The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom Review for Xbox 360

The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom box art

System: X360 (XBLA)	Review Rating Legend
Dev: The Odd Gentlemen	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: 2K Play	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Feb. 17, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Like a lot of fairytales that mean more than they appear on the surface, I guess Winterbottom's greed and time-traveling antics represent mankind's need to consume more and more resources, and our need to control history because, let's face it, we don't know where we came from and we don't know where we're going. We are trapped in a puzzle just like Winterbottom.

The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom screenshot

Fortunately for Winterbottom, he seems to be completely amoral and feels no guilt whatsoever when it comes to making clones of himself, and then abusing those clones in order to proceed. And that means the player doesn't have to, either. Half the fun of solving each puzzle is creating a clone to help you along, and then knocking the clone senseless in order to finish.

Anyone who knows the solution to each puzzle could blast through Winterbottom very quickly, so unless you become fanatical about staying on the leaderboards in the timed bonus stages, Winterbottom has limited replay value. This is no great loss, as the initial playthrough will sorely test the limits of anyone's mental endurance for at least three or four hours. But do yourself a favor and don't try to finish Winterbottom in one or two sessions (unless you're trading off with friends during an all-nighter). I ended up feeling like I was being tested in some kind of harsh death match arena for intellectuals, like Thunderdome meets chess, until I was slowly worn down and hollowed out. The latter stages in each world are not exactly relaxing.

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Which isn't to say that Winterbottom is not a fun game. It is fun, and challenging, but don't expect an artsy, black and white version of Super Mario Bros. It's not a fun-filled romp through a fantastic world - it's a test to divide the clever from the slow. Have fun, but all the same, buyer beware!

By Kyle B. Stiff
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.2

Graphics
Unique look reminiscent of silent film or the work of Edward Gorey, rare for a medium defined by blazing colors. Unfortunately, the dreary surroundings can make for a draining experience during extended gaming sessions.

3.8

Control
The controls are just tight enough to remind you that Winterbottom is more of a puzzle game than a platformer, and the gameplay is simple enough to facilitate the puzzle-solving process.

2.9

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Besides the supremely creepy introductory music, Winterbottom's soundtrack is weak. Time spent planning your way through puzzles will be marred by a repetitive soundtrack.

3.5

Play Value
Gamers looking for a platformer will be disappointed, but gamers looking for a unique puzzle game should be pleased. Worth the 800 point price of admission.

3.5

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Many, many puzzles that will test non-linear thinking and creative planning.

Unique gameplay, and plenty of it.

A cartoonish, dreary, and disturbing atmosphere that will confirm an adult's worst fears about the world, but will go right over the heads of children. Fun for the whole family.