When we talk about Doctor Who and his enemies, we have so many names in mind… But the worst are obviously the Daleks, the Master, the Cybermen and finally the Weeping Angels. So today I won't show you a game where you play as the Doctor, but an illustrious stranger who will find a phone and help in the war against those who want to bring planet Earth to its knees. LET'S GO, ALONSO !
Graphics & Atmosphere
The graphics, quite clean overall, are quite consistent for this type of game. We end up with a phone and many videos (shot for the occasion or taken from the series) which give a fairly significant immersion. On several occasions, we will feel in the immediate action when we have to do "key elements" limited in time, which is all the more immersive. With the official soundtrack, there is little risk of making a false note, especially since the actors have lent their voices for the occasion.
History
Remember then that the Doctor (David Tennant) and Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) send instructions to Sally Sparrow in the episode "Blink" (season 3 - episode 10). This one will have to help the Doctor to return while watching out for the terrifying and deadly "Weeping Angels" who reside in the Western Drumlins house. Well, our story is the continuation of the latter which takes place many years later, when the Doctor has just made the transition from Peter Capaldi to Jodie Whittaker. Precisely between season 11 and 12, because UNIT is still in operation while season 12 explains that they closed shop.
The story begins with a phone that has come down to us, and we begin by trying to unlock it. After three failures, we find ourselves with an OS that is installed remotely via a person that fans of the series know well: Petronella Osgood. Then comes a series of events that lead us, via text messages and calls, to the rescue of Lawrence, a person whose aim is to stop a threat buried for years.
One thing leading to another, the fate of the characters is revealed and we will become a major player with answers, riddles and few answers if we fail at the different key moments of the scenario.
Gameplay
The game is designed to be played on phone, tablet or PC. The controls being quite simple, since in the end it is a smartphone screen, it will be difficult to find your way around as long as you have one.
The research tasks will be mainly, most of the time, your occupations during the 3 hours that make up the game. Whether in conversations, in e-mails, or even during calls and text exchanges, you will have to pay attention to all the details that will be given to you. But don't worry, P. Osgood will be constantly there to help you and continually unlock new clues and documents on the device you own. Because its OS has two particular functions: to examine - which will allow you to scan a message/photo/mail and keep it to upload it to Osgood - or even delete - this during some special events which I will talk about a little lower.
Indeed, the special events are there to give a different orientation to the adventure according to your results. For example, you will have to delete "corrupt fragments" that put you in danger, but rest assured, you will have plenty of time to examine the phone five times to find. You will therefore have to dig into emails, conversations and photos to find out where they have slipped in order to be able to reach you. That being the case, these aren't the only events, some will be based on clues in conversations, and others will be based on clues via strange calls to cryptic messages.
Until the end of this adventure, you will also have choices to make in your dialogues which will sometimes be decisive, even going so far as to stop the adventure, and sometimes you will still be guided towards the right dialogue. At the end of the game, this gives you a certain ease in moving towards the happiest outcome, even if the error is generally possible.
Summary
Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins offers you a short adventure that indirectly propels you into a war against the terrible Weeping Angels who have been left to bide their time. Overall, the production and the actors of the series make it really interesting, coupled with the curious principle of acting via a telephone. However, despite a significant immersion, we do not feel at any time the action or the anxiety that should be present. For the fans of the series, it will be a matter of continuity and will be used to spend 3 hours, provided you have seen the episodes in question… For the others, I am not convinced that it will be a convincing experience.
Available on...
- App Store (iOS)
- Google Play (Android)
- Steam
- Coming soon to Nintendo Switch
