Whispers of a Machine really hit a note that I haven't witnessed in a long time. Games like Space Quest, Gabriel Knight, Monkey Island, and Beneath a Steel Sky all left a sense of wonder and exhilaration which I've found missing from many modern adventure games. However, Whispers of a Machine captures this spirit for me in such a nostalgic and refreshing way. Although the verbs interface is simplified compared to older adventure games, the "augmentations" provide enough complexity to keep it from feeling dull; and puzzles don't feel arbitrary or forced. It's super awesome that many of the puzzles can be solved in multiple ways, and the player is left to choose their own path of exploration. In many ways, it feels like they've taken a page from Ron Gilbert's guide to making adventure games not suck. 🙂 If all this weren't enough, the story, characters, and environment are all just stunningly crafted. You can spend time engrossing yourself in the atmosphere and it doesn't feel like a chore. This is an absolute work of art. If you love adventure games, I'd highly recommend taking some time to play this one.
