- Unique and charming gameplay mechanics
- Engaging storytelling with emotional depth
- Memorable and well-designed characters
- Game length and pacing issues
- Lack of skip features frustrates players
- Repetitive puzzles and performance problems
Emotions
Players experience frustration due to unclear or arbitrary gameplay mechanics, such as non-obvious scoring requirements, trial-and-error puzzles, and lack of clear clues. Technical issues like garbled translations, crashes, and performance problems, along with repetitive replay mechanics and forced gambling elements, further exacerbate the negative experience.
The game's humor, including witty writing, absurd scenarios, and memorable characters, is a primary source of amusement. Players highlight the funny voice acting, cultural references, and self-aware jokes, which contribute to an entertaining and lighthearted experience.
Players enjoy the game's engaging mechanics, fun storytelling, and charming art style. The combination of humor, relatable characters, and meaningful choices creates an immersive and enjoyable experience, often leading to multiple playthroughs.
Satisfaction stems from the game's well-integrated decision-making, stress-free rewinding mechanics, and high replay value. Players appreciate the complete story, chapter select feature, and the impact of their choices on character outcomes and endings.
Players feel disappointed due to shallow storytelling, lack of meaningful consequences for decisions, and unmet expectations regarding gameplay depth. Issues like incomplete translations, short playtime, and repetitive mechanics also contribute to this emotion.
Verdict
Mostly positive
Summary
Positive 81% · Negative 19%. Score: 19 / 100
Positives:
- The gameplay was lauded for its simplicity, variety, and non-repetitive structure. New mechanics, branching paths, and deduction-based puzzles kept players engaged, while the time-rewind feature added strategic depth.
- Players consistently praised the game's intricate, well-written story, which includes unpredictable outcomes, political intrigue, and emotional depth. The narrative's ability to keep attention and offer replayability through branching paths was highlighted as a standout feature.
- Characters were frequently described as lovable, relatable, and creatively designed, with distinct traits and depth. The relationships, particularly between Lil and her father, were emotional highlights for many players.
- The game's humor was a recurring highlight, with players describing it as laugh-out-loud funny, clever, and well-integrated into the narrative. The writing's comedic timing and self-awareness were particularly appreciated.
- The game's 2D, cartoonish art style was widely admired for its charm, clarity, and thematic fit. Players appreciated the vibrant designs, which complemented the humor and storytelling.
Negatives:
- Players feel the game is either too long (with repetitive or padded content) or too short for its price. Tutorials drag on, and some levels (e.g., Level 7) are particularly tedious, disrupting the overall pacing.
- The absence of a skip button for cutscenes, dialogue, or repeated content forces players to endure lengthy replays, especially when pursuing different endings or achievements.
- Voice acting is described as poor or echoey, and excessive chatter between characters feels tedious. Dialogue is criticized for being superficial, repetitive, and lacking depth, especially during replays.
- The absence of manual or frequent autosaves forces players to restart from the beginning of levels or rely on guides. This lack of flexibility disrupts gameplay flow and increases frustration, especially when save files corrupt.
- Puzzles are often solved through trial-and-error rather than logic, leading to frustration. Players find them too easy or repetitive, with solutions relying on the same tools, which diminishes the challenge.
Gameplay:
- Players consistently highlight the game's emphasis on choices that significantly impact story outcomes, dialogue, and endings. This creates a dynamic narrative experience with branching paths and multiple endings.
- The game draws clear comparisons to *Papers, Please* with its decision-based gatekeeping, paperwork simulation, and comedic or narrative-driven twists on the formula. However, it introduces unique tools and time-rewind mechanics.
- Dialogue-driven gameplay focuses on humor, NPC interactions, and tone-based choices. Characters and their traits play a key role in shaping the narrative and player experience.
- Players use tools like metal detectors, X-rays, and truth serums to solve puzzles, interrogate NPCs, and make logical decisions. Deduction mechanics are central to gameplay, blending narrative and problem-solving.
- The game blends point-and-click mechanics with adventure and puzzle-solving, particularly in guardpost segments and exploration phases.
Performance:
- Players report excessive waiting times due to slow walking speeds, unskippable animations, and prolonged transitions or fade effects. This disrupts gameplay flow and frustrates users.
- Players experience long loading screens, slow map loading (e.g., Kingdom map), and graphical hiccups, which degrade the overall experience, especially during critical moments.
- The game crashes repeatedly, and save file corruption exacerbates the issue by causing crashes during load attempts. This severely impacts playability and progress retention.
- Some players report screen visibility issues, though details are sparse. This could affect gameplay clarity and accessibility for certain users.
- The game performs well on Steam Deck, with no major issues reported. This highlights a positive aspect for portable gaming enthusiasts.
Recommendations:
- The game is highly recommended for fans of story-driven, point-and-click, and puzzle games like 'Papers, Please' and 'Monkey Island'. It combines humor, deduction, and narrative elements effectively, appealing to those who enjoy lighthearted yet engaging experiences.
- Many reviewers suggest waiting for a discount before buying, as the game is seen as worth the price but not necessarily at full cost. A target price of around $25 or lower is often mentioned as ideal.
- While the game is enjoyable for a single playthrough, some reviewers note it may lack replayability beyond initial completion. It is recommended for those seeking a fun, shorter experience rather than long-term engagement.
- The game is considered worth its price, especially after bug fixes, with reviewers highlighting its value for the content provided (e.g., 7-10 hours of gameplay).
- The game is well-suited for casual gamers and can be enjoyed in group settings. Its lighthearted and humorous tone makes it accessible for relaxed or shared play sessions.
Miscellaneous:
- The game is often compared to titles like *Papers Please*, *Potionomics*, and *Discworld*, suggesting its mechanics or tone resonate with established indie games in the same genre.
- Players frequently suggested adding a fast-forward button to improve pacing or skip repetitive sections. This indicates a desire for more control over gameplay speed.
- Players consistently recommended the game's soundtrack, indicating it is a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.
- Multiple players noted the game is not suitable for those seeking fast-paced or high-action gameplay. This feedback highlights a mismatch between expectations and the game's design.
- Completionists reported frustration with the collection system, suggesting it may be overly tedious or poorly balanced for players aiming for 100% completion.
