Review: The Room
At a Glance
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
How to Save and Pause:Your progress is saved automatically as you poke around the mysterious device. Once you've cleared a chapter, you can also replay it at any time using the chapter selection option on the main menu. There's no need to pause this game, as it doesn't do anything without your input. Time needed per session:This game is designed so that you can poke at it whenever you have some free time, so you'll only need to plan your time if you're going to replay a chapter - in that case, you'll need to finish the chapter in one go.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | Some players may have concerns There are some references to magic and hints that things have not quite gone according to plan, but overall, there's nothing too worrying in this game - the real issues don't start showing up until the sequel. |
Screenshots
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/the_room_0.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/the_room_1.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/the_room_2.jpg)
Game Overview
Taken as a whole, the Room franchise is about solving intricate puzzles that operate on rules outside of the ones that govern our familiar universe. In this first installment, everything revolves around a strange box that the player character was gifted by a mysterious person, known only by his initials. This game is rather short, but it serves its role as the introduction to the series, its story, and the immersive way you'll be interacting with the games.
The game begins by confronting the player with a large locked cabinet. On top of the cabinet is a small box and a letter from your benefactor. The tutorial then proceeds to walk you through how to read the letter, open the small box, and generally control the game. Once the cabinet is open and the player has access to the contraption inside, the game proper begins.
I keep mentioning the game's controls because I think they are a core part of what makes these game work. Everything is controlled using your mouse in specific and intuitive ways. For example, to turn a crank, you hold the left mouse button and move the mouse in a circular motion. Another example would be how you'd drag the mouse to open a drawer or turn a dial. In essence, you're miming the actions that your character takes, and this draws you in more than keyboard controls ever would.
Now, most puzzle games like this have an inventory of some sort. This one does too, but there's also a twist to it. You'll often need to examine the objects you collect, moving them around in a 3D space to investigate every side. Several of them are also small puzzles in and of themselves - many keys can be manipulated to fit different locks, and some objects hold additional secrets you'll need to discover.
But by far the most important tool you'll find in this game is the magical eye piece that has been provided for you. In fact, it's so important to this mystery that obtaining it and understanding how to use it is the central theme of the in game tutorial. While wearing the eye piece, hidden marks and clues become visible, as do strange runes and otherworldly signs.
Which brings us back to the story itself - it seems that whoever left you this cabinet was, they were extremely interested in alchemy. In the real world, alchemy was the early precursor to modern chemistry, but in fiction (like this game), alchemy often becomes something more like a type of scientific magic. As you progress in this game, you'll find fragments of the alchemist's diary entries. Each fragment explains a little more about what transpired before you entered the scene.
Apparently, your benefactor was on the verge of a profound discovery. While early alchemists recognized only the four primal elements - fire, water, earth, and air - he was about to discover a fifth. This final element seems to possess incredible power and possibilities, so he fashioned this box to ensure that only someone worthy of following in his footsteps would learn of his work and continue it.
And that someone is you - if you're daring enough to solve the riddles he has left behind.
Unfortunately, as this is just the beginning of a four part saga, you'll find yourself left with more questions than answers if you only play the first game. But, the good news is that the entire franchise is quite affordable and also regularly goes on sale, making all four games simply a multi-episode equivalent of a single game.
If you're not sure this is the sort of thing you'd like, just purchase the first game when it goes on sale, and give it a try. There's no penalty for buying the games separately.
The game begins by confronting the player with a large locked cabinet. On top of the cabinet is a small box and a letter from your benefactor. The tutorial then proceeds to walk you through how to read the letter, open the small box, and generally control the game. Once the cabinet is open and the player has access to the contraption inside, the game proper begins.
I keep mentioning the game's controls because I think they are a core part of what makes these game work. Everything is controlled using your mouse in specific and intuitive ways. For example, to turn a crank, you hold the left mouse button and move the mouse in a circular motion. Another example would be how you'd drag the mouse to open a drawer or turn a dial. In essence, you're miming the actions that your character takes, and this draws you in more than keyboard controls ever would.
Now, most puzzle games like this have an inventory of some sort. This one does too, but there's also a twist to it. You'll often need to examine the objects you collect, moving them around in a 3D space to investigate every side. Several of them are also small puzzles in and of themselves - many keys can be manipulated to fit different locks, and some objects hold additional secrets you'll need to discover.
But by far the most important tool you'll find in this game is the magical eye piece that has been provided for you. In fact, it's so important to this mystery that obtaining it and understanding how to use it is the central theme of the in game tutorial. While wearing the eye piece, hidden marks and clues become visible, as do strange runes and otherworldly signs.
Which brings us back to the story itself - it seems that whoever left you this cabinet was, they were extremely interested in alchemy. In the real world, alchemy was the early precursor to modern chemistry, but in fiction (like this game), alchemy often becomes something more like a type of scientific magic. As you progress in this game, you'll find fragments of the alchemist's diary entries. Each fragment explains a little more about what transpired before you entered the scene.
Apparently, your benefactor was on the verge of a profound discovery. While early alchemists recognized only the four primal elements - fire, water, earth, and air - he was about to discover a fifth. This final element seems to possess incredible power and possibilities, so he fashioned this box to ensure that only someone worthy of following in his footsteps would learn of his work and continue it.
And that someone is you - if you're daring enough to solve the riddles he has left behind.
Unfortunately, as this is just the beginning of a four part saga, you'll find yourself left with more questions than answers if you only play the first game. But, the good news is that the entire franchise is quite affordable and also regularly goes on sale, making all four games simply a multi-episode equivalent of a single game.
If you're not sure this is the sort of thing you'd like, just purchase the first game when it goes on sale, and give it a try. There's no penalty for buying the games separately.
Points of Interest
Clever little puzzles
Many puzzle games challenge the player with common logic puzzles or simple minigames, but the Room series does things differently. Each puzzle is unique, and often involves hidden panels or objects that are much too large for the space that contains them. You're going to need to look around (and sometimes through) objects in order to find the next solution.
Of course, you're not entirely on your own - should you need help remembering where you left off or working out the next step, there are hints available. Simply click on the question mark in the upper left to receive one of several hints about the current puzzle. The best part about these hints is that they won't tell you the answers directly - instead, they'll just give you a nudge in the right direction and have you go from there.
Of course, you're not entirely on your own - should you need help remembering where you left off or working out the next step, there are hints available. Simply click on the question mark in the upper left to receive one of several hints about the current puzzle. The best part about these hints is that they won't tell you the answers directly - instead, they'll just give you a nudge in the right direction and have you go from there.
Steam community features
There are five achievements to earn playing this game, though none of them are particularly interesting as they are awarded for reaching milestones in the story. Thus, you'll have earned them all in a single playthrough.
There is also a set of Steam trading cards available, if you're interested in collecting those.
There is also a set of Steam trading cards available, if you're interested in collecting those.
Concerns and Issues
Fantasy magic
As you'd expect from a story about studying some forbidden truth, there's an occult feel to just about everything going on. The eye piece is a good example of this, as it allows you to see beyond normal space. This can reveal handprints, smears, and even some fine details like runes or, in one case, a stylized ram's skull.
But, most of the magic the player will encounter in this game comes from the puzzle device itself. Many of its parts defy normal physics, popping in and out of places where they shouldn't possibly fit, suggesting the box exists beyond our familiar three dimensional universe.
The box is also decorated with runes, Latin phrases, and representations of space and the heavens - all things that you'd expect to see in an esoteric or occult work.
But, most of the magic the player will encounter in this game comes from the puzzle device itself. Many of its parts defy normal physics, popping in and out of places where they shouldn't possibly fit, suggesting the box exists beyond our familiar three dimensional universe.
The box is also decorated with runes, Latin phrases, and representations of space and the heavens - all things that you'd expect to see in an esoteric or occult work.
A hint of what's to come
In the final chapter, there are some torn tarot cards in a drawer. The only card that's clearly visible is the Death card; the rest are in tatters. These cards only exist to provide some decoration, as they cannot be collected or interacted with. That said, they are definitely here for a reason - you'll be interacting with this tarot deck in the next game.