The singular ‘Case’ in the title is accurate and so the game’s longevity depends entirely on the player seeking out the different endings.
The downside of the multiple ending approach is that the game itself is very short, and ended sooner than I expected. While the entries don’t always stand up to repeated readings (a necessary effect of the multiple endings) each new path offers enjoyable takes on cosmic horror staples. RobotPumpkin Games manage to bring out the humorous potential in Lovecraft’s work whilst not resorting to simple parody (although there is plenty of that to be found too). Characters are well designed, with individual attitudes and motivations, descriptions are suitably lurid, and dialogue is convincing. The quality of the writing is obviously key to success in this genre, and it is here that The Innsmouth Case comes into its own. This is especially necessary as there are many endings to discover.
#THE INNSMOUTH CASE GAME SERIES#
Fortunately, there are a series of checkpoints that serve as virtual thumbs in the book and allow you to go back and try alternative approaches. Each of these outcomes follow set paths, so decisions made are generally binding. The ensuing case then follows a traditional branching narrative that can see you taken along a range of results from refusing the case to being horribly sacrificed or hopefully escaping Innsmouth unscathed. Your visit to Innsmouth is the result of being hired to investigate the case of a missing girl, Tabitha Marsh. Dialogue options allow you to show your detective character’s discomfort, although being impolite about townspeople’s appearance isn’t always the best way to interrogate them. The residents are all humanoid, but have distinctive deformities that mark them as irrevocably affected by the town and its scaly visitors. By focusing on the grotesque and monstrous inhabitants of Innsmouth, the game makes it clear that the town should not be anybody’s holiday destination. The cartoonish characters and settings have a real charm and fit perfectly with the theme.
While the adventure book model doesn’t generally lend itself to stunning graphics, the aesthetics here are nicely judged.
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