Truberbrook
Atmospheric sci–fi adventure game, with slick 3D graphics
$26.99 from BTF, truberbrook.com needs macOS 10.11, 64–bit processor, GeForce 775M or Radeon HD 6970 or Intel Iris Pro
Described by its developers as “Twin Peaks meets the X–Files”, Truberbrook is a stylish adventure game that casts you in the role of Hans Tannhauser, a student visiting the German town of Truberbrook during the Cold War era of the 1960s.
After checking in to his hotel, Hans discovers that some of his notes have been stolen, so he begins to explore Truberbrook and starts chatting to some of the locals. Along the way he encounters some eccentric characters, such as the inventor Lazarus Taft, and another student, called Gretchen, who joins Hans.
Needless to say, the crazy inventor guy does what crazy inventors always do, and introduces Hans to a sci–fi mystery involving wormholes and inter– dimensional travel. We won’t drop any spoilers, but if you’re a fan of the X–Files then you’ll feel right at home with the dimension–hopping quantum quandaries.
That’s nothing unusual for computer games, though, and it’s Truberbook’s stylish presentation that makes it stand out from the crowd. All the background scenery in the game is actually hand– made physical models, digitized in order to create some really striking 3D graphics. So, rather than simply walking sideways across a 2D screen as you explore each location, the scene often gently rotates to create a sense of movement and perspective. The control system works well too, with a double–click allowing you to “power–walk” when you want to pick up the pace, while the Space bar can give you the occasional hint if you get stuck.
There are some rough edges, though — not least of which are the misleading system requirements listed on the App Store. Many of the puzzles are also fairly routine, or simply involve random clicking to find an item, such as a key. The developers and voice actors are German, and the English translations sometimes sound a bit awkward too. It’s also a little pricey for an adventure that only lasts six to eight hours. Even so, Truberbrook’s sheer style helps to draw you in, and the short running time ensures you’ll stay gripped right to the end.
the bottom line. A stylish click–and– point adventure, with a healthy dose of X–Files sci–fi mystery.