PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Have you ever seen a game multiple times and keep passing it by because you assume it’s not your style? Then, one day, you give it a chance, and it turns out to be amazing? And you sit there, wondering why you didn’t play it sooner? That’s the exact experience I had with the episodic narrative-adventure game, The Council, creative by developers Big Bad Wolf (the studio, not the fairytale creature) and published by Focus Home Interactive. The subject caught my eye, but it was the story that hooked me and kept me involved.
The Council begins in 1793 and you play as Louis de Richet. Your mother, Sarah Faustine de Richet, has gone missing on a private island owned by wealthy and mysterious powerhouse named Lord Mortimer. Joining you in the mansion are worldly diplomats like George Washington and Napoleon Bonaparte that have been asked to the island by Lord Mortimer for a mysterious reason. As a member of French branch of The Golden Order, you have the know-how to solve the clues and puzzles that your mother left behind for you. As the bodies start piling up, more and more questions and secrets begin to surface. You are faced with difficult choices as you navigate your way through mystery, murder and politics.
This game is more fun than I had anticipated. While the graphics are a little shocking at first, you quickly become used to them and start focusing on the importance of your choices. By shocking, I mean facial textures mostly. Environmentally, the graphics are gorgeous and realistic, and the facial graphics are absolutely terrifying. While skin is supposed to have changes in texture, especially in advanced age, some of the faces in this game have the texture of pantyhose filled with small curd cottage cheese, and it makes my stomach turn if I look that them for too long. Other times, the faces, while exaggerated in their features, are lovely. It’s truly hit or miss. You may meet a character that looks beautiful… or they may haunt your dreams later.
I have played games in the past where the player’s choices affect the story and future gameplay. The Council takes it to a whole new level with its permanence. Once you make a decision, that’s it. There is no going back to reload a checkpoint. You have to start a new game file if you want to undo a stupid mistake.
At the start of the game, you have the choice between 3 skill options: Occultist (specializing in science, occultism, manipulation, erudition and subterfuges), Detective (specializing in questioning, vigilance, psychology, logic and agility) and the Diplomat (specializing in etiquette, conviction, politics, diversion and linguistics). While the skill tree is the same for all three, whatever you choose, you will start with a handful of level 1 skills and then you are able to add your skill points where you see fit as you earn them. You can also equip books you find to permanently add one or more skills to your belt, and even earn character traits and talents along the way.
The first episode of The Council was released on March 18th of this year and episode three was just released in July. There are a total 5 episodic segments in the entire game, with the last two being released before the year is out.
So, was the game fun? Immensely. The Council throws you into the story quickly, and you find yourself learning along the way, instantly regretting your decisions and realizing how much you missed, but you can only go forward. The story becomes so engaging and strenuous, you find yourself trying to keep an eye on everything and never knowing ahead of time which skill you will need for the next chapter. While it seems like an anxiety sandwich, it’s actually ridiculously fun.
Playing The Council is highly recommended, and I cannot wait for the next chapter dropping on September 25th, with the final chapter at the end of the year. The story takes so many hard right turns, there’s no telling where it’s going to end up and who will survive in the end. The Council is available now for PC, PS4 and Xbox One Form Amazon Here.
