Arkham Horror: Mother's Embrace

During my play time so far I've had some minor bugs no doubt, I was able to look past them, but I wouldn't be surprised if other's experienced any major ones or ones similar that affected the gameplay. I love the set up in this game though, the mechanics, the controls, the mystery, the music, and the combat. I really hope this game get's some regular updates along with additional content because I could play this game for quite some time.

I don't normally like leaving negative reviews, but, this game frustrated me so much that I am compelled to in this case. One of the downsides of downloading games off of the Net is that you can't get a manual with it. Sure, you might be able to download a PDF file, but, you can't hold that in your hand as you're playing the game. Tutorials can only go so far as, I suspect, such a chapter would be impossible for the rule set of this particular game. Sure, it gives you instructions and hints as you go along, but, they come nowhere near explaining the rules. Though it is fashionable to derive PC games from tabletop games and to assume the purchasers will already know the rules, this is just poor practice as a product should be self contained. Also, there are often important differences between the PC and tabletop versions. But, to be fair, this isn't an impossible hurdle if the player is persistent. The ambience is nice, the voice acting decent, nice soundtrack, graphics are appropriate, good story, the controls.........God in Heaven, THE CONTROLS!! Unintuitive, clunky and unnecessarily time consuming, you have to learn their quirks on top of having to learn the game rules. After several combat encounters, I finally uninstalled the game in frustration. The pity is, I was quite enjoying the story. There's a very good game to be played here, but, until a manual or guide for this PC version is released, and the nightmarish control scheme is streamlined, I cannot recommend this, at least, not to gamers who have no knowledge of this franchise.

I know the Arkham Horror board games, and was keen to see what this PC version might be like. But I haven't even got past the opening. This is not a review about the game itself, because I can't play it. Because the developers have not accommodated Laft-handed players at all. Character movement is by WASD only. Not even a default alternative option for arrow keys. There is NO REMAPPING of anything allowed. Seriously? In this day and age, no remapping? Since I play left-handed, mouse in left hand, numpad under the right, it is impossible for me to use WASD. I've tried in a previous game, and cannot cope. I was refunded because that game developer stated they had no intention of providing key rempaaing for at least the next year. I don't know about this one, but I'll be asking for my second ever refund (in over 20 years of GOG gaming). Extremely disappointed, because it beggars belief that anyone would devote this much time and effort into any game, and not offer keyboard remapping for fundamental controls. What is more surprising, is that there is zero mention of this in any forum debate, nor in the reviews I've seen. Most comments are about the game relying on board game knowledge to make any sense. Which didn't bother me. If you're in the 90% that plays with WASD, congratulations. If you normally use the numpad, prepare for intense frustration.

I can't speak for others but I could not pick up the tutorial knife( the one on the table where the vase was). I am not the only one who has this problem as of this writing this problem persists for both GOG users and Steam users and anyone playing in a PC. Consoles do not seem to have this problem. I have better things to do with me time than spending 30 minutes trying to pick up a knife. I will be requesting a refund.