OHRer's Noel

Moogle1 · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 12:28 pm Post subject: OHRer's Noel

Maybe my most underrated game. After SpyJim, probably my favorite RPG out of the ones I've made. Definitely a blast to make.

The concept was great. Take four OHR heroes and pit them against the mysterious kidnapper of Santa Claus. If you were around at the time, it would've made more sense. You probably don't know who Ralfo was. You may not care.

Chaos Nyte and Gilbert should be familiar to everyone, still, and if you don't know who the fourth OHRer is, I have to wonder why you're reading this. That Ralfo is a bit of an unknown nowadays might keep you from understanding some of the character-related humor, but there's enough other stuff in this game to still make it Highly Playable, even by my standards -- and if you know me, you know I hardly ever play my own games except when testing them.

But last year I went back and played this game. It ages well. The battles are of the standard OHR variety, except for the addition of Twin attacks, which are more of a gimmick than anything since they're not typically very useful. The encounters are via wandering enemies on the map and are fixed so as to avoid over-leveling. Healing is very limited. The balance of the game is very controlled and the result is satisfying.

The action is broken up with the occasional puzzle or minigame. My favorite of these has to be the package-sorting game, where the first three OHRers do their best to bundle up Christmas presents. When the gifts reach Gilbert's section of the conveyor belt, he whips out his guns and tears them to shreds.

And maybe that's the charm of a game like this: the characters write themselves. Newbies will like the minigames and the cartoonish graphics, but I'll always like the little touches, like the "demo" of Way of the Wizard on the laptop at the beginning of the game or the brilliant dialogue with the familiar evil mastermind at the game's end. (Again, you'd have to have been there for it to make any sense.)

The game runs about an hour, I think. Play it. You won't regret it.
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MultiColoredWizard · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 5:33 pm Post subject:

does anyone know what happened to ralfo? he was an awesome guy.
and i never played ohrer's noel, lol Sad...

Uncommon · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 8:28 pm Post subject:

Ralfo came by CP about two years ago and mentioned a book he'd written.
http://castleparadox.com/ohr/viewtopic.php?t=510

Chaos Nyte · Reviewer Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 511 Location: Hirakata

A book which I bought. It was alright. I think he spends his time these days making out with the ladies and riding his motorbike.

Me · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 8:36 pm Post subject:

One time, people thought I was Ralfo.
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Ralfo · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 2

Hey, all

I was randomly hanging out on the net the other day when I came across Moogle1's LJ, so I sent him a message and he responded. I thought I'd stop over and say hi.

I'm glad you all have heard about the book I wrote a couple years ago, I enjoyed quite a bit of success on it and have a rabid fanbase waiting for more.

After OHR, I got an advertising degree in college, and am not back in school working on a bachelors in Criminal Justice...Training to be a Law Enforcement Officer

In my personal life, I was engaged for a couple of years but that is over now and I am with another woman who I am very happy with although there are no plans for marriage or engagement.

Creatively, Giralon is waiting on a second installment although I havent made much progress. I am working on blending two of my great loves, writing and public safety, into a few projects that I hope to have finished soon.

Its amazing to see this community still going strong...if anyone wants to talk it up my aim is sixstringod and my email is jmindler@gmail.com

OHR will always hold a place in my past, cheers.

-Ralfo