Return of the Obra Dinn (Lucas Pope)

johnny_ultimate · 24-10-2014 2:01pm #1

The man behind Papers, Please has released an early demo for his next game: downloadable here.

Based on this small amount of evidence, there is no reason to believe this won't be another immensely clever experiment with mechanics and narrative. It would almost be unfair to describe the gameplay hooks here, but there are two unexpected twists to what at first appears to be another in the 'walking simulator' genre. I actually missed one of them first time around, and it adds a whole other dimension once its discovered! If the mechanics play out the way the game indicates, it's looking like a game that will offer a very unique way of telling a story (reminiscent of the likes of Remember Me, but in a much more stylistically confident manner) while also allowing the player to figure a lot of the nuances out for themselves. If you liked Papers, Please, this is quite a different style of game but you'll be happy to know you play an insurance assessor and bureaucracy does play a role in the gameplay

It also looks great, with a graphic style reminiscent of a mix between old Mac adventure games and a Gameboy game. The dot art style is taken advantage of in a very clever way, as you'll see as you play through the demo. There's some potentially fantastic musical compositions too, with Pope promising to improve their orchestration for final release.

Anyway, have to say I was extremely impressed by the demo. The full release is some time away yet it seems, but if Pope can expand on the promise shown here this should be very special.

tailgunner · 24-10-2014 2:30pm

Think I'll wait for the full release, but it sounds excellent. Papers, Please was one of the very best games I played last year.

johnny_ultimate · 10-10-2018 7:05pm

Almost exactly four years later... this thing is finally coming out next week!

https://twitter.com/dukope/status/1050076169800839169?s=21

I am as excited as I was back in 2014 to see how Pope’s Papers Please follow-up turns out, and I love the central concept here

johnny_ultimate · 22-10-2018 10:35am

Anyone else playing this? Finally got around to playing the first few hours last night and it's thankfully everything I could have hoped for. A truly inspired marriage of concept and execution: a hybrid of the mundane (insurance assessing) and fantastical (a magical 'death watch') that gels immediately. The first little bit will be familiar to anyone who has played any of the demos... but quickly it starts spiralling out in all manner of weird and interesting directions, especially as soon as the

sea monsters

start appearing. Hours quickly disappeared as soon as I started playing as the Obra Dinn's secret start spilling out (probably one of the densest environments in video game history). And all the while, you're tasked with a smartly streamlined but unusually demanding detective task - this requires your full attention, and quickly tosses you into the deep end to figure things out for yourself.

Basically: You'll struggle to find a more original, clever and engrossing game this year.

ballyargus · 30-10-2018 7:56pm

I'm playing it. It is good, but it's very far from easy!

johnny_ultimate · 30-10-2018 11:16pm

ballyargus wrote: »

I'm playing it. It is good, but it's very far from easy!

How many fates have you gotten through? Finished it over the weekend and I found the challenge level just right. Biggest bumps are probably after you’ve narrowed down the really obvious ones and start figuring out who everyone else is, and towards the end getting that one key identity that’ll open up the rest. There was one small detail I noticed in a memory early on that became that key for me

Definitely my favourite game of the year. I loved pretty much every minute of it, and I have nothing but admiration for the sheer artistry of the design. Perfectly judged throughout, with just the right level of a helping hand guiding you through an often overwhelming amount of information.

johnny_ultimate · 14-12-2018 7:34pm

Mark Brown has taken a look at this as his annual most interesting game of the year. For those yet to play it, the first few minutes are a good overview without much in the way of spoilers.

Already wishing I could start this from the start again for that sense of discovery all over again... the rare game indeed that earns that kind of response!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0qxLrFycrc

Retr0gamer · 27-12-2018 1:32am

Started this today and it's game of the year material. Lucas pope just has a knack of making what should be a mundane bureaucratic job interesting and exciting.

I usually bounce off adventure games of this type as they find it hard to keep my interest but I'm absolutely hooked on the puzzle elements.

Mr Crispy · 27-12-2018 2:28am

Bought it yesterday at the Humble Store, but won't get a chance to play until next week. Excited for it though!

Mollyb60 · 30-04-2019 10:34am

Just finished this game over the weekend and it is just fantastic. So original and so addictive. The right amount of difficulty and I want to just head back to the start and play it again. That's it's only negative in my eyes, it's got zero replayability. I've spent so much time looking at big ears

Zungi Sathi

that I couldn't possibly forget who he is on a second playthrough.

Retr0gamer · 30-04-2019 12:15pm

I'm diving into it on and off which is probably the wrong way to play it. I do think it's a fantastic game. Really great use of mechanics in storytelling. Just wish I was cleverer.

Mollyb60 · 30-04-2019 12:18pm

Well I played it with my husband so don't feel too bad! We did find that it was better that we played it over a solid week so we didn't forget little bits of information or people's faces.

03-10-2019 1:03pm

https://twitter.com/dukope/status/1179563067073429505

spiritcrusher · 21-10-2019 10:34am

Got this over the weekend on Switch. Really enjoying it overall, but it does become quite overwhelming every now and again when you get a run of new corpses/memories and almost all of the faces in the new memories are unblurred! I must have 3/4 of the sketch unblurred by now and next to no idea who most are (other than unknown Topman or Midshipman etc.).
Still though, seeing the "Well done.." text pop up is one of those truly satisfying/relieving moments that are too infrequent in games now. Really enjoying the soundtrack too.

johnny_ultimate · 21-10-2019 7:31pm

It’s definitely overwhelming at times, but there is a flow to things that makes the once seemingly insurmountable manageable. There are the easy identities - the one the game basically tells you, or the ones where you clearly see the cause of death. Once you get past them, the meat of the game really kicks in - it’s about searching for those hints that’ll give you those identity details. The last stretch is the hardest but the most satisfying. It’s when you have a small number of names left but tonnes of permutations, and you really need to go searching for those last few crucial details. It’s all in the game if you look carefully, and there’s nothing better than that ‘well done’ chime when you’ve finally sussed precisely who some of those seemingly anonymous general crew members are

22-10-2019 12:55am

Fantastic game. Gave it go about six month ago. What genre would you even call this? Reminded me of the old point and click games yet nothing like them at the same time. I felt like I cheated in the end as I guessed a few people when I had narrowed it down and got it right by chance.

I might give it another go soon to see if I've forgotten enough.

Zero-Cool · 04-01-2021 7:51pm

I've only 3 fates solved and opened 3 chapters, currently stuck on finding more bodies but I'm revisiting scenes and putting names to faces. Some educated guess, feel good about some, iffy about others but I've a massive grin just going from scene to scene.

Anyone know if i can replay a scene from journal of do i have to go back to that body?

In the journal, does a circled chapter mean i can start it by finding something that i just missed?

Zero-Cool · 05-01-2021 11:17am

Ha! Turned it back on, instantly found a body I had missed previously and solved it there and then, ping, another 3 fates solved, the elation! Just another 54ish fates to solve :pac:

05-01-2021 11:21am

I recall reading that it was a design decision that you had to find a body to start that scene. Otherwise the ship would be less of a location to travel around in the present day. You'd just be navigating a menu instead.

As if the circles, I think that means you've found a body, but have not solved its fate. An X means you have solved its fate. Not 100% sure as I'm working off memory. Fantastic game though. I've played through it all twice.

Zero-Cool · 05-01-2021 11:49am

And another 3, on a roll!

I can see now any circled 'Parts' in the journal are bodies that can be found in that location so at least it's a heads up to kick off a chapter.

Zero-Cool · 05-01-2021 5:06pm

21 or 22 fates solved now, some guesses, others well figured out like the midshipmen. Starting to identify groups and putting down some educated guesses. The storm has arrived meaning I can leave the ship so all chapters unlocked except the bargain. It's very daunting wondering what to look into next but mad seeing earlier chapters in a whole new light.

Like I was trying to identify the surgeons mate and fairly sure I have him and then found him h

iding in the surgeons office during an attack.

Slowly but surely chipping away at them.

Retr0gamer · 05-01-2021 5:14pm

You're making me want to go back to this game and not get distracted by it. Maybe after Sekiro.

Mollyb60 · 05-01-2021 5:53pm

I got all excited when I saw there was a new post in here. THought it might be news of a follow up or expansion or something. Glad you're enjoying it Zero-Cool. It was an astounding game to play.

Zero-Cool · 05-01-2021 8:51pm

It really is a special game. I get a bit stuck, decide to play a different game, look at cyberpunk, ghost of Tsushima, miles Morales and a few others (all that i actually want to play) and end up just booting up this again. I'm fairly sure i won't get 100% solve rate before i finish as i do want to play those other games but i definitely want to stick with it for the time being.

SeantheMan · 06-01-2021 6:52am

Zero-Cool wrote: »

It really is a special game. I get a bit stuck, decide to play a different game, look at cyberpunk, ghost of Tsushima, miles Morales and a few others (all that i actually want to play) and end up just booting up this again. I'm fairly sure i won't get 100% solve rate before i finish as i do want to play those other games but i definitely want to stick with it for the time being.

I remember playing it and enjoying it, but then being stuck somewhere.
So I put it down for a while, which turned into months.

Now I know that if I go back I'll have to start over as I've no good memory of what I've done or who I found etc.

Zero-Cool · 06-01-2021 5:49pm

So I'm 12 hours in and 48 fates solved, felt like rainman for some of them, my brain is absolutely rattled though. I feel like talking a break but too close now. I've been through all chapters 3 times now, absolutely great to see stuff i missed in previous investigations. The last fates though have me baffled, mostly seamen and Charles miner who i thought i solved ages ago but no clue if him now.

Some were wild guesses that i was shocked when they pinged, others educated guesses and some truly delicious discoveries that i was well chuffed with. Also, on my first playthrough of the chapters, i still didn't understand the full story but replaying multiple times and getting used to the characters, it's starting to come together, truly astounding story telling.

I had to Google what a topman was, felt stupid when i found it in the glossary then.

Retr0gamer · 06-01-2021 6:06pm

As someone that wants to go back and beat the game this time I'd recommend against any breaks!

martyos121 · 06-01-2021 6:12pm

The chat around this game on the forum lately has piqued my interest in it, looks really special. Just trying to figure out which system to play it on, would it be a good handheld experience on Switch or would playing it on the big screen on PS4 be much better for this sort of game? Not big on playing the Switch docked so that won’t come into.

Zero-Cool · 06-01-2021 6:41pm

Marty, It certainly doesn't need a big screen for graphics but i think it would definitely help with clues. There are tiny details that I'd imagine would be a lot harder to see on the small screen but because it's in 1bit, mightn't make too much of a difference.

I definitely recommend it while it's on sale anyway.

Retro, yupp absolutely not taking a break from this, mostly because it's like the ol' crack cocaine (or so i would imagine).

I'm at a point now where I have 12 (i think) fates left, some just seem impossible so i take it I'll be guessing near the end but i just unlocked 48 fates so another 3 to go before i know if i have any right. 3 guesses is an awful lot for the group i have left but my plan is to just go through the seamen from loose cargo one by one to each of their memories for any hint of who they are.

spiritcrusher · 06-01-2021 7:28pm

SeantheMan wrote: »

Now I know that if I go back I'll have to start over as I've no good memory of what I've done or who I found etc.

Someday I hope to experience exactly such a loss of memory, just so I can play it again from scratch. Not even just for the identity solving but some of the things you see in the scenes completely took me by surprise. So many brilliant moments.

Tubbs4 · 06-01-2021 10:03pm

Zero-Cool wrote: »

Marty, It certainly doesn't need a big screen for graphics but i think it would definitely help with clues. There are tiny details that I'd imagine would be a lot harder to see on the small screen but because it's in 1bit, mightn't make too much of a difference.

I definitely recommend it while it's on sale anyway.

Retro, yupp absolutely not taking a break from this, mostly because it's like the ol' crack cocaine (or so i would imagine).

I'm at a point now where I have 12 (i think) fates left, some just seem impossible so i take it I'll be guessing near the end but i just unlocked 48 fates so another 3 to go before i know if i have any right. 3 guesses is an awful lot for the group i have left but my plan is to just go through the seamen from loose cargo one by one to each of their memories for any hint of who they are.

Some fates can't be done till last chapter after the boat ride back as chapter that is locked off. In the book also gives what each role is if you look through it. You may have also done but look at where they sleep as some can be got from their bed numbers to what is listed in the book. When you have all the fates you can unlock it will display none more can be unlocked till the final chapter.

Zero-Cool · 06-01-2021 10:04pm

Tubbs4 wrote: »

Some fates can't be done till last chapter after the boat ride back as chapter that is locked off. In the book also gives what each role is if you look through it. You may have also done but look at where they sleep as some can be got from their bed numbers to what is listed in the book. When you have all the fates you can unlock it will display none more can be unlocked till the final chapter.

Ah cool ok. I spent so much time looking at the chinese bunks :pac: The seamen were one group i paid no attention to the whole game so I'd say i just need a fresh trek through three chapters for them.

SeantheMan · 07-01-2021 8:44am

spiritcrusher wrote: »

Someday I hope to experience exactly such a loss of memory, just so I can play it again from scratch. Not even just for the identity solving but some of the things you see in the scenes completely took me by surprise. So many brilliant moments.

Leave it for a few years and you'll forget most of it.

I loved the music in that game though. I did get repetitive as there weren't many different tunes, but I loved them nonetheless

Amazing that the whole game was made by 1 guy

07-01-2021 10:29am

SeantheMan wrote: »

Leave it for a few years and you'll forget most of it.

I loved the music in that game though. I did get repetitive as there weren't many different tunes, but I loved them nonetheless

Amazing that the whole game was made by 1 guy

https://youtu.be/kZ4QweAa9lM

Zero-Cool · 07-01-2021 4:31pm

Done and done. Absolutely fan ****ing tastic. I guessed that last few ones as i just couldn't find their ID and my brain was melted from going back over scenes. Got there in the end. Man, Lucas Pope is a damn genius!

The Raging Bile Duct · 22-01-2021 11:27am

30 fates into this and absolutely loving everything about it. I just wanted to check. I've opened it to where

the boatman comes back to collect you

probably about 9 fates ago. Are there some fates that I can't uncover i.e.

The ones that seemed to escape in the boats

until I get back on the boat or do I should I pay more attention to where the action of that chapter took place on the map that's at the front of each chapter. I know the chapter 'The Bargain' is locked to the end.

After hitting a bit of a gaming slump where nothing was really getting me excited, this is just a breath of fresh air. Absolutely love it.

Zero-Cool · 22-01-2021 11:41am

The Raging Bile Duct wrote: »

30 fates into this and absolutely loving everything about it. I just wanted to check. I've opened it to where
the boatman comes back to collect you
probably about 9 fates ago. Are there some fates that I can't uncover i.e. until I get back on the boat or do I should I pay more attention to where the action of that chapter took place on the map that's at the front of each chapter. I know the chapter 'The Bargain' is locked to the end.

After hitting a bit of a gaming slump where nothing was really getting me excited, this is just a breath of fresh air. Absolutely love it.

When he comes to take you away, you only get to go back to one specific section of the boat for that hidden chapter. You can discover the fates of all crew before leaving the ship (when the storm starts). As you are only half way through, will be hard to determine who escaped just yet. Even when I did, where they escaped to was a complete guess until I got the ping to tell me I was correct.

Some fates will be guesses like a guy who is alive in his last scene but maybe something looks like it's about to happen him so you can guess their fate then.

Once I hit a wall, I went back through each scene and chapter start to finish and turned out that I had actually identified some victims/culprits already but just not put their names on their actual fates in some scenes. Then once I went through it all again, I'd pick one specific crew person and check all the scenes they are in to get more hints. Also, they will have 3 stars/dots on their pic. 1 means you can 'easily' identify or guess, 2 means a harder person to identify and 3 means very hard. Try the ones with 1 star/dot first.

Some scenes only contain a certain type of crew like Topman or Seaman and even if you can't identify them, you can label them 'unknown topman' or 'unknown seaman' so when numbers start dwindling, it makes it easier to narrow down. Some crew like like they will be impossible to identify but once you break the 40/40 mark, the guesses become easier as less possible people it could be.

Retr0gamer · 22-01-2021 11:57am

There's a lot of crew that can only be identified because you've identified everyone else so the last one has to be the one you haven't identified. It's a bit like narrative sudoku.

Azza · 22-01-2021 2:27pm

Retr0gamer wrote: »

There's a lot of crew that can only be identified because you've identified everyone else so the last one has to be the one you haven't identified. It's a bit like narrative sudoku.

I don't think that's true. Its just your not seeing the clue's to determine their identity and with fewer people left it becomes easier to brute force guess the identity of people.

22-01-2021 2:45pm

After my second play through and reading the entire wiki after, I realised you actually can determine everyone without guessing. It's all there but some thing never occurred to me such as

the people sleeping in the hammocks; some of them have only limbs that you can see, their shoes or tattoos identify them later along with the numbered log of everyone onboard

nix · 22-01-2021 3:26pm

Yeah the log book is what i overlooked and when i realised, it had built up so much that by the end i had too much to sift through and then revisit all memories to put names to those details.. I didnt wanna cheese it by guessing so said id just replay it again at some stage and do it proper with that knowledge..

johnny_ultimate · 22-01-2021 3:44pm

My favourite moment in the game was being super stuck during the last dozen fates, when I spotted

a tattoo on one dude’s arm during one of the final scenes where one group was trying to escape in a lifeboat

. Remembered it was something I had casually spotted hours before hand in a totally separate scene, and putting two and two together meant I could solve a bunch of lingering details. That set off the endlessly satisfying ‘three fates solved’ alert

Retr0gamer · 22-01-2021 3:56pm

Feck you guys. I'm going to start this again at the weekend.

The Raging Bile Duct · 22-01-2021 4:02pm

The screen going black and the 'Well Done’ message coming up when you've solved three more fates is unbelievably satisfying.

recyclops · 22-01-2021 4:35pm

only started this last night.

trying to get to grips with it , have to realise i probably have to play for a while before i can start to figure it out

already had two very satisfying AHA moments

The Raging Bile Duct · 22-01-2021 5:08pm

recyclops wrote: »

only started this last night.

trying to get to grips with it , have to realise i probably have to play for a while before i can start to figure it out

already had two very satisfying AHA moments

I'm particularly dense when it comes to these things but the game has a great way of drip-feeding you just enough clues to help you chip away at the different fates. I could go through 10 different bodies without getting anything before a clue at the last might me to unravel something that happened a while back and cross referencing it would help me figure who another group of crew members might be.

recyclops · 23-01-2021 6:12pm

OK just ended the game by accident well more so me being thick.

Fairly to grips with it now though so hapoy to dive in again

The Raging Bile Duct · 24-01-2021 6:47pm

Just finished it there now. Absolutely brilliant! I got stuck around 30-33 fates and it felt like I'd hit a brick wall but something just clicked and the pieces all fell together in a really satisfying way. The most enjoyable gaming experience I've had in a long time.

CatInABox · 26-01-2021 10:47am

I loved the fact that

even the letter you get at the start has clues in it

. I missed that for ages, really helped with the boat people.

Zero-Cool · 26-01-2021 10:49am

CatInABox wrote: »

I loved the fact that
even the letter you get at the start has clues in it
. I missed that for ages, really helped with the boat people.

Ah I was wondering that, what a simple thing to miss! I just guessed going down the list of locations until there was a ping.

The Raging Bile Duct · 26-01-2021 11:29am

I think my favourite part was figuring out the fates of some of the characters from seeing their last appearances in the background of some of the scenes. I remember really struggling to figure out the identity of the

Bosun's mate

until I was walking around a scene and saw him running with his superior in the background on the deck. Copping on that the X beside dialogue meant that it was the dead person talking made a big difference.

Return of the Obra Dinn (Lucas Pope)

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