And rarely do I use that phrase. I entered into this series on a whim, looking into the adventure genre I had only dabbled in. I heard good things about it, but was unsure. So I watched a Let's Play of the first game... then the second... then the third... the fourth. I couldn't stop; it was like a brilliant new book before bedtime, and you just keep wanting to squeeze in one more chapter or page before light's out.
I stopped myself. I enjoyed this journey so much that I bought the finale, The Blackwell Epiphany, so that I could experience the joy of controlling this magnificent journey's finale. I don't regret it one bit.
It has been a long, long time since I've been so engrossed in a story and so invested in its characters -- so many overused cliches avoided, so many turns I incorrectly guessed, all carried on the shoulders of quirky, lovable, relatable characters. The writing is the crown champion of all the things this series got right, and I'm so glad that I gave it a shot and then took the reins for myself.
I cannot recommend this series more. I don't hand out 5 stars like candy, they MEAN something. If you aren't sure, perhaps do like I did and watch somebody play the first episode but, trust me, stop there. You'll know whether or not this series is something you'll be interested in, and you'll get the joy of being the one in the driver's seat for most of it -- something I know look back and wish I had done, because this series has been so charmingly enjoyable to experience. If you like adventure games at all, you will enjoy this.
I could stop there, but I have 400 characters left, and Blackwell deserves every one. I bought the rest of the series, despite knowing (most of) what happens in them. I spent my money on a book I'd already read. I hope that's taken as a sign of just how worthy of a read it was, and how happy I will be to revisit this series periodically down the road, like that favorite book, that you want to experience again.
