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Recent Playing: 80 Days
Oct. 24th, 2023 04:18 pmThis is actually a game I bought in 2017 and binged then. It's been a hot minute since I touched it, but I picked it up again yesterday and I love it as much now as I did then.
80 Days is a text-based game based off Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days. Inkle's game takes a more modern approach, placing the game in a steampunk version of the 19th century and affording a great deal more attention to women, characters of color, and queer characters than the original novel. The people you meet throughout the game are truly a diverse and fascinating set of characters.
In the game, you take on the role of Passepartout, valet to Phileas Fogg, a wealthy Englishman who has made a bet that he can travel around the world in 80 days or fewer. Naturally, most of the planning for this affair falls on poor Passepartout.
This game is an absolute delight; it charms at every turn and manages to capture Passepartout's sense of wonder and awe at the many things he sees on their travels so well. The text is beautiful and the game truly strives to present each city through which you pass in its most interesting light; there is nowhere on the map which is lacking in culture or intrigue. What graphics are present are crisp and clean, giving just enough to flavor the setting.
There are gameplay mechanics to be had as well--the whole journey is timed (although the clock stops when the game presents text for you to read, so you aren't having to speed through it) and your goal is to win Mr. Fogg's wager. Different routes will afford different speeds, some cities will be easier to get out of than others, and time-consuming calamities lie around every corner. You will also have some minor money management and needing to keep track of your supplies--various bits of gear and clothing may help you along the way, but some routes only allow for so many suitcases!
There are such a variety of narratives, some of which span across the globe, that the game has phenomenal replay value. My only real criticism of it is that some of the narratives are so niche and require such serendipitous choices that you could play the game a thousand times and never get the full story without an achievement guide. Still, it's a game packed full of possibility!
I think 80 Days will be one of those games I just perennially return to, always eager for a new adventure--or a refresher on an old one. I really cannot recommend this one enough.
80 Days is a text-based game based off Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days. Inkle's game takes a more modern approach, placing the game in a steampunk version of the 19th century and affording a great deal more attention to women, characters of color, and queer characters than the original novel. The people you meet throughout the game are truly a diverse and fascinating set of characters.
In the game, you take on the role of Passepartout, valet to Phileas Fogg, a wealthy Englishman who has made a bet that he can travel around the world in 80 days or fewer. Naturally, most of the planning for this affair falls on poor Passepartout.
This game is an absolute delight; it charms at every turn and manages to capture Passepartout's sense of wonder and awe at the many things he sees on their travels so well. The text is beautiful and the game truly strives to present each city through which you pass in its most interesting light; there is nowhere on the map which is lacking in culture or intrigue. What graphics are present are crisp and clean, giving just enough to flavor the setting.
There are gameplay mechanics to be had as well--the whole journey is timed (although the clock stops when the game presents text for you to read, so you aren't having to speed through it) and your goal is to win Mr. Fogg's wager. Different routes will afford different speeds, some cities will be easier to get out of than others, and time-consuming calamities lie around every corner. You will also have some minor money management and needing to keep track of your supplies--various bits of gear and clothing may help you along the way, but some routes only allow for so many suitcases!
There are such a variety of narratives, some of which span across the globe, that the game has phenomenal replay value. My only real criticism of it is that some of the narratives are so niche and require such serendipitous choices that you could play the game a thousand times and never get the full story without an achievement guide. Still, it's a game packed full of possibility!
I think 80 Days will be one of those games I just perennially return to, always eager for a new adventure--or a refresher on an old one. I really cannot recommend this one enough.
