Wandering Hamster
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Lord Hasim has been overthrown, plips run rampant, and a menacing evil lurks in the shadows... or is it a cactus? What hamster is spiffy enough to save the world? Bob! |
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Wandering Hamster is a freeware RPG made by James Paige using the OHRRPGCE, presumably made as a sort of a demonstration of what kind of games the engine is capable of making. It casts Hamster Republic's mascot Bob the Hamster as a freelance monster-hunter and adventurer who finds himself (as well as others) getting involved in various JRPG-style escapades. Currently playable yet still remains unfinished despite actual development going as far back as 1997. Current version can be found here.
Wandering Hamster spiffifies the following:
- All Trolls Are Different: The Troll Fraternity in the mountains.
- Broken Bridge: Poked fun at during the beginning of the game.
- Cats Are Mean: Subverted mainly due to the Sibling Team mentioned below.
- Combat Medic: James and Skeppio. Various enemies also count.
- Development Hell: It's been in development for over ten years.
- Elemental Rock-Paper-Scissors: Done in similar fashion of that of the Final Fantasy series.
- Elemental Powers: Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Electricity, Poison, Shadow, and Light.
- Esperanto, the Universal Language: James is a member of the Esperanto League of Flanat (ELF). Bob the Hamster completely misunderstands both the acronym and the conversations that James has with the local guildmaster (he assumes that the two are talking mean about him). It's hilarious for the player, not so much for Bob.
- After taking over Lord Broaste's castle, James decides to make Esperanto the national language of the land that he named Jamesland.
- Fantastic Racism: The cats make it clear how much they despise hamsters, especially Bob.
- Foreshadowing: Note the cactus.
- Genre Savvy: Bob delves into this territory at times, especially during the Broken Bridge scene at the beginning.
- Heroes Prefer Swords: Averted. With but one exception (Lord Hasim doesn't count apparently), all of the playable characters prove their worth in battle without relying on swords.
- Hilarity Ensues: A good chunk of the field and NPC interactions delve into this category.
- Hopeless Boss Fight: Your last encounter with Lord Broaste is exactly this. Though you do get a second chance to beat provided you found the necessary weapon to weaken him.
- The fight with the Jormungandling somewhat counts, though it is possible to defeat it, if not extremely difficult.
- Horny Vikings: Gisli.
- Improbable Weapon User: Three of the playable characters. Though Bob doesn't always play it straight due to the more conventional weapons he can wield.
- Mini Game: Quite a few, such as a plot-mandatory golfing course and a pearl clam minigame in Flanat Village.
- Our Mermaids Are Different: Mersheep, anyone?
- Random Encounters: Played straight. They even occur in Flanat Village, despite the fact that regular battle encounters are usually off limits in villages. Luckily, one the NPCs makes it clear that they don't show up if you walk on the rocky path.
- Rightful King Returns: Early in the game, you have to rescue Lord Hasim and get him to reclaim his throne.
- Schedule Slip
- Shout-Out: "Hey, that's like Kain's jump attack."
- Sibling Team: Skeppio and Rathmara
- Standard Status Effects: Somewhat downplayed, but they are there. And yes, there are items designed to cure them.
- Sword of Plot Advancement: A freakin' teddy bear. Yeah, it's THAT kind of RPG.
- Teleporters and Transporters
- Turn Undead: The Glimmer item, which is bought from a dwarven merchant in the mountains, can be used specifically to destroy the undead permanently since standard attacks won't do so. It also heals you if you use it but if you want to be funny.
- It's also effective against the ghost of Lord Broaste, mainly due to ghosts being aligned with the undead.
- Useless Useful Spell: Averted. James' Poison Suds and Soap Shield spells are surpisingly effecient, especially during boss fights.
- Same goes for Bob's spells, though part of the reason why they might be classed as useless is the fact that Bob uses Vancian Magic as opposed having his spells be fueled by Mana, which prevents MP restoring items from restoring his magic points.
- Ditto Skeppio's Unguard spell, which makes it easier to defeat Meat Shield enemies.
- Same goes for Bob's spells, though part of the reason why they might be classed as useless is the fact that Bob uses Vancian Magic as opposed having his spells be fueled by Mana, which prevents MP restoring items from restoring his magic points.
- Useless Spleen: Jormungandling's spleen is a relatively dangerous enemy which taunts you throughout his belly. Killing it doesn't seem to affect the snake in any way.
- Warrior Prince: Both Lord Hasim and Lord Broaste
- Whole-Plot Reference: Those who are familiar with Pinnochio will recognize the part where Bob has to escape the inside of the Jormungandling.