Narbacular Drop
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| NarbacularDrop | |
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| Developer(s) | Nuclear Monkey Software |
| Publisher(s) | DigiPen |
| Designer(s) | CODE: Jeep Barnett, Dave Kircher, Garret Rickey, Kim Swift ART: Paul Graham, Realm Lovejoy, Scott Klintworth |
| Release date(s) | 2005 (PC) |
| Genre(s) | Environmental puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Not rated |
| Platform(s) | PC (DX9) |
Pronounced: när-bak-yü-lär
Narbacular Drop is an environmental puzzle video game developed by Nuclear Monkey Software. It was released online for free in 2005 on PC (DX9). It was the Senior game project of students attending DigiPen. The gameplay consists of navigating a dungeon using an innovative portal system. The player controls 2 interconnected portals that can be placed on any non-metallic surface (wall, ceiling, or floor).
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[edit] Plot
The plot involves the plight of a Princess "No-Knees," so named because she is unable to jump (unlike many characters in 3D games). Captured by a demon, the imprisoned princess discovers that the dungeon she is held in is actually a sentient creature (an elemental) named Wally. Using Wally's portal ability, she sets out to escape and defeat the demon.
[edit] Gameplay
While Narbacular Drop features a 3D world reminiscent of such first person shooters as Doom, the unique portal element and your character's lack of a jump ability makes navigation and puzzle-solving very unconventional. Your character can have open exactly two different interconnected portals at a time, each styled as a huge face with flaming eyes (orange or blue to tell them apart as you reposition one or the other) and an open mouth big enough to see and walk through. Positioned with a point and click interface controlled by the mouse, portals are allowed only on natural surfaces and are prohibited from any metal or other artificial surfaces in the game, or on lava. Important game elements include switches, boxes and huge Raiders of the Lost Ark-style boulders which can crush your character.
Being mostly a proof of applied concept, the game itself is quite short, containing only six or so puzzles. However, members of the Narbacular Drop forum community are creating a growing catalog of custom maps. Additionally, a large number of Speedruns and "Crate Runs" (in which the player must complete the game while bringing a small box from the first level with them to the last as fast as possible) have been recorded.
The entire team (excluding those under special thanks) are all now employed by Valve Software. Although the team is not currently permitted to discuss Portal, it has been rumoured that they are the primary members of the Portal Team.
[edit] Awards & Honors
- IGF Student Showcase Winner (2006)
- Slamdance Guerilla Gamemaker Competition Finalist (2006)
- GameShadow Inovation In Games Festival & Awards Nomination (2006)
- Game Informer The Top 10 Games You've Never Heard Of
- Edge Internet Game of The Month (March 2006)
- Gamasutra Quantum Leap Awards: Most Important Games "Honorable Mention" (2006)
[edit] Sequel
Valve Corporation is releasing a professionally-developed spiritual successor to Narbacular Drop entitled Portal. It is expected to be released Fall 2007, bundled with Half-Life 2: Episode Two, for the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The original Narbacular Drop team is now completely under the employment of Valve[1].
[edit] References
- ^ Things are heating up!. Narbacular Drop official site (July 17 2006). Retrieved on July 21, 2007.
