Adventure Game Hotspot

• 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
• 70%
• États-Unis

Like a bingeable TV show, American Arcadia is slickly presented and tightly paced, resulting in a charismatic and entertaining theme park ride of an adventure, even if the simple characters and somewhat unfocused approach to gameplay doesn’t foster much lasting impact.

• 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.

• IOS
• 72%
• États-Unis

If you liked The Great War and subscribe to Netflix, my recommendation couldn’t be simpler: duh! It’s free, it’s fun, and offers more of the same best elements of its predecessor, at least if you can figure out how to access it. If you’re a Netflix subscriber but haven’t played the first game, go ahead anyway! Despite the overlap between them, there’s really no reason you need to have played the first game to enjoy the second. (Although don’t be surprised if you end up going back and picking it up afterward.) If you’re not into Netflix it’s a much harder sell for such a short and easy game, and having played on an iPad, I can’t imagine enjoying it as much on a smaller phone if that’s all you’ve got. But whatever your circumstances, Valiant Hearts: Coming Home is a diverting little successor that knew not to fix what wasn’t broken, while adding an insightful new angle to make it worthwhile in its own right. Sure, it’s a bit too streamlined for its own good, but for a little slice of wartime make-believe, it’s a blast.

• 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.

• 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.