Alter Ego

Alter Ego is a point-and-click adventure game set in 19th century Plymouth, England, developed by Future Games. Players alternate between two protagonists: Timothy Moor, a streetwise thief, and Detective Briscol, a novice investigator. The game features a grim atmosphere with detailed pre-rendered backgrounds and voice acting that fits the period accents. The narrative explores a murder mystery intertwined with crime and intrigue, presenting morally flawed characters with rich inner monologues.

Gameplay is classic click-and-point style with mostly inventory-based puzzles, though many puzzles are considered easy or trivial. The investigation parts, especially as the detective, are praised for clue gathering and interrogation mechanics. However, the game suffers from slow pacing, repetitive backtracking, and a rushed, unsatisfying ending that leaves many plot threads unresolved. Technical issues such as minor animation glitches and occasional bugs are reported. Overall, it is regarded as a decent adventure experience best suited for fans of the genre and recommended primarily when purchased on sale.

Highlights

Players appreciated the game's atmospheric and grim Victorian setting, supported by well-crafted environment designs and period-appropriate voice acting. The dual-character storytelling mechanic, switching between a thief and a detective, was seen as engaging and added depth to the narrative.

The detective gameplay involving clue gathering and interrogations stood out positively, providing a noteworthy mystery-solving experience. The story is intriguing and character-driven, with complex, flawed protagonists. The graphics, while not cutting-edge, effectively conveyed the moody tone of the game.

Many found the overall experience immersive, with enjoyable puzzles and a compelling narrative that kept them hooked through most of the game.

Criticisms

The primary criticism centers on the game's ending, which is widely described as rushed, incomplete, and unsatisfying, leaving many storylines unresolved and diminishing the overall experience. The pacing is slow, especially in the early and final sections, with some players experiencing boredom or disengagement.

Puzzles were often seen as too easy, trivial, or illogical, with some requiring exact sequences or obscure triggers, leading to frustration. The gameplay involves excessive backtracking and slow animations that disrupt flow. Some voice acting, especially the main character Timothy's, was perceived as dull or monotonous.

Technical issues include minor animation mismatches, occasional bugs, and a lack of polish in certain interactions.