This game's bland plot and by-the-numbers pixel art style is the least offensive thing about it. The game design is all the worst aspects of point-and-clicks, with moon logic puzzles and guess-the-pixel scenes, combined with a baffling decision not to pick up an item when you first inspect it. You have to click again, leading to many situations where you can simply fail to understand that a given object is grabbable and get stuck in a brand new mode of frustration never before seen in a genre already prone to frustration.

This review is based on the console port that was released in May of 2019, but the 3-4 year span listed in the title is to represent the game’s original release date as it came out in episodic form. It was crowdfunded on Kickstarter, similar to The Game Kitchen’s recent release ‘Blasphemous’. In fact, that is how this game came to my attention. I was incredibly eager to play ‘Blasphemous’ even prior to its release, and when the time finally came, the game did not disappoint. It was a stunning metroid-vania with tremendous action, detailed set pieces, insane mythos and art, with lore of a perverted sacrilegious horror. I fell in love with it, and it was during that time that I discovered the developers The Game Kitchen had a previous game under their belt, and it was to come to consoles soon. Hence, my journey to ‘The Last Door’, a point and click horror mystery with heavy influences on literary terrors such as Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft.

I know, on the surface, the game probably does not look like much. It is a pixelated story driven game with very little in way of gameplay. Its point and click mechanics basically serve two functions, to point and click where you want your playable character to walk to, and to point and click on what object of interest is available to examine/inspect. While none of these features bothered me, I must admit that I at least yearned for something with a bit more detail in the graphics/ art design other than just pixels. These thoughts mainly arose in comparison to how simple yet marvelous the design in ‘Blasphemous’ was, and it could have been easily replicated here. In fact, while we are on this subject and given that my reaction towards this game was mostly positive, I also thought how wonderful it could be if this game got a face lift in a remake or remaster. These are just wishful hypothetical ramblings. On to the more juicier stuff.

Since this game is essentially designed in a television series format, and I’m talking more than just how it is divided by episodes (there is even a well crafted opening title sequence before each episode), I kept comparing it to the film/television medium. Story-wise, the game fits right in that environment and could be easily adapted into a series-miniseries for television (Probably too much for one film). Given that comparison, and how even some of the best series out there can have lackluster seasons (Game of Thrones season finale?), I got to say that the first season here is far superior to the second. I was actually ready to include this game among my top favorites while playing the first season, but the second one became far too tedious and the story sunk in quality by getting too overtly complicated in a Lovecraftian dimensional timeline with cults. The first season had the perfect balance, it had great intrigue and even some shocking and surprise filled moments that truly caught me off guard. This was particularly the case with the shocking yet cliff hanger style way most of the episodes ended. It just begged for the player to keep continuing and unraveling what comes next in the mystery.

On a few other notes, the music in this game was fantastic, and really enhanced the moody atmosphere the game created. Also, I had briefly mentioned the gameplay by only describing the point and click mechanics in a broad manner. However, on that topic, I want to add how well thought out and intricate some of the puzzles featured in the game were. None were too overtly difficult as well (maybe a couple were pretty complex). It is not too long of a playthrough either. It took me roughly 12-15 hours or so, but that was including a partial 2nd playthrough in order for me to write my first ever trophy guide for any game. There was not a complete guide that I could find on the internet that compiled both seasons, so I decided to fill in that gap. Overall though, this was a stellar game that I highly recommend. Obviously, as I said before, it’s not the type of game you get for gameplay, and more similar in the vein of a story based walking simulator (although this time you point/click to walk). So, if you are in the mood for a little indie game that delivers the suspense and intrigue, then this is for you.

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