8-bit Adventure Anthology: Volume I
- October 31, 2017
- Abstraction Games
"8-bit Adventure Anthology: Volume I" is a compilation of three classic 8-bit adventure games: "The Secret of Monkey Island," "Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis," and "Loom." These games are remastered for modern systems while maintaining their original 8-bit graphics and gameplay. Players can explore, solve puzzles, and interact with characters in these nostalgic, critically acclaimed adventures.
Reviews
- Fantastic ports of classic NES point-and-click adventures with improved mouse support, making them more accessible and enjoyable.
- Nostalgic experience for fans of the original games, preserving the charm, music, and graphics of the NES versions.
- Short but sweet gameplay with a good balance of challenge and humor, making it a fun collection for both new players and returning fans.
- Puzzles can be overly cryptic and may require a walkthrough, leading to frustration for some players.
- Lack of new features or quality-of-life improvements compared to modern remasters, which may disappoint some fans.
- Issues with the save system in Shadowgate and sparse achievements detract from the overall experience.
- music10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in this collection is highly praised, with many reviewers noting its memorable quality and charm, particularly in the licensed NES versions, which are considered superior to the original computer versions. The soundtrack significantly enhances the overall experience, contributing to the games' appeal, although some users found the main menu music to be overly loud and mismatched. Overall, the music is a standout feature that elevates these classic titles.
“Music itself is very memorable.”
“These are the best versions of these games in my opinion, thanks in large part to a very good soundtrack and charm.”
“They have an indescribable charm to them, with great music, graphics, and silly dialogue.”
“I can't recommend it enough, though one gripe is that the main menu music is too loud and not really in tune with the games.”
“I have played Deja Vu on my old Amiga computer, and for me the NES versions were surprisingly as entertaining as the PC versions, mostly for the music in my opinion.”
“The developers have somehow gotten Kemco to license the original NES versions complete with the sound effects and the music it had.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their beautiful production quality and charming aesthetic, enhanced by various graphic filters, including a nostalgic CRT option. While some users note a lack of innovation in visuals and sound, the overall presentation, including the new mouse-based interface, contributes positively to the game's appeal.
“Music, beautiful graphics, wonderful new mouse-based interface.”
“Great production quality with the menus and the different graphic filters (I like the CRT option a lot).”
“They have an indescribable charm to them, with great music, graphics, and silly dialogue.”
“The visuals are outdated and lack any significant improvement.”
“The graphics feel recycled, with no fresh elements to engage players.”
“The overall aesthetic is bland and uninspired, making the game visually unappealing.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a dry wit and creative death scenarios, which players find amusing. However, some users note a lack of achievements for proper gameplay, as most rewards come from experiencing these darkly humorous deaths. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm, despite its grim undertones.
“There are many creative ways to die, and they are accompanied by a dry sense of humor.”
“Achievements are pretty funny in that you are rewarded with dying in various grim ways in each game.”
“That's funny, but the downside is that there aren't really achievements for proper play.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this collection is characterized by trial-and-error mechanics, which many players find charming, although some have experienced occasional stuttering that does not significantly disrupt the overall experience.
“The games in this collection are full of trial-and-error gameplay, but I feel this adds to their charm.”
“I've also had the game stutter in odd spots, but nothing that really interferes with gameplay.”
“The games in this collection are full of trial-and-error gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“I've experienced stuttering in odd spots during gameplay, which can be quite frustrating.”
“The gameplay mechanics feel clunky and unrefined, making it difficult to enjoy the experience.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its charm and immersive qualities, reminiscent of classic NES adventure games, though players should be prepared for some frustrating moments. Overall, it offers a captivating experience for those who appreciate nostalgic gaming.
“$8 USD at the time of writing, if you have any interest in NES adventure games loaded with atmosphere and charm, and don't mind some frustrations along the way, try it out.”
- story1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The stories in these games feature a range of intriguing narratives, from a medieval fantasy quest to thwart an evil warlock in Shadowgate, to a haunting search for a sister in Uninvited, and an amnesiac detective's journey to regain his memories in Deja Vu. Each narrative offers a unique blend of mystery and adventure, engaging players in their respective quests.
“Shadowgate is a medieval fantasy story about trying to stop an evil warlock.”
“Uninvited sees the player trying to find his sister in a haunted house.”
“Deja Vu follows amnesiac detective Ace Harding as he tries to recover his lost memories.”
“Shadowgate presents a medieval fantasy story that feels clichéd and uninspired, revolving around the typical quest to stop an evil warlock.”
“Uninvited's plot about searching for a sister in a haunted house lacks depth and fails to engage the player emotionally.”
“Deja Vu follows an amnesiac detective, but the narrative feels disjointed and leaves players confused rather than intrigued.”