Developer: Bithell Games
Publisher: Bithell Games
RRP: £4.79 (Steam)
Released: 17th August 2017
Available on: Steam
Played Using: Mouse
Approximate game length: 2 to 3 hours
Something strange is afoot, you can feel it in your core. Everything is just a little off. It’s the odd comment here or a sound that you can’t place but it’s building to something. What makes it more infuriating is that it seems no one else can sense it, their either too stupid or too involved in themselves. Good thing your a detective eh?
Mike Bithell is back at it again with yet another game involving artificial intelligence. Not that that’s a bad thing, all his games are well written and tend to be interesting at the very least. So I think that this game might just be classed as a text adventure since the real meat of the game is in text the rest is mostly just set dressing that just adds to the overall feel of the world.
The robots in this game are given the nickname ‘Teks’ and come in a variety of intelligences. Teks are graded as low, medium and high level, which refers to their intelligence. The lower the level the lower the intelligence and the lesser the job.
You play as a high level detective Tek and therefore are capable of abstract thought and puzzle solving… almost as if you were a human. As a detective it’s your job to investigate crimes, interview witnesses and gather evidence. There’s only one snag, you’re geo-locked to one underground train, you can’t leave it unless commanded by a higher level Tek.
Due to being geo-locked to the train you have to ask the other Teks your questions as they travel between stations. Thankfully it seems that there isn’t any actual time limit as they get on and off as the story demands.
As you speak to other Teks and gain sources Focus Points will appear. These allow you to ask more pointed questions that hopefully will garner you more information.
The dialogue between your detective and the other Teks is a joy to read, regardless of how you play it. Each Tek has a unique feel to them and getting information from them can pose an interesting puzzle to solve.
I have nothing but praise for this game. Sure its quite short, hell it even says it’s a ‘Bithell Short’ in the opening sequence but you won’t regret the time you’ve had with this game, that is if you’re into well developed characters and an interesting, if short, plot. Also I have to love the consistent universe that Mike Bithell has going on between this game, Volume and Thomas was Alone.
If this appeals to you
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