Adventure Game Hotspot

• PS5
• 88%
• États-Unis

Fans of this studio’s previous outings will have a good idea of the general skeleton awaiting them in Still Wakes the Deep, though critically kicked up several notches. But even those who usually prefer a more open-ended gameplay-driven experience will find some pleasant surprises awaiting them here. The Chinese Room have pushed the boundaries of their story-focused formula by involving the player more in the act of traversal, from deliberate (and very short) stealth sections to QTE sequences popping up during panicked platforming. Most important is the masterful marriage of a chilling suspense story with fantastic presentation values and plenty of frights to go around, including both grotesque body horror and existential dread. If that sounds like an enjoyable Saturday night to you, then consider this your invitation to take a vacation to the North Sea – I hear there’s an opening that’s just become available on a nearby oil rig.

• PC
• 95%
• États-Unis

So much fun and humor and character and charm are all packed into Duck Detective: The Secret Salami that it’s hard to believe Happy Broccoli managed to bring the run time in just under two hours. The time whizzes by with nary a second wasted and feels like the perfect helping of a delicious dessert. It will make you think, it will make you laugh, it will make you smile, and it will make you wish you could go on a toast bender and forget the entire thing just so you could experience it again.

• PC
• 80%
• États-Unis

Even in many of the best puzzle-adventures, if there isn’t a lot of story or nonlinear exploration to supplement the gameplay, there often comes a point where I start to become weary of solving one puzzle after another. Somehow, though, while Paper Trail‘s structure is highly guided and the tale being told lacks the depth of other more narrative-focused adventures, the playfulness of the folding mechanic kept me happily exploring and experimenting throughout each tightly designed level. And since it’s all such a pleasant experience, with many vibrant locales to wander through, characters to meet, and a captivating soundtrack to listen to, I remained thoroughly engaged to the last page.

• PC
• 88%
• États-Unis

Despite an abrupt ending that kept me wanting more closure, INDIKA’s journey, with its different varieties of gameplay, gorgeous if drearily realistic environments while exploring and playful retro pixel art for the mini-game flashbacks, captivated me from beginning to the credit roll. It’s a story of right and wrong, and realizing that doing what’s expected of you through the doctrine of religion doesn’t safeguard you from evil. It raises the question of whether you should resort to turning “evil” yourself then, and whether all acts can even be categorized that way to begin with when looking at basic needs and survival. Are morals universal or merely a human construct? Is religion an absolute truth or a manipulative tool? While I was expecting quite a controversial game, I was happy to find it isn’t all that in-your-face. It certainly offers food for thought if you like to philosophize, or you can simply play the game, experience the (sometimes disturbing) five-hour story and ignore all the symbolism. I for one will be praying that the developers make more games like this!

• PC
• 80%
• États-Unis

There hasn’t been a Moomin game of this caliber before, and it will be music to the ears of fans of Jansson’s whimsical world that Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley represents it so well, especially when it comes to the fantastic art direction, music, and sound design. It was a joy to explore all the different areas of the valley and bask in the peaceful ambience, meeting the large cast of characters along the way. While it doesn’t quite manage to capture the depth of character and melancholy atmosphere that Jansson’s books are well known for, and there’s something a little odd about focusing on Snufkin’s quest for vigilante justice against the local parks department, I wouldn’t let that dissuade you. The game is ultimately a celebration of the world of Moomin, and though it’s quite accessible to children, given the simple gameplay and low difficulty, it still has plenty to offer a more experienced player looking for a cozy, mostly stress-free adventure to enjoy. If you don’t know anything about Moomin, neither did anyone in my family, and yet we still thoroughly enjoyed it and my kids are even interested in a second playthrough, so we all readily give it our seven thumbs up. It’s really a very nice game, and in the words of a wise old soul… "All nice things are good for you.” – Moominpappa (The Exploits of Moominpappa, 1950)

• PC
• 70%
• États-Unis

Harold Halibut is more interactive experience than game, but what an experience it is. The craft and imagination that went into literally building the world is incredible to behold, and the voice acting and cinematic soundtrack both fit perfectly. It’s also refreshing to see obvious sci-fi tropes sidelined in favour of smaller-scale, character-driven stories. That said, it can feel slow and meandering, especially without puzzles to solve or choices to make. I definitely wouldn’t have minded a little less backtracking and a little more to do, but I kept wanting to dive back in anyway, because as idiosyncratic as they are, the characters and world both felt so charmingly real and relatable. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re willing to lean back, take your time and go with the flow, life aboard the Fedora I offers an experience that’s both alien and compellingly human.

• PC
• 88%
• États-Unis

While the user interface takes some getting used to, and the script could have used a little more polish, the story and investigative gameplay of Between Horizons are highly entertaining. I really enjoyed playing as Stella, molding both her character and the story’s ultimate outcome with my dialogue choices and efficiency as the Zephyr’s chief of security. I loved roaming around the spaceship looking for clues and talking to other characters, each with their own unique personality and background, with not one but ten different mysteries to investigate. And there’s a great amount of detailed worldbuilding, both visually and narratively found in this game. It’s a shame that trying for a different outcome demands another complete playthrough, but I was very satisfied with the ending I got, despite only finding the right solution for eight out of ten cases. Even if you’re like me and generally have no real affinity for science fiction, this intriguing detective/sci-fi story aims for the stars, and as far as I’m concerned it’s mission successful!

• PS5
• 49%
• États-Unis

As a long-time fan of Tintin, I really wanted to love Cigars of the Pharaoh, but despite going in with enthusiasm and optimism, my joy was quickly turned into frustration and disappointment. I did temporarily get my hopes up again when the game began feeling more like an adventure, only for it to be turned around once more. This roller coaster of emotions eventually soured my experience entirely, and as I got closer to the end I just wanted it all to be over. Numerous bugs and glitches, frustrating gameplay and fragmented storytelling dragged the whole game down from what at times showed the potential to be a good time. I’m not sure someone who isn’t a fan of the series would care enough about the Tintin brand to overlook all the rough edges, and even as a devoted series fan it is a tough pill to swallow. My only hope is that Pendulo and Microids take the criticism to heart, focusing more on what they do best if there's to be a sequel hinted at in the end scene.

• PC
• 65%
• États-Unis

You’d better have a good memory if you don’t want to spend hours reading through long blocks of text over and over again in Chronique des Silencieux, searching for that one piece of information that just might connect to or contradict another. The good news is that it’s all presented in a beautiful, evocative period setting with interesting characters, providing enough motivation to keep digging into their backgrounds. Sadly, the occasional graphical glitch, faulty translation and overly demanding deduction requirements make the gameplay experience much harder than it should be. Pierre Feuille Studio has the right idea and introduces a great concept for detective games, but they should have tested and polished it up further before releasing. To their credit, during my 14-hour playthrough they released several updates that gradually improved certain issues, making the third part of the game smoother than the first two. It still wasn’t perfect, but it’s moving in the right direction, so here’s hoping it will get there so more people can enjoy the intriguing elements lurking beneath the surface.

• PS5
• 83%
• États-Unis

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft is an imperfect update but a tremendous package overall, offering a satisfying mix of exploration, puzzle solving and action with enough content to keep you occupied for dozens of hours. While most of the puzzles won’t stall hardcore adventure fans for long, they are nevertheless well-designed and the games encourage exploring to find all the hidden secrets – a formidable challenge for even the experienced gamer. The series looks better than ever with a graphical overhaul, but they’re still clearly old games reskinned rather than brand new AAA games released today. The new control scheme will be embraced by those who found the original mechanics too cumbersome, and yet doing some of the games’ more precise platforming segments may not be as intuitive as before. For longtime series fans, this collection is ultimately singing to the choir – prettier and more flexible, but perhaps without enough significant benefit to make them necessary. But you get three full games and all related expansions in one bundle, with enough options between new and old iterations to cater to any player’s preference. So if you’re missing any games from your collection, or are a fan of the later Tomb Raiders and wondering how it all started, this is an absolute must buy.

• PS5
• 67%
• États-Unis

When it comes to adventure games, “old-fashioned” can be a nice way of saying unforgiving and outdated, and in many ways that suits Desolatium but I can genuinely say that I enjoyed most of my time playing it. Even with some rough edges, its playability makes it an easy game to recommend, though only fans of this node-based, point-and-click horror subgenre are likely to find any joy in its bizarre pleasures. Desolatium was crowdfunded through Kickstarter, and it certainly feels like one, being aimed at a very specific audience. It’s not for everyone, but it isn’t supposed to be, so you may want to try out the free standalone prologue for a taste of what to expect. If this style of pixel-hunting, pre-rendered horror appeals to you, Desolatium should be worth investigating.

• PC
• 77%
• États-Unis

Like its two playable characters often do, Song of Nunu is content to slide along the surface of its various gameplay elements, never really becoming as deep or engaging as it could. But its accessibility and low level of difficulty are partly what make it a suitable entry point for fans not used to this much running, jumping and even the occasional fighting in their puzzle-filled adventure games. It’s meant to be for everyone, regardless of age or adeptness with these types of experiences. There’s plenty of variety to keep things breezy and fresh, the protagonists have a wonderful dynamic that will surely have you rooting for them to persevere, and there’s enough of a tragedy-tinged narrative underpinning the otherwise whimsically cartoony presentation to keep you motivated to reach the end. Whether you’re a League of Legends diehard or a complete newbie to the frozen Freljord and its world of champions, you’ll find much to enjoy in a game that not only looks and sounds great, but has loads of heart at its core.

• PC
• 73%
• États-Unis

I’m really glad I played Jusant. It’s so different than other games that I really looked forward to it, and for the most part I rather enjoyed my time scaling its steep heights. My biggest disappointment is that greatness was within its grasp but – as happened far too often to me on my way up – the designers let it slip through their fingers. More forgiving controls, clearer direction, and a more organic approach to storytelling would have better complemented such a gorgeous world to explore. Nevertheless, the change in perspective adds a welcome new angle – literally – and the “action” element isn’t overly demanding, feeling like a giant environmental puzzle to be solved with a bit more physical exertion than normal, rather than a high-octane race to the top requiring fast reflexes. Throw in a cuddly sidekick (be sure to give him some attention!), some intriguing background lore of a bygone civilization, and a few new gameplay elements along the way, and Jusant’s strengths are more than enough to help it rise above its limitations. It may not be perfect, but it’s one of the increasingly rare games that emphasize gameplay above all else, so it’s a definitely step in the right direction. Onward and upward, Don’t Nod!

• PC
• 93%
• États-Unis

And it’s one hell of a game. None of which is to say that Slay the Princess fails to stick the landing—or landings, in this case, as there’s naturally more than one. As with everything else, the decisions you made affect where you end up, though you still have enough freedom to finally shape what exactly that looks like. Whatever happens, you’ll finish the game secure in the knowledge that you haven’t seen anywhere close to all it has to offer. You’ll likely be tempted, as I was, to dive right back in again and start it over. It’s full of horrors, yes, and violence, and the near certainty of failure, but in its boundless creativity, in the multifariousness of its narrative and its characters, and in its unflinching commitment to exploring the fullness of possibility, Slay the Princess is, more than anything, a cry of joy and wonder at the staggering beauty of not knowing what comes next.

• PC
• 68%
• États-Unis

The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo is a short game – it took me just under two hours to complete with only a single peek at the hint book. The first half was quite enjoyable, but eventually it became clear why Mr. Rodriguez himself was dissatisfied with the final product, as the second half makes even this relative brevity drag, until I longed to be back playing the beginning with its bold animations and uniquely weird situations and characters. There are certainly things to appreciate here, but the best of them are always in how The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo looks rather than how it plays. The story ends on a cliffhanger, so let's hope that any future endeavour will itself be able to pick up the pieces and create something in the spirit of the original, just with more refined mechanics as its creator always intended.

• PC
• 85%
• États-Unis

There’s limited freedom to roam in Killer Frequency, and not much to being a DJ, but the variety of gameplay kept me entertained and being an interim 911 operator sure is exciting, whether I played the hero or villain. Lives are very much at stake, but the great part is, you don’t need any action game experience to succeed. This is a more passive survival horror experience perfect for those who don’t like blood and gore, where all it takes is your brain and the ability to see solutions in all the clues provided. Every caller brings new elements that pose a challenge, but without being overly difficult. And even though you don’t see – or perhaps because you can’t see – what’s happening to the people in your care, there’s still a great buildup of tension. And it’s equally fun no matter which mindset you choose: being the grand savior is very rewarding and satisfying, but intentionally screwing up is just too tempting not to give it a go. I highly recommend it even to those who can’t bear to watch a horror movie – it’s perfect for a home-alone, late-night gaming session with the lights off and a bowl of popcorn at hand.

• PS5
• 84%
• États-Unis

Having played and loved Quantic Dream’s previous games, I very much enjoyed their first foray into third-party publishing. Under the Waves is a smaller production, but it took me on a journey into the abyss, both literally and figuratively. With stunning deep-sea settings, gameplay that kept me captivated, and a truly amazing soundtrack, I had no problems losing myself in the game for hours on end. Despite being very light on actual puzzles, and having a couple of lost opportunities to explore some subplots further, I was truly moved by this beautiful game, and left feeling all the more aware of its powerful and important message about how we treat our planet.

• PC
• 80%
• États-Unis

I enjoyed my time at Fort Solis, nosing through its living quarters and following a carefully laid trail of narrative clues through its facilities. In many ways the game brings its A-game when it comes to presentation, with impressive graphics and animation, as well as a formidable voice cast. But I think in the end it lacks enough emotional punch to stand among the very best sci-fi thrillers. I’m not so jaded (I don’t think!) that I can’t enjoy a less harrowing experience for what it is, but for a game that presents as a thriller, a bit more actual peril and distress would have felt appropriate. In the end, Fort Solis is content to be a less stressful stroll through a deserted setting, an enjoyable mystery set in an inhospitable environment. As such, it may be just the ticket for those looking to hop aboard a quick interplanetary jaunt and unravel a hazardous yarn set amongst the stars.