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f13.net General Forums => But is it Fun? => Topic started by: Lucas on August 13, 2013, 05:49:02 PM



Title: Blackwell Series - Wadjet Games - PC
Post by: Lucas on August 13, 2013, 05:49:02 PM
Genre: traditional point and click adventure games (released between 2006 and 2011).

Here's the Wikipedia link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwell_(series)

And here's the "game card" on GOG (it's also available on Steam):

http://www.gog.com/game/blackwell_bundle
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Note that there is still one chapter left to be told, and it looks like it might come out within the end of 2013, with the name "Blackwell Epiphany".

If you, like me (still) like the genre, you're in for an exquisite treat, with some nice storytelling, voice acting and music. The first two chapters are (VERY) short, but it gets longer with the latter two (and no, don't expect Monkey Island 2 or Gabriel Knight all of a sudden, ok :P),

In my opinion, everything in the series get better with each episode: it's clear that both the author and the actors involved got more and more confident with their material as the project went on. I think that, as time goes on, you will feel a lot closer to Rosangela, Joey and all the others.

The premise: you are Rosangela Blackwell, a young freelance author who is not exactly making huge steps toward a brilliant career, who recently lost her aunt (who raised her), and lately is experiencing some painful headaches, culminating with the apparition of the ghost Joey. But who is Joey? (which you will eventually be able to control in-game)...Well, you'll discover more about him and how he relates to you soon enough in the first episode :)
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You know, the story itself, how it evolves, etc. is also a matter of taste: for me, it was greatly enjoyable, because the author managed to jump between various topics, adding some comic relief there, some melanchony there, and nice and entertaining issues all around (and with a great sense of storytelling rythm, IMO), forming a believable (well, yeah, to an extent) cast of characters and world.
The icing on the cake is the voice acting: Rebecca Whittaker (Rosangela) and (especially) Abe Goldfarb (Joey) deliver some great lines, not over the top, just enjoyable enough to draw you even more into the story. Oh, and the "blooper reel" at the end of each chapter is a funny addition :).

Last but not least: just like with the rest of the series, the soundtrack gets better with each game: it's a mixture of jazz and electronic.

At least on GOG, the series is on sale quite often, but if you have some money to spare, consider buying this at full price: yes, I think it is worth it, but of course only if you still like this genre.


Title: Re: Blackwell Series - Wadjet Games - PC
Post by: Fabricated on August 14, 2013, 06:08:50 AM
I picked up Gemini Rue and Resonance, also by Wadjet Games and those were actually really good point-n-click titles that had a pretty decent mix of logical puzzle solving, alright plot, alright voice-acting, and just enough dumb old-school random adventure shit like deaths/silly item puzzles.


Title: Re: Blackwell Series - Wadjet Games - PC
Post by: Miasma on August 14, 2013, 07:51:27 AM
I found them fun but if you get the bundle I'd recommend not trying to play them all back to back.  The problems shared by all old school point and click start to overwhelm the fun at a certain point.  This reminds me that I still haven't played the fourth game and should do so.

I picked up Gemini Rue and Resonance, also by Wadjet Games and those were actually really good point-n-click titles that had a pretty decent mix of logical puzzle solving, alright plot, alright voice-acting, and just enough dumb old-school random adventure shit like deaths/silly item puzzles.
I liked Gemini Rue a lot more than Blackwell.  Wadjet publishes both but they're done by different people.  Hadn't heard about Resonance I'll have to try that.