Red Johnson's Chronicles: One Against All Reviews

  • InfomoonInfomoon445,789
    10 Oct 2014 10 Oct 2014
    10 1 0
    Author's Note: This is my personal experience with Red Johnson's Chronicles, and thus it is subjective. Feel free to disregard this review as an opinion piece only. I'll also avoid much in the way of spoilers.

    Red Johnson's Chronicles: One Against All is the first episode in a series of point-and-click detective/sleuthing games. Currently only episode one is available on XBLA, so it could be a while before the overarching story gets wrapped up (if at all).

    You're placed in the shoes of Red Johnson, a private investigator with supposedly more intelligence than the entire police force, and enough style to clog the windpipe of most 90's espionage heroes. You'll assume the role of investigating a kidnapping, while weaving in and out of the few characters of Metropolis' lives and back-stories as you go.

    The story really doesn't pose much depth beyond that however. Red Johnson is the only character with any measurable personality, and most other characters are easily summed up as "asshole", "moron", "drunk", or "eye-candy hitwoman". None really leave any lasting impression, nor do many showcase any motives for acting the way they do.

    The gameplay of Chronicles seems to follow the spaghetti mind-set: "throw a bunch of it at the wall and see what sticks". You'll encounter quick-time-events, matching mini-games, lockpicking, using UV lights to search for clues, shooting galleries, defusing bombs, cracking safe codes, and an arcade horse-jumping simulator. Very few of these gameplay choices feel important, or integral to the plot, as most just feel like filler to pad out the game's already short length of around 2-4 hours.

    During your investigation, you'll have to recount evidence to prove other characters are lying, gather information, and to advance the story. Some of these scenarios are actually quite fun, though they often suffer from the problem of the only correct answer being the one the developer's could think of at the time. Granted, most clues wouldn't really work in most scenarios, but it's not often clear just which clues will allow you to advance the investigation.

    Dialogue is expressed mostly through cutscenes and pop-in texts, though most of the characters are poorly voiced. Granted, the material leaves a lot to be desired, but most of the time it's hard to distinguish any emotion from the voice acting. Lipsyncing is basically non-existent, and most characters' mouths look as though they're full of peanut butter when they talk.

    Graphically, RJ:C is sound, though it does suffer from the occasional texture pop-in, and everything has a muddy haze to it. In a lot of ways, this actually enhances the dingy environments of Metropolis, and help to keep you immersed in the story - however uninteresting it may be.

    Overall, Red Johnson's Chronicles is something of a mixed bag. Gameplay, story, and characters leave a lot to be desired, but it does have its own charms, and can still provide some fun if you let it. I wouldn't recommend playing Red Johnson's with the expectation that it may surpass others in the point-and-click genre, but to be perfectly honest; it doesn't need to.

    Red Johnson's Chronicles is what I'd best describe as a 'popcorn' game. Something to be easily played through once in an evening, then forgotten about. It won't impress you greatly, but it will still give you a pretty light, fun experience.

    EDIT: I'd just like to add that with a little extra polish, and a little bit better writing, Red Johnson has the potential to be a truly great point-and-click game. Its charm and personality can make up for a lot of its shortcomings, so keep an open mind about the game.
    3.0
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