mmmhh pas aussi drôle que le premier...
I still don't like moon logic and this one has more, on the other hand it was still pretty fun so I won't complain, that much.
Sights & Sounds
- Visual design is, of course, the same as the first game. Lots of appealing pixel art throughout
- I don't know if it's just that I was paying better attention to the music, but it feels much improved this time. There's no real theme or genre to it, but it's all pretty good. The best tracks usually drop when the tension ramps up
Story & Vibes
- Like the first game, the story unfolds as a series of sorta-connected vignettes. Unlike the first game, there's a consistent thread running throughout the narrative that nicely ties everything together. It mostly pertains to what happens in the aftermath of the first game, so be sure you've played the prequel before trying this one out
- This is a marked improvement from the first title. My biggest complaint was the lack of a metanarrative to hold the story together, and that's nicely addressed in this game
- The humor is still pretty good. This title is maybe a little funnier than the first game, but it's a close contest
- As before, the writing/dialogue is superb. I love how well fleshed-out everyone's personality is. You can tell the writers put a lot of effort into this game
Playability & Replayability
- It's a point and click adventure game without may innovations on the basic formula. You'll wander around, investigate clues, pick up items, combine those items in humorous and unexpected ways, and inch the story along as you figure out each puzzle
- I understand that it's an entrenched genre trope at this point, but I still feel like some of the solutions are really unintuitive sometimes. I wouldn't have naturally figured out to combine decorative bunting and a garden gnome to make a grappling hook. Frustration-induced item combining is more-or-less a prerequisite for plot advancement
- Probably not going to return to the game, but only because I 100%ed the achievements. The chapter select menu made this much easier
Overall Impressions & Performance
- Except for the graphics (which are basically identical to the the prequel) and the writing (which is still very good), just about every change made in this title is an improvement. It's really nice to see a developer build upon and evolve a series with a simple concept, carefully ironing out the wrinkles and refining their formula
- The game ran perfectly on the Steam Deck
Final Verdict
7.5/10. Basically just like the first one, but with several improvements. More of a good thing is always a good thing, so buy with confidence if you liked the first title
- Visual design is, of course, the same as the first game. Lots of appealing pixel art throughout
- I don't know if it's just that I was paying better attention to the music, but it feels much improved this time. There's no real theme or genre to it, but it's all pretty good. The best tracks usually drop when the tension ramps up
Story & Vibes
- Like the first game, the story unfolds as a series of sorta-connected vignettes. Unlike the first game, there's a consistent thread running throughout the narrative that nicely ties everything together. It mostly pertains to what happens in the aftermath of the first game, so be sure you've played the prequel before trying this one out
- This is a marked improvement from the first title. My biggest complaint was the lack of a metanarrative to hold the story together, and that's nicely addressed in this game
- The humor is still pretty good. This title is maybe a little funnier than the first game, but it's a close contest
- As before, the writing/dialogue is superb. I love how well fleshed-out everyone's personality is. You can tell the writers put a lot of effort into this game
Playability & Replayability
- It's a point and click adventure game without may innovations on the basic formula. You'll wander around, investigate clues, pick up items, combine those items in humorous and unexpected ways, and inch the story along as you figure out each puzzle
- I understand that it's an entrenched genre trope at this point, but I still feel like some of the solutions are really unintuitive sometimes. I wouldn't have naturally figured out to combine decorative bunting and a garden gnome to make a grappling hook. Frustration-induced item combining is more-or-less a prerequisite for plot advancement
- Probably not going to return to the game, but only because I 100%ed the achievements. The chapter select menu made this much easier
Overall Impressions & Performance
- Except for the graphics (which are basically identical to the the prequel) and the writing (which is still very good), just about every change made in this title is an improvement. It's really nice to see a developer build upon and evolve a series with a simple concept, carefully ironing out the wrinkles and refining their formula
- The game ran perfectly on the Steam Deck
Final Verdict
7.5/10. Basically just like the first one, but with several improvements. More of a good thing is always a good thing, so buy with confidence if you liked the first title
Despite loving the first game, I found this one to be sort of a chore to get through. The cases get too crazy and supernatural, and they’re worse for it — not because they aren’t grounded or realistic, but because they lack a certain logic or thread to follow, and in an adventure game with puzzles that’s essential for me to be engaged. There are longer cases where you’re left to wonder kinda aimlessly and way more moonlogic than in the first one. The bonus cases are also very hit or miss, which was a disappointment compared to the mostly excellent from the first game.
I admit if I hadn’t played that one first I’d have dropped ‘Fumble in the Dark’ or at least given it a 5.
I admit if I hadn’t played that one first I’d have dropped ‘Fumble in the Dark’ or at least given it a 5.
the sequel loses most of its charm for me
Completed (six main cases + two bonus) with 100% of achievements unlocked. While I didn't find this second outing for Detective McQueen and Officer Dooley to be quite so compelling as the original, A Fumble in the Dark is another excellent point-and-click adventure. Puzzles for the most part have solutions that make reasonable sense (though there's still the occasional instance of 'moon-logic' making it worth having a guide to hand), the detailed pixelart is used to good effect and the writing is excellent throughout. Each scenario is somewhat more complex than the original game and with areas that satisfyingly interlock and develop, and the strength of the creative premises is a match for the game's high-quality writing. A game not to miss for any fans of the genre!
It's more Darkside Detective but better in almost every way.
Each case feels more fleshed out with more interesting puzzles and mini-games, and while the pixelwork in the first game wasn't exactly shabby there's a notable uptick in quality on display. The writing and dialogue is still very funny and doesn't rely as much on pop culture references as its predecessor, allowing the game to have more of its own identity and its characters to stand out a bit more.
The best improvement though is probably one of the more subtle changes. McQueen and Dooley's were very much of the straight man/wacky sidekick archetype in the first game and while this is still prevalent in the sequel, you now feel like there's relationship between them outside of being stock character types. They actually feel more like friends this time round who care about each other and their wellbeing, who just also happen to be silly people in a silly town as well. As I said, it's a very slight change but it's very welcome and adds an extra decimal point of dimension to this 2D adventure.
I do think I'd struggle a little if it were my first foray into the series - it references a lot of previous characters and events which is sometimes fine but happens so often that you could be left feeling a touch lost at times - but seeing as this isn't my first trip to the Darkside this wasn't an issue for me.
Each case feels more fleshed out with more interesting puzzles and mini-games, and while the pixelwork in the first game wasn't exactly shabby there's a notable uptick in quality on display. The writing and dialogue is still very funny and doesn't rely as much on pop culture references as its predecessor, allowing the game to have more of its own identity and its characters to stand out a bit more.
The best improvement though is probably one of the more subtle changes. McQueen and Dooley's were very much of the straight man/wacky sidekick archetype in the first game and while this is still prevalent in the sequel, you now feel like there's relationship between them outside of being stock character types. They actually feel more like friends this time round who care about each other and their wellbeing, who just also happen to be silly people in a silly town as well. As I said, it's a very slight change but it's very welcome and adds an extra decimal point of dimension to this 2D adventure.
I do think I'd struggle a little if it were my first foray into the series - it references a lot of previous characters and events which is sometimes fine but happens so often that you could be left feeling a touch lost at times - but seeing as this isn't my first trip to the Darkside this wasn't an issue for me.
Weird vibe to this one. The first Darkside Detective has a formula to it. Weird twisty case, intentionally dumb jokes, throwing a bunch of stuff at the wall. The characters aren't super well-defined beyond goofs and they aren't really supposed to be.
The sequel takes a weird but fascinating new angle to that. Fourth wall jokes are dialed up to the max. The puzzle designer shows up to refuse to provide an answer after she worked so hard on it. An NPC groans that he's "not really feeling" his role as an obstacle but is just kinda going through the motions and hoping for something better in another case. So on and so forth. The entire world presents more like a bunch of actors putting on a performance, only in your way because that's what the script requires for the puzzles to exist.
This runs the danger of being a bit too cheeky and annoying, and it certainly makes you worry about how much the creators even enjoyed making this game beyond kickstarter obligation. But it circles back around to endearing to me. The first game really pits McQueen and his partner Dooley against each other in the straight man/goofy weirdo dynamic. But with the complete lack of regard for the setting really ends up highlighting McQueen and Dooley's friendship. They're turning to each other to mock the world now. When they insult each other, there's more affection to it. It becomes more like Sam and Max than Guybrush vs NPCs. On the rare moment there is a sincere attempt at a story, its centered on McQueen and Dooley's relationship above all else. Its surprisingly refreshing! There's a cynicism that comes with the games growing distaste for maintaining a plot, but it manages to swerves back around to a better place for it somehow.
I talked myself into a higher rating than I expected through rambling all this. Its a fun point and click, and I'm a sucker for em.
The sequel takes a weird but fascinating new angle to that. Fourth wall jokes are dialed up to the max. The puzzle designer shows up to refuse to provide an answer after she worked so hard on it. An NPC groans that he's "not really feeling" his role as an obstacle but is just kinda going through the motions and hoping for something better in another case. So on and so forth. The entire world presents more like a bunch of actors putting on a performance, only in your way because that's what the script requires for the puzzles to exist.
This runs the danger of being a bit too cheeky and annoying, and it certainly makes you worry about how much the creators even enjoyed making this game beyond kickstarter obligation. But it circles back around to endearing to me. The first game really pits McQueen and his partner Dooley against each other in the straight man/goofy weirdo dynamic. But with the complete lack of regard for the setting really ends up highlighting McQueen and Dooley's friendship. They're turning to each other to mock the world now. When they insult each other, there's more affection to it. It becomes more like Sam and Max than Guybrush vs NPCs. On the rare moment there is a sincere attempt at a story, its centered on McQueen and Dooley's relationship above all else. Its surprisingly refreshing! There's a cynicism that comes with the games growing distaste for maintaining a plot, but it manages to swerves back around to a better place for it somehow.
I talked myself into a higher rating than I expected through rambling all this. Its a fun point and click, and I'm a sucker for em.
Chill game
The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark continues the story while making everything bigger and better. The narrative continues to expand with more serious events taking place but doesn’t forget about the humorous comic relief. The puzzles are much bigger but are still grounded and won’t lead to frustration. It’s these upgrades that continue to elevate the series and make The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark an amazing sequel.
thank u next (meaning not "cool game but I'm moving on from it like a normal person," but rather "where's the next game in the series, i need it RIGHT NOW" u feel?)
Played from – to: (2021-06-30 – 2021-07-05)
‣ 8/10 – Doooooleeeey!
‣ Game Audio / Soundtrack - 10/10
‣ Graphics – 8/10
‣ Atmosphere – 10/10
‣ Main Story / Characters – 8/10
‣ Final notes: I am glad that the sequel to this game is longer, yet mostly the same. The jokes are good, and the characters are equally good as they were in the first game. The cases get more complex which to some extent annoyed me, because I dislike puzzles, but this was a puzzle game so I cannot really complain now can I? Overall, this is a great sequel with good stories and nice dialogue so if you enjoyed the first one play this too.
‣ 8/10 – Doooooleeeey!
‣ Game Audio / Soundtrack - 10/10
‣ Graphics – 8/10
‣ Atmosphere – 10/10
‣ Main Story / Characters – 8/10
‣ Final notes: I am glad that the sequel to this game is longer, yet mostly the same. The jokes are good, and the characters are equally good as they were in the first game. The cases get more complex which to some extent annoyed me, because I dislike puzzles, but this was a puzzle game so I cannot really complain now can I? Overall, this is a great sequel with good stories and nice dialogue so if you enjoyed the first one play this too.
A Fumble In The Dark steps up from its predecessor in most all aspects.
The cases are now longer and (slightly) more challenging whilst retaining the loveable callback-to-lucas arts point and click-humour that made the first so appealing.
While it does slightly feel like the length of the cases outstay their welcome (especially in the final two) it’s helped that there’s only 6 (with 3 additional bonus cases that are much shorter).
The characters and dialogue are very well written and help to bring alive the absolute stupidity of the world they’re in. I hope this isn’t the last we see of Dooley and McQueen.
The cases are now longer and (slightly) more challenging whilst retaining the loveable callback-to-lucas arts point and click-humour that made the first so appealing.
While it does slightly feel like the length of the cases outstay their welcome (especially in the final two) it’s helped that there’s only 6 (with 3 additional bonus cases that are much shorter).
The characters and dialogue are very well written and help to bring alive the absolute stupidity of the world they’re in. I hope this isn’t the last we see of Dooley and McQueen.
patrick dooley i love you so much
marginally better than the first one. a lot more minigames which are usually well designed or at the very least easy. the story was more serious and the jokes in one chapter were all hits