Review for Superfluous Returnz

Ptilouk.net Studios has gifted the adventure game genre with Superfluous Returnz. This treasure employs an easy point-and-click interface to connect graphics reminiscent of comic book panels and a catchy soundtrack. When you play Superfluous Returnz, you'll experience a unique story that flips the script on typical superhero tropes. The game's artwork is a standout feature that will have you laughing out loud. While there is no voice acting and one puzzle that may be a bit confusing, overall it's an enjoyable experience.

Novice players will feel like superheroes with the simplistic interface. To move the character, simply left-click on a specific part of the screen. Activating a command wheel is as easy as clicking on an object or character. The command wheel offers a selection of commands; for instance, if you click on a character, one of the available commands will be "Talk to." Talking to another character presents the player with a list of questions that you can choose to unearth more information about this rib-tickling story.

The citizens of the French village of Fochougny have a not-very-secret defender of all that is unneeded and excessive. His name is Superfluous, the not-very-secret identity of Harpagon Lonion. He’s an amalgam of Bruce Wayne and Pee-wee Herman. He’s so inept that he solves crimes nobody else cares about. With limited success, Sophie, Harpagon’s personal care assistant, tries to contain his enthusiasm. The player will control both halves of this duo as they attempt to find the mysterious apple thief who's been stealing fruit from farms. This tale is simply bursting with jokes and puns that are sure to make players laugh out loud. Even the most stoic among us may find themselves snorting in amusement. But don't be fooled by the light-hearted tone - there's a powerful moral about the perils of overindulgence that will leave you thinking long after the story has ended. The humor in this story comes from the dynamic between the playable characters, making it a delightful and entertaining game.

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Sophie’s sarcastic level-hardheadedness is the perfect foil for Harpagon’s over-the-top enthusiasm. She wears casual clothing. Her meticulously drawn idle animation, consisting of drooping eyelids, a downcast expression and slowly sagging head, silently shouts “I’m not paid enough for this crap!” When action is required Sophie is ready. Her eyes become smaller as they focus on her task. She performs actions quickly and efficiently. In contrast to his employee, Superfluous spends most of his time in a magenta-yellow costume and mask with white underwear on the outside of his pants. Despite his garish costume that would get him laughed out of the Avengers and the Justice League, he walks with a confident stride, ready to take on anything, and his dialogue choices mirror his stature. The two personalities counterbalance each other perfectly.  They frustrate each other, yet work well together. Their interplay during conversations is one of the most enjoyable parts of the game. The addition of voice acting would have made it even funnier.

Superfluous Returnz hosts many locations that provide our heroes with interesting topics for conversation.  The brightly colored farm is particularly memorable. Vibrant colors blanket the scene. Luscious red apples hang tantalizingly from the trees and Superfluous finds an interesting use for a donkey.

I really enjoyed the way the soundtrack and graphics work together in this game. It's as though they're playing with my emotions, plucking them like guitar strings. One scene in particular stands out to me - the chase. The music is so fast-paced and frenzied, while the animation is slow and plodding because of the vehicle that Superfluous commandeered. It's such an amusing dichotomy that I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

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I had a great time playing this adventure game! The puzzles were really fun and challenging, especially the one with the cotton swab, statue, and secret passage. It was hilarious and used in such a clever way. However, there was one puzzle that I found frustrating because it didn't have enough clues. I couldn't figure out how to enter a hexadecimal number into an electronic lock even though I had an inventory item that was supposed to help me, and the game's hint system proved to be insufficient here. 

Despite that suboptimal puzzle, Superfluous Returnz is an entertaining game that is well worth playing. I felt like I was a part of the story almost instantly. This is a fantastic adventure that puts a sarcastic spin on the superhero genre, and a laudable addition to any adventurers’ library.