Imagine if Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, teamed up with a bunch of Spanish developers for a psychological adventure game that makes you rethink your life choices, like only playing video games during school nights. Well, that's exactly what Pendulo Studios did with 'Alfred Hitchcock – Vertigo'. Spoiler alert: it's not quite the cinematic rollercoaster you might hope for, but it’s a wild enough ride for those who love a good mystery.
In 'Vertigo', you step into the shoes of Ed Miller, a writer trying to untangle the mysteries of his life after a car crash that accidentally turned his family into a 'Where's Waldo?' puzzle. The gameplay focuses on solving mysteries through flashbacks, which sounds fancy until you realize that sometimes it feels more like trying to find the last slice of pizza in the fridge—frustrating yet oddly satisfying when you finally get it right. You don’t just control Ed, oh no, you also get to hop around as two other characters, because why limit the awkwardness to one guy when you can spread it across three!
Visually, the game tries its best to channel Hitchcock’s film noir aesthetics. You know, shadows, creepy vibes, and urban landscapes that might make you feel existential—if only the animation didn’t feel slightly like watching a puppet show. It's a striking look, albeit sometimes it makes frowning appear like an Olympic sport. The colors are reminiscent of a dark coffee shop, creating an atmosphere perfect for napping or pondering your own life’s mysteries. But remember, good looks can only take you so far when even the graphics look like they're caught in a Hitchcockian plot twist.
'Alfred Hitchcock – Vertigo' is a game that knows it's trying to be more than just another mystery adventure—you can practically hear the developers saying, 'We want to make people think!' Yet, for all its ambition, the execution sometimes falls short, like missing your bus right after you decided to sprint for it. If you’re a die-hard fan of Hitchcock's psychological intricacies or simply love creeping yourself out every now and again, this game might be your cup of tea (or something stronger). But if you’re after a flawless experience, perhaps you should stick to movies, where the only thing you’ll be questioning is who stole that popcorn. Overall, it gets a 6.5 out of 10. Not bad, but let’s just say our suspicions about its greatness aren't entirely put to rest.