Astrologaster 12+

I played Astrologaster twice in a row. I need more! Money very well spent. For anyone trying to decide: this game is story-driven and similar to a choose-your-own-adventure, but you need to use context clues and intuition to make decisions. The story progresses like a play, with a chorus of singers comically narrating each character’s entrance. You move through scenes by swiping to “turn the page” which makes the backdrop fold in on itself like a pop-up book. You have to decide which star reading to use on each patient to treat them. The voice acting talent is excellent. The visuals are beautifully reminiscent of Elizabethan aesthetics. And the story is scandalous and silly. I finished it immediately wanting to know the other outcomes. I love the true historical elements plus the funny tidbits of gossip and conversation. So well done!

The writing in this game is some of the best you will see in gaming. I expect them to win an award for this. And the highly detailed production of songs and the singers is a marvel. The graphics are suitable for this style of game and it really shows to the strength of quality of writing and characters that the game is engrossing and enjoyable with such minimal graphics. The jokes are funny and intelligent even when disguising dirty jokes :) . And the best surprise is that they incorporated topical social and political commentary as well.

Whether you think this game is for you or not, I can’t think of any person not finding this game extremely entertaining. Props to the devs for trying something so bizarre and new, and obviously making it all work so ‘verily’ well.

It is a fun and funny game. Not exactly taxing but a familiarity with British history, chiefly affairs of the aristocracy during the late 16th century, and a passing knowledge of European political and religious mores of those times, will aid in your understanding and enjoyment of the game. In any case, the choices you make for Simon with regards to each character, can be played around with in any way you please, and often I found myself making some rather tongue in cheek, simply for the pleasure of eliciting a shocked or peeved reaction - a testament to how wonderfully crafted the various characters happen to be. The game is very well done and without any glitches. For all that, it may not be to your taste. That said, it is - in its way and for its ilk - a gem.