Slow moody & eerie supernatural mistery
Discovered that GoG released this old gem that I've been dreamlisting for a long time ago. Didn't buy it yet (waiting for payday ^_^ ), but this is what I can tell and remember, although had to research a little to recollect my memories. Take care, this is a long text.
Following this review's title (and as you can observe from the screenshots), it's a point-and-click old-style adventure game in the third person. The playthrough is investigative and puzzle-solving. Like all true good adventures, you have free roam to explore all unlocked places and immerse yourself in the environment.
The visuals are in black-and-white, with little dashes of colour to give some dramatic effect here and there. The characters are in 3D graphics, but most locations are a mixture of 3D and photographic montages in a beautifully atmospheric seaside world. If I remember correctly, they were taken by the author at the port town/village of Polperro, in Cornwall. They give a feeling of realism when exploring the old narrow streets and gloomy outskirts of the seaside town of Saxton, on the west coast of England, in the early 2000s.
The black-and-white helps the art not look simple/outdated/amateurish (not that it is), and helps to give that effect of coldness and gloom that certain somber shores of the north Atlantic so well do.
The music is more in the style of soundscapes that evoke a feeling of melancholy and foreboding. It surrounds the many misteries over Saxton like a sad foghorn through a dead sea. The title's humming is haunting and sets the stage. Those misteries converge to the main plotline at the end of the game.
This ending felt a little open-ended, due to the story's subject. There's a kind-of-a sequel (that I didn't play – yet): 'The Last Crown', also released here on GoG at the same time as this game. I believe it rap-ups the series. Either way, you do get a sense of story and mistery solved on this one.
The main theme is of a ghost story. One that very slowly progresses into a likeness of a M.R. James' tale (one of the best and most influential ghost-story authors ever). Coincidentally (or not), he wrote a short-tale also concerning the main subject of the game's title.
The pace, as said, is slow and almost casual. There's not much tension in the main character's voice. He feels more like a turist interested in the occult secrets of the places he visits. I think that's the best way you can go into the game in the beginning. He sure looks like he dresses for the part.
You are Nigel Danver, and you do look as ordinary as an ordinary man can be caught in those most extraordinary and scary of circunstances – stranger in a strange land. In the end I liked him and don't mind playing more stories with him. Beyond the published sequel, that is.
But it's the land that is the main protagonist. A sad mood in the likes of 'The Last Door' and even the lostness of Senua.
There is a lot of dialogue (all voiced), a good chunk of investigative activites and reading. Many things are done in a way that try to give a lantern-on-the-face feeling, almost cornish. But all was in a way that felt sometimes cozy, sometimes very-very effective. If you're playing for a long session – and you are of the immersive and suggestive type – it actually can get you on your nerves a little.
There's also a a shadowy society in the background, from which Nigel is running from after stealing some important documents according to the introduction. To me that plotline never felt right in the game. It was too much in the background and not relevant or important to the story. Brought too much 'moderness' as that was in fashion in the early 2000s for these type of stories.
It's existence is kind-of the reason why I felt the game a little open ended. Seemed as if they were some sort of connection to other of the author's titles, as if belonging in the same universe.
I really just preferred that Nigel was just a lone guy as any other looser that stumbled in a sea of danger way deep than he could possibly phantom, and still (with the player's help, of course) manages to face the maelstroms of death. It should be more in tune with the classic supernatural tale you read in your gloomy room/bedroom at night, under a weak yellowish lamp and over a hot chocolate-milk.
If I'm being too evasive, is on purpose. The game is really for the story and the experience, and I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who decides to risk it.
It's a little in the vibes of Broken Sword and Gabriel Knight, or – more probably (since I didn't play these ones yet) –, Black Mirror, Saint Kotard or the Secret Files series. Just much more small and simple in scope, and with a lot less action (especially when compared with the likes of Gabriel and George's adventures).
Revolutionary? Probably not. Worth it? I believe so.
As said, go casually. Let the game immerse you, and you'll be for a good time if you like horror ghost stories. It's very important to know that this is not in the vein of a 'Amnesia' or 'Scratches' game. You're not harassed by constant dread. It's a place where you actually meet some funny characters and have some good moments.
Oh, and I'm not that much of a smart guy. So, if I managed to solve the puzzles, you can too. ^_^
Is this helpful to you?
Yes
(18 )
No
Report abuse