A high-quality point-and-click graphic journey as a rule, Like No Different: The Legend Of The Twin Books additionally represents a subpar worth. This 90-minute recreation (with some points) is priced at $18.99 on the Nintendo Swap. Does a 15% launch low cost make it price your whereas? To be frank, I’ve actual doubts. The size in and of itself isn’t even actually the difficulty. As a substitute, it’s that the sport feels incomplete, like a extra in depth journey’s opening chapter.
You play as Dan, an older adventurer trying to find a e book, though the intro solely hints at that. He talks to himself, not the participant, so Dan is aware of issues you’ll not. The Nintendo itemizing offers a extra evident plot than is offered in-game, which isn’t factor. I’m unsure if the devs assumed gamers would know what was up, or they had been making an attempt to be cryptic. However, they’d profit by giving the story extra consideration, particularly with a style that’s identified for it. At the least point out the phrase “e book” within the intro, so we now have a clear-cut concept of what the duplicate is we’re trying to find and a particular motivation for the legend. That stated, the general story is sparse however stable.
As soon as issues get going, Like No Different nails most of the staples I search for in point-and-click video games. Enjoyable exploration by detailed environments, partaking inventory-based puzzles, heck, there’s even voice performing. The latter provides some particular worth and goes a means towards justifying the excessive value. True, Dan doesn’t have a lot fascinating to say about nonessential objects. Nonetheless, I nonetheless admire the trouble made, even when it may’ve gone additional.
The skilled vocals make the general audio bundle fairly good. They praise the appropriately delicate music and the sharp sound results. Visually the sport additionally impresses. The devs promote themselves brief, calling these “last-gen graphics.” The cartoon-style hand-drawn presentation has one thing of a timeless look. Little touches, just like the breeze animations or non-obligatory digicam shaking results, additional add to the polish. First-class aesthetics.
Outdoors of Dan, you’ll solely meet two others throughout your travels. Whereas the plot makes this acceptable – it’s a metropolis deserted for years – it’s a little bit of a bummer, particularly with the voice work. Each characters additionally disappear, to not be seen once more. Whereas I can simply think about why that’s the case, it additional lends to the concept that that is the start of a larger-scale recreation. I are likely to dislike this strategy, particularly for this style.
Not a lot plot, a scarcity of characters, and a better value for a shorter size. These are among the similar observations I made about Wind Peaks, additionally from Actoon Studio. That was a good recreation, and Like No Different is simply too. Whereas the latter was twice the size for a couple of {dollars} much less, Like No Different has a bonus of being a recreation in a superior style and one reflecting a bit extra improvement expertise.
Very like Wind Peaks, Like No Different: The Legend Of The Twin Books is a family-friendly launch that has left me wanting extra. I like the sport (and the studio that made it), however I significantly query the content material for the worth. So wishlist this title and hope a sequel provides extra of the good things whereas adjusting some issues that didn’t fairly land.
