Archive for August, 2018

August 28th, 2018 Featured, PC, Reviews No Comments »

Goosebumps: Escape from Horrorland Review

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Developer: DreamWorks Interactive
Publisher: DreamWorks Interactive, Microsoft
Platform: PC

What do you get when you mix R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps novels with an adventure game? Perhaps surprisingly, you end up with an entertaining experience. Goosebumps: Escape from Horrorland takes players to the Horrorland amusement park where they must find their friends and parents and try to escape.

The theme park features multiple themed areas, such as an Egyptian pyramid and vampiric town. As per adventure norms, most areas remain blocked off until you solve a certain puzzle. Puzzles are simple in nature and shouldn’t take too long to solve – unless you’re really having a tough time to understand one.

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Goosebumps: Escape from Horrorland features 3D rendered backdrops alongside FMV sprites and video sequences. This is fantastic and fits right in with the Goosebumps TV show in terms of acting. The best thing about the game is it features Jeff Goldblum as a campy vampire. It’s a shame he didn’t get more screen time!

Simplistic gameplay and puzzles means it should only take one to three hours to complete the game. There are two endings – one good and one not so good. Even if you fail the final puzzle, you might still get the good ending. Goosebumps: Escape from Horrorland provides a silly, short romp through an off-kilter theme park that you won’t soon forget.

 

Score: 4

4 out of 5 alpacas

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August 21st, 2018 Featured, PC, Reviews No Comments »

Your Dry Delight Review

yourdrydelightlogo

Developer: Argent Games
Publisher: Argent Games
Platform: PC – Windows/Mac/Linux

Why are there so few video games set in 1920’s America? It’s such a storied, unique time. Your Dry Delight brings players right into the era of Prohibition. In particular, the visual novel centers on two detectives trying to take down bootlegging operations in Chicago.

Detective Richter only needs to visit his first speakeasy to meet with an incredibly handsome, enigmatic mob boss named Meyer. From there the story proceeds into a brief, dramatic romance between them. Alternately, the other path lets players finally become closer to their boss at the bureau.

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There are only two paths in Your Dry Delight based on a small handful of dialogue choices. Interestingly, after forking, the two converge back into a single ending. It’s a cute ending – and one that fits with the history of Prohibition. The game’s quite short, though. Expect to spend an hour and a half with it at most.

I would’ve liked to see more in Your Dry Delight. There’s not enough time to learn about the characters. They’re also not super stressed about shielding their sexuality, which seems inaccurate to the time. With all that said, Argent Games released the title for free, so there’s only so much room for complaints.

Score: 3

3 out of 5 alpacas

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August 14th, 2018 Featured, PC, Reviews No Comments »

9: The Last Resort Review

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Developer: Tribeca Interactive
Publisher: GT Interactive
Platform: PC – Windows 3.1, 95, Mac OS

For every Myst, there are at least twenty forgotten point and click adventure games. 9: The Last Resort had everything going for it in 1996. It was the first game developed by Tribeca Interactive and produced by Robert DeNiro. Alongside stunning visuals was even more star power with Aerosmith (Steven Tyler and Joe Perry), James Belushi and even Cher lending their voices to the game.

Unfortunately, adventure gaming fans have the uncanny ability to smell a stinker when they see it. 9: The Last Resort drops players off at “The Last Resort.” Apparently your uncle devised a retreat for artists to go and get their creativity back. However, weird undulating shrimp aliens came and destroyed the Muse Machine, rending the resort useless. You must rebuild the Muse Machine, solving copious puzzles along the way.

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This title definitely looks great. Artist Mark Ryden provided a distinct visual aesthetic (as well as framing his paintings throughout the resort). Most puzzles don’t feature this level of artistry. Expect a lot of routine music-based memory matching puzzles that quickly wear out their welcome. No puzzles generally prove too obscure to require a walkthrough.

There’s also the matter of a pipe organ which plays a massive piece in multiple puzzles. Historically, people look upon the organ and its cryptography-style puzzles annoying. I actually enjoyed deciphering them – except for the point at which my game became locked in an un-finishable state. Beware: Absolutely do not use the coins to talk to Isadora (Cher) until you’re ready to play all songs.

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There are just too many annoying moments in 9: The Last Resort to recommend it. For example, a shooting sequence occurs late into the game. The whole thing drags on way too long and is pretty tough to win. The game is humorous at times, but mostly meandering. If you’ve never played 9: The Last Resort before, feel secure in your decision to continue avoiding it.

Score: 2

2 out of 5 alpacas

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August 7th, 2018 Featured, PC, Reviews No Comments »

Immoral Study Scenario 1: Shirakawa Reiko Review

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Developer: Scoop
Publisher: Himeya Soft
Platform: PC – Windows 95, PC-98

There are all kinds of stories in visual novels. Some are action packed mecha tales while others focus on pure romance. Certain titles include sexual content as part of the story (eroge) and others (nukige) make that their sole aim. Immoral Study Scenario 1: Shirakawa Reiko falls squarely into the nukige camp.

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