The Last Case of Benedict Fox is a metroidvania-style game developed by Plot Twist and published by Rogue Games. The game’s story follows private investigator Benedict Fox as he explores a supernatural mystery in a Lovecraftian-inspired world filled with eldritch horrors and mysteries. The game is a console exclusive on the Xbox, where we reviewed it, but is also available on PC.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of the game is its hand-drawn graphics, which immediately struck us for their detailed and atmospheric art style when we first went hands on with the game last summer. The game’s color palette helps to create a sense of foreboding and unease, adding to the game’s overall atmosphere.
In terms of gameplay, The Last Case of Benedict Fox features challenging combat, but in terms of mechanics it can be described as relatively simple. However, the game’s unique enemy designs and challenging difficulty more than make up for this, and the bosses in the game stand out because of their unique designs, attack patterns and difficulty.
The game’s level design, with interconnected areas that encourage exploration and feature hidden secrets, is also a standout feature of The Last Case of Benedict Fox. The way you gradually unlock abilities is also integrated into the level design, requiring players to backtrack to previously visited areas with new abilities to access previously inaccessible areas – embracing the game’s metroidvania influences.
The Last Case of Benedict Fox’s story and audiovisual presentation stands out with its Lovecraftian inspiration, interesting characters, and engaging plot. The game’s story is primarily delivered through dialogue and environmental storytelling as players explore the game’s world and uncover its secrets, and the game’s haunting musical score has the ability to set the mood and immerse players in the game’s world even more. The game’s voice acting and sound design are also of a high quality, making this an atmosphere-rich title to play.
In terms of negatives, it can feel frustrating that the game’s combat system is rather simplistic, while certain sections feel on the difficult side – leaving you feeling underequipped for the task. However, the engaging premise and compelling narrative more than make us for this, as do the well-designed levels. With its detailed graphics and haunting musical score that create a foreboding atmosphere and some unique enemy designs, this is a worthy addition to any gamer’s library despite its rougher edges.
Score: 7.0/10
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