Trüberbrook | PC Review
Trüberbrook is a point and click adventure game by German company btf, and it’s their first foray into the world of computer games. It was kickstarted in an amazing 30 hours and could count on the support of adventure game legend Ron Gilbert, the creator of the Monkey Island series. The game takes place in late 1960’s Germany, then West-Germany, as we are in the middle of the Cold War. Unlike many Cold War era set games, this game does not take place in Berlin, Munchen or Rostock, but in the quaint little village of Trüberbrook.
It’s Science! Or Is It?
In Trüberbrook you play Tannhauser, a young American physicist who won a trip to the titular village. He sees this as an excellent opportunity to cure himself of his writer’s block and is looking forward to spending time in the very picturesque little village, surrounded by forests and the slopes of a massive mountain range. But of course, during his first night there, things get weird. Really weird. Tannhauser’s notes get stolen, and he has to get out and investigate the theft. Saying more would give away too much, but I can say that there’s a lot that’s not what it seems.
Damn Good Coffee
According to its creators, Trüberbrook is very much inspired by shows like Twin Peaks, the X-Files, Stranger Things and Star Trek, and that shows in a good way. The central mystery is compelling, the game doesn’t start off very difficult, and the puzzles are logical. It becomes more challenging from chapter three onwards. The game has five chapters. Each chapter has its own set of challenges to conquer, and it plays quite fluently. The controls are simple, and you can only use objects if they can be used for that particular puzzle. This basically eliminates inventory puzzles, and smooths up the gameplay. Every now and then, Tannhauser can record observations in his recorder, just like Special Agent Dale Cooper does to Diane in Twin Peaks, one of the many nods to the game’s influences.
Stop-Motion Adventure Game
The graphics deserve special mention, because they are spectacular. This is basically a stop-motion adventure game. All sets have been hand-made and then digitised into the computer, creating a very unique atmosphere. It’s almost as if Wes Anderson created a computer game. I would love to play a Grand Budapest Hotel game. But I digress.
The music and voice acting are pretty ace as well. The actors are all German, and the game can also be played in German, the accents adding to the overall mood. In Europe we often joke that Germans don’t have a sense of humor, but the game has a dry sense of humor running through it.
A Slight Stumble
There are a few small gripes I have with the game. First of all, it’s not a very long. I managed to finish it in seven hours. This is mostly a gripe because the game is fun and the world is interesting.
There are also a few moments in the game where gameplay slows down. For instance, in one of the later chapters you manage to open a door and descend a long set of stairs. Nothing really happens on the stairs; it’s just a long way down and back up. I was expecting the next time I would use the stairs that I would automatically go to the bottom or top, but no, I had to walk it all again. This is nothing game breaking or even fun-spoiling, but it was something that would’ve streamlined the game play.
Auf Wiedersehen
I was looking forward a lot to this release, and it doesn’t disappoint. The way the designers at btf have brought this German setting to life is truly unique, and it certainly made me want a lot more. The game has two endings, and I hope that a sequel can be made in the future. There’s enough mythology to play with to give Tannhauser another adventure, but first I recommend you play this one. Go on and head for Cold War Germany. You won’t regret it.
Trüberbrook
$29.99
Pros
- Unique graphics
- Great music, soundtrack & voice acting
- Very interesting setting
- Easy game play
- Easy game play
Cons
- Not very long
- Difficulty is not incredibly challenging, especially in the first two chapters
- Few instances where the gameplay could be smoother
