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9 Stars IFReview Rating The Temple

IFReviewed by Andrew Plotkin on 2006-06-25 09:30 

Game Profile

Author
Johan Berntsson

Idiom
English

Authoring System
Inform6

Release Year
2002

IFR Overall Rating
7 Stars IFR Overall Rating
Separator
A nice little story, somewhat marred by weak use of language.

I've been on a Lovecraft kick recently, and this game certainly has the right imagery. (In fact, a wider range of the right imagery than the usual Cthulhu-obsessed Lovecraft pastiche.) However, the prose isn't up to the same standards. It's not bad -- perfectly serviceable -- but words have to carry much of the atmosphere of Lovecraftian horror, and this game doesn't quite catch it.

I liked the NPC. He does spend a lot of time in "passive NPC" mode, but he's got a fair number of comments, and a solid part to play before the end.

The gameplay is pretty good, but object interactions are a bit thin. It was difficult to experiment with objects, because they tended not to react except in their single intended manner. Also, at one point you have to interact with an object in the next room, which is not obvious at all. I had to check hints at that point; and in one or two other situations as well.

Still, good solid work.

Andrew Plotkin Profile

IFReviewer Rating
9 Stars IFReviewer Overall Rating

Name Andrew Plotkin
Gender Male

Also IFReviewed by

Jacqueline A. Lott
Paul OBrian

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