Fun fact! It's almost definitely unintentional, but "Fark" means "difference" in Turkish. It's funny how it can be seen both ways when playing in Turkish (if thats even possible) First interpritation, at the start, when Spark comes up with that name, it's like "he's a different Spark, Fark" But the second interpretation is that in the second game when Fark decides that he is "different" than both Spark and Freom
LakeFeperd’s whole game development story is so inspiring to me. Whenever I lose interest in the comic I’m making, I remember it and I keep working on it.
I feel this way about ONE and now Lake is on my list too. It is weird. They helped me realize something that I hadn’t realized despite living it my whole life. When you have a true passion seated deep in your heart, the strain doesn’t come from the process. The strain comes from self restraint in the face of endless passion.
Lakes grind inspires me too. I’m working on something myself. I have so many ideas that I’m passionate about thanks to people like him who push on despite the missteps
"Can I mute the voices and learn to live again?" What a brilliantly subtle nod to Live and Learn. That is BEYOND insanity to even attempt, and it still doesn't feel forced. It all fits. Also, I was one of those people who started with Spark 3, understood nothing, and was COMPLETELY FUCKED SIDEWAYS by the ending. It absolutely quaked my brain.
Also, I returned this morning to watch this again because I realized I'd skipped a section somewhere and went back to watch it; your inclusion of E-102's theme at 2-9's sunset is so thematically appropriate and a total gut punch. You have some real talent in throwing emotional curveballs, and in a video essay no less? I'm impressed to say the least, and that's AFTER witnessing a 3 hour passion project that probably took months to put together.
2:46:24 I just want to point out a really neat detail, when throwback impersonates EJ, the health bar says "Fark?" Because Spark never met or knew about EJ. Even after dying he's still being disrespected.
It wasn't enough to make a better game than what he was inspired by. He had to take aspects from some of the worst games of the series and make them good. Lake is one truly mad lad.
He took aspects of Shadow the hedgehog, not Sonic Colours or Mania, so clearly not. 😂 Shadow and Lost World 3DS the best 3D Sonic game, same with how CD and Sonic 4 episode 2 are the best 2D games, people are just dumb and prefer garbage to good things, which I found is almost a universal truth regardless of what you're talking about. 😢
@@genyakozlov1316 ooo, them's *fightin' words!* I hope you are ready to defend this opinion to the bitter end, through thick and thin, against *blood, sweat, and tears,* against ENDLESS TIRADES of RAGE and REGRET, forcing your fight THROUGH the hearts of *ALL* who stand against you in an *ENDLESS TIDAL-WAVE* OF *FURIOUS VITRIOL,* FOR IN THE GRIM DARKNESS OF SONIC FAN DEBATES, *THERE IS ONLY WAR!* or, y'know, you could agree to disagree. it's all opinions after all.
@@genyakozlov1316 I find that familiar garbage that one can adapt to with some ease will always be preferable than relative improvement on an existing form that requires adaptation. That said, Sonic 4 ditches too much of the momentum mechanics of a majority of 2D titles and thus I don’t know if I could even label it as you did. It is like making a Mario game without power ups of any kind. Even 64 has she’ll surfing, metal cap, flying cap, and stars.
Pro-tip to anyone attempting to play Spark 2 after this: Go into the options, there's a Smooth Turning slider that recommends you keep it set to high. Turn it low or OFF instead. This fixes the janky turn sensitivity and makes turning while at speed _actually_ responsive and not freak out. (As badly anyway) . I found it because I legit thought something was wrong with my controller; that's how weird the turning is in that game.
I love how you brought attention to Lake’s use of weather effects and changing level environments in Before/After the Sequel and how that carried into the Spark games, because it’s a detail I never noticed when I played these games but feels super obvious and cool when you notice it. Utopia Shelter is probably my favorite final level of any game ever precisely because of how the music and environments change and shift over time to convey Spark’s literal descent into the unknown. Playing it completely blind with no idea where the hell this game was going or what kind of insane story reveal I was in for was an unforgettable experience.
A kind of interesting point brought up early on is that Spark is just a nickname given to him by his friends, which got me thinking. Perhaps as the series progresses, Spark stops being a name and instead becomes a title given to those who lost their sense of purpose in life only to find it later on. The Original lost his job twice over before getting hired by Armstrong near the end to save the world. Fark lost his purpose when The Original destroyed Freom, later gaining his own raison d'etre to chase the happiness The Original had. It's here that he becomes "the second Spark." New Spark (Nark?) is pretty dead set most of the game but suffers a complete mental collapse when he finds out he's just a program. Ironically it ends up being Fark who gives him his life back, both literally and figuratively. There's some fun parallels to be drawn with Mega Man series here in regards to names becoming titles, namely with the ZX duology. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the original Freom ends up going through a similar journey in the next game and becomes the next Spark, judging by the secret scene.
12:47 "The startup was largely ran so Lake could pay his music team this time around, so he seems like a SOUND guy" i don't know if this pun was intentional or not but it made me laugh out loud. thank you
I can't get over the visuals of Spark 3. It's crazy seeing a solo project look _this_ good. The blend of PBR assets and cartoon shaders is immaculate, the use of lighting in these scenes is beautiful, and the shader work is top notch-- especially how it integrates all these 2D elements into the craziest scenes. I was in awe when the game pulled out Clarity's final form and the far-land area where floating points start glitching out and warping. The progression of that artstyle from 2 to 3 is insane, at times 2 can look kind of flat and stock with its use of lighting and materials but I was constantly distracted by the environment visual quality as the series continued. So yeah, definitely picking this one up soon.
UMMMM ACTUALLY 😮 SONIC ADVENTURE BETTER THO BECAUSE I HAVE NOSTALGIA BRAINROT AKA BEING PART OF THE SONIC FANDOM _AND THIS DOESN'T EVEN LOOK GOOD GRAFIXXX LUL_ This is a joke. I can't believe absolute dummies arguing SA1/2 are more mechanically refined or play better than Spark 2/3. The scope yet loving detail feels like how SA always WANTED to present its graphics/detail. And the lighting of SA was never that inspired or good much at all.
Something I love about the Throwback boss fight in 3, is that we start out with the enemy names listed as ???. Spark doesn't have any clue who any of these guys are, with EJ's being "Fark?". But once it transitions to phase 2, the Vocal version of the special boss theme kicks in, and the ??? is changed to reveal the name "Double". Considering "float" is with spark, I saw this as her filling him in on the plot of 2.
It's the 3 videos put together, this was the original planned intent for the video, but I split them so I could release them while working on other projects and make it easier on myself
Watching your Streams for Spark 1 and 2 and seeing 2 trying it's Hardest to be Really Cool immediately got me to Buy into Whatever the Series was Doing and I had to Get All the Games. I haven't Played 3 yet myself since I'm still going through 2(Might be my Favourite Sonic Style Game since Unleashed so Far) but I'm Definitely Excited to do so and See where this Goes in the Future. Been Looking Forward to These Videos ever Since. This was a Real Good One! Hope this gets More People into Spark and Fark since these Games Deserve Way More Recognition.
Saw this in my recommended randomly and I greatly enjoyed watching this entire review as a big fan of nearly all of LakeFepard's games. The endless puns in your narration landed incredibly well for my sense of humor; the reference to "Let the Speed Mend It" getting the biggest laugh from me. I also really liked some of the more subtle things like using BtS's Titanic Tower music when discussing Spark 2's Titanic Tower. Overall a great video about some great games
It's so but so heart-warming to see people making their own creations and projects thanks to the blue blur, as it really shows how much impact Sonic left in those who were inspired by this iconic franchise, it makes my realize how influential it is and how amazing this influenced projects can be, made by influenced and passionate people, videogames can also be such an amazing world, and this video prooves it wonderfully! Great vid!
I think Spark as a series is odd for me, because of the fact that I was actually pretty damn critical of it at first. I played through 1 a bit, stopped playing at Reynol Complex, and just described it as a “mediocre 2d platformer” and moved on; not touching it for years afterwards. Didn’t help either that I saw a thread on the game being made by a RUclipsr I liked that basically continued to reinforce in my mind that Spark 1 wasn’t good, especially because of how it made me think that Lake was incompetent for “making a joke update” when in reality that was just him rewriting spark 1 to be more fitting as a first game in a trilogy. Anyway, cut to 2022, and I restart Spark and I actually ended up loving it , much to my shock. I think even during one of my runs with it, I verbally said to myself that THIS was a game that got better as it went along, and it sure as hell did. It’s what got me to buy spark 2 and 3 a year later, and I was basically able to finish both of ‘em over the course of 2 weeks, and yeah, I have to say that they are some really enjoyable games. I do personally find some stuff in 2 better over 3 and vice versa, but as a whole, the games are pretty fun. Hell, they even got me, someone who rarely replays sonic levels, to play it once again with STE3. I also wanted to say that I found your reviews on all 3 of the games to be pretty fascinating, even if I do disagree with shit like the time penalty in 2, or the score attack being tedious to play (in the non-dlc missions) of 3. I feel that the score attack missions honestly encouraged ms to fully explore the levels. It’s also surprising to hear that the story of 3 was divisive, because I honestly do like it a lot, especially with how it basically drives that Spark’s short temper was one of the reasons why this all happened. It shows how, compared to Sonic, Spark is an extremely flawed character, which honestly makes him interesting as a hero.
The way you described the first zone of Spark 1 makes it sound like that one part of every Alternate Universe fanfic where there's an exposition dump establishing what's different compared to the source material - which is quite apt given Lake's influences.
3:30 the fact that this video is a supercut, but you still took the effort to go back and correct this section, even changing the "2/3 of the lost levels" joke, is an example of how underrated this is. When I finish the other games I already have, I will definitly check this franchise. Spark sweep!
2:52:03 As someone who hasn’t touched Spark 3 yet, this screen gave me a sense of fear not seen since any real anti piracy screen. The static mixed with the menu backdrop now completely covered in black and grey, the ! SEVERE WARNING ! text in pure red, and every single rule and mechanic stated for only this specific area. This is honestly my fault, but if I saw this screen before this video, I swear I could’ve just turned off my Nintendo Switch and leave the game alone for weeks. This is exactly how people should hype up people before a final level (in some cases anyway), leave them with an impression, if not entire warning so worrisome that it makes the player peace out and prepare for the final challenge of whatever the hell the game their play has in store.
Seeing all parts back to back like this really shows off how great Lake's development process is, and how he always wants to improve his work. I can't wait to see his future games, too
yeah it's absolutely criminal that this series doesn't get more attention, and i hope that the more people talk about it like you did here, the more it will. Lake is an absolute mad scientist, it's absolutely mindblowing to me that he's able to pull off breathtaking things like Pacific Abyss and Utopia Shelter. it's not just impressive for an indie, it's impressive just in general, and really inspiring too.
The amount of puns within your writing is IMPRESSIVE I just beat Spark 3 because I'm making a video about XF and wanted to explain who the developer is. MAN, I was so damn impressed. I don't really care about Sonic, but I did like the adventure games and this developer REALLY nailed it, but not only that, he SURPASSED it. I am SO entirely impressed with Spark 3 and I'm glad that was my first game (well the XF demo actually was). I beat the game with 11 lives and I was on my last one at the end. It was such a thrill. As far as the guardian dude that you fight 3 times goes, I'd say that if you lost to him the first two times like I did, that 3rd time getting it right is such a high. So for the people that can already defeat him, yea, I could see that fight as lackluster I suppose, but to those people that were struggling with him throughout the game, it was PERFECT! See I DID like the meta talk. Different strokes for different folks. I think you missed the whole reason it's such a genius idea, because Spark is in a simulation and he has done these things multiple times already without really understanding that everything just gets reset. So it not only works as a game mechanic, but it also works within the plot. I think you explained everything REALLY well and it shows that you care about what you're talking about.
Lots of friends told me to try these games out, so I did, not expecting much. I was absolutely blown away. Great visuals all around, especially Spark 1, fun gameplay, outstanding music, a pretty gripping storyline (mostly in 3)… it was everything I could have ever wanted. It actually inspired me to start developing my own game that takes a lot of inspiration from Spark 1. LakeFeperd created one of my favorite game series of all time, and without him, I honestly wouldn’t be here. Major props.
I just wanted to say that I'm new to this channel, and your style of narration and narrative copy is some of the best I've ever heard. You are incredibly succinct, well-paced, articulate, and even clever whenever you feel like it. I don't often encounter long-form videos where the narration doesn't exhaust me at some point, but this is an absolute treat to listen to.
I really want to make my own spark-like game. I back the original kickstarter without thinking like "oh a little indie project" did not expect it to go 3D
The presentation of the video mixed with the multitude of puns fit in there has got me pretty hooked on your content. You earned a like from me, and maybe a sub after I check some more of your videos.
While your reviews of AAA games are always great (see the entire Yakuza series of videos). I adore seeing you cover lesser known indie games like Sparx and Oaxaca since your videos got me into playing both of these games extensively, I've probably beaten Oaxaca more times than I can count on two hands and Sparx is looking to be yet another big time sink for me. So thanks for putting so much effort into every video on your channel, it's always entertaining.
Just finished the Spark 3 video. Can't wait to see the tiny changes to editing made here, love seeing the evolution and improvements you make like that. ...Got some mad deja vu typing that, weird
Thank you for the detailed analysis. I'm inspired by the history behind the trilogy. If you hadn't made this video, I would've never learned about these cool games.
Random thought I had when I got to the Utopia Shelter part of this video, I only now realize that unlike all the other Spark games, you’re descending to the depths, rather than ascending. It’s kinda fitting in that.
Since my brother and i shared the sonic adventure games growing up thank you for making his birthday the easiest so far. Got him all 3 spark games and i hope to hear soon good news considering what i seen from your reviews :D
Coming back from seeing all three analysis videos....what a fucking Journey it was mate. The games, the tragically underappreciated quality of them, the absolute bombastic music, your beautifully poetic script. This is a declaration of art, both yours and Lake's, which practically sold a desert to a sailor (me)! You gave me a discovery, that was informative, fun, full of weird twists and turns, and while everyone I know and love isn't a massive fan of such beautifully massive chunks of video art... I never stop recommending your channel to 'em in hopes that one day I'll find a soul who appreciates the sheer work you do just as much as I. You're a walking inspiration, Tehsnakerer. I hope you know that. I've been watching you ever since I stumbled upon your Postal videos. Within a span of two weeks, I'll be finishing the final, 6th year of my medical university before braving the future unknown and shrouded in doubt. I don't think I'll be watching any long essays in that time. What a fucking video to end this torturous, hellish episode of my life. Cheers
2:56:25 for some reason, this little bit of super precise movement on a thin runway going up took a good 20-30 tries. I only die 3-4 times in utopia shelter, but this bit destroys me
Looking at Sfarx, for some reason he reminds me of Vexx. I don't know why, maybe it is the oversized gloves, maybe the weird teeth or maybe how cuddly and edgy he is at the same time. I wonder if Vexx was an inspiration.
I didn't know aggressive combat nurses that ally themselves with shapeshifting nun demons would be interested in old 3D platformers. Neat to know. Neither did i expect anyone to mention Vexx in a comment section on this series, but it's a fun association.
Wait, so Spark character was tone down just like Ratchet in the reboot before he even got to a second game? That's really interesting, and Honestly I liked Spark a lot in the first game and I played on the rewritten version so I personally I'm all in for it, yeah It does seem like the story was way more thin in the rewrite in terms of reasons for which we were completing levels but I don't mind it as much as having the version of spark that was shown in the video
Spoilers: I started the series playing Spark 3 first. And you’re absolutely right. When Float was first introduced I did not know anything about her. So I just thought “Whoa! Badass intro, a game mechanic that I love and a touching start to her story arch? This is shaping up to be my favorite character!” Then we get to the ending. I fucking hate her.
Snake, i just gotta say: I love your utter dedication to the constant wordplay. Hardly a minute goes by without you dropping some sort of pun and I'm here for it
I really liked these videos! Honestly I think that this is some of your best work in discussing gameplay. I like your yakuza series for plot analysis, but fittingly gameplay gets more attention here.
This was such a fun watch One of the best videos ive watched in RUclips just wow Talking abt jester YEAH THEYRE INCREDIBLE SPECIALLY 3 one of the best indie games of all time
I love how this series starts with a relatable prospect of getting your job back so you can get paid, and ends with self-inflicted End of Evangelion-lite
Well...I just got done with watching this absolute monstrosity of a video(and, funnily enough, it's my first video from you), and what can I say? It's just Sparktastic! The humor, the puns(I just like puns a lot X)), the video itself, just- EVERYTHING feels like a story of its own! And I honestly never knew most of the story behind these games, so I learnt a lot of new stuff from it as well! And also, this behemoth of a video is pretty much the second Spark Series review I ever watched. The first one(that also introduced me to STEJ as a whole) was from a Russian youtuber called Sumochkin Production, which was a 4-part series that for now culminated in an absolute STORM of a Spark 3 review. And honestly, remembering said series, I can see some similar criticisms(f.e. - in Spark 2, you can simply run past enemies, which both you and Sumochkin pointed out), and yet, I can say that you gave me a much richer peespective on not only Lake Feperd's games, but the guy and his team as a whole, which I honestly applaud and thank you for! Honestly, you deserve all the likes and views ya get, and you def earned a like from me, and possibly a sub too! Good job to you, and props for such a massive video! Have a great time of the day!
Man, this is a great bundle of videos. Like I watched all three of these near INSTANTLY when they came out, cause the games really struck a cord with me. Love the content.
Brah I have so much nostalgia for Before the Sequel. Cool that's you're looking at all these. I haven't best any of these games but i will say, they're super solid
Working on 100%ing Spark 1 one of the best 2D platformers I've ever played. I almost wish Lake would've stuck to 2D, but his decision to constantly innovate and tackle challenges larger teams get stumped with is awe-inspiring. Hope we see a console port at some point this game deserves WAY more eyes on it. Wonderful work as always Snake :)
A truly wonderful video to showcase a series I've only seen a few clips of (related to it's third entry), made me interested in it's creator more than I was before, that's for sure. And I'm sure to get the games whenever I have the chance
I think Im actually really excited to go into spark 4 blind, whatever it ends up being or whenever it comes out. I knew what would happen going into all 3 games for the most part, and while I was able to enjoy it vicariously streaming it with my best friend I don't think I'd had the experience of discovering how utterly insane (in a good way) this entire series.
I think I visit a forum that the creator of this game also frequents. I remember him saying something about how he wished his game would get more attention, so I'm glad to see it out in the wild on youtube!
Thanks for telling me about some new games I'm eagerly waiting to dig into. Mostly I'm just waiting till I finish Bomb Rush Cyberfunk but this series is likely next on the list. also I'm curious if Spark 4 might be the devs take on the open world style of sonic/freeroam breath of the wild style games and maybe we're playing as Digital Clone Freom.
28:50 in pre-kickstarter demos of spark 1 the level design was actually much more flat than it in the final game, i suppose lake felt the need to change it after the kickstarter demo's release, considering that, for example, the early level design for FM city didn't do a very good job teaching the player how to play the game
Can't even express what Sonic Before/After the Sequel mean to me. I played them both in one day because I was just so impressed with the level of creativity and the amazing music. Also very glad that the Spark trilogy exists. I hope the developer will consider making another 2D entry one day.
I just finished playing through this series which I originally started because of this video. Took me awhile but they were extremely fun, and I think you managed to sell me on the ending of 3.
After I was severely let down by Sonic Superstars I've been wanting to mostly ditch the blue blur's games and look for similar titles like this. If I had a PC I would've gotten this trilogy in a heartbeat, or at least Spark 3.
"The kickstarter seems to have been run just so he could pay his music team, so he seems like a sound guy."
*sensible chuckle*
... i feel like this joke has something to do with funk fiction...
*sensible chuckle* is one hell of a good reference
Fun fact! It's almost definitely unintentional, but "Fark" means "difference" in Turkish. It's funny how it can be seen both ways when playing in Turkish (if thats even possible)
First interpritation, at the start, when Spark comes up with that name, it's like "he's a different Spark, Fark"
But the second interpretation is that in the second game when Fark decides that he is "different" than both Spark and Freom
LakeFeperd’s whole game development story is so inspiring to me. Whenever I lose interest in the comic I’m making, I remember it and I keep working on it.
I feel this way about ONE and now Lake is on my list too.
It is weird. They helped me realize something that I hadn’t realized despite living it my whole life.
When you have a true passion seated deep in your heart, the strain doesn’t come from the process. The strain comes from self restraint in the face of endless passion.
I hope to make a Kirby and the Amazing Mirror styled game like Spark one day.
Lakes grind inspires me too. I’m working on something myself. I have so many ideas that I’m passionate about thanks to people like him who push on despite the missteps
What is the comic called, if it’s made? I wouldn’t mind picking it up!
"Can I mute the voices and learn to live again?"
What a brilliantly subtle nod to Live and Learn. That is BEYOND insanity to even attempt, and it still doesn't feel forced. It all fits.
Also, I was one of those people who started with Spark 3, understood nothing, and was COMPLETELY FUCKED SIDEWAYS by the ending. It absolutely quaked my brain.
Also, I returned this morning to watch this again because I realized I'd skipped a section somewhere and went back to watch it; your inclusion of E-102's theme at 2-9's sunset is so thematically appropriate and a total gut punch. You have some real talent in throwing emotional curveballs, and in a video essay no less? I'm impressed to say the least, and that's AFTER witnessing a 3 hour passion project that probably took months to put together.
The fact that you can parry DEATH ITSELF is absolutely hillarious and I love it.
Fun fact : The song at the end of this video is named Fuck the Erotic Sexster. This revelation was discussed on stream
💀
2:46:24 I just want to point out a really neat detail, when throwback impersonates EJ, the health bar says "Fark?" Because Spark never met or knew about EJ. Even after dying he's still being disrespected.
Single handedly convinced me to buy the trilogy, which has become a new favorite. Criminally underviewed video.
It wasn't enough to make a better game than what he was inspired by. He had to take aspects from some of the worst games of the series and make them good. Lake is one truly mad lad.
He took aspects of Shadow the hedgehog, not Sonic Colours or Mania, so clearly not. 😂
Shadow and Lost World 3DS the best 3D Sonic game, same with how CD and Sonic 4 episode 2 are the best 2D games, people are just dumb and prefer garbage to good things, which I found is almost a universal truth regardless of what you're talking about. 😢
@@genyakozlov1316 ooo, them's *fightin' words!*
I hope you are ready to defend this opinion to the bitter end, through thick and thin, against *blood, sweat, and tears,* against ENDLESS TIRADES of RAGE and REGRET, forcing your fight THROUGH the hearts of *ALL* who stand against you in an *ENDLESS TIDAL-WAVE* OF *FURIOUS VITRIOL,* FOR IN THE GRIM DARKNESS OF SONIC FAN DEBATES, *THERE IS ONLY WAR!*
or, y'know, you could agree to disagree. it's all opinions after all.
@@genyakozlov1316 your trolling should be less obvious. It's not 2009 anymore.
@@genyakozlov1316bait used to be believable
@@genyakozlov1316
I find that familiar garbage that one can adapt to with some ease will always be preferable than relative improvement on an existing form that requires adaptation.
That said, Sonic 4 ditches too much of the momentum mechanics of a majority of 2D titles and thus I don’t know if I could even label it as you did. It is like making a Mario game without power ups of any kind.
Even 64 has she’ll surfing, metal cap, flying cap, and stars.
The Spark dev might be one of the most genius indie devs I've seen
He has amazing talent, being able to make an amazing trilogy and everything
Also this whole review marathon has been quite enjoyable :)
Pro-tip to anyone attempting to play Spark 2 after this: Go into the options, there's a Smooth Turning slider that recommends you keep it set to high. Turn it low or OFF instead. This fixes the janky turn sensitivity and makes turning while at speed _actually_ responsive and not freak out. (As badly anyway)
.
I found it because I legit thought something was wrong with my controller; that's how weird the turning is in that game.
I bought Spark the electric jester trilogy and never played it
I just know how good it is and thought the dude deserved it
That's cool.
But please play them though...
I love how you brought attention to Lake’s use of weather effects and changing level environments in Before/After the Sequel and how that carried into the Spark games, because it’s a detail I never noticed when I played these games but feels super obvious and cool when you notice it. Utopia Shelter is probably my favorite final level of any game ever precisely because of how the music and environments change and shift over time to convey Spark’s literal descent into the unknown. Playing it completely blind with no idea where the hell this game was going or what kind of insane story reveal I was in for was an unforgettable experience.
I don't understand why I find these insanely in-depth reviews of such unknown games so compelling.
A kind of interesting point brought up early on is that Spark is just a nickname given to him by his friends, which got me thinking. Perhaps as the series progresses, Spark stops being a name and instead becomes a title given to those who lost their sense of purpose in life only to find it later on.
The Original lost his job twice over before getting hired by Armstrong near the end to save the world.
Fark lost his purpose when The Original destroyed Freom, later gaining his own raison d'etre to chase the happiness The Original had. It's here that he becomes "the second Spark."
New Spark (Nark?) is pretty dead set most of the game but suffers a complete mental collapse when he finds out he's just a program. Ironically it ends up being Fark who gives him his life back, both literally and figuratively.
There's some fun parallels to be drawn with Mega Man series here in regards to names becoming titles, namely with the ZX duology.
Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the original Freom ends up going through a similar journey in the next game and becomes the next Spark, judging by the secret scene.
thank you persona 4 (kill women) adachi for this insightful paragraph.
12:47 "The startup was largely ran so Lake could pay his music team this time around, so he seems like a SOUND guy"
i don't know if this pun was intentional or not but it made me laugh out loud. thank you
You're damned good at writing and executing your craft, tehsnakerer. Thanks for making me aware of these games.
I can't get over the visuals of Spark 3. It's crazy seeing a solo project look _this_ good. The blend of PBR assets and cartoon shaders is immaculate, the use of lighting in these scenes is beautiful, and the shader work is top notch-- especially how it integrates all these 2D elements into the craziest scenes. I was in awe when the game pulled out Clarity's final form and the far-land area where floating points start glitching out and warping. The progression of that artstyle from 2 to 3 is insane, at times 2 can look kind of flat and stock with its use of lighting and materials but I was constantly distracted by the environment visual quality as the series continued.
So yeah, definitely picking this one up soon.
Yea it's beautiful.
UMMMM ACTUALLY 😮 SONIC ADVENTURE BETTER THO BECAUSE I HAVE NOSTALGIA BRAINROT AKA BEING PART OF THE SONIC FANDOM _AND THIS DOESN'T EVEN LOOK GOOD GRAFIXXX LUL_
This is a joke. I can't believe absolute dummies arguing SA1/2 are more mechanically refined or play better than Spark 2/3. The scope yet loving detail feels like how SA always WANTED to present its graphics/detail. And the lighting of SA was never that inspired or good much at all.
My biggest takeaway from this is that 9/11 indirectly cured one of your phobias
Something I love about the Throwback boss fight in 3, is that we start out with the enemy names listed as ???. Spark doesn't have any clue who any of these guys are, with EJ's being "Fark?". But once it transitions to phase 2, the Vocal version of the special boss theme kicks in, and the ??? is changed to reveal the name "Double". Considering "float" is with spark, I saw this as her filling him in on the plot of 2.
Unemployment being a common theme really brings home how Spark games are truly made in Brazil.
If I quoted every pun I loved in this video, I'd just be quoting the entire video.
now knowing of Lake's no-waste approach to game design, i'm wondering if we'll find Choco as Spark's descendant in Spark 4
Oh... *oh this IS the Spark 3 video.* This is THE Spark video!
Actually the Spark 3 video goes out later today, this is the full series video!
@Tehsnakerer So how long will this video be then? Is it about the entire series? Or is it all three spark videos mashed into one?
It's the 3 videos put together, this was the original planned intent for the video, but I split them so I could release them while working on other projects and make it easier on myself
@Tehsnakerer oh, okay cool! When it comes out, I'll get my popcorn, cause it seems like it's gonna be a long one.
Oh sorry, it somehow slipped me to actually say the length, it's 3 hours 24 minutes.
Watching your Streams for Spark 1 and 2 and seeing 2 trying it's Hardest to be Really Cool immediately got me to Buy into Whatever the Series was Doing and I had to Get All the Games. I haven't Played 3 yet myself since I'm still going through 2(Might be my Favourite Sonic Style Game since Unleashed so Far) but I'm Definitely Excited to do so and See where this Goes in the Future. Been Looking Forward to These Videos ever Since. This was a Real Good One! Hope this gets More People into Spark and Fark since these Games Deserve Way More Recognition.
Saw this in my recommended randomly and I greatly enjoyed watching this entire review as a big fan of nearly all of LakeFepard's games. The endless puns in your narration landed incredibly well for my sense of humor; the reference to "Let the Speed Mend It" getting the biggest laugh from me. I also really liked some of the more subtle things like using BtS's Titanic Tower music when discussing Spark 2's Titanic Tower.
Overall a great video about some great games
It's so but so heart-warming to see people making their own creations and projects thanks to the blue blur, as it really shows how much impact Sonic left in those who were inspired by this iconic franchise, it makes my realize how influential it is and how amazing this influenced projects can be, made by influenced and passionate people, videogames can also be such an amazing world, and this video prooves it wonderfully!
Great vid!
I think Spark as a series is odd for me, because of the fact that I was actually pretty damn critical of it at first. I played through 1 a bit, stopped playing at Reynol Complex, and just described it as a “mediocre 2d platformer” and moved on; not touching it for years afterwards. Didn’t help either that I saw a thread on the game being made by a RUclipsr I liked that basically continued to reinforce in my mind that Spark 1 wasn’t good, especially because of how it made me think that Lake was incompetent for “making a joke update” when in reality that was just him rewriting spark 1 to be more fitting as a first game in a trilogy.
Anyway, cut to 2022, and I restart Spark and I actually ended up loving it , much to my shock. I think even during one of my runs with it, I verbally said to myself that THIS was a game that got better as it went along, and it sure as hell did. It’s what got me to buy spark 2 and 3 a year later, and I was basically able to finish both of ‘em over the course of 2 weeks, and yeah, I have to say that they are some really enjoyable games. I do personally find some stuff in 2 better over 3 and vice versa, but as a whole, the games are pretty fun. Hell, they even got me, someone who rarely replays sonic levels, to play it once again with STE3.
I also wanted to say that I found your reviews on all 3 of the games to be pretty fascinating, even if I do disagree with shit like the time penalty in 2, or the score attack being tedious to play (in the non-dlc missions) of 3. I feel that the score attack missions honestly encouraged ms to fully explore the levels. It’s also surprising to hear that the story of 3 was divisive, because I honestly do like it a lot, especially with how it basically drives that Spark’s short temper was one of the reasons why this all happened. It shows how, compared to Sonic, Spark is an extremely flawed character, which honestly makes him interesting as a hero.
Did you know?: Spark is so fast that it's actually easier to complete some of the car stages by hopping out and running
It is kinda insane that technically, we have only played as Spark in the first game..
The way you described the first zone of Spark 1 makes it sound like that one part of every Alternate Universe fanfic where there's an exposition dump establishing what's different compared to the source material - which is quite apt given Lake's influences.
3:30 the fact that this video is a supercut, but you still took the effort to go back and correct this section, even changing the "2/3 of the lost levels" joke, is an example of how underrated this is. When I finish the other games I already have, I will definitly check this franchise. Spark sweep!
Your reviews intrigued me so I picked up the trilogy on sale, I'm starting with 3 and I must say it's way more enjoyable than I thought it would be.
2:52:03
As someone who hasn’t touched Spark 3 yet, this screen gave me a sense of fear not seen since any real anti piracy screen.
The static mixed with the menu backdrop now completely covered in black and grey, the ! SEVERE WARNING ! text in pure red, and every single rule and mechanic stated for only this specific area.
This is honestly my fault, but if I saw this screen before this video, I swear I could’ve just turned off my Nintendo Switch and leave the game alone for weeks. This is exactly how people should hype up people before a final level (in some cases anyway), leave them with an impression, if not entire warning so worrisome that it makes the player peace out and prepare for the final challenge of whatever the hell the game their play has in store.
Seeing all parts back to back like this really shows off how great Lake's development process is, and how he always wants to improve his work. I can't wait to see his future games, too
No wait hold on I’m still halfway done with replaying the entire series you can’t release the video just yet
Gotta go fast
yeah it's absolutely criminal that this series doesn't get more attention, and i hope that the more people talk about it like you did here, the more it will. Lake is an absolute mad scientist, it's absolutely mindblowing to me that he's able to pull off breathtaking things like Pacific Abyss and Utopia Shelter. it's not just impressive for an indie, it's impressive just in general, and really inspiring too.
The amount of puns within your writing is IMPRESSIVE
I just beat Spark 3 because I'm making a video about XF and wanted to explain who the developer is. MAN, I was so damn impressed. I don't really care about Sonic, but I did like the adventure games and this developer REALLY nailed it, but not only that, he SURPASSED it.
I am SO entirely impressed with Spark 3 and I'm glad that was my first game (well the XF demo actually was).
I beat the game with 11 lives and I was on my last one at the end. It was such a thrill.
As far as the guardian dude that you fight 3 times goes, I'd say that if you lost to him the first two times like I did, that 3rd time getting it right is such a high. So for the people that can already defeat him, yea, I could see that fight as lackluster I suppose, but to those people that were struggling with him throughout the game, it was PERFECT!
See I DID like the meta talk. Different strokes for different folks. I think you missed the whole reason it's such a genius idea, because Spark is in a simulation and he has done these things multiple times already without really understanding that everything just gets reset. So it not only works as a game mechanic, but it also works within the plot.
I think you explained everything REALLY well and it shows that you care about what you're talking about.
Thanks for the lovely comment. I did understand what the meta stuff meant, I just didn't care for it personally
Lots of friends told me to try these games out, so I did, not expecting much.
I was absolutely blown away. Great visuals all around, especially Spark 1, fun gameplay, outstanding music, a pretty gripping storyline (mostly in 3)… it was everything I could have ever wanted. It actually inspired me to start developing my own game that takes a lot of inspiration from Spark 1.
LakeFeperd created one of my favorite game series of all time, and without him, I honestly wouldn’t be here. Major props.
I just wanted to say that I'm new to this channel, and your style of narration and narrative copy is some of the best I've ever heard. You are incredibly succinct, well-paced, articulate, and even clever whenever you feel like it. I don't often encounter long-form videos where the narration doesn't exhaust me at some point, but this is an absolute treat to listen to.
I really want to make my own spark-like game. I back the original kickstarter without thinking like "oh a little indie project" did not expect it to go 3D
The presentation of the video mixed with the multitude of puns fit in there has got me pretty hooked on your content. You earned a like from me, and maybe a sub after I check some more of your videos.
While your reviews of AAA games are always great (see the entire Yakuza series of videos). I adore seeing you cover lesser known indie games like Sparx and Oaxaca since your videos got me into playing both of these games extensively, I've probably beaten Oaxaca more times than I can count on two hands and Sparx is looking to be yet another big time sink for me. So thanks for putting so much effort into every video on your channel, it's always entertaining.
I really hope the fourth game ends with you traveling back in time and clearing out the line at the bank, thus saving all of reality.
That would be hilarious
Just finished the Spark 3 video. Can't wait to see the tiny changes to editing made here, love seeing the evolution and improvements you make like that.
...Got some mad deja vu typing that, weird
Thank you for the detailed analysis. I'm inspired by the history behind the trilogy. If you hadn't made this video, I would've never learned about these cool games.
Random thought I had when I got to the Utopia Shelter part of this video, I only now realize that unlike all the other Spark games, you’re descending to the depths, rather than ascending. It’s kinda fitting in that.
Since my brother and i shared the sonic adventure games growing up thank you for making his birthday the easiest so far. Got him all 3 spark games and i hope to hear soon good news considering what i seen from your reviews :D
Spark 2 has physics sliders like in Sonic Frontiers. Disable smooth turning for MUCH better experience.
Wait really what does it feel like when disable them
Spark 2 came out before Frontiers
@@playerback7722 I don't think he's saying frontiers invited sliders
What an inspiring story of how much just a few people can accomplish in such a short time.
A movie? Too long. A three and a half hour video about a game I learned about 10 minutes ago? Perfect.
Coming back from seeing all three analysis videos....what a fucking Journey it was mate. The games, the tragically underappreciated quality of them, the absolute bombastic music, your beautifully poetic script. This is a declaration of art, both yours and Lake's, which practically sold a desert to a sailor (me)!
You gave me a discovery, that was informative, fun, full of weird twists and turns, and while everyone I know and love isn't a massive fan of such beautifully massive chunks of video art...
I never stop recommending your channel to 'em in hopes that one day I'll find a soul who appreciates the sheer work you do just as much as I.
You're a walking inspiration, Tehsnakerer.
I hope you know that.
I've been watching you ever since I stumbled upon your Postal videos.
Within a span of two weeks, I'll be finishing the final, 6th year of my medical university before braving the future unknown and shrouded in doubt.
I don't think I'll be watching any long essays in that time.
What a fucking video to end this torturous, hellish episode of my life.
Cheers
2:56:25 for some reason, this little bit of super precise movement on a thin runway going up took a good 20-30 tries. I only die 3-4 times in utopia shelter, but this bit destroys me
Looking at Sfarx, for some reason he reminds me of Vexx. I don't know why, maybe it is the oversized gloves, maybe the weird teeth or maybe how cuddly and edgy he is at the same time. I wonder if Vexx was an inspiration.
I didn't know aggressive combat nurses that ally themselves with shapeshifting nun demons would be interested in old 3D platformers. Neat to know.
Neither did i expect anyone to mention Vexx in a comment section on this series, but it's a fun association.
Wait, so Spark character was tone down just like Ratchet in the reboot before he even got to a second game? That's really interesting, and Honestly I liked Spark a lot in the first game and I played on the rewritten version so I personally I'm all in for it, yeah It does seem like the story was way more thin in the rewrite in terms of reasons for which we were completing levels but I don't mind it as much as having the version of spark that was shown in the video
good job Snake, you made me buy the first Spark the Electric Jester during this summer's Steam sales
Spoilers:
I started the series playing Spark 3 first. And you’re absolutely right.
When Float was first introduced I did not know anything about her. So I just thought “Whoa! Badass intro, a game mechanic that I love and a touching start to her story arch? This is shaping up to be my favorite character!”
Then we get to the ending. I fucking hate her.
Snake, i just gotta say: I love your utter dedication to the constant wordplay. Hardly a minute goes by without you dropping some sort of pun and I'm here for it
Preaching to the choir here, but I love your puns. You’re low key a wordsmith.
I couldn't be more thankful that the algorithm sent this my way. An absolutely incredible game. Into the bloody palace I go.
Excellent job on this video. I love the spark series along with before and after the sequel as well.
I really liked these videos! Honestly I think that this is some of your best work in discussing gameplay. I like your yakuza series for plot analysis, but fittingly gameplay gets more attention here.
I bought the Spark game bundle on Steam after watching these videos, thanks for highlighting this series Tehsnakerer
I just realized
In the finale of Spark 3, it's revealed that Spark became electricity
I never cease to be amazed how you can make massive videos about any game O_O
oh shut up, for one I only have 58 tabs open, and my computer's only crying a LITTLE BIT
This was such a fun watch
One of the best videos ive watched in RUclips just wow
Talking abt jester YEAH THEYRE INCREDIBLE SPECIALLY 3 one of the best indie games of all time
Your wordplay game in this review is on point
3:30 when I saw these "updated" cutscenes I thought it was some kind of Before the Sequel beta/prototype, honestly.
I love how this series starts with a relatable prospect of getting your job back so you can get paid, and ends with self-inflicted End of Evangelion-lite
Well...I just got done with watching this absolute monstrosity of a video(and, funnily enough, it's my first video from you), and what can I say?
It's just Sparktastic!
The humor, the puns(I just like puns a lot X)), the video itself, just- EVERYTHING feels like a story of its own! And I honestly never knew most of the story behind these games, so I learnt a lot of new stuff from it as well!
And also, this behemoth of a video is pretty much the second Spark Series review I ever watched. The first one(that also introduced me to STEJ as a whole) was from a Russian youtuber called Sumochkin Production, which was a 4-part series that for now culminated in an absolute STORM of a Spark 3 review.
And honestly, remembering said series, I can see some similar criticisms(f.e. - in Spark 2, you can simply run past enemies, which both you and Sumochkin pointed out), and yet, I can say that you gave me a much richer peespective on not only Lake Feperd's games, but the guy and his team as a whole, which I honestly applaud and thank you for!
Honestly, you deserve all the likes and views ya get, and you def earned a like from me, and possibly a sub too! Good job to you, and props for such a massive video! Have a great time of the day!
2:52:22 I WISH I had only 65 tabs opened currently.
"I don't think yes could even have made a more roundabout reference if they tried"
God. . .
damn. it.
Well played.
Man, this is a great bundle of videos. Like I watched all three of these near INSTANTLY when they came out, cause the games really struck a cord with me. Love the content.
3 hour video on Spark the Electric Jester? Don't mind if I do.
3:07:37
Oh jesus, the image of a clown falling down a flight of stairs and playing it off like a trick is burned into my brain now XD
Brah I have so much nostalgia for Before the Sequel. Cool that's you're looking at all these. I haven't best any of these games but i will say, they're super solid
A 3 hour long video on spark? Dont mind me wasting 3 hours on this masterpiece!
Working on 100%ing Spark 1 one of the best 2D platformers I've ever played. I almost wish Lake would've stuck to 2D, but his decision to constantly innovate and tackle challenges larger teams get stumped with is awe-inspiring. Hope we see a console port at some point this game deserves WAY more eyes on it. Wonderful work as always Snake :)
We can stop calling them "fan games." Start calling them "unpaid indie games."
A truly wonderful video to showcase a series I've only seen a few clips of (related to it's third entry), made me interested in it's creator more than I was before, that's for sure. And I'm sure to get the games whenever I have the chance
I think Im actually really excited to go into spark 4 blind, whatever it ends up being or whenever it comes out. I knew what would happen going into all 3 games for the most part, and while I was able to enjoy it vicariously streaming it with my best friend I don't think I'd had the experience of discovering how utterly insane (in a good way) this entire series.
The real OGs remember when the final boss music for Spark 2 was just the title screen music
I think I visit a forum that the creator of this game also frequents. I remember him saying something about how he wished his game would get more attention, so I'm glad to see it out in the wild on youtube!
1:53:35 I wonder if that's meant to be a really subtle reference to Shadow's "This is who I am!" bits in Shadow The Hedgehog.
10:01 Paused it here. Gonna watch the whole thing later. Gotta sleep
1 year later and you sold me still bruh. I came here for a review from a sonic fan and I'm glad I came. 👌🏿
Thanks for telling me about some new games I'm eagerly waiting to dig into. Mostly I'm just waiting till I finish Bomb Rush Cyberfunk but this series is likely next on the list. also I'm curious if Spark 4 might be the devs take on the open world style of sonic/freeroam breath of the wild style games and maybe we're playing as Digital Clone Freom.
2:45:34 good news. This song is now used in-game for the switch version. I’m not sure if it’s been patched into the PC version yet.
It's funny how Float's breast are foreshadowing since Formies don't have breast.
Criminally underviewed video
Holy Crap It's The Guy The Pac-Man World Retrospetive
28:50 in pre-kickstarter demos of spark 1 the level design was actually much more flat than it in the final game, i suppose lake felt the need to change it after the kickstarter demo's release, considering that, for example, the early level design for FM city didn't do a very good job teaching the player how to play the game
absolutely sucker punched by the joke at 1:32:50
Can't even express what Sonic Before/After the Sequel mean to me. I played them both in one day because I was just so impressed with the level of creativity and the amazing music.
Also very glad that the Spark trilogy exists. I hope the developer will consider making another 2D entry one day.
I just finished playing through this series which I originally started because of this video. Took me awhile but they were extremely fun, and I think you managed to sell me on the ending of 3.
I fucking love “Ghosts with Guitars.”
Sweet! A new video to listen while going to sleep =D
Dang, 3 hours? time to bring in some popcorn
After I was severely let down by Sonic Superstars I've been wanting to mostly ditch the blue blur's games and look for similar titles like this.
If I had a PC I would've gotten this trilogy in a heartbeat, or at least Spark 3.
Hey a Switch port for 3 was just announced so don't give up yet!