Anna's Quest
- July 2, 2015
- Daedalic
- 15h median play time
In "Anna's Quest," players help a strong-willed girl named Anna save her kidnapped grandmother using telekinetic powers and a host of strange inventions. The game features a charming fairy tale setting, clever puzzles, and a variety of quirky characters to interact with. As Anna, players will explore a dark and whimsical world filled with magic, mystery, and danger, using their wits and unique abilities to overcome obstacles and save the day.
Reviews
- Charming art style and animations that enhance the fairy tale atmosphere.
- Engaging story with well-developed characters, particularly the protagonist Anna and the antagonist Winfriede.
- Puzzles are mostly logical and enjoyable, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly frustrating.
- Voice acting, especially for Anna, can be grating and lacks emotional depth.
- Some puzzles can feel illogical or require specific actions that aren't intuitive, leading to frustration.
- The ending feels rushed and leaves many questions unanswered, which may disappoint players looking for closure.
- story655 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Anna's Quest" is a whimsical yet dark fairy tale that follows a young girl named Anna on her quest to save her grandfather, blending elements of classic fairy tales with a unique narrative. While some players found the plot predictable and simplistic, others appreciated its depth and emotional resonance, particularly in the character development and unexpected twists towards the end. Overall, the storytelling is engaging, with charming visuals and voice acting that enhance the experience, making it a worthwhile adventure for fans of the genre.
“Anna's Quest is a delightful point-and-click adventure game that combines a captivating story with endearing characters and beautifully crafted visuals.”
“The story is exciting and not as predictable as expected; the characters are well developed.”
“The story is surprisingly complex and is based on a host of fairy tales and folklore, most notably those from the Brothers Grimm.”
“The storyline is bad and feels lazy at best; the way it is wrapped up in the last section is genuinely moronic.”
“Took me way too long to realize I didn't care about the story or main character anymore.”
“The story is certainly suitable for kids, but the puzzles definitely aren't; the first three chapters can be quite difficult, the others are very linear.”
- graphics140 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics in this point-and-click game are widely praised for their charming hand-drawn visuals and whimsical art style, which effectively complement the engaging story. Players appreciate the colorful, cartoonish aesthetics that evoke nostalgia while also providing a unique blend of cutesy and dark themes. However, some critiques mention issues with animation fluidity and occasional graphical bugs, though these do not significantly detract from the overall visual experience.
“This point-and-click game combines a darkly whimsical story with charming hand-drawn visuals.”
“The beautifully designed graphics are another highlight of the game.”
“Anna's quest is a delightful point-and-click adventure game that combines a captivating story with endearing characters and beautifully crafted visuals.”
“The graphics are a bit flat and animations lack some fluidity.”
“Immersion: the graphics are so blunt, I can’t even imagine how I could get into immersion mode.”
“The art style isn't something I really like; after staring at it for so long, I am realizing although good, it just feels off.”
- humor77 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- -3 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of whimsical, dark, and sometimes childish elements, with varying effectiveness across characters and situations. While some players found the humor charming and well-integrated into the gameplay, others felt it lacked depth and consistency, particularly when compared to other titles like the Deponia series. Overall, the game offers a light-hearted experience with clever dialogue and amusing character interactions, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more prominent comedic focus.
“The humor and character interactions add a delightful layer to the gameplay, making each moment enjoyable.”
“It's whimsical, funny, and to be honest, I ugly cried at the ending reveal.”
“The dialogue is cleverly written with references to real-life situations and sarcastic humor throughout, and each character itself is unique with their own personality, style of acting, and agenda of their role in Anna's Quest.”
“The main character is one-dimensional and not funny or interesting enough; the antagonist is more likable than the protagonist, especially once you enter the flashback chapter and discover her childhood. You realize her motives and that she isn't the right subject to blame for what happens.”
“I started to care about the characters that interact with the protagonist only in the last flashback chapter when their past is shown. Suddenly, they became interesting, but then the game was finished.”
“There isn't a way to choose different endings, which makes the humor feel flat and unengaging.”
- gameplay71 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a typical point-and-click adventure, featuring standard mechanics such as dialogue progression and inventory puzzles, with some unique elements like telekinesis. While many players appreciate the humor, character interactions, and art style, frustrations arise from overly linear puzzle solutions and excessive backtracking, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay. Overall, the experience is generally enjoyable but can be hindered by poorly communicated mechanics and some frustrating puzzle designs.
“The humor and character interactions add a delightful layer to the gameplay, making each moment enjoyable.”
“The gameplay is simple, yet the telekinesis ability added a bit to the gameplay and kept it fresh along the way.”
“While its gameplay is what you'd want out of the genre and does a great job in really being in that sweet spot of not being too easy, but not being too painfully frustrating, it's the storytelling and characters that carry it in a way that hasn't been done in the genre for a while.”
“Some of the puzzle solutions are pretty far-fetched or suffer from the mechanics, where they won't let you say certain things or pick up items unless you've done a specific thing previously, even though you already have the information.”
“The puzzles suffer from the same problem a lot of Daedalic games do, where you can't pick up an item or do something until you have done something else, which breaks the flow of gameplay and makes it all feel irritating.”
“The puzzles and riddles are okay, but if you are looking for a challenge with smart and clever mechanics, forget it.”
- music48 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising the captivating soundtrack that enhances the emotional experience and fits the game's atmosphere. However, some users noted that the music can be repetitive and occasionally annoying, detracting from the overall enjoyment. Overall, while the soundtrack is considered beautiful and appropriate, opinions vary on its memorability and quality.
“Additionally, the exceptional and captivating soundtrack enhances the emotional experience and gameplay.”
“I loved the soundtrack and the sounds in general.”
“The music and background noises were not particularly memorable but did fit well with the game and tone of the story.”
“The soundtrack was annoying at times, to be honest.”
“Real annoying game, the music, the sounds, the character, all of them get annoying surprisingly fast.”
“The music was okay, too - not really memorable and at times a bit repetitive.”
- emotional21 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its captivating soundtrack, well-written characters, and a heartwarming yet heartbreaking story that resonates deeply with players. While the protagonist, Anna, is relatable and her journey is charming, some critiques mention a lack of emotional range in her character. Overall, the game delivers a touching experience that combines whimsical visuals with a powerful emotional punch, making it a recommended adventure for those who appreciate heartfelt narratives.
“The art style is cute and adorable, the story is sad and heartbreaking, the characters are well-written and deep!”
“Beautiful little game with an engaging story, really quirky (in a good way) visual style, and a surprisingly powerful emotional punch at the end.”
“The ending of this game made me cry like a colicky baby.”
- atmosphere11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its charmingly dark and nostalgic qualities, with unique locations that enhance the overall experience. The art style, music, and sound design contribute significantly to this immersive environment, creating a strange yet familiar world that balances whimsy with emotional depth. Players appreciate the well-developed characters and the engaging settings that invite exploration and evoke a range of feelings.
“Each location feels unique and contributes to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
“Music and sounds altogether fit very well to the game's atmosphere as well.”
“The atmosphere of this world is strange, yet familiar, dark, yet inviting, and all helped along by its characters, especially our main character, Anna.”
“No matter how whimsical, light-hearted, and friendly the atmosphere and characters can feel in some of their games, they still always manage to find a way to really hit you in the feels.”
“Good within its genre, with a charmingly dark atmosphere.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -22 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and slow-paced, with repetitive interactions and excessive back-and-forth navigation contributing to a sense of boredom. While some puzzles are well-designed, the overall experience can feel laborious, detracting from enjoyment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
“Just as boring as the night of the rabbit, another tedious Daedalic game.”
“The game's extremely slow pacing makes it terribly tedious.”
“The biggest flaw is one present in many of these point-and-click adventures: there's a lot of tedious back-and-forth between the scenes.”
- character development7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in Anna's Quest is notably mixed; while some characters, particularly the villain, experience significant growth, the protagonist Anna lacks depth and her design is criticized. The overall presentation is praised for its pleasant character designs and decent voice acting, contributing to a story that balances humor and emotional moments.
“The character development in Anna's Quest is outstanding.”
“Topping it off is a very nice presentation, with a pleasant set of character designs, mostly decent voice acting and a story that is both funny at times and moving at others.”
“She goes through no character development, and her voice actor is a little irritating.”
“Oddly enough, in the 11th hour, the villain of this story gets a lot of character development.”
“- inconsistent character designs”
- stability7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits occasional stability issues, including freezing when specific actions are taken, such as clicking on the organ without lighting lanterns first. While some users reported needing to restart the game due to glitches, others noted that their progress was retained despite these interruptions. Overall, the game is described as generally stable, with only minor bugs affecting gameplay.
“The puzzles weren't too bad, just took some logical thinking. The only slight bugbear is that if you don't light the lanterns first and randomly click on the organ after seeing symbols on the stump, the game freezes. So make sure to get a screenshot of the strange symbols on the tree stump, then light the lanterns outside the church window. I won't solve the entire puzzle for you, but that's the general gist to stop the bug from occurring.”
“Freezes up sometimes, leaving you needing to restart the game window, but it holds your progress!”
“Ran into game-breaking glitches necessitating starting over.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game offers limited replayability due to its linear progression, making it primarily enjoyable for those who appreciated the story. While some players find value in replaying for achievements, others feel that the lack of diverse experiences makes it less worthwhile, especially given its price point. Overall, replayability is considered standard for this genre, with minimal incentives for multiple playthroughs.
“The progress is linear, so it's replayable for the story if you enjoyed it.”
“I tend to like and find replayable games more worthwhile, while single playthrough experiences I buy tend to be in the $3-10 range, so it seems a little expensive to me.”
“I tend to like and find replayable games more worthwhile, and single play-through experiences I buy tend to be in the $3-10 range, so it seems a little expensive to me.”
“Additionally, the game does have some replay value; for example, if you're motivated by completing achievements.”
“I suppose you could argue there isn't much in the way of replayability, but that's pretty standard for these kinds of games.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The optimization of dialogue in the game has received mixed feedback; while the inclusion of fully voiced dialogue is appreciated, many players find the stilted and slow-paced delivery, along with excessive stuttering, to be frustrating and detracting from the overall experience. Despite this, the puzzles are generally well-received and add to the game's appeal.
“The stilted, stuttering dialogue got too annoying.”
“The story was good, but I got sick of the stuttering and slow-moving dialogue at times.”
“The dialogue is quite slow-paced and has lots of stuttering, but the puzzles are mostly fun and challenging.”