Commonplace

Blue Lacuna

Released by Aaron Reed in 2009 as “novel-length interactive fiction.” I feel about this game the same way I feel about Final Fantasy XII. It's got an excellent opening with interesting characters that we care about and narrative depth and meaning and the promise of real drama. Then its middle section is gamey and enjoyable, but I'm anxious to return to the story. Then in the end it goes all supernatural and off-the-rails and we lose whatever hope of solid, grounded drama we were hoping for. Which is fine. It's a great piece, but no Hamlet.