Gemini Rue

I played this game some 10 years ago. I was litterally blown away by the plot and especially how everything unfolds at the end. When I saw this game on sale on GOG, I thought "why not play it again, just for nostalgia's sake ?". So I gave it a shot. Unfortunately, even 10 years later, the plot was still very clear in my mind. So what I was left with was an awkard point & click. None of the puzzles are illogical (well, maybe one or two of them are) but the gameplay is really brought down by numerous backtrackings and useless gameplay gimmicks (those crates... oh my God...) as well as an interface that is really clumsy. There's some gunplay too. But I found these more annoying than entertaining. So why the four stars ? Basically for three reasons : the astmosphere is really good, if you don't mind heavy pixel art, there is a "Flashback" vibe to the art direction, which always rubs me the right way. And thridly, there is a plot twist that is simply one of the best to be experienced... ... If you don't see it coming (no spoiler). By replaying the game, I noticed how the game really gives heavy hints on what is coming ahead. It didn't strike me 10 years ago, probably because I was a much less expercienced gamer and reader, so the twist was a total surprise. Basically, either you don't see the plot twist coming and you'll have a really great experience, or you will guess in advance that twist and it will be just another of those point & click games, albeit a nice one... In the end, for me, it's a 3/5 if you guess the plot twist and a 5/5 if you don't... So that will be a 4/5 ! Grab it on sale if you can !

"Gemini Rue" is an amazing cyberpunk noir adventure with a deep, immersive story and a gritty atmosphere. I love its pixel-art aesthetic, the engaging narrative, and the way it blends classic point-and-click gameplay with a cinematic feel. The mystery and world-building keep you hooked, and the game’s themes of identity and memory make it truly thought-provoking. The voice acting and soundtrack also add to the overall experience, making it a must-play for fans of sci-fi adventures!

This game is really rather enjoyable. I found myself saying 15 more minutes and letting hours pass by. The writing isn't dostoevsky, but is quite engaging and had me wanting to discover where things would go and the puzzles rarely descended into the pixil hunting that plagues many p&c's. a great game!

Don't let the low-res graphics put you off. This game is a must for the serious adventure gamer. Not because of the difficulty of the puzzles, in fact it's of average difficulty at best, but for the great story and mood. This is a sci fi noir/thriller that borrows elements from Total Recall and Blade Runner but still ending up with a unique and enthralling plot. Fans of the genre, and not only, must certainly check it out.

It's not quite Grim Fandango, but it's close. Totally immersive story, great writing, solid soundtrack. The puzzles tend to be on the easy side and the voice acting is patchy at times, but that doesn't keep the game from being great. If you like adventure games, you really do owe it to yourself to play this game.