Point and click adventures were some of the very first games I ever played on PC. Come to think of it, they were also some of the first games that I ever finished by myself, without resorting to having to use guides or cheats. I mostly remember playing the games in the Leisure Suit Larry franchise, with Love for Sail! being the title that brought the biggest sense of accomplishment, since most of the solutions and combinations of items in that game made absolutely no sense whatsoever.
It’s admittedly been a while since I’ve personally played anything in the point and click genre, but I’m glad to have been able to check out Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town. Despite its surprisingly short length that left me wanting more, Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town is an absolute delight with its stunning visuals, enchanting audio design, and challenging yet accessible puzzles.
You New In Town?
Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town tells the story of (obviously) Willy Morgan, a young man who ventures to the seedy village of Bone Town to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of his father ten years prior. Along the way, Willy will meet eccentric, and sometimes shady characters who will all play some sort of role in “helping” Willy on his quest.
Having previewed Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town, I had a pretty good idea of what I was getting into. However, even if you’ve never played anything in the point and click genre before, you’ll have no problem diving in headfirst. Rather than just leaving you to figure everything out on your own, the game provides you with the option to show every clickable thing in each area. Some of these things will be items to be used later and/or combined with other items to solve puzzles, while some of the clickable objects serve no purpose at all, like piles of boxes and other junk. Whereas many point and click adventures can often get bogged down in overly complicated clicking and item combinations, Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town stuck a perfect balance that made the world feel immersive, with makeshift puzzle solutions that would make MacGyver jealous.
Stay A While
The overall world of Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town is incredibly charming (and would be a place that I would love to visit, if it were real). There is a whimsical sort of styling to the buildings and city streets that feels inviting, even if it’s one of the shadier establishments of the city of Bone Town. Though limited in overall animations, all of the game’s characters also look and sound great (though I could have done without the constant candy crunching from the drugstore pharmacist).
I think what helped me appreciate the visuals most of all was the fact that Willy can fast-transport to specific areas and shops on his map. This was a phenomenal design choice. Too often in these types of games, I ask myself, “How do I get back to that area again,” then proceed to fumble my way through multiple incorrect routes, only to get frustrated and stop playing. Having a map to fast-travel around the city kept the pace of the game going and, more importantly, kept me interested in playing.
Honestly, if Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town were an animated movie, I would watch it. In fact, I think it’s a great game for streamers to play, as the story and overall adventure would be fun to just watch (while perhaps offering up advice to streamers who are stuck). A lot of this stems from the game’s score and audio design fitting the visuals and situations perfectly, like the decrepit organ that plays in the run-down carnival, or the heightened sense of urgency when the music picks up as Willy gets hot on the trail of a major find.
Getting My Hand Stamped For Re-Entry To Bone Town (Or Elsewhere)
Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town is almost perfect, but there were a couple of things that would have taken it to the next level. There are certain moments of convenience that are a tad eye-rolly, but I feel like those are pretty standard fare in point and click adventures. However, I think this also impaired the overall length of the game to an extent, which can be completed anywhere between two to five hours depending on your sleuthing and puzzle-solving skills. Again, this isn’t a major concern and adds to the watchability of the game. I just felt like the game left me wanting more. That said, it’s not unreasonable to think that a sequel might be coming our way eventually.
Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town is great for both newcomers to the point and genre, as well as hardened veterans. Regardless of which category you fall into, you’ll likely be able to finish the game in an evening. With its charming visuals, captivating story, and inviting puzzles, Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town has plenty to offer.
A PC copy of Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town was provided to TheGamer for this review. Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town is available now for PC.
