This is not a game for the faint-hearted or those easily disturbed by gore, idea of gore or violence.
It’s an intriguing concept to say the least, starting out as a young Falconer in a damp, misty town called Moonlight in New Zealand. A place which has just seen its fair share of tragedies and an even larger one in recent events. You come to investigate and get to the bottom of it.
What you do find is something troubling, to say the least. No one imagined it, nor was it on the list of possibilities but here you are about to make choices which can lead to life or death. Including your own.
I thoroughly enjoyed both the characters as well as the storyline as it was on a subject I knew little about. New Zealand history and the indigenous people. It’s set in a colonial period though I’m unsure of the exact dates. The main character does mention England only discovered New Zealand two hundred years before, but it had been settled by the Maori before then. The various conflicts between Europeans and the Maori are briefly mentioned which is not something I think of when I think of New Zealand.
Furthermore, it has action and a legend unfolding. The storytelling skills are somewhat to be lacking as I didn’t get overly attached to any of the characters, instead simply finding them interesting but felt more like a reader of a book then someone actively taking part.
The art is gritty, beautiful and suits the story being told. It adds to the story by allowing one to step into the scene, still it doesn’t fully draw you in and I look more at the writing for that.
As for the music, I enjoyed it. Once again adding to the impact, but somehow easily ignored as well.
The part I truly love is the originality, the history and how there is room for more.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but not at full price. Its quickly finished. It took me a little over an hour and a half.
Will I play it again? Yes, as I know there must be another ending or two.
Again these are my personal opinions and yes, I bought this game with my own money. It is available on Steam, and itch.io.
Speaking Outloud 