The Journey Down: Chapter Two
It’s been a
long time since we left Bwana and Company on a cliff above Underland and
while the break is probably too long from a Chapter 2 perspective, it
has been time well spent.
We now have a more polished
outing, in just about every respect except perhaps the voice acting. It
(the voice acting) didn’t go backwards, but outside the main
protagonists it’s a lesser product than most everything else.
So what of everything else?
It looks better, and I liked
that Grim Fandango touch in any event. It puzzles better too, with only
the odd obtuse solve, all the more apparent given the organic nature of
the remainder. The puzzles also lead quite naturally, on the whole, to a
solution to another puzzle, and while there is a middle bit that doesn’t
involve much else, it wasn’t a chore, and when I got the thing I always
knew I needed, it felt good rather than “about time”.
It also delivers quite a decent
game, in the sense that doesn’t just feel like a bridge to the next bit.
It isn’t long, but it’s satisfying. It plays the same, and is simplicity
point and click in any event.
The music is a high point. Bond
meets Marley.
Bwana remains a cheery beacon in
the somewhat menacing environment of Port Atue. I like Lina more than I
did, but I'm not sure I trust her. I guess we will find out, which is
just one a few things which remain unanswered, but which make you keen
to come back and see what happens.
It can be lengthy on dialogue,
but by and large I didn’t feel that I wanted the chat to stop and the
game to recommence.
All up, while I hope the break
isn’t anywhere near as long next time, this has a lot to like by itself,
and does a particularly good job of being a middle part of something
more.
I look forward to Chapter 3.
Grade: B+
I played on:
OS: Windows 7
Processor: AMD Phenom 9500 Quad Core CPU 2.2 GHz
Ram: 4.00GB DDR2 400MHz
Gx card: ATI Radeon HD 3850 512Mb
GameBoomers Review Guidelines
September 2014
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