Broken Age: Act 1 Reviews

Broken Age: Act 1 is ranked in the 89th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
VideoGamer
Top Critic
8 / 10
Jan 16, 2014

Not the revival of the classic Lucasarts form some would hope, but a great first instalment all the same.

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Jan 16, 2014

Arguably the biggest Kickstarter story sticks its first landing. Broken Age is a cute, colorful tale about growing up. While the 'game' part of the experience is pretty straightforward - like an old-school adventure game - the world is full of charming and unique characters. Sit back, figure out some puzzles, and experience the wonderful little tale that Double Fine has crafted.

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Jan 16, 2014

Act One of Broken Age starts off strong, with an incredibly well-written storyline that props up some occasionally weak puzzle work. Let's hope Double Fine can follow through with Act Two when it arrives later this year.

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Jan 27, 2014

There will be some who perceive the game's specific design decisions as flaws, and they aren't necessarily wrong, but they were likely never going to enjoy Broken Age anyways. Broken Age falls into a very specific genre, one that rarely gets much attention anymore, and makes a strong case for why it should.

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8.3 / 10.0
Jan 20, 2014

Broken Age is both a huge success and a cautionary tale for Kickstarter backers. While the game absolutely delivers on great gameplay, story, and production value rarely seen in the genre, its short length and the fact that you'll have to wait months for the second half of the game are worrying.

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8.5 / 10.0
Feb 4, 2014

Broken Age Act One is short and far too easy, and the worst part is, after smacking us with a 'bloody hell, didn't see that one coming' ending, we now have to wait for Act Two to stroll along before we can finally finish the game. If you hate cliffhangers you may even wish to wait until the second half is available. However, the fact that we still massively enjoyed our time with Act One, and can't wait to pick up the story's finale, proves that Mr Schafer has once again produced a stunning little gem.

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EGM
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Jan 14, 2014

For any fan of classic adventure games, playing Broken Age will be like wrapping yourself in a big, comfy blanket made of pointing, clicking, and a whole lot of laughs.

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8.5 / 10.0
Jan 28, 2014

Indie studio's massive crowd-funding campaign results in a very enjoyable – if perhaps overly easy – point-and-click adventure game

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8.5 / 10.0
Jan 14, 2014

With imaginative puzzles and wondrous settings, Broken Age is a delightful game for fans of adventure

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86 / 100
Jan 14, 2014

A great start for an adventure proud to have graduated from one of gaming's finest old schools.

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8.7 / 10.0
Feb 19, 2014

It's simply amazing that Double Fine was able to turn something so inherently ridiculous into something incredibly serious with just a click of the mouse. It's just as amazing that Double Fine was able to transport me back to the late 80s and early 90s, reminding me just how much I loved these type of games in the late 80s and early 90s. I cannot wait for the [free!] update that will bring on Act 2. I also cannot wait to see if Broken Age ushers in a new era of the point-and-click genre.

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AusGamers
Gameboffin
Top Critic
8.8 / 10.0
Jan 17, 2014

There may not be much actual "game" in Broken Age Act 1, but as a window into two interesting and charming adventures it easily fulfills the Kickstarter promise. The presentation is beautiful and unique, as are the settings and characters. The puzzles are the weakest parts, with a stripped-back interface that offers little beyond combining things and using them on people and specific spots.

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8.8 / 10.0
Jan 20, 2014

The Broken Age will win you over in minutes, and what it lacks in length or difficulty it makes up for in pure personality. From talking Spoons to a guru who makes people remove vowels from their names in order to attain true lighten-ness, it's a weird world, and you'll feel part of it in way we haven't seen since the lost age of adventure games.

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9 / 10.0
Jan 31, 2014

Broken Age has delivered what it promised, quite wonderfully. This initial offering of the first half, and the promise of a conclusion to come at no extra cost, is enough to earn it attention for its beauty. The second half, and its subsequent review, will bear the weight of the example its opening gave, and will decide whether this game is worth the score I give it.

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9 / 10.0
Jan 28, 2014

Broken Age works. Its story is compelling and captivating, giving you questions and clues all the way, and the absolutely stunning ending will leave you desperate to continue. The worlds created are fascinating and diverse, tied together perfectly with incredible artwork and music.

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90%
Apr 13, 2014

A game that will resonate with you and make you nostalgic for something that you might not even remember forgetting.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 13, 2014

[W]e wholeheartedly recommend that fans of any form of fantasy storytelling, especially those who are fans of Pendleton Ward's style (who actually is part of the cast), must play Broken Age: Act 1. We have a good feeling that if Double Fine held off for just another year, the full version of Broken Age would have easily been a nominee for game of the year.

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9 / 10.0
Jan 17, 2014

Broken Age is silky smooth, deliciously humorous, visually stunning and completely delightful.

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90 / 100
Jan 20, 2014

Broken Age is charming, attractive, funny, and all-around entertaining. For fans of adventure games, it leaves little to be desired short of its second act. If that meets the standard set by the currently playable bit, Double Fine looks to have dropped a classic in its wake. Regardless, the experience of Act 1 is enough to recommend outright — don't hesitate to add this title to your library.

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Jan 16, 2014

Broken Age: Act I is a two-pronged success: it's a vintage Schafer adventure with a meta layer that comments on the game's crowdfunded roots.

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