Tizoc
Member
2015 has been an interesting year for the genre; I can count maybe a dozen well done games released within this year alone, in fact if I had my way, my GotY list would mostly contain PnC/Adventure-style games.
This even shows when Sony showcase PnC games during their events such as PSX, and with various PnC-style games being available on consoles.
With the Steam Winter Seal going on, now is as good time as any to get back into one of the main cornerstones of PC gaming.
Listed below are some titles that are representative of not only PnC-style games making a comeback but why the genre is so appreciated and offer great hours of entertainment.
Technobabylon
Technobabylon is a PnC game in the vein of Monkey Island, only its set in a cyberpunk dystopian future ala Blade Runner. Published by Wadjet Eye it features their trademark pixel art and animations, with great voice acting, impressive pixel art design and a simple and straightforward gameplay.
It may not bring anything new to the genre but it goes to show that even the traditional style can still be entertaining when adapting any setting to offer the player a riveting experience.
Life is Strange
Notice how Ive written PnC and Adventure-style in my previous sentences; Life is Strange is one game I would describe as such.
If it were made back in the 90s era it wouldve had its watercolor theme and work well as a PnC game.
Life is Strange was a major hit with console and PC owners alike thanks to its basic and simple gameplay (consisting of light puzzle elements), its immersive characters, story and setting.
Such elements are what relate it to PnC games IMHO, even if it doesnt have cat-hair ripping puzzles.
Not to mention its hella hip dialog, shaka brah!
Grim Fandango
One of the most well revered PnC games during the last years of their popularity, GF has been a game that hasnt been available on digital mediums such as Steam or GOG until it was announced for release way back in 2014 to not only PCs but Sony systems as well.
The fact that such a classic would get revealed during a console focused event was mindblowing and raised hope of more LucasArts classics being available again. Which came true with Day of the Tentacle and Full Throttle getting re-release slated for the next year (I think Full Throttle is 2017, although some have read that it is coming out in 2016)
Broken Age
I wasnt a backer of this game, and it seems to have gotten WAY too much flack, but after beating it earlier this year, I found myself liking it a lot. While I do admit getting stumped at the knot puzzle, I gotta confess; if a puzzle is getting in the way of my enjoyment of a PnC game, Ill just look up its solution.
This doesnt mean I do this for ALL games or throughout any PnC games playthrough, but at the end of the day why do we play Video games? Because theyre fun and they entertain us, and in the case of PnC games why let frustration get in the way.
and I dont know about some of you but I was pleasantly entertained by Broken Age all things considered. I liked its art style (limited the areas you can traverse however they may be), I liked the humor, characters and dialog.
It may not do anything new for the genre as well, but its still a PnC game Id go back to after months to re-experience it, furthermore it can appeal to people of all ages.
Kings Quest 2015
This was the last thing one would expect Activision to greenlight. Featuring a host of noteworthy actors voicing a variety of characters, Kings Quest makes a comeback in 2015 with a strong start.
I didn't find the puzzles that complex, but it manages to stand out also by its colorful graphics, simple humor and wacky characters (WHISPER CAN DO IT!).
Although only 2 episodes were released so far, the future looks promising for the entire package to offer a great experience set in a colorful fantasy setting.
Aviary Attorney
Let me start off by saying that Aviary Attorney is a rather short game; but it is still satisfying and entertaining to play through.
Aviary Attorney is a successfully funded Kickstarter, with the premise being an Ace Attorney-like game set in 1848 France; years after the July Revolution. Only the characters are animals drawn in the style of J. J. Grandville.
One of the positive elements of the game is that the writing and dialog is well done, containing various jokes and shoutouts (step-ladder!), while at the same time having a riveting story thatll keep the player wondering whatll happen next.
There is also an overarching story that begins with the first chapter and continues onto the final chapter of the game.
Being a newly released game it is disadvantaged by being out by the Winter Steam Seal, but do consider giving it a chance and it may end up be well worth the price of admission especially when there are multiple endings for the other 2 chapters and having some of the best characterizations a video game can have.
Do it for Bird-Jesus!
Contradiction
FMV games make a fantastic comeback this year with 2 surprise hits. The first of these is Contradiction, an FMV game where you play Detective Inspector Jenks who is investigating a murder at a rural British town.
Contradiction managed to win people over primarily thanks to Rupert Booth as Jenks and his many facial expressions that, them not achieving worldwide meme status is a damn mystery.
The overall gameplay is simple and straightforward but the performance of the characters, story and Jenks make this game an entertaining experience that cannot be missed.
Tales from the Borderlands
While the story does have a few plot holes, the overall journey, humor and characters are among the best that Telltale has produced.
The Silent Age
This originally released on iOS systems and I played both chapters already, and was pleased to see it get released on Steam. Using a minimalist art style, the overall package may not be mindblowing but I found it a fun story to play through and the puzzles weren't illogical to solve. Dat ending doe.
While many will protest, I find that the original Resident Evil games to be Adventure games due to their exploration and puzzle solving elements. Yes they have healing items, weapons and combat but i their core I see them as Adventure games.
The following are games I hadn't played yet but have received positive impressions from those that played them-
Her Story
The other well received FMV game. I sadly hadn't played it yet myself, but it was worth bringing up.
Read Only Memories
Goosebumps the game
Dropsy
I've read that this game is the closest to 80s and 90s LucasArts quality PnCs were like, if that interests you, look past the presentation and you're bound to like it.
Again the above is a selected list of games that I know of and/or played, if there are other titles I missed out, please do write about them so more people would consider playing them!
Now note that this isnt to say that prior years havent had their share of great games, but this year makes it worth reflecting on how PnCs have become now. For reference, some of the notable releases or series of the past year include
Blackwell Series
Book of Unwritten Tales
Tesla Effect: Tex Murphy
Frogwares Sherlock Holmes series
Broken Sword 5
The Wolf Among us
In addition, while Visual Novels arent exactly seen as PnC Adventure games, they can be seen as a form of sister series to it.
For the past 2 years or so, a variety of Japanese Visual novels released on PC and on Sony systems, to name a few-
Clannad
Narcissu
Steins;Gate
Higurashi: When they cry
Amneisa: Memories
Its so refreshing seeing such Japanese VNs making their mark outside of Japan when for years they would be difficult to find digitally, or didnt have official translations at all.
The future is looking bright too, with some notable upcoming releases such as
Thimbleweed Park by Ron Gilbert of Monkey Island fame, and Gary Winnick
Day of the Tentacle Remastered
Full Throttle Remastered
The Pillars of the Earth, slated for 2017 release. Yes THAT Pillars of the Earth
Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders
Sherlock Holmes: The Devils Daughter
In conclusion if you have any interest at all in PnC-style Adventure games or would like to get into the genre, now is as a good time as any. Whether it be via Steam, PS4, PSVita, TouchPads or TouchPhones, PnC games be enjoyed by people of all ages and continue to entertain everyone for years to come.
This even shows when Sony showcase PnC games during their events such as PSX, and with various PnC-style games being available on consoles.
With the Steam Winter Seal going on, now is as good time as any to get back into one of the main cornerstones of PC gaming.
Listed below are some titles that are representative of not only PnC-style games making a comeback but why the genre is so appreciated and offer great hours of entertainment.
Technobabylon
Technobabylon is a PnC game in the vein of Monkey Island, only its set in a cyberpunk dystopian future ala Blade Runner. Published by Wadjet Eye it features their trademark pixel art and animations, with great voice acting, impressive pixel art design and a simple and straightforward gameplay.
It may not bring anything new to the genre but it goes to show that even the traditional style can still be entertaining when adapting any setting to offer the player a riveting experience.
Life is Strange
Notice how Ive written PnC and Adventure-style in my previous sentences; Life is Strange is one game I would describe as such.
If it were made back in the 90s era it wouldve had its watercolor theme and work well as a PnC game.
Life is Strange was a major hit with console and PC owners alike thanks to its basic and simple gameplay (consisting of light puzzle elements), its immersive characters, story and setting.
Such elements are what relate it to PnC games IMHO, even if it doesnt have cat-hair ripping puzzles.
Not to mention its hella hip dialog, shaka brah!
Grim Fandango
One of the most well revered PnC games during the last years of their popularity, GF has been a game that hasnt been available on digital mediums such as Steam or GOG until it was announced for release way back in 2014 to not only PCs but Sony systems as well.
The fact that such a classic would get revealed during a console focused event was mindblowing and raised hope of more LucasArts classics being available again. Which came true with Day of the Tentacle and Full Throttle getting re-release slated for the next year (I think Full Throttle is 2017, although some have read that it is coming out in 2016)
Broken Age
I wasnt a backer of this game, and it seems to have gotten WAY too much flack, but after beating it earlier this year, I found myself liking it a lot. While I do admit getting stumped at the knot puzzle, I gotta confess; if a puzzle is getting in the way of my enjoyment of a PnC game, Ill just look up its solution.
This doesnt mean I do this for ALL games or throughout any PnC games playthrough, but at the end of the day why do we play Video games? Because theyre fun and they entertain us, and in the case of PnC games why let frustration get in the way.
and I dont know about some of you but I was pleasantly entertained by Broken Age all things considered. I liked its art style (limited the areas you can traverse however they may be), I liked the humor, characters and dialog.
It may not do anything new for the genre as well, but its still a PnC game Id go back to after months to re-experience it, furthermore it can appeal to people of all ages.
Kings Quest 2015
This was the last thing one would expect Activision to greenlight. Featuring a host of noteworthy actors voicing a variety of characters, Kings Quest makes a comeback in 2015 with a strong start.
I didn't find the puzzles that complex, but it manages to stand out also by its colorful graphics, simple humor and wacky characters (WHISPER CAN DO IT!).
Although only 2 episodes were released so far, the future looks promising for the entire package to offer a great experience set in a colorful fantasy setting.
Aviary Attorney
Let me start off by saying that Aviary Attorney is a rather short game; but it is still satisfying and entertaining to play through.
Aviary Attorney is a successfully funded Kickstarter, with the premise being an Ace Attorney-like game set in 1848 France; years after the July Revolution. Only the characters are animals drawn in the style of J. J. Grandville.
One of the positive elements of the game is that the writing and dialog is well done, containing various jokes and shoutouts (step-ladder!), while at the same time having a riveting story thatll keep the player wondering whatll happen next.
There is also an overarching story that begins with the first chapter and continues onto the final chapter of the game.
Being a newly released game it is disadvantaged by being out by the Winter Steam Seal, but do consider giving it a chance and it may end up be well worth the price of admission especially when there are multiple endings for the other 2 chapters and having some of the best characterizations a video game can have.
Do it for Bird-Jesus!
Contradiction
FMV games make a fantastic comeback this year with 2 surprise hits. The first of these is Contradiction, an FMV game where you play Detective Inspector Jenks who is investigating a murder at a rural British town.
Contradiction managed to win people over primarily thanks to Rupert Booth as Jenks and his many facial expressions that, them not achieving worldwide meme status is a damn mystery.
The overall gameplay is simple and straightforward but the performance of the characters, story and Jenks make this game an entertaining experience that cannot be missed.
Tales from the Borderlands
Considered among the top 3 games that Telltale have released in the past 5 years, since they started their current traditional style of Adventure games, TfB has won over a lot positive reception since its conclusion. It can even be enjoyed whether youve played a BLands game or not (the latter applies to me).
While the story does have a few plot holes, the overall journey, humor and characters are among the best that Telltale has produced.
The Silent Age
This originally released on iOS systems and I played both chapters already, and was pleased to see it get released on Steam. Using a minimalist art style, the overall package may not be mindblowing but I found it a fun story to play through and the puzzles weren't illogical to solve. Dat ending doe.
While many will protest, I find that the original Resident Evil games to be Adventure games due to their exploration and puzzle solving elements. Yes they have healing items, weapons and combat but i their core I see them as Adventure games.
The following are games I hadn't played yet but have received positive impressions from those that played them-
Her Story
The other well received FMV game. I sadly hadn't played it yet myself, but it was worth bringing up.
Read Only Memories
Goosebumps the game
Dropsy
I've read that this game is the closest to 80s and 90s LucasArts quality PnCs were like, if that interests you, look past the presentation and you're bound to like it.
Again the above is a selected list of games that I know of and/or played, if there are other titles I missed out, please do write about them so more people would consider playing them!
Now note that this isnt to say that prior years havent had their share of great games, but this year makes it worth reflecting on how PnCs have become now. For reference, some of the notable releases or series of the past year include
Blackwell Series
Book of Unwritten Tales
Tesla Effect: Tex Murphy
Frogwares Sherlock Holmes series
Broken Sword 5
The Wolf Among us
In addition, while Visual Novels arent exactly seen as PnC Adventure games, they can be seen as a form of sister series to it.
For the past 2 years or so, a variety of Japanese Visual novels released on PC and on Sony systems, to name a few-
Clannad
Narcissu
Steins;Gate
Higurashi: When they cry
Amneisa: Memories
Its so refreshing seeing such Japanese VNs making their mark outside of Japan when for years they would be difficult to find digitally, or didnt have official translations at all.
The future is looking bright too, with some notable upcoming releases such as
Thimbleweed Park by Ron Gilbert of Monkey Island fame, and Gary Winnick
Day of the Tentacle Remastered
Full Throttle Remastered
The Pillars of the Earth, slated for 2017 release. Yes THAT Pillars of the Earth
Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders
Sherlock Holmes: The Devils Daughter
In conclusion if you have any interest at all in PnC-style Adventure games or would like to get into the genre, now is as a good time as any. Whether it be via Steam, PS4, PSVita, TouchPads or TouchPhones, PnC games be enjoyed by people of all ages and continue to entertain everyone for years to come.
