Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town by developer imaginarylab and publishers VLG Publishing, WhisperGames—PC (Steam) review written by Richard with a copy provided by the publisher.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Not long ago I got the opportunity to write up a preview for Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town. Now, only a month later, I have the opportunity to finally finish the tale the preview set and as an added bonus have all the issues I had with the preview version improved upon.
Those of you who have read the preview know what to expect, but Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town is a point and click adventure starring young Willy Morgan and his search for answers behind his father's disappearance ten years ago. After receiving a letter telling him to go to Bone Town to search for answers, off Willy goes to see what he can find out. Or at least he would, if he can put his bike back together again.
WMatCoBT is a point and click adventure just like those classic titles like Monkey Island and Day of the Tentacle, where you roam around an area interacting with objects, picking up items, and then using those items either directly or by combining them in your inventory to create something more useful. While the basic formula is still there from the classic pieces, there's also the added benefit of a sort of "interaction assistance", where you can bring up little orange circles on items or people you can interact with, and also shows entrances and exits to areas. While I do feel that this takes a little bit of the challenge I like to see in these types of games away, when you get stuck at a part and really can't figure it out, having this option as a toggle (and it is a toggle) is really useful when you're starting to stress yourself out.
As you help Willy figure out how to put your bike together and manage to leave your house for Bone Town, you will meet a cast of interesting and unique characters, explore a town that's well past its prime, and perhaps even discover a conspiracy about Bone Town and the reason for the disappearance of Willy's father. The whole art style is in that sort of cartoon-y sense that some of the point and click classics held, with 3D-styled character models for people.
Exploring Bone Town you will visit a lot of the same type of scenery, the semi-decrepit town that it is, as well as get introduced to some of the more...quirky, townsfolk. There's a drug store owner totally not inventing Dr. Pep**r, a new resident who started up a bar (really just a vending machine)/3D print shop, and an armoury and blacksmiths that have some items that may look familiar to you. Bone Town is full of references and little cameo style appearances, and I really loved the personal flavour that went into the game.
What I was particularly happy to see was that between the preview and the full release version, despite there not being much more content time wise, pretty much all of my concerns or issues with the demo were swept away. Full voice acting now available, the map destinations are easy to read, the orange interaction dots aren't showing up through the map, and no longer do I have to struggle to put away letters or readable notes that Willy picks up. Also, the text for said notes are significantly easier to read. Let it be know that the developers can't be accused of not giving some thought to quality checking.
There are a few issues I have with Willy and his adventure, mostly concerning length. Overall, the title did not take me too long to finish, especially after playing through the demo, as the demo covers most of the story itself, but this could be more so because I got through it fast, rather than it being short. Most of the puzzles are fairly reasonable, except for a few that are less about improbable solutions and more about how you think about solving a puzzle.
Some of the jokes and gags also fall a little flat, and while this may be attributed to translation as I'm fairly certain English isn't the developer's first language. Like the name "Bone Town". For a first title you probably don't usually want "Bone Town" associated with your game. Or maybe you do? I'm not a marketing professional, but what I do know is that the name of the town is appropriate for the pirate themed adventure that Willy experiences, if nothing else. For a first title from a developer, much less in a series, I can honestly say that imaginarylab did a a truly wonderful job.
Willy Morgan is a wonderful throwback of a game that will appeal to those looking for a piece of their past as a nostalgic trip, as well as those breaking into the point and click adventure scene. With puzzles that don't make you want to flip tables, a clearly defined cast of characters, and some well done visuals, Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town is definitely a title that can show its potential. The ending set up the possibility of a sequel, and I can tell you now I would love to see this series take off with more title to its name.
Score: 8 / 10
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