Death of the Reprobate
Release Date: November 7, 2024
Adventure, point-and-click, 2D, humorous, indie games, 16th century, singleplayer
OpenCritic
Steam
A point&click adventure the game from the author of Four Last Things and The Procession to Cavalry. In Death of the Reprobate we play as the son of Immortal John and it's our job to explore the family town, helping its residents solve their everyday problems.
Death of the Reprobate is a point & click adventure game set in the world created for Four Last Things and The Procession to Calvary. The development of this game was led by Joe Richardson - an independent developer, who gained recognition from the aforementioned projects.
Plot
Death of the Reprobate tells a story full of black, often absurd humor. During the game we take on the role of the main heir of Immortal John, who, on his deathbed, demands that his son makes drastic changes in his life (to put it mildly). To accomplish this, the hero must explore his hometown and its surroundings, helping its residents solve the problems that plague them daily.
Even though the action of the game is set in the world of Joe Richardson's two previous works, familiarity with them is not necessary to fully understand it. Nevertheless, players who have completed Four Last Things and The Procession to Calvary will find some references to these titles and various "winks".
Gameplay
Death of the Reprobate does not stand out in terms of mechanics from most other productions of this genre. The adventure leads us through various locations - from city streets and building interiors, through the surrounding forest, to peaks from which we can admire picturesque panoramas. As we explore them, we talk to characters for whom we perform various quests. The game is made more attractive by various puzzles based on interacting with characters and objects, as well as collecting items and using them in specific ways.
Graphics
Similar to Joe Richardson's previous projects, Death of the Reprobate offers an unusual graphic design. It is an original "conglomeration" of elements from hundreds of paintings representing the Renaissance, Rococo and Romantic styles, which are in the public domain (it allows for free use of their digital reproductions). The game is played to the accompaniment of atmospheric music. Eduardo Antonello used real instruments from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Videos and Screens
[1:06] Death of the Reprobate Announcement Trailer
GamingTrend: 90 / 100 by Olivia Davies
Death of the Reprobate is a delightfully devilish narrative experience that has you gasping with laughter at every interaction. The game forgoes challenge in order to provide the player with a seamless experience which is to its merit, but could do with a little less hand holding. Despite this, you really do want to stop and smell the roses when you play this game as its artstyle is a wonder to behold, and a bit yucky in other places. Its quirky characters and its use of the renaissance is unique and accessible to any player that doesn't have a degree in art as it prizes itself in how fun of a time you'll have with it.
Eurogamer: 4 / 5 by Katharine Castle
Fun, cheeky and irreverent, Death of the Reprobate prances through art history with a wicked twinkle in its eye, and is one of this year's most memorable adventure games.
Thumb Culture: 5 / 5
I have been following the development of Death of the Reprobate for a while now, eager for more Renaissance silliness in my life. This could have easily been a disappointing game. After all, aren’t the third games in a series infamous for being terrible? But, praise be it wasn’t. Whilst I played through the game, my partner was sitting on his computer and would periodically look over bemused, as I sat at my PC snort laughing at something utterly ridiculous. Usually, this was due to a swear word in pretty script whilst a character was doing something equally vulgar. A true gift. So, what can I truly say to summarise the game? The storyline is funny. The art is pretty. The classic music is catchy. Altogether they create a juxtaposition of perfect absurdity. I have no other choice than to award Death of the Reprobate the Thumb Culture Platinum Award.
The main pros of the game
- Humorous Writing: The game is praised for its clever, absurd, and often irreverent humor, reminiscent of Monty Python. Many players found themselves laughing throughout the game.
- Art and Music: The incorporation of Renaissance art and classical music is consistently highlighted as a standout feature. Players appreciate the beautiful visuals and the way the art is animated.
- Engaging Gameplay: The puzzles are generally well-received, and the addition of a hint system is a welcome feature for those who may struggle with certain challenges.
- Unique Experience: The blend of art, humor, and gameplay creates a distinctive experience that players find enjoyable and refreshing.
- Attention to Detail: Many reviews mention the meticulous effort put into the game's design, with lots of interactive elements and humorous dialogue hidden throughout.
The main cons of the game
- Short Playtime: A significant number of players note that the game is relatively short, typically lasting around 3-4 hours, which some feel is not commensurate with its price.
- Ease of Puzzles: Some players found the puzzles to be easier compared to the previous titles, leading to a less challenging experience.
- Lack of Evolution: Several reviews mention that the game doesn't introduce new mechanics or significant changes from the previous installments, making it feel somewhat repetitive for those familiar with the series.
- Minor Bugs and Glitches: A few users reported minor bugs, although these did not significantly detract from their overall enjoyment.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- More Manual Save Slots: Players expressed a desire for additional manual save slots beyond the limited options currently available.
- Resolution Options and Windowed Mode: Some users noted the absence of resolution settings and a toggle for windowed mode, which could enhance the gaming experience.
- Longer Gameplay: Many reviews echoed the sentiment that the game could benefit from a longer playtime, with some suggesting that it should be expanded in terms of content and complexity.
- More Diverse Puzzles: Players expressed a wish for more varied and complex puzzles to enhance the challenge and engagement.
Summary
- Overall, "Death of the Reprobate" is celebrated for its humor, art, and unique style, but it faces criticism for its short length and lack of significant innovation compared to its predecessors.
Summary generated on:
Death of the Reprobate Summary
Platforms:
PC Windows
Developer: Joe Richardson
Publisher: Joe Richardson
Age restrictions: 16+
Death of the Reprobate System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Dual Core 2 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card Intel HD, 1 GB HDD, Windows 10
Recommended: Dual Core 2 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 560, 1 GB HDD, Windows 11