Memoranda

Gorgeous visuals, an evocative soundtrack and a dreamy, magical realist vibe are hindered by poorly designed puzzles that hinge more on mad trial and error rather than actual observation. A unique experience that falls short of greatness.

Memoranda is an enjoyable game that simultaneously benefits from the exploratory nature of the adventure genre whilst being held back by the inevitable repetition that puzzle-solving requires. It stands as a beautiful and literary engagement with an important genre of contemporary fiction that gently interrogates our sense of self identity. If that sounds a little dry, it also has an opera-singing cat and a puzzle that involves cleaning up vomit. Quirky and charming, I would recommend it to players looking for something different, but be prepared to fall back on a walkthrough during its more obscure moments.

Despite it’s wonderful art style, great soundtrack and beautiful story, Memoranda throws a great number of illogical puzzles at you; and that’s what ruins a point and click adventure game.

Point and click adventure game inspired upon Haruki Murakami´s short tales. Good story and fresh and beautiful hand drawn visuals, but the game is extremely difficult due to it´s twisted and fuzzy logic and abuse of pixel hunting. Enjoyable game if you have the patience enough to face it´s huge challenge.

Memoranda could be a lovely adventure, but it fails to propose an intriguing narrative and a fair challenge. Most of the time, it seems that the puzzles lie on a logic that does not fit entirely with what the game is showing, nor with what the characters are doing or saying. All in all it is a sufficient adventure, but it could have been much more.

A somewhat memorable escapade, but you'll need plenty of resolve if you're to reach its conclusion. [March 2017, p.76]

An intriguing, if routine, adventure game where opera-singing cats and the ghosts of WWII soldiers are commonplace. [Issue#259, p.63]

Surrealism and graphic adventures are a complicated match, but Memoranda is interesting and has some really cool moments. It's also a nice tribute to Murakami's work.

Teeth gnashing frustration prevents Memoranda from being the great game it appears to be, despite its wonderful story and puppet-like art style.

Memoranda has a nice art style with a story that features a few intriguing concepts, but the high level of difficulty and the nonsensical nature of the puzzles will frustrate all but the most dedicated adventure game fans.

Memoranda means well, but fails to execute by relying on verbatim Murakami references and contrived logic.

The only positive aspect of the game is its inspiration by Murakami works. Otherwise Memoranda is just a mix of illogical puzzles with a story that sometimes loses the way.

Memoranda’s art style is wonderful but the game has huge problems with communicating what and why you should be doing. Most of the time I simply didn’t know where I should go and who I should talk to. [03/2017, p.54]

Memoranda has a charming aesthetic and an alluring atmospheric soundtrack, but narrative shortcomings and its flawed puzzles make it a frustrating experience. While its world is interesting at a glance, the game quickly loses its luster as the narrative becomes as directionless as its puzzle design.

Too many of the old adventure game stumbling blocks (inconsistent progression, unclear or obfuscating clues, unmarked dead ends) prevent this homage to Murakami’s short stories ever hitting the stride its aesthetics deserve.

Memoranda is visually stunning with an inviting atmosphere, but the lack of both plot and puzzle logic is too great to overcome.

Old school adventure games usually have challenges that either tie into the story or make the solution even more sweet as you get to continue the narrative. Memoranda rarely achieves either of these goals.