Interactive narrative games might not be for everyone, but As Dusk Falls is still one that I’ll recommend to just about everyone. It keeps you constantly engaged, with high stakes and choices that actually matter, no matter how seemingly insignificant they might seem. This is one of the first interactive dramas that’s managed no not only hold my attention, but kept me so captivated that I finished my first playthrough in one sitting. Then I went back for more. If you’re on the fence about checking it out, I implore you to not let the curtain fall on As Dusk Falls.
Yes, it’s completely filled with silliness, often times taking clear inspiration from games like Return to Monkey Island, but there’s a lot more to it than just zany humor. At times it has real heart, especially when it comes to the relationship between Lil and her father. Not every sinister looking monster is truly a villain, some are just poor, misunderstood creatures looking for some compassion. Lil’ Guardsman is absolutely delightful to play, and you should allow it entry into your life.
Even though I wasn’t blown away by Her Story or Telling Lies, Immortality has proven itself to be Sam Barlow’s best work to date, by a landslide. On paper, this game might sound pretentious, but it is truly a piece of art. Immortality has captivated me in a way that few games in recent memory have. Even though I unlocked the “True Ending”, I still keep finding myself going back for more, and with each revisit, I do indeed find more secrets. Immortality won’t be to everyone’s liking, but for those of us who love a good mystery and narrative adventure, this game will get under your skin and have you thinking about it for a long time.
Sometimes it’s hard to remove the nostalgia glasses and appreciate the new version of something you once held so dear. I stand by my sentiments that I wish Stauf had been more sinister, menacing, and present in this remake. The original also has more mystery surrounding what transpired, especially with the kids, but this one lays most of it out for you right at the start. In the end though, The 7th Guest VR did manage to win me over, thanks to its jaw-dropping graphics, disquieting atmosphere, and inventive puzzle designs.
The characters are charming and the views of space and Mars are remarkable in VR. My biggest complaint is that it’s quite short, taking only about an hour and a half to beat. Wallace & Gromit in the Grand Getaway was so much fun that I wanted more! For anyone looking for a delightful, family-friendly adventure, Wallace & Gromit in the Grand Getaway is a cracking good time!
This is one of those games that comes along every once in a great while, and I can’t recommend it enough to absolutely everyone. Whether or not you’re well versed in the genre, you should absolutely hop onboard and get ready to sail the Sea of Stars. If not for yourself, do it for Garl.
Zipp’s Café is an enjoyable (albeit short) adventure set within the wild world of the Chicken Police games. It does quite a bit within its short runtime to connect the events of the first game to the upcoming sequel, which will no doubt appease the fans (like myself) until the next full installment is released. However, it also delivers a compelling story on its own merit, making it an intriguing standalone game in its own right.
Invincible Presents: Atom Eve could have been a great concept for a video game, but the end result feels more like a hollow cash grab. While parts of it are technically a new adventure, certain major story beats have already been covered in the comics and show, making this journey feel unnecessary. Your choices don’t really matter and the combat is as shallow as a puddle. If you’re looking for the thrill of the Invincible universe, I’d recommend just rewatching the show or reading the comics. Invincible Presents: Atom Eve lacks the punch and ferocity that makes Invincible so enthralling.
This is honestly one of the best kart racers around, and a genuine competitor to Mario Kart. Despite the disappointing vocal performances, the rest of the game is marvelous. The controls are tight and responsive, the character roster is robust, and the level designs are really inventive. Pair that with an awesome soundtrack that retains the spirit of your favorite films, but throws its own souped up spin on it, and you’ve you a recipe for success.
I was really looking forward to High on Knife, but it doesn’t hold up to the hilarious craziness of the base game. Roiland’s absence is too significant to ignore. Without the over-the-top, anxious, ridiculous banter, it doesn’t even feel like the same game. I appreciate the writers trying to take the game in a new direction, but this entry just feels a bit soulless. Add in the fact that High on Knife costs $14.99 for a less than two hour experience, and it’s simply not an adventure worth taking.
Even though A Tiny Sticker Tale is a very short game, taking only between two hours if you just stick to the main story and closer to four if you find everything, it is an adventure that’s very much worth your time. I haven’t been this enchanted by a bite-sized game since A Short Hike. With there being an abundance of massive and overly long games out right now, sometimes you just need a brief and captivating reprieve.
Chants of Sennaar is a wonderfully refreshing puzzle adventure game. There’s huge satisfaction in making progress without the game holding your hand through every step. It reminds me of Tunic in this regard. You’re given only the basic idea of what to do, and the rest is up to your own powers of observation and deduction in order to figure things out and progress.
Believe me when I say that the trailers don’t do it justice, because there’s a much deeper game here than I could have ever expected. Changing up the visual novel formula by telling the story not only through dialogue options, but also through tarot card readings, is an ingenious concept. This encourages replayablility, especially with offering seven different endings, an makes each playthrough unique.
Even though the story and its mystery are much better this time around, its pacing might turn off some players before they finally get to the interesting parts. It also suffers from poor controls and lots of needless filler. Honestly, it might have been an alright game if it worked well and was trimmed down a bit, but as it stands, I wouldn’t waste your little gray cells on this one.
Blasphemous 2 is a brilliant follow-up to its iconic predecessor. The combat has been improved from the original, and features new weapons and skills to better customize the gameplay to different playstyles.
I found Verne: The Shape of Fantasy to be a somewhat bland experience. This is especially disheartening because the premise was so creative. To me, it just didn’t live up to its potential. The story was too slow and predictable, and the gameplay was either too easy or too frustrating. To give credit where credit is due, it is a beautiful game, and I enjoyed learning more about Jules Verne, even if it didn’t necessarily add to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Venba, even more than I was anticipating. I expected a laid-back cooking sim, but what I got was a deeply moving narrative about generational struggles with immigration and creating a home for yourself in an unfamiliar land. Solving the puzzles of the missing steps in each recipe is surprisingly fun as well. Even though it’s a short experience, taking only about two hours to complete, it still a journey worth taking.
I cannot stress enough how happy I am that Devolver decided to breathe some life into this (potential?) franchise. McPixel 3 is the perfect follow-up to a largely underappreciated game from the mid 2000s. Yes, it has some shortcomings, but it’s still an unexpectedly fun game, especially when you consider that it was made by only one person. Sos Sosowksi, I applaud your efforts and am eagerly awaiting the next McPixel game.
Unfortunately, it just has too many issues with its gameplay to make it an enjoyable experience. It has some great ideas, but ultimately, it stumbles because it can’t decide what kind of a game it wants to be. Diehard fans of the genre might be able to overlook its frustrating controls, but most will get too annoyed to enjoy it.
Dordogne was not the game I was hoping for. The gameplay is awkward and tedious, and the story takes far too long to get interesting, then ends rather abruptly. The only area that did manage to live up to the hype was the art design. Unfortunately, after soaking up its breath-taking watercolor aesthetic, I found Dordogne to be less of a wild adventure, and more of a lackadaisical drift downstream.