483+271484+271485+271486+271487+271488+271489+271490+271491+271492+271493+271494+271495+271496+271497+271498+271499+271500?authors&parents&superparent"},"object":"objects\/sha256\/60\/6071364025221c4c7f40a2ac4aac230f65fca5708c819a886e181571caf74379","record":"shard-3\/json-live-urgent-v3\/records\/1f9693606414f6878b627e095ad24035b211ce36c2d5f1b13d3d46e5f9a8beef.json","sha256":"6071364025221c4c7f40a2ac4aac230f65fca5708c819a886e181571caf74379","source":"https","stored_at":1784022359}}