Who could forget the adventure games of the eighties and nineties? I would go so far as to say Sierra, LucasArts, and even 3DO had a hand in shaping most every PC gamer’s childhood and teen years. These games were so memorable thanks to some whimsical storytelling and colorful characters. Not lost in this shuffle, however, is some fine music. Just as the games would advance graphically and thematically, so, too, did they advance musically. Some of my fondest early game-music obsessions included Chris Braymen’s magical score to King’s Quest. But, once a little game we call DOOM was released, so, too, did it signal the beginning of the end of the point-and-click adventure game. Although the genre would produce a gem here and there over the years, its renaissance was clearly a thing of a past. Or so it would seem…
With the games market over-saturated with military shooters and sandbox-styled actioners, the demand for choice and puzzle-based adventures has been soaring of late. Telltale Games continues to win the day with its adventures (Back to the Future, The Walking Dead). Other developers have also entered themselves into the fray. Nordic Games’ The Book of Unwritten Tales is a strong (and very challenging) entry in the genre that follows in the footsteps of all the greats with a beautifully realized world, challenging gameplay, and colorful characters. Its score is (more…)
