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Pardon the dust! This page includes some jargon that hasn't been added to the site's glossary yet. I'll be around to fix this later, but sorry for the inconvenience in the meantime. |
Review: Probably Archery
At a Glance
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How to Save and Pause:This game doesn't have a save feature, as there's no campaign or story to make progress in. To pause the action, bring up the game's menu by pressing ESC. Time needed per session:This is the sort of game you'd play during a break, so don't worry about setting time aside just to play it. Most of the timed challenges are only a few minutes long, anyway.
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Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | No - this is a great game for Christians There isn't really anything objectionable here, so there's nothing worth worrying about. |
Screenshots
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/probably_archery_0.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/probably_archery_1.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/probably_archery_2.jpg)
Game Overview
Probably Archery is a weird title from an equally weird era of gaming. It hails from the same part of gaming history that gave us gems like Surgeon Simulator and QWOP; games where the fun came from overcoming the impossible controls rather than actually succeeding at doing anything.
As the name suggests, your alledged goal in this game is to use your bow to perform various feats of fine archery. All you need to do to get started is select the task you want to attempt from the main menu. There's no story or campaign mode, so these challenges are all there is.
You see, Probably Archery doesn't function like a first person shooter or any normal game. Instead of pointing your bow and firing with a single movement and click of the mouse, you're only able to control one of your character's joints at a time. Which joint and arm you're currently controlling is determined by which keys you're pressing - for example, holding just the E key allows you to move your right elbow, while holding Q and SHIFT lets you position your left shoulder. It's a slow process, but as the developer helpfully reminds players in the tutorial video, with some practice you'll be able to miss your targets more efficently.
Speaking of the targets, what you're supposedly trying to shoot changes depending on the challenge you've decided to try. Some of the time, you'll be aiming at traditional archery targets - ie, wooden circles painted with alternating red and white rings. During other challenges, you'll be aiming at people who have apples instead of heads. Shooting the apple instantly kills them, which may or may not be what you're trying to accomplish.
As an example, the Don't Miss scenario has a very brave (and incredibly foolhardy) apple person stand in a field with a regular sized apple on his head. You're supposed to shoot this smaller apple (ala William Tell), but the odds are that you'll hit something else (like him) and fail the challenge.
Ultimately, Probably Archery is a lighthearted game with very little content. I'd really only recommend getting yourself a copy if you enjoy silly little games, as I think many modern gamers will become bored with it fairly quickly. On the plus side, it's not terribly expensive, and since it goes on sale regularly, you might even be able to snag it for under a buck.
As the name suggests, your alledged goal in this game is to use your bow to perform various feats of fine archery. All you need to do to get started is select the task you want to attempt from the main menu. There's no story or campaign mode, so these challenges are all there is.
You see, Probably Archery doesn't function like a first person shooter or any normal game. Instead of pointing your bow and firing with a single movement and click of the mouse, you're only able to control one of your character's joints at a time. Which joint and arm you're currently controlling is determined by which keys you're pressing - for example, holding just the E key allows you to move your right elbow, while holding Q and SHIFT lets you position your left shoulder. It's a slow process, but as the developer helpfully reminds players in the tutorial video, with some practice you'll be able to miss your targets more efficently.
Speaking of the targets, what you're supposedly trying to shoot changes depending on the challenge you've decided to try. Some of the time, you'll be aiming at traditional archery targets - ie, wooden circles painted with alternating red and white rings. During other challenges, you'll be aiming at people who have apples instead of heads. Shooting the apple instantly kills them, which may or may not be what you're trying to accomplish.
As an example, the Don't Miss scenario has a very brave (and incredibly foolhardy) apple person stand in a field with a regular sized apple on his head. You're supposed to shoot this smaller apple (ala William Tell), but the odds are that you'll hit something else (like him) and fail the challenge.
Ultimately, Probably Archery is a lighthearted game with very little content. I'd really only recommend getting yourself a copy if you enjoy silly little games, as I think many modern gamers will become bored with it fairly quickly. On the plus side, it's not terribly expensive, and since it goes on sale regularly, you might even be able to snag it for under a buck.
Points of Interest
8 different challenges
You have your choice of task: you can practice shooting stationary or moving targets, fend off enemy berzerkers, shoot down flying eggs, attempt to save someone from being hanged (ala Robin Hood), or maybe just play around in space for a bit. Some of these challenges have a strict time limit, while others let you go at your own pace.
There are also some multiplayer game modes, but these are basically abandoned at this point.
There are also some multiplayer game modes, but these are basically abandoned at this point.
Steam community features
There are 17 achievements for players to earn while mastering their archery skills, but from the looks of it, almost nobody has stuck around long enough to earn most of them. Frankly, it's never a good sign to see most of a game's achievements go unearned by the majority of players, and it backs up my assertion that your average player won't remain interested in this game for long.
There is also a set of Steam trading cards available for this game, though at this point, that's not much of a perk.
There is also a set of Steam trading cards available for this game, though at this point, that's not much of a perk.
A little too gimmicky
Unlike Surgeon Simulator, there's no real satisfaction in accomplishing any of the challenges this game offers. This means that most players are going to play around with it long enough to hit a few targets, then abandon it forever.
Concerns and Issues
Mild violence
Although players will be shooting apple people (or other players if you can get a multiplayer match going), there's no gore or blood shown. Instead, people just fall over when killed, though their apple head may split into several pieces if struck. Players are shown with balloons for heads, and those just pop when harmed.
Use of alcohol
Liquid courage was apparently the only way to convince someone to play William Tell with you. This makes it quite obvious that you're expected to miss spectacularly.