Agatha Knife Xbox One Review
| Game: | Agatha Knife |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Mango Protocol |
| Developer: |
I confess that I was previously unaware of Mango Protocol’s Psychotic Adventures series until I chanced upon Agatha Knife during a sale, followed by Mechanika shortly afterward. Despite Agatha Knife being released after Mechanika, it serves as a prequel to the latter, with the main character from Mechanika being demoted to a secondary character.
The storyline of Agatha Knife is utterly absurd, yet it’s also profoundly darkly humorous. The protagonist, Agatha Knife, is a 7-year-old girl afflicted with insomnia, leading to a far-from-typical childhood. Residing in the rear of a butcher’s shop, she finds solace in the company of animals, albeit with a rather unconventional hobby—delighting in both their companionship and in dissecting them for their delectable meat. It’s safe to say, Agatha is no ordinary girl.
Agatha soon embarks on a different journey, delving into the creation of her own religion, and doing everything in her power in order to make sure that it comes into fruition. While the game’s unconventional and controversial perspective on religion may not resonate with everyone, it offers plenty of enjoyment for those open to its themes, perhaps even containing elements of truth for some.
Agatha grapples with conflicting emotions about her affection for animals and her enjoyment of meat, which adds depth and humour to her character. Along her creative journey, she encounters a diverse cast of eccentric characters. From a father seemingly resenting his grieving son mourning at his mother’s grave, to a talking, melancholic lion eager to bring happiness to his cubs, and the enigmatic, egotistical Sandro, the game is filled with vibrant and amusing personalities that drive its comedic storyline.
As you may have surmised, Agatha Knife places a strong emphasis on its narrative, but being a point-and-click adventure game, it also presents puzzles to be solved. Initially, the puzzles take a bit of time to pick up momentum, involving mostly exploration and dialogue with characters in the early stages. However, once the puzzles become a bigger part, they are well-designed, though relatively straightforward compared to those in similar games. As simple and logical as some of the puzzles are, there’s one puzzle in particular that defies all logic, and if you’ve played the game or intend to, you’ll likely know exactly which one I’m referring to.
Agatha Knife boasts a simple yet highly charismatic aesthetic, characterized by pasty characters and pale colours that stand out prominently. Additionally, the diverse environments you explore are meticulously drawn with plenty of pleasing details to discover. Moreover, there’s an abundance of visual humour scattered throughout the game, adding an extra layer of enjoyment.
Agatha Knife has certainly increased my interest in Mechanika and any forthcoming Psychotic Adventure titles. Its dark humour, silly and varied characters, nicely designed puzzles, and charismatic visual presentation culminate in a memorable five hour adventure game. However, it’s worth noting that, as funny as many of us will find it, its controversial exploration of religion may not sit well with some.
