Rosewater

While I like its predecessor, Lamplight City, more, Rosewater is still an enjoyable and ambitious stand-alone follow-up. While Lamplight City was set in an alt-history steampunk American South, where the Americas are still colonized well into the late 1800’s, Rosewater shifts it focus to the Southwest, and it utilizes the real history of region to apply its own alt-history twists, like how the Mexican Revolution is the first major one in the Americas. Rosewater has a unique pacing and vibe to it, as after you’ve finished the prologue, and protag Harley has gathered together her party of misfits on a quest for rumored treasure, most of the game is an episodic road trip where you can run into several scenarios that the game randomly chooses (Once you beat the game for the first time you can choose them yourself for replays) as well two major fixed stops that you will always encounter. During your travels you can also build rapport with your party members with the choices you make, and their opinions of you can unlock scenes and locations as well change how the story can play out. Once you reach your destination, the game returns to a more traditional adventure game structure for the climax. The puzzles are mainly fine, though I felt that the game could be a bit obtuse at times, namely in the second major set stop on the journey. There are multiple solutions to some of the puzzles, which is always a plus. The party mechanics are the real star of the show though. The cast are all interesting and this is helped by the quality voice-acting; it was nice to have a little Telltale Walking Dead reunion with Dave Fennoy (Lee) and Gavin Hammon (Kenny) voicing characters, the latter does a great job as Jake. The main plot is good, and it ends well, though the game is mainly about the journey to get to that plot, so if you’re expecting a fast pace, you will be disappointed. As mentioned, I’d say this is an asset though, because there are not many games I can think of that are so focused on a vignette structure. Rosewater is just a fun adventure that needs more love. Do hope that Francisco Gonzalez revisits this world again, because it’s a real good setting.

[ Played on a family account; play time not representative ] I really loved this game. This is a highlight for the adventure game scene. The controls are very intuitive, the puzzles are not too hard. I didn't really get stuck, which I like in an adventure game. The graphics are outstanding. The animations are rotoscoped and really well done. The backgrounds are very atmospheric and colorful. I especially loved the little frame decorations that appear when you enter a room inside a scene. The music and sound effects are really good too, very fitting for every situation and of high quality. The voice acting is of an extremely high quality, with multiple great actors and actresses. The story is very well written, follows a good structure and made me really care about characters. The road trip in the middle of the game is a very nice idea, with so many subplots to explore. Overall the game ran well and never crashed. In some scenes my older PC struggled with frame rates, possibly due to some of the visual effects like shadows or lighting. There's value in replay as some of the vignettes on the road trip are randomized or changed between playthroughs. But the overall story and larger subplots are fixed, so it is nothing you'll play regularly. Strengths: Voice acting, story, characters, graphics. Weaknesses: Minor stutters, limited mechanics if you don't like adventure games. If you love adventure games this is a must play. If you are unsure, but like a good story with limited interactivity, it's definitely worth taking a look. Try the demo!

enjoying the journey, am sure there is a long way to go

The third game from Grundislav Games has grown on me slowly, until becoming my favorite, which speaks volumes of the game since I really really liked Lamplight City and I started kind of confused with Rosewater. Mostly I think it has to do with the game structure, as the narrative is set on three different acts that play quite differently and Act 1 feels unaimed until you reach Act 2, or at least that was my impression on a first playthrough. But then on Act 2 it all makes sense and all the pieces set drawn a rather rare approach to adventure gaming, not unique, but very rare. The game, specially on Act 2, it´s all about a journey that you will be unknowingly creating for you and your companions. There are set events along your adventures on the roads, randomize ones which are selected at the start of a new game and then more related to the relationship you have with your 5 companions. And once you complete the game you get access to a relationships map and a selection of which events you want to experience in Act 2 roads on New Game+. The game leans into playing multiple times, and it´s great to see the ramifications of your actions. Although I do recomend making use of saves if you want to experience it all or hunting achievements, as starting a new save for all outcomes can be quite time consuming since there´s a lot. And since I mentioned those 5 companions allready, might as well mention how well writen and acted they all are. They pretty much build a lot of the game, having conversations with them it´s a must for developing their relationships and solve a lot of puzzles, and it´s constantly giving you those hidden consequences to your choices for the events related to their relationships as well as who´s with you on act 3 affecting how you progress to the ending. Overall Rosewater it´s an extremelly well build and solid web of consequences on a wild adventure with new friends you are cool hanging with. Their characters are fantasticly writen, well acted and it´s an enjoyable fun ride. Probably my negatives would be that it seems there´s one thing one companion always does regardless of relationship and I felt kind of sad couldn´t be fixxed even on max friendship and also another companion could get a rather gruesome fate, which it honestly hurted, another good point for the game´s writting and characters but still. I didn´t though possible Grundislav Games could top Lamplight City open design for puzzle solving and resolutions depending on what type of character you were building and what stuff you discovered and yet they had outdone themselves with the companions system. I can´t recomend the game enough to adventure gamers that enjoy the rare occasions we get one which path to the end it´s not just a set in stone approach to each new puzzle.

This was a very enjoyable and interesting game to play through. I felt as though I got to know all of the characters very well, and got a good grasp of the world the game is set in. I have also played Lamplight City, so I already had a general idea of the world, but this game takes it to a completely different setting. It has beautiful art, great use of rotoscoping animation, great voice acting, and great music. If you enjoy a good point and click adventure game that reminds you of why the classic games are so beloved, give this one a go. You won't be disappointed.

通关时长约15小时左右，出色的西部公路冒险题材游戏，全配音，画面复古美，解谜难度低，故事有始有终，总体而言是轻松趣味向的点击解谜游戏，非常适合每天下班回家放松玩一小会，感谢汉化组让我没错过这一部佳作

A very interesting and fresh take on a point and click adventure game. A very "slice-of-life" experience where you get to partake in a series of vignettes that flesh out the world and the characters outside of the main narrative. I would very much like to see this style of game catch on!

A pleasing journey across an alternate universe.