Bad Mojo

Tap-Repeatedly/Four Fat Chicks ( ) (100%)

Bad Mojo's original publicity spin asked players to imagine Myst, directed by David Lynch and scripted by Franz Kafka. While arresting, the blurb is more than a bit misleading. Players expecting a creepy/weird point-and-click, first-person experience a la Myst found instead a creepy/weird third-person (or should that be third-roach?) adventure driven by nothing but the cursor keys. Spin aside, for those with a taste for the creepy/weird and a willingness to see through the grime of the world into the heart of the spirit, Bad Mojo is an extraordinary adventure.

Tap-Repeatedly/Four Fat Chicks ( ) (100%)

While the gameplay mechanics are hardly unique and the QuickTime clips as grainy as ever, the richly grimy background visuals and the haunting soundtrack create a compelling, albeit unlikely, venue for a quest. Toss in the highly articulated roach animation (the antennae can be turned on or off in the game preferences) and Bad Mojo remains, for those willing to face it, an unforgettable experience.

Pelit (92 out of 100) (92%)

Bad Mojo ilmestyi jo viime kevään korvilla, mutta ei näin nautittavaa pakettia voi unohtaa, vaikka se onkin pysynyt pillossa kuin torakka ruokakaapissa. Virkistävän erilainen peli-idea ja toteutus saavat pelaajan viihtymään. Turha kuoleminenkaan ei häiritse, vaikka torakan elämä saattaakin joskus loppua äkillisesti. Mukavaa vaihtelua tavallisten seikkailujen väliin.

Entertainment Weekly (A-) (91%)

Because I played Bad Mojo with a reviewer's cheat sheet in hand, I was able to get through it in one day, lending it the creepy pull of a well-wrought horror movie. For most players, though, running around in circles on a lovingly detailed basement floor for weeks may eventually pall. Fact is, Bad Mojo is almost too good to be a game — but as games go, it's one of the pest.

Online Gaming Review (OGR) (9 out of 10) (90%)

Bad Mojo doesn't make roaches the good guys. It doesn't make them the bad guys. It makes them roaches and for that it succeeds where almost everything else I've seen (usually trying to make stiff little icons into living, breathing people) fails. For what it tries to do, Bad Mojo wins big.

GameSpot (9 out of 10) (90%)

Without a doubt, Bad Mojo is not for the faint-hearted. If filth, creepy spiders, and gasping fish out of water make your skin crawl, you'll want to avoid this game. But those who can stomach these treats will find a rewarding world of fun in Bad Mojo.

Jeuxvideo.com (18 out of 20) (90%)

Bad Mojo est un jeu exceptionnel, dans la mesure où il surprend son joueur à chaque seconde. Impossible de s’ennuyer alors que l’on erre parmi ces objets du quotidien transformés en pièges infernaux, notre cuticule comme seule protection. En ressort un plaisir inégalé amalgamé à une tension de tous les instants, ne rendant le jeu que plus délicieux encore. Bref, si vous attendiez cette phrase, sachez qu’elle a ici tout son sens : contrairement aux attentes, Bad Mojo est tout sauf un titre qui vous donnera le cafard…

GotNext ( ) (90%)

Despite its re-release for a new generation, Bad Mojo seems cursed to remain in obscurity in the world of adventure games. This is unfortunate as it holds its own against the more mainstream LucasArts and Sierra classics, and deserves to be remembered alongside them. Its world can be a little overwhelming to navigate at first but, beyond that, it excels with its anomalous premise, gritty style, and some of the most clever design in the genre.

macHOME ( ) (90%)

Making a cockroach crawl through a decrepit San Francisco waterfront hotel may not sound like your idea of fun, but Bad Mojo is first-rate entertainment that will delight thinking game players and David Lynch fans everywhere.

Jeuxvideo.com (18 out of 20) (90%)

Bad Mojo est un jeu exceptionnel, dans la mesure où il surprend son joueur à chaque seconde. Impossible de s’ennuyer alors que l’on erre parmi ces objets du quotidien transformés en pièges infernaux, notre cuticule comme seule protection. En ressort un plaisir inégalé amalgamé à une tension de tous les instants, ne rendant le jeu que plus délicieux encore. Bref, si vous attendiez cette phrase, sachez qu’elle a ici tout son sens : contrairement aux attentes, Bad Mojo est tout sauf un titre qui vous donnera le cafard…

MacGamer's Ledge, The (Mac Ledge) (9 out of 10) (90%)

If you have both the nerve and the stomach for it, you will find in Bad Mojo a weird, disconcerting, and thrillingly original gaming experience, with superb graphics and production values unmatched by most other adventure games. While so many bigger companies are content to churn out knock-offs of best-selling games, Pulse Entertainment clearly puts a premium on creativity and originality. I doubt this game will ever become a bestseller, but it is sure to gain a faithful following.

Macworld (8.8 out of 10) (88%)

The animation, adopted from the work of genuinely serious artificial-life scientists, is amazing, and the puzzles are all appropriately cockroachish. Ultimately, though, it's the point of view that gets to you, the experience of seeing the world from a six-legged, ground-level perspective. When you finish Bad Mojo, I guarantee that the next time you see a roach, you won't be so quick to stomp.

PC Games (Germany) (85 out of 100) (85%)

Solche Spiele braucht die Welt. Bad Mojo hat das Zeug dazu, neue Zeichen im PC-Sektor zu setzen. Innovatives Gameplay, phantastische Grafiken und eine absolut faszinierende Story machen Bad Mojo zu einem echten Hit für all diejenigen, die gerne auf Erkundungsreise durch fremde Welten gehen - und selbst ein stinknormales Hotel kann aus der Sicht einer Kakerlake eine fremde Welt darstellen.

PC Action (Germany) (84 out of 100) (84%)

Zugegeben, der erste Eindruck deutet auf ein düsteres Spiel hin, und die Vorstellung, als Kakerlake durch die Gegend zu krabbeln, ist zunächst auch nicht sehr animierend, aber der Schein trügt gewaltig. Binnen kürzester Zeit sind etwaige Vorurteile wie weggeblasen und man hat sich völlig mit der kleinen Kakerlake identifiziert. Es ist schon faszinierend, die Welt einmal aus einer völlig anderen Perspektive zu erleben. Dazu kommt eine packende Story, die sich der Spieler portionsweise erkrabbeln muß, zahllose Rätsel, die mit den begrenzten Möglichkeiten eines Insekts gelöst werden müssen, eine nahezu perfekt realisierte Spielumgebung und die gruselige Atmosphäre. Mit anderen Worten, eine gelungene Kombination aus Adventure, Action und einem Schuß Strategie - absolut empfehlenswert.

PC Gamer (84 out of 100) (84%)

Absolutely unique; well-conceived and executed; intense and disturbing. May be too intense & disturbing (and possible too easy) for some players. Until they make a game out of the movie Eraserhead, this is as weird as it gets.

PC Player (Denmark) (83 out of 100) (83%)

Alt i alt en lækker cocktail, som består af flot grafik, klingende rene og realitiske lydeffekter samt et dysert soundtrack, som skubber én ud over mørkelandets grænser. Sværhedsgraden er måske nok en tand for høj, og gåderne kunne godt have været noget mere varierende. Det er dog ikke desto mindre fedt at se verden "nedenfra", og man bliver mere end glad for, at man ikke er en lille udsat djævel på et par centimeter...

Power Play (83 out of 100) (83%)

So innovativ Handlung und Spielkonzept auch sein mögen, das ein oder andere Rätsel mehr hätte es schon sein dürfen. Die Phasen ziellosen Umherstreifens auf der Suche nach Details abgerechnet, ist die Chose binnen relativ kurzer Zeit durchgespielt. „Bad Mojo“ ist eine Kreuzung aus unverwechselbarem Spielgefühl und einer einzigartig grotesken Bilderflut mit künstlerischem Anspruch.

Adventure Advocate ( ) (80%)

Συνοψίζοντας , το Β.Μ. είναι ένα εκπληκτικό adventure το οποίο όμως απευθύνεται σε gamers με συγκεκριμένη νοοτροπία , οι οποίοι θέλγονται από παιχνίδια με ζοφερά περιβάλλοντα και υποβλητική ατμόσφαιρα. Δίκαια θεωρείται παιχνίδι cult και παρά το ότι έχει συμπληρώσει 12 χρόνια ζωής , αξίζει να το αναζητήσει και να το παίξει κάποιος ακόμη και σήμερα. Το ταξίδι στον εφιαλτικό του κόσμο μπορεί να μη διαρκέσει πολύ , αλλά σας εγγυώμαι ότι θα σας μείνει αξέχαστο!

Computer Gaming World (CGW) ( ) (80%)

All in all, BAD MOJO is just the thing for gamers who truly hunger for something unique and totally off the beaten track. If anyone does crave a comparison, oddly enough, I'd say that BAD MOJO resembles MYST. Despite the difference in sensibilities, both games involve puzzles and exploration against stunning visual backdrops. In fact, the backdrops, or more specifically, the sheer number of them represent the only gameplay snag that sometimes distracted me. Since you are a roach traveling in human-sized rooms, there are a lot of screens where there is nothing to do except cross them. Luckily, most of these backdrops are interesting enough to keep tedium from setting in too quickly. BAD MOJO also gets a nod for its excellent technical performance and top-notch presentation. I recommend it highly, especially for those of us who aren't easily spooked by a little existential nausea.

Adventure Gamers ( ) (80%)

Is there a more globally despised creature than the cockroach? Oh, sure, people are more frightened of snakes, sharks and [insert local geographical menace here]. But just in terms of sheer, unadulterated disgust, the roach rules! It could be because the largest can grow to half a foot long (15 cm), or because it can live over a week with its head cut off, or even because it's a scavenging omnivore that would gladly feed on human flesh if it confused our sleeping bodies for dead...

High Score (4 out of 5) (80%)

Bad Mojo är ett väldigt trevligt spel, och det vänder sig mer till dem som tycker om att spela med hjärnan än med snabba fingrar. Pysselspelare som tycker om kväljningar kommer att älska det här.

PC Player (Germany) ( ) (80%)

Lediglich ein paar Puzzles mehr hätten es sein dürfen; hat man mal die Denkweise des Spiels kapiert, geht es zu schnell weiter. Vor allem erwachsene Abenteurern sei diese ungewöhnliche Begegbnung der krabbelnden Art wärmstens empfohlen. Frei nach dem Motto: Alles was ich habe, ist meine Küchenschabe.

PC Player (Germany) ( ) (80%)

Lediglich ein paar Puzzles mehr hätten es sein dürfen; hat man mal die Denkweise des Spiels kapiert, geht es zu schnell weiter. Vor allem erwachsene Abenteurern sei diese ungewöhnliche Begegbnung der krabbelnden Art wärmstens empfohlen. Frei nach dem Motto: Alles was ich habe, ist meine Küchenschabe.

Przygodoskop ( ) (80%)

Bad Mojo, ze wszystkimi swoimi ekstrawagancjami, fascynuje i wciąga. Okazuje się, że poza chwytliwym, zwracającym uwagę pomysłem ma do zaoferowania całkiem sporo atrakcji. Jest starannie wykonana i niebanalnie opowiada błahą, wydawałoby się na pierwszy rzut oka, historię. Jeżeli więc tylko nadarzy się okazja, trzeba w nią zagrać. Drugiej takiej gry nigdy wcześniej ani później nie było. I pewnie już nie będzie.

Just Adventure (B) (75%)

Bad Mojo is a unique game and a nice change of pace to the "standard" adventure template. It puts you in a very strange scenario, one you won't see in many other releases. Some will find it disturbing, some will find it intriguing, and I'm guessing that almost all will find it just plain different. Because of this, I think you'll discover the initial addiction factor to be very high. Despite the fact that it is rather short, and not very difficult, I think the ride is fun, and Bad Mojo will provide some solid entertainment. This title won't necessarily be one you put in your trophy case, but it definitely will be a game you will remember.

PC Joker (75 out of 100) (75%)

Fazit: Bad Mojo ist ein ebenso ungewöhnliches wie kafkaeskes Spielerlebnis, dem empfindsame Menschen allerdings mit der gleichen Zuneigung begegnen werden, die man auch sonst für Küchenschaben aufbringt.

Just Adventure (B) (75%)

Bad Mojo is a unique game and a nice change of pace to the "standard" adventure template. It puts you in a very strange scenario, one you won't see in many other releases. Some will find it disturbing, some will find it intriguing, and I'm guessing that almost all will find it just plain different. Because of this, I think you'll discover the initial addiction factor to be very high. Despite the fact that it is rather short, and not very difficult, I think the ride is fun, and Bad Mojo will provide some solid entertainment. This title won't necessarily be one you put in your trophy case, but it definitely will be a game you will remember.

GamersHell.com (7.2 out of 10) (72%)

Unfortunaly there are things that I feel could've been done better, an example is somewhat in the beginning where there is a roach trap in which you need to push this little piece of 'something' around to this other roach which is stuck in the glue but still being alive. It can be a real bitch moving the piece downwards, and the reason, obscure as it may be is that some places you can't move it, even though there isn't an obsticle in the way. In my eyes this is a bug, but who knows, perhaps they did it just to piss me off (yes, very likely indeed).

PC Zone (1993-2010) (70 out of 100) (70%)

Absorbing stuff once you get to grips with it, but you'll want to wash your hands afterwards.

Computer and Video Games (CVG) ( ) (60%)

My only real criticisms of Bad Mojo are that, firstly, the play areas are so vast it takes a long to get from A to B (I suppose that's what it's like for a bug), and secondly, the experience is a short one. But with production values this high, that's only to be expected.

Quandary ( ) (60%)

Overall, I quite enjoyed the puzzle/maze aspect of this game though it is not one that I would want to return to, and it is definitely not for the squeamish. All the way through I couldn't help thinking that a simpler, cut down version without the sordid storyline and with some of the more repellant screens removed would surely be an instant success with younger players as it has many elements that might appeal to a youthful audience. And, despite my aversion to cockroaches, Roger the roach is infinitely more appealing than Roger the man.

Next Generation ( ) (60%)

Bad Mojo isn't for everyone. If you're squeamish or have a weak stomach, you should probably steer clear. But if you're looking for something "refreshing." well then it's worth a look.

Adventure Classic Gaming (3 out of 5) (60%)

In conclusion, Bad Mojo is an unique game with an original idea that makes for a truly memorable gaming experience. It may be fun to live life as a cockroach for a short while (assuming you have a stomach strong enough for it. In the end, however, Bad Mojo plays more like a divertissement, because it takes more than an original idea to make a good game.

Mac Game Gate ( ) (60%)

To sum things up, Bad Mojo is an average game. It is an all round good game, except longevity is a real big problem. But I think for the price of $30 (plus you get two free posters worth $17 apiece) you should take a look at it.

Adventurearchiv (58 out of 100) (58%)

Of course decomposing rats and rotting meal wastes are not everyones cup of tea. It is also difficult to identify yourself on the one hand with strange scientist Rodger Samms and on the other hand with his embodiment as cockroach. But one cannot deny "Bad Mojo" a large originality factor.

Privat Computer PC (50 out of 100) (50%)

Der er ikke rigtig nogen egentlige fejl ved Bad Mojo, udover at man efter min mening bliver nedtrykt af at spille det, for underholdningsværdien er ret lav.

QUICK-SAVE.de N/A

Skurril, nichts für schwache Nerven, ein atmosphärischer Soundtrack zu einer bedrückenden Story rund um eine verzauberte Kakerlake – Bad Mojo gehört definitiv nicht zur Kategorie „08/15-Abenteuer“. Ganz im Gegenteil, die Herausforderungen eines kleinen Insekts in einer realen Welt eröffnen ganz neue Aufgabengebiete, die die abgedrehte Hintergrundgeschichte abrundet. Für Profis ist die Spielzeit zu kurz und die Rätsel nicht komplex genug, für Gelegenheitsspieler findet sich hier ein ansehnliches Abenteuer – sofern die eigenen Nerven nicht zu schwach dafür sind.

macHOME N/A

Some of the puzzles in Bad Mojo can stump you. But to help you hang in there, a first-rate tips book has just been released. Experienced puzzle-solving games players, however, should have no problem solving the mystery that is Mojo, and Mac users everywhere are sure to delight in this imaginative, well-developed title.