Botanicula the new point and click game from Amanita Design is about a group of tree creatures trying to save their habitat from destruction.
Botanicula starts with a spider monster menace destroying seeds and trees. Different creatures from all across the tree get together to try to stop the destruction and save the seeds. The group of adventurers are not fighters so they avoid all conflict and use help from those around them to defeat the spider monsters.
The visuals for Botanicula are just amazing. The detail in each background and tree branch is just impeccable. Moving the mouse across will move leaves and random items all over the place making the game even more interactive.
The soundtrack for this game is very appropriate since it is mostly nature sounds and soothing music. Not something I would want to listen to by itself, but it fits with the game perfectly. There are sounds that go along with most everything that you do as you go across the whole background.
The puzzles for this game are quite well done. Lots of little puzzles add up to one big project for most stages. The puzzles are not too hard or too easy. When it looks like an area has been cleared a lot of times there is still more to be done. Unfortunately with the mix of areas that aren’t necessary to the puzzles it is sometimes hard to figure out where to complete the puzzle and what is extra since most areas have something interactive in them.
The story was not a really big part of this game. The whole story was done in little bits of pictures throughout the game. It was pretty simple and the snippets all went along the same theme. So while the ending was kind of abrupt and short I wasn’t very surprised or disappointed. I found the little puzzles for the various characters better in Botanicula than the story.
My biggest problem with the game is the cast of main characters. It does not seem necessary to have all of them. There aren’t that many opportunities to use most of them. Even when you do get to use one sometimes it is just to throw the player off of the real solution. It isn’t even like the group separates at some point making all the characters necessary. At the very end, I was hoping that the separation was going to use the others, but no. I get that the whole community was trying to save their home, but it just feels like something was missing in the end.
Overall this game was fun to play. The environment was gorgeous, music was wonderful, and the puzzles were fun. If you enjoy point and click games you should run out and get this one.
Score: 4/5
In case you do play this game keep in mind:
- Some of the puzzles don’t reset.
- If you want all the presents at the end then get all the creature cards. More creature cards = more presents.
- Even after you get what you want for a puzzle if it lets you keep clicking go for it because sometimes there is more to it.
I don't think I have ever seen a creepier Santa. What is that on his head? Blood?
