First off, if you're looking for a game that's primarily based on tough action or challenging puzzles or something of that nature, this isn't what you're looking for and you should move on to something else. If you're more interested in storylines, then keep reading. This game is almost entirely focused on the dialogue and storyline, and that is where it really shines. The dialogue is realistic and interesting, and leaves a lot of room for interpretation by the player. The game leaves multiple surprises and changes depending on how one plays (without going too far in detail, one of the first interactions in the game allows to player to either be open and welcoming, hostile and confrontational, or just stay out of things), and the storyline is compelling down to the very last sentence of gameplay and even on replays. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys games for their characters and storylines.
I'm dividing this review up into two parts, the storyline and the gameplay. The storyline is the same level of greatness as one would expect from Jane Jensen. It starts a little abruptly, but by Chapter Two (of eight) the writing becomes dramatically better. Both of the main characters (Sam and David) are very well-written, and the supporting cast is pretty good too, with no major weak links within the cast. The ending to the story is very well-written: hell, I was spoiled and I was still on the edge of my seat. The gameplay, however, leads something to be desired. Most of the puzzles are pretty easy, with some being as simple as "follow these directions". The penultimate puzzle in the game, "The Game of Life", is the most difficult one, but still not difficult enough to require a walkthrough. Overall, I give this game an 8/10 (5/5 for the story and 3/5 for the gameplay). I highly recommend it.
There's really nothing I could add to this that nobody else has said already except that this game really is all that it's cracked up to be. Great concept, powerful story, very well made.
Redshirt is what would happen if a group of Trekkies created Kudos. As much as Positech wishes that was a compliment, it's not. Although Redshirt has some wit to it (enough to save it from a one-star review), it gets boring relatively fast, and after only a few turns the only reason to keep playing is to finish "just one more task." The game is a blatant ripoff of Kudos, except made more random and kills off characters at intervals. Getting rid of all the player's progress for no reason? Come on, Positech, you're better than that. TL;DR: Just buy Kudos 2 instead. It's a lot better.
$4.99 for something that adds little to the game, especially considering there are several modders on the Positech official forum alone that are willing to give away even more. For five dollars, I was at least expecting an increase in the number of features, not just something someone with no knowledge in coding could do by himself. Add new political groups (coders, anarchists, or LGBT populations would be nice), new interfaces (election campaigns would be a great addition), or even new countries (I'd really want to see what it'd be like to play as something outside the most powerful countries in the west.) TL;DR - It's not enough, doesn't add much to the game, and is by no means worth five dollars.
$4.99 for something that adds little to the game, especially considering there are several modders on the Positech official forum alone that are willing to give away even more. For five dollars, I was at least expecting an increase in the number of features, not just something someone with no knowledge in coding could do by himself. Add new political groups (coders, anarchists, or LGBT populations would be nice), new interfaces (election campaigns would be a great addition), or even new countries (I'd really want to see what it'd be like to play as something outside the most powerful countries in the west.) TL;DR - It's not enough, doesn't add much to the game, and is by no means worth five dollars.
