Ratings by Stuart
Blackwell Deception, The
Yesterday
Good enough but disappointing
Pendulo make some very good adventure games and I was looking forward to seeing them create one with a darker, more serious subject matter as their niche has been comedic games.
Unfortunately, while a good game, Yesterday disappoints considering the high standards I hold Pendulo to. It’s short, the story is a lacking in parts, and there was a slight blandness to it that is hard to explain. On the plus side it keeps you guessing, has very good sound (voices + music), and as always good graphics.
It’s worth playing and a good game but I just feel Pendulo could have done better. This only took me 3 1/2 hours to complete which is the shortest Pendulo game so far.
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Time Played: 2-5 hours
New Beginning, A
A wonderful and relevant story, but game has a few issues
A New Beginning is a fresh and unique adventure game with a very unique plot. I guess the closest AG games of this style might be the EcoQuest titles from the early 90s. A New Beginning tackles one of the most relevant and hotly debated issues of today’s world, climate change, and takes the side of the believers. Both protagonists are likeable and I found Bent to be a very unconventional hero, an aging scientist with a bushy moustache. His partner in trying to save the world Fay is more of what you’d expect in an AG, a strong-willed female of the type we see in a lot nowadays (Secret Files, Chronicles of Mystery, Broken Sword).
The game is gripping and supported by nice visuals and a beautiful ambient soundtrack with some memorable tunes. Difficulty is quite low except some puzzles that are tough but can be skipped after a few minutes.
Unfortunately what stops this game becoming a classic are a bunch of technical issues, slightly annoying cartoony cut scenes, and shoddy voice acting that are all too common from games not developed in English language countries. What is disappointing about the voice acting is that Daedlic’s other main title, The Whispered World, had a really strong voice track.
The horde of technical issues and glitches bogged the game down more than anything though. For example in the Brazilian rainforest when stood near the three men around the table, when I tried to walk away the game forcibly made Bent walk back to his spot. With no exit screen in site allowing for fast travel, I was stuck there. Luckily I had saved a few minutes earlier as this was a game-breaker. So be sure to save every 5 or 10 minutes just in case.
Overall though, I highly recommend this title which is another well made title by Daedlic who are giving a genre long past it’s golden age some high quality games.
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Time Played: 10-20 hours
