MacDirectory magazine is the premiere creative lifestyle magazine for Apple enthusiasts featuring interviews, in-depth tech reviews, Apple news, insights, latest Apple patents, apps, market analysis, entertainment and more.
Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/838
164 MacDirectory
REVIEW | GAMES
PENNY ARCADE ADVENTURES > ON THE RAIN-SLICK
PRECIPICE OF DARKNESS, EPISODE ONE
Fans of the Penny Arcade webcomic have
been eagerly awaiting this game, set in
the fictional city of New Arcadia during
the 1920's. Drawing heavily from both PA
canon and the narrative-heavy pulp
fiction of the era, On the Rain-Slick
Precipice of Darkness, Episode One is
the first of four games linked by a
common storyline. Those unfamiliar with
the webcomic need not fear, however, as
the game is written to appeal both to
fans and newcomers alike.
The atmospheric setting most accurately
conforms to the Cthulhu mythos created
by H.P. Lovecraft, with its themes of elder
gods and urban decay. However, it's clear
from the first few minutes of gameplay
that this universe is slightly askew from the
reality we know. Almost immediately, your
character's lawn-tidying is interrupted by a
colossal, industrial-looking robot that
flattens your house with one step and
marches on unheeding. Two strange men
chase after it, and this is your introduction
to the world of New Arcadia, as you
become involved in a mysterious plot
involving hoboes, fruit, mimes and the
secrets of the gods themselves.
After the initial character creation and
minor customization, a narrator steps in to
apprise you of the situation and give you
basic instruction in the game's mechanics.
OtRSPoD is essentially a turn-based game,
much like Heroes of Might and Magic V
(see previous issue of
MacDirectory for
review), though there are active elements
that require you to think quickly.
Your party consists of your character, and
two members of the Startling
Developments detective agency: Tycho
Brahe, tommy gun-wielding scholar, and
Johnathan Gabriel, devil-haunted pugilist.
The three characters grow in strength and
abilities with each victory, leveling up in
the now time-honored tradition of most
role-playing games.
You have three meters that fill up with
varying speeds, allowing you to use an
inventory item, attack, or use a special
attack. Special attacks for each character
do more damage than normal attacks,
and involve a minigame of some sort that
usually requires exact timing to pull off.
Special attacks may combine with other
characters' special attacks, to create an
even stronger strike. Additionally, there are
bonus characters who use special abilities
to aid in combat.
Outside of combat is city exploration, and
it's here that the true joy of the game is
manifest. There are myriad objects in the
landscape that reward the player's clicking
upon them with hilarious, often extremely
silly descriptions. Inventory items can be
gained by clicking on trash cans or
containers, though sometimes this yields
enemies as well.
There are also unique items like concept
art and music that can be harvested from
these containers. Items of this nature can
be accessed by returning to the detective
agency that serves as headquarters to the
team. You can also view dossiers on all
the characters, and unlock special
bonuses as well.
As mentioned, this game is accessible to
everyone, but there are in-jokes a-plenty
for those familiar with the world of Penny
Arcade, and much of the game's denizens
are slight alterations of well-known and
beloved webcomic characters.
OtRSPoD is one of those rare games that
have been released with simultaneous Mac,
PC and Linux versions. The system require-
ments are relatively low, and there are op-
tions for increasing performance if needed.
The Penny Arcade guys have done them-
selves proud with this effort, and we can
anticipate the release of the next three
episodes, which are said to be on a re-
lease schedule of one every few months.
WORDS BY KEONI CHAVEZ
Product On the Rain-Slick Precipice of
Darkness, Episode One
Made by HotHead Games