Quick, Innovative Four-Player Online Game
Once Upon a Time is an innovative, quick-playing, four player game in which three players (the Wolf, the Prince, and the Evil Queen) hunt for and attempt to capture the fourth (the Princess). The first three players win by returning the Princess to their respective bases; the Princess wins by evading capture, collecting artifacts that allow her to defeat the others, and returning them to her own base.
It's unusual in that this is not a level-based game with lots of content; it's more reminiscent, in some says, of a boardgame, with an established starting point, explicit goals, and a variety of strategies--but it's an online game with serviceable 3D graphics. It's also quite quick to play--5 to 10 minutes for a single game--but since players are unpredictable, the next game is likely to be quite different. On the whole, a very unusual gameplay dynamic.
The demo allows unlimited play with all features--the full game simply provides access to three different maps, for greater variety of play.
The developer says:
A Vicious Wolf, a greasy Prince and a wicked Queen are hunting for the same Princess, but she's not going quietly. Hone your hunting skills in multi-player practice mode and then join friends to play over the internet. As the Princess, collect the
enchanted items by using your spells to escape! Or choose one of three villainous characters and use unique hunting senses to find and capture the Princess.
As either The Prince, Wolf or Queen your goal is to track down the Princess, capture her, and bring her back to your base.
As the Princess, your goal is to collect the three items in the level. You will need to evade the other three characters by strategically using your spells.
The first character to complete his objective wins the match!
Features
- 4-Player online
- Fairy tale characters
- Each character has unique hunting skills
- Combo attacks
- Enchanted items
- 4 unique arenas to explore
Awards
Finalist, 2007 Slamdance Guerilla Gamemakers Competition