Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches

Once again I find myself in the situation of wanting to give a neutral rating, not being able to do so, and then having to decide whether to recommend it or not. I finally decided against recommending it, for there are some things that bothered me in this game, and that I believe should warrant a bad rating. I'll comment on everything I found worth noting while playing this, and end with a small rant on the thing that bothered me the most xD. Story: it started quite bad, and didn't improve much, but at least got up to a "meh". The main story is easy enough to understand, but there's a "myth" that's quite difficult to grasp, reminiscent of those old myths full of battles for foolish reasons, and magic with ludicrously specific rules that allow you to do almost anything, but only after you've performed a task that makes no sense whatsoever. This whole game is you, carrying out some nonsensical rituals which require finding a lot of random stuff that while ultimately combine, allowing you to go further. It's standard enough, I came here after playing Dark Fall and Barrow Hill, which follow a similar premise, but those were much more entertaining and well though out and put together. Most of the time, I found myself bored, simply going from one place to the other, trying to remember where that item was that I now needed for some reason. It's pretty chore-y, and not in a good sense. The ending is really anti-climactic, adding to the "meh" feel. Gameplay: it's fine, not good, not bad. The map is not that big, and you can jump between important locations, making backtracking much much easier. Items that you find but are not needed are not picked (because you still haven't seen that thing which would make picking it reasonable), which is a nice touch, but grows old fast, because you need to remember where everything was so you don't have to go through it all over again once you see something new. Movement is not square (some arrows are diagonal) which makes it a little less standard, and yet doesn't add much, and can even be confusing and bothersome, because you want to get to that specific place, and it's not that easy. But I was still mostly ok with it. One thing I don't get though is optimization: the game made my computer hit 60 C, permanently, which is not much, but enough to make my cooler stay permanently on; it definitely seems unreasonable seeing as it's a static point and click game, with bad graphics (I've played many games like this, and this has never happened). Visuals and Sound: the graphics are not good by today's standards, and apparently not by 2008's standards either. However, I wasn't bothered by that at all. I was a bit bothered because of how bland it all was. Dark Fall and Barrow Hill have some interesting locations that really caught me by surprise. They were really well done. However, here, I didn't feel that at all. New locations were pretty "meh", and there wasn't much to really appreciate. The soundtrack is good, but really scarce. Most of the game has no music. Additionally, it has some voice over, but it's even scarcer. You mostly just read. And that brings me to another low point: you have to read a lot, which is not a problem for me, since I like that in these kinds of games; but what makes this one fall short is that a lot of what you read is either redundant or irrelevant. At one point in the game you read a bunch of emails that basically tell you the same stuff you've read in a diary, except for the very last email, that has one new thing (and is required to be read to go further). But you have no way of knowing this beforehand, and therefore end up re-reading a lot of stuff you already know. And it's not the best story ever written, as I've previously pointed out, so re-reading it will definitely get you bored stiff. Bugs: there's a small dialog bug at the start of the game (some lines are spoken over previous lines), but that was all I could find, luckily (I understand some people had other problems, but not me). And now, for the rant: Even when taking all of these flaws into account, I was still thinking that it wasn't as bad as to say something like "stay away from this", and I think steam ratings are not that fair, with a lot of people ignoring games with "mixed" reviews. I was going to give it a positive review so not to discourage people and get them to give it a chance. However, one final element got me to change my mind, and it is this: this game praises pseudo-science. I am a scientist, and as such, I feel a certain ethical responsibility to not give a pass to people trying to promote false information. This may sound funny, seeing as I played this game and mentioned other games with supernatural and paranormal elements. Why am I not bothered by those, but was bothered by this one? Because this one includes claims that are exactly the same as pseudo-scientists use in real life, includes mentions to real people promoting these false claims, and actually says "according to scientific evidence...". Thing is, I LOVE supernatural or paranormal stories, even though I don't believe in any such things; I love thinking about "what if" and imagining myself in those situations. I love ghost stories, in games, movies, series, books, you name it. And I don't see a problem with liking any of those things, or using those elements in stories, games, etc. But I do take issue with saying those things are actually real, and especially that "science says so". Without giving out much of the story, I can say that one of the characters is an homeopath, and while researching the house, you find stuff saying that water has memory, that it was "proved by scientists", along with mentions to that one Japanese guy who took pictures of ice crystals and said they were actually influenced by speaking to the water, or even thinking good or bad thoughts. In the game, you use those "properties" to perform the tasks, and it would be totally fine if they didn't include those claims that are actually made by real people to convince others to pay them for treatment that doesn't work beyond the placebo effect. If anyone is interested in knowing more, you can read the wikipedia article on homeopathy, I believe it also includes mentions to this Japanese guy (I don't remember his name), who was confronted by scientists, and performed two experiments suggested by them, proving by himself that he was wrong (and of course, he later ignored the evidence he himself found and went along selling books and praising the stuff he made up). Later on, it was said that scientists today believe that ghosts are actually recordings of previous events replayed in the present, which is total bs. Scientists today don't have any evidence of any paranormal phenomena actually existing outside of the minds of the people who claim they do, and there is an increasing amount of evidence of different kinds of cognitive biases, perceptual illusions, and varying effects of suggestion that explain every single instance of paranormal phenomena reported (most of those phenomena can't be reproduced and amount to anecdotal evidence, but every systematic investigation into recurrent apparitions yielded these revealing results, very interesting for psychologists and neuroscientists, but not so much for "believers" or charlatans). In any case, I would have been ok with this game using those elements if it hadn't gone as far as to saying science supports those claims, and using the same arguments real pseudo-scientists use to get people to fall for their claims. Anyway, end of rant xD. I'll leave by saying: totally meh game, boring at times, with some potentially problematic claims that go beyond the fictional reality this game is trying to create and could actually induce people to believe in false claims in real life.

Юная Рианон Салливан переезжает с родителями в древнее поместье Тай Придери. Мало того что в новой местности у девушки нет друзей, так вдобавок по ночам ей слышатся странные звуки и мерещатся призраки. И если первую проблема решает местная девица Гвен, то вторая оказывается воплощением мстительного призрака прямиком из эпоса Легенды Мабиногиона. В общем психика Рианон не справляется и вашей задачей становится её спасение. Британцы из Arberth Studios безусловно вдохновлялись культовой Scratches, но вот только не дожали по всем параметрам. Начнем с того, что игра разработана на Wintermute, что уже подразумевает трудности с интерфейсом и передвижением. Продолжим тем, что порою напрочь отсутствует логика в действиях, как в квестах старой школы, причём сам геймплей выполнен в стиле поиска предметов. В итоге часть вещей активна, но вы не можете их взять при этом в инвентаре может находиться свыше 30 вещей и непонятно для чего они там нужны. Ну и главная проблема - слабоватая атмосфера, скримеры конечно дело хорошее, но духом валлийского эпоса не пропитываешься от слова совсем. Вроде в первой главе появляется колоритный злодей, но в последующем мы увидим его только в концовке. Я даже имя его в процессе забыл. Поставлю 6.0 но не рекомендую к прохождению.

Very mediocre. Not worth your time especially since it's not free.

Graphics is ok but simple. Story not too good and there is lots reading in this game. Not really HOG game to me and I did not like it.

[h1][b] Reseña de Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches[/b][/h1] [h2]Resumen del Juego[/h2] Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches es una aventura indie de apuntar y clic en primera persona, con exploración, rompecabezas y ese saborcito a “investigación paranormal” que te hace revisar cada esquina como si te pagaran por ser metiche. Controlas (y sufres) a una protagonista femenina en un misterio con tintes mágicos, realistas y de terror psicológico, donde la historia y la atmósfera quieren ser los verdaderos jefes finales. La primera impresión es clara: esto no viene a darte acción, viene a darte incomodidad. Es un juego lineal con buena trama y un enfoque detectivesco: mirar, leer, deducir, combinar pistas y avanzar. Si te gusta que el juego te susurre “aquí pasó algo horrible” mientras tú solo querías abrir un cajón… llegaste al lugar correcto. [h2]Lo Mágico y Lo Maldito[/h2] Lo Bueno: Atmósfera densa y “incómoda” : terror psicológico más de tensión que de sustos baratos. Investigación y exploración bien al centro : te empuja a observar, conectar pistas y jugar a detective. Protagonista femenina con peso narrativo : no es un maniquí con linterna, la historia gira alrededor de ella. Rompecabezas y objetos ocultos que alimentan el misterio : el avance se siente ganado (la mayoría del tiempo). Lo No Tan Bueno: Cero logros : en Steam eso es como llegar a una fiesta sin chismes; se puede, pero qué vacío. Linealidad marcada : “Las elecciones importan” suena bonito… hasta que notas que el riel está bien soldado. Comunidad fantasma : 0 jugadores actuales; básicamente estás investigando solo, como tus decisiones de vida. Ritmo de aventura clásica : si esperas adrenalina, aquí te dan lectura, observación y paciencia… en dosis generosas. [h2]Tabla de Evaluación[/h2] [table] [tr][th]Aspecto[/th][th]Puntuación (0-10)[/th][th]Comentario[/th][/tr] [tr][td]Jugabilidad[/td][td]6[/td][td]Apuntar y clic sólido: explorar, interactuar, resolver; sin reinventar nada.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Dificultad / IA[/td][td]6[/td][td]Más “¿dónde estaba esa pista?” que dificultad real; IA no aplica mucho aquí.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Contenido[/td][td]6[/td][td]Aventura enfocada y narrativa; cumple, pero no desborda variedad.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Gráficos / Video[/td][td]6[/td][td]3D funcional: lo suficiente para sostener la exploración y el mood.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Historia[/td][td]7[/td][td]Buena trama con misterio e investigación; el gancho principal del juego.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Ambientación[/td][td]7[/td][td]Atmosférico y tenso, con terror psicológico que se cocina a fuego lento.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Efectos (VFX)[/td][td]6[/td][td]Efectos discretos; más sugestión que espectáculo.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Música[/td][td]6[/td][td]Acompaña sin estorbar; cumple su trabajo de incomodar cuando debe.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Voces[/td][td]5[/td][td]No es el foco; se siente más como soporte que como protagonista.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Diversidad[/td][td]5[/td][td]No es un pilar del diseño; la experiencia va por otro carril.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Rendimiento[/td][td]7[/td][td]Al ser una aventura centrada en exploración, se siente estable en general.[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Rejugabilidad[/td][td]5[/td][td]Lineal y narrativa: una vuelta fuerte, y luego depende de tus ganas de re-investigar.[/td][/tr] [tr][td][b]Total Puntuaciones (Bueno)[/b][/td][td][b]6.0[/b][/td][td]Un indie narrativo competente: destaca por atmósfera e historia, flojea en “extras” y libertad.[/td][/tr] [/table] [h2]Conclusión (Bueno)[/h2] Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches es de esos juegos que no te gritan “mírame”, te susurran “no deberías estar aquí” y aun así te quedas. Si te gustan las aventuras de investigación, la exploración en primera persona y el terror psicológico más mental que explosivo, tiene con qué atraparte. Ahora, seamos controversiales: en Steam se siente como un museo a puerta cerrada. 0 jugadores actuales y recomendaciones totales en N/A… lo cual no significa que sea malo, pero sí que vas a entrar sin la validación social de “esto está de moda”. Y además, sin logros, el juego te dice: “tu recompensa es la trama… y ya”. Qué audacia. [h3]Recomendación de Compra (Recomendado con reservas)[/h3] Puntuación Total: 6.0/10 Número de jugadores activos al momento de hacer esta review: 0 Descuento máximo registrado: N/A Veredicto: [i]Recomendado con reservas[/i] Si buscas una aventura indie lineal, atmosférica y con vibra detectivesca/psicológica, adelante: aquí hay misterio y una protagonista interesante. Si necesitas rejugabilidad, comunidad activa y ese extra de “progresión Steam” para sentirte realizado, este título te va a mirar fijamente… y tú vas a mirar el botón de cerrar juego.

Управление настолько сильно устарело, что уже просто невозможно играть в это в 2022 году. Кто смелый, может попробовать превозмочь на свой страх и риск, я не смогла, хотя хотела.

one of the most atrocious HOGs i have ever played. i gave up after trying for one hour. yes it is from 2008 but it just feel like it is even older. the navigation... OMG! also not having a clue on what to do or what you are looking for it a killer. i have progressed quite a bit in it but the navigation just want me want to vomit.

Excellent continuous puzzle! The combination of the plot of old times and modern life perfectly sets you up for the role of a detective.

"Rhiannon: Curse of the Four branches" is a mysterious quest which has an interesting and plotting story line fulfilled by joyful soundtrack and puzzles. If you are seeking for something paranormal and challenging - you are in the right place.

This game has the most atrocious navigation system one could possibly conceive of. Seriously Was released in 2008 but looks 10 years older Production budget amounts to approximately 5 dollars Number of people involved in the making of the game - approximately one (community college freshman assumably) Spooky elements aim to make the player cry with their cuteness BUT This game has soul. And an adorably significant amount of effort was put into crafting small details. Developer[strike] s[/strike] carefully implemented elements of Welsh folklore into the story. Rhiannon is a cool name, too. 8/10, would recommended for any Celtic culture nerd