EDIT (09/16/15): I felt the need to preface about the Redux version released. My current computer won't let me run the Unreal 4 Engine game on even the lowest possible settings. The original runs on Unreal 3. All achievements are the same, and the game has no gameplay alterations, so my review applies to both games.

If you care about what the differences are, visually, I recommend this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmSR2ySBl08


Typically I am not interested in playing these "Walking Simulator" games. However, after trying this game on a friend's computer for about thirty minutes, I decided to buy the game myself. I will avoid narrative spoilers--aside from a comment on these types of games' take on stories--yet I will give a starter's guide for getting around some annoyances of the beginning part of the game (and a certain achievement).


That's the gist of the gameplay. I think out of all the games trying to attempt this format (i.e. any Chinese Room game), this game is almost perfect with its execution. Mostly because the game has some few challenging puzzles and gameplay changes to keep things interesting.

The narrative is not given to you; it's rewarded for exploring and solving puzzles. More importantly, there is a cohesive feel to the story that you can follow, even out of order. Even though you will most likely play out certain events in a linear manner, there is enough player-choice involved to make the experience feel like a geninune mystery.

Besides walking, you, a supernatural investigator, have the ability to piece together clues by setting up the situation as before and watching them unfold. There's even a part of the game where you have to play out events in a specific order inorder to get the straight story. (Similar to Murdered: Soul Suspect, except without the unnecessary stealth). This puzzle--as well as the final puzzle of the game--are the weakest aspects, in terms of gameplay, but the paranormal ability really does immerse you as the protagonist and it makes sense of certain strange things that unfold in the game.

You also have some basic puzzles that require you to wander the nearest area for clues. Sometimes everything will be located in the same room; other times, the one thing you need is located somewhere else because, reasons. The game has one or two old adventure-game like issues of puzzle-pieces being hidden for the sake of artificial time-lengthening. But, thankfully, most of these puzzles are done right and they're logical without being too obvious.

The usual structure for this game is: Find new area, search for clues or solve the puzzle, then solve the paranormal investigation.

And as you walk around the countryside of Red River, you'll have time to contemplate all the things you'll find along the way, hear little bits of conversation from the protagonist, and experience random stuff you didn't think would happen. The general room of thumb for knowing when it's safe to move on: If you have found the Ethan page or got the achievement, you can go somewhere else.


I'm going to make this brief. I get why this game is set-up the way it is and how the mystery is unfolded to the protagonist. But, please, can we have more stories that have us engaged or doing something with the actual plot? We can still discover things and explore without being detached from all the interesting bits of the stories.

This game gets a pass because it does something creative and comes up with some believable explanations for how you experience the story. I'm by no means calling this game's story original. I think it is a well-executed, neatly made game and story. As with most mystery-stuff, you quickly get diminishing returns (in this case the first hour and a half were the peak). The cliches too, even with the set-up of the game being by the books, never bothered me.

Although, that ending--I both extremely hate the sucker-punch, but it makes sense. Perhaps too much sense for my tastes. But that's all I'll say about the story.

• You'll get no tips, hints or indicators. Only notes.
  
• The first two achievements/puzzles are the only tutorial of the mechanics. If you go past the blocked-off sign past the rail-car, go back and solve the two puzzles. They'll help you understand how to find clues, interact with objects and use the paranormal abilities. (You can always come back to the starting point at any time in the game.)
  
• IF YOU WANT TO SAVE YOUR GAME, then you need to find the nearest Ethan note. You can save at any note and that's where you'll start next-time. However, all your previous puzzles/items are undone/gone.
  
• You don't need to beat the game in one sitting--but one achievement requires you to do all three parts in one sitting or it'll reset.
  
• Best experience is to play through this game for one evening sitting. It'll probably take you 3 to 5 hours. The difficulty is first understanding how you need to solve the game's puzzles.

I think this game is a decent title that's worth your money. Perhaps on a 50% discount if you're not satisfied with the amount of content or if you're not sure if this game is worth your time. I think if people are willing to buy games like Stanley Parable, then I think TVEC is more than welcome in the marketplace.

[b]EDIT (09/16/15): I felt the need to preface about the Redux version released. My current computer won't let me run the Unreal 4 Engine game on even the lowest possible settings. The original runs on Unreal 3. All achievements are the same, and the game has no gameplay alterations, so my review applies to both games. If you care about what the differences are, visually, I recommend this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmSR2ySBl08[/b] Typically I am not interested in playing these "Walking Simulator" games. However, after trying this game on a friend's computer for about thirty minutes, I decided to buy the game myself. I will avoid narrative spoilers--aside from a comment on these types of games' take on stories--yet I will give a starter's guide for getting around some annoyances of the beginning part of the game (and a certain achievement). [h1]Walk. Explore. Think. The Name of the Game.[/h1] That's the gist of the gameplay. I think out of all the games trying to attempt this format (i.e. any Chinese Room game), this game is almost perfect with its execution. Mostly because the game has some few challenging puzzles and gameplay changes to keep things interesting. The narrative is not given to you; it's rewarded for exploring and solving puzzles. More importantly, there is a cohesive feel to the story that you can follow, even out of order. Even though you will most likely play out certain events in a linear manner, there is enough player-choice involved to make the experience feel like a geninune mystery. Besides walking, you, a supernatural investigator, have the ability to piece together clues by setting up the situation as before and watching them unfold. There's even a part of the game where you have to play out events in a specific order inorder to get the straight story. (Similar to Murdered: Soul Suspect, except without the unnecessary stealth). This puzzle--as well as the final puzzle of the game--are the weakest aspects, in terms of gameplay, but the paranormal ability really does immerse you as the protagonist and it makes sense of certain strange things that unfold in the game. You also have some basic puzzles that require you to wander the nearest area for clues. Sometimes everything will be located in the same room; other times, the one thing you need is located somewhere else because, reasons. The game has one or two old adventure-game like issues of puzzle-pieces being hidden for the sake of artificial time-lengthening. But, thankfully, most of these puzzles are done right and they're logical without being too obvious. The usual structure for this game is: Find new area, search for clues or solve the puzzle, then solve the paranormal investigation. And as you walk around the countryside of Red River, you'll have time to contemplate all the things you'll find along the way, hear little bits of conversation from the protagonist, and experience random stuff you didn't think would happen. The general room of thumb for knowing when it's safe to move on: If you have found the Ethan page or got the achievement, you can go somewhere else. [h1]These Stories Need More Active Voice[/h1] I'm going to make this brief. I get why this game is set-up the way it is and how the mystery is unfolded to the protagonist. But, please, can we have more stories that have us engaged or doing something with the actual plot? We can still discover things and explore without being detached from all the interesting bits of the stories. This game gets a pass because it does something creative and comes up with some believable explanations for how you experience the story. I'm by no means calling this game's story original. I think it is a well-executed, neatly made game and story. As with most mystery-stuff, you quickly get diminishing returns (in this case the first hour and a half were the peak). The cliches too, even with the set-up of the game being by the books, never bothered me. Although, that ending--I both extremely hate the sucker-punch, but it makes sense. Perhaps too much sense for my tastes. But that's all I'll say about the story. [h1]Starter Guide[/h1] [list] [*]You'll get no tips, hints or indicators. Only notes. [*]The first two achievements/puzzles are the only tutorial of the mechanics. If you go past the blocked-off sign past the rail-car, go back and solve the two puzzles. They'll help you understand how to find clues, interact with objects and use the paranormal abilities. (You can always come back to the starting point at any time in the game.) [*]IF YOU WANT TO SAVE YOUR GAME, then you need to find the nearest Ethan note. You can save at any note and that's where you'll start next-time. However, all your previous puzzles/items are undone/gone. [*]You don't need to beat the game in one sitting--but one achievement requires you to do all three parts in one sitting or it'll reset. [*]Best experience is to play through this game for one evening sitting. It'll probably take you 3 to 5 hours. The difficulty is first understanding how you need to solve the game's puzzles. [/list] I think this game is a decent title that's worth your money. Perhaps on a 50% discount if you're not satisfied with the amount of content or if you're not sure if this game is worth your time. I think if people are willing to buy games like Stanley Parable, then I think TVEC is more than welcome in the marketplace.