Last Word

I bought this game years ago, played it, enjoyed it, then forgot about it. I came back to it for the first time in almost ten years yesterday, and honestly I think it's incredible. In terms of technicality, it does show its age a little bit. There are very few settings (including no ability to change resolution), and no ability to skip the credits. I really don't think that's enough to ruin the experience for anyone, but maybe some people are more particular about that stuff. But gameplay and story-wise, this absolutely holds up. The 'combat' system is incredibly tactical for having very few options and very little skill progression, but what few skills there are can make a surprising amount of difference in the course of a battle. (For example, consider whether equipping Firm Handshake will allow you to start the battle on a more strategically advantageous peg). It's a steal at its full price, and even more of a steal on sale. The game can be beaten in about 4 hours if you know what you're doing, with extra content and secret-searching adding an extra few hours. Definitely not a game that overstays its welcome, and every minute in the game is spent with very clear ideas as to what you should be doing at the moment.

[h1]Reseña al vuelo: \Last Word\ - ¡Desenrollando la lengua tras el último chisme![/h1] [h2]Resumen[/h2] ¿Alguna vez pensaste que ganar una discusión pudiera ser tan épico que necesitaría su propio videojuego? Bueno, aquí tienes \Last Word\. En este juego, tus habilidades para debatir son tu espada y escudo. Prepárate para parlotear hasta que te conviertas en el Shakespeare de las discusiones casuales. [h2]Aspectos importantes e interesantes[/h2] Uno de los pilares de \Last Word\ es sin duda su originalidad. No todos los días juegas algo donde hablar (literalmente, aunque de forma estratégica) es la manera de avanzar y desentrañar misterios en una mansión que parece sacada de una novela victoriana de quinta mano. También, el sistema de combate basado en conversaciones es algo tan único que podría hacerte dejar de enviar textos y querer discutir en persona (quizá). [h2]Aspectos por mejorar[/h2] Aunque hablar hasta por los codos puede ser divertido, el juego a veces siente que le falta un pedazo de queso en la hamburguesa. La interfaz parece diseñada por un estudiante de primer año de diseño gráfico con una fijación por \lo vintage\. Además, algunos diálogos son tan largos que sentirás que estás en una cena familiar de esas que nunca terminan. [table] [tr][th]Aspecto[/th][th]Puntuación[/th][th]Comentarios[/th][/tr] [tr][td]Jugabilidad[/td][td]8[/td][td]Divertido pero, ¿hablar para ganar? Interesante...[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Dificultad / IA[/td][td]7[/td][td]Desafiantemente hablador, a veces es un poco repetitivo.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Contenido[/td][td]7[/td][td]Bastante bueno, pero no esperes más que palabras.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Video / Gráficos[/td][td]6[/td][td]Nostálgico, pero necesita una pulida visual.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Historia[/td][td]8[/td][td]Atractiva y apropiadamente enigmática.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Ambientación[/td][td]7[/td][td]Te sientes dentro de una novela, aunque a veces es predecible.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Efectos[/td][td]6[/td][td]Están ahí, pero no te volarán la cabeza.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Música[/td][td]7[/td][td]Agradable, sin romper el molde.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Voces[/td][td]7[/td][td]Decentes, aunque podrían ser más variadas.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Diversidad[/td][td]8[/td][td]A pesar de la repetición, es un concepto innovador.[/td][/tr] [tr][th]Total[/th][th]71/100[/th][th]Deficientemente interesante.[/th][/tr] [/table] [h2]¿Comprarlo o no?[/h2] Si el puntaje total es de [b]71[/b], entonces... [Compralo con descuento.]

Credit where it's due, the battle system is interesting mechanically and conceptually, and the game does provide some strategic advice, ultimately the outcome is based mostly on your level relative to your opponent. In a textbook example of a excessive difficulty spike, you can't progress without beating an opponent that'll likely be about twice your level, basically forcing you into a particularly slow level grind. I also found the tone and story concept to not jell that well.

OVERALL 9/10 Only worth a replay to reread the well-written story or because you particularly like the game play. GRAPHICS 9/10 Simple, quasi-pixel RPG Maker fare that favours minimalism in regards to character design (characters are depicted as outlines filled in with their associated "house" colour). The environment is suitably cozy and the combat "animations" provide visual interest. SOUND/MUSIC 9/10 Highly evocative soundtrack, excellent sounds effects and the minimalist-style humphs and scoffs of the voice actors immerse the player. CONTROLS 8/10 My only sticking point is that it is possible to make a wrong decision when in combat due to the menu system not being intuitive (eg. the creator should put the category at the top of the subcategory menu [eg. Disruptive - Subtle Common Overt, etc.] though that might qualify as a graphics / design issue). PLOT 10/10 Powerful and moving well-written murder mystery style plot filled with twists and turns (THAT MAKE SENSE) that could stand toe-to-toe with a novel or a movie. It's worth it to play (and replay) the game for the story alone! (Or go watch a playthrough >w>.) GAMEPLAY 8/10 It has its moments. The combat system takes a little getting used to but it is fairly intuitive and strategic. Combat is "resource gathering" / Final Fantasy-style "Fight Run Magic". You have to be very careful while selecting your move for reasons mentioned earlier (sub-menus do not have the titles which should be there). Grinding through conversations, investigating the environment and upgrading your character is intuitive, easy to do and fun! FINAL VERDICT = "Murder mystery" style "This Game Is A Novel" with Final Fantasy style "Fight Run Magic" style resource-based "combat". Would recommend AT LEAST 1 playthrough.

An experimental little game, don't think it really worked out, but I appreciate the attempt.

Game is good!

Why make every single character unlikable? :<

Silly lil' game about having the last word. But you have to earn them from other characters and keep advancing. It's not so much fun, but an interesting mechanic to play for a while.