The Manhole: Masterpiece Edition

I had vague memories of playing this game as a tiny, tiny child, but over time I'd partially forgotten it, and assumed it was a hallucinaton. But this game was actually real?!

*Note: some technical problems on systems newer than Windows 7 (missing movie support, crackling audio) more info and advice at the bottom. Compatibility mode for windows xp service pack 2 might be required for the game to launch. Also the game is tiny unless run at 640 x 480 screen resolution. This game is classic I played on Mac when I was young. The original was one of Cyan's earlier games before Myst, and intended for a much younger audience. This version is a remaster and reimagining of sorts adding full cd audio music and sound effects, pre-rendered cgi backgrounds, and new content. There's not much to do but explore the surreal atmospheric environments and find various things to click on for sounds and animations. There are also odd animal characters with voiced dialog portrayed by 2d images over the 3d backgrounds. Overall, there isn't much content, but the environments are dreamlike and connect to each other in many hidden ways. There is no ending or purpose other than to explore and enjoy. There are however, some technical shortcomings and problems on modern Windows systems. *The game might fail to start unless run in compatibilty mode for Windows XP service pack 2 *The screen is tiny unless run at a low enough screen resolution. An easy fix is setting the run at 640 x 480 compatibility flag on the exe *Some animations require a quicktime plugin that was made for Windows 7, and doesn't install or work correctly on newer systems. The game will ask to install the plugin and if it fails the game closes out. Clicking cancel instead will allow the game to run, however none of these movie based animations will work. *There is some mild audio distortion and crackling, at least for me running on Windows 10. The distortion isn't too bad but for me personally it's distracting and ruins the experience. Overall, I rate highly for the nostalgia, but lower for the technical issues and missing animations on modern operating systems.

The visuals The game was originally made for kids, and it had suitable graphics. These are nowadays as outdated as they can be, and the resolution is so low, that there are black borders everywhere. The game did not age well. The Sound The soundtrack is quite okay, and offers a small variety of short, but nice tracks. The Story This game doesn’t really have a story. But each of the characters lives a more or less realistic life, in a daily routine. It makes them feel rather natural, even though they are talking animals. The Gameplay Basically you look at pictures, can touch objects, and explore a relatively small world. It might be fun for kids, but most people will probably find this game to be rather boring. However, I will admit that there is a lot of detail, so if you’re into detailed environments, you might actually still want to play it. The Playability On most modern hardware, the version offered on Steam and GOG is playable, and if it isn’t at first, you have to either install Quicktime or run the game in compatibility mode for Windows XP or sometimes both. The Price You can get the game for 6 US-Dollars on GOG as a standalone game, or for the same price on Steam, along with two other similar games from the same developer. 2.8/10 (Very bad) If I would’ve rated this game from a perspective when it just came out, looking past the graphics and resolution, this would be the rating: 3.4/10 (Bad) The new additions of the Masterpiece Edition alone, including the new areas, colors and voice acting are mostly ok, and fit into the game rather nicely, so my rating for them alone, leaving out the rest would be: 5/10 (Average) (shortly extended) Video version of the review: https://youtu.be/PjUOMcZGrII

Growing up in the 486 & MMX eras, I remember when computers were so expensive, tech companies inundated you with games & software just so you'll buy them. Granted, you didn't get very good games, or very useful software, but you got to see just what your computer can do. Playing Manhole, I'm reminded of those games. Because Manhole is the type of game one enjoys if he has no other options. It basically consists of you going from screen to screen, pressing on items and seeing what they do. And what they do, isn't very much. You simply get some animation & a sound bite. Visit each screen once, and you've seen all there is to see. I doubt you can get 5 minutes of enjoyment out of this game, kid or adult. I'd equate Manhole to the battery operated game you'd buy for a toddler, where you press buttons and animal sounds come out. Having played better games coming out of 5 inch floppies, I'm extremely underwhelmed. In fact, I remember creating "games" just like Manhole on a basic, for-kids software on a Win9x machine. If you still want to experience this "game", watch a walkthrough on YouTube, and save yourself some time & money.

If you don't know who these guys are, smack yourself in the face, and buy the game. NOW! If you do, there's no point in telling you how great their games are, seeing that you probably already own all of them. If not, you will.