Resonance (2012)

Overall, Resonance is a highly entertaining game. It has a first-rate story, great aesthetics, and the intangible qualities that make a game hard to put down.

A deep dive into retro adventure games: one clever and entangling adventure from the apparently bland start to one of the two different epic endings.

With Resonance, Vince Twelve has demonstrated how it's possible to create a compelling and fresh adventure thanks to the perfect combination of a fashinating story, great puzzles and innovative ideas.

With multiple paths and endings and a dense story it's totally worth more than a single playthrough, even after you've managed to get through all the head scratching. Like the rest of Wadjet's catalog, Resonance is an absolute must play for any classic adventure nut, and worth checking out for any more modern fan.

You really can't go wrong by spending some time with Resonance. While at first glance it may hark back to games like Beneath a Steel Sky, it's a fresh, modern mystery. It's set the bar rather high for other adventure game developers, and not just indies, though they really drive the genre right now. It might have been over all too quickly, but it was undoubtedly worth the five year wait.

Resonance took a long time to arrive, but this meaty, challenging sci-fi thriller has unquestionably been worth the wait.

Resonance takes some of the best elements of the classic adventures and mix them with a modern pace and a brilliant script. You can't miss it.

While at times frustrating (like all good adventure games), Resonance is an interesting combination of gritty, creepy, and above all else, humorous. Working with memories, and different characters' perceptions of events makes for a satisfying approach to the story.

So if you like adventures and have $10 to spare, do yourself a favor and purchase Resonance -- and keep an eye on Wadjet Eye Games in the future, since their recent history makes them the best adventure game publisher around.

It's Wadget Eye Games' most ambitious game, but is it their best? In the technical department, as an adventure game, it is. Excellent speech, intelligent use of short/long-time memories, interesting riddles and simultaneous use of four heroes. But, alas, Resonance's scenario can't surpass that of Gemini Rue. [July 2012]

Exceptionally clever, thoughtful, exciting and even heartbreaking. An excellent point-and-click adventure. [Aug 2012, p.64]

Creator Vince Wesselman's passion for the adventure genre shines through every one of Resonance's pronounced pixels. There are a few hitches here and there, but they won't stop Resonance from being one of the best adventure games you will play this year.

A special title, which make us travel in time to that golden age of adventures. It offers carefully made retro graphics, a script that captivates us and geniously designed puzzles that make the game feel contemporary, despite the visuals.

If you can look past the so-so music, retro visuals and somewhat sluggish interface, Resonance is a good graphic adventure.

Thanks to Resonance we got excited for a genre that is long gone. This point and click game offers enough challenging puzzles and an intriguing story. Too bad it's a one time deal. After that you know everything there is to know about Resonance.

Resonance feels like a lost classic from the golden age of adventure gaming. It has some of the same shortcomings, but it also captures the thrill of exploration, the satisfaction of figuring out interesting puzzles, and the payoff of a well-told story. These elements demonstrate a reverence for the genre that can't be manufactured, and anyone who shares the same passion shouldn't miss Resonance.

Resonance is a labour of love, and it shows. The game offers an intelligent, deep story and challenging but well designed puzzles. If you like smart games, this is a must-play.

A very good example of why point-and-click adventures still deserve plenty of notice.

Sometimes, Resonance is confusing because its system is somewhat unclear. It requires time, a cold head, and a good awareness of clues in order to solve the puzzles. But you're then rewarded with a really good story and lovable characters. A very nice point & click, both funny, mature, and poignant.

Quotation forthcoming.

An interesting story and intelligent puzzles help to transform this adventure into a good thriller. This is an enchanting retro trip with clever ideas.

Resonance is an interesting story almost to the very end. A game that challenges fans of the genre by introducing some new things into the gameplay. It's a modest, pixelated clickfest that will take gamers on a long journey and give them lots of fun. Resonance reminds us that a game is first and foremost a story, a way to deliver something, a form of expression – much like a book, a comic or a movie.

Innovative "retro-movie" would probably win many awards 20 years ago. These days it can "only" bring back some of the sweetest memories. [July 2012]

A solid, but all in all cookie-cutter adventure game.

There's still plenty of life in the genre, as this creative romp amply demonstrates, even if fully appreciating it takes more patience than some will be able to muster.

With its complex and surprising story and vintage visuals Resonance is a must have for all point'n'click fans. [August 2012, p.83]

Resonance is a game with great ideas, wonderful puzzles and inspiring gameplay, but also a lackluster storyline that never reaches its potential.

Resonance sketches a somber image of the future in low resolution. The retro point-and-click-game combines science fiction with descent puzzling, but forgets to top it off with a good story.

Resonance is undoubtedly a compelling adventure for the majority of the playtime, but it also feels only half of one, and with the rush to the finale even a sequel couldn't fill in the blanks. Most importantly: what the hell was with the mysterious breast-feeding Japanese lady?

On the whole, Resonance is serviceable entry in a genre where very few games are being made. The plot's not stellar, but it's still pretty good. The animation was fluid, and some of the scenes are quite gorgeous. The music also does a good job of setting the mood for the various locales and situations. Despite how harsh I might be, it's solid enough for being a ten dollar indie title and I do recommend checking it out for adventure fans.

Purely from a gameplay standpoint this is one of the most consistently well designed adventure games I've played, and tackling its scenarios was a delight, but while nearly any other video game genre gets away with its particular narrative vices, story and characters are such crucial aspects of this one. Poor characterisation and a too familiar storyline is ultimately enough to render Resonance a mechanically impressive adventure game that sorely lacks personality.

Make no mistake, Resonance is an impressive achievement for its tiny indie developer: a vast and intriguing adventure game made mostly by one person, filled with mystery, and confronting issues a lot bigger than most games dare to touch. Keep that in mind and you might be able to forgive its missteps. I almost could. But not quite.

Inconsistent writing and shallow characterizations keep this adventure game from fully resonating.