Rosewater review

Rosewater is a rip-roaring Old West adventure with the potential to become a modern classic. Grundislav Games' development skills and prowess are apparent in all its elements. The engaging narrative involves finding a family through journey and hardship, and generates satisfying, multiple-solution challenges. The expertly programmed interface and much appreciated accessibility options make it possible for players of any ability to solve the puzzles and finish the game. Beautifully hand-drawn graphics – which showcase myriad locales – are enhanced by appropriate sound effects. Well-animated characters are brought to life through expert voice acting. Rosewater is a delightful gift to the adventure game genre. 

Set in Vespuccia, the same world featured in Lamplight City (one of Grundislav Games’ previous enjoyable endeavors), Rosewater is a companion piece, not a sequel. The beginning sees protagonist Harley Leger arriving in the titular town to respond to a job offer with the local newspaper. The editor tasks her with interviewing a traveling performer: “Gentleman Jake” Ackerman. After the interview, Jake invites Harley on a treasure hunt – which turns into a road trip with friends – from the small western town of Rosewater to the big city of El Presidio. Harley’s life and the lives of her companions will be significantly altered based on decisions made along the way. 

The exquisite world of Vespuccia beckons players and lures them through deserts that burn with yellow, scorching sands. Its lakes are as blue as topaz and its forests are lush, verdant green, and filled with birdsong. The city of El Presidio is large and crowded. Saloons ring with boisterous melodies and the occasional smack of fist against face. The wonderful music includes a lovely Spanish ballad players hear one night around the campfire. Characters are endowed with smooth animations and lively voice-overs.

This world, which so easily entices players, also provides expertly crafted challenges that arise organically from the well-written Old West narrative. Puzzles have multiple solutions to suit different play styles. For example, if Harley wants to open a locked door, she may try to pick the lock or break it. Players make the choice and, as a consequence, the story is subtly altered. Many solutions to puzzles offer multiple reasons to play again.

The point-and-click interface Is simple and controls everything: movement, talking with characters, gathering and using items, saving and loading the game, activating accessibility options, and even planning Harley’s trip. Left-clicking on an area of interest orders Harley to walk there. When the mouse hovers over something that can be read, like a sign, the cursor changes into an eye, and Harley comments on what she sees. When moving over certain areas, the cursor may change to a big yellow arrow. This means that multiple actions may be taken at that spot. Pressing the “O” key reveals all the hotspots on the screen including exits and characters. Clicking on a character reveals a list of things Harley can say, which elicit reactions from her conversational partners that affect the game. How Harley treats Jake, for example, influences his behavior in the finale. (Players may press “Control-R” to see the status of Harley’s relationship with her companions.) 

Using items is important when solving puzzles. Players activate their inventory when they press the “I” key or by clicking on the chest at the top of the screen. Sometimes it's necessary to combine items. Players must left-click on an object, drag it on top of its partner, and then release the mouse button. A “Use with” icon will appear when the combination of items works.

The road trip in Rosewater requires planning stopovers for “bonding”. These allow Harley to forge one-on-one relationships with her different partners. The higher her rating, the more amenable the character will be to Harley’s suggestions and ideas. At the beginning of the game, when players left-click on “New Game” from the menu, they have the option to select specific stopovers for their trip or allow them to occur randomly. I recommend selecting the “random” option on the first playthrough. 

Players can save their game and type in an individualized descriptive label, so it's easy for them to remember what they were doing when resuming the game after taking breaks. Rosewater also has a well-crafted AutoSave feature that uses descriptive labels. The interface offers “Accessibility Options" so that adventurers of any ability have an equal chance of independently completing the game. My favorite option extends the time period allowed for completing timed events, which is very helpful for those with slower reflexes.

Though Rosewater provides an exemplary adventure experience, it does feature one minor drawback. It is somewhat difficult to navigate El Presidio’s huge city map screen because Harley looks vanishingly small in relation to the gigantic background she inhabits. Still, the persistence required of adventurers will be enough to see them through to the journey's end.

Situated in a world engagingly reminiscent of the Old West, Rosewater is composed of a ravishing assortment of colorful locales and a soundscape as artfully crafted as the settings. It is filled with memorable characters, artfully portrayed via excellent voice-overs, and chronicles an intriguing, heartfelt tale.