Roll up, roll up! There's a carnival going on, but nothing is quite what it seems...
Step forward Dark Arcana: The Carnival. A rather charming point-and-click hidden object game that is tied in with puzzles, and a missing person storyline. A beloved genre, the point-and-click games have cemented a place on consoles in recent years, with the help of companies such as Telltale Games leading the helm. Whilst the story-driven games ala Telltale are a pretty decent ride, they're also lacking in the puzzle element made famous in the 90's by such games as Tales from Monkey Island.
Geek's Lair: The Crazy Scientist is an point and click adventure game that is currently campaigning for funding over at Indiegogo. Created by brothers Ziga and Maj Osolin, Geek's Lair promises to have plenty of geeky humour and fun point and click puzzle gameplay. Check out the screencaps below.
I picked up a bunch of games for next to nothing in the Steam Summer Sale these past few weeks (resulting in spending no more than £6 in total-bargain!). Machinarium was one of them.
A point and click game loaded with puzzles, quirky but beautiful hand-drawn animation and a cute robot, I am loving this at the moment.
I also found out that Machinarium was created by Amanita Design, creators of a bizarre, surrealist, sometimes disturbing but equally enthralling point and click browser game Samorost(<-click to play it!), which I loved when I was younger.
Ah, this game. Every so often a game comes along that gets me completely hooked. I'm pulled into it-hook, line and sinker. The Walking Dead by Telltale Games definitely did this to me. This point and click action game sees you take on the role of Lee, a convicted criminal who was on his way to being exported to prison at the time of the initial outbreak. After escaping a car crash caused by a walker, Lee starts to realise that his life has changed dramatically-gone is the prospect of donning prison robes and staring at bars-in it's place, Lee must fight to survive against the undead, whilst redeeming himself for his past mistakes as he progresses.
On his travels, Lee bumps into Clementine, an eight year old girl who has been surviving by sheltering in her treehouse from the zombies below. Instantly struck by her and noticing her parents are absent, Lee quickly forms a friendship with the little girl, taking on the role of her guardian until she finds her parents in Savannah, who had been on vacation at the time of the outbreak. What makes this game work so well is the relationship between Lee and Clem. As the game progresses, you will notice how their relationship has evolved, to the point where we are rooting for both of them to make it through to safety together. Clementine is impossible to dislike-sweet, innocent, and seeing the good in everybody, her idolisation of her saviour, Lee, is easy to love. You actually want to do everything you can to save Clementine, perhaps one of the most loveable characters to come out of a video game for a long time.
Clementine and Lee's relationship is part of a much wider, complex fight for survival, which the writers have managed to convey so successfully in the story. It's easy to become emotionally invested in the story, the characters you meet and join along the way, and the consequences for the actions you decided to take. The point and click aspect of the game is fantastic-it's great fun exploring each place and interacting with things to see Lee and the other characters reactions. The puzzles are never that complicated-often obstacles can be remedied rather quickly, but nevertheless, they're enjoyable-and satisfying-to complete. However, the choice aspect is probably one of the stongest parts. Throughout the story you will be confronted with decisions which will change the narrative depending on which option you have decided on. Many decisions are incredibly difficult to make, but with often only a split second to pick an option, this game relies heavily on your instinct. Many times you will be sitting there filled with guilt, regretting the option you decided to take, whilst other times you will be rejoicing at how successful the situation has turned out.
Being a fan of the comics, I was pleased to notice that the game not only follows the bleak, sometimes darkly funny tone of the comics, but also the style of it too. Characters are designed to look like they've stepped straight out of the pages of Robert Kirkman's excellent series. At the end of each episode, statistics are revealed, showing percentages of players that took either decision each time. Most of the time, these statistics are rather divided, and it is interesting seeing how you compare to fellow players.
Without giving away any spoilers, I was amazed at how powerful this game, and it's excellent story was. I am not ashamed to admit that I cried at the ending of episode 5, as I am sure many others did too! I left the game feeling a little devastated, and sat contemplating my choices for some time afterwards. This is what made this one of the most talked about games of 2012-it sticks with you long after. So congratulations The Walking Dead and Telltale Games for winning 2012's Game of the Year, it's well deserved. Now, please bring on Series 2!
Everyone likes a cheap but good game, right? Well Bundle In A Box is a pay-what-you-want gaming bundle with the intention to help new games debut, support charities and help out creators via the Indie Dev Grant.
The Adventure Bundle is currently being advertised, with five games up for grabs for a bargain price. Here's what you can buy:
Gemini Rue
An award winning point-and-click game by Joshua Nuernberger and Wadjet Eye Games, Gemini Rue is a bleak noir-science fiction game where players will take charge of both Azriel Odin, an ex-assassin, and Delta-Six, a man who has woken up in a hospital with no memory.
Ben There, Dan That!
Written and starring Dan Marshall and Ben Ward, Ben There, Dan That is a cartoonish indie title featuring surreal humour, humorous dialogue and some fun animation.
The bundle packages the special edition version of the game, which also includes an eBook sharing the story of the games creation, a non-interactive video storybook, all the cut music that didn't make it into the game, printable posters, an audio recording of Ben stomping around his flat cheering his own name, and a few Dan and Ben ringtones.
Time Gentleman, Please
Time Gentleman, Please! is the award winning sequel to Ben There, Dan That. The game boasts some funny dialogue, cartoon graphics, interesting puzzles and absurdity. Nazi dinosaurs, anyone?
1893: A World's Fair Mystery
Diamonds have been stolen from the Kimberly Diamond Mining Exhibit, and you've been sent in to help your old partner solve the mystery. Things soon become much more complicated when a theft turns into a kidnapping, then a murder.
An interactive fiction adventure, 1893: A World's Fair Mystery delves into over 500 archival photos of Chicago to bring the fair to life, whilst boasting an impressive thirty hours plus of gameplay. This edition of the game also includes 3 PDF guidebooks.
The Sea Will Claim Everything
An adventure game with an emphasis on characters and storytelling, The Sea Will Claim Everything also includes puzzles, and a cute style.
The game sees you sent on a journey to thwart the sinister Lord Urizen, and cease the misery he is placing on the citizens of Fortunate Isles.
I have been a fan of the TV show, Sabrina The Teenage Witch ever since the pilot first aired on ITV in 1996. In fact, I became a little obsessed. I subscribed to a magazine called "Sabrina's Secrets", bought all the books in the novel collection, had a Salem teddy, and amongst it all, I owned the first Sabrina PC game.
Based on this popular TV series, Sabrina The Teenage Witch: Spellbound is made up of seven mini-games that, when combined together, create a sort of point-and-click game. Most of the voice actors from the show leant their voices to the computer versions of their characters. Magician Penn Jillette even lends his voice once again to their Witches Council's Drell.
Spellbound's synopsis can easily play out as an episode of the TV show. It all begins when Sabrina is preparing for a date with her boyfriend, Harvey. Wishing to win his heart forever, Sabrina consults in her warlock-turned feline friend, Salem, who teaches her a love spell to try out on Harvey. Anyone who has seen the series should probably guess that the spell does not exactly go according to plan. In fact, not only does the spell backfire against Harvey, but Sabrina has been turned into a pumpkin. And so the game begins. The player must concoct seven different spells in order to turn Sabrina back into a pumpkin so that she can join Harvey on their date.
So, as you've probably guessed, the game results in seven mini-games that see players preparing seven different spells to try out on Sabrina. After each section is completed, the player is awarded a higher certificate of Witchcraft, until in the end, they finally achieve their Witch's License.
Sabrina & Salem
The game is a very simple one to get to grips with. Serving as a point-and-click game, players will navigate a cursor around the screen in order to move to different rooms, focus on objects and interact with their surroundings. Whilst not everything you click will help complete the level, many items have amusing animations that are worth watching. The bottom of the screen holds all of the magical items which players can use to complete each different spell. These include a Time Ball to reverse or speed up time, a Monster Dropper to turn people into monsters, and a Switching Witch Mask that alters someone's mind. These magic tools are essential items, as you cannot progress further in the game without trying these out. They also add for some amusing game play. As I previously stated, the game is very easy, but if there is a hints option if players find themselves struggling with any particular section.
Unfortunately, the game does get very repetitive as you progress. Thankfully, I still found it an enjoyable game, but I can understand why this may seem a little dull to many. Thankfully though, there are a few mini-games to keep things a little more refreshing. The mini-games are situated in the Other Realm, where the head of the Witches Council, Drell (played by Penn Jillette). Drell controls the "Wheel of Misfortune", which randomly selects one of four mini-games. The mini-games range from two reflex games, a dating game (think Blind Date), and a Hangman-style game.
Hilda & Zelda.
Overall, Sabrina The Teenage Witch: Spellbound serves as a faithful accompaniment to the original TV series, with many of the voice actors lending their voices to the game. The graphics are cartoony and fun looking, whilst the gameplay, although easy and somewhat repetitive, is very enjoyable for the most part. Sabrina fans should love this. Oh, and am I still a fan? Very much so.
Point and click adventures have always been popular sellers on the Xbox 360 Arcade. Titles such as Sam & Max, Tales of Monkey Island and Wallace and Gromit have graced the console, and in 2009 a rather charming point and click by the name of Axel & Pixel joined them.
Created by 2K Play, the game follows a painter named Axel, and his faithful dog, Pixel. The duo live in a cosy cottage in a peaceful location, but their peace is soon disturbed by the appearance of an evil rat. This mysterious rodent transports them into a bizarre and somewhat creepy dream world. Axel and Pixel must now pursue the rat through 24 levels in order to escape back to their cottage.
For the most part, each chapter involves navigating Axel and Pixel from the left hand side of the screen to the right. As with all point and click games, there are plenty of obstacles which the player must find and solve before the duo are able to make it across safely. Some involve solving puzzles, whilst clicking other parts of the screen will start amusing animations (which sometimes, are not necessary to complete the chapter, but are enjoyable nonetheless). At times this may feel very challenging, but three clues on each level are available if you find yourself struggling too much. I have never been excellent at point and click games, as those types of puzzles were never my strong point, but in all honesty, I never felt the need to use a hint. Each puzzle should be completed without the aid of hints if you have a little persistence.
What appeals most about Axel & Pixel is it's art style. The scenery has a dream-like quality, but at also at times looks rather creepy, but not enough to put children off from playing this. A lot of humour and charm is included in the range of characters, which helps to add to Axel & Pixel's enjoyment factor.The great thing about Axel & Pixel is that it is a family-friendly game, but the developers have not completely made the location look childish, or the puzzles too simple. The soundtrack helps to convey the dream-like, eerie quality on display here, and the almost stop-motion animation of the characters not only adds a little comedy to the proceedings, but is rather memorable.
The game would have been in danger of becoming too samey if it simply incorporated a "get from a to b" element in each chapter. Thankfully though, Axel & Pixel thankfully avoids the repetition by including in breaks from the point and click game play. These range from Quicktime events, vehicle racing missions (such as steering a sail boat through a course) and a selection of logic-based puzzles, such as fitting pipes together in the correct order.
Collectable bones, paint tubes and photos are scattered throughout the game for those wishing to unlock the collectable achievements. Some of these are rather difficult to find at times, so either I suggest you use a guide online to hunt for these, or really scrutinise each section before moving on to the next part. Never fear though, as each level can be replayed from the main menu if you wish to pick up any that have been missed.
Overall, Axel & Pixel is a fantastic point-and-click adventure that is incredibly enjoyable and artistic. It is easy to get wrapped up in this dreamy world, but unfortunately, it is all rather short lived. Axel & Pixel can be completed within a few hours, and left me personally wanting another adventure. It has been almost two years since the release of this game, and sadly it appears a follow up is not appearing any time soon. Hopefully the developers will remember that this charming little point-and-click game has so much potential for a sequel, but if not, I would highly recommend checking the one and only Axel & Pixel out.
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