Okay, this one is pretty bad. If you are offended by offensive things, or hate black humor then this review will NOT be for you.
Super Columbine Massacre RPG! was a game that came out as an independent release back in 2005. Created by indie game developer Danny Ledonne, and released in April of that year SCMRPG! is a recreation of the 1999 Columbine school shooting that was carried out by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold.
The Game is presented in a 16-bit style, reminiscent of an SNES release and was entirely crafted in ASCII's RPG maker software. The game was released as a free download and originally not credited to anyone but "Anonymous". In 2006 the media learned of this game and it began getting hundreds if not thousands of downloads daily. The press had a field day slamming the game and calling it's creator "sick" and "twisted" so what better excuse then to review this gem of an RPG!
Synopsis:
Super Columbine Massacre RPG! takes place in and around the homes of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, as well as Columbine High School. As the player your goal is to prepare the duo for the shooting, as well as execute the attack on the school.
Your goal at the start is to collect items and get things ready for the attack, before heading off to the school to launch the massacre.
The good points:
Marilyn Manson provides a bonus to angst.
Heh, really there isn't much "good" I can say about this game, the challenge was high as well as the amount of things to explore and collect. Pretty much everything you collect can give a +something to your character's stats, and the combat is pretty solid. The combat presented as a first person view of the attacking NPC's in a turn based style that feels very much like an early Final Fantasy game, only you know with guns.
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| Grinding mobs never felt so horrible. |
Hell is filled with doom monsters.
Some of the key things in the gameplay that I really liked were the cutscenes, some have digitized photographs from the tragedy and expand upon the main characters more than just "They were frigging nuttier than a squirrels intestines". In the combat there is two options for action "manual" and "auto-play". Manual gives you direct control over the classical style of RPG turn-based "atttack-wait-attack" system. Auto-Play however will just either attack or heal depending on the situation. Battles with enemies are started when walking around the school, and the kids really don't fight back at all. Making grinding to level up super easy.
You lost 25 karma!
The Bad Shit:
Well, this game WAS made in RPG Maker, and is about murdering underage students in a high school. So pretty much you're going to hell for playing this. least it's fun! I really disliked the railroad approach to the game, sure you can grind but it all boils down to "do the main quest line" without any side-quests or distractions to have fun with (yes, yes I know RPG Maker..)
Conclusion:
I feel this game was very well done, as well as great in the whole "making a statement" department. The artist originally did NOT want his name on the game, nor did he want the negative attention that he garnered for it's release. It is ultimately a fun game if you look past the "OMFG THAT IS BAD U SHOULDNT PLAY THAT!" aspect of most people. I suggest giving it a try, if you enjoy a challenging RPG experience and want to be a little evil.
'ello guv'nah!
Over-all I would have to give this game 4 out of 5 Winehouses for it's subject matter and "WTF" factor, as well as the general incoherency of a game made using the RPG Maker software.
If you would like to try out "Super Columbine Massacre RPG!" please visit the artist's website Columbine game homepage The game is free and requires windows.