80 Days Impressions
I brought this game after seeing a preview on Pocket Tactics thinking it was a good concept. You are a French valet for an English Gentleman in a late 19th Century Steampunk influenced Universe. You are tasked with traveling around the world in 80 days or under, this involves planning and finding routes, making sure your master stays healthy, talking to locals and importantly making sure your funds are large enough to advance further in your travels.
My first trip around the world lasted 91 days, I was making good gains in Europe and made a huge profit selling Persian clothes to the Indian markets. My character accidentally smoked opium in Hong Kong much to the displeasure of my master and things started to take a turn for the worse. After boarding a ferry to San Fransisco the captain of the ship decided to navigate to another island. I tried to engineer a mutiny and take control of the ship by exploiting religious divides in the mixed European Chinese crew, I also charmed the hard working workers below deck and spread rumors about the character of the captain. Alas the attempted mutiny failed and we were chucked off the ship and mocked by the captain. As I lay on the island waiting for a ferry to take us to San Fransisco I realized we were now not going to make it around the world in 80 days. A passing islander asked me why I was traveling and why I didn't enjoy the beauty of the island? My character contemplated this thought for a moment and questioned the very reasons for his loyalty to his master but I chose to push on and at least make sure we returned to London.
After this I was held up by Jesse James, got beaten in a boxing match and met a spy on the way to England. Before this event I delivered a baby, strolled the coast of Italy marveling at her beauty and was transported to Delhi by a walking city.
I have used this little story and the above example to illustrate the appeal of this game, it is a Universe in which you can make choices but more importantly feel part of. The map itself is beautiful, allowing you to plan your next move and see the progress of friends and other travelers. The script is very well written and the world feels familiar but also alien.
It is the perfect game to dedicate time to and sit with while drinking a cup of tea or even a glass of port to really capture the occasion. Conversely it lends itself to a quick turn while you are on your own train commute.
A brilliant game and one that would only really work on the tablet medium. If you have any interest in story driven games, the 19th century or interactive fiction I recommend this wholeheartedly.
Now I am off a rather nasty Spaniard has insulted my master and I must demand satisfaction!