Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. Aug 2, 2011
    90
    Cartoony graphics contrast with a mature story that deals with a serious subject of climate changes caused by human carelessness and is devoid of humor. Instead of puns and wordplays we get well written, intriguing dialogues between believable characters with vivid personalities. [August 2011, p.66]
  2. Aug 16, 2011
    85
    Great story, great puzzles and great visuals, Daedalics does it again after the excellent The Whispered World and manage to create another great graphic adventure. Too bad the English voices and some weird translations from German undermine it a bit.
  3. Jun 22, 2011
    85
    A serious, committed and engaging adventure: A New Beginning is easily one of the best adventure of the year.
  4. Featuring a highly interesting story, a tremendous setting, great characters and an overwhelming soundtrack, A New Beginning easily can be regarded as the adventure of the year.
  5. Jul 11, 2011
    83
    A solid and mature adventure, with nice graphics and a solid gameplay. In any case, the game is recommended for fans of the genre, as it tells one of the most interesting and mature stories of recent times.
  6. A New Beginning leaves a mixed feeling: While it is a great adventure game, it lacks in the technical department and the speakers could be better than they are.
  7. Aug 29, 2011
    80
    A very engaging and deep adventure for anyone who loves the genre and can forgive a few technical flaws. [Sept 2011, p.95]
  8. Jun 30, 2011
    80
    A New Beginning is an excellent adventure game for two reasons; one for its basic theme, so actual and so real that everyone should play it. Two, for its good feeling that keeps adventure game still alive.
  9. 80
    A catchy and nostalgic epic adventure which takes us back to a time when the gaming world was enchanted by the original Broken Sword series. [June 2011]
  10. Jun 3, 2011
    80
    A few technical failings aside, A New Beginning comes highly recommended. It's not often that I consider a game hard to put down, but I found myself getting deeply invested in the plot as it unravelled thanks to its convincing characterisation and an increasingly gripping storyline. Although there's an obvious environmental focus, there's also a strong heart to the story and it's this that powers your desire to play on. Any minor problems that arise are quickly overshadowed by the stunning artwork and the inventive, well-integrated puzzles, so whatever your view on global warming, do yourself a favour and shell out the green for A New Beginning.
  11. Sep 8, 2011
    78
    Lengthy, clever, and gripping. It's nice to have a decent point and click adventure around. It's been too long. [Oct 2011, p.105]
  12. Aug 25, 2011
    70
    Overall, A New Beginning is a good game that will appeal to fans of "old school" adventure games.
  13. Jul 20, 2011
    68
    While A New Beginning shines in the inspired art-style, the clever puzzles and the interesting story, it fails without hope in the crackling and weird sound, the lack of support for widescreen and the persistent crash-bugs that leads to utter frustration.
  14. Sep 18, 2011
    65
    It's a modern fairytale with a muddled story, flawed logic and ho-hum graphics. Sometimes the entire thing feels hollow-hearted, but, thankfully, it's not as disappointing as was The Whispered World.
  15. Jul 22, 2011
    65
    A New Beginning's fantastic visuals and enjoyable story offset its glaring translation and voice-over flaws.
  16. Jul 23, 2011
    60
    A mildly diverting and inadvertently funny curiosity. [Issue#111, p.123]
  17. Sep 16, 2011
    40
    A game that tries present itself as a serious "eco thriller" but fails completely due to stupid, illogical puzzles, moronic characters and poor dialogues. Fans of puzzle-heavy Euro-adventures might find something to enjoy here, but most gamers should steer clear.