This is one of those games I picked up on a bit of a whim. It’s appropriately tagged as a Metroidvania title, which is no doubt my favorite type of game. The promos also look quite gorgeous in their art style. Which is always a big draw. Other than that, I didn’t really quite know what to expect out of this game.
Fortunately, I was not disappointed. Though there was something that surprised me a bit. Mostly that there are no enemies in this game at all. It’s entirely platform and puzzle based. You just, keep on trying to progress the game. That doesn’t keep it from being enjoyable, but I didn’t really expect that. That couple with the fantastic painting like art style really push this more into being an artsy puzzle game.
The basic premise here, you play as a Fox spirit, working to aid another spirit in restoring the powers of the four seasonal spirits and areas. There is a central hub and 4 areas that branch from it, but you also will need to revisit each branch a few times to complete the overall story.
The gimmick of the game play loop is that as you progress, you unlock the ability to toggle the seasons of the area you are in. Which chances each zone and opens up new areas. For example, turning things to spring, can cause plants to grow or water to fill in areas. Changing things to Winter can create snow balls that you can climb, allowing for the ability to reach higher areas.
The plot itself is pretty interesting and has a nice little twist to it, though I have to say I kind of saw it coming, so it’s not that twisty. The animation is very smooth and the little fox bobs around nicely and believably. The graphics are where this game really shines though. The entire game looks like a very lush hand drawn world, though everything in it moves nice and smoothly, it’s like being in the actual environment.
The puzzles are also interesting, and changing between seasons to solve them can be tricky but is enjoyable. There is a lot of fun lore going on here with a sort of whimsical folklore feel to it, revolving around the different seasons.
Overall, it’s a very enjoyable title for anyone looking for some relaxing, platform puzzler style game play.
NOTE: This review mostly concerns itself with Chapter 1, I plan to go
through at least one more chapter and if there are significant game
play changes I’ll note them but otherwise it can be assumed to be more
of the same. Also this review is image heavy because I had too many
good shots to narrow it down.
Occasionally something that seems slightly ridiculous shows up on my
radar and I just can’t help but give it a try. House MD the Game falls
into this category. The company behind this isn’t one I’ve ever heard
of but judging by their website they specialize in this sort of point
and click mini game based adventure game. They also have some games
based on other popular prime time shows available.
I
am a fan of the show, sort of. I really enjoyed it up through the end
of Season 3. After they broke up the original team and started adding
other subordinates things started slowly moving downhill. I can’t say
I’ve watched much past maybe halfway through Season 4. This game
features most of the more current characters so it is at least based on
the what’s relevant now as far as the show goes. Everyone is there,
House, Wilson, Cuddy, Thirteen, Foreman, Cameron, Chase, and Taub. The
graphics on this are good enough that everyone is easily recognizable. I
won’t go so far as to say they are great though only because some of
the facial expressions House gives are a little… odd…
The game itself does a decent job of replicating the general aspects of
the show. There are 5 Chapters or cases to solve which must be solved
in order. There is the basic set up, some inconspicuous situation leads
to a person landing in the hospital. House and his team brainstorm and
test for various illnesses. There’s even the “side patient” clinic
side of House’s job that shows up. Eventually after several failed
diagnosis, House has an epiphany moment (through the use of a bouncing
ball mini game) and the solution presents itself to the world more or
less out of nowhere.
This plot aspect actually annoys me but it’s consistent with the show
and much of modern television these days. They throw so many Red
Herrings at you that there isn’t any way to actually piece together the
mystery even if you’re paying attention. There is just an “ah-hah”
moment and it’s done. Not a complaint against the game mind you but
that gimmick reeks of annoying writing.
The game play itself involves reading through the narrative and
solving several tasks presented to you. These tasks are timed mini
games. You do procedural tasks which are, slightly annoyingly, spelled
out step by step, so no real challenge. These involve things like “whip
the area with sponge, stick the needle in the arm, no slide up to
insert the needle, put the vial on to the end of the needle”.
There
are also search and find the clues games. These involve panning around
a scene looking for clues as to what may have caused the illness.
These are a little weak because you mostly pick up random objects, none
of which end up having much to do with anything. The third of the more
common puzzles is the brainstorming sessions. Several different
diseases float around on the screen. You must select the correct one to
move on. As you select answers, letters that match will be revealed
helping you to sole the answer. Also letters are revealed over time
slowly. Generally you’ll do 4 or 5 of these in a row as House tells you
all the reasons you’re wrong.
The whole thing reminds me a lot of the Pet Care style games my kids
play. Basic mouse movement based tasks presented to the player with no
true threat of loss. This is a very casual game in that it’s meant to
appeal to people who don’t really play games. The type who don’t want
to get a game over screen ever, they just want play a house episode.
Much of the game is very dialogue heavy. I can’t really decide if
it’s good or bad or just off. I have not really paid attention to the
show the last few seasons so maybe house has turned into a “Sex one
liner every other sentence kinda guy” but I don’t remember him being
quite this randomly nuts on the show. The worst comes from the clinic
patient. House more or less mocks her the entire time telling her she
needs to fatten up repeatedly only considerably more rudely. House is
an ass but he’s not really all that flat out MEAN. I’ve included
several choice selections in the screenshots, you’ll want to enlarge
them to read it though.
The simplicity will probably turn off a lot of more hardcore gamer
types. It’ll likely turn off people who just like more action in their
game. It’s not real terrible for a mostly text based narrative style
adventure game.
Here are some extra images I didn’t have room for…. Click to make them larger…
