Adventure Game Hotspot

• PC
• 80%
• États-Unis

Return to Grace is an entertaining exploration of an inviting futuristic space habitat. The various AIs who chat with Adie and each other turn what would otherwise be a simple roam through empty rooms and corridors into a delightful journey with mostly pleasant company (Control’s demands for dominance over humanity aside). The sights and sounds are quite evocative, and the low-difficulty puzzles – which can even be bypassed entirely with the help of Jack – ensure that proceedings keep moving briskly. Sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, sometimes thought-provoking but always fun, Return to Grace doesn’t provide much challenge or delve into its themes very deeply, but it’s a fine way to explore some of the questions around artificial intelligence through the lens of science fiction rather than the reality of contemporary society.

• PC
• 74%
• États-Unis

The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales provides an accurate snapshot of what to expect within its first few minutes, yet it continues to dish up moments of discovery and surprise throughout. Performing illegal heists by delving into literary works is a thought-provoking conceit, and there are enough such chapters set in new and outlandish worlds to provide a constant thrill of excitement as events unfold. The mechanics – whether point-and-click or turn-based combat – aren’t difficult and should provide a low barrier of entry even for players not accustomed to RPGs. Most importantly, the characters and their interactions and moral dilemmas are just as intriguing as the varied worlds we get to explore, as well as being laugh-out-loud funny at times. Though the ending wasn’t quite satisfying enough for my liking, it’s a well-made and somber tale that deftly engages the darker side of imagination.

• PC
• 68%
• États-Unis

Fans of the original Oxenfree should largely enjoy the bigger, longer sequel, with the caveat that more isn’t always better. I preferred the older, more mature characters this time around, and once again the writing and production values are excellent for the most part. A (very little) bit of expanded gameplay is welcome, while the complexity of weaving two stories together ends up feeling too convoluted for its own good. While you could easily skip the first game if you wish, you’d probably get more out of this one if you don’t. And since the tighter, leaner original is marginally better than the sequel, there’s really no reason not to start there anyway. The novelty is missing the second time around, but if you’re all about story, exploration and characters, you’ll likely find that both Oxenfree and Lost Signals are worth picking up.

• PC
• 35%
• États-Unis

There is some value here for those with the patience to play the game over and over again, and puzzle fans may enjoy some of the gameplay on offer. Ultimately, however, Amanda the Adventurer squanders most of its evident potential as an example of the analog horror genre by being too obtuse for its own good. Even with some excellent voice acting and high production values for an indie game, its underwhelming horror elements, an incoherent mishmash of backstory bits that raise questions but provide no answers, and the need to replay repeatedly to see everything crushes the initially effective spooky atmosphere and any real motivation to actually do so.

• PC
• 75%
• États-Unis

I hesitate to recommend Resurgence to non-Star Trek fans. So much of my enjoyment came from losing myself in a universe I carry a deep love and nostalgia for. While the complex story holds its own and would be a worthy entry into the official canon, the script itself is a bit low on pathos. A really good episode of Trek would leave me laughing or crying or feeling deeply philosophical about human nature. There are definite attempts to reach those heights here as well, but the story beats don’t always land. So unless you’re a huge fan of sci-fi and/or solving problems via diplomacy, you may find yourself less enthralled without prior familiarity with this universe. That said, the atmosphere and story-building are impressive by any measure, and for existing fans this should be a no-brainer. If you’ve been patiently and agonizingly waiting three decades for a Trek adventure game, Resurgence is sure to have you beaming.

• PC
• SWITCH
• PS5
• 83%
• États-Unis

Although not as deep as I’d have liked, Gamedec is an enjoyable narrative RPG with thoughtful gameplay pacing and direction. A first playthrough will take around eight hours, and subsequent return trips will likely be just as long, given the multitude of routes to explore. It’s highly replayable, and character progression manages to be involved without becoming too complex. The cyberpunk setting isn’t anything we haven’t seen before, but the investigative mechanics nevertheless pulled me into the world and kept me feeling invested in it. Character building is smartly woven into the narrative structure, and how the game opens and closes routes according to your choices is fantastic. You don’t always have a lot of control over where to go and when, but you’re still tasked with putting clues together in order to build your cases, so it never feels like you’re simply on autopilot with any given route you take. Ultimately, adventure and role-playing fans alike will undoubtedly be impressed with the genre-bending experience, making it an easy recommendation.

• PC
• 75%
• États-Unis

It may not land the emotional wallop it intended to, or have quite enough inventiveness to escape the shadow of the best games of its kind, but Planet of Lana is nevertheless a solid puzzle-platforming adventure that’s easy to recommend. Production value is stellar in every respect, with enough engaging gameplay with the cutest of sidekicks to warrant a trek across robot-infested terrain. Those without any action-oriented interest or ability will want to steer clear, but if titles like Limbo and Inside mean anything to you, a beautiful new world of side-scrolling challenge awaits.

• PC
• 54%
• États-Unis

It is difficult to think of an audience that I would recommend Tape: Unveil the Memories to. The story treads no new ground and never quite materializes into a coherent narrative. The stealth action is not difficult enough for those looking for action, and the narrative-only option doesn’t provide enough suspense without it to overcome the mediocre story. And while there are several good puzzles, they are late in arriving and scattered among many repetitive ones. Add that to the occasional bug and poor localization, and there’s no real reason to play this when there are more polished games on the market.

• PC
• 90%
• États-Unis

As the opening credits to The Awakened point out, development on the game began in April of 2022, just two months after Ukraine was invaded by Russia in a brutal war that is still ongoing at the time of writing. Based in Kyiv, Frogwares has demonstrated an admirable resilience in refusing to allow such adversity to stop them from making art, and that they’ve been able to deliver such an impressive entry under these circumstances is nothing short of amazing. But Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened would be an excellent game even without its extraordinary production background. It is the rare remake that warrants its existence not just through graphical updates (though it looks considerably better than its predecessor) but through a commitment to fresh interpretations of its characters. It is a fully fleshed-out, engaging adventure presented with sharp storytelling, recycling the best of the original while offering a satisfying continuation of the Chapter One timeline. Whether you’ve played the earlier version of The Awakened or not, fans of great detective games will find it well worth the time.

• PS5
• 70%
• États-Unis

In most ways, this game is a worthy follow-up to KeokeN’s previous lunar adventure. It feels like the development team pushed themselves to expand upon the scope and art direction of that game, though not always with the desired outcomes. A new climbing mechanic, disconnected biomes to explore, and some rough-looking character models are noticeable downsides to the increased ambition, but are saved by intriguing indoor spaces and some highly impressive teamwork between animators and voice actors to truly bring the cast to life. Overall, Deliver Us Mars is the weaker-by-a-thin-margin entry in what appears poised to be (at least) a trilogy, and the promise to spend more time with Kat and those she holds dear has me already eagerly anticipating the next.

• PC
• 70%
• États-Unis

Children of Silentown is a game with many winning qualities, but it gets in its own way in certain key areas the further it goes along. Its unassuming presentation looks and sounds great, and I really enjoyed Lucy’s story and felt for her when life took some darker turns. Which made it feel that much worse when it abruptly ended without the satisfying conclusion it so needed. Basing the outcome on a nearly random late choice, and blocking other finales without starting over from the beginning, further soured me on the endgame and ultimately impacted my overall enjoyment. I liked much of the game until that point, but not quite enough to play all six or so hours several times over. You can’t help but be charmed by Lucy’s plight, but once she leaves home her journey gets caught in the weeds of repetition, resulting in an uneven experience that somewhat lets down its promising first half.

• PC
• 84%
• États-Unis

For those with enough patience to see it through, A Space for the Unbound becomes an intensely rewarding experience that pulls all the right heartstrings. While it starts out slow and tedious and perhaps focuses too much on light arcade sequences, eventually a multi-layered plot with clever puzzles accompanied by engrossing atmosphere and music emerge to treat those who stick with it. It may not be perfect, but this ambitious, culturally distinctive narrative adventure by Mojiken is an easy recommendation.

• PC
• 68%
• États-Unis

As it turns out, Colossal Cave is almost as difficult to review as it is to solve. Every time I thought I’d made up my mind about it, I’d play a bit more and feel conflicted once again. On one hand, it’s an impressive bit of historical preservation, serving as a quality remake of a legendary game. On the other, it’s still a frequently confounding experience that nearly drove me nuts at times (and will probably test the average player’s patience more than any new modern game could get away with). Nonetheless, there is something that just feels pleasantly “right” about Roberta and Ken Williams making games again. Here’s hoping that Colossal Cave won’t be the last time we see the (rather lovely) Cygnus Entertainment logo preceding an adventure game in the 2020s and beyond.

• PC
• 79%
• États-Unis

Other than a couple of small technical issues, however, the game is very enjoyable. I especially loved the characters and their different roles in this quirky city. As an animal lover, I was immediately drawn in by the quest of saving Can Dog, and each time he slipped away or something happened to him, I let out loud outbursts of desperate yelps. While it is admittedly a bit short and the puzzles are anything but original, Boxville is a truly beautiful game about friendship and the importance of being nice to others, regardless of whether it is people or cans.

• PC
• 80%
• États-Unis

World War II games generally skew heavily toward telling hyper violent tales from a soldier’s perspective. Whether in the forests of the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge, or amongst the ruins of Stalingrad and the Eastern Front, the main concern is usually staying behind cover and getting as many headshots as you can. Not a lot of attention has been given to the experiences of ordinary citizens trying to cope with the horrors of occupation by living their lives as best they can, and this is what makes Gerda: A Flame in Winter stand out. It lacks much in the way of gameplay, but it does not lack for tension throughout. The story is a deeply personal one that relies on choices rather than gunfire, and should not be missed by any fan of narrative-driven dramas.

• PC
• 85%
• États-Unis

Lord Winklebottom Investigates deftly blends dry, frightfully British humour and quirky characters with just enough brain strain to keep things interesting. While not overly long or complex, the painterly visuals, lush orchestral soundtrack and spot-on voice acting make it a thoroughly lovely experience while it lasts. It also manages to pull off a delicate balancing act, sprinkling an absurd parody of a golden age detective story with just enough heart and realism to ground what could otherwise have been a ridiculous confection and turn it into something more memorable. If you fancy some cosy crime, aristocratic high jinks, or just some virtual tea and crumpets, it's time to don your deerstalker and head to the consulting rooms of Winklebottom and Frumple.

• PC
• 65%
• États-Unis

With strong acting performances, an intriguing villain, tense music, and the possibility to explore multiple endings, The Gallery has a number of things going for it. However, a lack of any real definition of Dorian’s motivations, a relatively non-cinematic presentation, and a superfluous choice of protagonist and time period do mar the experience somewhat, or at least prevent it from reaching its potential. In the end, the game is really just average, its weaknesses not significant enough to be terrible but its strengths not enough to distinguish it in its genre. With stronger FMV games out there, including the director’s own prior work, this one is for those who enjoy character dramas and are looking to while away a few hours between more substantial outings.

• PC
• 93%
• États-Unis

There aren’t many games quite like The Case of the Golden Idol. Actually, I’d go as far to say that there’s none … and that makes me a little sad, now that I’ve been so thoroughly spoiled and the bar’s been raised so high. I came into this game hoping for an experience that could go toe-to-toe with Return of the Obra Dinn, and came away having played something that fully scratched that itch while being entirely its own thing. I wholeheartedly hope that the developers of this magnificent work (or heck, even wannabes of similar caliber) do their best to make a follow-up, because oh, how I’ll gleefully soak up every moment.