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Review
Note: This review was written during IFComp 2024, and originally posted in the authors' section of the intfiction forum on 13 Sep 2024.
This one appealed to me a lot: a medieval detective, embarking on an almost archaeological hunt. In parser form.
The game is in two parts. The first more linear, as you get nearer to where you ultimately need to go. The second part is much more open, and a mix of puzzles, and things to uncover. Many secret clues to discover and follow up.
It could be easy to get stuck, but fortunately the game has a walkthrough provided. Though because the walkthrough was compiled partly using Inform’s built in TEST commands it may have been a little confusing for some players to work with.
Much in the game can be uncovered by exploring though, and following up lots of clues. And there is lots to discover.
One problem I did run into is that the game frequently wanted you to type EXAMINE X not READ X to read some writing. But not always, including at an absolutely crucial time.
I also found it under implemented in places, and I was often fighting the parser. The geography was also a challenge for me. I run interpreter Lectrote at usually a gargantuan font. I didn’t realise until part way into the game that I was missing all the available directions listed in the top bar of the window. I saw nothing there until I downsized my font a lot. It can be a good idea to list directions in room descriptions in any case.
I mentioned at the start that this game is about a medieval detective, which I initially assumed was a detective in medieval times. But then I got puzzled by the chronology, and specifically a reference to something from 1711. Are we meant to be in medieval times? Or is the soldier more modern? Or should I not be worried about things like this :slight_smile:
I expected a very different ending though.
But otherwise I enjoyed a lot. Just wished for a deeper implementation. And preferably duplicate the directions in the room descriptions, for folks like me who can’t see the title bar. Either cos we’re running an interpreter with too chunky size font. Or it may also be an issue for screen readers.
But a fun time. Atmospheric and scary in places ((Spoiler - click to show)I’m not sure how I survived my zombie battle). Thank you to the author.
