This excellent third-person/point-and-click adventure game is clearly inspired in tone and visuals by LucasArts' classics - while it doesn't come anywhere close to The Secret of Monkey Island or other similar gems, Gibbous is an inspired debut by these new developers.

The unusual premise is a comedic take on H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, as a noir-ish private detective team up with a slacker librarian with a talking cat (due to an accident with the newly-found Necrononomicon) against evil cultists with nefarious plans to raise eldritch abominations.

Visuals are neat, with lovely hand-drawn graphics and animations possibly inspired by Disney and Don Bluth animated movies of the Eighties. Characters are enjoyable, with solid voice acting and amusing dialogues.

There are issues. Gameplay is competent but on the easy side (think the latest Wadjet Eye adventure games after the Blackwell series); I found only a handful of truly challenging puzzles in the 9 hours or so it took me to complete the game. Without going into spoilers, I wasn't too fond of the conclusion, which feels convoluted and ends with a weird Twilight Zone twist.

Still, if you enjoy adventure games, Lovecraft and black comedy, this is strongly recommended.

8/10

The buddy comedy features interactions, misadventures, and camaraderie between two main characters who are often opposites in personality, background, or circumstances. The comedic dynamic arises from their contrasting traits, resulting in humorous situations and often leading to personal growth and deepened friendship. Buddy comedies are known for their witty banter, odd-couple dynamics, and the chemistry between the central characters. These stories are similar to, but distinct from, romantic comedies and buddy cop comedies.

Steve Martin and John Candy in Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

The parody subgenre imitates, exaggerates, and satirizes the style, themes, characters, or conventions of another work, genre, or cultural phenomenon. Parodies often involve taking well-known elements from the original source and presenting them in a humorous and exaggerated manner to create a comedic effect.

Bill Pullman, John Candy, Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga, and Lorene Yarnell Jansson in Spaceballs (1987)

The adventure genre features exciting journeys, quests, or expeditions undertaken by characters who often face challenges, obstacles, and risks in pursuit of a goal. Adventures can take place in a wide range of settings, from exotic and fantastical locations to historical or even everyday environments.

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The horror genre features stories that aim to elicit fear, suspense, and a sense of dread in its audience. Horror stories often explore themes related to the unknown, the supernatural, and the macabre, and they frequently evoke strong emotional reactions such as anxiety, terror, and unease.

The mystery genre features the investigation and solving of a puzzle, typically a crime or an enigmatic event. Mysteries are known for their suspenseful narratives, intricate plots, and the challenge they present to readers or viewers to piece together clues and solve the central mystery alongside the characters.

Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in Chinatown (1974)

In this point-and-click adventure/comedy, a tough detective and a slacker librarian with a talking cat team up to stop evil cultists from getting the forbidden magic book known as the Necronomicon.

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Gibbous - A Cthulhu Adventure

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