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I would like to occasionally talk about some flash games I played growing up, or more recent "flash games" that have piqued my interest. These often bite-sized experiences helped entertain me for hours, and introduced me to so many cool mechanics and themes.
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Today, we are talking about a little flash series from 2010/2011 called K.O.L.M.
K.O.L.M. was designed by Antony Lavelle, A.K.A. @the_exp. Featuring music by Tommy Robin, A.K.A. @ockeroid. Published by Armor Games; also made available on sites such as Newgrounds.
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K.O.L.M. was designed by Antony Lavelle, A.K.A. @the_exp. Featuring music by Tommy Robin, A.K.A. @ockeroid. Published by Armor Games; also made available on sites such as Newgrounds.
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K.O.L.M. follows the story of a little robot named Robby, waking up in pieces without even the ability to see clearly, Robby must put himself back together piece by piece as he navigates the remains of an abandoned underground complex devoid of all non-robotic life.
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But you're not completely alone. Mother is always watching.
From your first few interactions with her, it's made clear that her connection with Robby may not very motherly. Making remarks that subtly (and not so subtly), tear down our little robot from the inside.
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From your first few interactions with her, it's made clear that her connection with Robby may not very motherly. Making remarks that subtly (and not so subtly), tear down our little robot from the inside.
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As you go though the game, collecting more parts to progress and battling robots similar to yourself, which Robby refers to as "his brothers", the tale consists of being more and more subjected to your mother's scorn as you wander through, much like a lost child.
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The gameplay for K.O.L.M. and its other entries are very much Metroidvania inspired. You'll unlock new parts, powers, and abilities (and even a companion in K.O.L.M. 2) that will help you make your way through and hopefully out of whatever place you've woken up in.
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K.O.L.M. would receive a small side-entry called K.O.L.M.I.A.M. This brought a more arcade time-attack focus to K.O.L.M. but did not expand on the story in any significant way.
It did however introduce remixed music from the previous game; I will link at the end.
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It did however introduce remixed music from the previous game; I will link at the end.
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K.O.L.M. 2 is where the story picks up from the first entry. Having escaped (at least partially) the remains of the previous facility, finding yourself a little closer to the surface, Robby must continue his exploring. But it's not long before family comes knocking.
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Father has found you. He seems concerned, and he has a very important task for you. Your sister is alive, and you must find her.
But it won't be easy. There's still some parts to be found, and that sunlight leaking in from above will fry our little robot to a crisp.
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But it won't be easy. There's still some parts to be found, and that sunlight leaking in from above will fry our little robot to a crisp.
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Thankfully it won't be long before you're able to call on your sis for help. But how long will this alliance last? Mother isn't done for yet.
Although the K.O.L.M. series is a short one, and unfinished (more on that later), you can clearly see some of its themes.
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Although the K.O.L.M. series is a short one, and unfinished (more on that later), you can clearly see some of its themes.
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Themes of family, abusive parents, betrayal, and kindhearted but naïve children trying to figure out who to trust as they fight to fend for themselves. Robby comes across as a genuinely sweet boy, but he, his family, and this world are shrouded in a dark mystery.
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The dialogue between characters, paired with the quite somber music, make for genuinely powerful moments and emotions. Especially for those who may have had a rough upbringing themselves.
Alas, before the story could be completed, its creator left Armor Games.
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Alas, before the story could be completed, its creator left Armor Games.
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Attempts were made by Mr. Lavelle to not only finish the series, but remake the first two entries. In 2014 a Kickstarter was launched to help fund this. Unfortunately it fell short of its goal. And Lavelle was forced to step away from the project.
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I did however have the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Lavelle, who helped shine some light on what the rest of the K.O.L.M. story may have looked like.
Apparently it would have involved time travel, a Metroid Fusion SA-X styled entity, and a greater focus on horror.
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Apparently it would have involved time travel, a Metroid Fusion SA-X styled entity, and a greater focus on horror.
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Lavelle told me that a possible plan was to have Robby travel back in time to prevent himself from ending up mostly dismantled, as we see in the beginning to K.O.L.M. 1. And to keep from being separated from his sister, who at this point would be a new threat.
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Your sister having been turned into a brainwashed robot, would hunt you down relentlessly as you took on more puzzle elements, with a greater focus on "creepiness/scary moments."
Lavelle told me that he planned to end the series on a high but harrowing note however.
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Lavelle told me that he planned to end the series on a high but harrowing note however.
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It is quite the shame that the full K.O.L.M. story never came to be. Especially as someone like myself, who is quite fond of the types of themes featured in its first two acts.
However, Mr. Lavelle did hand me some hope that perhaps someday he may return to K.O.L.M.
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However, Mr. Lavelle did hand me some hope that perhaps someday he may return to K.O.L.M.
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He mentioned still being on good terms with Armor Games, and even continues to do work for them in his spare time. However, Lavelle now maintains a quite busy job with SEGA HARDlight. He manages that along with smaller, more personal projects as well.
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This leaves it quite open as to when or if he will ever be able to realistically return to the K.O.L.M. series.
I also asked Mr. Lavelle what, if anything, he had learned from creating K.O.L.M. His response was an interesting one to be certain.
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I also asked Mr. Lavelle what, if anything, he had learned from creating K.O.L.M. His response was an interesting one to be certain.
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He stated that while K.O.L.M. wasn't a huge learning experience for him, he had always enjoyed Metroid-like games, and found fun in having the chance to make one, even on as tight a schedule as Flash development can sometimes be.
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However, he also seemed to lament how his time with Flash makes his current studio work feel slow, and difficult to be creative in at times.
It's clear that Mr. Lavelle found alot to enjoy during his time with Flash, and gave me a final sentiment regarding it.
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It's clear that Mr. Lavelle found alot to enjoy during his time with Flash, and gave me a final sentiment regarding it.
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"Most mobile games today aren't so different than Flash games were then, just with larger budgets and more money to be made," Lavelle stated.
His words hold truth. Although Flash development is certainly smaller now, it still leaves ripples in our modern industry.
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His words hold truth. Although Flash development is certainly smaller now, it still leaves ripples in our modern industry.
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In closing, K.O.L.M. still remains an interesting piece of Flash history, and shows what giving a platform to creative minds, even without big budgets, can do.
K.O.L.M., although unfinished, is still something to be preserved. And perhaps one day it CAN be finished.
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K.O.L.M., although unfinished, is still something to be preserved. And perhaps one day it CAN be finished.
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Until that day comes, I'll remember that little robot. As for now, thank you for (if indeed you have) reading all of this thread about a little game that's... Kind of like Metroid.
Below I will leave some links to K.O.L.M. and its soundtrack for you to enjoy.
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Below I will leave some links to K.O.L.M. and its soundtrack for you to enjoy.
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The original game (requires Newgrounds Player): https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/556643
A prototype for the remake: https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/644360
A composition by Ockeroid for the remake trailer:
Full series OST on YouTube:
"Mother? Where am I?"
A prototype for the remake: https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/644360
A composition by Ockeroid for the remake trailer:
Full series OST on YouTube:
"Mother? Where am I?"
