A fairytale about naughty children who are willing to sacrifice others for power in a powerless world.
The Good
The storyline is amazing. It certainly is unique, although confusing at times. I still ponder the overall meaning, which is probably a good thing. Many of us love a story that leaves you wanting more and wondering. I think all the answers are there, but are found through effort, they are not given to you. Although there is resolution and... some explanation, there is still something missing. I think this was intentional. I think you are meant to explore the world, and therefore the story, numerous times before you are able to find all the answers.
The cut scenes were wonderful, some of the best I have seen. They are also disturbing, which I didn’t mind, it certainly pulls you into the story. However I would not recommend this game to someone who has had a troubled childhood or a history of abuse. This game alludes to a lot of things, although not fully confirmed, that could have a troubling effect on some people.
The use of Brown, the dog, in order to find various items, I found to be a wonderful addition to this game. Some people might complain of going in search of various items and relying on a dog’s nose, but I thought it was interesting and made it fun to explore. I didn’t mind the wandering in circles as long as there was something to be found.
The Bad
This game left me with mixed reactions as well...
Although the storyline is wonderful it can be troubling and deals with adult topics. I would not recommend this game to everyone, which in some ways makes it a bad thing. If everyone can not pick up and play this game then what is the point really. I am sure it was a reasonable sacrifice they had to make in order to tell a tragic and compelling story that most designers would not feel comfortable in telling. I just think that some people will be unprepared and therefore may not like this game due to its serious topics. Consider your feelings in regards to child and animal abuse before getting this game.
Again, although the story is wonderful, there are holes that make you feel as if you haven’t gotten the whole... story. For someone like me this is ok, the pieces are there, but it is like a puzzle that you need to put together, it isn’t something that is handed to you. However some people might not like this.
The Ugly
The fighting system is one of the worst I have ever seen in a video game. I have dealt with some bad fighting systems, but this by far surpasses them all and goes into my hall of shame... at least that is how I felt when I FIRST started playing the game... (SURPRISE) However I do think there was a purpose, a reason, so please... consider this. I think the fighting system was designed to be clunky and hard to handle because it represents the fears and the mind of a child. It is meant to allude to helplessness, so therefore you can not completely fault the designer, if this is in fact the reason. As you progress in the game it does get better. You will get more efficient weapons and also there are strategies, such as backing off and attacking at certain times, like most video games. Although I do not like the fighting system there is just something about it that seems oddly right, lol. It makes sense somehow, so give it a chance. I certainly was annoyed, but as I progressed in the game and became accustom, it just made so much sense to me somehow...
Tips and Tricks
How to find rare items!: If you get Brown to smell an item, aka "find" if he doesn't respond, don't assume there is nothing in that chapter. You should explore all areas available to you, because he has to be at a certain distance before he can detect the scent. If you have explored an area with Brown and revisit that area in later chapters, don't assume there is nothing there. Certain items are not available to you until later chapters, so send Brown to "find" again and in every chapter. I won't reveal what you get for rare items, but if you visit the offering box and offer them up it will tell you how many more of something you will need in order to get another item in exchange. I don't know if there are any bad exchanges, but I don't think so, everything I got in exchange was a significant improvement. You can also exchange other items such as marbles, clothespins, ribbons etc. Try different items for success!