German studio Daedalic Entertainment for some reason does not like to use the numerals in the titles of their projects. Number “three” in the title of this game is not – and for good reason: we see the most that neither is on the third and last part of the misadventures of the hapless inventor by the name of Rufus on the planet, trash Deponiya, which was about to be destroyed as useless people floating in the sky aristocratic Elysium , together with all of its population. For pre-order the game on Steam does not give free accident and also last year’s Chaos on Deponia – familiarity with it, as with the first series , there is almost certainly: the plot and characters in Goodbye, Deponia all the same, and the end of the story of Rufus and his heavenly Goal girlfriend seems beginners are not very clear and not so interesting.

It is necessary to once again marvel at the hard work of developers of Hamburg: The third full-length adventure into the world of Deponii out after less than two years after the premiere of the first part – and that’s not counting the other works of this relatively small company. Fortunately, the momentum does not harm the quality, on the contrary, with each project authors skill only increases. “Farewell, Deponiya!” Differs same lush and stylish two-dimensional graphics, the same absurd humor – but just a little more of this here but thicker. The focus is now given to the main character – Rufus. Although it would be more accurate to call this individual “anti-hero”: a bad temper and a bloated egos still search and search for characters of computer games.

In the third series of determination and optimism of our protagonist brought to downright grotesque. If you want to save their planet from destruction – then it will be saved, no matter what. Rufus smash half that of the planet itself to pieces, cheat or obvoruyut 90% of its inhabitants, separates a loving couple, to feed young children evil monsters – but still will enforce that, in his view is the next brilliant plan to prevent the “end of the world” – and by penetration of the Rufus coveted Elysium. It is clear that all these plans are ultimately not quite real or not fully thought out – but let the people condemned to death Deponii not worry: they are replaced immediately by a new mad scheme. 

 When creating the previous games Daedalic 2013 release, the fabulous “Night Rabbit” and magically-heroic “Memory” , the authors have put a lot of effort to look like all the puzzles can be more logical and fit well with the storyline. “Farewell, Deponiya!” Serves as an example of a different approach to the matter advenchurnogo gameplay: perhaps this is just an example of how the shortcomings of a continuation of merit. In the crazy world of planet-dump, with a mad inventor, a failure in the main role, for the logic of space is almost gone: to find meaning in these puzzles – employment ineffective. That, oddly enough, this game brings together representatives of the genre with classic quests and adds to it with not only the complexity, but also the duration. On the other hand, there were added and the infamous “toilet humor” – alas, at times local jokes seem even more vulgar. And this, incidentally, immediately distinguishes “Deponiyu” masterpieces of the era LucasArts, the ghosts are lurking every now and then through the holes of the old cloak of Rufus … However, before the innocent sadistic cynicism “Edna and Harvey ‘ cause this time it did not get it. 

Clearly changed for the better approach to the content and use of equipment: now is not the pockets of Rufus burst from the most diverse collection, and at our disposal is not more than a dozen items of varying degrees of usefulness. But all this good can be shared – with other Rufus. Yes, after the protagonist finally learns the secret of his birth, it is a successful self-cloning – and fall under our control as many as three of Rufus. No different characters and abilities, as is the case with the three Goal in the “Chaos on Deponii,” they have not seen – Rufus and the cloning remains true to itself. Heroes are simply acting at different locations – and switching between them in the style of imperishable classic Day of the Tentacle. However, such “rastroennyh” hero differs only in one of the chapters of the game. But apart from this, the plot tight and we often collaborate with two twin brothers Rufus: few certainly will not find it. What is more likely is not enough – so this is the main character, so shone in the last series of his multifaceted personality, and now, unfortunately, once again relegated to the role of a minor character.

Classic quest gameplay generously diluted arcade-logic mini-games, of which there are about a dozen. They are also very funny and extremely diverse – from brushing your teeth in a circular smooth mouse movements and to his role as Zapevalov in the men’s choir (pathos-parody “Hymn Organontsev” will linger in your musical memory). Do not bypassed and the subject of the now popular on Steam entertainment in the spirit of “the surgeon himself”: Rufus, of course, does not cost anything to do complex operation to extract the tapeworm out of the abdominal cavity of his own twin – and not afraid that after the “assembly” of the patient back what something extra body remains untapped … 

 Final “the last of Depony” made in the best traditions of Daedalic Entertainment – quite unexpected and even touching, in contrast to the American canon of the genre, it is not a bullet, but rather an exclamation point followed by an ellipsis. So there is likely to continue, if not, then some of the new series in the same or similar to the world, and even more so – in the same manic-dimensional trademark style by Jan Müller-Michaelis, in which the female characters for some reason not have noses, but a disadvantage is written not so much irrationality and absurdity of the whole mystery of what is happening, how heavy and gruff German humor.

Separately, to praise localization: according to tradition, the translation is only in the form of subtitles, but this time all the jokes protagonist sound in Russian is not worse than the languages ​​of Goethe and Shakespeare (who, by the way, in the credits of the game expressed special thanks) . Passage Goodbye, Deponia will take approximately 10 hours: not a record, even by today’s standards of the genre, but it’s enough to once again save the world and at the same time a good laugh – unless, of course, you will be able to withstand at Rufus on the screen for this amount of time.

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There are different ways refers to the most recent works Telltale, apart from The Walking Dead full game, but this project has become a real phenomenon in the gaming industry, triggering a wave of discussions at professional conferences, and specialized sites and gaming forums. The very same Telltale has decided to build on this success, and, together with the second season of The Walking Dead, has announced another project in the comic books, made ​​in the same manner – The Wolf Among Us. This time served as the basis for a series Fables from Vertigo (DC Comics).

Fables – an unusual interpretation of the classic fairy tales. Long before the events of the main line of comics and games, which is a kind of prequel to the series, the characters of fairy tales and magical creatures have been driven out of Oz enemies and settled around the world, trying to hide among the people. Most of them settled in the United States, creating in New York City’s own, hidden from the eyes of a community of people – Fabletown. Most of the inhabitants of Fabletown enjoys special charm, hiding their unusual appearance, and those who can not afford expensive magic or unable to hide beastly nature, are sent to the farm closed pastoral community in the country.

Characters survive in our world as they can. Some, like Bluebeard, managed to bring into exile all his fortune and grief does not know. King became the honorary mayor of Fabletown, Snow White settled secretary, Monster works for several jobs to ensure a comfortable life Belle, Prince Charming been hanging around the courts of Europe, and lives like a gigolo, and some princess went to the panel. 

One of the main characters of the game and comic book Fables The Wolf Among Us – Great Grey Wolf. After the expulsion of all the magical creatures have agreed to forgive past sins to each other and live peacefully, holding on to each other. So a former serial killer grandmothers and enemy pigs became sheriff of Fabletown, taking the name Bigby Wolf. But, in spite of the fact that Wolf is friends with one of the three little pigs, many do not trust him, remembering past atrocities. Bigby Wolf – nuarny typical detective. Ill-shaven, wearing a long coat, drinking alone, smokes a lot and says little. Actually, The Wolf Among Us, like Fables – is a series of detective stories with a touch of satire. 

The Wolf Among Us is built exactly on the same principles as The Walking Dead. By and large – this is not a game but an interactive story, with a choice of options in the dialogues and a couple of QTE in every episode. Actually these very quick time event here look quite alien. Indeed, after a leisurely examining the scene of the crime and the chic sharp dialogue, jumping into the fray, istuplenno press Q, somehow amazingly stupid. 

The rest of The Wolf Among Us gorgeous. This time, unlike The Walking Dead, the authors were able to fully stylize the image below comics, even repeating the brand colors of Fables. The game can be cut at the screenshots and make up to another edition comic book, no one will notice the difference. Tired after a hard day’s Wolf, sassy pig Colin, on long-term habit of hating Wolf Harvester, businesswomen Snow White – despite the naivete, the characters of the game turned out to be surprisingly fresh and authentic. 

By the way, as is the case with The Walking Dead, read the comics before the game is not recommended. Since The Wolf Among Us direct prequel Fables, in the comics there are some spoilers regarding the fate of the characters.

As in the previous game, Telltale, the characters remember your actions and your choices, according to the authors, will affect the final game. However, even on The Walking Dead, we remember that this relationship was very conventional, and in the case of The Wolf Among Us while it seems that the choice is very formal, and nothing on impact. Let’s see how events will develop further.

The first episode of The Wolf Among Us – Faith, has already appeared, the release date of the other four has not been announced, but by analogy with The Walking Dead, you can expect to see the episodes again in two months. Given that at the end of the year in the same series comes out on The Walking Dead Season Two, episode two games probably will alternate. Faith, like A New Day in The Walking Dead, it is rather an installation episode player familiarity with the characters and the world of Fables, although some plot solutions may surprise those familiar with the comic book. 

Probably The Wolf Among Us will not be such an eye-opener for the players and critics, as last year’s The Walking Dead, but, undoubtedly, Telltale once again managed to create a very stylish and fascinating history. And let’s not really a game, it does not make the story told in it, not in the least worse. If you like what makes Telltale, do not miss their new job.

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Microsoft first, back in 2004 came up with to sell cheap downloadable games for the Xbox through the service XBLA. Through this initiative, we are witnessing a renaissance indie scene on Steam and various Humble Indie Bundle. However, sometimes XBLA / PSN-producing projects and venerable companies when they want to experiment with new genres and formats. Often, these experiments seem more interesting than the AAA-blockbusters. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is just an example of such a game.

Swedish Starbreeze Studios is known primarily for its big games – Enclave, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, The Darkness, Syndicate, Payday 2. Among these monsters Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons, very close to the spirit of indie games, looks like an alien. One can only admire the courage Starbreeze, reshivshiesya on such an unusual experience.

Moreover, the role of the game designer invited person is far enough from the games – the avant-garde Swedish director of Aramaic origin Joseph Perez . And he has managed to create a real fairy tale – a very simple, but surprisingly touching.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons – this game trip. The two brothers are sent to the ends of the earth to find the “water of life”, the medicine for his sick father. This way they do not go alone, but if they’re willing to pay the price you ask for the road? 

The brothers really can not do without each other. Junior can prolazit in hard to reach areas, and the senior operate heavy objects and mechanisms. Gameplay solution simply brilliant – you control two brothers at the same time. The left analog stick and the trigger is responsible for the senior, right stick and trigger – for Bush. And yes, for PC games need a controller with support for XInput – Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller for Windows is perfect.

At first, a non-synchronous control is confusing. While one brother, say, run a drawbridge, the other is to get across the gap and fix it. One turns the gate, the other pushes the lever. One climbs the rope, the other controls the crane, etc. etc. Plus sometimes have to do some things in sync – to operate a glider or a boat, climb over rocks, while remaining bound by a rope. After a while you get used to, and everything starts to go like clockwork. In fact, nothing complicated about dual control is not, and tasks that are necessary to solve the brothers are not so puzzling.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is very interesting to consider, turning the camera from side to side. Here the mass of little funny elements. You can almost accidentally poured a bucket fallen asleep on guard, to play the harp, to set free a bird rescue suicide, sit on the numerous benches that provides stunning views of the surrounding area.

The game world is populated and full of strange things. There are terrible, but kind and funny trolls, but terrible savages. Tree roots can suddenly turn into monsters, and a quiet town on the bay – a deadly trap. And this game has some special mood – surprisingly light grief. In fact, it is a sad tale, albeit with a happy ending.

And, like many games for XBLA / PSN, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is very short – until the final credits can reach in just 3:00. 

Despite all the dissimilarity, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons bit like LIMBO , Little Inferno and Kentucky Route Zero – humor, absurdity and hidden emotion. At Joseph Perez and Starbreeze Studios has turned a small masterpiece at the junction of the two arts, let’s hope that the director and developers to work together more shooters.

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Silver Age classic European detective – the fifties and sixties of last century. The horrors of World War II are in the past, and the general welfare is the optimal habitat for a variety of roles of criminals and weight categories. In the field of investigation is still active in such famous literary veterans as Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple Commissioner Maigret, and on the silver screen shines Fantomas, turned out the monster of the 1900s in almost a comedic character, but from no less attractive.

Bremen studio KING Art, known to fans of quests fairytale fantasy Novels The Book of Unwritten Tales, for its new game has chosen a more realistic setting. The court in September 1963 that no, not that of 1964, and the whole of Europe worried by the news of the return of the legendary and mysterious thief nicknamed Raven, who was considered killed, but like just recently showed up in person at the British Museum to steal a priceless ruby ​​rare straight from the the nose of police.

 

At first glance, the storyline The Raven, dedicated to the search for the eponymous villain looks, to put it mildly, not very original.Raven Mask – brand offender, because of which no one has ever seen his face, but because the suspect could be anyone – obviously inspired by the stories about all of the same Fantomas.Main theme song – already quite unexpectedly – brings back memories of a stingy man-tear Isayev spy. But the train cars “Orient Express” and a Mediterranean cruise liner, where we have to achieve their feats – an indispensable attribute of any self-respecting “hermetic” detective. The first of these can also be found in a variety of computer incarnations – from the unique Jordan Mechner’s masterpiece The Last Express to boring “Murder on the Orient Express,” based on the novel by Agatha Christie from The Adventure Company, whose trademark Austrian Nordic Games now resurrected just for the publication of the Raven . Moreover, among the passengers of a local version of Orient Express also present some British writer, author of the famous detectives, including the international bestseller Little Indians …

Aniskin vs. Raven

Yet blame The Raven in the secondary would be unfair. Rather, the authors deliberately sought to bring together as many as possible will take the era and genre, to expand on this background, my own, albeit stylized, but it is quite distinctive and fascinating narrative. Was a great idea and an early release of a free background: a kind of interactive book, made in the original “silhouetted” style. The story of how the five years prior to the events unfolding in the main game, the young French policeman Nicolas Legrand managed to put an end to the famous robber named Raven, walking in the browser or downloaded to iOS ‬ and Android‬.

However, in the game we have to control the actions of someone interesting. Meet Anton Jakob Tsellner. Swiss policeman of low rank and almost retirement age, with a biography and a bouquet maloprimechatelnoy inherent in the age ailments – but with a keen eye and a grasp mind: a sort of a “cop is.” Frankly, it is rare where now you can find such an original quest protagonist – on the background of the crowd is almost the same type of young people of both sexes from most modern adventure Anton Jakob perceived as a breath of fresh air. The above-mentioned master Nicolas Legrand plays a minor role here – being twice under our hero, he takes a much higher position and intrusive Swiss sympathy does not feel as little as possible to allow it to conduct the case. Tsellner same – under our strict guidance – see the whole story is not only a chance to finally express themselves, but also the obligation to correct the mistakes of his French counterpart, too impulsive.

The best impressions left on their own tempo: moderately slow and unobtrusive – in spite of all the tumultuous events that do not allow the player to get bored – it could not be more suitable for the individual Tsellnera, and to the whole European tradition of psychological detective. Shooting and chase stay where they are supposed to be – in the U.S., in LA Noire . But the three-dimensional characters, and the interiors look this time completely on the level of world standards.

As in the previous games of the KING Art, the active points – indications of objects that can be viewed or used – disappear after interaction with them: a small thing, but nice. In stock and another sign of the adventure of the XXI century: highlighting these points – but made it a trick. For each highlighting spent game points that can be replenished in an active and productive activities as a detective. Spend earned by honest labor can and tips to questions about how to proceed and the intricacies of the test cases that Tsellner meticulously records in his diary, do not forget to provide them with the description of pencil drawings. However, “The Crow” is quite possible to go without all of this: neither the pixel-hunting, nor the complexity of the local gameplay does not suffer. There are a few puzzles that are mandatory for any detective, like the opening of a castle or analysis of evidence: the gameplay, they are written quite logical, but the game engine is not well suited for the realization of such tasks – in this case, the disappearance of the descriptions of active points after their first reading seems not very appropriate.

Alas, the main flaw of the game developers have to write down the decision to release The Ravenmonthly, from July to September, in the form of three separate episodes: detective stories for such an approach and a break between the series is especially cruel. At the end of the first part, entitled “The Eye of the Sphinx”, and train and cruise ship together hang over the precipice – of course, the most interesting place, worth Tsellneru even one step closer to unraveling the entire event.

However, the authors claim that the time-out will allow them to process more carefully the next two parts of a file, but also to listen to the opinions and experiences of players. Besides, the available hints for the second series we have to read the whole story on the other hand – playing for the criminals, not the detectives … It’s hard to tell in advance what will turn The Raven as a result of the implementation of such an idea – a failure, or adventure games of the year and also new to the genre and the detective quest.

But now there is nothing stopping to try on the shape of the European Police 1960 – the good, in contrast to the series Telltale Games, all three parts of the Raven offered only together for one price – and virtually all known platforms, though only English and German. And those 5-6 hours you spend helping Anton-Jakob Tsellneru to understand the history of the Sphinx with the eye, it will be able to compete with many full-length adventure games of the genre in recent years.

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