By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review is spoiler-free.
Synopsis:
Time itself is breaking up, and Dodger, the dishwashing dude onboard Penrose Space Station, is the unlikely fixer. Join the chaos in this 80s-style comedy, sci-fi text-parser adventure as Dodger tackles a cosmic crisis like no other!
It’s been a while since I’ve played a text parser adventure game, and this one brought back a flood of nostalgia. It retains all the positive elements of the genre while avoiding the frustrating aspects. The modernisation of movement is a significant improvement. It’s clear that Space Quest heavily influenced Tachyon Dreams Anthology, from the unlikely “everyman” hero to the quirky space humour. The familiarity this game creates is incredibly rewarding.
As for the gameplay, it’s exactly what you’d expect: you type commands to progress. When you make a spelling mistake or suggest an unorthodox action, the game responds humorously and creatively, showcasing the thoughtful design. I enjoyed playing through different eras, much like Dark Fall 2: Lights Out. Something is exciting about jumping between various time periods and environments while maintaining a cohesive narrative. The puzzles and solutions are straightforward, but still rewarding, which is by design – this isn’t supposed to be an overtly complex game to beat. It’s the adventure and the journey that is most important, and these elements are at the core of the game.
The story is well-crafted, demonstrating a strong grasp of the genre and storytelling in general. It’s unique yet familiar, with laugh-a-minute humour that highlights the excellent writing. I’d be surprised if you didn’t have a lot of fun with this game!
While I genuinely enjoyed Tachyon Dreams Anthology, I encountered two minor issues. One was puzzle-based, due to character positioning, and at one point, Dodger’s jacket, the same colour brown as the environment, blended into the background, causing him to partially disappear. These are trivial issues that shouldn’t detract from your enjoyment.
And finally, I can’t end this review without mentioning the sound design. I could have stayed on the opening title screen for an age – it was exactly my kind of retro jam!
Tachyon Dreams Anthology is a vibrant, joyous, and zany space adventure showcasing classic text-parser gameplay with a modern touch.
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