Grimm & Tonic: Aperitif

Grimm & Tonic: Aperitif

I don’t normally review but this time I have to warn people that this game is, at the moment for me at least, buggy and broken.

Bugs may include:

  • Sudden blank screen/unable to choose an option.

  • Loading saves remembers last soul count.

  • Soul does not increase on Episode 2, at all.

  • The Cocktail Grimoire may not always open.

One note is that the bug that froze the game on receiving an achievement has been fixed, I have been unable to get an achievement since!

The premise is great though and I would love to see more of the story, so there’s that. I hold out hope for some fixes to come, soon maybe?! 2.22/6.66?

Real player with 1.4 hrs in game


Read More: Best Dynamic Narration Simulation Games.


now first off im going to say people who reviewed the game really dont know how to review this game. I feel like people are looking at is as for example of another game cyber punk. when you look at the price difference this game is much cheaper and with that being said more people would have a positive review rather than negative. the art style in the game I enjoyed but at times it can be a little to much for the human eyes but the story line is good as it was very funny. meeting people in a bar and you have no soul but growing it from them is a very good concept and thats the main point of the game. this is a story line game that unlike big names can be played causally. you sit down for an hour or so and dont have to worry about fighting or anything like that. the only negative i have is that I wish death played a bigger role and you got to know him more and the end was a bit sudden. it is good short and simple and easy.

Real player with 1.2 hrs in game

Grimm & Tonic: Aperitif on Steam

The Journey Down: Chapter One

The Journey Down: Chapter One

Overall, this is a solid P&C Adventure game, with reasonably logical puzzles once you immerse, and no Guide-Dang-It solutions- it’s possible to work out all the solutions given the information available in the game. That said, there was at least one puzzle that refused several plausible solutions in favor of what seems to me to be a less-plausible (though more amusing) one, and several in which I knew the concept of the solution, but there wasn’t much of an indication about how to actually do that. Plus the traditional complex “solve it because it’s there” puzzle that turns out to massively help your protagonist progress in a somewhat illogical way, but that’s so common in the genre that it might actually be considered a lack if it weren’t present. :-J There is the usual complete refusal by the protagonist to clean up after themselves- I wish more of these games would let us give people their stuff back once it’s not needed any more. Hopefully, there will be uses for the items still in Bwana’s pockets at the end of the chapter, instead of the traditional “lost everything during the cutscene” trope.

Real player with 6.7 hrs in game


Read More: Best Dynamic Narration Adventure Games.


This title really surprised me with how well it was made. I came in having no expectations. I had bought the game as part of a bundle on indiegala, and was only really going to try it out while waiting for another (and much larger in size) game to download, and was frankly blown away right from the start.

You start off in dire straights with your electricity having been shut off because you hadn’t paid your bills for a while. This means you can’t make any money because the pump in your gas station that you own an operate relies on the power to run. However with some cheeky DYI smarts, you’re soon back to normal… If normal means no customers, which… it does.

Real player with 6.1 hrs in game

The Journey Down: Chapter One on Steam

Kamile: The Fall

Kamile: The Fall

The basic premise of the game is that of your character being bullied by AI-based organization. You are sent in to a mysterious location to question the experts of the organization and acquire as much information as possible for the sake of your own rescue mission. But you soon find out that you are trapped and your mission is now to escape. Kamile VR is short but highly recommended. I would make more interactions in the kitchen area.

Real player with 12.2 hrs in game


Read More: Best Dynamic Narration Adventure Games.


Platform: Valve Index (tested)

Playtime is short but you don’t need more. It’s like a short movie - the narrative is full of information, 20 minutes ir enough. If you wanna more, you can go back and explore more props, listem to audio diaries, etc. I would recommend to make selectin of minchapters in menu. Great story. A catchy soundtrack and excellent art style will ensure you feel like Bladerunneresque era.

Real player with 10.2 hrs in game

Kamile: The Fall on Steam

Unmemory

Unmemory

Unusual game - reminiscent of the old text-based games we used to play. A little frustrating at times, trying to work out how to move forward. Worthwhile if you like adventure games and fancy something with a different interface.

Real player with 10.2 hrs in game

Fun puzzle game with a nice multisensory story telling emphasis. I have to say though that the process of garnering the “materials” for the puzzle can be somewhat frustrating; for example the KLF puzzle requires something that is fairly obscure to find just to get started. The puzzles themselves, once you have all the materials needed, are alright at straightforward difficulty (hints are really optional), although I am particularly impressed by the last puzzle, the Dancers Numbers, the solution of which (the only I looked up online) really blew my mind for the cleverness. (as aside, I was too taken up with the thought that the dancers might be instructing a sequence about how the button ought to be pressed; which is quite tempting, but this is not nearly as clever as the official solution). Overall it is a great game

Real player with 9.4 hrs in game

Unmemory on Steam

A Case of Distrust

A Case of Distrust

𝗔 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼𝗶𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝟮-𝟯 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀.

My favorite two aspects of the game were the art and the story.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰, 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀' 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀. Never did it feel like it was missing something as it definitely fit the format.

Now, the story took me by surprise. 𝗜 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗜’𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝘆 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻; it’s sort of reminiscent of Agatha Christie stories, where you’re presented with a handful of characters connected to the case and you have to use every tiny piece of information you get to come to conclusions.

Real player with 4.7 hrs in game

Introduction

I like detective stories and video game adaptations of crime novels. It’s no secret that my favorite game of all time is LA Noire and that my nickname is a wordplay on one of Agatha Christie’s most elusive antagonists, U.N. Owen. Unknown until the appropriate moment, as any worthy mystery should be. A Case of Distrust is the Steam debut of Ben “The Wandering Ben” Wander, a gaming industry professional (not quite vetern yet) which left the AAA standard and its various limitations/pressures for the overall freedom offered by the indie scene. A wise choice, no doubt.

Real player with 4.0 hrs in game

A Case of Distrust on Steam

Lethal Honor Essence

Lethal Honor Essence

Brutal, obscure, and punishing action-adventure roguelite with a dark atmosphere and gothic hand-drawn graphic novel art.

The player will be an agent of Lethal Honor, a secret organization in charge of investigating and destroying the paranormal files of the governments of the world.

  • Strategic action-adventure game

  • Roguelite gameplay

  • Eight different biomes and eight different main characters with their own storyline and events

  • Dozens of different abilities and combat styles

  • Beautiful hand-painted gothic graphic novel art characters in 3D scenarios: EMBRACE THE COMIC!!

  • Mature, dark and complex story

Lethal Honor Essence on Steam

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure

I have been a fan of Tex Murphy since Under a Killing Moon – nearly twenty years! That said, I will not do this game or the community a disservice by writing anything less than a fully honest review. The game succeeds far more often than it fails, but is far from perfect, so I will not score it 10 out of nostalgia, or 0 out of disappointment.

First, let me give this game a score out of ten. In my opinion, it falls somewhere around 7.5. I think this game will please Tex fans and newcomers alike, even if it isn’t perfect. If you like a good story or adventure games, then check this one out. If you like it, I highly recommend trying out Tex’s past adventures.

Real player with 31.4 hrs in game

As a Tex Murphy fan, I was stoked after hearing about the newest installment, and boy was I eager to play! But after playing half-way through, I found myself questioning whether I should even bother finishing the game. It was only through sheer force of will and a weird, nostalgic obligation, that I managed to see it through to the end. sigh So where to begin?

Let’s first talk about the things it did well:

Revisiting Chandler Avenue and reuniting with the old cast was a treat for old Tex Murphy fans like myself. And honestly, I didn’t mind the mediocre graphics, as it felt reminiscent of the old Tex Murphy games. The FMV sequences were well-done for the most part, and I enjoyed exploring areas without running into loading screens or having to change discs. (I know I’m throwing a bone here, but it’s the little things that count, right?) Unfortunately, that’s where the good ends. Now on to my personal gripes:

Real player with 15.8 hrs in game

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure on Steam

At Eve’s Wake

At Eve’s Wake

High-quality visual novel with multiple endings, fantastic graphic and sound component, and intriguing premise.

The Good Parts:

  • Fascinating set-up of family ties based on cult-like faith, bloody competition, and something outright paranormal with overall dysfunction taken to the next level.

  • Great writing throughout. It manages to introduce a complex fictional idea in a manner that captures attention and makes you ponder.

  • Atmospheric world-building. There’s sinister feeling intertwined with some outright shocking moments. “At Eve’s Wake” isn’t horror in the pure sense of the word, but more in a psychological one, so it has a very well-done horror element burning its way through the game, sometimes on slow simmer, sometimes as a wildfire.

Real player with 11.3 hrs in game

Ahhhhh I was so excited for this to come out and it’s finally here! I’ve just finished my first playthrough and it lived up to my hype, if you’re having any doubts about picking up the full game then please try out the demo and you’ll see what I mean.

-Gorgeous art and music, just a delightful atmosphere throughout

-A well developed and intriguing story of mystery, murder and mishaps

-An incredible amount of dialogue choices with a variety of endings seemingly possible depending on them.

I love visual novels and narrative-driven games, so I feel that I know what I’m talking about to some degree, and I say this- At Eve’s Wake is a beautiful and eerie story that deserves your attention if you’re at all interested in Lovecraft, mysteries, visual novels, or graverobbing. Trust me on that last one.

Real player with 7.2 hrs in game

At Eve's Wake on Steam

Los Cops

Los Cops

Los Cops is a non-linear visual novel with point & click adventure elements in the form of a TV show about the life of aspiring actor Jeremy Jablonski, who teams up with private detective Santiago Hutchinson to save Los Angeles.

The plot of Los Cops depends entirely on your choices: what kind of relationship to build with the characters, what cases to investigate, how to deal with criminals, and what methods should be followed. You can act out the detective of your dreams or not act out at all, focusing primarily on a career in Hollywood or other delights of life. Every small victory and every bitter defeat will propel history towards unpredictable turns and endings.

Features:

  • Join the amazing adventures of private detective agency Los Cops. Play as Jeremy Jablonski and together with him understand what is more precious in life: the career of a Hollywood star, the duty of a detective to the city, or the personal life and well-being of your loved ones.

  • Each episode has its own genre, visual style and atmosphere. Enjoy classic 80s buddy movie, 40s noir detective, western, sitcom, heist film, road movie and much more!

  • Feel yourself in the shoes of a real detective with your principles and skills - collecting evidence, chases, shootings, interrogations, investigations, cooperation with gray representatives of the law, infiltration with disguise and much more. Be considerate and resourceful, but don’t get too into the role.

  • Spend time with a lot of colorful characters both on the side and on the other side of the law. Choose your friends, make enemies, build romantic relationships and just have a good time. You change with your environment and create it yourself. But remember - every decision has a consequence.

  • Face the most motley gangs in Los Angeles: from anarchist rockers to maniacs, from petty bandits to the Asian mafia. Put them in jail, bribe them for further cooperation, or become a criminal yourself. But so that no one can see.

The Los Cops story is divided into several episodes. Each of them is a separate story with a continuous storyline. The Tequila Sunrise episode is the first. Subsequent episodes will be released in paid DLC format.

Los Cops on Steam

The Flower Collectors

The Flower Collectors

|

Review by Gaming Masterpieces - The greatest games of all time on Steam.

|

Is this game a masterpiece? Nope, it is a little detective story about a political (?) murder in Spain after Franco’s death.

A grumpy ex-policeman, bound to a wheelchair after an accident, spends his time rolling around in his little flat (2 rooms, balcony), smoking, watching the neighbours with his binoculars, drawing little pictures, taking pills against his pain… but mostly sleeping and being bored. This flat is his world, and this is where the game takes place. Suddenly a gunshot in the night, and a dead corpse in the middle of the plaza under his flat. A young, terrified girl knocks on the door, breaking into his little world. And so the story begins…

Real player with 16.8 hrs in game


[url] Please see my curator page for more games that are worth your time [/url]

Approximate amount of time to 100%: 4h+

Estimated achievement difficulty: 3/10

Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1, but you might end up with at least one more

Has it been in a bundle: No

Is there a good guide available: Not yet. I tried to write one, but it isn’t easy for this game. I hope somebody else will be able to make a good guide.

Real player with 10.0 hrs in game

The Flower Collectors on Steam