Narrative-driven adventure done right, The Excavation of Hob's Barrow goes from suspenseful to downright ghastly, with the in-between being filled with excellent writing, awesome presentation, and flawless atmosphere. Lovecraft meets Edgar Alan Poe, meets Pagan folk horror, in a point-and-click that won't challenge your puzzle-solving skills, but will masterfully play with your mind, and force you follow the main heroine's journey towards her inevitable demise. The actual game requires five or so hours. The experience will stay with you far longer.
A beautiful point and click adventure that dives into the English folklore with a lovecraftian vibe. Great writing, strong emotions, smart puzzles... it works on every level.
Without comparing it to other big adventure games of the year, I'll say this directly: The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is one of the best adventure games released this year. Folk horror fans will feel right at home anyway, but I think this game is also a great opportunity for everyone to meet Dave Gilbert, Shaun Aitcheson and the Wadjet Eye adventure games.
The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow is charged with the aura of moors and
local folklore. I really enjoyed taking part in the experience of the
heroine stranded in a strange place were the real and supernatural
worlds intertwine, but I also have to applaud logical puzzles and a
really engaging story.
The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is a classic point-and-click adventure that is simple and not particularly long. It would have benefited from a few additional sections, but overall the atmosphere, intriguing plot and excellent voice acting make it a good choice for fans of the genre.
Hob's Barrow is an excellent modern point and click adventure game. It takes inspiration from British folklore to deliver an interesting plot, with solid characters and inspired dialogues. The puzzles are interesting and can be solved using logic. A must have for fans of the genre in a year full of great adventures.
This is a cautionary tale of what happens when our human need for answers overrides common sense - and its disturbing finale drives that home with commendably blunt force. [Issue#377, p.120]
SummaryThe Excavation of Hob's Barrow is a folk horror narrative-driven adventure. Explore the isolated moors of rural Victorian England as you uncover the mysteries of Hob's Barrow. The answers lie in the soil...