I'm sure there are others like myself looking games similar to Duskwood to play. So I thought I'd play some and give you my thoughts. If you have suggestions let me know.
I'll update this from time to time. This was last updated on January 28th of 2023.
Completed:
The Healing
Pros:
Players really got to know the core characters, and I felt it was pretty immersive.
I personally am tired of the 'swap and make 3' (aka candy crush) like games, so I liked the minigames used for 'hacking.
Pretty clever puzzles
If you like dark this does get a bit dark
What's scarier than one masked killer? Three.
For premium, I loved breaking the fourth wall and talking to the authors. Great fun.
Multiple endings. I believe there is a good, a neutral, and a bad end.
Your choices matter, even when they may not seem to.
Cons:
So. Many. Characters! It was hard for me to remember who was who and with each character came a lot of info.
Considering so many characters, I felt like only Andreas/Zoe were romanceable.
I was unable to save everyone, which makes me sad. However, that does make the fight more personal.
Would I recommend/Recommend buying premium?
Absolutely recommend playing. If you want 4th wall breaking dialogue yes premium's worth it, if not then I wouldn't recommend buying. I don't recall premium coming up any other time really.
Blue Orchid
Pros:
I like the puzzles and the 'minigames' in this one. They show you a photo and you solve the puzzle based on it, or you find the important things.
If there's a puzzle your struggling to figure out, no worries. The groups on your side and after a bit they'll figure it out. They provide hints too.
Small cast, and I quite liked the characters. There is no romance, but there's very little time for such thing.
There's more I really liked, but I'd spoil too much so I'll say this. I was not expecting the plot twist at the end of chapter 1 and into chapter 2. The game did a great job keeping me on my toes.
As you can imagine I found the plot really engaging, and interesting.
Depending on your preference, the game isn't actually all that long. I got most of it finished in a single evening.
Cons:
Ticket system. Most of your dialogue options require a ticket. So you have the option to pay for more, or watch free ads. Takes about 20 minutes for tickets to refresh.
This one is not a murder mystery situation. So if you're expecting to uncover the identity of a killer, this isn't for you. It's a bit more complicated of a plot to explain without some massive spoilers. Let me just say, it's more science fiction than crime.
First chapter alone would probably make people want to stop, I do recommend continuing. I don't want to spoil too much though.
Personally, I don't like when characters are my allies, then not, then they are, then they're not again. Let me just say, got a few emotions I need to work through on who I should have trusted/liked at the end.
You don't really develop much of a bond with the characters like in the Healing or Duskwood. In fact you really only learn the back story of two characters, and those are the two I'm most confused about.
Would I recommend/Recommend buying premium?
Absolutely recommend playing. I found it very fun, and a decent short game. As for buying premium? I don't think it's worth it. No special dialogue or anything. It's just 10usd for unlimited tickets. I can just "watch" a bunch of ads.
Currently Playing:
Somewhere- The Vault Papers
Thoughts thus far: (I'm not very far in this game)
Unlike the other games, this one doesn't look like a phone interface. It's more monotone in color and blocky.
The game will be put on hold from anywhere from minutes to hours so the characters in it can do something. Can be a bit annoying.
I haven't encountered any minigames yet. Just been directing 'Cat' on how to escape danger.
The term Crop Corp made me laugh.
Then it went downhill again.
I hate Cat. She acts in a way that makes it VERY hard for me to like her.
Honest opinion, I'm annoyed by the waiting only to not have dialogue options. Personally not a huge fan thus far and from what I've read from the developer's replies to bad reviews, not going great.
Scriptic: Interactive Dramas
Thoughts thus far: (Completed one of the first episodes)
MC: Hey Jake! I'm starting to learn how to actually hack so I don't bother you as much.
Jake: You're never a bother MC.
MC: I know, but you're busy staying ahead of your pursuers... I'd hate to distract you. Wolf introduced me to this HANS, who has been teaching me how to hack.
Jake: Oh... really? Interesting.
*10 minutes later*
MC: Ok Jake. Where'd HANS go?
Jake: Oh? He went somewhere?
MC: ...
MC: Jake are you jealous of some ai program thing?
Jake:
*Jake is offline*
MC: Hahaha
MC: Oh wait come back!
MC: JAKE COME BACK I DON'T KNOW HOW TO HACK CHAT PROFILES!
MC: Well excuse me if I thought it would be a good idea to introduce the two groups!
Julius: Why would you think that'd be a good idea?
Dan: I was just about to say that!
MC: Because I'm going insane trying to keep two psycho bird masked kidnappers sorted. Then there are the mysterious hackers!
Jake: I'm not so mysterious.
MC: Sweetie I haven't seen a single photo of you, I don't know where you are, I don't even know your last name. Honestly, how do I even know your name is Jake? I really know nothing but that's ok.
Jake: ...
Shadow: lol
Wolfe: Why do I keep getting involved in these chats? I have better things to do.
MC: THINGS HAVE BEEN A BIT STRESSFUL FOR ME SINCE I'M DEALING WITH BOTH OF THESE SITUATIONS SO LET ME BE STRESSED!
MC: Hey Jake? Any suggestions on how to convince Anna that I shouldn't be hacking everyone's phones?
Jake: Which one is Anna?
MC: The one afraid of clowns and parkours?
Jake: Right, chased by Dr. Crow. You have a lot of people involved with that.
MC: Don't I know it! Anyway suggestions?
Jake: A major invasion of privacy?
MC: Apparently everyone's safety and figuring out who the traitor is trumps that.
Jake: Huh. Could tell her you aren't skilled enough or confident enough?
MC: Apparently if I can hack a tower I should be able to hack a phone.
Jake: Well. Those aren't equivalent but.
MC: Could tell her I barely know what I'm doing and I'm mostly just playing a game my hacker boyfriend made for me so I can open locked files.
Jake: Doesn't that just make the situation more difficult? Then expose Dr. Crow to me?
MC: Excellent point. I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure Dr. Crow never knows you helping.
MC: So. Next suggestion on what to tell Anna?
Jake: ...
MC: ...
Jake: Firewall is too strong?
MC: Good enough.
Jake: Do you even know what a firewall is?
MC: Nope! :D
MC: Just a security thing you've mentioned maybe once?
Jake: I'll explain it later.
MC: Any chance you know how to recover deleted photos?
Jake: Yes.
MC: Could you help Cleo? She just asked me to help recover a photo. I have no idea how to help. It's a family photo from four years ago she says.
Jake: No problem. Just need to gain access to her phone, see how old the photo is. If it's outside of the storage time on the phone I could check her cloud. If it's gone from there then I'd have to hack into the memory banks and the related servers.
MC: Jake.
Jake: Yes?
MC: I love you but you lost me after 'No Problem'.
For those who have played Duskwood, or the Healing, or similar games. Do you have an entire character in mind for the MC? If so do you have the same MC for different games or a new MC?
MC: I'm going to say it. I'm just going to have to do it.
MC: Go to hell.
MC: You think you can play god and can get away with harassing a group of people. You fucking can't. We will get you. You will be caught and rot in prison for the rest of your sad miserable life!
MC: What nothing to say this time?
MWAF: Meet me in Duskwood and nothing else will happen to your friends.
MC: Oh wait shit sorry wrong masked bird killer.
MC: Wait a second no fuck that and fuck you too! I'm not sorry!
MC: You know what's lamer than running around like an idiot in the woods with a mask on?
MC: Pretending your a local legend come to life so you can harrass, assault, and kidnap people!
MC: Don't think I've forgotten about Amy! She will get the justice her, her family, and her friends deserve! We will stop you plot!
Dr. Crow: The healing is invetiable MC. You can not stop it.
Dr. Crow: I have not met a patient named 'Amy'. Have you finally decided to accept your fate and join my cause? Is this a new patient for the healing?
MC: Oh fuck me and fuck you too. Wrong Crow Man.
MC: I don't give a shit what you think about me, nor what your plans for me are! They aren't going to happen because we WILL stop you!
MC: Can I speak to Charlie?
MWAF: Charlie?
MC: OH COME ON I WASN'T EVEN TRYING TO TALK TO A BIRD-BEAKED LUNATIC!
MC: THE ONE TIME I MEANT TO TALK TO THE CREEPY PUPPET GUY AND I'M DEALING WITH AN ASSAULTING, INSULTING ASSHOLE!
MWAF: You texted me?
Jake: Now what aren't you going to do?
MC: Threaten, engage, or otherwise start unauthorized interactions with anonymous, or masked individuals who have shown they have deadly or otherwise dangerous reputation.
Jake: And WHY are you agreeing to not do this?
MC: Because when I do communicate with those individuals I'm endangering the lives of my friends.
Jake: AND?
MC: My loved ones.
Jake: AND?
MC: myself.
Jake: Say that again now in one sentence...
MC: endagering the lives of my friends, loved ones, and myself.
Jake: I swear I will disable your messenger if you try this again MC.
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