Recent reviews by 4m0n

I must admit, I approached this game with skepticism. I absolutely loved The Book of Unwritten Tales, but the Critter parts? Not so funny. I never really enjoyed controlling this non speaking character, always having to guess what I might be saying, after a couple of minutes I always got bored or irritated. But this spin-off (and prequel), The Criiter Chronicles? Don't ask me why, but it totally works.

The story is simple but entertaining, in this game we finally understand WHAT is Critter. Part of an alien race crashed on the planet, we have to help him and his mates get a crucial part of their ship back from the... evil, for lack of a better term, Munkus. We will also meet again some of the characters from Unwritten Tales, like Ma'zaz, discover how Critter became friend with Nate and visit many locations of the previous game. Dialogues are funny and full of pop culture references, puzzles aren't extremely hard, but a couple of moments may be really challenging if you don't pay attention to your surroundings. Plus, a Portal (as in the Valve franchise) based puzzle? Yes, please!

The Critter Chronicles is a solid game. Not extraordinary, but surely interesting and rewarding to play. Even if there are a lot of references to the previous game, it is completely possible to play one without having played the other, the two adventures are totally indipendent. Nice game.

Germany. Elegant cars, cold winter, awesome beer. Ok, I'm definitely relying too much on stereotypes, but from now on we could surely add "very nice point and click adventure games" to that list. Interesting enough, german developers released a lot of good adventure games in the last few years, becoming probably the main contributor to this little "renaissance" of the point and click genre. And Deponia is one the best examples.

Someone described Daedalic as "the European Lucasarts" and I'm not entirely sure I can agree to that, but their games are solid. Very good story, challenging puzzles, polished graphics, everything is surely above average, Deponia is definitely a nice game. Characters are crazy enough to make you often laugh, A LOT of location to explore, non linear puzzle solving, and Daedalic recently added new languages, which is always kind. As a first chapter of a trilogy Deponia works just fine, the player is always pushed to play more to see how the plot will evolve. I got stuck two or three times, which is great in my opinion, 'cause it means they focused a lot on the intellectual challenge of the game and not only on the narrative side.

Definitely worth a shot, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Second game of the Blackwell saga, and actually a prequel to The Blackwell Legacy, The Blackwell Unbound is one charming point and click adventure. Featuring Lauren Blackwell, Rosa's aunt, the game is full of little details that will help us understand that part of Lauren's past we just had a glimpse of in the first game, and her connection with Joey. New York in the seventies is so freaking cool in this game, and so are the strange and funny characters (and ghosts) that Lauren and Joey will find on their journey.

As always with the Balckwell games we're not talking about a game hard to beat, the puzzles are pretty easy, but even if I don't like it very much I'm inclined to think that it is a specific design choice to make the story flow freely at any time. The narrative aspect of the Blackwell games is prominent, the story is very well written and it always feels that the player can identify with the characters and some of their problems, and choices. Plus, Joey. Joey's awesome. So, essentially, the Blackwell Unbound is a good game "per se", a very cool second chapter of the saga, and a great prequel.

Story, setting, characters, dialogues, puzzles, graphics... name something, Syberia excels in it greatly. It's the story of Kate Walker, a New York lawyer sent to the French Alps to close a simple business deal, before being involved in a strange mistery that will put her in the search of an unknow heir to the Valadilene fortune.

Benoit Sokal's illustrations are just over the top, beatifully drawn, of an incredible impact on the story. Various, with a strong sci-fi/fantasy influence but still very earthly and believable. A+. Characters are funny and well written, with just the right amount of crazy that will make you smile but still care for them, and the story... you'll love everything about this game. I could go on forever, but it would be redundant, so I'll just say: Syberia is a great game, a point and click adventure every fan of the genre should play. Awesome, awesome game.

Every gamer has a Videogame Guru, Idol, an iconic, inspiring figure. For me, since I consider myself ad adventure gamer, it was a no brainer, mine is Ron Gilbert. I don't think I have to explain why.

So, The Cave.

Good things first. The Cave is funny (and the Cave's voice is HILARIOUS). It's Ron Gilbert funny, there are so many references, jokes, even the torches on the walls are funny in this game. The gamepad control system works fine, making the game highly enjoyable even on consoles, which is something new for an adventure. Having to choose three characters to descend in the Cave from a pool of seven guarantees a good replayability, since you have to beat the game at least 3 times to explore all the personal sections.

Now the things I didn't like much. The game is easy. I understand that to take adventure games in the next century we NEED to include new players and not only the hardcore old times fans, but still, I really wanted to get stuck, for old times sake :D and, on a different matter, the Cave as a character IS great, but this gameplay choice (platforming based puzzle solving) completely eliminates dialogue, which was Ron Gilbert's old point and click adventures real added value.

Don't misunderstand me, I LOVED The Cave, but maybe my expectations were too high, I liked to dream about a gamechanging title, while this one is probably a first step, hopefully in the right direction, to really innovate the genre. If there's one person who can do it, that person is Ron Gilbert.

There has been a time, around 2000, everybody was thinking that maybe graphic adventures were doomed. After the commercial failure of Grim Fandango the future seemed obscure, and The Longest Journey was a shining light. Maybe I am too melodramatic, but I like to think that TLJ saved this genre, because it showed to everyone that it was still possible to make extraordinary point and click games.

I won't tell you anything about the story, if not that it has a strong sci-fi/paranormal vibe, because I really want you to discover it entirely. The setting is futuristic, and you'll help the main character, April Ryan, discover the truth about herself and the world she lives in. The characters are deep and very well written, the story manages to be funny and allegoric at the same time, and the puzzles can be really challenging. Old School. Awesome. In the end FunCom and its lead writer at that time, Ragnar Tørnquist created a world that feels alive, characters you really care for, and a story that will make you think about our role in modern society. Even the smallest details are perfectly integrated in the main narrative arc. The Longest Journey is a must have for any graphic adventure fan, and a great game in general.

Sadly, as many early 3D games, if played now feels (graphically speaking) very outdated, but I assure you it won't be an issue as soon as you enter this fantastic world. But yeah, a resolution patch would be awesome ;-)

Nice little point and click adventure. A little short (less than 3 hours to complete this first chapter) and not very hard but nevertheless a game I'd recommend, story and characters are very interesting and the voice actors were super funny.

In one word: Extraordinary.

I bought this game because the pixel art seemed really nice (and it is, it's gorgeous) but The Last Door proved to be an excellent graphic adventure. A little easy, maybe, nowadays it's (sadly) pretty common in this genre, but totally worth your time and money. The story is very well written and absolutely compelling, if you like oldschool horror/mistery writers there's a 100% chance you'll love this game. The gameplay is simple, but it totally works in its context. I have to admit I didn't expect The Last Door to be THIS good, it is hands down the biggest surprise of my 2014.

I also think it's important to mention that the story ends with a major cliffhanger, the plot will continue in Season 2.

Pure awesomeness. Crazy, fast-paced, hilariously funny, Borderlands 2 is the real deal. In co-op mode it is simply the best experience you could possibly have with this kind of games. If you like shooting games, clever jokes and old-school references, you cannot possibly miss Borderlands 2.

Reviewing the first game of The Witcher Saga I remember writing "this is a badass RPG"... well, this second installment is at least ten times better. The combat system is much more fluid, allowing spectacular kill-streaks, and the game is pretty fun to play even with a gamepad (but navigating the inventory with it is kinda frustrating). Graphics-wise the game is just wonderful, it seems impossible that it was released in 2011. The story is compelling and full of humour, intrigues and plot twists, and since you'll have to choose between two possible paths at the end of Act I, you need AT LEAST two different playthroughs to explore all the content (but to really see everything you'll probably need to reload your savegame at least 4 or 5 times in certain situations).

I cannot think about a single reason not to try this game, especially if you're a RPG aficionado. They're pretty cheap (Summer sale is about to start and I guess you can buy both games for around 6 or 7 euros) and they're absolutely awesome. Plus, you'll support CD Projekt RED, a GREAT developer that will also give you a DRM Free copy on GOG if you enter your Steam Key on their website.

Try The Witcher Saga. You won't be disappointed.