Keeper

Balancing narrative intent and puzzle depth can be a tall order, but Double Fine has so much experience with both that they do end up succeeding in the end.

The concept was brilliant, and the gameplay was polished. But the game's second half, in its refusal to hold back, aggressively undermines everything that made it great. It's a shame such a lack of restraint ruined its potential.

Would I recommend giving it a go? For the art style alone, I probably would, yes. It's an absolutely gorgeous game, and there were moments that I genuinely had a smile on my face. It was a shame that there were other moments when I literally sighed and said, "I've had enough now," although this may not be the same for everybody.

But far too often in Keeper, rather than anything that has any greater meaning, what you're in conflict with is just muddled, unemotive puzzle design. [Issue#417, p.114]

Keeper is an imaginative and beautiful bore of a game. I won’t say it’s bad, as Double Fine is too talented a studio to make a truly bad game, but the team misses the mark with Keeper. I find it to be a project that should have either been expanded on or reworked into something that takes advantage of its beautiful world and the creative minds behind it.

Keeper by Double Fine Productions is a visually stunning experience, with exceptional artistic direction and beautifully designed environments and creatures. The game frequently impresses with its visuals, making it worth experiencing for the art alone. However, it struggles as a game due to its short length, predictable moments, and limited emotional impact beyond wonder. Inconsistent music and a fixed camera system further hinder gameplay, sometimes making exploration and puzzles less enjoyable.