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TheDeep1974

Member
Oct 26, 2017
1,012
Finished the game. It was fun but so easy that might as well remove all puzzles and just let you go on with the story.
 

Xagarath

Member
Oct 28, 2017
3,140
North-East England
This is easily the best Wadjet game I've played.
(Not counting Technobabylon, which they only published/co-developed)
Puzzles are a little bit straightforward but I think that comes from each mission being constrained to a small area and inventory pool - a lot of classic adventure game difficulty came from having such a bewildering array of locations and items that you were never immediately sure where to use something.
 

thelongestj

Member
Oct 27, 2017
979
I'm really bummed to have to say that I was disappointed with this game. It was easily my most anticipated game of the year, but the lack of any puzzles and characters I didn't care about mean it will be ranked in the bottom half of Wadjet Eye games for me. I'm happy for everyone else who enjoyed it and am glad they are reaching a broader audience, but I hope the next game is less about choices and having multiple paths and more about tightly scripted narratives with engaging characters. I miss Rosa and Joey a lot. The only character in Unavowed I liked was KayKay.

It sucks that with the popularity of streaming, more adventure games are going to have to take the multiple paths requirement so people won't be able to see everything in one playthrough. I'm worried now about Lamplight City. I have a bad feeling I'm not going to enjoy it either, because it will have to make similar sacrifices.
 

Elven_Star

Member
Oct 27, 2017
3,958
Just finished the game. Definitely one of the best PnC games I have played. The puzzles were on the easy side, but removing them would have been a mistake. They create a sense of agency for the player which would have been missed from the game otherwise. Can't wait for Wadjet's next game.
 

newgamewhodis

Member
Oct 28, 2017
820
Brooklyn
It sucks that with the popularity of streaming, more adventure games are going to have to take the multiple paths requirement so people won't be able to see everything in one playthrough. I'm worried now about Lamplight City. I have a bad feeling I'm not going to enjoy it either, because it will have to make similar sacrifices.
It's alright that you don't really enjoy branching narratives, but I'd hardly count the feature as a concession. Dave Gilbert had to do a bunch of extra writing in order to create a game that felt reactive to your decisions as a character and the people that you took along in your party. I appreciated it, but I can understand those who pine for a more classic PnC protagonist.
 

thelongestj

Member
Oct 27, 2017
979
It's alright that you don't really enjoy branching narratives, but I'd hardly count the feature as a concession. Dave Gilbert had to do a bunch of extra writing in order to create a game that felt reactive to your decisions as a character and the people that you took along in your party. I appreciated it, but I can understand those who pine for a more classic PnC protagonist.
It's okay, I'm glad I'm in the minority and I can see why lots of people are saying that this is their favorite Wadjet Eye game. I do think that Dave is pushing the genre forward, and I hope that this game shows up on some best of the year lists on more mainstream sites.
 

Tizoc

Member
Oct 25, 2017
23,792
Oman
FINALLY got around tos tarting it
604843F25334011AE226D2600BE289E230E38955


Zim-O_o-zim-16368564-500-375.jpg


Wadjet Eye are really underrated.
 

Dr Doom

Member
Oct 25, 2017
12,008
It's been awhile since I played PnC even though I kept buying them.

I think I'm passed halfway (3 extra missions pop up already).

I like the Urban setting and story even though the puzzles can be simple.
 
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shoptroll

shoptroll

Member
May 29, 2018
3,680
At least the intro segment is the most graphic the game gets, but man it goes places I did not expect at all.
 

Hella

Member
Oct 27, 2017
23,397
That intro is kinda... one of the best in video games? I'm really floored by how well it sets the game up. There's probably gonna be some YouTube breakdown on its genius a few years down the road.

Really, Unavowed is--and I try not to use this word lightly--a masterpiece. I wouldn't call it a perfect game or anything, but it sets out to do something and far exceeds the wildest expectations I could've had.


I'm curious, though: how did y'all feel about the different origin choices? I chose the female protagonist/actor origin and I can't actually fathom the game without them, because they feels so central to the plot. I'm really excited to try the other choices some time and see how that goes.
 

admataY

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,789
A common complaint about this game that I keep hear people bring up is that its too easy , and while I absolutely agree I dont know how it can be solved - because the reason it feels that way is that the puzzles are all logical and make sense, and no random obtuse moon logic ever impeded my progress .
 
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shoptroll

shoptroll

Member
May 29, 2018
3,680
That intro is kinda... one of the best in video games? I'm really floored by how well it sets the game up. There's probably gonna be some YouTube breakdown on its genius a few years down the road.

What I love most about the intro is how organic the character creation process is. You probably can't do that in most games that allow for custom character creation, but I would love to see more games try to do something similar.
 
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shoptroll

shoptroll

Member
May 29, 2018
3,680
Nothing official yet. iOS is likely to happen because they've ported all their previous games. But it took about a year to port Shardlight so I would expect Unavowed to take about the same amount of time.

Switch will take longer because an AGS port doesn't exist for the platform and they'll have to deal with Nintendo's approval process. I did see Dave inquiring on Twitter for talent to do a port prior to release but I don't know if anything concrete came of that.

Which is a long-winded way of saying you should probably get it on PC for now if you're interested in playing it
 

Tizoc

Member
Oct 25, 2017
23,792
Oman
Welp i just beat the game
i got the bad ending :v

EDIT: Oh wait THAT'S how you get the better ending? Well this game really knows how to tug you into doing a replay, at least for those Cheevos XP
 
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Ivellios

Member
Oct 27, 2017
479
Im really surprised about this game, generally i dont have much patience for adventure games because i always get stuck on them fairly easy, but the story and writing in this one is so good i cant stop playing.

That being said im stuck haha
In the Wall Street case, the door on the roof password, where you need to use Travis note to get across.

So even after finding the password online, i have no ideia how i would have solved this alone, so can somebody explain to me how to solve this without a guide? I simply see no logic in this particular puzzle.
 

admataY

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,789
If its the one im thinking off...
Number of legs . Its a spin on the classic sphinx ridle
 

Hella

Member
Oct 27, 2017
23,397
If its the one im thinking off...
Number of legs . Its a spin on the classic sphinx ridle
Yeah.
I asked about it last page.

You find the list of forms, and then go to the keypad and see "LEGS" scrawled on it as a reminder of how it works. An old man has 3 legs, a man has 2, a dog has 4, etc.

The Sphinx's riddle is something like, "what creature has four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?" the answer is, "a man". If you aren't thinking that way I don't think you can ever solve it logically.
It is diabolically straightforward once you realise how it works, though.
 

Tizoc

Member
Oct 25, 2017
23,792
Oman
Yeah.
I asked about it last page.

You find the list of forms, and then go to the keypad and see "LEGS" scrawled on it as a reminder of how it works. An old man has 3 legs, a man has 2, a dog has 4, etc.

The Sphinx's riddle is something like, "what creature has four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?" the answer is, "a man". If you aren't thinking that way I don't think you can ever solve it logically.
It is diabolically straightforward once you realise how it works, though.
I thought this puzzle was about
removing the letters L E G S and then seeing how many letters remain from a word, or that the letter order of LEGS determines what number to enter
 

Hella

Member
Oct 27, 2017
23,397
Ivellios sorry forgot to tag you for my post above. It has an explanation for that puzzle.
I thought this puzzle was about
removing the letters L E G S and then seeing how many letters remain from a word, or that the letter order of LEGS determines what number to enter
I went down all kind of wrong assumptions myself, trying to solve it before I gave up and asked here.
I was like, "IT IS LEET SPEAK! I'll type L3G5 and that's the... oh, let's try 7365. Hmm it doesn't work, let me reverse it! Ok let's try the first one again to make sure I typed it right....

And it just went downhill from there.
I think I spent like an hour combing the level for more clues or some explanation, and failing the puzzle. I really wanted to figure it out myself, but from the beginning I was immensely overanalysing how it worked. That's how it goes for all the puzzles I can't figure out...
 

Tizoc

Member
Oct 25, 2017
23,792
Oman
Ivellios sorry forgot to tag you for my post above. It has an explanation for that puzzle.

I went down all kind of wrong assumptions myself, trying to solve it before I gave up and asked here.
I was like, "IT IS LEET SPEAK! I'll type L3G5 and that's the... oh, let's try 7365. Hmm it doesn't work, let me reverse it! Ok let's try the first one again to make sure I typed it right....

And it just went downhill from there.
I think I spent like an hour combing the level for more clues or some explanation, and failing the puzzle. I really wanted to figure it out myself, but from the beginning I was immensely overanalysing how it worked.
It's that pesky fairy, thinking he's so smart and above it all!
 

Ivellios

Member
Oct 27, 2017
479
If its the one im thinking off...
Number of legs . Its a spin on the classic sphinx ridle

Ivellios sorry forgot to tag you for my post above. It has an explanation for that puzzle.

I went down all kind of wrong assumptions myself, trying to solve it before I gave up and asked here.
I was like, "IT IS LEET SPEAK! I'll type L3G5 and that's the... oh, let's try 7365. Hmm it doesn't work, let me reverse it! Ok let's try the first one again to make sure I typed it right....

And it just went downhill from there.
I think I spent like an hour combing the level for more clues or some explanation, and failing the puzzle. I really wanted to figure it out myself, but from the beginning I was immensely overanalysing how it worked. That's how it goes for all the puzzles I can't figure out...

Amazing, it is so obvious now thanks for the explanation. I spent an entire hour trying complex things, and it was so simple in the end...

What i like about this game is that the puzzles are not obtuse like Grim Fandango for example
 

Hella

Member
Oct 27, 2017
23,397
Yeah I've really like the puzzle designs too. The solutions always have an in-world logic to them. I also like the flexibility to the system, how every party combo always has a path forward. (The whole party system and RPG stuff in general is a fantastic step forward--I'm looking forward to replaything this way more than any other adventure game ever!)

I've never been a fan of puzzles I have to look up to complete, or smashing items together hoping to progress. I don't find it challenging so much as annoying.
 

admataY

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,789
There is a very distinct lacking of rubbing random inventory items on every hotspot in this game . It is a feature, not a bug , i think .
Unavowed is a very good game , IMO .

Edit : another random thing i must commend the game for - No EXAMINE button, you just lay the cursor on a thing and the game lay down the description in the subtitles . Such a simple QOL improvement yet it saved so much time in the end !
 
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Hella

Member
Oct 27, 2017
23,397
Rock, Paper, Shotgun has a nice (spoilery) "RPS Verdict" where 3 staff members discuss their thoughts with Unavowed.

This is the part that resonated with me the most because it totally happened to me, too:
Matt: I'm not allowed to call KayKay an idiot after she laughed at me for forgetting I needed her to open doors that one time.
The number of variations on that line (I think I hit 10 without it repeating) is so, so perfect.

That one is probably my favourite mission, if only for how wild things get.
 
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shoptroll

shoptroll

Member
May 29, 2018
3,680
Oh God that mission. I lost track of the number of times I flubbed that interaction.

Edit: Weeee we're in Hangouts now!
 

newgamewhodis

Member
Oct 28, 2017
820
Brooklyn
Chinatown Spoiler:
Did anyone else use the alphanumeric code on the lotto tickets? I really thought I was on the right track there, but I got a nice reward anyway.
 

Ivellios

Member
Oct 27, 2017
479
Just finished the game and i think i saw all the possible endings, this is truly a masterpiece. Is it worth a second run with another origin and different characters in the missions? Does it change the game a lot or not really?

A common complaint about this game that I keep hear people bring up is that its too easy , and while I absolutely agree I dont know how it can be solved - because the reason it feels that way is that the puzzles are all logical and make sense, and no random obtuse moon logic ever impeded my progress .

This makes no sense to me, why a story driven adventure game like this one has to be hard? One of its best qualities is that the puzzles actually make sense (at least to me)

Edit: Also kinda off topic, but can anyone recommend me similar games like this? This is one of the first adventure pnc game i enjoyed in years
 

Hella

Member
Oct 27, 2017
23,397
Ivellios The other Wadjet Eye-published adventure games are more traditional in their set-up (less replayability, no hover-to-examine, just classical point-and-click adventure games) but range from OK to excellent. If you liked Unavowed I'd check out the Blackwell quintology first; it's set in the same universe, by the same dev, and ends really well.

The Blackwell Bundle has every game in order. Just wait for a sale before jumping in if you want the best price.


The rest of Wadjet Eye's catalogue is an easy rec, too. Technobabylon and Gemini Rue are the next two I'd recommend.


But if you mean new-ish stuff in the same style, there really isn't anything. Unavowed is a completely new beast.
 
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shoptroll

shoptroll

Member
May 29, 2018
3,680
Most, if not all, of Wadjet Eye's older titles have demos on Steam too which should give you a fair idea of the setting and mechanics before buying. That said, I completely agree that if you like Unavowed you'll probably be best served by the Blackwell series (which will feel very familiar if you used Logan a lot). I would start there and then check out the rest of the catalog.
 

Hella

Member
Oct 27, 2017
23,397
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shoptroll

shoptroll

Member
May 29, 2018
3,680
I'm really glad to see Unavowed getting some deep dives on how good it is.

At least RPS is milking it pretty hard. As much as I support RPS, it would be nice to see continued coverage from other sites. On the other hand, it certainly dulls the pain of Lamplight City not getting a review there.
 
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shoptroll

shoptroll

Member
May 29, 2018
3,680
The rest of Wadjet Eye's catalogue is an easy rec, too. Technobabylon and Gemini Rue are the next two I'd recommend.

Sorry for the double post, a few other recommendations popped into my head that are Wadjet Eye adjacent:

Kathy Rain isn't something I've played beyond the demo, but it's definitely a front-runner in the "I can't believe that's not by Wadjet Eye" category. (Dave Gilbert handled the voice acting talent for this game even though Wadjet Eye isn't the publisher)

Order of the Thorne - The King's Challenge tries to answer the question of "What if LucasArts made King's Quest?". It's a short fairy-tale romp with a dash of saturday morning 80's cartoon flair for good measure.

Lamplight City is the new game by longtime Wadjet Eye collaborator Fracisco Gonzalez which just came out earlier this month. A detective story set in a steampunk alt-history version of New Orleans with an emphasis on investigation and interrogation over traditional puzzle mechanics.
 

Dave Gilbert

Developer, Wadjet Eye Games
Verified
Sep 22, 2018
7
Brooklyn, NY
Hello all! Developer of the game here. Just thought I'd register to say "Hi" and "thank you" for all the lovely things you are saying about Unavowed. It was a blast to make and I'm super glad you all are enjoying it. Also, there doesn't seem to be a way to change my profile avatar? I feel like a moron. Anyway, thanks again!

-Dave
 

Hella

Member
Oct 27, 2017
23,397
Hello all! Developer of the game here. Just thought I'd register to say "Hi" and "thank you" for all the lovely things you are saying about Unavowed. It was a blast to make and I'm super glad you all are enjoying it. Also, there doesn't seem to be a way to change my profile avatar? I feel like a moron. Anyway, thanks again!

-Dave
To change your avatar:

Also "hi" and "thank you" to you too! Love your work! Welcome to ResetEra.
 

admataY

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,789
Welcome to this nuthouse Mr Gilbert, it was great seeing the improvement with each and every new game Widjet Eye make, and the Shiva will always be dear and near to my heart so your studio already started from a high point .
 
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shoptroll

shoptroll

Member
May 29, 2018
3,680
Welcome aboard Dave! Big thank you to you and your team for all your hard work over the years and creating some really enjoyable games!
 

Dave Gilbert

Developer, Wadjet Eye Games
Verified
Sep 22, 2018
7
Brooklyn, NY
Thanks! It's been a ride. :) Still mulling over what I'm personally going to work on next, although I'm working with two other developers on something new. Will announce when I've got something to share.
 

newgamewhodis

Member
Oct 28, 2017
820
Brooklyn
Thanks! It's been a ride. :) Still mulling over what I'm personally going to work on next, although I'm working with two other developers on something new. Will announce when I've got something to share.
So your role in Nighthawks is more hands off? I'm excited for it regardless, the artstyle is lovely and I've been hungry for more good vampiric fiction after playing Vampyr and Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines earlier this year.
 

Dave Gilbert

Developer, Wadjet Eye Games
Verified
Sep 22, 2018
7
Brooklyn, NY
My PERSONAL role in Nighthawks is more hands off, although Wadjet Eye itself will be heavily involved. Meaning Ben Chandler will be doing the art for it. I'll be chipping in with writing here and there as well as doing the usual marketing/sales stuff, but Richard knows what he is doing so he doesn't require the usual guidance.