Publisher: Relentless Software
Developer: Relentless Software
Genre: Puzzle
Release date: Available now

When we last left off in Blue Toad, the ordinary townsfolk of Little Riddle were getting snuffed out as frequently as extras on The Sopranos. Presumably, you’ve finished the first three episodes and now you’re wondering what to expect with the final three. No surprise, it’s much more of the same, if not a bit more challenging, and thus, lengthier. You’ll be hearing plenty more lines from the overly chatty narrator and you’ll be tasked with solving more of the same riddles and puzzles that this town is notorious for throwing at you.

In case you’re unfamiliar with Blue Toad Murder Files, let me get you quickly up to speed. You’re assuming the role of a quick-witted British detective vacationing in the lovely town of Little Riddle. Unfortunately your vacation is short-lived as people are getting shot and run over left and right, and you’re forced to investigate who is performing these evil deeds. Much of this to the dismay of the town inspector. In each episode you’ll be tasked with solving a particular crime and you’ll obtain clues and hints by visiting locals and completing various puzzles.

If you read my review of the first three episodes, it’s worth pointing out that all of my past criticisms remain. You’ll have to deal with the long winded narrator and townspeople, you’ll have to trudge through dozens of puzzles that have no relevance to the story and after you’re done with the game you’ll be given little reason to go back. As a sleuthing game, Blue Toad fails at tying its riddles in with its crime solving. It’s understandable that the title is a lighthearted affair, meant more to make you chuckle than to test your forensic skills, but there’s a primary disconnect in the game that can’t be ignored.

I found myself little more than a spectator, as I had no bearing on what happened in the game’s narrative. Whether I got the puzzle right or wrong, my detective was always congratulated for solving the riddle, and the story moved on. Whether or not I guessed the right perpetrator at the end of each episode, everything was wrapped up despite my (sometimes wrong) choice. It feels odd saying this, but if I guess wrong, punish me. Make me play the game again. There should be some consequences for accusing the wrong person of the crime. Otherwise I’m left feeling like there’s no point in being involved. If I’m just watching, I might as well pop in Hot Fuzz for my Brit cop humor.

The puzzles and riddles also continued to boil down to simple townsfolk requests that had little bearing on the actual investigative work in the game. You’re still left feeling like the town handyman and the puzzles share little with the story. The first half of episode six flashes glimpses of brilliance, however, as it weaves the puzzle perfectly into the story. If the rest of the game were like this, Relentless might have been on to something. Unfortunately this brilliance soon fades, and the game degenerates into the same inane, “find the cupcake that doesn’t match” requests that fill the other five episodes.

It’s once again between hard and very hard to recommend Blue Toad. If you enjoyed the first three episodes, then you’ll certainly have a good time with these new ones, as you’re getting more challenging puzzles. However, it’s a short experience that offers little replayability. There is certainly promise in the work Relentless did here, so let’s hope they can solve the above riddles for their next detective game.

Our Score:

Our Recommendation: