Review: Technobabylon

 Goutham Jayaraman

Ravencrow Game Review #11

 

Technobabylon

https://store.steampowered.com/app/307580/Technobabylon/

Genre	Point and Click
Platform	PC
Developer	Technocrat Games
Publisher	Wadjet Eye Games
Playtime	13.2 hours
Date Completed	18/4/2021
Date Reviewed	18/5/2021
Overall Grade	S*

 

Technobabylon is a point and click game set in a cyberpunk universe where a widespread technological invention known as wetware helps humans connect to electronics as well as access a virtual world.

You start the game out playing as a police agent investigating the case of a mind jacker, but later get opportunities to play as other characters as well.

I found Technobabylon to have a gripping and even emotional story that was well written and touched on various mature topics in a positive way. It also had a cast of likeable and relatable characters and a charming world that was a pleasure to play in. The game interwove science and technology into its plot, making use of it in its own special way whilst still not deviating too far from the norm.

Overall, Technobabylon proved to be a very memorable experience and was the point-and-click game I always wanted to reach for first when starting my weekend point-and-click binge session (Replaced in role by games such as Primordia and Whispers of a Machine after its completion).

What I liked

-          I am always a sucker for cyberpunk settings, but I found this game’s setting to be especially charming

-          The very relatable and memorable cast of characters.

-          The very emotional and powerful narrative

-          The solid game length

-          The game’s use of science of technology (The Trance, use of robots and robotic enhancements, wetware)

What I disliked

-          Forced small window size

Gameplay 20/20	+ Standard point and click game mechanics + Decent interactivity + Wetware mechanic brings something new and fresh to the table. Definitely gives the game its own personal feel = Decent level of humor, but not really the focus of the game
Game Design 17/20	+ Good puzzle design + Difficulty felt just right = Not much of a hint system present, but you could get reminded on what to do by talking to Central or to other characters - Only one instance where the Trance was used to its full potential. Would have liked to see more puzzles integrating the Trance and the real world.
Graphics 15/20	+ Beautifully rendered cyberpunk world + Detailed character portraits - Small window size negatively impacts immersion and also makes playing the game harder.
Audio 18/20	+ Decent soundtrack that fits the cyberpunk theme + Full voice acting is present, if a bit lacking in quality at times + Good selection of sound effects that give the sense of using technology
Story 23/20	+ Solid narrative that touches on emotional and technological concepts in a mature manner + Engaging from start to finish + Choice of endings + Some deep choices to make along the way + Overall, some very stellar writing
Lore 22/20	+ Very good character design + Characters do grow as the story passes + You get to experience some of the character’s histories + Good character interactions + Sufficient information given about the game world
Value 18/20	+ Playtime about the same as the game’s cost + Good game experience, somewhat unique + Developer Commentary - Not much replay value but you can try to make different choices and go through the developer commentary
Overall Grade 20/20	S*
Score	95

 

Overall, Technobabylon is an iconic cyberpunk adventure that you can’t go wrong buying, and also associates itself with Wadjet Eye Games, one of my favorite publishers when it comes to Point and Clicks Games, especially those of the futuristic variety.

It offers a touching story, solid gameplay and lasts for a good amount of time. It manages to not be too much of a challenge and instead offers a pleasurable experience intermingling the real world with the virtual. It would of course have been nice though if the game window could have been maximized as that particular hindrance is the number one quickest way to spoil immersion. Also, it would be great to see a similar game utilizing the Trance or a similar concept to its fullest potential.