Review: Yesterday | Video Games, Reviews, Features, Editorials ...

The prospect of playing another point-and-click adventure game elicits more snores than cheers from me. I?ll admit, I?ve enjoyed a handful, but there?s always that wall lingering, hindering your progress more often than you?d like. That?s why I?m surprised I enjoyed P?ndulo Studios? Yesterday as much as I did. Although that wall still haunted me from time to time, there?s so much done right that any usual frustrations melted away. Yesterday exemplifies the lessons learned from adventure games past, marrying smart design choices with an engaging narrative.

Most adventure games these days are light-hearted affairs, but Yesterday deals with delightfully morbid situations. It makes this quite clear, as your first task is to investigate the recent killing spree of homeless men, all burned to death. After nearly escaping death from two ?colorful? bums, the game flash- forwards to the present, where we?re introduced to our new protagonist, John Yesterday. Though his name suggests otherwise, John can?t remember yesterday ? or any part of his life for that matter. It?s from here his globe-trotting adventure begins, as each past detail is filled with each puzzle solved. I?d love to delve into more details, but the experience is so much more fulfilling going in blind.

It would easy to fall and make Yesterday a mundane and predictable tale, but P?ndulo deftly weaved a genuinely interesting story. Perhaps it was the Tarantino-like sequencing, where past events spring up early and often, but I was invested in discovering the mysteries surrounding John. I?m a sucker for evil, religious cults as well, which Yesterday has in full force. You uncover many a macabre factoid, dealing with torture, murder, and other fiendish acts. That said, the material is handled tastefully ? people are murdered but it?s never gratuitous. In fact, there?s almost no blood at all. Some characters are shot and killed, leaving only a black hole in their skin as evidence.

Thankfully, Yesterday?s gameplay compliments the story, rather than dragging it down. Veterans of point-and-click games will be right as home; it?s as traditional as it gets. However, P?ndulo has added several modern touches to speed along progress. Instead of pixel-hunting areas, you can simply click to have the game highlight the available hot-spots. Interactive objects aren?t always noticeable, making this an invaluable tool. You also no longer have to wait as your character slowly trots to a doorway ? he will ?phase? in and out, teleporting to whatever item you clicked on. It sounds insignificant, but small touches like this keep the game?s pace lively. A guaranteed progression killer is to craft puzzles too obtuse or abstract, but Yesterday strikes the right balance. If you happen to get stuck (happens to the best of us!), there?s a fantastic hint system built in. They avoid telling you exactly what to do, and give you that final nudge you need to proceed. You can?t spam hints though, as it requires you to click around before refilling the icon. Admittedly, I?m a stubborn person, resolving to never ask for help, but using a hint here and there will greatly improve your experience. There?s nothing worse than blindly trying to combine items in your inventory, hoping someone out there will have pity on you and let something trigger.

Though the subject matter can dip into serious themes, the game?s writing is delightfully witty. Using sarcasm and dark humor, it elicited several chuckles ? I had forgotten how impactful a good script can be. Although the voice work isn?t up to Uncharted standards, it?s still ahead of the curve, with actors giving believable performances. It?s unfortunate that there wasn?t proper lip-synching applied though. Characters come off like jabbering Muppets, as their mouths randomly move to mimic as if speaking, not unlike Star Fox .The rest of the game?s presentation is great, which makes this stand out all the more.

If there?s any real knock I have with Yesterday, it?s that it sticks too close to adventure game tropes. There?s nothing here that you haven?t seen or done elsewhere. Granted it?s done well, but it doesn?t deliver any new twists or surprises. The game is also a bit short, clocking in around 3 hours on your first play-through. However, just like the argument with Portal, there?s something to be said for a game not overstaying its welcome. The story doesn?t lose focus, and wraps up mostly satisfactorily.

Yesterday quickly won me over with its high production values, serious themes, and excellent writing. It?s not often that I recommend a point-and-click adventure game, especially to gamers outside of that wheelhouse, but this is the best I?ve played in a while. Although it can?t seem to break from the genre?s roots, it adds small flourishes of modern game design, chipping away at the staid formula. P?ndulo should be proud; Yesterday has a bright tomorrow.

Pros:

• Engaging narrative
• Excellent, witty writing
• High production values
• Offers touches to cut down tedium

Cons:

• Sticks too closely to point-and-click tropes
• No lip-synching
• $30 for 3 hours is an iffy value proposition

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Yesterday was provided for review by the publisher. The game was?completed?in roughly 3 hours. Yesterday is currently available for PC with Mac and iPad versions planned. It retails for $29.99 and is available through Steam.

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