STOVE
Hello. This is Team Tetrapod. We released the early access for the second spin-off of the Stepper series, 'Dice Eater: Psychic Mystery Card Game' last March. 'Dice Eater' was a new and challenging project for the team, and as a result, we confirmed that the direction of our challenge was far from what gamers expected. Originally, the official release version of 'Dice Eater' was going to include a roguelike challenge mode, but since the basic play of 'Dice Eater' received poor reviews, we decided that this direction would not change the game for the better. That's why we decided to scrap the 'Challenge Mode' that was planned to be developed, and develop 'Story Mode Part 2', story-centered content.
If Part 1 of the currently released story mode was about "interpreting" the opponent's superpower, Part 2 will be about "applying" the discovered superpower and confronting more powerful opponents. After receiving another invitation to the exchange meeting after Part 1, Crow will start using steppes in the game to counter the situation where multiple steppes are used. Based on the feedback from gamers, the official release version scheduled for the June update aims to have the overall gameplay pace be faster and the story elements have a greater proportion. It will be difficult to change the systematic foundation of [Dice Eater], but we will strive to make it a game that at least has some meaning for those who play it.
- Team Tetrapod -
yep
The number of dinosaurs caught by Mr. Han Ga-han Shin-su is 58!
You have some good skills!
But aren't the real experts faster?
Anal pain
anus
S1720581408641111 caught 24 dinosaurs!
🦕 The dinosaur is laughing at S1720581408641111...
Next time, try faster!
I have to scratch my head again 18181818
Win a pad at the Stove Crew event, the first pad of 2025!!
2023, 2024, 2025... It's getting uglier and uglier... Ugh;;;
[Protest] – Violation of ‘Road Nine’ operating philosophy and demand for official response
Recipient: Smilegate, NX3 GAMES
Title: Request for explanation of violation of 'Road Nine' operating philosophy and call for future response
I am a user who enjoys your MMORPG **'Lord Nine'**.
The '5 operating philosophies' revealed at the 2025 announcement were a promise based on trust with users. However, the recent updates and your company's response directly violate that promise, and are causing serious distrust and backlash throughout the user community.
[Items that are violated among the 5 operating philosophies that your company promised]
Probabilistic Item Stress Relief→ Despite the announcement that “only one avatar exists for random draws,”
→ With the recent update, the artifact probability draw system was introduced, which added excessive probability content.
Paid experience/cash equipment not sold
→ In reality, whether or not you pay has a significant impact on your combat power and growth rate.
Preserving item value and respecting the economy between users
→ The game balance is collapsing and the trading ecosystem between users is being violated due to random paid items.
💬 Despite the fact that many users have repeatedly pointed this issue out through the official community and customer center, your company has not yet made any official statement.
[Requirements]
Clear and official statement of position on violation of operating philosophy Provide transparent explanations and fix plans for issue updates (e.g. introduction of artifact probabilities) Announcement of a plan to maintain practical compensation and future operating philosophy to restore user trust
[Official Warning – Call for Legal Responsibility]
If your company continues to ignore legitimate complaints and questions from users, this may be a violation of the following laws. If we determine that there is no official response, we will take the following actions:
→ Prohibition of unfair advertising that misleads consumers
※ After the announcement that “there is only one random item, avatar,” the artifact random draws added may be considered deceptive advertising.
Article 21 of the Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce, etc.
→ Prohibition of acts that cause unfair disadvantages and failure to fulfill notification obligations
※ Silence on user complaints and failure to sufficiently notify important updates may be an abuse of business position and a violation of the duty to notify.
Article 32 of the Act on Promotion of the Game Industry
→ Obligation to protect users' rights and create a fair usage environment
※ Failure to notify about probabilistic content and paid systems may result in legal liability.
[Countermeasures]
File a formal complaint or complaint with the Korea Consumer Agency, Fair Trade Commission, or other relevant organizations. Review legal procedures, including claims for damages, in cooperation with consumer rights groups and legal advisory agencies. Launching a press release and protest campaign with the User Community Alliance I don't want to attack or harm 'Lord Nine'.
However, promises must be kept, and fair and responsible operation is what all users expect.
Your silence may be interpreted as a possible violation of law rather than a choice.
I hope the operating philosophy at the time of the showcase wasn't just a marketing slogan.
We look forward to a sincere explanation and a changed response.
thank you
"Save Sparky", the review begins!
First of all, my first impression before playing this game was,
"Uh... the title is <Save Sparky>? Who is 'Sparky'? A relative? Or a beloved pet?"
The thought of
'But why is the game's color tone like this? What kind of story is it telling?' I thought.
I was really curious what kind of game this was.
When you just hear the name of the game, it seems like it would be cute and emotional, but no matter how you look at the thumbnail, it's not an ordinary thumbnail.
After playing it myself , I had a lot of thoughts.
Because it was a game with a very profound message.
I think the title I wrote is closest to the message this game sends.
"What does it mean to be precious?"
At first glance, you might wonder what this is all about. Let’s start analyzing it!
Control keys / functions
There are so many of them that it may seem complicated, but it's not as complicated as you think!
1. Vision System
It's the same concept as HP in other games.
In <Save Sparky>, when the player comes into contact with a hostile mob (=ghost), the vision gauge decreases and the vision narrows along with a heartbeat sound.
A scene where the vision gauge gradually decreases when you come into contact with a ghost and reaches a threshold, resulting in game over.
Let me tell you the difference between the black and white parts of the sight gauge!
The vision gauge decreases depending on whether the player is hit or uses a skill .
When the vision gauge decreases due to "hit" and reaches the black gauge, it is game over.
When the vision gauge decreases due to "skill use", the game will not end even if it reaches the black gauge or is completely consumed.
But if you use your skills too hard and end up hitting a ghost... it's game over, so be careful!
2. Forward rolling
Press the spacebar to cast a forward roll. You will become invincible for a split second and move forward.
It's easier to think of it as "evasion" from a typical souls-like game.
3. Deep breath
If you hold the up arrow
Concentrate your mind to slowly restore your vision gauge.
4. Swing
Pressing the S key will swing your club, knocking back enemies or objects.
5. Marking vital points
Hold D to mark a vital point on a ghost or groggy boss.
6. Slaughter
After the slaughter (=clear) condition is achieved, if you successfully hold the downward arrow for a certain period of time,
Sharpen your sword and kill the ghosts on the stage. (Clear the stage)
If you know these six control keys, you will have no major problems solving the puzzle.
In addition to these, additional control keys are provided for additional puzzle gimmicks in later stages.
When I first saw the composition of the players and ghosts on the map,
Huh? I thought it was similar to an RPG where you level up and build up your character's specs, but it wasn't.
Although it is a battle system, after clearing 75 stages, I think the battle system of <Save Sparky> is
I felt it was closer to a puzzle .
Let me explain it again right below!
Overall game flow
<Save Sparky> progresses in one direction overall.
Most of the time, it goes in the left->right direction. (There is also a reverse stage. There is a reason why it is reversed.)
The number you see in the upper right corner indicates which stage it is.
Do you see the ghost and cat portraits in the upper right corner, and the GOAL (a number)?
These are the ghosts that left no marks, the ghosts that left marks, and the number of cats wandering around .
This means that "slaughter" is possible only when that condition is met and the stage is cleared.
For reference, the cat will simply follow the player around with an exclamation mark, as shown in the picture.
If you run away and get far away, it won't follow you.
That is, in that photo
Mark 6 ghosts,
Leaving the remaining three behind,
With two cats around
It means that the level will be cleared if you proceed with "Slaughter".
Identify each stage,
Also understand the characteristics of many ghosts
How to get to "slaughter"
It's a puzzle that matters.
Characters / Characters
Tom.
This is the main character.
I truly cherish "Sparky".
To get "Sparky" back,
It doesn't matter what number.
I don't want to lose anything precious anymore.
I thought this guy was Sparky just by looking at the game thumbnail
Fred.
He is Tom's younger brother.
I don't understand Tom, who truly cherishes "Sparky".
I feel sorry for Tom because I think he cares too much for Sparky.
snake.
This is a snake that I have many memories of with Tom when I was young.
Young Tom went missing after opening the snake's cage wide and going outside.
After that, any snake found by the villagers was killed as it was considered a threat to the village.
But is it a soul form? After starting the game
You will be Tom's assistant who will explain the operating methods and the truth about this world.
Boss ghosts.
Tom learned the butchery trade at an early age to earn money.
These are the ghosts that remain as bad memories for Tom from that time.
This time, he shows up again without fail and tries to harass 'Tom'.
(I mosaiced it to prevent spoilers.)
Total score - (5.0)
This game is quite a masterpiece.
The game's colorless colors, music, and sight gauge system fit Tom's current state of mind, further emphasizing Tom's anxiety.
And then it hits in the second half.
Ah, it's really frustrating that I can only say this because it's a spoiler!!!!
But even if it means enduring this painful silence, this is a game I want as many people as possible to play.
Every single functional element of the game is designed to immerse you in the story of Save Sparky.
ex) Tom, who learned how to take life (slaughter) from a young age > Stage puzzle gimmick is sublimated into a "mark, slaughter" function
Tom's psychological anxiety is expressed through a field of vision gauge, etc.
I think the kick is that these functional elements are tied to the game's story .
Although the game has a lot of cutscenes, there is no function to collect and view cutscenes separately in the menu.
However, after seeing the ending , a story-focused mode called "Tom's Diary" mode will open.
In this mode, normal ghosts do not move, and boss ghosts are already marked and in a stunned state.
I liked how this mode allowed me to focus more on the story of the masterpiece, Save Sparky, by greatly reducing the physical fatigue.
+ There is no separate save/load function, but it is always in auto-save format .
Also, some of the past story cutscenes were directed like puppet shows .
Is it because this is so new? It really helped me immerse myself in the story.
Tom will be happy now.
That's the way it has to be.
^^ Click on the image to go to the game homepage ^^
Because the story is so important in this game
After writing it, I feel like the review is short.
It was a really refreshing shock. You should definitely play it.
Thank you for reading this time too! Hehe
This was Kim Se-min. I'll see you again in May with another Jjikmuk review!
