Hello guys, long time no see! Locomotive is amazing! Don’t miss it for any reason. Here’s my review.
This is undoubtedly one of the best adventure games ever made. What sets it apart the most is perhaps the sheer amount of animation, it’s almost obsessive. It even surpasses LucasArts classics like Monkey Island and Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. The second thing that strikes you is the voice acting, on par with a Pixar animated film. Another important aspect is the variety of settings: it’s not all set on a train, but there are lengthy sections in a villa and a prison.
As for gameplay: the puzzles are fantastic, parallel and non-linear, often very original, perfectly calibrated in terms of difficulty. It’s as challenging as Thimbleweed Park, so don’t expect an easy ride. There are parts where you control 3 characters at once, reminiscent of Maniac Mansion and Thimbleweed Park. The context-sensitive hint system is there, but try to resist the temptation to use it. The music is, quite frankly, the best I’ve heard in a game since Monkey Island and Fate of Atlantis. It’s incredible.
The game is quite long, at least 10 hours. The background graphics are beautifully done, contributing to the exceptional atmosphere. The immersive setting is one of the game’s strengths. It starts with a comical Orient Express-like atmosphere that lasts quite a while, but then, when you think the game is over, the setting changes, revealing new, long and beautiful sections. The only thing missing is an outdoor section, which is the only slight flaw if we’re being picky. We do miss a bit of an open world, with lots of environments to explore in parallel. Let’s not forget the high quality of the humorous dialogue, which will often have you laughing out loud.
In conclusion, this is one of the best adventure games ever made, not to be missed. It’s a must-play for any adventure game fan. Rating: 9/10
Hi Seguso, nice to see you and thanks for the review!
Since it felt super-sugar-coated by some language model, can I get a personal assurance from you that your opinion of the game is really as stellar as it seems?
I was hoping you’d think my English had mysteriously improved. Oh well
Anyway, yes, the game is that good! I still prefer open world games a-la Guga, but this one is very impressive. If you asked me to choose between this one and Return to Monkey Island, I would be in doubt
Thanks. I don’t play many adventure games these days, especially the long ones, but both your review and how I liked the demo made me buy the game and give it a try.
It really feels like a professional cartoon, more than a simple game. The amount of animated action is stunning, and I can’t think of any other adventure game that approaches this level of 2D animation, but Deponia might be a contender.
The first puzzle, however, seemed to be a textbook example of moon-logic adventure game puzzles. I hope there are not too many.
Those puzzles are meant as a tutorial, so they probably didn’t pay a lot of attention to the logic. But after that, they become good (sometimes even excellent). Only once I felt like one was a bit illogical.
Edit: Some inventory combinations require a bit of trial and error, and you won’t do them via purely objective-driven reasoning, but we are used to that.
Great review, I almost entirely agree. Particularly the art in general and the overwhelming amount of amazing pixel animation.
I think I really only have 3 quibbles, those being that though there are numerous, varied locations the game remains quite linear. Secondly, some of the puzzles require some, in my opinion, zany solutions. Nothing outside the realm of LucasArts zany, really, so I think I’m just quibbling with the fact that I’m old and impatient now. Also, a very minor quibble: the mixing in of HD fonts and a smattering of HD art amidst the beautiful pixel art is not to my liking.
8.5/10 for me, great game. Long demo available.
edit: Also I really loved how obviously LucasArts-inspired this game is without beating you over the head with it AT ALL. No lines from the old games or 3-headed monkeys, but you’ll feel it throughout the game. Additionally, the writing and humor is FAR better than anything outside of LucasArts. The voice acting is perfection - as you say, on par with Pixar. Maybe 9/10 for me too haha
That’s true. But I disabled text subtitles because the voices were so good!
I also agree it’s a bit linear. But I’d say half the time you have more than one open problem to be solved. So not linear enough to become a problem, at least for me.
BTW since I was in the process of finishing up the game when I posted earlier and just finished it now, there is a post-credits cutscene if you missed it. Pretty short.
The cops say they might proceed with charges against the three, but then it cuts to the goofy 3rd cop who turns out to be an undercover agent and he destroys the tapes at Diana’s request.
I think it’s only out if paying extra for the privilege of playing early. But should be out regularly on Monday.
As for puzzles, according to reviews it’s full of them, but I assume they are not so much the point & click type. Still, looks quite promising. Anyone going to pick it up?
I don’t remember much about the jam demo, and I can’t recall the ending, but I’d say it’s a completely different game in every sense that matters. There are two new protagonists, including a humorous detective. I’m almost certain he wasn’t there before.
As I recall, the demo ends pretty abruptly when you’re pulled behind the curtains. That still sorta happens in the full game but differently and later. Story is the same but expanded.
