Loom is game that did not reach its potential Having played other LucasArts adventure games, I had an idea of how the game would play. However, it's only vaguely similar. Unlike other adventure games of the time, your interactions with the game are limited to clicking on things and getting a name and description of what you clicked on. Everything else is done via "drafts", or short songs you play. The songs are the main mechanic in the game. What songs you can play and what they do is for the player to discover. I thought this mechanic was well implemented and it was satisfying figuring the songs out. However, the game does not keep track of the songs you learn, so it's basically mandatory that you take notes; There are songs you will learn well before you can play them, and you won't be able to go back to where you learned them. I would like the game more had it kept track of this for you. Not that it matters much in the end; The game is rather linear and short. The (in-game) story has just enough narrative to allow you to track what's going on, but the rest is vague and underwhelming. Some of those songs you learn you'll only use once, if at all. Compound that with a disappointing cliffhanger ending, and you get a merely adequate game. If you have a few hours free, don't mind taking notes, and don't care too much about he story, give it a shot. Otherwise, this game isn't really worth your time.
This game is ok as far as adventure games go. Most (but definitely not all) of the puzzles are intuitive, the game mostly bug-free, and the music and voice acting is alright. The premise of the game is pretty interesting. Playing a clearly not-quite-sane person trying to escape an insane asylum is a fun premise. But, while the game starts silly, it gets rather dark at the end. Be warned: there is (implied and imaginary) graphic death imagery in the game. While the game is mostly fair, there are a couple of rather unintuitive puzzles that I won't blame you for looking up. There's at least one puzzle that feels bugged but actually just wants you to perform actions in a particular way. Top it off with navigating the asylum in the mid-game taking way too long and it can get frustrating. One final note: due to this being a translation of an originally German game, there are some odd bits of dialog here and there. It doesn't detract too much from the experience, but if you do notice, that's why. This isn't Daedalic's best game, and that's not surprising being their first. However, it's entertaining enough and not too long. So, if you like adventure games, want a smaller game, and aren't easily discouraged, give it a try.
