A Golden Wake

Honestly I thought this was going to be a great old romp of an Adventure Game, and it did get good in the second half (Chapters 3 and 4) but you've got to get through a slog before anything interesting does happen, couple that with the fact the game crashed on me at multiple instances, one causing me to replay almost an entire chapter and you find that i'm left feeling a little annoyed. I'm not too impressed with this game, maybe the developer has better titles...I do have both Rosewater and Lamplight in my Library, we'll see. This one though? Save your money, or buy on sale and save HEAVILY to avoid the crashes.

Completed it two times, one blind and the other listening to the commentary and achievement hunting. I had a great time, and this game reminds me why I love curated, relatively short experiences that give you a good story and solid gameplay. Kudos to the voice actors, they really added to the experience.

Well, playing till the end of this game give me mixed feeling. Is it a good game or a bad one I can't tell. The good is that there is a bit of historical story here, the bad is that it gives me a Deponia feeling kinda game. It is definitely a black sheep among other games I have played of this franchise. Give it a try when it's on sale, otherwise read other reviews before consider buying.

"A Golden Wake" is a straightforward and story focused game. Rare in the genre, and I appreciate it greatly. What I mean is, there is no moon logic or senseless dragging. A short and enjoyable one and done game. Developed by a single Indie developer, this is a great achievement. One can see the attention to detail and style carried over to the later games like Shardlight, Lamplight City and Rosewater. I have played Shardlight and it was a decent game with a great story. This game has a good story, I praise it more than its gameplay. It is a bit rough. While released in 2014, these games pay homage and reflect the style of point & click games from the '90s. Especially with the 1920s period this game is set in, this fits very well and only enforces the vibe! While the game's events are mostly fictional, they are based in real life history with real historical figures. It is clear the developer did his research into Miami's Coral Gables and its founder George Merrick. This authenticity did not go unnoticed, the story felt more grounded and realistic. The protagonist Alfie, like many men who get the job done, displayed great ingenuity and resourcefulness. That's something that is a given for p&c protagonists. Very fitting role. It's like the puzzle pieces fall perfectly in line! The puzzles were logical and well designed, in fact a bit on the easier side, but I ain't complaining as I hate moon logic idiocy. The only issue is that due to the pixel graphics it was sometimes hard to read or make sense of information provided to us. I even removing smoothing but it was still rough. Newer games provide a transcript. That certainly would help with accessibility. The music and voice acting are highly appreciated, especially in Indie games. This is truly what elevates point & click games in my opinion. This is a very underrated gem, even in the p&c community. I enjoyed it.

6.5/10 point 'n click I liked the atmosphere but the writing is pretty flat, same goes for the characters. In that regard the game got the Rosewater treatment. It's pretty quick and the puzzles are very straightforward so you won't get lost + no long backtracking Overall you will have an ok time but there are way better options especially Lamplight City from the same dev

Как всегда, одна из игр Франциско Гонсалеса (Грундисла Геймз) и Дэйва Гилберта (Уаджет Ай) - очередной маленький шедевр. Игры от этих издателей давно являются любимейшими. Интересный сюжет, эмоциональная история, погрузившая очень атмосферно в те времена Америки, в общем-то не очень далекие от наших, причем очень многое основано на реальных событиях, о чем создатель игры интересно рассказывает в комментариях, так что советую играть с ними. Классное ретро (или немного нуар?), яркие персонажи, реалистичная драма, квесты не очень сложные, интересно и спокойно проходится. Великолепная классика! As always, this game is one of the games by Francisco Gonzalez (Grundislav Games) and Dave Gilbert (Wadget Eye) is another little masterpiece. Games from these Creators have long been favorites. An interesting plot, an emotional story that immerses you in a very atmospheric way in those times of America, in general not very far from ours, and a lot is based on real events, which the creator of the game talks about interestingly in the comments, so I advise you to play with them. Cool retro (or a little noir?), bright characters, realistic drama, quests are not very difficult, but interesting and easy to complete. Great classic!

I really enjoyed the game. All what I am expecting from a pixel art point n click: cool atmosphere, nice music, interesting background and characters. The puzzles are not ridiculously odd. The game is quite short but I enjoyed every bit of it. None of the achievements are completely off or unatural either. I recommend.

Developed and published by Grundislav Games, A Golden Wake is a narrative-driven point-and-click adventure that transports players to the sun-soaked yet unpredictable landscape of Florida during the 1920s. Rather than leaning on fantasy or science fiction, the game builds its identity around real historical events, offering a fictional story woven into the rapid expansion of Coral Gables and the booming real estate market that transformed Miami. Players step into the role of Alfie Banks, an ambitious salesman determined to seize every opportunity that the land boom presents. What begins as a story of professional ambition gradually evolves into a deeper exploration of greed, corruption, loyalty, and the devastating consequences of economic collapse, making the adventure feel both personal and historically meaningful. The game's strongest feature is its storytelling, which skillfully combines authentic historical inspiration with engaging character development. Alfie's rise through the competitive world of property sales introduces him to influential businessmen, politicians, developers, and criminals whose interests often overlap in morally questionable ways. As fortunes are made and lost, players witness how the optimism of the era slowly gives way to financial disaster, natural catastrophe, and shattered dreams. Because the narrative is rooted in actual historical circumstances surrounding South Florida's land boom, every major event carries a sense of realism that distinguishes the game from more conventional adventure titles. The setting itself becomes an important part of the experience, illustrating how quickly prosperity can disappear when speculation and ambition spiral out of control. Gameplay embraces the traditional mechanics that longtime fans of point-and-click adventures expect. Exploration, inventory management, environmental observation, and dialogue-driven progression form the backbone of the experience. Puzzles are generally designed to support the narrative instead of interrupting it, encouraging logical thinking and careful examination of the surroundings without relying too heavily on obscure solutions. Conversations with a diverse cast of characters gradually uncover new leads while expanding the story's historical context, creating a satisfying balance between detective work, puzzle solving, and narrative progression. Although the gameplay remains faithful to classic adventure design, it benefits from modern quality-of-life improvements that help keep the experience accessible. Visually, A Golden Wake adopts an attractive pixel art presentation that successfully captures the architecture, fashion, and atmosphere of 1920s Florida. Streets filled with new developments, elegant offices, luxury hotels, and growing neighborhoods all reflect the excitement surrounding the state's rapid expansion. The environments may be rendered in a retro style, but they contain enough detail to establish a convincing sense of place and period. Character portraits and animations complement the nostalgic aesthetic while giving each individual enough personality to remain memorable throughout the story. The soundtrack further strengthens the historical setting with music that shifts naturally between moments of optimism, tension, and reflection, while the voice acting adds warmth and authenticity to the dialogue, making the cast feel more believable. One of the game's most admirable qualities is how effectively it transforms history into an interactive narrative without sacrificing entertainment. Instead of simply presenting historical facts, it allows players to experience the ambitions, opportunities, and consequences that defined one of America's most dramatic economic booms. Themes of success, morality, and personal responsibility remain relevant long after the credits roll, giving the adventure emotional weight beyond its puzzles. While the deliberate pacing and classic design philosophy may not appeal to players seeking fast-paced action, those who appreciate thoughtful storytelling and historically grounded adventures will find plenty to admire. A Golden Wake succeeds by delivering a compelling blend of historical authenticity, engaging writing, memorable characters, and satisfying adventure gameplay. It respects the traditions of classic point-and-click games while distinguishing itself through its uncommon setting and well-researched narrative. The result is an experience that entertains while offering insight into a fascinating chapter of American history, making it a worthwhile choice for players who value story-driven games with meaningful themes and strong world-building. Rating: 7/10

plays wonderfully on the deck. great music, fun writing achievements not working though

An interesting slice of oft-overlooked history. I enjoyed the whole vibe of it but found the latter half to be unengaging