After many years, Neutral is back with a large escape the room game for your enjoyment: elements. (English game page here)
Hi! I'm Bart Bonte, a Belgian independent game designer and bontegames.com is where I blog about new interesting browser and mobile games. My own games are all in the left column (or at the bottom of this page on mobile). More info about me and my games on bartbonte.com.
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63 comments:
first :)
Yaaay Neutral! :)
I've been waiting for this for a long time. Two minor problems: (1) I had to refresh the page to get the game to appear (I had been checking this page, and was getting the older cached version of it), and (2) One of the flash ads at the bottom of the screen was forcing my browser (chrome) to scroll down to the bottom. I finally got around it by allowing the ad to complete, then when it got to one that didn't cause the problem I paused it, and was then able to scroll back up.
I'll be setting aside at least an hour (probably more) for this one. Also going to finish it without walkthroughs or help. Take the Neutral challenge!!!
I'm definitely taking it on - but already stuck for now...
And thanks for spreading the big news, Bart!
Oh, I am so glad! And I am so stuck. Need a fourth coin for the machine. Need to know the 4x4 grid pattern (or why the one taped to the picture is false.) Need to know where the odd key goes. Really want that sword in the cabinet, but I don't have what ever fills the grey holder on the shelf, because that will tell me the red light code. Lots of lights...no clue what they mean. I am so happy!!
@Lizzie!!
I totally agree :)
Made it out of the first room, in the second area now.
Alternate link: http://neutralxe.net/esc/elements_play.html
This is a long game! I've been through several areas now, and each time I think I'm out, I find myself in a new area to solve.
found the stairs, ready for part two...
Well, I made steady progress until I hit the garden area. I'm getting pretty tired so I think I'll take a break now. Haven't made much progress at all on the garden area yet, but hopefully I'll have some insight when I'm more refreshed.
Hmmm...got the elevator to the room with the fossils. Have to take a break (get back to work, that is!) This is a complex as Myst or Riven was! Loving it!
There is a bug. With the green books, they sorted themselves out an could not be moved anymore, had to restart.
I'm not sure what the bug is. Once you solve the book puzzle, you can't move the books anymore. Are you saying the books sorted themselves, without you doing anything?
Wow, finished it. No hints. That was pretty impressive.
Level 3.....
Wow!!!!!
Wow, this is definitely the longest and most difficult room escape I've ever played.
Got to admit, I totally wouldn't have got through it without cheats, but apparently some people have been stuck on it for 6 hours or more!
The whole thing is really stylish, and well designed, though. Reminds me of Myst.
Just got done. That last "Water"-themed room was a toughie! No wonder why Mya took so long; this is a HUGE game!
This. Is. Epic.
I'm in the garden with a screwdriver, and I'm a bit stuck, but I won't cheat and will finish the game, just because it's so awesome.
@Tom , i went in and out of zoom and they were sorted and the number 1 was on four books. when i restarted, it was ok.
Well, I think I've reached the end of the garden area, but I think I'm missing a clue for the last puzzles (the electric panel and the door). I'll keep looking...
Last night was so overwhelming for me cause i finally finish neutral's elements. So much puzzle and yet if you really look for the solution you can always find it if you have pure heart hahaha.
Anyway, is there any of you know how to contact mya the author? I just want to thank her/him (since i'm new to this thing and to neutral) for creating this groovy games.
Mya used to have an email address which I successfully used to report a problem. However, the last time I tried it, it was apparently no longer in use, and I don't know of any new email address. There is any info blog - perhaps it's possible to join it and then contact the author through that.
I'm out, finally (no hints). The last part was a little tricky, but once you look at it the right way, it suddenly seems obvious.
I have to say the quality of this game was quite impressive, especially the artwork which is probably the best of any escape game I've seen.
Oh yeah Tom, i'm already checked the blog but to comment on it was too complicated and stuff. It's too bad you know, when i finally open the last door of eight codes (hahaha spoiler) the first thing i want to do is contact the author. Thanks for your comment man! Wow you are also finish!
@Anon 20 May 2015 at 19:38 and Tom:
There is indeed a bug with the green books.
Not only were the books unmovable, but also some symbols had changed into duplicate ones!
I actually made a screenshot of it: http://nl.tinypic.com/r/vgik9v/8
Neautral might be interested to know.
Other than this, nothing but admiration and respect for such a deep game!
Sorry, link not working. Please use this one
Made it without any hint until the garden. Now I'm stuck with only a shovel.
Can someone pls give me a hint about the horned statue puzzle? I know what hints are required to solve it but I'm still struggling to solve it.
SPOILER for "horned statue puzzle":
Ah, now got it! Don't look to close at the single pictures that are shown on the statue but rather on some orders...
JUST finished it after working on it on and off with no hints for two days! Neutral has absolutely outdone herself with this one!
This one took me six hours...
So incredibly cool. What a gift! Thank you Mya! (and thanks Bart!) What a treat! I can't say I did it on my own, but I did solve all the puzzles on my own. I just needed nudges now and then...like glow in the dark images on a seemingly blank paper. duh.
For people just starting this game, do NOT use the link in the original post (unless you're Japanese). That link is for the Japanese game page. The intended English link is http://neutralxe.net/esc/elements.html
The English page is MUCH more readable and contains a lot of nice information.
Unfortunately, if you have already started playing the Japanese version, your saved Japanese game will not be picked up by the English version, which is why Bart was unwilling to correct the mistake, so sadly, the original post will not be corrected and new players will most likely continue to use the wrong link.
A better solution would have been to post the correct link, but include the Japanese one after it with a note about old saved games. Oh well.
Thanks Tom, I have added the English game page link (but left the same main link so people would not be losing their save files).
For everyone playing: The game on both pages is exactly the same though, it's just the explanation text around the game that is now in English. But I'm pretty sure we all know how to play an escape the room game here ;)
Can someone tell me where you can find the hint for the order of the final 8 symbols in the garden?
woosh !
thanks Bart. That's what i love!
Finished.
Just wow, worth the wait..
What a long, beautiful game. And done entirely with symbols, thus no language barrier. And far better than most recent commercial games I've played. Ironically, commercial game makers are too afraid to challenge players now. Only an independent making free games has the freedom to do that. Many thanks, Mya.
@Anonymous (22 May):
Solve the last puzzle to get the symbols and also the hint in which order they need to be applied (they are illumindated one after another).
Impressive.
Excellent work. I am really very very grateful.
At some point I needed help but whenever I managed to solve anything by myself I was very happy indeed.
Good game! Though in fact I spent 3 days, a few hours every day, I like this. :)
Great game, i like it. Its hard enough, and fun for brains.
AWESOME! Only used one hint (near the start, when we didn't know you could look in a particular direction). Never could have solved it alone, though. Takes more than one kind of way of looking at things. Great game to play with the missus.
How do they make any money off of this? It must have taken a huge amount of time, yet they don't even ask for tips. Amazing.
This should be the #1 game of the year for 2015. And I realize it's only May.
I think I about cried at the end. X ) It's not every game that's rewarding both to play and to finish.
Epic, epic, epic game! I so miss these types of escape games. Many thanks to the developer for an excellent and challenging game.
Stunning. Stunning. Stunning.
This was such a joy to my life. Two days, about 4.5 hours. So much reminds me of the Myst series. I am so very impressed at how thoughtful everything was, including blocking the player in and out of areas as needed.
What a beautiful and rewarding game, and what a wonderful gift to the world. Super-groovy music at the end.
Amazing.
A truly beautiful and challenging game, to be savored and done not rushed. Thanks for sharing this artist and fun game.
absolutely stunning game! great puzzles, amazing graphics! and I loved the length! best game of the year for me!!!
How do I move the books?
Gorgeous game. Like others have commented, the graphic style is reminiscent of Myst and the puzzles are often in a similar vein. I would suggest that if you're stuck, put it away for awhile and come back to it later. It is truly satisfying to complete without any hints ... you'll be glad you did.
Finally completed the game, it was defiantly a well designed location. The end puzzle with the different rooms all coming together was a very good finishing touch too.
This is the best escape I have ever had. And the most difficult one too. Thanks Bart for bringing us this game! Definitely worth the 1st place
OUT! NO HINTS!!!!!!!
Definitely deserves to be #1!
Walkthrough for part 1: https://youtu.be/RN5BjurKodM
OMG the clues in the stairwell drove me crazy! Am I the only one who had trouble with them? I Here is a walkthrough with a detailed explanation. https://youtu.be/jYN5Cd1j4Ks
Very long but definitely worth it..It kept me thinking! Agreed with one of the earlier commenters, it's very well thought out in not letting you wander too far for a given section. A few times I wasn't sure if I needed to use intel from the previous room to solve the current room; however, if you're stuck in a room, all the clues you need are right there. I started off not needing hints for the first room, but gave in at one point in the upstairs room..I guess I was playing a little too late into the night..
Great #1 game choice Bart!
I played this game when it was posted here... boy, was I surprised when there was more, and more, and more, and more... and then my head hurt after the exit. Thank goodness I made it through, and good choice Bart for this game :D
This is honestly one of my favourite games and I'm so sad that I gave in and looked at a walkthrough...
If someone could replicate this game irl (w/o the same codes) excepting the boulder, COUNT ME IN!
... With some friends and a pack of food.
RIP to a great game.
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