01.03.2011
Analysis by: Emily Greenquist
Blue Toad Murder Files - The Mysteries of Little Riddle
“Blue Toad Murder Files – The Mysteries of Little Riddle” is a comical, story influenced “whodunit” puzzle/mystery game. With references to Sherlock Holmes, Greek mythology, and even Pavlovian conditioning, the smart humor educates a younger audience, while drawing in an older crowd.
Game play emphasizes the importance of paying attention; which is a great lesson for the increasingly impatient next generation of gamers. A common inclination for the impatient player is to skip through the cut scenes, because they are often needless diversions unconnected to game play. In “BTMF - The Mysteries of Little Riddle,” the player not only cannot skip cut scenes (if they press a button it repeats), but they are then tested on what they observed and learned during that cut scene. Wrong answers result in a comical shunning.
Game play emphasizes the importance of paying attention; which is a great lesson for the increasingly impatient next generation of gamers. A common inclination for the impatient player is to skip through the cut scenes, because they are often needless diversions unconnected to game play. In “BTMF - The Mysteries of Little Riddle,” the player not only cannot skip cut scenes (if they press a button it repeats), but they are then tested on what they observed and learned during that cut scene. Wrong answers result in a comical shunning.
The puzzles range in complexity and topics - logic, math, spatial reasoning, audio responses – each, are positioned as tasks to move closer to the answer of the mystery or to help another character with a problem. These are additional great lessons: to stimulate the mind and to use the power of the mind to help those in need. Unfortunately the puzzles are static; even math problems do not change numbers; therefore, replayability is low (or can be a cheaters dream, especially in multiplayer mode).
The environments and characters are an interesting combination of 2D/3D assets that have been carefully designed. Each character is wonderfully and fully realized with personalized quirks, motivations, and slang. There are also four playable characters, each with the same attention and care, but not with special abilities – really what you are choosing is a board game piece, who you want to watch and/or who you think you most identify with. Unfortunately, all playable characters are Caucasian, but refreshingly, half are elderly (my favorite is the elderly woman).
The environments and characters are an interesting combination of 2D/3D assets that have been carefully designed. Each character is wonderfully and fully realized with personalized quirks, motivations, and slang. There are also four playable characters, each with the same attention and care, but not with special abilities – really what you are choosing is a board game piece, who you want to watch and/or who you think you most identify with. Unfortunately, all playable characters are Caucasian, but refreshingly, half are elderly (my favorite is the elderly woman).
“Blue Toad Murder Files – The Mysteries of Little Riddle” is a step in the right direction for games, educating through humor and psychologically developed characters. Another phenomenal game that smartly and humorously solves problems with profound lessons is “Psychonaughts.”
Play "Blue Toad Murder Files – The Mysteries of Little Riddle"
Play "Blue Toad Murder Files – The Mysteries of Little Riddle"
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