Resonance awakens my adventurous soul. These were the games of my youth. Wadjeteyegames has been creating these types of products since 2006. There are not many games that let you connect with characters and surroundings in a story-book kind of way. Adventures games depend on that connection. Can Resonance evoke the emotions that make an adventure game great, or should the game be kept from falling into the wrong hands.
Story:
Resonance is a scientific discovery that can change the fate of the world. During the gameplay you can discover what it means, and the implications on society. For an even better understanding, you can look up resonance as it relates to chemistry in real-life.
This relation grounds the player and is a good way to begin a story. I got into the game really quickly and was impressed by the characters and near-future feel of the games setting.
The city of Aventine is fictional, but I can believe it exists. Recent catastrophic explosions have erupted across the globe, and you begin the game 60 hours before these events. My character is a mathematical genius. A little timid, shy, and maybe a hopeless romantic. I can relate to this guy.
I was a little disappointed that you later control 3 other characters. They are welcome characters, but it divided my attention away from the one character I can relate too best. This isn't a game breaker, and by no means ruins the story, just a personal preference of mine. There is also one more important element of this game that left me screaming at my monitor. I'll save that for the end of this review.
Gameplay:
The game uses interesting mechanics that draw the player in. Besides the usual inventory scheme with combining, giving, inspecting, items. you also have a long tern and short term memory index. These memories will help you solve puzzles, and you can even create STM (short term memories) out of objects in a room to use as conversation elements.
You control 4-characters with their own mission and mystery. All the characters are well crafted and the voice acting is spot on.
Closing Comments:
For awhile you are going to feel like you can't put this game down. You will come across some challenging puzzles and even some that change a little on a second play-through, that keep you perplexed for hours. Some of these challenges broke the pace for me, but overall they were balanced.
There are many moments in this game that are really fun. However, (spoiler warning) I feel I must say this before you consider playing this game. It took one story moment to shatter my desire to continue on. I was left asking myself, “Did that really happen?”
If you're like me, you like to feel good about yourself and the characters you sacrifice your time playing as. This is one adventure where the characters and the players, may not live happily ever after.
Rating | Description
8 - Presentation
Firing up this game brings a lot of nostalgia. I can tell what game engine they used to make the game. (Should I give that away). I'm glad they did, cause it looks like a classic.
8 - Graphics
Good graphics all the way through. Consistent as well.
8 - Sound
Good music will characters and scenes. Almost like elevator music that I enjoy.
7 - Gameplay
Interesting mechanics beyond the usually look, walk to, grab, approach. Some tense moments.
6 - Lasting Appeal
A little short, but satisfactory experience. Some moments are really exciting and I don't want to stop playing. Other moments beg the question, "Why?"
7.0 - Overall
The overall score is not an average, but it does reflect how much we enjoyed the game. Games between the score of 7 - 9 are favorable. Games that get a rating of 9.0 are a must buy.
