Adventure Gamers - Forums

My first question is usually:

How unique is it? Does it look like something I’ll remember in 10 years, or does it look like a hundred other games I’ve played and will meld into the rest of them a week after I’ve finished it… forgotten.

But I’m more likely to be interested by a unique type of gameplay or writing style - graphics aren’t ever enough to hook me.

I have to be initially attracted to the art-style & similarly it might put me off but I will in either case read the developer’s blurb.

I don’t mind retro-graphics that have a pixelated look which I differentiate from ‘pixel art’ as in The Darkside Detective which to me when I’m looking at screenshots comes across as potentially trying to play a game viewed through frosted glass - not my scene! 

After that I look at what the concept of the plot is.

Point n Click interface is preferable but not necessary.
Actually I’ve found the alternatives to P n C more intrusive like highlighting stuff when you’re exploring – it does seem to be a little more in-yer-face than the little old pointy cursor?

In the description of a game the word ‘surreal’ to me translates as a developer ‘playing around with ideas’ …….in my mind there are too many games that rely on ‘surreal’ & I want a proper story although I acknowledge that ‘surreal’ can be incorporated.

Gabe - 04 September 2021 08:20 AM

Prefer to listen Trilok Gurtu whenever i play an adventure.

Gabe, has Trilok Gurtu provided any music for an AG & which one(s)?

Maybe you could also post some recommendations over in VP’s Chit Chat thread ‘Three songs, in the moment`?

chrissie - 04 September 2021 11:06 AM

I don’t mind retro-graphics that have a pixelated look which I differentiate from ‘pixel art’ as in The Darkside Detective which to me when I’m looking at screenshots comes across as potentially trying to play a game viewed through frosted glass - not my scene!

Technically speaking The Darkside Detective doesn’t match either of those descriptions. That game is real HD, but obviously most game assets resemble pixelart style.

If you look at it more closely though, there are some lights and reflections that would simply be impossible in “true” pixelart, and I seem to recall that there were some semi-transparent elements and so on.

I suppose none of that matters if you don’t like it, but just to point out, that game is very different from, let’s say, most AGS games which have pixelated look, mostly true pixelart.

I personally think The Darkside Detective is one of the best-looking games ever made, and I don’t quite get why some people seem to almost hate the artistic choices in the game. I quite literally bought it initially based on the graphics, and only later found out that it’s also maybe the funniest game ever made.

I guess that also sort of answers the original question. These days I am more attracted to “pixelart”, be it real pixels or something that gives that impression. If the genre is either science fiction or comedy, and the game mechanics third person point-and-click, there’s probably no way of me not getting the game at some point.

I’ve obviously used the wrong terminology to make my point but out of curiosity how would you describe the style of The Darkside Detective?
I don’t hate the style but for me it doesn’t work as an artistic choice in a game as I find the scenes too blurry to be immersive. 

chrissie - 05 September 2021 05:42 AM

I’ve obviously used the wrong terminology to make my point but out of curiosity how would you describe the style of The Darkside Detective?

That’s a very good question, and very difficult to answer.
I suppose “pixelart” would be the closest to convey the idea of the style, but technically speaking it would be incorrect. Something like “pixel facsimile” might more accurately describe what it’s all about, but as it’s not a real term it would be very difficult to understand.

I suppose “block graphics” might also describe it, at least that’s often used for Minecraft and such, but would that imply third dimension? I don’t know.

Reviewers call it pixelart often, but this fantastic quote from Destructoid review combines those both:

“I could enjoy The Darkside Detective with my eyes closed but that would rob me of an art direction I am in love with. Big blocky pixel graphics isn’t a style I see very often and, on the retina screen of my MacBook Pro, it looks stupendous. Many scenes of this game are wallpaper worthy and it is hard for me to choose exactly which screengrabs I want to use in this review because they’re all perfect.”

First person game: I like having the perspective as the player in the game.
Little to no character interaction or dialogue: I have no interest in getting story by listening to people talk back and forth. I’d rather gather clues by reading journals, or see some cut scenes.
Absolutely no stealth, combat, or timed puzzles relying on reflexes.
Must have lots of puzzles and exploration.
Controls can be point and click, or direct if I can program them into my Razer Mouse. I like 3D games, and am hoping to try a VR game soon, maybe the new Myst.

I’m pretty limited with what I like. My Steam library has mostly escape games.