Pilot Brothers 3: Back Side of the Earth

По какой-то причине издатель Fulqrum Publishing решил выпустить обновления для своих старых игр. После долгих размышлений они пришли к выводу, что это будут не патчи, фиксы, достижения, карточки, Steam Cloud или оформления для библиотек, а что-то гораздо более важное — очередной лончер (Fulqrum Launcher). Хочу обратить внимание: ПК-игроки уже устали от бесконечных лончеров. Это заметили даже крупные издатели, которые начали постепенно убирать лончеры из игр, выпускаемых в Steam. Реакция сообщества King's Bounty на новость о добавлении очередного лончера, была столь бурной, что часть тем пришлось удалить. Но вместо того, чтобы учесть обратную связь, вы продолжаете выпускать обновления для всех «своих» игр с добавлением лончера. Надеюсь, рано или поздно человек, отвечающий за эту «диверсию», будет уволен, и всё вернётся на свои места.

Положительный отзыв здесь скорее за ностальгию. Если вы не испытываете подобных чувств, то лучше поиграйте в первые 2 части - здесь вырезали половину игры, а также хромает тех. часть - в порте зачастую речь не совпадает с происходящим на экране, что не очень хорошо воспринимается. Если вам эти 2 пункта не страшны, то покупайте - все (лично мною) любимые миссии здесь есть - и со сбором самолёта, и с поездами, и с поплавками, и с подводной лодкой. Помню, что до этого часто бесила миссия с подъёмом на китайскую стену, но сейчас я её прошёл довольно быстро

So i've installed my Steam release of this game, launched it and then i saw people complain that it is missing half the locations. Wait, what. One of the theories going around is that the missing mission were done by a different studio, and they didn't bother to sort out the rights for the touchscreen+Steam re-release. So i've got the full release instead, and it is called bp4.exe, while the title of the program also has 4 in the name. So, were they making two games at the same time, but decided to glue them together? When you play it, the splice is not noticeable, because it's an absurd world that is not supposed to make sense. But in defence of the new release, you can see that the whole missing section is just slapped on to the map. In the "fourth" story you enter the sub, you exit the same sub near the final boss. While the whole adventure made by the other studio had to be bookended with submarines. And it's not even the same submarines! So this game, the full version or the new "original vision" short version is an adventure game. And it's an adventure game that takes place in an absurd word. So the terrible moon logic puzzles that make no sense are not just "in" this game, they are mandatory. The overall selection offers you absurd solutions; false sequences ending in dead-ends, which you have entirely undo step by step; timed puzzles in an animated game with slow walking speed; few artificial logic games used as puzzles; repeating the same action multiple times expecting a different result; puzzles based on the super long walking animations; guessing which character can interact with what and how, because they do no have any strict rules. And of course it's a pixel-hunt game, with bad feedback, where hitboxes often don't even match the objects. Like, i clicked the wardrobe 10 times with both dudes and nothing happened. I opened a walkthrough and it says click wardrobe. Once again you fight the same damn Karbofos over the same damn elephant. Once again the servant that often switches the sides helps the villain. Though, one screen has a hundred of guys who are drawn the same, so maybe it's a different servant from the isle of foodjee every time. The protagonists even killed to death a guard for no reason. I've got a couple of bugs. Once my game got a hard freeze, another time i somehow split a protagonist in two. The game saves in checkpoints at the start of the each screen. So it's unnerving to think it can crash, when you are at the end of one of the super long and hard scenes. The animation, both styles, is basically on point and good. But there are very few of animations not tied to the main course. So anything you are trying to try has no feedback. As a game it's a stupid adventure game and it's an adventure game set in an absurd world with no logic. Even the execution is not that good. It's better to just watch it on YouTube as a cartoon, than to sit and grind through it with a walkthrough.

Продолжение приключений братьев Пилотов. Набор из 20 с лишним локаций со сложными и не очень задачками. Как и раньше (со времен незабвенного холодильника), самые сложные задачи на подсчет вариантов. Локации для Steam-версии подрезали, но true-пилотоводы восстановили исходный набор, посредством небольших манипуляций с файлами игры. Сама игра со времен 2й части так и не восстановила мультяшную приключенческую атмосферу + обзавелась неприятными багами, когда вовремя невыброшенный из инвентаря камень просто стопорит прохождение. Пользовательских сэйвов в игре нет, поэтому приходится начинать заново. Игра на один-два вечера для разминки мозгов.

Pilot Brothers 3: Back Side of the Earth, developed by 1C Wireless and published by Fulqrum Publishing, is a deliberately eccentric point-and-click adventure that leans heavily into slapstick humor, surreal logic, and old-school design sensibilities. Rooted in the long-running Pilot Brothers series, the game embraces its origins unapologetically, offering a whimsical detective story set in an alternate version of the late 1950s where logic often takes a backseat to cartoon chaos. Rather than attempting to modernize itself aggressively, the game chooses to preserve the quirky spirit and comedic identity that defined its predecessors, making it feel like a time capsule from an earlier era of adventure games. The story follows the mismatched detective duo known as Brother Chief and Brother Colleague, whose personalities form the backbone of the game’s humor. Chief is methodical and serious, while Colleague is impulsive, dim-witted, and constantly creating new problems. Their latest case begins with an absurdly simple premise: animals, particularly elephants, are mysteriously disappearing, prompting the brothers to embark on a globe-spanning investigation that eventually leads them to the far reaches of the world, including Tasmania. The narrative never aims for realism or emotional depth; instead, it thrives on exaggerated scenarios, nonsensical motivations, and unexpected twists that exist purely to keep the adventure lighthearted and unpredictable. Gameplay is structured around traditional point-and-click mechanics, with players exploring environments, collecting items, and solving puzzles to advance. A defining feature is the ability to switch between the two brothers at will, as each character interacts with the world differently. Many puzzles are designed around this dual-character system, requiring players to coordinate actions or exploit the brothers’ contrasting behaviors. Some challenges involve environmental manipulation, others rely on timing or cause-and-effect logic, and a few incorporate simple arcade-style segments that break from the usual adventure format. While the mechanics are straightforward, the solutions often hinge on lateral thinking and embracing the game’s absurd internal logic rather than applying real-world reasoning. The puzzle design is a mixed but memorable aspect of the experience. At its best, the game delivers clever, humorous challenges that reward experimentation and observation. At its worst, certain puzzles can feel obscure or unintuitive, especially for players accustomed to modern adventure games with more guided design. However, the inclusion of a hint system that highlights interactive elements helps reduce frustration and keeps the game accessible even when its logic becomes particularly eccentric. This balance makes the game approachable while still preserving the sense of discovery that defines classic adventure titles. Visually, Pilot Brothers 3 employs a cartoon-inspired aesthetic that reinforces its comedic tone. Character animations are exaggerated and expressive, emphasizing physical comedy and visual gags. Backgrounds are colorful and stylized, evoking a storybook version of mid-20th-century settings rather than aiming for realism. While the visuals are undeniably dated by modern standards, they possess a distinct charm that suits the game’s personality. Each location feels handcrafted to support both puzzle design and humor, even if asset reuse and limited animation occasionally reveal the game’s modest production scope. Audio design complements the visuals with playful sound effects and a light, whimsical musical score. The soundtrack underscores the comedic pacing without becoming intrusive, while sound cues accentuate character actions and slapstick moments. Voice work and localization vary in quality, reflecting the game’s international origins, but the dialogue’s comedic intent remains clear. Much of the humor is conveyed visually or through exaggerated scenarios, making it effective even when language nuances occasionally feel rough. In terms of pacing, the game is relatively short, with a finite number of levels that each function as self-contained puzzle sequences. This structure keeps the adventure moving briskly, though some players may find the experience ends just as they are settling into its rhythm. The limited scope also means that certain ideas are not explored as deeply as they could be, but it prevents the game from overstaying its welcome. The result is a compact adventure that can be enjoyed in manageable sessions without requiring a large time commitment. Player reception has been divided, largely depending on expectations. Fans of classic adventure games and the Pilot Brothers series often appreciate the nostalgic design, humor, and puzzle structure, while newcomers may struggle with the dated mechanics and occasionally obtuse logic. The game does not attempt to appeal to everyone, and its appeal is strongest for those who enjoy retro adventures, surreal humor, and character-driven comedy rather than polished modern interfaces or deep storytelling. Overall, Pilot Brothers 3: Back Side of the Earth is a charmingly odd adventure that remains faithful to its roots. It delivers a lighthearted detective romp filled with quirky puzzles, cartoon antics, and a sense of playful absurdity that defines the series. While it may feel antiquated in places and lacks the refinement of contemporary adventure games, it succeeds as a nostalgic experience that celebrates a particular style of interactive storytelling. For players who appreciate classic point-and-click design, unconventional humor, and a willingness to embrace nonsense, this installment offers a memorable and endearing journey that stands out precisely because it refuses to conform. Rating: 6/10

Пойдет, толька вот надо докачивать ещё 10 глав. А так проблем в игре у меня не возникло [spoiler] Нич-чего не понимаю [/spoiler]

В версии для STEAM игра почему-то утратила 11 локаций...

In questo terzo e ultimo titolo di questa serie, i due indagano sulla scomparsa di un elefante, il gioco è più avventura grafica rispetto al precendente, almeno qui ci sono due schermate o più dove interagire per risolvere i vari puzzle, peccato che il gioco è un misto tra schermate con puzzle e schermate fisse con mini giochi. Alcuni di questi è più a fortuna che abilità, bisogna capire a tentativi come funziona il mini gioco, specie quello con le varie boe e barili. Rispetto al precedente titolo questo ad un euro può valerne la pena. Ma non di più, per via di alcuni puzzle ambientali non propriamente leggibili. ^^; P.s: Anche questo titolo è solo in inglese o russo, mentre i vari filmati di gioco hanno le scritte in russo.

"Ни-чего не понимаю" 3 По сути это те же братья пилоты, только новыми головоломками, тем кому понравились предыдущие части эта тоже зайдет. Люди пишут что это обрубок, да это так тут не 24 уровня, а 14, неприятно, но если покупать со скидкой, то можно закрыть глаза и пройти с удовольствием. Тут есть головоломки над которыми вы можете просидеть очень долго это ступеньки на китайской стене(5 уровень) и головоломка с буйками и мусором(8 уровень), а все остальное можно прости довольно быстро.

Заключительная часть трилогии Братья Пилотов оставила двоякое впечатление. В целом перед нами классический квест с довольно сложными задачами и своеобразным юмором, в тоже время геймплей остался практически неизменным с прошлых двух частей. Кто не знаком с первыми играми серии Обратная сторона Земли врятли придётся по вкусу, как не крути, эта игра детства многих игроманов, но явно не для нового поколения игроков. По итогу рекомендую, если хочется окунуться в далёкий 2004 год и поломать голову с чашечкой чая или кофе в какой-нибудь дождливый вечерок. Итоговая оценка 6/10