The Room Two
Overview -
Tablets like the iPad have become mobile entertainment devices and a breeding ground for digital gaming of all shapes and sizes. From two-minute distractions to lengthy campaigns that apply virtual controls to the touch-screen interface, tablet gaming is now approachable for nearly every gamer out there. Still, finding new and creative ways to entertain the mobile gaming masses can be a difficult market to manage. Fireproof Games embraced the touch-based interface with 2012's 'The Room' and, with 'The Room Two', has now expanded the experience through greater immersion and varied puzzle solving.
Video Review
Although available for both smart phones and tablets, 'The Room Two' is best played on a bigger surface to fully appreciate the highly detailed environments and complexity of the puzzles. I completed my playthrough of the game on an iPad 3 with Retina display and was highly impressed with the level of detail the game delivered.
While many of the rooms were often dark, illuminated by a single lamp or torch, having the ability to zoom in with a simple pinch of two fingers proved that even in a low-light setting, 'The Room Two' is taking full advantage of the graphical capabilities built in to the iPad.
 |
Audio Review
'The Room Two' approaches audio from a minimalist stance. Because there is no voice-over, greater importance is placed on the sound effects that help to create a more believable environment. Flipping a switch, opening a drawer, turning a key, and rotating a set of gears all provide realistic effects and help to deliver a strong sense of hands-on control and interaction.
Add to this a haunting soundtrack, reminiscent of a child's lullaby, and you recognize that adding voice to this supernatural mystery would have inevitably detracted from the mood it was trying to convey.
I would strongly encourage 'The Room Two' be played using a set of quality headphones for better immersion. Of course, smartphones and tablets can accommodate with their built-in speakers, but the experience will be substantially less interesting with a higher probability of missing out on all the little audio nuances the game has to offer.
 |
'The Room Two' is that rare breed of videogame that is successful in taking nearly everything that was good about the first game, and developing a sequel that is both bigger and better. The supernatural and Lovecraftian story is expanded upon, leaving you questioning the reality of your experience, and delivering a cinematic ending that suggests a continuation of the series. While the difficulty was noticeably scaled back from the first game, the trade off for a more interesting and immersive experience seems fair, and I'm confident the developers at Fireproof Games will continue to take to heart the lessons learned and apply them appropriately with whatever they choose to develop next. 'The Room Two' simply should not be missed.
 |
Click here to view comments on this review
