I hated every single character in this game. The protagonist, the antagonists, the secondary main characters, the side characters ... Yet, I loved the game! The story is simple but good and uncovered in a good way. The protagonist was made an unlikeable, self-centered jerk on purpose, and that worked out ... well, mission accomplished. While growing extremely tired of him, it really felt like I only helped him reach his goal because [nah, no story spoilers]. The graphics are very nice and fits the setting and story, and the voice acting is good. The controls worked well though Rufus could have moved a little faster. The main reason for my five stars is the puzzles. They are a mix of out-there puzzles (I am a Monkey Island fan) and interesting logical puzzles. This might be subjective but the developers really found that sweet spot of challenging difficulty but no let-me-check-if-this-game-is-on-UHS moments. Solving them gave that feeling of accomplishment and reward that is just what I look for in an adventure game (though I at times was unsure if I really wanted Rufus to succeed). The game gives you a lot of hints but they are never too evident. It is always clear what you're short-term goals are. So, if you like a whacky, cartoonish story (albeit with very unlikeable characters) as indicated by the screenshots, this game might be for you. If you like really well designed out there puzzles and good logic puzzles, this game is for you. If you are more of the "use hammer on nail" style puzzler, you probably won't like it.
Once again we're visiting our old friends George and Nico and this time we're helping them move. Push crates, pull crates, climb crates - have fun all day long with crates! As everyone who ever contemplated picking this game up (probably including you) I did it because I played and enjoyed its predecessors. What really dragged me into those games was the nice and cosy atmosphere and story, that well executed kind of Tintin/Indiana Jones/Lovecraftian mix with mysterious conspiracies and the occult. I think the story of SD fits the franchise (though what WAS that ending?!). It is a little more gruesome this time. Many seem to bash the graphics and controls. It uses a fixed camera 3d view, which as any other similar implementation feels very claustrofobic and makes moving between different parts of the same area a bit disorienting, but nothing is actually out of sight. The system of action buttons and scrolling inventory actually works quite well IMO (the latter is used very little for an adventure game). The drawback of the controls, and part of the problem with this game, is that they feel so sluggish! Changing direction takes time. Walking is slow, but at least you can run---if you don't mind waiting a second now and then while G or N bumps into a wall to say ouch. And wait you will, playing this: you can't skip cutscenes or dialog. You can't skip the witty remarks while trying out locked doors (and there are loads of doors, thankfully less than crates though). You can't skip a cutscene played for the third time. No skipping! As for the puzzles ... well, they won't really puzzle anyone. If the voice actor says you could solve a puzzle with a hammer, you can solve it with a hammer. And you will move a lot of crates; like sokoban but without the challenge. The lack of puzzles and the constant break of pace (and did I mention that the crates are so heavy that G and N have to stop once every tile while moving them?) unfortunately makes this game extremely boring.
