weird scummVM games

[_oBSOLEte_]

I know, I played the EGA, CD and FM-Towns version of the game. I still prefer the EGA one:
1. Retroarch is normie tier bloated trash. Use individual emulators FFS!
2. Just because it has more color, doesn't mean that is better. The VGA graphics where done in an amateurish and sloppy job. (banding, lack of contrast, poor understanding of lighting and shadows, awful shading)
3. The music is pre-recorder but is still synthetic and not orchestral and is somehow worst than the original.
4. Weird and unnecessary censorship (especially when what happens at the end is fully uncensored).
5. Cobb death scene unlocked in every difficulty instead of just being a reward for finishing the game in the highest difficulty.
This video goes in more detail:

Also I want to share the GDC Postmortem (which is unlisted for some reason):

A full playthrough of both versions simultaneously, for better comparation:

I use both standalones and Retroarch cores. Retroarch is great for CRT shaders, while ScummVM standalone only support openGL, and even struggle at that as it's impossible to tweak them with it. Standalone also struggle with scaling and aspect ratio, and can squash the graphics. Raw pixels videos don't do justice to LOOM really, both EGA and VGA (check my last post in the shader thread to see how EGA games can benefit from a CRT shader).

A few people on the ScummVM forum recommend FMTown as the "best" version to play. I've played the EGA version myself when it released and the FMTowns one recently, and I'm not a purist so I'd recommend the later as well. Of all the video you showed, I think you missed the most important one for people that might want to get in the game...

 

[WarpKaiser]

Of all the video you showed, I think you missed the most important one for people that might want to get in the game...

I was thinking of posting it too. But I though it was overkill. They also recorded it in German and Japanese, and I think in French too, but I am not sure.
As for getting into the game, not only the audio drama, but also the manual and the book of patterns are essential.

A few people on the ScummVM forum recommend FMTown as the "best" version to play. I've played the EGA version myself when it released and the FMTowns one recently, and I'm not a purist so I'd recommend the later as well.

And I'm not a purist either, I can point out where is not the case with me. For example, if you ask me which version of the GTA 3D trilogy is the best, it would be the og pc ports with the right mods to fix the issues that plague those releases. In contrast a purist will claim the og PS2 releases. In the case of Loom, I just think the EGA version is the best, not because Brian Moriarty says so, but because is a fact. I didn't go to art school or anything, but I see enough art (at least digital art) to notice patterns of what is good and bad. I am not claiming to be an expert on this field, but even I can notice that the art in the VGA version is ugly, CRT monitor or not, pixel perfect of CRT shader. If Mark Ferrari himself redraws all the background in VGA I know that would be a more preferred option.
Check out this and play with the options.

 

[_oBSOLEte_]

I was thinking of posting it too. But I though it was overkill. They also recorded it in German and Japanese, and I think in French too, but I am not sure.
As for getting into the game, not only the audio drama, but also the manual and the book of patterns are essential.

And I'm not a purist either, I can point out where is not the case with me. For example, if you ask me which version of the GTA 3D trilogy is the best, it would be the og pc ports with the right mods to fix the issues that plague those releases. In contrast a purist will claim the og PS2 releases. In the case of Loom, I just think the EGA version is the best, not because Brian Moriarty says so, but because is a fact. I didn't go to art school or anything, but I see enough art (at least digital art) to notice patterns of what is good and bad. I am not claiming to be an expert on this field, but even I can notice that the art in the VGA version is ugly, CRT monitor or not, pixel perfect of CRT shader. If Mark Ferrari himself redraws all the background in VGA I know that would be a more preferred option.
Check out this and play with the options.

I think they did a good job with LOOM's portraits in the VGA version, and the color banding and shading issues and wrong gamma levels you complain about are easily fixed with a CRT shader. That's the strongest appeal of Retroarch for me. I'm also using them on EGA games as there's a lot of moiré to get over the limited color palette.

Getting a composite CRT effect and color correction is a must have for me at this point.

 

[sadasa]

check the freeware games section ready for download:
https://www.scummvm.org/games/

 

[Sinmenon]

I wished I could recommend the King's Quest, but the prompt commands, the RNG, and unfair deaths can make your mileage vary. Some games also got unwinnable situations. For those, I recommend the fan remakes.
Out of the Sierra catalogue, I recommend Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood, with its many ways to figure out a situation. There's also Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers with its gripping story and fun interactions (plus Tim Curry and Mark Hamill voicing the main character and one of his friends, respectively).

Lucasarts? You can't go wrong with Full Throttle, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis and The Secret of Monkey Island. Loom is also one amazing game, and I also recommend the FM Town version and is quite quick to finish (around 2 hours) with a very unique gameplay. If you don't mind a little of 'out there' thinking, Sam & Max Hit the Road and The Day of the Tentacle are also fun games.

Broken Sword I and II are must plays, at last for me. The first one is amazing and it wowed everyone with its amazing graphics when it was released, and the story is pretty good. Top notch production all around. Can't wait for the 5tth game.

Myst I would personally recommend either the most recent remake or RealMyst that allows for free-roaming and some small retcons that integrates with the novels and the later games better.

Now, for a slightly deep cut?
The Legend of Kyrandia trilogy by Westwood Studios. It kind of pokes fun at King's Quest taking itself so seriously sometimes, with a very himbo protagonist for the first game, Brandon. Then, in the second game, Hand of Fate, you play as the amazing Zandia, a smart and sassy-mouthed enchantress that helped you during the first game. And, lately, in Malcolm's Revenge you play as the villain of the first game and there is a morality system of sorts.
And if you want to use scummvm to play something other adventure game, apparently DND Eye of the Beholder 1 and 2 can be played effortlessly if you want some dungeon crawling.

 

[DorfleFlorp]

Return To Zork, Gabriel Knight 1 and 2, and Beneath A Steel Sky are my top 4 ScummVM games

 

[KenShjIN]

I have no mouth and i must scream is a masterpiece !

 

[Segadude113]

i once played a fan sequel to Day of The Tentacle that was really good. Then i played a fan sequel to Maniac Mansion that was very dark and disturbing.

 

[thetwaz]

According to the Scumm VM compatibility list, looks they they work (haven't tried it myself).

Discworld (first one) required tinkering to get sound last i tried, it was always a bit of an arse to run though. Both games are great, though I think I preferred the second one. Also play Discworld Noir if you get a chance. Unique spin on the genre using a notebook of clues a bit like an inventory.

Lots of great recs in this thread. The only obvious one I haven't seen yet is Toonstruck. Great animation, voice acting and writing, though be prepared for pretty difficult puzzles. It's not a softlock adventure game though.