Hank: Straightjacket ( PC (Steam) – Adventure – 2023 ) + TRAILER

There really isn't much to say about Hank Straightjacket beyond the fact it's a single-scene P&C adventure you'll finish in couple of minutes. Needless to say it's free and somewhat of a tease for another game, but I don't think I've played anything more straightforward almost making this "review" unnecessary.

You're Hank, having done away with your superhero name, and now a villain from your past has you suspended above some shadow snakes that await you should you fall. Provided he doesn't shoot you first after he's done with his monologue and teasing. Probably the single standout here is the way game handles dialog as it lets you seamlessly inspect objects while the the only other person in the room is going on and on. You can interrupt his train of thoughts to ask about things strung about. Ultimately there's two actions you to complete to finish the game, and that's that. Rewinding is also an option although I'd be hard pressed as to explain why. If anything game needed a fast FORWARD feature to get through the slow, typewriter dialog presentation.

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Draugen ( PC (Steam) – Adventure – 2019 ) + TRAILER

Draugen has me stepping back into the walking sims territory. Hit or miss as far as those go. Does this short 1920s mystery in Norway hold up, though?

Stepping into the shoes of Edward Harden we disembark in a small coastal village of Graavik searching for his missing sister. However, he's something of a stick-in-the-mud kind of character far more interested in his own quest than anything else and Draugen balances that out with his companion Alice, or Lissie which she seems to prefer, as polar opposite to Edward with an extremely bubbly personality. Two complement each other like a glove, but soon find not everything is as it seems in Graavik. In fact, no one appears to be there and our dynamic American pair soon find themselves tackling that particular mystery as well...

Some walking sims attempt to flesh out the world with myriad of items to [pointlessly] examine, some go for rudimentary "puzzles" to solve, and yet all seem to thrive on building up atmosphere. Draugen definitely falls in that third as this Norwegian village in the middle of nowhere has immense atmosphere through sheer desolate landscapes. Howling wind is ever-present and fixed weather effects as well as time of day are at narrative convenience of the story. In fact, only familial aspect is your chatty companion Lisse with even a dedicated button to call out to her. She becomes your link to reality in this harsh place that never really takes any threatening action against the protagonist. Thing is, that's a double-edged sword as Lisse may quickly wear out her welcome provided she doesn't click with you from the beginning with her mannerisms. I expected a twist with this kind of setup, especially as you come across more and more clues as to what happened to both your sister and local bigwig family in who's mansion you take shelter for the visiting week, but when said twist hits it still managed to surprise me. Not that it covers up for what is essentially a very weak and understated story. There's open endings and then there's giving your players blue balls.

Would I recommend Draugen? There's nothing OFFENSIVELY wrong with the game, but almost everything except for the visuals and sound design - landscapes primarily since character models could've been better - seems to falter to some degree. There's little to really DO except walk forward and read some cryptic notes, story does not end in satisfactory fashion for my taste, and I'm not the sure I approve of the state Edward finds himself at the end. Then again going by that teaser in the credits there may be more coming which would flesh out our boy and Lisse further for possible improvements.

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Minecraft: Story Mode - Season Two ( PC (Steam) – Adventure – 2017 ) + TRAILER

Released as second to last proper in-house developed Telltale title Minecraft Story Mode - Season Two left me mixed with opinions. Or rather, not with as favorable impression the way the first season did. Why? Mainly because they decided to focus on some questionable aspects I didn't like even back then.

It's some time after the first game and Jesse is in charge of Beacontown as its mayor. What opens as warm reminiscing with your friends, who are now off doing their own thing, leads to some drama as yet others worry your friendship is going to end and eventually leads to Jesse and Petra making a discovery that puts them in contact with what is effectively an omnipotent creator of the Minecraft world they live in - the Admin. Sadly, he takes interest in Jesse and so begin his trials and tribulations to not only protect the people he cares about, but also to re-affirm old friendships and forge new ones.

Provided you know the Telltale formula there isn't much to talk about here. This is technically an adventure game without anything I'd classify as a real puzzle as your solution is never further away than a crafting table at best. Actual meat and potatoes of the game is the dialog system where you make your choices to various illusionary degrees of importance. This is also where I think Season Two has a lot of cameos and callbacks I didn't exactly get seeing as I'm unfamiliar with Minecraft in general. Some VA performances and designs definitely stood out as beyond "regular", though. Other two elements you get to do more of are actually BUILDING things, kind of a big deal in Minecraft itself, and combat of all things. I complained about the lack of former in the last game, but simplistic combat is something I could've done without even though it results in a boss fight or two. You won't really be breaking a sweat here and QTEs are still your primary interaction with anything more involved than initiating a conversation or examining a hotspot in the world.

Story and characters are in-line with what you've come to expect from Telltale. First game, too. I won't go into spoilers, but expect a light drama about friendship, misunderstood antagonist(s) game expects you to start caring about. Season Two is certainly nowhere near as dark as the The Walking Dead, for example, since this is based on Minecraft. While absolutely bearing that signature "we're winging it from episode to episode" Telltale writing I can't help but think the out there nature of the property and generally zanier story/characters help it get away with more. In one episode you're going through the Ice Citadel challenge while in another you're in a maximum security slammer below bedrock where you have to escape from. Episodes were not created equal either as some, second in particular, have a cutscene-heavy approach where I could've sworn entire chapters passed with me barely pressing a button or two.

Would I recommend the game? Personally the genuinely high threat story presents doesn't gel with the source material they're working with. Everyone's also a bit too upbeat considering. Then again that lighthearted approach, funny writing that got a chuckle from me here and there just might be what you're looking for. That's where the game delivers in spades as did the original.

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Stillwater ( PC (Steam) – Visual Novel – 2022 ) + TRAILER

Stillwater is a short Visual Novel about a private investigator Hugo Laurent and his two assistants who find themselves embroiled in a particular case when a panicked young woman enters their office begging for help. You see, it concerns her grandfather who may be in danger having received letters with the latest one containing a VERY threatening sentence. While this story is about our intrepid protagonist(s) accepting to help it's their interactions, Hugo's somber personality and nature of the secret itself that equally vie for the spotlight. Entire affair is strictly on-rails except for one choice you get to make, though. Following is rather subjective, but I think the art style did its job especially with character portraits as no expense was spared on them having myriad of expressions to convey emotions.

You can't beat free and I'd recommend you give this one a try to see if VNs might be your thing. This is certainly the equivalent of dipping your toes.