- Well-designed, logical, point-and-click puzzles.
- Impressive, detailed, atmospheric pixel art.
- Improved and worthy sequel for fans.
- Engaging and well-written story.
- Excellent voice acting adds to immersion.
- Inconsistent puzzle difficulty and hints.
Verdict
Mostly positive
Summary
Positive 98% Ā· Negative 2%. Score: 2 / 100
Positives:
- The game features well-designed puzzles that are logical and fit the story, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult or relying on 'moon logic'. Some reviewers noted the puzzles leaned towards the easier side, but were still enjoyable.
- The game boasts impressive pixel art with enhanced details, dynamic lighting, and expressive animations, creating a visually appealing and atmospheric world. Reviewers consistently praised the art style as a major highlight.
- The game is a worthy sequel that improves upon the original in various aspects such as art, sound, and writing. It retains the core elements of the first game while offering a fresh experience, making it a must-play for fans.
- The game features a well-written and engaging story with depth, character development, and emotional resonance. The narrative is lauded for its seamless integration with gameplay mechanics and sensitive handling of difficult topics.
- The game features excellent voice acting with believable and varied performances, enhancing the characters and overall presentation. Reviewers particularly praised the voice acting for adding authenticity and emotional resonance.
Negatives:
- Players found the puzzles to be a mixed bag. Some were too easy with obvious hints, while others were obscure or unintuitive, leading to frustration. The game sometimes telegraphs solutions, diminishing the sense of accomplishment.
- The sequel relies heavily on the first game's story and elements, which may diminish the novelty for returning players. Some felt the game retread familiar ground and that understanding the story is significantly improved by playing the first game.
- Several reviewers felt the game's characters and their development were lacking. Some characters felt stereotypical or underdeveloped, and relationships, such as the one between Kathy and Eileen, lacked impact.
- The dialogue is functional but lacks depth and memorability. It serves its purpose of guiding the player but doesn't offer much in terms of thematic resonance or engaging prose.
- The ending speech was criticized for being pretentious and meaningless. Additionally, some found the cosmic horror elements too overt, lacking subtlety.
Gameplay:
- The game features classic point-and-click adventure gameplay, emphasizing clue gathering, evidence analysis, and puzzle-solving. Players can expect to do a lot of reading and clicking as they explore the environments and progress through the story.
- The game features a large cast of characters and locations to explore as Kathy Rain starts a detective agency to catch the Soothsayer serial killer. The richly designed environments offer a nostalgic yet fresh experience.
- The environments are richly designed, offering a nostalgic yet fresh experience. This contributes positively to the game's atmosphere and immersion.
Performance:
- The game exhibits good performance, running smoothly even on less powerful hardware. Players have reported a lack of glitches and consistent performance from the start.
- Some players report issues with XY button inputs on Steam Deck, hindering gameplay. Others found the touchpad to be a viable workaround.
- The game's soundtrack complements the gameplay without being distracting. It enhances the atmosphere without drawing undue attention to itself.
Recommendations:
- The game is highly recommended for fans of the point-and-click adventure and mystery genres, especially those who enjoyed the first game. Reviewers suggest playing the original before the sequel to better appreciate the story and characters.
- Reviewers express strong confidence in Clifftop Games, considering them a top developer in the point-and-click genre. They eagerly anticipate future installments in the Kathy Rain series or other games from the studio.
- Several reviewers express strong, positive feelings about the game, with some stating it has surpassed their previous favorites. However, these points lack specific details, reducing their overall importance.
- One reviewer mentioned replaying the game to unlock all achievements, indicating replayability and engagement with the game's completionist aspects.
Miscellaneous:
- The game blends detective work, psychological elements, and supernatural horror, drawing comparisons to Twin Peaks. This combination creates a unique and engaging narrative experience, appealing to fans of mystery and horror genres.
- The game provides a recap of the previous game's events. This feature helps returning players refresh their memory and allows new players to understand the story without having played the original, improving accessibility.
- The game subtly incorporates LGBTQ+ characters and references 90s culture, appealing to players familiar with that era. This adds depth and authenticity to the game's setting and characters, creating a more immersive experience for players who appreciate these elements.
- The reviewer is a voice actor in the game. This is a conflict of interest and the review should be taken with a grain of salt.
