Adventure Game Hotspot

• PC
• 63%
• États-Unis

Centum is aesthetically compelling, with imagery that haunts like a deathbed hallucination and an oppressive, doom-laden atmosphere that grabs you by the hindbrain and doesn’t let go. The problem is that its ambitions extend far beyond that, and it flounders in trying to realize them. The mechanics and writing seem confused and aimless, and the game struggles to make its design choices feel relevant or justified in context. It confuses when it means to mystify; frustrates when it means to entice; rambles when it means to provoke thought. There’s some promise here, to be sure, but Centum doesn’t just depict an intractable struggle with a well-intentioned but flawed computer program; unfortunately, it also provides one.

• PC
• 88%
• États-Unis

More of an homage to classic Clock Tower than a traditional adventure, Bye Sweet Carole is the kind of game that will either hook you in the first thirty minutes or likely won’t be your cup of tea. It can be both methodical and intense, while also being heartwarming and utterly beautiful to behold. It touches on deeply personal themes and handles difficult topics with grace. The rare but sudden switches to combat feel out of place, and encounters with monsters can sometimes be brutally difficult while simultaneously juggling attempts to solve a puzzle, but a generous checkpoint system never punishes you much for trying new things, even if they end in failure. In between there are many quieter moments of thoughtful gameplay and storytelling, and as a whole this is an incredibly special game that will stick with me for a long time.

• PC
• 92%
• États-Unis

Whoever says you can’t have brains and beauty – and occasionally some old-fashioned brawn – has clearly never played Keeper. I do not use this word lightly, but to me it’s an artistic masterpiece. And yet it’s also a very entertaining game, blending familiar formulas from multiple genres into something daringly, creatively unique. Where most games play it safe, this game goes big and it’s all the better for it. Not all of its swings may land for everyone, particularly point-and-click purists disappointed in the shift away from leisurely puzzles to light platforming toward the end. But for anyone in search of something a little – or a lot – different, Keeper is not to be missed, serving as a shining beacon of light in an industry of relative sameness.

• PC
• 83%
• États-Unis

I’m terribly ashamed to admit it, but I’ve never read the original Death on the Nile novel. I will get around to it someday, but in the meantime I was very happy to play through this interactive and embellished version of the story. For those who have read it or seen the various movie adaptations, the addition of Jane should add some much-needed novelty, and the two storylines of Jane and Poirot intertwine masterfully and even lead to an epilogue I didn’t see coming but made perfect sense. There seems to be a lot more to do here than on the Orient Express – perhaps even a bit too much that doesn’t really seem relevant to the story. And yet I was captivated by the setting and scenery, and really liked searching around for clues and elusive collectibles, as well as questioning people and trying to figure out their secrets. I’m very much a fan of these Poirot games, so I hope that if there’s another, Microids remembers that solving a murder with one of literary fiction’s greatest detectives is interesting enough without a boatful of diversions.

• PC
• 74%
• États-Unis

In some ways, Gloomy Eyes the game both benefited and suffered from its original conception as a non-interactive VR short film. The stunning aesthetic and wistful poignancy of the tale were strong foundations to build upon, but the “self co-op” gamification of the experience isn’t entirely smooth. The dual-character challenges are welcome, to be sure, and for the most part they’re enough for a couple of cozy evenings of (mostly) puzzle solving. And yet it’s hard not to feel like they’ve been tacked on at times (because they were), and the presentation isn’t as user-friendly as it should be with the player in control. Still, it’s a charming production that’s solid fun while it lasts, and even if you go in feeling glum, it’s likely to leave you with a smile on your face.

• PC
• 80%
• États-Unis

• PC
• 80%
• États-Unis

At around five hours long, Discolored 2 is longer and more developed than its predecessor, offering a more substantial experience. It still leaves much to the imagination, but there is a bit more attention paid to the story now, though this is a game that focusses much more on the how rather than the why. It respects the player’s intelligence and curiosity and provides a decent level of challenges to progress. Even when a puzzle frustrates, you’re never stuck long enough for it to wear you down completely, and the reward for seeing it through is usually satisfying, especially when it results in more colour bursting forth into a previously dreary, monochromatic world. If returning players are hoping for answers they didn’t get the first time around, that’s not going to happen as the sequel is still very abstract. But the pieces provided here work well together to create a whole that is effectively mysterious and, most importantly, fun to play.

• PC
• 50%
• États-Unis

Born Punk is a game that I really wanted to enjoy more than I did. The thought that kept coming to my mind while playing was, “squandered potential.” The visuals are a treat. The world feels fully realized and is alive with animation. The characters convey a lot of personality through their pixelated sprites and excellent voice work. As evidenced by the lore pages, a lot of thought went into the world-building aspects. It’s unfortunate, then, that it’s all undermined by the tediously extended prologue, the underutilization of cyberspace tools, the highly overwritten dialogs, the characters’ lack of interest in their own AI-infested conditions, and the fact that the most engaging part of the story only starts in the closing seconds of the game. As an opportunity to take in the sights of the rain-drenched streets of Bornholm, this game is a delight. But for those who prefer a little more substance with their style, best to look elsewhere. Hot take

• PC
• 75%
• États-Unis

It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those looking something unlike anything else out there, Promise Mascot Agency offers a bizarre flavor of storytelling that feels inventive and fresh. It doesn’t have the staying power to keep its repetitive gameplay interesting throughout, but the richness of the world and unapologetic insanity more than make up for its excesses.

• PC
• 80%
• États-Unis

Overall, Backfirewall_ is an entertaining romp through an imaginative digital world. It’s not long, and the darker emotional turn toward the end doesn’t entirely fit with the more whimsical tone to that point, but it’s a great way to fill five or so hours thanks to the charming characters and intriguing world, while the alternate story decisions and collectibles offer some incentive to return if you missed anything. The gameplay isn’t particular challenging even the first time through, but it’s enough to make you think, and if necessary the hint feature prevents the puzzles from ever becoming too frustrating, maintaining a brisk pace. If you’ve ever wondered what’s going on inside your cellphone, now’s your chance to find out!

• PS5
• 68%
• États-Unis

With The Extrication, I think the Bridge Curse series may have found its niche in horror gaming, if not yet its ideal execution. The game’s four central characters are injected with a bit more personality than the last time around, making them more relatable to the player. And even without its unintentional B-movie lip sync issues, the localization is, on the whole, well done without taking itself too seriously, bolstering the already improved pacing and storytelling. However, it’s not all roses yet, as forced stealth gameplay segments remain and aren’t much fun, and outside of a number of jump scares, the horror elements still feel somewhat restrained, even if the overall atmosphere is heading in the right direction. It’s not bad by any means, particularly if the prospect of rarely explored cultural urban legends sounds appealing, but even with the improvements shown here, it has a way to go if it ever wants a chance at being top of the class.

• PC
• 100%
• États-Unis

It's rare to see a game that has this much creative ambition and achieves seemingly everything it sets out to do. Blue Prince is like nothing I’ve ever played, and when I’m not actively attempting one more run (which is never just one more run), I’m thinking about its puzzles, its mysteries and new ideas to try. In refusing to be shoved into any predetermined genre boundaries, Dogubomb has created a truly phenomenal game that everyone owes it to themselves to play.

• PC
• 68%
• États-Unis

Urban Myth Dissolution Center’s bold art and an even bolder concept isn’t quite enough to spice up this slow-burning mystery visual novel with limited detective elements.

• PC
• 58%
• États-Unis

As a reviewer, I suppose it’s my duty to make a definitive statement about the quality of the game, but Sunday Gold presents a very clear opportunity for me to recognize when a game of high quality just simply does not connect for me. I see praise for this game from roleplaying circles that commend its exacting combat and resource management, which are precisely the aspects that didn’t appeal to me at all. I am certain that there is a significant audience for this type of RPG-heavy story game with its cruel and bleak style and hostile antihero protagonists. The combat mechanics are complex and generally interesting, the difficulty curve is elevated at a level sure to please adherents to this type of game, and the story and dialogue at least take some wild swings. A game like Sunday Gold that is this committed to its own eccentricities at least plays its cards immediately—you’ll know before the brutal prologue ends whether this is a world you’re compelled to spend time in, or whether it’s just a right load of bollocks.

• PC
• 85%
• États-Unis

Nine Noir Lives is a great and surprisingly substantial game overall, earning a place among the ranks of other classic adventures of its kind. I played for about twenty hours (although it would surely have been less if I had used hints or a walkthrough) and enjoyed almost all of that time, especially the witty sense of humour and the super-cute characters. Has the premise been done before? Yes. Is the story original and new? Nope. Still, Nine Noir Lives gives it a unique, whimsical spin with its Shakespearean feline motif and manages to entertain and satisfy all your adventure game needs.

• PC
• 72%
• États-Unis

This game has a lot to offer the escape room fans, with a substantial variety of puzzles that feel very satisfying to solve – at least, once you figure out what it is you’re even supposed to do. If you’re more inclined towards a deeper narrative than a multi-location puzzler, this may not be one for you. Either way, during its short runtime it’s sure to hold your attention with its rich atmosphere, beautifully drawn locations, immaculate musical direction, and a few striking scenes that elevate the experience. I would love to see more of what Tales from Candleforth could offer as an anthology series, and hopefully Wood and Flesh: A Candleforth Short Story, a free playable prequel set in the same universe, is just a small tease of what more there is to come.

• PC
• 95%
• États-Unis

Cabernet is an incredible achievement. Your Liza’s story will be unlike anyone else’s, and to manage that while creating a world of memorable characters and moments is an experience all its own. The impressive variety of quests makes for a highly replayable adventure as well. As much as I tried to uncover my first time through, I still barely scratched the surface with some of the characters I met. With complex themes like blood consumption being a reflection of alcoholism, the immense weight of living forever, and trying to retain any sense of humanity when you are factually a monster, there are some incredibly heavy topics explored here, but they are treated with the respect and gravity necessary to tell a story that has something of value to say about them. Being a creature of the night may not always be easy, but the rewards are well worth indulging in a sip or two of Cabernet when offered.

• PC
• 98%
• États-Unis

1000xRESIST may sound pretty overwhelming, and that’s not without merit. Over the course of ten or so hours, it’s like diving into a classic novel, or that artsy anime that someone you know says, “I don’t usually like anime, but dude you have to watch this.” There’s a lot to absorb, and the game doesn’t dumb any of it down. But the amazing characters and settings will pull you in even if you feel bewildered by the mystery of it all, and as you slowly begin to unravel the dense narrative strands in front of you, you’ll find something of true value. Like any of the greatest pieces of art, it’s worth the effort.