The Filmmaker - A Text Adventure
- March 7, 2017
- Storycentric Worlds
- 1h median play time
Get on SteamExplore an abandoned movie theater and step inside five black-and-white films in this mystery text adventure that pays tribute to classic Hollywood B-Movies and combines the best elements of interactive fiction, visual novels, and gamebooks.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a compelling and well-written story that keeps players engaged throughout.
- Puzzles are interesting and well-integrated, providing a good challenge without being overly frustrating.
- The atmosphere is enhanced by good graphics, music, and a unique setting that pays homage to classic B-movies.
- Some puzzles can lead to tedious backtracking and may require excessive searching for items, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
- The interface can feel clunky at times, making navigation and interaction less smooth.
- There are occasional bugs that can detract from the overall experience, though support is available for troubleshooting.
- story27 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story revolves around a movie fan who experiences spooky events at a film premiere, with a compelling narrative that unfolds as players explore a theater and engage with various b-movie scenarios. While some reviews noted that certain storylines felt long-winded or less engaging, many praised the writing quality, character development, and the intriguing blend of dark themes and puzzles, making it appealing for fans of story-rich games. Overall, the narrative is described as well-crafted, atmospheric, and capable of keeping players invested throughout.
“The story is appealing and gives a good conclusion with a few more choices that change the outcome.”
“The writing is well done and the story is compelling.”
“Great story, well-developed characters, thoughtfully integrated puzzles, heroic quest... the filmmaker has it all.”
“The filmmaker has a decent amount of atmosphere and a mildly involving story, though it does get a bit exhausting and long-winded towards the end.”
“Villain is, in my opinion, the best so far in the game series, but the story, even if it tries to be, isn't scary at all or even remotely disturbing as Shady Brook, and the feeling at the end is that of a B-movie villain.”
“The story starts with Brianna, a young woman who loves to watch B-movies with her father who passed away recently.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its fitting music and retro aesthetic, effectively capturing the charm of small movie theaters and the cult of b-movies. While the story is mildly engaging, some players find it becomes exhausting towards the end. Overall, the combination of atmospheric soundtracks and character design contributes to a fun and immersive experience.
“I appreciated the fact the author gives us a taste of the past and loved the retro age atmosphere.”
“The music fits each area and gives it the right atmosphere; the art of the game is okay, and I liked Brianna and her father's character design.”
“The filmmaker has a decent amount of atmosphere and a mildly involving story, though it does get a bit exhausting and long-winded towards the end.”
“All in all, the game captures the atmosphere and allure of small movie theatres and the cult around B-movies very well.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their quality, especially given its text-based nature, featuring well-designed static artwork and character designs, particularly for Brianna and her father. The visuals, combined with the music, enhance the overall experience, making it visually appealing and engaging.
“The artwork is very well done and the music really adds to the whole experience.”
“+ Nice artwork, good character design, especially Brianna and her father.”
“The game has good graphics considering it's a text game.”
“It uses static artwork for locations and events that arise from interaction selections.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for enhancing the atmosphere and fitting well with each area, contributing positively to the overall experience. However, some users noted that the game only plays one audio track at a time, which can disrupt the music during key moments like goals and achievements. Overall, the combination of music and artwork is well-received, with many players expressing their enjoyment of both aspects.
“The music fits each area and gives it the right atmosphere; the art of the game is okay, I liked Brianna and her father's character design.”
“The artwork is very well done and the music really adds to the whole experience.”
“I'm also a big fan of the music and artwork.”
“The game sounded like it could only play one audio track at a time, so goals and achievements interrupted the music and background noise.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay focuses primarily on puzzles rather than exploration, characteristic of a text adventure. Players engage in a slower-paced experience, gathering clues to uncover the story, which ultimately leads to a satisfying revelation.
“The gameplay focuses less on exploration and more on solving intricate puzzles.”
“As a text adventure, the gameplay is slower-paced, requiring players to gather clues and piece together the story, but ultimately, everything will be revealed.”
“The gameplay is less focused on exploration and more on puzzles.”
“As a text adventure, the gameplay is a bit slow since you must gather clues and piece together what has happened in the past, but eventually all will be revealed.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly when faced with challenges like sourcing essential resources, such as water for the toilet, which can hinder progress and enjoyment.
“This became tedious quickly when I could not find a way to get water to the toilet.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted through the well-designed characters, particularly Brianna and her father, which contribute to the game's overall atmosphere. While the art is considered average, the music effectively enhances the emotional depth of the characters and their environments.
“The character development in this game is truly remarkable, especially with Brianna and her father's design, which adds depth to their relationship.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
“The way the game explores the backstories of its characters really enhances the overall experience and makes you care about their fates.”
