The Magnificent Trufflepigs | PC Review

June 6, 2021 Alyssa White

I am an absolute sucker for narrative-driven games. I love delving into a compelling story and becoming ensconced in a character’s life. I’m a huge fan of games such as Firewatch and Everyone’s Gone to the Rapture. Thunkd’s newest entry into the genre is a meditative, relaxing experience but is The Magnificent Trufflepigs worth playing? That depends on your enjoyment of these types of games.

Detective Mode

You are placed in the shoes of Adam (Arthur Darvill), as he’s persuaded to go metal detecting by his old acquaintance Beth (Luci FIsh). You are placed in the tranquil village of Stanning in England and your primary objective is to find an elusive earring of Beth’s. As you progress in the game, the story becomes much more complicated than finding a piece of costume jewelry. I appreciated how the narrative approaches topics such as love, self-esteem, not settling for what’s in front of you, and dreams for your future. This is what kept me glued to the game and wondering what would happen as the in-game week unfurled.

Serious Business

Arthur Darvill (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) and Luci Fish (Another Eden) are absolutely fantastic in their roles. I was invested in their relationship and on tenterhooks about what would unfurl between them. The dialogue feels very natural, but some of the differing choices had me sounding like a jerk when I didn’t want to come across as that. It’s not evident that your decision may make you sound harsher than you intended. This was a minor point of contention for me. I hated hurting Beth’s feelings and I felt like I was wounding an actual person. My playthrough took me about two hours to complete, but there is a New Game+ option to discover more sights and treasures that you may have missed on the first go. This may not be enough to entice players to return to Stanning, though.

Beauty in the Stillness

The graphics are absolutely stunning. I felt like I was in a charming little village and was instantly placed in a peaceful mindset while playing The Magnificent Trufflepigs. The score also helps you relax and sink into the experience. I wouldn’t necessarily say that this game is fun, but it does chill you out and force you to be in the moment while you’re detecting. The controls are simple, with each action relegated to one single button.

This is a very accessible title and will more than likely be enjoyed by most fans of narratively driven titles. If you’re not a fan of the genre though, this title won’t convert you. The gameplay itself is rather mundane and repetitive and I even found it to be a tad tedious. Adam moves slow as molasses while he searches and this puts a halt on the excellent story. Also, the repetitive nature of the title won’t be for everyone.

The Last Discovery

The Magnificent Trufflepigs is a unique title that will probably appeal to fans of the genre. The performances are top-notch, the graphics and score lure you into a calm state, and the chemistry between the characters keeps you incentivized to keep playing. The repetitive nature of the gameplay and somewhat vague nature of your responses may put off some gamers. This won’t turn you on to this genre of games if you’re not already a fan, but if you’re looking for a peaceful reprieve, this just might be for you.

To hear me talk more about The Magnificent Trufflepigs, be sure to listen to Episode 349 of The Gaming Outsider Podcast.

This review is based on a PC copy of The Magnificent Trufflepigs provided by Evolve PR for coverage purposes. It is exclusive to that platform as of this writing.