TK-Nation Reviews The Journey Down: Over The Edge

Nov 28 2010
Gaming
Reviews

TK-Nation Reviews The Journey Down: Over The Edge
by Cassandra Khaw

The Journey Down: Over The Edge opens like the third episode of a really, really good television series. With just enough exposition to keep you from feeling lost, there's something wonderfully shameless about the way the adventure game embraces its players. No attempt is made to explain the setting and the people around you, the lore or even the motivations behind the game. It acts like the jaunty best friend who you can't quite remember and makes itself at home on your computer and in your heart without so much as an invitation. As brazen as this approach might sound, skygoblin's debut production has every right to do whatever the hell it want because, hands down, it is probably one of the best games released this year.

There is something about the game that reminds me of a modern-day fairy tale. With lush, hand-drawn visuals that look comparable to anything a blockbuster publisher could release, The Journey Down: Over The Edge features an art style that is equal parts Disney and Voodoun mythology. The character designs are borderline grotesque; elaborate tattoos, exaggerated features and unusual physical dimensions make them look like walking, talking refugees from Easter Island. I also found it strangely unsettling that, in spite of the light-hearted tone of the game, none of the characters have anything that remotely resembles a normal set of eyes. If eyes are truly the windows to the soul, what does it say about the denizens of this game? That aside, the only paltry complaint I can muster about the graphical presentation is the fact that Bwana's walk animation looks horribly stilted.

However, such trivial matters swiftly become inconsequential next to the actual gameplay itself. Given how even children programmes these days have such blatant insinuations of violence, it's a breath of fresh air to come across a title that even the Amish could approve of. Here, there is neither violence nor sex and even when an albatross drops off her perch, Bwana is quick to sheepishly inform the viewers that she is asleep. But in spite of how yawn-inducing a G-rated game might sound, it isn't. The Journey Down: Over the Edge remains an ingenious, rip-roaring adventure through a world that seems both familar and strange.

One of the game's greatest strengths lies in the personality of its characters and Bwana, the protoganist, shines brightest amongst the cast. Following the grand tradition that Monkey Island started, Bwana isn't what you would call your typical hero. In fact, with his borderline criminal attitude and suspicious orange jump suit, Bwana reminds me more of an escaped convict than a knight in shining armor. Well, to be fair, he reminds me more of a retired felon. Happy-go-lucky and occasionally flat-out sadistic, Bwana often breaks the 4th wall to poke fun at the players as well as the normal conventions of the genre. As expected, he has a LOT to say about the things you make him stuff into his pockets.

Plot-wise, I don't have all too much to say just yet. Seeing as how Over The Edge is the first episode in the franchise, I assume there is a lot more awaiting Skygoblin's growing horde of ravening fans. But all said and done, there was still enough to make me scream 'What? No! You can't end it here!' at the culmination of the game. Long-time enthuasists of the adventure genre might find the puzzles within the game slightly disatisfying. As someone who grew up with the King's Quest series, I finished Skygoblin's debut title in about an a hour and a half. Personally, I could have done with more difficult conundrums to work with but the ease of the puzzles will probably make this title far more approachable to novices. Here's a hint: pay attention to every line of dialogue you read. And yes, read. Unlike a lot of games out there, The Journey Down: Over the Edge does not come bundled with voice acting - something that might have to do with the fact that a free game probably doesn't have an abundant budget.

Yes, free. The whole thing? It's free. Every little bit of this gorgeously well-done indie production? Free. I'm not sure if the rest of the games will be free but the first episode will make your bank account very happy. While I'm the last person to complain about bargains like this, I cannot fanthom why the developer has not decided to make some pocket change out of this. The Journey Down: Over the Edge is one of those games I would readily shell out money for.

Beautifully presented with a lavishly eccentric cast and a potentially awe-inspiring storyline, The Journey Down is a trip down Memory Lane that no one should miss. Do yourself a favor and introduce yourself to Skygoblin's work; go download the game here. You're not going to regret this.

TAGS:skygoblin, the journey down, over the edge, adventure game, free

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About the Author
Cassandra Khaw is one of those people who takes pride in the fact she's a full-time, hardcore geek. She claims to be capable of reading binary still and spends too much time rewriting her code. By day, she's a PHP programmer who moonlights as designer. By night, she's either MUDding, in a cybercafe or practicing street dance. She can also be bribed with penguins and brownies. Right now, she's webmistress and columnist for TK-Nation as well as a contributing writer at JayIsGames.