Coma -- An Unique Artistic Game

Hi, all. At least I'm updating this blog after what seems like forever. It's not I'm abandoning this blog, but more like my energy is sucked by university. With a super-powered 'energy-sucker'.

Well, anyway, now I have a short break and managed to find something worthy enough to share, I want to share one of the most unique game I've ever played. Not that I'm a gamer, there are only few old games that I bothered to finish (in the past, 3 or 4 years ago?). But lately I'm trying to find some light, casual games, and the best option is web flash game. No need to install anything and just try. Those games can only keep me for 2 days, in maximum, before I leave them, though.

Anyway, back to the game I want to introduce. The title of this game is 'Coma', and the explanation of the game stated that it happens in the subconscious mind of our character, named Pete. The playing of the game is quite simple. Just use arrow key to move the character and use mouse to click when there is conversation. And what makes it unique? All I can say is the graphic is simple but beautiful, together with the music, it creates some sort of fantasy, artistic place. Definitely my favorite kind.

The gameplay itself is... nothing much (for the lack of better term). You just walk and talk until an event happens, before you can continue. Sometimes it can get frustrating because all you can hope for the guidance is some sort of weird logic, and with a bit of luck, some random trying should get you to unlock the next event. The other characters, will give you items and advice as you meet them or do something for them. The advice can be very vague, and they only said it once. But again, some random trying and weird logic will get you fine.  The game is very short, I finished it in 15 minutes and I guess you should finish it in less than half an hour. 

What makes it truly beautiful, though, are the metaphors. It feels more like an interactive story that is full of metaphors. Even at the end of the game, it left me with a confused state. What exactly the game means? Some people try to interpret the meaning and there are some that make sense. I guess that is one of the beauty of surreal  art. You can interpret it how you like, as long as it makes sense. It  left me with some sort of weird feeling, though. Not sad, not happy, it is like when you see something beautiful, you want to see more, but it has ended.

Yup, if you are confused about what I'm spouting about, just play the game. It will be worth your time. And here is some screenshot. Play it here.

This is the start of the game. See that little guy over there? He/It is our character, Pete.

And this is one of the artistic outside world, the music here is nice. It's like someone is crying.

And this is one of the dark place. And for the curious one, the writing of the wall is "Wake up Pete", which the meaning has several interpretation.

Best Free Antivirus (Windows)

If you are using Windows in your computer, no matter what version it is, you will have a very high chance of needing an antivirus. And I am is one of the many that finds it is ironic that people use cracked antivirus for the program that is supposed to protect their machine. 

Free doesn't have to be bad. There are many antivirus that has been tested and hold on their ground when pitted against their paying counterpart. Some antivirus company is even nice enough to give their free antivirus same engine as their premium/paying one but only stripped down of the bells and whistles. That being said, most of the free antivirus is more than enough for protecting your computer. The additional feature of the premium suites like firewall and sandbox can be easily replaced by other free software.

But with so many options out there, choosing a free antivirus can be a challenging task. So, I am going to introduce you to three of the best free antivirus that have been tested, used, and found reliable by many people who swear by them. 

1. Avast! Free Antivirus

This is the antivirus that I decided to stay in my laptop, a rare honor for  program of any kind. 

(+) Most fully featured free antivirus among the three

(+) Has the nicest UI with elegant effects.

(-) Detection rate is lower than Avira

2. Avira AntiVir Personal

It's consistently one of the free antivirus that tops the detection rate of free antivirus and even surpasses some of the paying ones.

(+) High detection rate

(-) While the UI is not ugly, it loses against Avast! and MSE

(-) The big ad pop-up is really annoying

 
3. Microsoft Security Essential (MSE)

While it is a new kid and bearing the (mostly bad) name of Microsoft, it's suprisingly a solid antivirus. One thing to be noted is: it can only used by a valid Windows (you cannot use it of you use cracked Windows).

(+) Has the simplest interface; easiest to use

(-) Simplistic interface also means lack of customization

All of the three above is great free antivirus. Great detection rates, low on resources and not complicated to use. As long as you update it regularly and have a safe computing habit, your computer should be pretty much virus-free.

Oh, and if you still confused which antivirus to choose, I will suggest you to try Avast! :)

Not Exactly a Review: The Chronicles of Narnia

Chronicles of Narnia. Another great set of classic English books. And I finished two sets of classical reading in one month including set of Lord of the Rings. Yeah, take a bet for my boredom level. It's either higher than the heaven or deeper than the ocean. Nah, honestly, that is just hyperbole. My boredom is on danger level but not so bad. When I started reading great book I just couldn't, wouldn't stop.  And it costs me my sleeping time. Oh well, some things are worth the trouble, after all.

Tosh aside (in case you don't know, tosh is British polite way to say crap, bullshit or trash), it's kind of mixed bag. The style of the writing many similarities with Lord of the Rings; and considering the same time frame of the writing of this two books, it's nothing unusual. And of course, it means the strength and weaknesses of those two is quite similar. And that is why I'm not going to repeat the same thing. You can read my short impression of Lord of the Rings here.

But, if there is one thing that is one uniqueness that completely stands out, it is the parallels of Chronicles of Narnia. If you ever read or watch "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", the Lion in the title is called Aslan and he symbolized the Christ, the Lion from Judah who sacrificed Himself for us. And throughout the 7 series of the books, there is so many things that talks or symbolizes about Christ.

See this quote and you will get what I mean:

"'You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you,'" said the Lion."
--The Silver Chair

"'Yes,' said Queen Lucy. 'In our world too, a Stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.'"
--The Last Battle

Wikipedia have the full explanation of the stories, the parallels. To summarize it in one sentence subjectively: It's a great classical children book that symbolizes much about Christ. But, I can not stress this enough: Just read the books!