Agatha Heterodyne is the last of the Heterodyne line and she is ready to claim what is rightfully hers. She just has a couple of… problems to deal with before she can do so. Not only does she have a sassy and skeptical castle hellbent on testing her, but there may also be another secret Heterodyne heir? It’s not going to be easy but, possibly owning an entire castle (especially in this economy) is worth the challenge. Girl Genius: Adventures in Castle Heterodyne is based on the steampunk-esque webcomic, Girl Genius. Published and developed by Rain Games, this zany RPG takes after those classic games such as Spyro or Crash Bandicoot. Complete with dramatic villains, mini puzzles, and even a cute sidekick to help the protagonist along. It’s not necessary to have read the comic, but it certainly does help flesh out the characters, their motives, and the story better.
The Heterodyne family was full of ‘mad geniuses’ where their Spark of brilliance and chaos was in everything they touched. This of course gave way to their grand inventions and eventually their fortune which they would all keep within Castle Heterodyne. Like the Cave of Wonders, this sentient architecture protects all the hidden treasures within with booby traps and wandering guards. With a library full of knowledge, grand galleries, and mind-blowing tech, it is no wonder why so many people have also tried to stake their claim. Agatha will need to gather up her full moxie to not only prove that she is a true Heterodyne, but also to survive the night.
Luckily, Agatha is not completely alone in this harrowing task. Aside from the other NPCs that work in the castle, Agatha has her trusty Dingbot to help her along. This cute mechanical minion is the perfect size to squeeze into tight cervices and help her solve puzzling machinery. Unfortunately, Dingbot is frailer than his human creator and is unable to fight or really defend itself. If Dingbot is unfortunately blown to bits or attacked by a spider using cutlery, Agatha can reassemble and create another. Be sure to also keep a lookout for other Dingbot-like companions as they are lost in hidden areas around the castle.
Girl Genius: Adventures in Castle Heterodyne has a standard combat and weapon upgrade system found in most adventure RPGs. However, if fighting isn’t your jam, there is also an option to play in Story Mode. This mode allows players to focus on just the story and puzzles, without the threat of dying from being attacked. This isn’t to say the game will be any less challenging as there is still much to be solved. Especially when Castle Heterodyne seems to take twisted pleasure in wracking your brain. So, prove to the cranky castle once and for all what a true genius is, and take back what is rightfully yours!
PROS: Interesting world building that is not limited to the game. The story mode option is perfect for fans of the comic who aren’t really gamers and/or are new to gaming.
CONS: The occasional mechanic to jump is clunky and is slow to respond. Players may need to read the webcomic in order to understand the plot better. This can be a PRO for those who like to read, but it’s still an extra step to playing.
Girl Genius: Adventures In Castle Heterodyne is available for PC via Steam.
Related: Reviews by Vivian Chen
Video games have always been a huge influence in my life and have definitely shaped me to who I am today . Some of my best memories growing up were the many adventures and stories I was able to experience and become immersed in. If my hands aren't either covered in clay, typing, editing, creating, or helping shoving food in my mouth, they would either be gripped to a controller, tapping away at the screen of my phone, or clicking away on my PC. I am always up for trying something new because why live just one life when you can live many.
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