If elaborate, zany, animated 2D adventures in the vein of many things Lucas Arts are your fancy, you will likely find a lot of enjoyment in this.

This first look is based on about 3 hours of playtime, as well as the need to access a walkthrough now and then. Said walkthrough suggests there is a large amount of adventuring to go.

The game looks and sounds as you would want it too, give or take a slightly dodgy voice or two. Humour abounds (and keen be equally dodgy 🙂) as do all sorts of pop-culture references and nods to the games which came before.

You play in the third person as Betty, a teenager who wakes after a dam explosion to find that she and everyone else in town have amnesia. According to the maker's website you also get to play as one other character, someone whom I have met but have yet to play.

Point and click to get around and explore, use the keyboard to do a few other things. It autosaves at regular points and you can also save at will.

As with many Lucas Arts type games, finding and using inventory items are a key part of progressing, as are having the right conversations. Examining objects is important as well, often providing the insight into what you need to do.

Be prepared to be garrulous as well as inquisitive, and to be patient. I have spent a good deal of time going everywhere I can, talking to everyone completely and looking at pretty much everything in order to work out what my objectives might be.

Even then what to do might remain elusive, hence the need for the walkthrough. I was not only lost at times but wasn't sure what it was I was missing.

I thought that aspect was exacerbated by the extensive dialogue trees. As intimated you do a lot of talking, and some topics have seemingly endless responses. It could be overwhelming across the entire course of the game, or that just might be me. However, a setting I recently discovered in the menu enables game-progressing dialogue to be marked, and having turned it on it now shows up in the dialogue tree with a little exclamation mark. I have only just started to utilise it, and while I accept it may mean I miss some of the depth, jokes, etc., I am keen to see how it plays out. I don't want paint by numbers, but if it helps focus my conversations it might well be a plus.

You can of course ignore it altogether or turn it on and off to suit.

The maker's website also says that your choices will shape the path the game takes, leading to multiple endings, and that many conundrums can be solved in more than one way. The latter aspect is probably not discernible unless you play again, but it does offer a reason to do so.

Despite some quibbles I am enjoying my time as Betty and am keen to see what lies in store.

It sounds like a good time overall, flotsam. Thank you for the first look!

And thank you also for your help, Drac.

Thanks flotsam (and Draclvr)!

Thanks, flotsam! I do love the look of the game and glad it's enjoyable!

Thanks, Drac!

Ana

Thank you, flotsam !! [And Draclvr.]

Your "First Look" along with the very nice lengthy videos has convinced me to get it. Thank you both. I look forward to your review flotsam

Steam

EPIC

Thank you for the First Look, Flotsam. I always enjoy your reviews. In this particular case, I do not share your enthusiasm for the game. I played for half an hour or so and requested a refund. I felt the main character's voice was grating, the endless dialogue was tiring, and the whole thing felt very juvenile to me. Of course it is supposed to be about a teenager, but that doesn't mean I want to relive that stage of my life! I do appreciate they've added exclamation points for the "must know" dialogue branches, but that takes away from the exploration aspect of a game. Just my two cents.

KatieB, appreciate your input! The First Look kind of impressed me the same way the game itself did you. It's not one I will purchase.

Your "two cents" is always appreciated by me, KatieB!

I too appreciate hearing different opinions about the game, KatieB.