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[Sir_Crocodile]

Welcome to Thimbleweed Park. Population: 80 nutcases.

A haunted hotel, an abandoned circus, a burnt-out pillow factory, a dead body pixelating under the bridge, toilets that run on vacuum tubes... you've never visited a place like this before.

Five people with nothing in common have been drawn to this rundown, forgotten town. They don't know it yet, but they are all deeply connected. And they're being watched.

In a town like Thimbleweed Park, a dead body is the least of your problems.

Ron Gilbert returns thirty years after Maniac Mansion, with his first true point & click game in twenty years. There are also 3 other Lucasfilm alumni in the team - Gary Winnick, who co-created Maniac Mansion with Ron, David Fox, who created Zak Mckracken, and Mark Ferrari, who did the fantastic background art for games like Monkey Island and Loom. This project apparently came about when Ron & Gary were talking about what made the old lucas p&c's so charming. They couldn't come up with a firm reason so decided to make an old style p&c and work it out for themselves (hence pixel art, verb interface, etc).

This was funded via Kickstarter, and you can see how the game evolved from the pitch to the finished product:

I should point out that just because they went with a scumm style interface doesn't mean there's been no evolution since the DOTT UI. As above, you can now see "between" the verbs. Obviously this is still dead-space, but it makes it feel less claustrophobic imo. The verb parser has also been moved from above the verbs to on-mouse, giving even more screen-estate to the actual game (bottom is cut off as I suck at making gifs):

Of course, you can turn this off if you want:

And I believe you can go total old school and lose the space between verbs as well.

Game trailer (Possibly NSFW, though it's just [lots of] beeped out swearing)

If you're interested in seeing how the game evolved, I would HIGHLY recommend visiting the dev blog, which has a wealth of information about how they got here, including design decisions, coding examples and over sixty podcasts.

- Five playable (and switchable) characters:

From left to right, Ransome, Franklin, Agent Ray, Agent Reyes and Delores.

- Set in 1987 with some playful pokes at things like Twin Peaks, True Detective and The X-Files
- Has "Casual" and "Hard" mode. If you enjoy P&C games choose "hard" as casual is really meant for newcomers to the genre

Works on:
* Windows (7, 8, 10),
* Mac OS X (10.9.0+)
* Linux (Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04)
* Xbox One (Had launch console exclusivity that lasted three months, this is now over)
* PS4
* Switch
* iOS
* Android - in final testing right now (21/9/2017), should be out soon

Languages:
* Audio and text: English
* Text only: Deutsch, Español, Français, Italiano (I believe post-release Ron will have a system for crowd-sourced languages)

Metro Gamecentral - 8/10
Gamespot - 7/10
Game Informer - 8.5/10
Independent - 5/5
Rock Paper Shotgun - Positive
PC Gamer - 84%
Destructoid - 9/10
USgamer - 4/5
Kotaku - Positive
PC World - 4.5/5
IGN - 8.5/10
IGN Spain - 8.2/10
Zam - Yes
Gamestar - 82%
Gadgets 360 - 8/10
Hu3br - 4.5/5
Polygon - 8/10
Cubed3 - 6/10
Pocket Gamer - 9/10
Touch Arcade - 5/5
Nintendo Life - 8/10

 

[epmode]

I'm in. I feel pretty bad about skipping this Kickstarter considering it turned out a lot closer to what I wanted than Broken Age.

Nice thread, BTW.

 

[The Jackdog]

holding out for more reviews but im very interested

 

[Infernostew]

I actually don't mind too much about having to wait 3 months for the PS4 version too drop. I have way too much stuff to play.

 

[Corpekata]

After some of the middling reception to Rain World and Snake Pass, I held off buying those. Didn't think I'd get this at launch but might now, as long as reviews/ word of mouth aren't absolutely putrid. Figure even if I bounce off the puzzles the Gilbert style and humor ought to be enough to keep my interest.

 

[ThePeoplesBureau]

This and Night In The Woods are both very much on my radar, but with Persona 5 imminent they'll have to wait til a quieter time in 2017... should such a phenomenon occur!

 

[TedMilk]

Can't wait to play through this with my GF when it eventually comes out on PS4.

 

[PSFan]

This isn't on Steam? Guess I'll go with GOG then, hate the Windows store. I just can't play a Ron Gilbert point and click game on console, lol.

 

[ZeroX03]

I think it's PS4 for me, hope it's great!

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

This isn't on Steam? Guess I'll go with GOG then, hate the Windows store. I just can't play a Ron Gilbert point and click game on console, lol.

It's on both lol. There's a big steam logo in the OT and if you click on it it'll take you to the steam page.

 

[itf56]

Stupid question - I get a Steam key as a backer - will this be playable on Mac as well as Windows?

 

[Sanjuro]

Today is a good day.

Stupid question - I get a Steam key as a backer - will this be playable on Mac as well as Windows?

I don't see why you wouldn't be able to as long as Steam hosts both on the day of launch. I can test your Steam key for you if you like?

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Stupid question - I get a Steam key as a backer - will this be playable on Mac as well as Windows?

There's OSX system requirements on the steam page, so I would assume they will be hosting the mac version.

 

[deadfolk]

Stupid question - I get a Steam key as a backer - will this be playable on Mac as well as Windows?

Yes, Steam keys are cross-platform when there are multiple platforms supported.

Looks like a great OT, but I'm not gonna read it! Going in as blind as possible.

 

[purseowner]

This isn't Xbox/Win 10 Play Anywhere, is it?

If not, I'll buy on Steam as usual.

 

[AudioEppa]

Game seems cool. Will pick up in 3+ months.

 

[The Dude]

Considering I first got hooked on maniac mansion in the 80s on nes, color me excited

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

This isn't Xbox/Win 10 Play Anywhere, is it?

If not, I'll buy on Steam as usual.

Q: Will the game be play anywhere on Windows 10 and Xbox?
A: Yes. If you bought the game on Xbox or via the Windows 10 Store. The Windows Store version will release a few weeks after Steam/Xbox.

source : https://blog.thimbleweedpark.com/faq2

Although two days ago ron said:

We have to deal with five storefronts on launch: Steam, GOG, Xbox, Win10 store and the Mac App Store. And every store front has different size images they need. Steam has 5 or 6 images size for the main store, then there are all the Steam Achievement images and Steam Trading cards, badges, etc, etc.

source : https://blog.thimbleweedpark.com/final_dev_post

So I'm not sure if the 10 store release has been brought forward or not.

 

[PSFan]

It's on both lol. There's a big steam logo in the OT and if you click on it it'll take you to the steam page.

Oh okay. I'm on my work network and I guess that link/image is block haha. I might still go with GOG anyway for DRM free.

 

[The perfect Dark]

I can't wait. The world needs more oldschool p&c adventures.

 

[Tall Paul]

Gutted the KS totally passed me but been following progress on this, looks great i'm in.

 

[StrongArmSteady]

LETS A GOOOOOO!!!!!!

 

[JaseC]

Yes, Steam keys are cross-platform when there are multiple platforms supported.

To be clear, SteamPlay is just a recommendation, not a requirement. That being said, the original Black Ops is the only exception to the rule as far as games are concerned (on the software side there's Individual Software's stuff). Amusingly, both versions of Black Ops are included in the Black Ops/CoD bundles, which makes the separation all the more strange.

 

[Widge]

Oh yay, iOS. Might have a play of this post-Oxenfree.

 

[jett]

Pretty excited. Interested to see how it compares to another P&C revival, Broken Age.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Pretty excited. Interested to see how it compares to another P&C revival, Broken Age.

Well it's got on-mouse-hover descriptions so it's instantly better even before I've played it imo.

Still can't believe BA doesn't have them. :/

 

[Zemm]

Pretty excited. Interested to see how it compares to another P&C revival, Broken Age.

Much better imo, couldn't even complete BA

 

[Lucifon]

I did not have any idea this was coming out today on console. So down for this on XB1, cross buy is amazing too. Is it cross saves so I could potentially play on my lunch at work then continue at home on the XB1?

 

[Maxwood]

Great Scott, I didn't know it was releasing today. I'm so in.
What a wonderful surprise!

Great OT by the way.

 

[Sloane]

Can't wait!

Saw some people saying a second playthrough (so, knowing the solution) took them 8-10 hours, which sounds pretty good.

 

[Manny Calavera]

Monkey Island 2 is my favorite game of all time and I've been really looking forward to this. Shame the PS4 version got delayed though.

 

[Death Metalist]

Really excited to play this later in the year, let me just say that this year has been sublime when it comes to games as was 2016. Good times.

 

[mattiewheels]

This looks incredible.

 

[Granjinha]

The game has multiple endings??

That was one of my few gripes with it. Good to know.

 

[Lanrutcon]

"Pull self"

*giggle*

Calm down, high school me.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

The game has multiple endings??

That was one of my few gripes with it. Good to know.

One for each character:

https://blog.thimbleweedpark.com/maniac_the_cave_thimbleweed

 

[halfbeast]

my first backed kickstarter game, hopefully I can keep my focus on it, already juggling too many games this year.

 

[Tonyx]

holding out for more reviews but im very interested

Yeah me too. There is lot of potential but I am not sure I am going to like that interface, nowadays.

Need reviews.

 

[The perfect Dark]

You can play this with a mouse right? You don't need the keyboard? I want to play this on my macbook air.

edit: Yes, my macbook has a keyboard, lol. I just don't like it because I've big hands and it's relaxing to play P&C adventures while lying on the couch

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Yeah me too. There is lot of potential but I am not sure I am going to like that interface, nowadays.

Need reviews.

I've still yet to see a better interface for a P&C game imo. I mean I'm sure it's possible, but I've not seen it yet. Verb coins/dials aren't great, a lot of modern P&C games just use left click/right click for use/look, but that takes a lot out of puzzles, as there's a big difference between say, "using" a hammer on someone and "giving" someone a hammer, just like there's a difference between "Opening" a CD player and "Using" a CD player.

You can play this with a mouse right? You don't need the keyboard? I want to play this on my macbook air.

Should be fine, none of Ron's previous games have needed a keyboard, all the keyboard does is make things faster (assuming you can remember the verb shortcut keys )

 

[ShapeGSX]

I played a bit of this at PAX East on an Xbox One, and it really takes you back in a good way.

 

[Schaulustiger]

I'm probably going to buy this without waiting for reviews. Everything I've seen points to a game that will be far more interesting to me than Broken Age has been.
The setting is great, it has all the great feedback complexity I loved in old LucasArts games (use X with Y, get funny line) and it doesn't take itself too serious.

And it releases in 2 1/2 hours. Man, can't wait to get home.

 

[Glen Tennis]

Really looks like an old Lucas Arts adventure game, so they nailed that aspect at least. Recently I've been playing adventure games on my phone, just before sleep. Oxenfree and Walking Dead S01 were experiences doing so. I'm hoping for a switch version but maybe the p&c nature of this fits iOS better.

 

[CecilRousso]

So when are reviews for this dropping?

 

[Granjinha]

One for each character:

https://blog.thimbleweedpark.com/maniac_the_cave_thimbleweed

Oh, i see. I think my criticism still stands then

Still, i really enjoyed the game.

So when are reviews for this dropping?

The review embargo lifts at 9:00am Pacific time on March 30th (that's 12:00pm Eastern / 5:00pm BST / 6:00pm CEST / 3am March 31 AEDT).

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

So when are reviews for this dropping?

In an hour.

IGN spain apparently put theirs up early, and liked it.

 

[The perfect Dark]

Destructoid: 9/10

https://www.destructoid.com/review-thimbleweed-park-428010.phtml

 

[Corpekata]

Never heard of this site, but http://www.zam.com/article/1397/thimbleweed-park-review

Zam news gives it a Yes.

Edit: looks like it's the general game review branch of whoever owns sites like Wowhead.

 

[Shinjica]

I saw that you can buy lotto ticket. I hope the winning number are given out inside an alien ship

 

[Dario ff]

I've still yet to see a better interface for a P&C game imo. I mean I'm sure it's possible, but I've not seen it yet. Verb coins/dials aren't great, a lot of modern P&C games just use left click/right click for use/look, but that takes a lot out of puzzles, as there's a big difference between say, "using" a hammer on someone and "giving" someone a hammer, just like there's a difference between "Opening" a CD player and "Using" a CD player.

Don't forget the killer reason as well: all the great dialogue and easter eggs that can result from using verbs in very unfitting situations.