Hector Ep 1 Badge of Carnage

Grumpypants

Just finished reviewing this game its for the PC/Mac but will also be out on Iphone and Ipad. Made by N.Irish developers Straandlooper.

Its brilliant, really funny a simple old fashioned point and click puzzle game. Lovely animation very similar to the New ricky Gervais show animation.

I haven't played a point and click since Blade runner and have forgotten how much fun they are (also how bloody frustrating they can be too )

Review is here it has some screen shots and a trailer to give you an idea what its like, in case you don't want to visit the site the text of the review is below.




Detective Hector is a foul mouthed, chain smoking, troublemaking alcoholic and that’s just what his co-workers call him! Developers Straandlooper and publishing team Telltale brings this point and click adventure to life on PC and Mac, it will also be followed up with an Iphone and Ipad version.

Episode 1 (We negotiate with terrorists) is the first part of the story taking place in the cesspit that is Clappers Wreake, Hector is an old school, politically incorrect cop, he likes to use the empty cells as a B&B after a night out boozing and likes to impart his wisdom on others like such gems as “son if you want a free ride join the police force”.

The story revolves around a hostage situation, Hector has been called in to negotiate, not due to being the best but rather because the previous 12 have been killed. Hector must then set off around the city seeing to the strange list of demands the terrorist (who has become disenfranchised with the decline of the town and wants the rot to stop) has given him.

The game is quite simple, it is made up of a small number of locations initially the cell you have been locked in at the police station and surrounding alleys. Once you have figured out how to escape you have a handful of other locations, the site of the terrorist hostage negotiations, a clock tower inhabited by a grumpy old Scottish war vet, the city park infested by toe rags and junkies, and the porn shop with its fat proprietor and loyal customers.
It’s a good old fashioned point a click puzzle adventure, full of hilarious dialogue. Nothing break- through here you talk to people, you go to different locations, you pick up items, these are then either combined with other items or used within the game on certain objects. For example an old shoe lace is combined with a used condom to make fishing net of sorts, to fish out a safety pin from a used toilet.

I have missed playing these kind of point and click puzzle games, they are simple to play yet very tasking to figure out. The animation is really nicely done and all the characters dialogue is really well written. Large sections will have you laughing out loud, while the puzzles will have you scratching your head. There are hints available but even these are full of foul mouth insults, this time directed at you for needing them.

Overall : Hector Ep 1 Badge of Carnage is brilliant, it’s nice and simple but at the same time tasking enough to keep you entertained for a while. It is worth the price just for the dialogue alone. The content is quite adult, this isn’t a game for the kiddies despite its appearance but there isn’t really anything too bad in it the game either.

Episode 2 is set for release in the Autumn of this year and I for one can’t wait.

SCORE “A” Outstanding