Summary
This game proves that you don't need fancy-schmancy graphics to make a good game! This is one of the cutest AGS games out there.
The Good
From what I've heard, the Adventure Game Studio is great "starter" software for anyone who wants to try their hand at creating an adventure game.
Jessica Plunkenstein is a very good example of a first project that made it all the way to release.
Its graphics are crude, true, but everything else about the game is good. All of the characters are funny, especially the protagonist, Jessica herself. Over 20 different people voiced the characters using a well-written script.
Jessica is a likable protagonist with a humorous personality. Düsseldorf is a comical villain too whose evil plan is to take over Broadway and control the world. In her search to find him, Jessica gets involved in some very unusual antics like fertilizing a mulberry bush, participating in a yodelling contest and dressing up like a yeti. The inventory and conversation-based puzzles are creative and entertaining. There is one puzzle at the end of the game which might make you scratch your head, but otherwise the rest are fairly logical if you use your imagination.
The interface is a simple as you can get. Point and click with one of the 4 icons (walk, use, look or talk) and your right mouse button toggles between them. Keyboard keys perform other functions: Inventory (Tab), F5 (Save), F7 (Load), Spacebar (Pause), and Ctl+Q (Quit). Press your 'S' key for the sound options menu.
Additionally, the game has a lighthearted soundtrack and some sound effects.
The Bad
Overall, the game played well on my Windows XP system without any problems to speak of. There are a few quirks in pathfinding in some scenes, but no showstoppers. I did notice some sound stutter while saving games, but that was inconsequential. It's not a long game and can be completed in as little as one or two days.
The Bottom Line
If you're an adventure game fan, I can't recommend this game enough! It naturally is not of commercial quality, but it gets high marks from me on everything that counts in storytelling. Certainly if you're one who must have the best graphics in their games, you'll be disappointed with this. Take it for what it is and you should enjoy the experience, like I did.
It's cute, funny and free. What could be better than that?
