Point & Click Adventure Thread 2017 - Pixels Walk With Me

Zweisy1 · Dec 16, 2017

sangreal said:
5 is b.y far the best IMO. I also gave up on 3 and 4 recently, but I enjoy the beginning of 3 at least. 4 is a mess. It's simply not fun to die every 3 steps

Yeah, personally Space Quest 3 is my favourite in the series, it's where the personality and humour ot the series really started to shine and the that soundtrack by Bob Siebenberg was gorgeous at the time and still is actually.. 5 is an enjoyable game as well just quite different in tone, bit heavy on the Star Trek parody. You could kind of tell that only one of the Two Guys from Andromeda worked on it.

4 is a huge fan favourite and I can see why people love it but.. it's a big game with some memorable locations, nice soundtrack and cd version has the on point narrating by Gary Owens, but man are some of the puzzles and sections in that game just ridiculously obtuse and a nightmare to get through..a lot of its just really frustrating.

6 was just kind of a dull experience all around almost completely missing any charm of the previous titles..

RoyaleDuke said:
10ish hours later and I think Thimbleweed Park is the greatest adventure game of all time.

Really really loved Thimbleweed Park. Really nicely designed and put together game with great atmosphere and writing, so good to have the talents of Ron Gilbert and David Fox back in the genre.

visvim · Dec 16, 2017

has there been any absolute must plays / masterpieces in this genre since... well, about 2013? the last P+C I played was Broken Sword series

Tizoc · Dec 17, 2017

visvim said:
has there been any absolute must plays / masterpieces in this genre since... well, about 2013? the last P+C I played was Broken Sword series

If u hadnt read the post above yours
Go play thimbleweed park
And contradiction

sir_crocodile · Dec 17, 2017

Zweisy1 said:
Sorry about the extremely late reply but..

I'll always have strong nostalgia for the original C64 version of Maniac Mansion but still, have to agree with the NES MM probably being the best version overall. The highlighting cursor makes a big difference and is a big part of why the later Lucas adventures interface felt so good. That soundtrack adds a lo to the atmosphere of the game and I love how all the kids have their own tune. Its also interesting that there is a Famicom version of Maniac Mansion which is actually completely different to the NES version. (Inferior in every way by the looks of it)

Shadowgate's definitely near the top of my list to play as I've only heard good things about it. Wonder how it's held up and how unforgiving it is..

Very unforgiving. It will let you do dumb things and then instantly punish you for it lol

visvim said:
has there been any absolute must plays / masterpieces in this genre since... well, about 2013? the last P+C I played was Broken Sword series

Good modern P&C's:

The Shivah (super short)
Ben There, Dan That & Time Gentleman Please (funniest P&C games since the lucasarts golden age)
The Book of Unwritten Tales
Dropsy
Primordia
Blackwell series (5 game series, first 4 are available in a bundle)
Technobabylon
Kathy Rain
Shadowgate 2014 (remake of the original, so play if you don't mind dying quite a bit)
Thimbleweed Park

Resonance and Shardlight have generally good writing, but I wasn't a fan of their endings. YMMV.
Samaritan Paradox is good but I wouldn't call it "Must Play"

There's also Quest For Infamy if you want a good Quest for Glory style P&C/RPG hybrid.

I really need to set aside some time to replay Under a Killing Moon, The Pandora Directive and Overseer so I can finally get to Tesla Effect. Also have yet to play Book of Unwritten Tales 2.

Stealthy Cockatrice · Dec 17, 2017

visvim said:
has there been any absolute must plays / masterpieces in this genre since... well, about 2013? the last P+C I played was Broken Sword series

Unpopular opinion among the P&C fanbase, but I have not enjoyed any of the mentioned above at all like Thimbleweed Park(overrated af) or the games from Wadjet Eye. Heres the list of adventure games I did enjoy in the last years:

Broken Sword 5
Deponia series
Paradigm(underrated fun masterpiece)
The Night of the Rabbit
Fran Bow

Jacqli · Dec 17, 2017

I also think Thimbleweed Park is overrated. I was enjoying a lot at first, but the ending (and there is a scene that literally was out of place) killed my enthusiasm for the game. Would I recommend it? Probably because it is still a solid game with decent puzzles, but I would not go with much hype.

And as to Contradiction. Its budget totally shows and there are several plot threads that go nowhere. It was a bittersweet experience. Jenks is cool but dunno, pretty forgettable game overall. I might buy Doctor Dekker's Madness (or whatever is called) if it is discounted during Steam's sale.

Although I actually liked Technobabylon. Sci fi is one of my favourites genres so not surprising and it was in a bundle so probably you can find it pretty cheap. But Shardlight was a bit weird. They tried to make some social commentary? But it was so in your face that I could not take it seriously. And the both sides thing was a good idea but I do not think well executed.

To be honest, lately I am more into playing bad adventure graphic games. Do not ask me why, but They have some kind of charm like Mystery of the Druids with its nonsense puzzles and asshole main character.

Xagarath · Dec 18, 2017

Fran Bow, Technobabylon and Kathy Rain are the only three I'd describe as essential, but I enjoyed the Blackwell games and Stasis.

I'd agree on Shardlight, though - I wanted to like it, but the ending felt a little too painfully earnest.

KainXVIII · Dec 18, 2017

Zweisy1 said:
Yeah, personally Space Quest 3 is my favourite in the series, it's where the personality and humour ot the series really started to shine and the that soundtrack by Bob Siebenberg was gorgeous at the time and still is actually.. 5 is an enjoyable game as well just quite different in tone, bit heavy on the Star Trek parody. You could kind of tell that only one of the Two Guys from Andromeda worked on it.

Agreed - Space Quest 3 surprisingly now my favorite game in the series (after SQ5), especially with excellent MT-32 soundtrack.

visvim said:
has there been any absolute must plays / masterpieces in this genre since... well, about 2013? the last P+C I played was Broken Sword series

Deponia series
Chains of Satinav/Memoria
Dropsy
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments
The Dream Machine

Dandy · Dec 18, 2017

visvim said:
has there been any absolute must plays / masterpieces in this genre since... well, about 2013? the last P+C I played was Broken Sword series

Thimbleweed Park. While not a perfect game(I didn't love the ending), it's still one of the best point and click adventures I've ever played.

Tizoc · Dec 18, 2017

Kelvin and the Infamous Machine is USD 3.75 over at Fanatical for a limited time only
https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/kelvin-and-the-infamous-machine

Tempted to get it but I feel it'll be in a bundle in no time soon...

Deleted member 19813 · Dec 18, 2017

I hope Thimbleweed Park goes on sale during the Winter Sale.

Tizoc · Dec 19, 2017

Yeeeeeeeeeeeah NVidia Inspector+SSGSS Anti aliasing doesn't really do much to further smooth out Back to the future, so I should stop applying it :V

Almost half way through and I'm still enjoying the game. I should prob. look into watching the cartoon show someday...

nny · Dec 19, 2017

Oxenfree is currently free on gog: it's not point n click, but it's a very interesting adventure game.

Milk Lizard · Dec 19, 2017

Pillars of Earth is proper fucking great. Finished the first chapter/book whatever now, and just started the second. Loving the story and the none frustrating way of progression (no pixel hunting or obscure item combinations), rather just conversations and such so far.

Jiro · Dec 19, 2017

Are there really no upcoming games like this? I really miss to dive into a point&click-thriller full of mystery.... =(

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ja2ke · Dec 20, 2017

I'm excited for Lamplight City. It got a new trailer yesterday and is looking nice. It really shows off the elaborate and satisfying pixel art character animation:

And from the game's site, the description of how investigation and working through each story works sounds very intriguing. Sounds like there's a lot of possibility space in each case and you're supposed to take your own tack when determining how to solve it, as opposed to just completing a traditional single fixed puzzle chain.

Jiro · Dec 20, 2017

ja2ke said:
I'm excited for Lamplight City. It got a new trailer yesterday and is looking nice. It really shows off the elaborate and satisfying pixel art character animation:

And from the game's site, the description of how investigation and working through each story works sounds very intriguing. Sounds like there's a lot of possibility space in each case and you're supposed to take your own tack when determining how to solve it, as opposed to just completing a traditional single fixed puzzle chain.

Wow, this looks great.

Tizoc · Dec 20, 2017

Steam page for anyone interested
http://store.steampowered.com/app/761460/Lamplight_City/

Thanks for the heads up, wishlisted it and I'd glaldy pre order if the price is right ;p

BourbonJungle · Dec 20, 2017

Milk Lizard said:
Pillars of Earth is proper fucking great. Finished the first chapter/book whatever now, and just started the second. Loving the story and the none frustrating way of progression (no pixel hunting or obscure item combinations), rather just conversations and such so far.

Been eyeing this for PS4. Hopefully it goes on sale over the holidays.

Have a bit of an Adventure Game backlog at the moment. Just finished my first playthrough of Snatcher and have Oxenfree, Syberia & Bulb Boy to finish on Switch.

KainXVIII · Dec 20, 2017

Milk Lizard said:
Pillars of Earth is proper fucking great. Finished the first chapter/book whatever now, and just started the second. Loving the story and the none frustrating way of progression (no pixel hunting or obscure item combinations), rather just conversations and such so far.

So you just walk and talk? Where is adventure in it?

Mivey · Dec 20, 2017

KainXVIII said:
So you just walk and talk? Where is adventure in it?

It's a Telltale adventure, at this point this has become its own little subgenre (Life is Strange, now Pillars of Earth, and probably others I don't remember) I don't have to like it, but I think it's disingenious to say something is missing in it. The devs (and a large audience) want them to be void of actual puzzles. I don't like it, but I don't have a right to call it incomplete. A lot of these games wouldn't even work, storywise, if you put in puzzles, since they are just about keeping a momentum going.

Stealthy Cockatrice · Dec 20, 2017

Jiro said:
Are there really no upcoming games like this? I really miss to dive into a point&click-thriller full of mystery.... =(

I dont know any. There are mystery ones but they all have this old and pixelated movement/gameplay/style which I dislike. At least Broken Sword 5 was modernized but it still felt classical. Nowadays its either pixelated or walking adventures... :\

Cosmonaut X · Dec 20, 2017

Echoing the praise for Space Quest III - it's the best of the series, with pretty much everything firing on all cylinders for that type of adventure (atmosphere, puzzles, deaths, music, graphics...) and it felt *huge* at the time. It came at a period when Sierra really were at the top of their game (pun intended), with what I consider some of the best instalments of their iconic series and a range of other newer titles hitting within a period of only a couple of years:

Police Quest II: The Vengeance (builds on the original with a compelling story, more forgiving gameplay, brilliant music, interesting puzzles and some fantastic moments - the motel trap, the hijacking, dinner dates and lakeside shootouts)
Space Quest III ('nuff said)
King's Quest IV (not everyone's favourite, but I loved it)
Leisure Suit Larry Goes Looking for Love (in Several Wrong Places) (funnier, bigger and better than the original, in spite of that awful final puzzle...)
Leisure Suit Larry III: Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals (soft spot for this one, with its role reversal - probably the last Larry game I really enjoyed)
The Colonel's Bequest (atmospheric, unusual and complex, and the kind of adventure title I'd like to see more of)
Codename: ICEMAN (spy adventure! Not the best of the period, but a fascinating branching out)
Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero (blending RPG with adventure, lovely art and an entertaining story)
Conquest of Camelot: The Search for the Grail (another departure, and while it's probably my least favourite here it's another product of the company burning at their brightest)

Between late 1988 and 1990, you have nine of the best games Sierra have to offer (more if you're a Manhunter fan ;-) ) taking their style of adventure games to new levels, and I'm glad I was the right age to experience them first time around.

Milk Lizard · Dec 20, 2017

KainXVIII said:
So you just walk and talk? Where is adventure in it?

You also go new places and make some choices and shit. Sounds like an adventure.

Wapcaplet · Dec 21, 2017

Whoops, looks like Lamplight City's Steam page has already been posted...

ja2ke · Dec 21, 2017

Wapcaplet said:
Whoops, looks like Lamplight City's Steam page has already been posted...

Think that's intentional so people can add it to their wishlist.

Wapcaplet · Dec 21, 2017

ja2ke said:
Think that's intentional so people can add it to their wishlist.

Yeah, I had posted it myself, but Tizoc beat me to it, so I deleted my duplicate link in shame. :/

sir_crocodile · Dec 21, 2017

Wonder if this one will have a better finish. Endings were the weakest point of Shardlight, and Golden Wake wasn't that strong there either. In general I find his writing pretty good though, I just would like the stories to be given a more satisfying finale.

Bio · Dec 21, 2017

sir_crocodile said:
If there's games you think look cool that I've missed, please post below and quote me (so I don't miss the message) or PM me, and I'll add it to the upcoming games list.

I'd definitely include Detention. Fantastic survival-horror themed point and click set in Taiwan in the 1960s during the White Terror. Developed by Coconut Island Games.

Tizoc · Dec 21, 2017

Just beat back to the future a few hours ago
Overall i think it aged well despite the telltale tools limitations although controlling marty can feel weird

sir_crocodile · Dec 22, 2017

Bio said:
I'd definitely include Detention. Fantastic survival-horror themed point and click set in Taiwan in the 1960s during the White Terror. Developed by Coconut Island Games.

Thanks, added.

Fady · Dec 22, 2017

thelongestj said:
Yes, I played Indigo Prophecy and really enjoyed the start of it until that nosedive took place. The QTE's were annoying, but I was glad I finished it in the end. I bought Heavy Rain, but never finished it, but I did enjoy Beyond: Two Souls. I hope Detroit will turn out okay.

The recent on stage demo for Detroit looked fantastic. Here's hoping!

Dandy said:
I played it, but never finished it. The QTEs were so annoying, and I lost interest about halfway through. There was this one area where you have to sneak around some giant crates and I kept getting caught for choosing the wrong one and it annoyed me enough to quit, and I just never played it again.

Honestly you didn't miss much at all - the game gets really poor after an incredible ambitious opening. Have you played Heavy Rain? A much improved follow up.

Patitoloco said:
I've played that game soooo many times, I really like Quantic Dream games.

But don't ask me about the storyline. I still have no fucking idea of what that game was about.

Likewise! It really went downhill plotwise. I look forward to playing Beyond as I haven't yet and especially Detroit!

RoyaleDuke said:
10ish hours later and I think Thimbleweed Park is the greatest adventure game of all time.

27 years after Ron Gilbert created the incredible Monkey Island series, it's incredible to see he's still got it. Really looking forward to TP.

Jiro said:
Are there really no upcoming games like this? I really miss to dive into a point&click-thriller full of mystery.... =(

Oh man - you picked out of one of my favourite settings in any adventure game. The first two Broken Sword games NAILED the atmosphere so damn much. I hope you played the Monkey Island series as well- the setting is freaking beautiful, but alas, it doesn't have much mystery.

Tizoc said:
Just beat back to the future a few hours ago
Overall i think it aged well despite the telltale tools limitations although controlling marty can feel weird

I too played the series for the first time earlier this year - it legitimately felt like Back to the Future 4 and that's the biggest compliment I can give it. The guy playing Marty did an excellent Michael J. Fox impression, plus having Christopher Lloyd Wright is huge. It was really well written too, huh? It definitely controlled in a clunky manner though.

Cecil · Dec 22, 2017

RoyaleDuke said:
10ish hours later and I think Thimbleweed Park is the greatest adventure game of all time.

It's good, but let's not take it to far now. It's not really top of the class in terms of either characters, dialogs, stories or puzzles, and the red herrings at bit too many, both in terms of inventory items and story bits. And they should have kept it at three playable characters.

Would still gladly back a new P&C game by them, even if it seems unlikely that will happen.

Tizoc · Dec 23, 2017

Darkside Detective got a new X-mas themed episode, go play this lovely little PnC
http://store.steampowered.com/app/368390/The_Darkside_Detective/

Patitoloco · Dec 23, 2017

Fady said:
Likewise! It really went downhill plotwise. I look forward to playing Beyond as I haven't yet and especially Detroit!

Beyond was weird the first time I played it. Because of how the story is structured (jumps between various moments of the protagonist's life), you may miss the impact on some moments because you may find yourself confused about what's happening or when it's happening, but I have to say that it's the correct way of playing that game (the PS4 version has a chronological option to play the story in order, but that might destroy the pace). The second time I liked it a whole lot more when I had a better grasp about the whole story.

What I would say though, is that the QTE was way worse than in Heavy Rain, because it got super simplified and it's barely challenging.

Dandy · Dec 23, 2017

Tizoc said:
Darkside Detective got a new X-mas themed episode, go play this lovely little PnC
http://store.steampowered.com/app/368390/The_Darkside_Detective/

I've been meaning to get this for a while now, and it's on sale so I grabbed it this morning. Can't wait to play it tonight.

Jiro · Dec 24, 2017

Stealthy Cockatrice said:
I dont know any. There are mystery ones but they all have this old and pixelated movement/gameplay/style which I dislike. At least Broken Sword 5 was modernized but it still felt classical. Nowadays its either pixelated or walking adventures... :\

Are you me? I completely agree, I am so tired of the extreme pixelated look at the moment. I just can't play Thimbleweed Park because of how it looks. Don't get me wrong, its super fun that they still make games the look like that, but come on, can't we get at least one or two really good hand drawn beautiful P&C thriller/mystery games soon?

Fady · Dec 25, 2017

I did beat an adventure game of sorts yesterday, Stick it to the Man, by Zoink Games. It's a pretty funny game - with a lovely art style and setting - that is short and very sweet. The game revolves around a character who is able to "listen in" to the thoughts of others and that plays very cleverly into the game. It's also available on pretty much every platform - PS3/4/Vita, Xbox One and WiiU/Switch.

Patitoloco said:
Beyond was weird the first time I played it. Because of how the story is structured (jumps between various moments of the protagonist's life), you may miss the impact on some moments because you may find yourself confused about what's happening or when it's happening, but I have to say that it's the correct way of playing that game (the PS4 version has a chronological option to play the story in order, but that might destroy the pace). The second time I liked it a whole lot more when I had a better grasp about the whole story.

What I would say though, is that the QTE was way worse than in Heavy Rain, because it got super simplified and it's barely challenging.

Hmmm...interesting. I would rather go with good pacing so I may opt for the PS3 version. Shame about the QTEs - they were great in Heavy Rain and very innovative for its time honestly.

TheBeardedOne · Dec 25, 2017

Stick it to the Man was a fun little game

Kickmaster Kim · Dec 25, 2017

Man, the last point and click adventure I've played was Yukon Trail back in 98.

Tizoc · Dec 25, 2017

Ive been there day 1 with stick it to the man as i recall creating its ot back in the old country :3

I think i am due a replay someday

Fady · Dec 25, 2017

TheBeardedOne said:
Stick it to the Man was a fun little game

It sure was! I hope Zoink makes more in the genre.

Kickmaster Kim said:
Man, the last point and click adventure I've played was Yukon Trail back in 98.

You're missing out man! Plenty of greats since.

Tizoc said:
Ive been there day 1 with stick it to the man as i recall creating its ot back in the old country :3

I think i am due a replay someday

Lovely game I've been meaning to play for some time. Had no idea it was this much of an adventure game.

KainXVIII · Dec 25, 2017

Fady said:
lovely art style

Don't know, this art style is really put me off from buying..

Patitoloco · Dec 25, 2017

Fady said:
Hmmm...interesting. I would rather go with good pacing so I may opt for the PS3 version. Shame about the QTEs - they were great in Heavy Rain and very innovative for its time honestly.

Don't worry, the PS4 version actually has the two options (the original order and the chronological order), so you can choose there :)

Stealthy Cockatrice · Dec 25, 2017

I feel like Broken Sword series was the Uncharted of point and click adventure games. Wish they'd make a new one. :(

KainXVIII · Dec 25, 2017

Stealthy Cockatrice said:
I feel like Broken Sword series was the Uncharted of point and click adventure games. Wish they'd make a new one. :(

After pretty lackluster Broken Sword 5 - i'm not really sure if they should..
Also - anybody played fanmade Broken Sword 2.5? Is it good? Maybe even better that some official games?

Patitoloco · Dec 25, 2017

KainXVIII said:
After pretty lackluster Broken Sword 5 - i'm not really sure if they should..
Also - anybody played fanmade Broken Sword 2.5? Is it good? Maybe even better that some official games?

Broken Sword 5 is way better than 2.5 in every sense except graphics (because 2.5 uses the 1 & 2 sprites)

sir_crocodile · Dec 25, 2017

Patitoloco said:
Broken Sword 5 is way better than 2.5 in every sense except graphics (because 2.5 uses the 1 & 2 sprites)

Man, if 5 is better in every way, 2.5's story must be dire

KainXVIII · Dec 25, 2017

sir_crocodile said:
Man, if 5 is better in every way, 2.5's story must be dire

Lol, my thoughts!
Because BS5 story and especially ending was really embarrassing..

Tizoc · Dec 25, 2017

2.5 was ok but i personally didnt enjoy it much

Also i am prob biased here but comparing the og broken swords game to uncharted sounds like a disservice to bs
Even tho i get the comparisons

Point & Click Adventure Thread 2017 - Pixels Walk With Me

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