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Throwback Thursday – The Inner World Review

Throwback Thursday – The Inner World Review

Throwback Thursday – The Inner World Review

Studio Fizbin wanted to make a classic adventure game with intriguing puzzles and a compelling story. And they nailed it!

Category: Review
Written by: Bob Washburne on March 28, 2018
Developed by: Studio Fizbin
Published by: Headup Games
Genre: Point-and-Click Adventure
Release date: September 27, 2013
Platform: Mac, Windows
Note: This review was originally published June 16, 2016

As of March 29, 2018, this game is available from the JA Store

Of all the parallel universes out there, there’s one that is filled not with space, but with dirt. In the middle of this universe of dirt there’s a hollow space, and in this hollow space is the land of Asposia. The world’s air had always been supplied by three wind fountains, but they barely blow any more. Now the wind gods fly across the land, their gaze turning the people to stone.

Robert had always led a cloistered life, having lived in the monastery since he was a baby. Now he must venture out into a land that has lost hope but not its attitude. It was not his intention to save the world, but that just might happen along the way.

The words “Classic” and “Retro” have become very popular with adventure games. Look through the Crowdfunding Corner (shameless plug) and you’ll find two or three games each month on Kickstarter or Indiegogo claiming to bring back the Classic/Retro style. The Inner World delivers on this promise.

The graphics style is 2D cartoon reminiscent of Lucas Arts or Sierra Online, but with a difference. Instead of going Retro with low resolution and big pixels, Studio Fizbin used high resolution and smooth lines. The result is not the style used in the ’90s, but the style the ’90s wanted to use.

If you’re old enough, the puzzles will bring back memories. Most are inventory-based and are a mixture of Rube Goldberg design with cartoon physics. And don’t worry about failure. You can’t die and the game will wait patiently as you try over and over again until you get it right. If you aren’t old enough, well this is what puzzles were like back in the day. If you like them, then go get some of the old titles. They’re just as playable today as they were back then.

The graphics are nice and the puzzles satisfying, but the game is definitely story-centric. A pilfering pigeon has flown off with the Abbot’s pendant and Robert leaves the Monastery to retrieve it. Once outside he meets all kinds of worldly people who seem to have different memories of how history went down. But will their street smarts and attitude be able to stand up to Robert’s raw innocence and naiveté?

The game is quite linear, as befits a story. Each location typically has a character to meet and a puzzle to solve. There’s lots of dialogue, which is both humorous and entertaining. The voice acting is spot on giving each character a unique personality. Solving each puzzle allows the plot to progress and we learn more and more of what had been hidden from Robert.

Will the Wind Wells ever blow again? Will Robert grow out of his naiveté? Will he get the girl? Will he lose his innocence? For the answers to these and other questions… play the game!

In conclusion, Studio Fizbin wanted to make a classic adventure game with intriguing puzzles and a compelling story. And they nailed it!

Classic Point-and-Click Adventure
+ Excellent voice acting
+ Good storyline
+ Good puzzles
+/- Lots of dialog. I mean, lots
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Trailer:

System Requirements
MINIMUM PC:
OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista® Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise (including 64 bit editions) with Service Pack 2, Windows 7, or Windows 8 Classic
Processor: .33GHz or faster x86-compatible processor, or Intel Atom™ 1.6GHz or faster processor for netbook class devices
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Hard Drive: 1.4 GB available space

 

MINIMUM Mac:
OS: Mac OS X v10.6, v10.7, or v10.8
Processor: Intel® Core™ Duo 1.83GHz or faster processor
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Hard Drive: 1.4 GB available space

 

Bob Washburne

Bob Washburne

I have been playing adventure games since 1979 when I played "Adventure" on the DEC PDP minicomputer at work. The first adventure game I ever purchased was "Zork 1" for CP/M. I can remember the introduction of the IBM PC. I remember the invention of the microcomputer (actually, it was discovered rather than invented). I remember the invention of the minicomputer. Yes, I am an old fart. I have written 80 reviews and articles for JustAdventure starting with my review of "Bioscopia" in February of 2004. I currently own more adventure games than I will ever be able to play, let alone review. And I want more!

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