Recent reviews by Rygar

Minimal spoilers ahead!

Interrogation Files is a new FMV game in the style of Her Story, with elements of Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective.

Let's get the inevitable Her Story comparison out of the way: yes, it's a very similar idea. The interface is nearly identical, effecting a nonspecific retro computer/VHS aesthetic. Players are tasked with sorting through jumbled chunks of interrogation footage to uncover the truth about a crime and bring the perpetrators to justice. Finding new clips involves typing keywords into a prompt, or using a handy IM feature to get one for 'free'.

This game differs in a few key particulars: First, there are multiple suspects to unlock, each triggered by seeing a particular clip from the most-recently unlocked character. This definitely gives the game more of a focused narrative, as big chunks of information pertaining to earlier suspects will be discovered by finding new keyword clues in later footage. I still occasionally felt like I was typing random stuff, trying to get lucky, but for the most part I was able to smoothly sift through the footage and put the pieces together without any major roadblocks.

This game also has a more definite conclusion than does Her Story, whereby the player uses an Accuse button to select which of the suspects are guilty, then watches the trial(s) play out and receives information on how correct they were. I think this more-direct approach serves this game's narrative, as the slightly ambiguous ending served Her Story's. But if you're someone that found themselves underwhelmed by HS's ending, then maybe Interrogation Files is for you. Don't get me wrong, Interrogation Files leaves the player with a few questions, but I don't think anyone will be dissatisfied with the resolution.

Overall, I found this game to be extremely well-done. The writing is excellent and the interface is slick and effective. To be honest, I am pretty tired of faux-retro styling in the Adventure Game world, but it serves the narrative well which is the most important thing.

The actors are mostly great. A few especially stand out, including suspects played by Laurel Anne White and Tyson Kaup. There are a few flubbed lines, typos, or awkward moments but mostly it feels immersive and natural. One actor unfortunately brings the whole production down, I won't mention who it is in hopes other players can ignore it, but I found myself muting their videos and reading the subtitles instead.

The setting of Port Landsend is similarly effective. The Pacific Northwest has had a lot of representation in dark fiction, owing in large part to Twin Peaks and its many homages and imitations. I am certainly biased, being a Seattle-native, but a spooky PNW setting always works for me. This one feels particularly authentic, being produced locally. There are all kinds of references, homages, and red-herrings for genre fans, and the sheer amount of content (over four hours of footage, according to the developer) makes for a very well-realized location.

I recommend this game to fans of all mystery games. It's a perfect thing to turn to when you've finished Her Story and I hope it receives the attention it deserves in that regard. I found myself totally immersed in the story and absorbed the entire thing to 100% completion in two lengthy sessions. Certainly worth the small asking price. An IOS port is forthcoming, as well.

Good work everyone involved and I look forward to a sequel.

I have been a fan of the Fire Pro Wrestling franchise since someone mailed me a burned copy for my Dreamcast in about 2001. Since then I have played dozens of games in the series, with my favorites being:

5. Fire Pro S: Six Man Scramble (Sega Saturn)
4. Fire Pro Gaiden: Blazing Tornado (Sega Saturn)
3. Super Fire Pro Wrestling X Premium (Super Famicom)
2. Fire Pro Wrestling D (Sega Dreamcast)
1. Fire Pro Wrestling World (even in it's current pre-release form, it's just that good).

As of this writing, Crosscode is still in Early Access; so many elements of the game are likely to change in the coming months.

What's there is amazing. The art is unbelievable. It's pixel-art by choice, not a needlessly restrictive throwback or cash-in. It's what I wanted the future of gaming to look like in 1994, before 3d and FMV came along and messed everything up.

The music doesn't quite hold up its end of the bargain, but there are great tunes scattered about and it's never a problem--it just doesn't quite match the perfect neo-16-bit splendor of the visuals.

Gameplay is reminiscent of underrated classics such as Terranigma, Beyond Oasis, and Landstalker; though with an interesting ricocheting ranged attack that changes things up a bit and provides for some cool puzzle-solving opportunities.

The writing and story are fun, though the tutorials are a bit wordy for my taste. Depending on the length of the finished game, this may not be an issue, but in an Early Access mode that only lasts a few hours, it's a bit of a drag.

Excellent groundwork has been laid, now let's see the follow-through.