Pentiment Review (Annie Other)
Interesting mix of point-and-click adventure, interactive book and RPG.
Unlike as in pure RPGs, there are no stats and levels here and also no dice rolls. But you get to choose a background for your character and can make decisions during dialog. Whether you succeed in an action or persuasion of an NPC solely depends on choices you have made earlier.
Like in an adventure, time does not pass continually, but some actions and dialogs advance time a few hours while others don't. NPCs and objects you can interact with are marked so that there is no pixel-hunting.
While you explore, investigate and interact, the story unfolds. Sometimes you don't know what will change later because of a seemingly unimportant choice you made.
Some of your actions will make you wonder later whether you made the right choice or if there even WAS a something like the right choice. While the story unfolds, you may begin to question a few things. About life, morals, action and consequence. Yes, this game has its philosophical moments.
The graphics are in the style of an old manuscript which gives you the feeling that you are inside one of the last hand-written, hand-painted books.
There is no voice-acting, but the ambient sounds and music are fitting for the era and surroundings and add to the atmophere.
To see everything, you will have to play the game several times, including to learn more about the people you meet, their personal problems, motivations and beliefs.
In my opinions, the characters are believable. They are how people may have been in the 16th century, all with their own, personal motivations.
If you like reading historical novels like Name of the Rose or Pillars of the Earth, this game is a must. Same if you like it when your in-game choices have consequences, how big or small they may be.
There are quite a few "mini games" in the game, but to progress and see the end, you don't have to beat them all (unless you want 100% achievements). Most of them are short and not too hard anyway.
There is a LOT to read in this game. Even more if you click on underlined words which will lead you to a glossary with additional information. You don't have to, of course, but this adds educational value to the game.
If you are more into combat action and tend to skip dialog, this game probably is not for you.
If it bothers you when Christianity is a theme and people are referring to God, the Almighty or The Lord all the time, then keep in mind that we are in the 16th century and this is how people acted. A historical setting may not be for you then.
You still may find moments where you can agree with ideas which monks or priests surely would have called blashpemous (like Luther's ideas or even ancient Pagan traditions).
Or, if blasphemy bothers you, you can call characters off for blasphemy or swearing. Or stay neutral and just tell them that this may be dangerous.
While the best book I've ever played still is another one, this is the best historical illustrated manuscript I've played.