Recently I read the short story “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream”, this was an amazing and surprisingly short read. So seeing this turned into a video game had me wondering how they’d do it honestly, it’s really not much of a story that you can adapt. But to my surprise they managed it, and I really liked it.

If you’ve read the book then you already know it’s setting and story, but if not; this is set in post-apocalyptic world where the evil supercomputer, “AM”, has wiped out humanity except for 5 people who it decides to torment for eternity. As you go through the book you’ll notice how flawed these people are, and it’s certainly no different here. It’s even more in-your-face about their flaws, which isn’t always necessarily a bad thing though in my opinion.

The narrative is obviously masterfully crafted, delving into existential themes such as free will, identity and the nature of suffering. The writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the bleakness of the characters’ predicament while also offering glimmers of hope amidst the despair, personally I prefer the original story a tad bit more but the game still offers a near on par narrative in my opinion.

Visually, the game’s pixel art style has a gritty, dystopian feel that contemplates for it dark subject matter. The environments are atmospheric and immersive, from the decaying ruins of the world to the weird and twisted landscapes of the characters’ minds. This is the style I was looking for in a story like this and I personally think it succeeded in doing it.

However, the game is certainly not without its flaws, I do have some complaints unfortunately. Now I don’t think I’m inept, but some of the puzzles can be obtuse and frustratingly difficult leading to moments of trial and error that personally detracted from the overall experience.

Overall “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” is a great adaptation and of an excellent story that definitely is a must-play. This is an amazing experience that challenges you to confront the darkest aspects of human nature. Its rich storytelling, complex characters, and philosophical depth make it a standout title in this genre, despite its age.

8.5/10

I have a love-hate relationship with point & clicks. Specifically, I hate the puzzles of most. More often than not, they're a barrier between us and the game's more interesting interior rather than worthwhile, engaging gameplay. There may be something to be said regarding the catharsis of progression in the face of such contrived obstacles, but not enough to justify them; not in my eyes, at least. The only way these are made interesting is through the context and the small narratives being told through them; and, by these metrics, I believe the first two monkey islands work beautifully while the others I played, however, could be pretty hit-and-miss.

Grim Fandango is still worthwhile thanks to everything else surrounding its gameplay (amazing visuals, acting, soundtrack, writing, so on), and the same applies here, though to a far lesser extent. It showcases the same strengths, only lesser.

This following opinion may be an unpopular one but the short story far surpasses the game in quality. Its brevity keeps it urgent, while its vagueness leaves a very satisfying void in the chest--harrowing through and through; the game, however, with its added length and the optimism which accompanies it, albeit a welcomed addition on the surface, seems to play to its own detriment.

Of this, the demistification of AM may be its worst offense. For as iconic and memorable as his opening speech is, or even the voice acting as a whole (a benefit not shared by the remaining cast), we end up learning so much about this once vile villain, that I began to see him as kind of joke, at points. His pettiness travels all the way round from compelling into almost juveline.

Boring with a guide; frustrating without one. Its saving graces are its strong atmosphere, sound and visuals, and the added characterization, which, although not amazing, and sometimes even detracting from the bigger picture, manages to keep us invested for its entire duration.