Devolver Digital. They made Serious Sam, Hotline Miami, Luftrausers, all of which are good games (some of my favourites). But does that mean they can pull off yet another masterpiece, or have they finally fallen?
When first looking at this game, all I can see is the RPG Maker looking graphics, but much better made. I know that a game's graphics don't define them, but for an indie game developer to help Vagabond Dog create their dream, the graphics are pretty good, with custom sprites and menus. The graphics are very nice especially with environments and sunsets but I honestly didn't care. The story could have come in a text based adventure and I would still love the game. That's how much the story and other factors dictate what kind of game this is, an art game.
When first looking at this game, all I can see is the RPG Maker looking graphics, but much better made. I know that a game's graphics don't define them, but for an indie game developer to help Vagabond Dog create their dream, the graphics are pretty good, with custom sprites and menus. The graphics are very nice especially with environments and sunsets but I honestly didn't care. The story could have come in a text based adventure and I would still love the game. That's how much the story and other factors dictate what kind of game this is, an art game.
On a gameplay standpoint, ASM is a sweet and sour experience, mixing both fun, easy to control segments, and difficult to control, frustrating segments. The game is an RPG, yet there is no combat, but more of an elaborate version of Mass Effect's dialogue options that doesn't give you a clear "good" or a clear "bad" option, but several inbetween one's that would mirror actual responses. The game's preset choices make you really feel responsible for your actions, because they define you. Say enough pro-recycling options your character will start to recycle sort of thing. It makes your character feel like a digital you. Especially with the creative character/partner/name select screen. Everything you do opens new options and different people will talk to you or give you different reactions based on your moral standings, which greatly increases the replay value. The buying food and drink and sometimes drugs or smokes idea allows for different options of what your character would even eat, which can also change your point of view. The game drives the idea of choices affecting you out of the park. On a world navigating and puzzle solving standpoint, the controls, especially with a controller, feels loose and sometimes frustrating that you can't rebind the off-putting control scheme.
The story of ASM will change based on many different variables and I don't want to potentially spoil it, so I'll give you a spoiler-free summary. You start off an aspiring writer who fell in love and moved in with your partner. Your partner leaves you and you live in a crappy apartment until you are evicted with no money left, simply told to get 500$ by the end of the night or sleep on the curb. To add insult to injury, you then recieve an invitation to your ex's (who you still love very much) marriage ceremony and with nothing left to lose you decide to head several towns over to win your love back by the end of the month. The story from that point on is different for everyone and I love it. It deals with the harsh realities of drug abuse, racism and homophobia, even the idea of suicide. The story perfectly captivates you for every moment.
So at the end of the day Always Sometimes Monsters is a really solid game that I recommend for anyone looking for an amazing story that tells of love and loss. And hell, with a soundtrack by Laser Destroyer Team, go buy it on Steam now. And remember, aren't we all Always Sometimes Monsters?
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