Her Majesty's SPIFFING

Комедийные квесты — вешь противоречивая. Да, добрая часть классики point’n’click (времен LucasArts) — это как раз-таки игры, которые или строятся на шуточном сеттинге, или не гнушаются шуток как типичного ответа на действия игрока. Но именно из-за этого за сочетанием жанров закрепилась такая же репутация, что и за типовым фэнтези с эльфами и гномами, или за фанфиками: творить может каждый, только вот результат почти всегда не очень. Чего в таких условиях ждать от игры, которая, казалось бы, играет на теме десять лет назад прошедшего «брексита»? Честно, нет тут никакой особой сатиры на «брексит». А есть понимание, которое забивается в голову с первого же диалога в игре: четвертой стены в игре нет как таковой. За первые три минуты ты ловишь отсылки как миниум на три сущности из более широкого мира. К концу очень небольшой игры количество таких реалий приближается где-то к сотне — от «Робокопа» до Skyrim, не говоря уже о стереотипах о Великобритании и клише жанра квестов. На этих заранее обговорённых условиях игра проводит с тобой пару часов и заканчивается. Если бы она длилась дольше, или если бы вся эта куча даже не шуток — уанлайнеров была бы вкраплена в какую-то иную тематику, выглядело бы это неуместно. А так ты понимаешь, что тебя ждёт, и хорошо проводишь время. Немного о том, как Her Majesty’s SPIFFING играется. Сиюминутный геймплей максимально похож на Telltale’овские Sam & Max. Многие паззлы можно пройти разными способами, на что иногда недвусмысленно намекают описания ачивок. Подразумевается, что, если не сейвскамить, вы должны пройти игру ровно два раза — правда, во многих случаях вы с большой вероятностью примете «ачивочные» решения и потом будете думать над тем, как же выглядят «обычные». Учитывая маленькие time to beat и количество локаций, комфортней всего играть в игру сессиями по полчаса.

Короткий та дуже кумедний point and click. Гра наповнена купою британського гумору, різними великодками та стереотипами. Я особисто дуже люблю британський гумор, тому мені сподобалося. Якщо вам він теж подобається, то це ідеальна гра на вечір.

A very short 3D point-and-click puzzle adventure, enjoyment of [i]Her Majesty's SPIFFING[/i] really hangs around its comical portrayal of typical British stereotypes. These mostly hit pretty well and I had a good time with the game, though if it were any longer I could see them starting to become grating - expect a total playtime in the 1-2 hour range. That said, ending on a bit of a cliffhanger and certain earlier events going unexplained isn't ideal. Puzzles are simple but to a well-judged extent, occasionally with multiple solutions, and the overall presentation is solid.

Обрубок игры, который никогда не закончат и в целом, но как приключение на вечер по очень дешевой цене, почему нет.

Brilliant animation, voice acting and humour made this a fun experience. It's very short, but I didn't pay much for it and a short game makes a nice change. Highly recommended.

Das Galaktische Imperium wird nicht in einem kurzen Spiel allein errichtet, Spaß macht es dennoch.

the game focus on modern day humor and going around solving puzzle, the two things I don't like the most when playing this type of game (I expect it to have some interesting and serious story). But If you enjoy this type of game, it's solid...

Her Majesty's SPIFFING, developed by Billy Goat Entertainment Ltd and published by Secret Mode, is a quirky point-and-click adventure that blends British humor with a satirical take on space exploration and politics. The game thrusts players into an alternate reality where the United Kingdom has exited the European Union and now seeks to carve out a new Galactic British Empire. Players follow Captain Frank Lee English and his colleague Aled Jones on their mission to expand British influence beyond Earth, which sets the stage for a humorous narrative full of witty banter, clever political satire, and absurd scenarios. The game’s storytelling is one of its strongest suits, employing a sharp script that pokes fun at contemporary political events and cultural stereotypes with a playful yet incisive tone. The dialogue between the characters is peppered with dry wit and tongue-in-cheek commentary, creating an experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. However, the narrative’s brevity leaves some players feeling it only scratches the surface of what could be a larger, more expansive adventure. While the story successfully builds a charming and engaging world, it also hints at untapped potential that some may wish had been explored further. Gameplay follows the traditional point-and-click adventure format, focusing on exploration, item collection, and puzzle-solving. The puzzles are generally approachable, providing a good balance that keeps the experience accessible without becoming frustrating. That said, the puzzles are fairly straightforward, and seasoned adventure game players might find them lacking in complexity or challenge. The relatively short playtime, usually around two to three hours, has also been a point of critique, with some feeling that the game could have benefited from more content or deeper gameplay mechanics to fully justify its price. Visually, Her Majesty's SPIFFING adopts a distinctive art style that complements its comedic tone. The environments are richly detailed, and character models are expressive, enhancing the overall narrative experience. The game’s voice acting deserves special mention, as it breathes life into the script and elevates the humor through excellent performances. The soundtrack is well-crafted, subtle enough to support the atmosphere without overwhelming the player, contributing to an immersive yet lighthearted ambiance that fits the game’s unique blend of satire and space adventure. Despite its charm and humor, the game does leave some players wishing for more, particularly in terms of length and depth. The conclusion feels somewhat open-ended, hinting at further adventures that have yet to materialize, which can be both intriguing and slightly unsatisfying. Some technical issues and minor bugs have been reported but do not significantly detract from the overall experience. The developers’ evident passion for the subject matter and clever writing shines through, making it a memorable title even if it doesn’t quite reach the full scope some players anticipated. Ultimately, Her Majesty's SPIFFING offers a refreshing take on the point-and-click adventure genre through its unique blend of satire, humor, and space exploration. While it may not be the longest or most challenging game in the genre, it stands out thanks to its witty narrative, charismatic characters, and distinctive British charm. Fans of narrative-driven adventures and satirical storytelling will find much to enjoy here, as the game delivers an entertaining and quirky journey that pokes fun at real-world issues while inviting players to embark on an absurdly delightful cosmic mission. Rating: 7/10

You know how in some point-and-click quests you have to check your entire inventory against every interactable thing to see what sort of utter nonsense the devs had decided to hide progression behind? Yeah, this is not that kind of a game. I only found myself stuck a few times during my entire walkthrough, and every time the solution turned out genuinely logical, or even downright brilliant. The game is a bit too short for its full price, but in my opinion, grabbing it on sale turned out to be a positively spiffing idea.

Very charming game that doesn't try to outlast what it has to offer.