Jolly Good: Cakes and Ale

About

In "Jolly Good: Cakes and Ale," you are a new member of the Noble Gases social club in which you must use your wit and cunning to clear your name from scandal. This 1.2 million-word interactive comedy of manners, inspired by P.G. Wodehouse, offers a vast and engaging story filled with memorable characters, earning it three 2020 XYZZY Awards. Your choices will determine your path through this text-based adventure, although elegance and grace may not always be your forte. Experience the humor and charm as you rise above your troubles in this standalone sequel to "Tally Ho."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 39 reviews

story13 positive mentions

The writing is superb, filled with clever humor and charming characters, making for an entertaining experience.
The game offers significant replayability with numerous branching paths and choices that impact the story, ensuring each playthrough feels unique.
Fans of Tally Ho will appreciate the return of beloved characters and the continuation of the whimsical, lighthearted tone.

The game is part one of a trilogy, which may leave players feeling unsatisfied as it ends on a cliffhanger without a complete resolution.
Some players found the character of Fitzie unlikable and wished for more agency in hiring choices at the start.
The lack of a robust save system can be frustrating for those wanting to explore multiple paths without replaying the entire game each time.

story
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
53%
9%
The story is highly engaging, featuring a branching narrative that encourages replayability and allows players to make impactful choices that shape their experience. With distinct and memorable characters, clever writing, and a mix of humor and touching moments, the game successfully draws players into its world, though it is important to note that this is the first part of a trilogy, leaving some plot threads unresolved. Overall, the narrative is well-crafted, offering a fun and immersive experience that invites multiple playthroughs.
- “The plot, scripting, and writing are all very cool.”
- “Strong replayability with a highly branching storyline, and all the characters are distinct and memorable.”
- “I have never laughed so much reading; the story is fun and well-written, the characters are so full of life and personality, and the choices are difficult to make because you want to know what will happen in the other choices.”
- “To get the one part of this game that really disappointed me out of the way first: I feel like the marketing wasn't clear enough that this truly is the first part in a three-part series, and that there will be multiple plot threads that will only get resolved in later parts.”
- “Think of it less like Ace Attorney, where there are only a few major plot threads that carry over from each game, and more like the When They Cry series - each episode is 'complete' and all, but you're definitely not going to be getting the full scope of the story until it's all out.”
- “A game with as many variations and complex storylines like this begs for multiple playthroughs, but the lack of the ability to save your progress when you've completed a run means that you will either have to play through it again multiple times when the next game comes out or wait until the entire series has been released to play through all three games as many times as you'd like.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its smart, lighthearted writing and charming characters, making for an enjoyable experience filled with witty dialogue and amusing situations. Players appreciate the blend of humor with touching moments, resulting in a delightful mix that keeps them laughing throughout their adventures. Overall, the game's comedic elements are a standout feature, appealing to those who enjoy well-crafted, funny narratives.
- “But for those who enjoy humor, shenanigans, excellent prose, and charming characters, including some incredibly cute romances, this is the one for you.”
- “The writing is smart, lighthearted, and funny.”
- “It had me laughing and smiling for most of the experience.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
29%
29%
The game boasts strong replayability due to its highly branching storyline, distinct characters, and significant player choices that impact the narrative. With a substantial word count and the option to replay specific chapters, players can explore various outcomes, enhancing the overall experience. Anticipation for a sequel further adds to its replay value.
- “Strong replayability with a highly branching storyline, and all the characters are distinct and memorable.”
- “There were a lot of choices, and they almost all had a significant impact on the story, so there's very good replayability.”
- “I was very surprised when I reached the end of this game; after seeing there were over a million words, I thought it was going to be much longer, but that means there will be a huge amount of replayability.”
- “I've only played through once, but with its word length, I can't imagine how much replay value it has.”
- “It seems like there is a lot of replay value here as well.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game effectively blends humor and adventure with poignant moments, creating a narrative that resonates emotionally with players. Despite its lighthearted tone, it successfully delivers touching experiences that enhance the overall storytelling.
- “Humor, adventure, and touching moments are all in here!”
- “Despite the humorous tone, the story is full of touching moments.”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay features an intriguing mechanic that allows players to experience the story from a different perspective, but the character's ineptitude and negative attitude towards the job detract from the overall experience. Players may find satisfaction in critiquing this character, adding a layer of engagement to the gameplay.
- “Putting the shoe on the other foot was an intriguing mechanic, but as this story's gentleman was even worse at the job than my main character was in the first book, and his whole attitude about the job and his employer... let's just say I was happy to have the chance to give him the review he deserved.”