The Aggie Awards – The Best Adventure Games of 2022 page 14
Best Traditional Adventure: The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow
The Excavation of Hob's Barrow won the Aggie Award for Best Traditional Adventure due to its exceptional storytelling, blending of graphics, music, and voice acting, and ability to evoke players' emotions. The game takes players on a journey to the isolated moors of rural Victorian England as they unravel the mysteries of Hob's Barrow, a folk horror narrative that delivers a frightening and immersive experience from the title screen to the finale.
The game uses a classic point-and-click interface that is familiar to adventure game fans. It also features a well-designed map and to-do list to keep track of tasks and inventory. The pixel art backgrounds are reminiscent of Wadjet Eye's other published works and are captivating without being too overwhelming. The attention to detail in the animations of characters, animals, and the environment further adds to the game's immersive atmosphere.
The Excavation of Hob's Barrow's sound design is outstanding, with its music, sound effects, and voice acting that heighten the player's empathy for the characters. The music is appropriately used to match the scenes, and the voice actors bring life to the characters, particularly the main character, Thomasina Bateman. The game's challenges organically rise from the narrative and are well-clued, although some may find a few of the puzzles a bit too challenging. Despite minor flaws, The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is a must-play adventure game for its outstanding elements and the overall experience it delivers.
Runners-Up:
Readers’ Choice: The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow
The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is the winner of the Readers' Choice Award for Best Traditional Adventure. Its well-developed storyline and likable characters had players emotionally invested in the game, making it a favorite among adventure game fans. The game's immersive environment also contributed to its popularity, as players could explore the rural moors of Victorian England and discover the mysteries of Hob's Barrow.
Furthermore, The Excavation of Hob's Barrow's traditional point-and-click gameplay, combined with its evocative atmosphere and storytelling, provided a nostalgic experience that reminded players of the classic adventure games that many grew up with. The game's ability to deliver a balance between challenging puzzles and a compelling narrative earned it high praise from adventure game fans, who deemed it worthy of the Readers' Choice Award for Best Traditional Adventure.
Runners-Up:
Next up: The moment of truth… Best Adventure of 2022... the envelope, please!
Continued on the next page...
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