Paul Cuisset brought the world Flashback. That alone is important enough to make a new project from him worth paying attention to, although not everything he's worked on has been up to that same standard. Working together with Microïds, Cuisset launched a successful Kickstarter last year for Subject 13, a new puzzle adventure game that hopefully will be better received than some more recent titles that he's worked on. Is it a return to form for the former lead designer at Delphine?
Subject 13 features some fantastic visuals in its run-down technological environments. Detailed and immersive, you get the sense of being trapped in an expansive complex as you explore and solve the puzzles put before you to help the protagonist Franklin Fargo escape from his imprisonment and possibly find out why he's been brought there. The game also sounds wonderful, with a fittingly haunting soundtrack as you make your way through the complex. The voice acting is decent but not outstanding, which is more than suitable for this sort of game. Just having characters talk to one another is a refreshing change and manages to keep the game alive despite the isolation.
Fargo is constantly in contact with someone who refers to him as "Subject 13". As you progress, you are constantly guided by this distant figure, with whom you will be able to make some dialogue decisions in how you interact. These aren't too significant, but they allow you to tailor the character's reactions as you see fit and helps to pull you more into the story as it unfolds, and reveals more about Fargo as a character.
What about the puzzles themselves? They are quite creative and well-designed, and despite them being rather visually unique, a little bit of manipulation usually will show the way to approach them in a fairly intuitive fashion. This isn't always the case unfortunately, and when it doesn't work, it's jarring. I recall one early on puzzle which I think I was able to sort out logically, but I don't know and the feedback I got for solving it didn't satisfy my wondering if I'd figured it out or just lucked in to it. It was a disappointing turn after working out puzzles cleanly and clearly. That particular puzzle also went into the more ludicrous territory of its purpose, as it was a book that you unlocked to receive a socket wrench.
In addition to the exploration and puzzles there is an interesting choice to include collectibles in the game. Scattered throughout the game you find audio logs for some reason that expand the game world and detail gradually what happened before your arrival. I'm not entirely sold on the idea, honestly. I prefer adventure games to show you the sort of world they've built and leave you to figure out the details, rather than directly tell you. The audio logs are at least interesting and I find myself still compelled to collect them.
The interface for Subject 13 is clean and helpful, as it provides information at a moment's notice. The mouse cursor changes based on if you can interact with an object, and a radial menu can be pulled up on most interactable objects if you can pick them up or examine them closer. It's quick and effective which is welcome as you can figure out immediately what objects in the room are important. There are also objects in the world which can be manipulated by mouse gesture, and those too have a unique cursor; a hand icon will appear to slide open doors or turn cranks. It's a little bit unnecessary but it's not terribly out of place. An in-game hint system appears on your UI if you begin to take too long on a particular puzzle, and it's a subtle enough element that it's easy to ignore if you don't want to use the hints.
Despite a few minor complaints, Subject 13 is a good game. Fans of adventure games could do much worse, and if you're willing to put up with some obtuse puzzles, you'll find a lot to enjoy with it. As a word of caution, the game does begin with a depiction of Fargo attempting suicide, so please keep that in mind if you are affected by such imagery. The addition of collectible audio logs is a little odd to be sure, and when the puzzles go too far to the ridiculous it can be frustrating. I don't think these are enough to dissuade players interested in it from giving it a try. It's a solid effort from one of the biggest names in the history of gaming.
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