Odencat is a small studio known for creating unique little adventure games that leave a lasting impression on all of those who experience them. While the gameplay is never anything to write home about, these titles still manage to be fun to play and are packed full of charm. With games like Meg's Monster putting its own twist on classic turn-based combat and Snowman Story doubling down on sliding puzzles, every entry manages to be different enough to prevent the formula from becoming stale. However, it is actually the story and characters themselves that truly make these games worth playing. While these games have humble beginnings, they almost always put the player on an emotional roller coaster where it isn't uncommon to shed a tear or two. These are heartwarming stories, and by the time the credits roll, one can't help but look forward to their next adventure in the universe Odencat has crafted. And now, we finally have our next episode.
Mousebusters is the latest title from Odencat, and it is actually one that has been teased in their past entries—eagle-eyed fans might have even realized this from the moment it was announced. Similar to their previous games, this is yet another story-focused adventure game with its own unique style of gameplay attached. As an obvious play on Ghostbusters, the game follows the story of a mouse as he "busts" ghosts in an apartment complex, but in reality, there's more to it than meets the eye.
In general, those who have played past games will already have a good idea of what to expect here, but this is also the perfect place for newcomers to jump in as well. The real question, however, is whether this is yet another must-play or a weaker entry. Well...
Becoming a Mousebuster:
The story of Mousebusters is not what one might expect. It begins with our protagonist moving into his new apartment to start his new life. There are rumors that the place might be haunted, but the only thing out of the ordinary is a little mouse that comes to visit. While most "normal" people would freak out and set a mousetrap, the protagonist instead has the option to offer the little critter some food. At this point, the mouse scurries off to wherever it came from, and the main character decides to get some rest, completely unaware that his life is about to change.
Upon waking up the next morning, the protagonist discovers something quite alarming—he has been transformed into a mouse! To complicate things even further, the mouse he met the previous night is there, explaining to him that he has been cursed. It turns out the other mouse, who asks to be called Chief, was also a human once, but the building's strange "haunted" history has put him into the same state. To return to being human, the two will need to become Mousebusters and take on the many ghosts that haunt the rooms. These ghosts are created from the negative energy and sad feelings of each of the residents, and taking them out will allow the building to return to normal. With no other choice, our hero-turned-mouse must venture into the unknown and set things right. However, it is upon entering each room that he discovers there is more to the job than meets the eye.
Getting to Know The Locals:
Mousebusters' main focus is actually on the residents living within the apartment complex, and not necessarily on the ghosts. There is an underlying mystery as to why the building became cursed, but it is the personal stories that take center stage. Each apartment is filled with personal belongings, which give a little insight into the person who lives there, and the residents themselves are more than willing to share their current thoughts and feelings. Of course, as the protagonist is now a mouse, he must keep out of sight, but thankfully everyone likes to talk to themselves when they think they are alone. These short dialogue exchanges, mixed with flashbacks and additional scenes that can be unlocked and viewed on your very own mouse computer, are what make up the bulk of the story and help the player connect with the world. These characters are troubled individuals, but taking care of their ghost problem will also help them come to terms with their current situation.
Of course, there is a bit more to the story than just this, and players who stick it out to the end should really wait until the true conclusion before moving on! While seeing the credits roll will put you under the false impression that you've reached the end, let's just say there is still more to come.
Gameplay:
The gameplay in Mousebusters is really quite simple, and as mentioned before, it is not the main focus of the title. While controlling your mouse protagonist, you can enter different rooms of the apartment complex and investigate key items. Upon walking up to specific areas, such as under a bed or a shelf, the game will zoom in and give you a better look at your surroundings, but for the most part, the overworld you explore is the same one you saw as a human. While exploring, you also need to stay out of the sight of humans, but getting caught will only set you back to the beginning of the room—no progress will be lost.
While exploring as a mouse, the main goal is to find out what each ghost is haunting within the rooms and find a way to call it out. This is done by simply investigating every key point, so there is not much puzzle-solving required, but the situations themselves are quite unique. One even includes playing a simplified Guitar Hero style rhythm game featuring music from past Odencat titles. These moments are entertaining to say the least, but they are over almost as fast as they start.
After drawing out a ghost, the main gimmick then comes into play—ghostbusting. With our protagonist standing on the left side of the screen, you can aim at the ghost on the right side and shoot to take it down. The gun itself only has three shots before it needs to reload, and ghosts will send out projectiles that must be stopped before you take damage. Get hit three times and it is game over, but if you take out all of the enemy's weak points, you'll win instead. The minigame isn't too crazy, and an easy mode exists to assist players who are only here for the story, but it is a fun little diversion that complements the main plot. Ghosts can be challenged again during the post-game if players truly love the combat that much, but for most, fighting them once will be more than enough.
In addition to the standard ghost fights, there is a minigame version that can be accessed from the computer in your home base, and there are other little distractions to be played. Again, it is still nothing major, but a fun little addition nonetheless.
Should you play it?
Mousebusters is yet another heartwarming story from Odencat that fans will not want to miss. It is a game that remains engaging from start to finish, and by the time the credits roll, you'll realize roughly five hours have passed in the blink of an eye. Yes, the game is short, but because of that, it never overstays its welcome, and players should remind themselves that this is only one episode in a much grander, overarching world. Newcomers have hidden gems like Meg's Monster to still look forward to, while longtime fans will once again be forced to wait to see what comes next—something they are already used to by this point. Again, the gameplay itself isn't anything special, but the cozy world and the characters themselves are what make the game worth it.
VERDICT: Recommended
Reviewed on PC
Review Copy was Provided
Post a Comment