Gadget: Invention, Travel & Adventure

The Good
Gadget is less a game than an interactive movie and as such it left a lot of players confused: There are no real challenges, few choices to make, and the game can easily be finished in one sitting. What then is the appeal? First, and obvious from the get-go, are the graphics. Every image in this game is a work of art. Second, the story which is told in a style very intrinsic to modern Japanese story telling. (The game is from Japan.) To a western player the surreal events and odd characters may be a bit hard to follow, but a fan of the writing of Haruki Murakami or the films of Kyoshi Kurosawa will be right at home. The story told in such a way that the player can continue to piece it together even after the game is over.

The Bad
Despite what I just said, it would have been nice to encounter at least some adversity. You can walk around and look at what you like, but when its time to move on the game yanks you ahead, always in the right (and only) direction.

The Bottom Line
I would recommend Gadget to anyone wanting to experience something a little different. There are no puzzles, no chance of dying, and no need for a walkthrough. You'll even be prompted when its time to use your inventory.

If you want to continue the Gadget experience, I suggest you try "The Third Force" by Marc Laidlaw. Its a novel set in the Gadget world that tells a story based on the game but clearly moving in its own direction. How the novel relates in canon to the game is unclear but you can read the book first or play the game first: either one will leave you wondering about the outcome of the other.