Broken Age

The modern fashion of dividing adventure games into separate episodes often causes difficulties for critics. A logical question arises: is it possible to objectively evaluate the right hand, ignoring the left leg? Are we able to look at the upper and lower parts of the same organism in isolation and still get a meaningful idea? At first glance, such a method of evaluation seems somewhat artificial. However, if you change the angle, it becomes clear: an adventure is, first of all, a story conceived by the creators for our perception. And although the gameplay plays an important role, no game in this genre will enter the pantheon of the best without a solid narrative foundation. Therefore, until the story is brought to its logical conclusion and remains only partially revealed, we are not able to give it a comprehensive and fair assessment.

The first half of Broken Age was nothing short of delightful, almost flawless in its execution. The excitement from both players and critics regarding Tim Schafer’s remarkable creation led to soaring expectations for the next installment. The question of whether Schafer and Double Fine could maintain such a high standard moving forward was definitely not trivial. The nearly one-and-a-half-year gap between the two tightly interconnected segments raised quite a few eyebrows among fans and observers alike. Until the very last moment, of course, when the release of the second act finally clarified everything and answered lingering doubts. These guys seem utterly convinced that they’re wearing the same outfits. No, not just similar outfits, but truly identical ones. It makes one wonder: could they possibly be colorblind? Their confidence is amusing, but it also raises questions about their awareness of the world around them.

Broken Age Free Steam Account

Let’s pause for a moment and remember how events have unfolded up to this point. A boy named Shai lived a quiet but monotonous life aboard a spaceship under the watchful eye of a seemingly omnipresent artificial intelligence that showed unmistakable maternal traits. His life was predictable until one fateful day when he met a colossal anthropomorphic wolf named Marek. This encounter launched him into a thrilling adventure of rescuing unfortunate little creatures, and also turned him against his computer mother. Marek instilled in him a sense of exceptionalism, convincing him that he was special and chosen. Around the same time, a girl named Vella miraculously escaped the clutches of a terrifying flying monster, Mog Chotra. The beast was infamous in its region, where locals regularly sacrificed young and beautiful girls to satisfy its insatiable hunger. Their paths eventually intertwined during a fateful encounter: Vella bravely attempted to kill the creature as it descended upon her village to abduct yet another innocent girl for its grotesque feast. In a moment of bravery, she managed to strike down Mog Chotra, but to her shock, the “corpse” she thought she had knocked down turned out to be the wreckage of a spaceship—the very one Shai had been traveling on. Their attempts to confront the cunning kidnapper ended in tragedy: Vella tripped and fell inside the ship, while Shai found himself stuck outside, struggling with the chaos that had just unfolded.

From this moment onward, the second act unfolds, revealing that “everything isn’t quite what it seems at first glance.”

Caution! Spoilers are on the way that could spoil your enjoyment of the game if you haven’t yet explored Broken Age: Act 2. Interestingly, it’s only through the axe from the earlier act that this tree is able to fully articulate the depth of its disdain and contempt.

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Everything is the other way around

In the opening section of the story, we were merely becoming familiar with the intricate realities of the game world, excitedly exploring and interacting with everything around us. The vibrant environments captivated our senses and sparked our imagination. Now, however, we are about to dash through familiar places, revisiting locations we have come to recognize. This presents an opportunity to experience Shaifer’s unique universe from an entirely fresh angle.

Shai finds herself in the same setting where Vella recently had her thrilling adventures, and she is compelled to navigate through the painfully familiar, albeit somewhat damaged, interiors of the spaceship. The echoes of past events linger in the air, adding a layer of nostalgia and tension to her journey. Suddenly, it becomes apparent that the artificial intelligence known as “Mama,” much like “Papa,” is far from what we originally believed it to be throughout the first act. Shaifer has skillfully misled us with subtle hints and cleverly crafted narrative threads, leading us to think something fundamentally erroneous about the key characters involved. Now, he reveals the truth, laying everything bare and transforming the most straightforward and logical conclusion into something entirely unexpected and thought-provoking.

Even the sacrifice of maidens, which so easily transformed into a heartfelt rescue of tragic souls at the end of the first episode, ultimately reveals itself as a profound and genuine sacrifice. While some revelations may leave us yearning for deeper insights, let’s refrain from being overly critical: the narrative is cohesive, rich in detail, and layered with meaning. The theme of maturation, which resonated so clearly at the outset, becomes somewhat obscured in the second act due to an overwhelming abundance of events and the pressing necessity to resolve the main conflicts. Nevertheless, it cannot be said that this theme is entirely absent. Shai finally begins to take initiative—not within the safe confines of the ship or under the influence of the enigmatic wolf, but driven entirely by her own resolve and determination.

Parents, who initially appear to their child as all-powerful beings, gradually evolve into real individuals, revealing their own hopes, dreams, and vulnerabilities as the child matures. In this situation, the boy comes to realize that the “artificial intelligence” that has been protecting him until now is not artificial in the slightest. What unexpected joy can the thought of one’s own untimely demise inspire in the heart of a young romantic dreamer!

Everyone has a Mr Hugs

At first glance, the gameplay feels familiar. Since both acts are inextricably linked by a common narrative, we embark on the next stage of our journey with a wealth of items collected in the first part. Such treasures will certainly prove useful as the story progresses, and the methods we use to use them can be quite inventive and unexpected. The Double Fine team has really listened to the community’s requests for more challenges and delivered an experience that exceeds expectations. The puzzles are significantly more difficult than in the first act – let’s be honest, they are much more complex and intellectually demanding. This amazing change has turned Broken Age: Act 2 into a classic adventure game reminiscent of the beloved 90s games that many of us grew up with. We are now required to think creatively, solve real puzzles, and engage in a cross-character journey. This means that we cannot fully complete any character’s storyline without switching between heroes, adding layers of tactics and power to the gameplay. The importance of changing perspectives not only strengthens the narrative, but also enriches our shared experience, making every decision meaningful.

This aspect isn’t always immediately clear, especially since we tend to view Shai and Vella as independent characters! We can endlessly analyze how various combinations of colorful triangles with different shapes impact the robot’s repairs. However, we might overlook the crucial realization that to solve the puzzle, we need to set Shai aside and assist Vella on part of her journey. Sometimes, the insights gained in the first act can obstruct our ability to accurately evaluate the scenario in the second act. For instance, the snake that Shai affectionately refers to as “Mr. Hugs” can unexpectedly transform from a formidable menace into a vital element necessary for our progression. To fully understand how to make effective use of him, we must “forget everything we learned in school,” which refers to the previous chapter of the story. This mindset shift allows us to approach challenges with fresh eyes, embracing new possibilities and solutions.

The challenge of fixing the robot can turn into quite a headache if we simply try to tackle it using sheer brute force and determination. However, it wouldn’t be entirely fair to claim that the solutions to these puzzles are completely illogical or nonsensical. The secret truly lies in taking the time to engage in conversations with every NPC you encounter throughout your journey. Many valuable and essential items can be obtained just by speaking with the right individual, who might share their knowledge or resources if approached correctly.

Talk to me

The game continues to feature an abundance of dialogues, making it a rich experience. Broken Age is a journey truly worth taking, primarily for the engaging conversations and clever humor. We’ve already met most characters in the first act, yet they still manage to surprise us with new and unexpected traits in the second part of this adventure. Some of these revelations are delightful, while others may be anticipated but are equally endearing. The so-called blind “druids” are a joy to behold, ultimately taking flight into the sunset, naked and carefree, on a massive bird. Shay is particularly wonderful, filled with excitement and awe when he discovers that the boa constrictor is genuinely dangerous and truly intends to squeeze him. There’s also the charming talking tree, which now harbors a strong dislike for Vella but adores “tree jokes”—pun-filled quips that revolve around trees in any conceivable way. Shafer effortlessly mocks a range of genre clichés throughout the narrative. He targets the overly familiar sci-fi trope of “time travel,” pokes fun at cosmic battles, and takes jabs at the painfully clichéd yet still cherished notion of “having faith in oneself,” which is often presented as a magical solution to all of life’s problems.

Just imagine the moment when Shay encounters Alex, the captain of another massive spaceship looming before him! Shay is convinced that Alex is actually his future self, while Alex, in turn, believes the boy has somehow traveled from his past. Their comical confusion lasts only a short while, yet it provides us with some truly entertaining and memorable moments that highlight their unique perspectives.

It appears that a simple touch-up won’t suffice this time, as deeper issues need to be addressed.

Broken Age Verdict

There is one downside to Double Fine that is worth pointing out, and that is the rather long gap between the first and second acts. After a year and a half, it is quite easy to forget some of the plot details, which can lead to a feeling of detachment from reality. Replaying a familiar section of the game can feel a bit daunting, although the developers recommend this approach as a way to refresh your memory. Despite this issue, the conclusion we get is the best conclusion to the story of the game, which sets it apart from all other genres.

• Pros: The game has an interesting and original storyline that entices players; a lively pace keeps the action moving; memorable characters with vivid personalities; the puzzles are challenging but reasonable, forcing players to think critically; clever humor adds a delightful touch.
• Cons: The long gap between the two acts, coupled with the lack of any narrative overview at the beginning of the second part, can make re-entering the story a bit abrupt.

Broken Age system requirements

To run Broken Age, your computer will need at least 2 GB of RAM and about 2.44 GB of free hard drive space. The game requires a video card of at least HD Graphics 3000, but for a more comfortable gaming experience, it is recommended to use a GeForce GTX 460. The minimum acceptable processor is E2-1800, but if you want to increase the graphics settings and achieve greater smoothness, it is better to choose at least Core 2 Duo E4500.

How to play Broken Age for free on Steam via VpeSports

Do you want to go on an amazing adventure with two heroes at once — a boy on board a spaceship and a girl saving a village from an ancient monster? Immerse yourself in a world of fairytale animation, unusual puzzles and a heartfelt story? Great news: Broken Age can now be played completely free of charge! No pirated copies, shady sites or hidden subscriptions — just you, the story and the magic of the narrative.

A Free Steam account with Broken Age is available on the VpeSports website, and it really works. It’s simple: go through a quick registration, go to a special section with free accounts and find Broken Age among the available games. Then there’s the “download” button, step-by-step instructions, and in just a couple of minutes you’re solving unusual problems, switching between characters and discovering the secrets of their parallel worlds.

If the game touched you (and it will — it’s not just a quest, it’s a real story about growing up, choice and freedom), be sure to leave a review. It will help others learn about the project, and you will get a bonus: after moderating the comment, you will receive a login and password by e-mail. Didn’t pass the first time? No problem – slightly correct the text according to the hint and try again.

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