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Episode 2 Reviews!

Started by KatieHal, January 30, 2013, 11:42:03 AM

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KatieHal

GameHub.tv gives Episode 2 a 7/10!

QuoteVisually, Cognition is a real treat. A variety of techniques are employed that make me feel like I'm reading an interactive graphic novel. Cutscenes play out in panels, with both beautiful and dark artwork illustrating onscreen events. I was surprised at how much work actually went in to each panel, regardless of if it was on screen for 3 seconds or 3 minutes. This care and attention to detail reminds me of the first time I read 'The Killing Joke' by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland, every aspect has been picked over and assembled according to a nature feel most point and click adventures lack. When motion is taking place, the graphics are so consistent if feels more like the characters are moving in a comic book world, rather than sprites on top of a 2D backdrop.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Some reviews from across the pond are in today:

Mobzine.ro (Romanian) calls Cognition a "Modern day Agatha Christie."

And Z.Giochi, an Italian site, gives it an 8/10!

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Dome.fi (Finnish) 4/5

Play It Live, a French site, gives it 3.5/5

And a review is in from Gert Lush Gaming:

QuoteIn summary, they are advancing the series and it does show. With the strides they are making in terms of story telling they cannot be faulted. It grips you and pulls you in, like a fine TV show it leaves you wanting more.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Another one in from Gamersaurs!

QuoteI'm both excited and scared of what's to come in Episodes 3 and 4. I can't wait to find out where the story is going, but I'm also fully aware that there is no guarantee that it'll be a nice place to end up. But I love the story anyway, which is so well written, and I love the characters, whot are excellently voiced. I'm not expert on Boston accents, but they all sounds like the few people I do know who come from that area.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Another Italian review in, this time from Punta E Clicca: 70/100!

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Tech-Gaming gives Episode 2 a B!

QuoteThe atmosphere of Cognition is dark and intense.  Grit and gore make occasional appearances to accentuate the suspense of the case.  It makes the plot just dark enough to keep the player intrigued without becoming gratuitous or expected.  Erica works at a non-stop pace, trying to solve the case as quickly as possible.  This creates a good momentum, but doesn't detract from the necessary use of detective skills that Erica must employ to find The Wise Monkey killer.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Gaming Illustarted gives Episode 2 a 78%!

QuoteCognition: An Erica Reed Thriller, Episode Two, The Wise Monkey is every bit as clever and well put together as Episode One. Yes, there are some flaws, but they are easily overshadowed by the quality of storytelling and overall entertainment value. It's a must-have for anyone who played through and enjoyed Episode One. The series continues to head in the right direction and hopefully continues progress down that path.

And inGamer.cz, a Czech site, gives it a 7/10!

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

#27
Game-Arena, a Romanian site, gives Episode 2 a 7/10!

From United Front Gaming, a 7.8/10. :)

QuoteI was impressed with the first episode, the Hangman, from the Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller series. But now Phoenix Online Studios has made me a full blown fan girl with its release of Episode Two, The Wise Monkey! While the puzzles and character development are greatly enhanced in this installment the story line is really why I am hooked, and I can assure you that after playing Wise Monkey, you will be too!

Dome.fi has another review up of both Episodes 1 and 2, giving them a collective score of 4/5.

True PC Gaming also enjoyed and recommends the Episode!

QuoteOverall, however, Cognition Episode 2 is a solid adventure game that's well worth the 10 dollar price tag. The plot kept me interested the entire time, and I felt a real desire to solve the case and save Sullivan. It also ends on a very nice cliffhanger that left me anticipating the next chapter. I do recommend you play the first game as well, however, but that is also worth the price.

And Indie Game Magazine has posted a "Let's Try" video of Episode 2!

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

#28
Three more in!

GameOver, a Greek site, gives it an 8.5/10!

And from Eurogamer.it in Italy, a 7/10, woohoo!

Goozer Nation has a great website name and also enjoyed the game!

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

zorenpippen

Excellent review here for Episode 2! Will be sharing this as well.
I'm looking for a user friendly hospitality point of sale australia.

KatieHal

Zly Brat Blizniak has posted a review (Polish).

And so has Noob Feed! (in English) :)

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Gaming Excellence gives Episode 2 a 7.5!

QuoteThe story was still incredibly engaging and very interesting and I've got to say that it's the strong point in this game series.  It's what makes me want to keep coming back for more. 

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Destructoid gives Episode 2 a 7.5/10!


QuoteCognition's second episode, The Wise Monkey, has clearly been developed by a team growing in confidence. It's a tightly-paced thriller, more comfortable in its homage to televised serial police dramas than its predecessor.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Now that the site is back up, I can finally share this review from Explosion, who gave Episode 2 a 3.5/5!

QuoteAs an episodic story each episode puts Erica on a new case while still keeping her on the trail of her brother's killer.  In the final parts of Episode 2 a much larger story begins to unfold.  Some of the mysteries left behind by the killer can only be solved by Erica and her special powers.  As the Player wonders "Why would someone leave a clue that only Erica can decipher?" the game's designers are already well on their way to answering that very question.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Akihabara Blues gives a positive review for Episode 2! A Spanish review, but here's a quote from the google translation with some help from me for readability:

Quotef we look at these two episodes, the first was complete...[it] gave us the beginning of the game system, the cognitive system of the protagonist and special actions.... In this second episode , "The Wise Monkey", everything is much more complex , the puzzles are more difficult, they have added many new manicured locations, and the action is much more gruesome and violent with an argument that touches the best style thriller Seven . Furthermore Erica have to get some new powers will be essential for us to come to fruition our research.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

Indie Game Mag has weighed in and given Episode 2 a 93%!

QuoteWise Monkey improves on literally everything from the first episode. The cutscenes are more frequent and better animated. There is more opportunity to use the Cognition powers, with shorter tutorial scenes. There were even more rooms to investigate than in Hangman. Most importantly, the story was a lot more intense, and kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole ride. One scene towards the end of the episode had me afraid to move forward, fearing the worst had happened to Sully.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

stika

Oh wow, that's an awesome score

KatieHal

The Adrenaline Vault gives Episodes 1 & 2 a combined score of 4/5!

QuoteCognition is hardly a gory game, but it is relentlessly dark. It's the kind of game in which people get their eyes gouged or they get tied to tables laced with crossbow traps. One puzzle requires you to drive spikes into your shins to unlock a door. It never outright shows the bloody bits, but that often makes things worse. It's a thick atmosphere that can be cloying if you're not into crime thrillers. When your plot involves a psychic FBI agent versus Saw villains, you're bound to stray into cheese. What works so well is how the plot is woven into the intuition game mechanics.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal


Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

KatieHal

And just one more review before I unsticky this thread to make room Episode 3! From Ordinary Gamer, a quick overview of episodes 1 and 2--spoiler-free even!

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!