1954 Alcatraz

59%
Game Brain Score Based on 497 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
1954 Alcatraz Game Cover
1954: Alcatraz presents a promising premise, but executes it poorly.
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"1954 Alcatraz" is an interactive Point & Click adventure game where players navigate Joe, a prisoner serving 40 years in Alcatraz, and his wife Christine. The couple's goals and loyalties are put to the test as they try to locate hidden loot and decide between love, treachery, life, and death. With multiple endings, players' choices will determine the outcome of Joe and Christine's fate.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

59%
Audience ScoreBased on 497 reviews
story146 positive mentions
stability22 negative mentions
  • Engaging storyline with a unique setting in 1950s San Francisco, exploring themes of love and crime.
  • Well-designed puzzles that are logical and enhance the gameplay experience.
  • Stylish art direction and a jazzy soundtrack that effectively capture the atmosphere of the era.
  • Numerous technical issues, including bugs that prevent achievements from unlocking and occasional game freezes.
  • Characters lack depth and development, making it hard to connect with their struggles and decisions.
  • The pacing can feel slow, with excessive loading times and some tedious backtracking.
  • story380 mentions

    The story of "1954: Alcatraz" is a mixed bag, with some players finding it engaging and well-presented, while others criticize it for being predictable and lacking depth. The narrative follows the intertwined fates of Joe and Christine, exploring themes of crime and romance in a 1950s setting, but many reviewers noted that character development is often superficial and the plot can feel rushed or underwhelming. Overall, while the game offers multiple endings and some interesting choices, it struggles to fully captivate players with its storytelling.

    • “The storyline is gripping, and the characters are well-developed and memorable.”
    • “The dialogue is well-written, with clever dialogue options that allow players to shape the story's outcome.”
    • “With its intriguing storyline, well-developed characters, challenging puzzles, and impressive graphics and sound design, the game is a must-play for fans of the genre.”
    • “The story and presentation weren't interesting, and every character felt a little snarky and irritating.”
    • “There's so much of the relationships and backstory that never really get presented, and there's very little character development or growth.”
    • “The story was bland, the characters were underdeveloped, and the mechanics and progression were obscure and convoluted.”
  • graphics123 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the unique art style and hand-drawn elements that contribute to an immersive atmosphere. However, some players criticize the character models and animations as outdated or lacking detail, leading to a perception of lower quality. Overall, while the visuals are appreciated for their charm and creativity, they may not meet the expectations of all players, particularly those seeking high-end graphics.

    • “The graphics and sound design are top-notch, creating a visually stunning and immersive world.”
    • “The hand-drawn art style adds to the game's charm, and the voice acting is superb, bringing the characters to life with authentic performances.”
    • “The art style and scenery, especially the locations, are beautifully depicted in an artwork sort of medium.”
    • “I was prepared for cartoonish graphics as shown in the preview, but the lines are pixelated even on the highest settings.”
    • “The graphics are highly stylized, so no issue with them not being realistic, but they still manage to be fairly ugly to look at.”
    • “Graphics: I didn't know this game came out in 2014; I'd swear it came out in the early 2000s because it looks pretty bad. The backgrounds are pretty good, but the character models are awful, and there are a few graphical glitches with the background as well.”
  • gameplay96 mentions

    The gameplay of "1954: Alcatraz" is characterized by classic point-and-click mechanics, featuring a mix of straightforward and challenging puzzles that integrate well with the story. While the dual-character mechanic adds some depth, many players find the gameplay to be simplistic and occasionally frustrating, with issues such as bugs and a lack of intuitive design detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a decent but unremarkable gameplay experience, appealing primarily to newcomers to the genre.

    • “The gameplay mechanics are classic point-and-click, with puzzles that are challenging but not overly frustrating.”
    • “The game strikes a good balance between exploration, puzzle-solving, and dialogue, offering a variety of gameplay elements that keep the experience fresh and engaging.”
    • “The gameplay consists of switches between Joe and Christine.”
    • “The gameplay isn't very intuitive compared to other point-and-click games.”
    • “The gameplay is very limited, much like the simplicity of Telltale titles but without anything being totally obvious.”
    • “1954 Alcatraz could've been amazing, but Daedalic's adherence to 'tried and true' point-and-click mechanics makes this game an absolute chore to play.”
  • music77 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its jazzy soundtrack that effectively sets the mood and complements the game's noir-inspired atmosphere. Many reviewers highlighted the quality of the music and voice acting, noting that they enhance the overall experience and contribute to the game's engaging narrative. While some found the music to be a standout feature, a few critiques mentioned that it could feel uninspired at times, but overall, it remains a significant highlight of the game.

    • “Art direction in this game is a thing of beauty, the soundtrack of Pedro Macedo Camacho (a composer shamefully underused by the gaming industry) is one of the best of its genre.”
    • “The music lent itself well to the mood and, again, sounded authentic and fitting for the time and place.”
    • “The jazz soundtrack is absolutely brilliant and I am genuinely sad not to see it offered with the game or even as DLC.”
    • “The voice acting is not bad at all, the sound effects are decent, but the music is very non-descript and uninspired.”
    • “It has potential; the story is there, the art is there, the music is definitely there … it just doesn’t click together.”
    • “And nothing worth noting of the story, graphics, music, or designs.”
  • atmosphere45 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and rich depiction of the 1950s, particularly within the historical setting of Alcatraz prison. Players appreciate the combination of compelling storytelling, high-quality graphics, and effective sound design, which together create a memorable and engaging experience. While some critiques mention occasional graphical flaws and short gameplay, the overall consensus highlights the game's strong atmospheric elements as a key strength.

    • “Set in the infamous Alcatraz prison in the 1950s, the game's atmosphere is rich with history and intrigue.”
    • “The graphics and sound design in the game are also top-notch, creating a truly atmospheric and immersive experience.”
    • “What a gorgeous, atmospheric game!”
    • “If I had to nitpick, I’d only complain that 1954 Alcatraz's glaring flaw is that it is way too short for the atmosphere it delivers.”
    • “My main problem with this game is that its old and somewhat clunky/buggy controls somewhat ruin the atmosphere at a few points, but other than that it is really worth playing if you like adventure games.”
    • “The environments, while capturing the essence of the 1950s, are uninspiring and do little to enhance the overall atmosphere.”
  • humor23 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, featuring funny dialogue, quirky characters, and a mix of adult humor that appeals to casual players. While some moments are hilariously exaggerated or poorly animated, they contribute to the overall charm and enjoyment of the experience. Players appreciate the engaging story and voice acting, though some feel the humor may not be as strong as in other titles from the developer.

    • “The plot: the dialogue was hilarious, and the overall story was fun (although you have to suspend your disbelief a little bit).”
    • “The story is humorous, with well-delivered lines.”
    • “Loved this game for its subtle adult humor and iconic Daedalic cartoon style graphics.”
  • stability23 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs and glitches that can hinder gameplay, including broken achievements and game-breaking issues that prevent story progression. While some players experienced only minor glitches, many noted significant problems, such as freezing and UI issues, which detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the game is considered quite buggy, reminiscent of other titles from the developer, leading to a mixed reception regarding its stability.

    • “No glitches or bugs so far, good voice acting, and well-drawn/crafted backdrops.”
    • “The only downside to the game is that it's incredibly buggy.”
    • “Their games are buggy, and this particular one had a game-breaking bug that would not let me progress late-game, but posed as something I could fix.”
    • “Enjoyed playing it, but it kind of freezes way too often so that I can't use any more items in the current room and I have to force quit and restart the game.”
  • replayability19 mentions

    The game's replayability is generally viewed as limited, with some players noting that while there are multiple endings and choices that can impact the outcome, the overall experience can be completed in a single playthrough. Many reviews highlight that the branching storyline and different character perspectives offer some incentive to replay, but the lack of significant variation in gameplay and direction diminishes long-term engagement. Overall, while there are elements that encourage exploration of different choices, the consensus leans towards a limited replay value.

    • “The branching storyline and multiple endings add replay value, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes.”
    • “There seems to be several endings and different choices that impact the endings, which is nice since the game is relatively short, so that adds replay value.”
    • “The decisions/actions that occur in the game do have a, albeit not huge, impact on the ending of the game and how it pans out, which gives the game some replayability. I have personally played it twice, having two majorly different conclusions.”
    • “No replayability; there are 3 endings, all of which can be played by loading before the end.”
    • “Due to the overall lack of replayability and occasional lack of direction, I wouldn't pay full price, but it has a good story and is a good game.”
    • “Limited replayability; I feel that the game offers limited replayability.”
  • character development9 mentions

    Overall, reviews indicate that character development in the game is lacking, with many players feeling that relationships and backstories are underexplored, leading to a weak emotional connection with the characters. While the character designs are praised for their variety and aesthetic appeal, the absence of meaningful growth and narrative depth detracts from the overall experience. Despite the game's potential, a stronger focus on character development and storytelling is needed to enhance player engagement.

    • “Like Blacksad, 1954 Alcatraz is a hardboiled thriller dripping with cynicism, but counterbalances the noir narrative with a cartoonish character design that makes for an unusual gaming experience.”
    • “Superb period-appropriate vibe, from the choice of music to the character designs, language used, and cultural references.”
    • “There's so much of the relationships and backstory that never really get presented and there's very little character development or growth.”
    • “If the developer can someday marry their appetite for risk-taking and decent grasp of puzzle design with a better focus on narrative buildup and character development, they might produce something really worthwhile.”
    • “I felt the character development was slightly lacking and therefore struggled to bond with the characters very much which I feel let the game down a bit.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally positive, with smooth performance even on low-spec machines, though some players have reported minor technical issues and bugs. The hand-drawn art style and voice acting contribute to its charm, but expectations for performance may not fully align with the developer's reputation.

    • “Graphics are okay, with a cartoon style, and the game runs smoothly even on low-spec machines.”
    • “Runs smoothly.”
    • “The hand-drawn art style adds to the game's charm, and the voice acting is superb, bringing the characters to life with authentic performances.”
    • “But this is not the performance that I'd expect from Daedalic.”
    • “[h3] Other drawbacks: [/h3] [b]🔧 Technical issues [/b] Personally, I encountered occasional technical issues, such as minor bugs and performance hiccups.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and lacking in engagement, with some noting that while the game offers a unique setting and decent visuals, the overall experience can feel monotonous and boring. Despite the absence of frustrating puzzles, the repetitive nature of gameplay leads to a sense of stagnation, making it less enjoyable for extended play sessions.

    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
    • “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “8 hours for an adventure game is very short (for multiple run-throughs), yet at the same time it was tedious to play the entire time.”
    • “The setting is a nice change of pace (1950s beatnik society), but the story really stagnates, and this makes the game quite boring and tedious.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players found warmth in the love between the main characters, others criticized the lack of depth in their relationship and character development, which hindered emotional investment in the story. Overall, the game elicited heartfelt experiences for some, but left others feeling disconnected.

    • “Even though they are both criminals, they love and care for each other very much, and that made me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside.”
    • “I really enjoyed it from minute one, and it was a heartfelt experience.”
    • “Another major problem with the narrative is that Joe and Christine's relationship is never adequately developed, despite forming what's supposed to be the emotional core of the story.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

59% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
6-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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