I actually didn't realize that Detective Grimoire: Secret of the Swamp was a sequel to an original flash game. Luckily, I already had flashpoint installed, so I figured that checking out the original likely wouldn't be a waste of time.

Yeah, this is definitely a flash game alright. Animations include a lot of obvious tweening, the voice over has a couple of Newground's elites, and the gameplay is very simple. Honestly, for the time and environment that it was made in, I think it works rather well.

[David Byrne Verse]

And you may ask yourself:
"High on what?"
And you may ask yourself:
"Why do they always say 'Get smoked'?"
And you may tell yourself:
"My god, the mexican is called Maria Juana!"

[Chorus]
Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by, water flowing underground
Into the blue again after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground

Great new cast of characters, Kasuga Ichiban and his gang are lovable and are well written. I though this game was fun and charming with a great twist on the Yakuza combat system. The story was fairly deep and interesting, however it can be quite dry at times.
The RPG elements were cool but a bit too simple. I tend to do all the available side quests before moving through the main story and this left me painfully over leved. The only challenge i face were damage sponge bosses that posed little to no threat. That being said i really enjoyed the minigames. The dragon kart and business management were my fave, although they left me craving a deeper experience.

Over all i had a great time. I sunk about 40 hours into the game, completing all the minigames i liked and about 60% of the story. It was at this point that i became totally burned out. I love Yakuza, but i think the days of me being able to complete games like this are over. To many new things to experience.

I'll probably try the sequel at some point, hopefully the mechanics have some more depth.

I’m gonna be completely honest, this score is 100% pure nostalgia. Growing up playing this game with my friend and going to find all the Easter eggs and getting all collectibles are memories that I will cherish forever and hold close to me. I have sunk way to many hours into this game throughout my life that it’s unhealthy, what makes it crazier is this time replaying is the first time I fully 100% the game. I can’t even begin to give this an objective look I love everything about it. I love the movement that’s a million times better than the other games as well as some of the greatest destruction in any game ever made. The story is a million times better than the other games as well and though the dialog is super corny it just adds so much to the charm. This is easily one of the best open world games ever made and one game that will always hold a special place within my heart.

Probably my 2nd favorite Frictional game. Penumbra: Black Plague is everything I could ask from a horror game. I love the atmosphere, the music, the premise, just everything. The only real complaints I have about the game is that some of the puzzles are really nonsensical and that the ending is a really slow nothing burger of a finale. Clarence will always be one of my favorite game companions (even thought he IS a bit annoying) and he was the only real break from all the hiding and chasing in this game. This is definitely a must play if you love the horror genre and with how cheap it is during steam sales there’s no harm in giving the Penumbra series a shot.