Maybe I’ve been spoiled this year, the quality of PC-centric IF and adventure games has been enormously high. From the laugh out loud antics in Ben There, Dan That! to the more serious Everybody Dies, we’ve had a good run. Naturally, we were interested in how such a home computer centric genre would translate to the 360… the answer is, well, sort of alright actually – or at least it would translate fine with a better game and a tuned up engine.
The thing is, adventure games and IF live and die by the quality of the writing and plot. You can hear the “uh oh” already, right?
Rather than hook you from the off, Writers Block is more frustrating than Scott Adams at his worst (and trust me, I really did bite my lip whilst playing this – unfortunately, no dome lifting was forthcoming) playing the tired “You’re in a prison cell with no memory” card… which is fine if you can make it all seem remotely compelling, but this just plain isn’t.
Writer’s Block has some of the most atrocious dialogue I’ve ever come across in a game, a problem compounded when you’re stuck for what feels like an eternity running through completely unfunny conversations with no quick way to back out. Throw in a slightly awkward and wonky interface and it’s not really looking good here, people. We’d got frustrated and bored long before the 8 minute trial came to a close.
Poor.
This title was 400 points at the time of writing this review but has since been reduced to 80 Points.
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I enjoyed the trial but the broken interface is what keeps me from coming back (for now). Having to press LB + right + up + X + right + A to use an object on any other object and having to do it again and again and again is simply not acceptable. Full Throttle invented the perfect interface for adventures so why not implement a similar system? Or simply copy todays standards of context sensitive controls?
It’s a shame because I like the overall presentation. It reminds me of a German adventure called “Edna breaks out” which also lacked top notch graphics but made up for it by its humour. If the controls of Writer’s Block get much better I will buy the game – even though I haven’t figured out yet how to get out of the infirmary.
The problem I have with the trial: You dont get any hints concerning the story of the game. So I dont see why I should purchase the full game.
Yeah, you have no clue how long the game might be. But thankfully you can save in the trial and keep coming back to get a better impression of the game. Telling the buyer what they can expect for their money is what most community games need to add.
Jeeze, how *does* one get past the infirmary??? Just trying to see how long this game is.
Honestly I have no idea. I’m absolutely clueless, never made it out of my cell except for the infirmary.
[...] Writer’s Block [...]
Ah ha – got out of the cell-infirmary cycle. You have to go to the infirmary, then say your better in order to return to the cell. At that point, ask your cellmate about the prison and there’s another dialogue option to ask about additional rooms. You can then ask the Warden to go to some of those rooms. The game progressed quickly after that for me.
Overall, this is more of an episodic type of adventure in length. It sort of reminded me of the Strongbad games on the Wii. Your review points hold some merit, but I wouldn’t be too harsh on a product a couple of guys whipped up for (now) 200 points.
It’s the first XNA community SCUMM-style adventure game. Obvilously no Monkey Island, but props for giving it a try.
Stumped, please help.
It sounds like you beat the game. I am completely stuck and trapped. I have been to library, infirmary, laundromat many times. I almost have the bomb prepared, I need a piece of gold (which is what I thought the golden key would also be good for) apparently not – game makes no sense at times like these. Anyway, here is my status. I have two of 3 bomb pieces. I dont know how to get to the director, I think that is the next step. Is it possible to pick up the cryptology book? Do you ever get to use it? What about electronics book.
I have been to every room and have tried to combine everything with everything. There is no new dialogue, I am lost.
I love adventure games and when I saw this I got excited. I almost bought it without a trial, but to be sure I downloaded it first. The dialogue was terrible, the plot seemed vague, compared to Space Quest, Kings Quest, Realms of the Haunting or even some of the indie games at the Adventure Game Studio sites. Hell, Fat Man was better than this. That combined with no voice acting and bad controls made this a no buy. I really wanted this to be good. I’m so disappointed.
Guys, do u have any clue of what it takes to build a game like this for a couple of guys who are not professionist?
You are comparing professional titles with an home made product from a couple of guys without experience… They even got an interview on xbox official magazine. I would be more than happy if I had been part of the team … Let’ s just play.