Review Trüberbrook (Switch)

Game: Trüberbrook
System: Nintendo Switch
Developer/Publisher: btf / Headup Games
Price: €29,99| $29.99|£24.99
Age Rating: EU 12+ | USA T
Release Date: 17th April 2019
Also Available On:  Steam

Review code kindly provided by Headup Games

Trüberbrook is a Sci-Fi-Mystery point and click adventure which was successfully funded on Kickstarter in December 2017 within only 30 hours. That was quick!

Let’s go back to 1967

The year is 1967, the Cold War, Vietnam and the race to the moon dominate the world headlines.

Hans Tannhauser an American Student in quantum physics who is writing a PhD. He wins a trip to a small German village. What’s surprising though is: how did he end up here as he didn’t enter any competitions to win a trip?

Hans starts his journey when he steps out of the bus at the bus stop beside the lake, just outside the cosy village of Türberbrook. From there he makes his way to the local Guesthouse and finds a room. As he settles in his room he is shocked to find that someone has been rummaging through his suitcase. The thief has taken Hans physics papers! And that is the beginning of Hans’ exploration of the village and its surrounding area. It’s your job to help Hans uncover the truth behind the missing physics paper and some strange disappearances and maybe the truth about himself.

Investigate everything by classic point and click

As Trüberbrook is a classic point and click style game you investigate everything and talk to everyone using the twin sticks. Control Hans via the left stick and use the right stick to point at items of interest. Hitting the right shoulder button will highlight all items in a room that Hans can interact with. This I found very useful in a point and click game and it works extremely well. 

A small wheel icon appears on screen to let you talk to people or pick items up, it all works seamlessly. Inventory management is easy as you don’t have to manage it at all. If an item Hans is carrying is required it shows up on the gear icon which you press to use. Easy!

Unique visual style using real scale models

One of the most distinctive features of the game is it’s unique visual style. All of the  scenery and all backdrops where built as real miniature scale models, captured with a 3D scanner, digitally polished and then blended with animated characters, visual effects and set extensions.

The amount of work it must have taken to make the unique visual style of Trürberbrook is amazing and it really has paid off as the game is stunning. Including all the real life background noises, the weather and the impressive use of lighting effects as you can see in the picture below with the Aurora Borealis flickering across the tops of the houses.  

All the characters that Hans encounters on his trip are voice acted and each has their own standout personalities and quirks. From the Sailor who is scared of the water to the Baron who thinks a fox is his cat. German voice actors feature their natural accents when speaking English which makes the game feel more realistic. Humour is also woven through the game, either from Hans witty and dry comments or from some of the dialogue options to pick down to visual humour.

There are four chapters (and a prologue and Finale) to work through with various areas around Trüberbrook to visit, from a swampy bog to the mountain peak to take in the alpine air. 

Big on atmosphere and charm

Story-wise the game flows well and keeps you moving along at a good pace, and allowing time to take in your surroundings. The story is engaging with several sci-fi references and 60s charm. It made me want to complete the game to find out what happens. The soft jazz tones of the music perfectly fit the atmosphere.

The puzzles in Trüberbrook prove to be nothing too hard and most of the time Hans is already caring the item you might need to complete a certain puzzle. As with all point and click games there is some backtracking to do.

Conclusion

The developers have also added a kids mode. This censors some scenes as there are a few references to some things that kids don’t need to see, along with Hans smoking in one of the scenes. Some of these references added humour to the game. They don’t need to be there for the story though. This begs the question why include them and add a kids mode why not just leave those references out altogether. 

Everything works flawlessly playing Trürberbrook. It took me some six hour or so play it through.

Altogether the game is a delightful experience with its brilliant visuals and equally good story. Trüberbrook is a game I have no hesitation in recommending you give it a try.

I like Trürberbrook a lot.