Synopsis:
Broken Age is a deep adventure game where you rotate playing between two protagonists in an absurdist, hilarious, fantasy world. The game is about 10 hours of combined playtime, and is funny, sweet, and has a satisfying narrative conclusion.
Who Should Play:
While Broken Age might not be for first time players, it’s a really good example of a family-friendly, sweet adventure game that has the emotional resonance of a film. This game is good for all ages and can be played on many platforms. It was designed by game “auteur” Tim Schafer.
Made by: Developer: Double fine, Harebrained Schemes
Available on: Android, iOS, Linux, Mac OS, Microsoft, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Xbox One
Price: $4.99 – $14.99 (depending on platform)
Play time: 8-11 hours
Questions for Broken Age:
- Talk about the experience of switching between narratives. Did you find that flexibility enjoyable?
- In the first half of the game, did you find yourself leaning more towards wanting to play Shay or Vella’s narratives?
- Of the two (Shay and Vella) who was in the more absurd predicament?
- When the game came out, many complained that the puzzles were frustrating – did you find this to be the case and how so? Were the puzzles enjoyable to work through?
- If you played Gorogoa, how did this style of puzzle solving vary from that game?
- When the narratives collided were you surprised? What was enjoyable about the switch in narrative style?
- Would this work as well as a film or television show? In what ways was this story good for this particular medium?
- What about this story makes it family friendly?
General Gaming Circle Questions:
- What did and didn’t you like about the game?
- How much time did you spend playing? Did you play all at once or break up your time?
- Did you play during other activities, or dedicate time solely to playing?
- Did the game feel like a waste of time? A good use of time? Explain.
Links & Walkthroughs:
• Official Web Site
• Polygon (Review)
• IGN (Walkthrough)
Play like a Feminist. 