Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don't Dry
- September 15, 2020
- CrazyBunch
- 7h median play time
Larry returns in his first full-length adventure in some time. How does it hold up to the originals? Our review.
Hey ladies, I’m back in business! My new adventure, Leisure Suit Larry - Wet Dreams Don’t Dry, takes me – whatever the route or twist of fate – from the end of the ’80s directly into the 21st century and wow, how the world has changed! While my view of the world and women from way back in the 1980s collides with modern reality harder than the breasts of a lusciously stacked blonde jogging along a …
Reviews
- The game successfully modernizes the classic Leisure Suit Larry formula while retaining its humor and charm.
- The graphics and voice acting are well done, providing a visually appealing and engaging experience.
- Puzzles are mostly logical and enjoyable, offering a good balance of challenge without being overly frustrating.
- The story feels rushed and lacks a satisfying conclusion, leaving players wanting more.
- Some jokes and humor can feel forced or outdated, not resonating well with all players.
- The absence of nudity and explicit content may disappoint fans expecting the raunchiness of previous titles.
- humor258 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The humor in "Leisure Suit Larry - Wet Dreams Don't Dry" is a mix of crude, irreverent jokes and nostalgic references that resonate with fans of the original series, though opinions on its effectiveness vary widely. While some players find it hilarious and reminiscent of classic Larry humor, others criticize it for being forced, lacking subtlety, or failing to capture the charm of earlier titles. Overall, the game offers a blend of laugh-out-loud moments and cringe-worthy gags, appealing primarily to those who appreciate its raunchy and juvenile comedic style.
“The game is full of humor and while it doesn't exactly replicate original creator Al Lowe's humor, I would say it honors a humorous style that's in line with it.”
“The humor is witty and can fly over your head.”
“The humor and style of the entire game screamed cheesy video game comedy.”
“I made it about halfway into the game before I just lost any interest in continuing since the writing is just so unfunny and uninteresting.”
“Unfunny, dated politics thrown in, bleh.”
“The game is not funny in the least.”
- story153 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its humor and nostalgic elements, while others criticize it for being disjointed and lacking depth. The plot revolves around Larry Laffer navigating modern dating through a parody of tech culture, but many feel it fails to deliver a satisfying narrative arc, often abandoning plot threads and relying on clichéd humor. Overall, while the game offers entertaining moments and clever puzzles, its storytelling is seen as a significant weakness that detracts from the overall experience.
“The game has a unique and humorous storyline that had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.”
“I got this on sale half expecting a mediocre but hopefully entertaining enough half-assed adventure capitalizing on the larry brand... however what I got was a thoroughly excellent modernization of larry, with an excellent story, fantastic spoofs and great art, writing, music and voice acting.”
“Great story, poking fun at numerous pop culture icons and being inclusive of a wide range of diverse gender and sexualities.”
“The story is kind of a mess and abandons most of its plot threads for an ending that's pretty dumb.”
“Not only is the story dumb, it features German humor at its worst; it's also very different from the Larry I remember.”
“The story leaves major holes.”
- graphics84 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many players praising the colorful, detailed, and cartoonish art style that effectively captures the humorous and nostalgic essence of the Leisure Suit Larry series. While some critiques mention a lack of finesse and a "game making software" feel, the overall presentation, including character designs and environments, is considered well-executed and enjoyable. The blend of modern aesthetics with classic elements has resonated with fans, making it a visually appealing experience.
“I applaud the developers for sticking to goofy and colorful 2D graphics.”
“The graphics are impressive, with lively, detailed backgrounds and unique characters that will make players laugh.”
“Graphics: the game's graphics are very well done, with colorful and detailed characters and environments.”
“Graphics aren't great, and since it's made in Unity, it has that 'game making software' feel with cheap transitions between different areas, though the presentation overall is good.”
“Well, I hate the art style; it's completely unsuited for such a game.”
“Many of us who felt the bulky and awkward 3D graphics of the day were inferior to 2D (to some even today) were left disappointed.”
- gameplay46 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a classic point-and-click experience, reminiscent of older adventure games, with a mix of enjoyable puzzles and humorous elements. While the mechanics are generally smooth and the game offers a decent playtime of around 10-14 hours, some players found the linear progression and backtracking tedious, and there were occasional issues with saving progress. Overall, it strikes a balance between nostalgia and modern design, appealing to fans of the genre despite some minor frustrations.
“Gameplay is smooth and the screen space is uncluttered; however, sometimes the pop-up interface can get in the way of trying to walk to the right.”
“Gameplay-wise, it's actually really good. I enjoyed the chain of quests and puzzles; they were balanced and logical enough to figure out solutions without getting stuck, yet not too easy like in modern games.”
“Worthy sequel, fun balance between nostalgia and gameplay; puzzles are fair, and I had a good time.”
“Another issue with the gameplay is constantly having to travel from scene 1, getting a clue from a conversation in scene 2, going back to scene 1, only to find you have to go back to scene 2 to get more information, via dialogue, from the exact same character, and this will get repeated multiple times.”
“Gameplay doesn't flow from one objective to the next.”
“I was roughly 1/4 or so through the game and I had no desire to retread all that gameplay again.”
- music42 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and fitting style, with many reviewers highlighting the catchy soundtrack that blends upbeat tunes and smooth jazz, enhancing the overall atmosphere. The voice acting is also noted as top-notch, contributing to the game's charm. While some tracks are memorable, a few players found certain pieces forgettable, but overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game.
“This team has made a great production, with amusing sound effects, well-composed background music, state-of-the-art graphics, and perfectly chosen voice actors.”
“The game's soundtrack is a fun mix of upbeat tunes and smooth jazz, and you'll find yourself humming along to some of the catchier tracks.”
“A special shoutout for the music, which is excellent throughout the game, capturing the style of the original music with various musical pop culture references woven into it.”
“Most music doesn't really stand out and is not something I wish to listen to many times.”
“I only like the credits music the most; the rest are forgettable.”
“Is the music soundtrack worth it?”
- grinding13 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often requiring excessive backtracking and pixel hunting to progress. The design choices, such as similar visuals for important items and the need to revisit locations, contribute to a frustrating experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the humor and presentation, many agree that the grinding elements make the gameplay feel laborious and forgettable.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The puzzles were kind of poor and grindy.”
“I find the game to be tedious and repetitive.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with many reviewers noting its linear structure and limited optional content, resulting in a one-time playthrough experience. While some players found it entertaining, they felt that the absence of multiple save slots and optional achievements diminished the incentive to replay. In contrast, a few users highlighted that certain aspects, like inventory items, could provide some level of replay value, but this sentiment was not widely shared.
“And this game will be replayable on that level for years to come.”
“With over six hours of gameplay and plenty of inventory items, it offers an engaging experience and solid replay value.”
“That said, the only downside is it took me 8 hours (some of that with a pause button) to complete, and these types of adventure games, while totally entertaining, have small replay value.”
“In addition, it gave those games replay value, which this game doesn't have.”
“I beat it in 9 hours and there's not really any replay value.”
“-replay value: none.”
- character development7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by Larry's journey through moments of self-discovery, particularly his overcoming of gay panic, which marks a significant evolution in his character. However, the overall character design has received criticism for being stiff and childish, detracting from the potential depth of the characters' stories and designs. While some appreciate the updated portrayal of Larry, many feel that the character development is undermined by a lack of imaginative design and storytelling.
“Larry himself has moments of gay panic that are consistent with his portrayal over the years, but he eventually gets over it in a shocking moment of character development.”
“I personally don't like character design; they look too... childish.”
“I have to admit I was never quite a fan of the character design from LSL5-7 (and the LSL1 remake); this game's Larry is much more how I pictured him after LSL1-3.”
“I was hoping to see various character details such as their story, various character designs, different plans for the characters, and such.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its nostalgic recreation of classic styles, effectively capturing the essence of beloved masterpieces. Reviewers commend the art and character design, along with a catchy vibe and engaging musical score that enhance the overall experience. The combination of humor, style, and immersive elements contributes to a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere.
“Even with that in mind, I can recognize the sterling loyalty to the style and atmosphere of Al's masterpieces that this game rightfully wears as a badge of honor.”
“It has it all - the humor, the art, the style, and most importantly the same atmosphere, vibe, and fun the old games had!”
“Very well done by the devs, and the musical score really adds to the atmosphere!”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a complex range of feelings, from nostalgia and sadness to confusion and frustration. Players experience a mix of laughter and tears, particularly during standout sequences that evoke strong memories and reflections on character development. Despite some controversial elements, the game ultimately resonates with adventure fans, highlighting the evolution of its protagonist in a poignant way.
“It itched every need for a great adventure game, it itched nostalgic memories; it was so good that it even made me feel sad how once a devious and deviant character can cross the line of time and can be seen as naive.”
“Two outstanding sequences for me were a psychedelic experience with trippy warped music and a touching flashback vision in pixel style.”
“I laughed, I cried (some puzzles were just 'duh'), but in the end: it is a must-have for every adventure fan.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent crashes, freezing, and disappearing save data, which detracts from the overall experience. While some players find enjoyment in the gameplay, the persistent bugs and technical glitches are a major concern.
“I love Leisure Suit Larry, but this game is very buggy. The first bug is the game crashing at 90% loaded, and the second is that my cursor doesn't appear half the time on startup.”
“1.4 hours in, the game freezes and all my save game data disappeared.”
“It's a pretty good Larry game, but I suffered multiple crashes and freezes.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game performs well on Linux with no significant issues reported, but some users feel that the puzzle design could benefit from further optimization to enhance the overall experience.
“Works great on Linux, with good performance and no issues.”
“However, the puzzle design is kind of hit and miss; some optimization could have helped there.”
“The game suffers from severe performance issues, making it frustrating to play.”
“I encountered frequent frame drops and long loading times, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers suggest that the game's monetization strategy is more reasonable compared to major publishers like EA or Activision, which are often criticized for cash grabs. Players appreciate that this reboot avoids excessive costs and offers a more satisfying experience without feeling exploited.
“If it had been EA or Activision rebooting this, it would be twice as expensive and a cash grab that would leave you angry after playing.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend more money.”
“I can't believe how many microtransactions are crammed into this game; it feels like they prioritized profit over player experience.”
Critic Reviews
Review: Leisure Suit Larry - Wet Dreams Don't Dry
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
70%Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don't Dry Review - Sleaze Snorefest
Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don't Dry is as crude as its title. The awful, lazy writing lets down what is otherwise a solid adventure game.
55%