NoseBound

Bought this as I am a huge Cthulhu/cult fan, so it interested me.

So first off, I will admit that the visuals for this game are different and really unique. Definitely a selling point. It also has a a story line that has some backbone to it, but it eventually falls incredibly flat and isn't really fleshed out that well.

The voice acting for a couple of the characters (Lemon McCoy, the Bartender for example) sound incredibly slurred and strange to the point of hilarity. Like it has been passed through a filter of some sort. Not even remotely like a human voice. Threw me off having to sit and listen to it.

The voice to text was way off. So many spelling errors. Missing words. Wrong words. Capital letters when there shouldn't be. Some of the phrases made no sense. It says in the credits that the English was revised, but it clearly wasn't.

The game play itself was fine I guess. Character seems to glide on the spot. Characters have an animation that is repeated, even when they are not talking and is not in time with the text. Finding things to interact with on the screen was a matter of just moving the mouse constantly. The top toolbar should just be locked as well in my opinion. Some of the choices/interactions just made little sense really.

Sound and music was generally good. Quite creepy. Although it sounded like there was a Mansions of Madness sound clip towards the end when you receive a certain item.

All in all - completed in 2 hours. Pick it up when its on a massive sale, don't expect a lot from it. Needs a hell of a lot of work to be a polished product, and needs to be a lot longer with a deeper narrative.

NoseBound is a point-and-click adventure game exclusively for adults. It contains mature themes of a sexual and violent nature. Trigger warnings include: blood, gore, abuse, references to black magic, and bodily harm. Your personal discretion is advised.

A Greeting from the Past

"Rosebud" is the key word in Orson Welles’ cinematic classic "Citizen Kane" — the enigmatic final word uttered by the dying newspaper tycoon Charles Kane at the beginning of the film, and the starting point for the entire plot. Back in 1941, anyone wanting to understand the meaning behind "Rosebud" had to endure two hours until the film’s conclusion. Nowadays, the answer can undoubtedly be found somewhere on the internet. The meaning behind the title "NoseBound" becomes somewhat more apparent due to the nature of the game’s protagonist, Ray Hammond. However, much like "Rosebud", the true significance is only revealed by playing through to the end.

The main character and storyline are crafted in the style of old black-and-white films inspired by the novels of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. The atmosphere is infused with a blend of Lovecraftian horror and Buñuel-style surrealism. The graphics and visual design at times strongly resemble Frank Miller’s "Sin City", while the occasionally obscure plot evokes the spirit of French and Spanish horror films from the 1970s.

As with its literary inspirations, the detective is a broken figure. The cause of his brokenness is never fully revealed, but it propels him forward with a kind of weary determination to solve the case. For the player, the game’s narrative is linear, but it operates on two distinct levels. In addition to the exoteric journey of the protagonist, there is also an esoteric, internal journey of self-discovery. It’s clear that the developers intended to do more than just tell a straightforward detective-horror story. The philosophical and metaphysical elements, especially toward the end of the game, show the developers’ ambition to create something more profound.

As is often the case with independent productions, a delicate balance had to be struck between the developers' creative vision and financial constraints. It should be obvious that the frustration felt by developers is often far greater than that experienced by players complaining about a game’s shortcomings. The immense amount of time and life energy invested into this project is a testament to the passion and enthusiasm of the developers, and this deserves the utmost respect — especially when considering the long and difficult journey to bring the game to life. Kudos to all of you at Quarantine Interactive!

NoseBound is a homage to the early point-and-click adventure games of the early 1990s. In terms of playtime, it is a relatively short experience (around 5 to 7 hours, depending on how long one spends solving the puzzles). The whole experience has the feel of a first chapter, and one is left wanting to see how the story and the character of Ray Hammond will evolve. One can only hope that the developers maintain both their creative spirit and the financial means to continue, and that a further chapter in the tale of Ray Hammond will indeed materialise.

If you’re a fan of film noir and the supernatural, you should definitely give NoseBound a try.

Where do I even begin? Honestly, I’m an old-school gamer who grew up in an era when point-and-click adventure games were all the rage. Yes, there was a time like that! Games like Post Mortem, Still Life, Scratches—these were titles you played not for flashy graphics or revolutionary gameplay but because they created an incredible atmosphere.

I truly miss those days, and NoseBound scratches that itch I've had for so long. To the developer, I want to express my deepest congratulations. Despite knowing that games like these won’t bring in massive profits, you’ve poured your heart and soul into making this a reality. For that, the small but passionate community of gamers who love these kinds of experiences are deeply grateful.

Salute to you, sir—thumbs up!