Really, this is more about experiencing the world than solving the puzzles. Aficionados that enjoy their adventure games with a stiff challenge will be disappointed, particularly as there’s not any need to combine items. The hint system is implemented well into the game, as well, with a dream bubble popping up above Bulb Boy that points toward what you need to do next. But still, it’s clear to see where modern point-and-click game design has come in you’re tested, but not frustrated. A few solutions might be a bit tricky to sort out, and at least once a bug made it impossible to complete a level until I restarted. But still, Bulb Boy‘s puzzles are never too complex, and each scene is self-contained, so you never have items that are left over in any way. That game is far more obtuse and obscure than this one is, though Bulb Boy is a willing to let you die.
It’s interesting to compare this to Day of the Tentacle Remastered ($4.99) which recently released on iOS. Granted, headphones have this problem as it is because the point of stereo sound is that each ear hears some of what the other speaker is putting out, but I rarely notice it as an issue in other games as I did here at times when it happened. Positional sound feels too much like it’s panned to one side or the other to a point that it doesn’t work well with headphones. The music and sound design is exceptional, though I feel like the game isn’t great with headphones. The animation is quite fluid, and there’s a use of selective detail in aspects like close-ups that’s reminiscent of modern cartoons. The production values are strong, with a monochromatic color scheme that is used quite well, mostly creating a green world that changes only when necessary. There’s two-character puzzles, dodging challenges, timing elements, just all sorts of things that make sure you never quite know what’s going to happen. That’s the excellent thing – this game keeps throwing new tricks at you and it kept surprising me along the way.
Because of the versatile nature of Bulb Boy himself, the game goes into some varied environments and uses the character in ways that you might never expect the game to go. And the only way to solve the problems here is by collecting items, and using them on objects in the environment, experimenting to figure out what works! Just like any good point-and-click adventure.īulb Boy’s head can come off of his body, and that plays a role in many puzzles early on you have to avoid getting thrown about by those arms coming out of the floors by hopping along the chandelier.
This is a game that’s definitely got a flavor for the grotesque, and it’s got horror elements to it as well. Bulb Boy wakes up, and there’s suddenly weird arms coming out of the walls, giant headless chickens, and at least one giant poop monster. The premise has you playing as the eponymous Bulb Boy, who finds the house he’s staying at with his frail grandfather and flying bulb dog suddenly invaded by monsters, or perhaps some kind of symbiote from outer space. It’s not very difficult to beat, but it also doesn’t overstay its welcome. This iOS port of the 2015 grotesque-comedy-horror point-and-click adventure game is incredibly charming, when it’s not trying to weird you out.