Kissing The Buddha’s Feet

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs

GAME DESIGNER:Leon Lin
GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware
GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware
Copyright 1996, Leon Lin

One of the most underrated games in the 2nd Annual IF Competition, Leon Lins Kissing The Buddhas Feet is an excellent game about college life. Although the genre of seems already clinched, KTBF manages to strikes its own territory, with in-jokes and gritty realism that lie somewhere between the sophomoric humor of Steve Meretzskys Spellcasting series and the serious self-reflection of the hero in Ramese.

The premise of the game seems simple enough: your goal is to help roommate John study to finally pass that psych class after 12 grueling semesters. To give John the peaceful environment he sorely needs to concentrate, you have to find ways to get rid of his loud friends and any other distractions around the house. The games highlight is definitely the NPCs, all of whom are brought to life by witty writing, funny characteristics, and a wide variety of actions and attention to detail. The personalities of Johns friends are hilarious, from the nonchalant Carl, to Bob the drunk, and even the obsessive cleanliness of your player character. Puzzles are all interesting, logical, and very well integrated into the storyline.

Kissing The Buddhas Feet is no doubt one of the most underrated short works of IF youll ever play. The game is funny, charming, and chock full of interesting things to try. Just watching Johns friends in their relentless quest to disturb the poor guy alone is worthy of a few cartoon episodes. If you think collegiate humor is all clich? and dull, Kissing The Buddhas Feet packs enough punch to prove you wrong. A game that deserves much more than its 5th place finish in the competition. Two thumbs up, way up!