Technobabylon

Technobabylon may not make you a new convert to the retro-style adventure, but as a fan, it's by far one of the best I've played.

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"Technobabylon" is a point-and-click adventure game set in the futuristic city of Newton in 2087. The game follows CEL agents Charlie Regis and Max Lao as they investigate a serial Mindjacker who steals knowledge from citizens' neural wiring. Meanwhile, an agoraphobic net addict named Latha Sesame may become the next target, with Charlie's past putting him at odds with Max. The game features a rich sci-fi setting with genetic engineering, AI overseers, and overlapping online and offline worlds.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,224 reviews

story609 positive mentions

stability14 negative mentions

Engaging and well-written story with interesting characters.
Clever puzzles that are logical and not overly frustrating.
Beautiful pixel art and excellent voice acting enhance the immersive experience.

Some puzzles can be obscure, leading to pixel hunting.
The graphics may feel dated for some players, affecting readability.
Occasional bugs and technical issues, particularly with the game's resolution and mouse controls.

story
1,082 mentions
56 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of *Technobabylon* is widely praised for its depth, engaging narrative, and intricate character development, set against a richly crafted cyberpunk backdrop. Players appreciate the intertwining paths of three distinct characters, which create a gripping conspiracy filled with unexpected twists and moral dilemmas. However, some reviewers note that the pacing can be uneven, with moments of confusion due to the complex plot and occasional illogical puzzles, yet the overall storytelling remains a highlight of the game.
- “The story is deep and engaging, with three distinct characters whose paths are cleverly intertwined in a gripping conspiracy.”
- “Technobabylon is a great blend of dystopian science fiction and detective story, with thought-provoking story and themes.”
- “The story is well written and unfolds at the perfect pace and never ceases to be interesting.”
- “Unfortunately, the story has huge plot holes.”
- “The story starts strong but gets rather longwinded through the middle of the game, and the dialogue during the last major puzzle was incredibly clumsy, lacking any emotional consistency from one dialogue option to the next, at a time when two of the main characters really needed to establish their relationship.”
- “The story is linear with two endings.”
graphics
263 mentions
46 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of Technobabylon have received mixed reviews, with many praising the meticulously crafted pixel art that effectively evokes a cyberpunk atmosphere, while others criticize the outdated visuals and occasional graphical glitches. Despite some inconsistencies and challenges in object visibility, the retro aesthetic is appreciated by fans of classic point-and-click adventures, contributing to the game's immersive storytelling and overall charm. Overall, while the graphics may not appeal to everyone, they complement the game's engaging narrative and character development.
- “The game's pixel art style might seem retro, but it's meticulously crafted to evoke a cyberpunk atmosphere.”
- “The makers of this game have created a fleshed-out world and have made brilliant use of the pixelated graphics to create this world and let your imagination fill in the rest.”
- “The art style is stunning, voice acting is on point, and the story really hooks you in.”
- “Graphics are bad even for pixelated standards, but luckily it doesn’t affect the gameplay.”
- “Admittedly, these graphics are just not good enough for me to enjoy the game.”
- “The art style makes it hard to see what you're supposed to do or read the (copious amounts of) text.”
music
175 mentions
66 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, fitting seamlessly into the cyberpunk setting and complementing the narrative. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its quality and how it evokes the game's gritty mood, while also appreciating the voice acting that adds depth to the characters. Overall, the music is described as immersive and well-composed, contributing significantly to the game's overall experience, though some find it less memorable outside of gameplay.
- “The soundtrack and voice acting are top-notch, enhancing the mood and bringing each character to life with convincing performances.”
- “The music sets the world mood excellently.”
- “The art and music direction already puts this apart from most adventure quest games.”
- “There is another scene at a biolab where you have a relatively relaxed conversation with a scientist, but the music in the background is quite hectic and loud.”
- “The music is okay though nothing too catchy, but it serves its purpose.”
- “Sound is a weaker aspect, with the music being competent but not memorable, and the quality of voice acting dipping significantly for some side characters.”
gameplay
163 mentions
25 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Technobabylon is characterized as a classic point-and-click adventure, featuring intuitive mechanics and a mix of engaging puzzles and dialogue-driven interactions. While many players appreciate the narrative depth and unique cyberpunk setting, some criticize the gameplay for its occasional pixel-hunting frustrations, clunky mechanics, and reliance on obscure puzzle solutions. Overall, it offers a solid experience for fans of the genre, though it may not meet the expectations of those seeking innovative gameplay.
- “The point-and-click interface is smooth and intuitive, perfectly complementing the narrative-driven gameplay.”
- “Great story and fascinating gameplay with the different personas and perspectives.”
- “The gameplay is solid, using great puzzles and exploration that make sense but are still challenging.”
- “Unfortunately, I cannot recommend playing this game because the second half of the game ruins the gameplay.”
- “It's just straight linear gameplay with frustrating pixel-hunt puzzles that only very rarely have more than one solution, and these few puzzles never have any impact on the narrative at large.”
- “For Technobabylon, I needed a walkthrough within the first 10 minutes of gameplay, which is utterly ridiculous.”
atmosphere
110 mentions
65 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning pixel art and immersive cyberpunk setting, effectively complemented by a well-composed soundtrack and strong voice acting. Reviewers highlight the rich world-building and storytelling that draw players into a gritty, dystopian experience reminiscent of classic titles. While some critiques mention a lack of cohesion in certain aspects, the overall consensus is that the game successfully creates a captivating and engaging atmosphere.
- “The pixel art is stunning, capturing the gritty dystopian atmosphere perfectly, and the music complements the mood beautifully.”
- “This game has such a rich atmosphere and beautiful storytelling; it's a must-play in my opinion.”
- “The puzzles were good generally, but the atmosphere is really bad in my opinion, too much dark and dirty world, also atmosphere and story and the dialogues didn't match together and I felt the game was too superficial; the story itself was weak compared to top old Wadjet Eye games.”
- “Most Wadjet Eye games tend to have a dry feeling to it, instead of a gripping atmosphere that feels diverse.”
- “The atmosphere is dead-on cyberpunk, and the music and voice acting is top-notch.”
humor
50 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a notable highlight, featuring a mix of quirky character personalities, clever dialogue, and dark satire that balances the serious themes of the story. Players appreciate the well-executed comedic moments, often stemming from character interactions and witty writing, which provide levity amidst the game's heavier subject matter. While some found the humor inconsistent or lacking finesse, many enjoyed the creative and funny puzzles, as well as the engaging voice acting that enhances the overall comedic experience.
- “The characters are likable and act realistically while the use of AI in general has a more humorous approach and actually made me laugh out loud on several occasions, in a good way.”
- “The story is masterfully balanced between serious, heavy moments and enjoyable touches of levity and humor; it avoids being a grimdark nightmare like so many cyberpunk games, yet also doesn't rely on tongue-in-cheek references to score nostalgia points.”
- “The writing is wry and witty; sardonic Max makes one sarcastic quip after the next, and Charlie has his own way of handling things, as does Latha, but really, so do all characters, major and minor alike, with a humorous style in constant flow.”
emotional
22 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its complex characters and immersive storyline, which effectively explores themes of artificial intelligence, morality, and personal tragedy. While many players found the narrative gripping and capable of evoking strong feelings, some noted pacing issues that hindered emotional investment at times. Overall, the game successfully combines humor and emotional depth, making it a worthwhile experience for those who appreciate intricate, thought-provoking stories.
- “The characters and their motivations - more complex, more emotional and relatable.”
- “I found the game to have a gripping and emotional story that kept me engaged from start to finish, along with voice acting and well-drawn environments to keep the immersion value high.”
- “Emotional connections were strong in this game, especially if you have someone in real life you can relate to.”
character development
15 mentions
67 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised for its complexity and depth, with players noting that it is effectively revealed through character interactions and contributes significantly to the overall narrative. The character design is described as beautiful and quirky, enhancing the immersive experience, while unexpected plot twists and a compelling storyline further elevate the game's appeal. Overall, the combination of strong character development, engaging voice acting, and a well-crafted sci-fi setting makes for a memorable adventure.
- “I really thought the worldbuilding and character development was both complex, and was fluidly revealed through character interactions, which combined to make for a very compelling and thought-provoking sci-fi setting!”
- “Complex and diverse characters with great character development.”
- “Tl/dr - if you like cyberpunk, dystopian-like futures, well-paced stories and character development, then you could do a lot worse than Technobabylon.”
- “Character development is lacking depth and feels rushed, leaving characters one-dimensional.”
- “The character arcs are predictable and fail to evoke any real emotional response.”
- “I found the character development to be superficial, with little growth or change throughout the story.”
stability
14 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been criticized for various bugs and glitches, particularly in the final chapter, where players reported issues with character swapping and inventory management. While some minor graphical and sound glitches were noted, they generally did not detract significantly from the overall experience. However, a few players encountered game-breaking bugs that impacted their enjoyment, leading to mixed feelings about the game's stability.
- “Gameplay-wise it has common issues of its genre - sometimes the objects you are supposed to interact with are hard to see, also in the last chapter the inventory is a little buggy.”
- “My review would have been much more positive if I hadn't encountered a game-breaking bug at the last act (the drone wouldn't move), and other glitches as well, but overall I recommend this game for the fans of point and click adventures and Blade Runner-esque cyberpunk which explores topics like AI, synthetic humans, consciousness, etc.”
- “Game is buggy as hell, stuck on the germination part, for some reason it's not letting me progress.”
replayability
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game offers moderate replayability, primarily through multiple story branches, player choices, and various achievements that encourage exploration of different outcomes. While some players felt satisfied after their initial playthrough, others appreciated the opportunity to revisit the game for alternative endings and puzzle solutions. Overall, the combination of narrative depth and achievement hunting contributes to its replay value.
- “It actually has a couple of story branches that yield achievements and change some dialogue options, so there's also some replay value.”
- “Bonus points for outstanding soundtrack and replay value (different endings).”
- “Great characters, great pacing, excellent art and voice acting, good puzzles, and even some replayability.”
- “If you do it this way, then the game will have little to no replay value.”
- “Doesn't have a ton of replay value, and I definitely needed a walkthrough, but I still highly recommend it!”
- “No replay value, but I did not mind.”
grinding
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often due to illogical puzzles, slow movement, and the need for pixel hunting to uncover hidden interactions. The experience can feel prolonged, especially when attempting to farm achievements, leading to a sense of monotony as players wander aimlessly when stuck. Overall, the grinding elements contribute to a less enjoyable gameplay experience.
- “Illogical puzzles and a convoluted storyline make this a frustrating and tedious experience.”
- “- clunky/slow movement that's tedious throughout the game.”
- “It took me 9 hours to finish the game; the rest was farming achievements, which are not hard to do.”
optimization
6 mentions
83 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while the point-and-click interface runs smoothly and the animations are fluid, players may need to adjust graphical settings for an optimal experience. The dialogue font could be improved, but the high-quality voice acting and soundtrack significantly enhance the overall immersion. Despite some technical shortcomings, the game's artistic elements and performances create a captivating atmosphere.
- “The point & click interface runs smoothly, but it took some tinkering with the game’s graphical settings before I was satisfied with the result. The dialogue font is a bit pixelated for my taste, but it wasn’t that much of a strain.”
- “It's an experience brought to life beautifully by high-quality vocal performances, decent if underutilized synth and techno music, solid character and background artwork, and butter-smooth animations.”
- “Anyhow, the performance was great, leaving a pleasant feeling of visiting 'another world' like a good movie or a book.”