Unfortunately, in addition to this new control scheme, the console version also comes with a slew of technical issues like random loading times (sometimes up to 30 seconds just to switch screens!) subtitles disappearing, and stuttering after loading has been completed.įor these reasons, Encodya might be best recommended to hardcore adventure players who are on the hunt for something to quench their thirst on consoles. There are also a couple of instances where ‘moon logic’ crops up, like a random line of dialogue that nets Tina an item for no clear reason whatsoever.Įncodya was first released on PC, but this console release comes with a controller-friendly scheme which mostly works even though - for some reason - it switches from direct control to point-and-click when items are being handled. The puzzles are not too difficult, but I would still recommend sticking to easy mode since Encodya wants the player to engage in some irritating pixel hunting at times, and such design – at least for me – does not make the experience entertaining. It’s not over-the-top, though, and on the whole I’d say this is primarily a light cyberpunk-ish drama and not a comedy. That said, the humor is a bit hit-or-miss, relying a bit too much on ‘fourth wall’ jokes and pop culture references. The narrative is not of paramount interest, but it does touch upon some interesting political topics relevant to modern times, despite not going in-depth on any of them and remaining mostly light in tone throughout. Encodya kindly keeps track of objectives needed to advance and, on easy mode, will also highlight interactable objects on screen. Players can expect the usual 2D adventure tropes - pick up objects and items, combine them, and talk with characters to solve puzzles. As the story begins, she has an opportunity to find out what happened to her disappeared father, while also looking into the mayor’s plans to transform Neo Berlin. In the city of Neo Berlin, orphan Tina lives homeless on the streets with her caretaker robot Sam, their relationship the only thing that’s kept them from going crazy in their bleak, grey future.

Encodya is yet another, and it sits right in the middle of the pack - not entirely derivative of the classics, yet it doesn’t attempt to cover new topics or to surprise players who know the genre. The recent resurgence of 2D point and click adventure titles seems to have no end, so much so that “recent” hardly seems the right word for it: this wave has been crashing for a few years now. WTF No more fourth wall-breaking jokes please!

LOW Some bugs and issues dampen the experience.

Encodya switch review