| Bad Day On The Midway, The Residents' | Inscape | 1996 | |
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This is the second CD-ROM based on the works of The Residents, one of the world's most eccentric bands. Designed by inSCAPE, the same company that brought us unique titles like The Dark Eye, this is a compelling and unique adventure game that is unlike any game before, or since. In this multimedia extravaganza, you take on the role of a little boy named Timmy who visits a run-down amusement park. Quickly you learn that all is not well on the midway - intrigue, blackmail and murder are everywhere. To survive, you have to leave Timmy at one point and "soul-jump" to other persons by clicking on them. Each of the characters on the midway has their own story, each illustrated by a different comic artist. Some of the stories can be learned only while playing Timmy; others, by visiting different attractions. Soon it becomes clear that every character is following a separate agenda - part of it revolves around the comatose fascist owner of the midway and his hidden treasure. Later, people get killed and the "IRS Man" shows up to investigate tax fraud. inSCAPE, the company that produced the games, have made sure no two games can be the same, and you won't be able to see the entire story in one play - or even in ten. It's best not to approach it as a game, but as a multimedia experience - try to see as much as you can in one go. If you do, the story will slowly start to emerge. If you don't get anywhere at all, you can watch many of the movies from the Credits screen. While the graphics are blocky and only 256-color, the talent of the various artists like Dave McKean make up for it. The only downside is that there are no subtitles for the sometimes very hard to understand voice narrations. Instead, the lower quarter of the screen displays a stream of consciousness that reminds of Leisure Town (warning - explicit content). If you enjoyed Freak Show or The Dark Eye, you will likely also enjoy this surrealistic and strangely compelling journey into the macabre world. | ||
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