Ep 12. Ghost of a Tale

Zero Punctuation is a web series hosted by Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw, where he delivers humorous and often scathing reviews of video games. In season 12 episode 12, Yahtzee dives into "Ghost of a Tale," a 3rd person action-RPG stealth game developed by SeithCG.

The episode opens with Yahtzee introducing the game as an "animal adventure" where you play as a mouse named Tilo who is on a quest to uncover the truth about his world, which has been overrun by rats. Yahtzee comments on the striking visuals of the game, which feature detailed graphics and realistic lighting, but he quickly points out that the game's graphics are not the only thing that matters.

Yahtzee plays through the game's opening tutorial, which he finds to be lengthy and not particularly engaging. He comments that the controls are clunky and that there are a lot of unnecessary button combinations to remember. However, he does concede that once you get used to the controls, the movement and combat can be quite satisfying.

The game's stealth mechanics are a standout feature, according to Yahtzee. He notes that hiding and sneaking around to avoid detection feels intuitive and rewards careful planning. However, he takes issue with the game's checkpoint system, which he feels is punishingly strict. "If you get caught by an enemy, you have to go back to the previous checkpoint, which can sometimes be several minutes of gameplay behind you," he says.

Yahtzee also has mixed feelings about the game's story. While he appreciates the effort that went into crafting a deep and immersive world, he finds the game's dialogue to be overly verbose and convoluted. He claims that the characters don't have distinct voices and that they all speak in the same overwritten way. He also finds the story to be dragging and taking too much time to get to the point.

The episode as a whole is littered with witty comments and critiques from Yahtzee, such as the comparisons to Sherlock Holms and its greater exposition and historical knowledge about the story.

In conclusion, Yahtzee is critical of some aspects of "Ghost of a Tale," but he acknowledges that the game is a well-made and fun experience overall. He recommends the game for those who enjoy detailed environments, rewarding stealth mechanics, and flexible gameplay. If you want to see the full review, head to Zero Punctuation's YouTube channel!