AGS: It Takes Two To Tangle: Screen Scroll issues

[TrivialBalderdash]

Playing It Takes Two to Tangle in ScummVM 2.9.0 on MacOS 13.7.2 (Intel), there were two issues noticed with improper screen scrolling, the second of which is game breaking as it prevents progressing in the game.

In Chapter 2, when Edgar is switching screens, the screen scrolls to the right, revealing a "holding area" for NPCs.

The second instance, I had just started Chapter 3 as Cassima, and activated the arm band to dive underwater on my way to see King Neptune. In that first scene underwater, I am unable to swim to the left. Watching a playthru, it looks like the screen is supposed to scroll a bit and then give me the arrow icon to swim to the next screen left. Unfortunately, there is no scrolling and no arrow icon. I can interact with the three shells, but that’s it. I can’t swim back to the surface either.

I spoke with the developer (Akril) and received this reply on the issue (in reference to the Chapter 2 instance):

"As for the Aeolus screen, it isn't meant to be a scrolling room -- I had to make it wider so I could place the NPCs on a walkable area that wasn't visible to the player. I added the line SetViewport(0, 0); to keep the room from scrolling, but it looks like something went wrong for you."

Two screenshots are attached.

[TrivialBalderdash]

I tested this using the original executable on Windows 11 and was not able to replicate the bugs described here, so I think this is specific to ScummVM. Save games for ScummVM are available if needed, but unfortunately I've been unable to replicate the Chapter 2 "NPC" scroll, but I do have a save game at that area.

[TrivialBalderdash]

Using version 1.0.0.7 of the game, released December 28, 2024.

[tag2015]

Since this bugreport, the game has been updated multiple times, the latest release is 1.0.0.10.
Could you try again using a master daily build ​https://buildbot.scummvm.org/#/dailybuilds and see if the bugs still occur?
Please attach saves if possible, thanks

[TrivialBalderdash]

The issue is still present on the latest build.
Tested using game version 1.0.0.10 on ScummVM master daily build - "2.10.0git14189-g4c5af9f99f2 (April 5 2025 4:49:17)" on Windows 11.

I've attached a save file for the Chapter 3 instance. After loading the save and continuing as Cassima, activate the arm band in the menu at the top of the screen. She will turn into a dolphin and dive into the water. At that point, it's not possible to swim to the left and the game can't progress.

[Max833]

ScummVM uses the same compatibility layer as the original AGS, and most of the problems are the same there as in ScummVM. Try running the game with the latest AGS version and play up to that point to see if the issue also occurs there. If it does, please report it directly to the AGS developers:

How to play it with the newest AGS version:

• Download the latest release: ​https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/create/
• copy and paste "acwin.exe" and "sdl2.dll" in the game directory
• start the game via "acwin.exe". Now you use the latest AGS version

When the samme issue occurs, tell them (savegame is important as well): ​https://github.com/adventuregamestudio/ags/issues

If it is fixed in AGS, it will also be fixed in ScummVM when they update to the newest AGS version.

[TrivialBalderdash]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I am not able to replicate this issue using the updated AGS executable.

However, looking today, I see that a new update to the game was released in July. The latest release of the game (July 4, 2025) has specifically addressed this issue. Perhaps other players were seeing this issue in Windows or Linux, even though I only saw it in ScummVM.

From the change log:

1.0.0.10
Fixed issue with camera scrolling not working in chapter 3 when playing as cassima underwater or at the top of the cliffs with cassima as a raven (camera gets stuck on edgar)?

I tested in ScummVM and the issue is resolved. I've updated the status of the ticket. Please modify as needed. Thanks!

[Max833]

Very Cool! :)