Runaway: A Twist of Fate is the newest release for publishers BulkyPix and Focus Home Interactive and developer Pendulo Studios and the final release in the
Runaway video game trilogy. The series is a point and click adventure that follows the tales of its two protagonists Brian Basco and Gina Timmins, only this time around, Gina is a playable character and the most prominent in the new release. While this doesn't dramatically change the gameplay, it does offer fans of the series a refreshing point of view change for the narrative while still offering the same humor fans have come to expect for the series. The result is a game that is charming and addictive but not flashy enough to draw in a new audience.
The storyline of
Runaway: A Twist of Fate is one of the key aspects of the game, and luckily for fans, Pendulo Studios has once again nailed the compelling and humorous tale that will end the series. The game opens with a segment explaining that Brian has been convicted of a murder and sent to a mental asylum only to break out shortly after and is now on the run from the law. Meanwhile, Gina is trying to piece together the clues left behind by Brian to reunite with her friend and figure out what in the world is going on. This all leads to an eventual showdown for the two protagonists against a dangerous assassin named Tarantula. The game features a heavy emphasis on dialogue and allows for multiple choices in how to respond to other characters and change the way the game will ultimately play out. The story of
Runaway: A Twist of Fate is similar to that of a novel, but every scene features a voice over so that players are never forced to read the conversations between characters or the internal thoughts. It's a fun ride that will please fans who have stuck around long enough to see the ending of the trilogy.
In true point and click adventure style of play, Gina will make her way around fixed 2D locations looking for items that can be added to her inventory to solve nearby puzzles and search for clues on what needs to be completed next to advance through the game. It's a proven formula that hasn't changed much over the years, but the
Runaway series does a good of job as anyone in the genre with challenging puzzles that will have you momentarily stumped but feeling pretty smart once you've figured out the next step. Gina and Brian will meet up with some interesting characters over the course of the game, and there are plenty of new locations for the characters to explore that offer unique challenges of their own. With over 12 hours of gameplay, there is a lot of content here, and fans will surely have a good time with the game for hours per session.
The graphics are stellar in
Runaway: A Twist of Fate once again. The 2D environments pop with plenty of bright colors, and the cel-shaded character models look like something ripped straight from a comic strip. The voice acting in the game is excellent as well with Brian and Gina giving great performances throughout the game as well as some memorable characters that are introduced later in the game. Fans who pick up the game on iOS will be initially disappointed to know the game will be split into two episodes to complete the full release, but at $4.99 for each episode, the game will actually be cheaper for Apple devices while offering the best controls with touch and click support.
Runaway: A Twist of Fate isn't a perfect game, and replay value is low, but fans of the series have been waiting for this release for a while, and it's a game well worth experiencing for fans of the point and click genre.
Runaway: A Twist of Fate is now available for PC and iOS and can be purchased for $4.99.
Runaway: A Twist of Fate is rated E by the ESRB. For more information on the game, check out the official
Runaway: A Twist of Fate website.
Game Features:
Single Player
Final Release in the Runaway Series
Two-Episode Adventure
Touch Screen Controls
Over 12 Hours of Gameplay
Game Information:
Developer:
Pendulo Studios
Publisher:
BulkyPix
Platforms: PC & iOS (reviewed)
Release Date: March 28, 2013
Score: 7 out of 10
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