Scarlett and the Spark of Life: Scarlett Adventures Episode 1 Review
PROS
- Classic adventure gaming.
- Casual challenge level.
- Amusing dialogue and storyline.
- Simple and effective controls.
CONS
- Bite-sized game length.
VERDICT
Scarlett and the Spark of Life is a fun, funny and entertaining journey and a great lead-up for what could end up being a solid episodic adventure title.
- Full Review
- App Store Info
Traditional adventure titles are somewhat of a rarity these days and while the genre has survived thanks to casual hidden-object and even puzzle variations, there's just something far more satisfying about completing a game using your wits and logic while being absorbed in a great story. Scarlett and the Spark of Life by Launching Pad Games is the first episode in what will hopefully become a regular series as it's hard not to be entranced by this game's amusing and tongue in cheek style.
Point and click (or in this case, tap) adventures have long suffered from the need to hunt for objects that you can interact with, but this is simplified in Spark of Life by a highlight system that indicates new areas, objects and people you can talk to. You'll need to explore a town dominated by people who all but worship what looks like a mangy crossbreed between a llama and a goat in order to construct an unholy mechanical horse and escape your disastrous fate. Scarlett herself isn't your typical princess either and players delving in to conversations may find her acerbic wit to be abrasive at times, but not without a few nods to classic adventure tropes such as blurting out the worst possible thing to say at a given time.
For those used to traditional adventure titles, the pacing can be quite quick, especially as the puzzles you're confronted with aren't terribly complicated to solve. However, this is tempered by the clever dialogue that strays from the norm wherever possible, providing more than a few chuckles as you mollify a horse with delusions of grandeur or put a lazy peasant on trial.
Scarlett and the Spark of Life is a beautiful and satisfying adventure title, if somewhat shorter than most already available. A definite must try for fans of traditional adventure games and great casual title for those after something a little different.
Screenshots
$1.99
