I just downloaded and played Purgatorio a couple days ago since it was mentioned on a GameSpot guide to freeware games. The care put into the graphics, choice of environmental photos, and the music is fantastic; really liked the contrast between the bars. And the were great. Personally, I thought the strange torus-y layout worked here, and that it was strangely exciting to get to walk on the other side of a street... although, yes, a faster walkcycle or clickable map would've been better.
Agree with Shellz for the frustration involved if a player doesn't know to "look" at the keypad/verses; while keeping this game free of hotspot indicators works for setting the mood, it would've been appreciated here. Or, as suggested, just lines like "There's something strange about the keypad buttons." or "Maybe I should look at each verse on the page." Once you know the above, the puzzle is great.
Storywise, it's not entirely my cup of tea. I understood the general concept, but felt like while each part of the story advanced fine, when taken altogether, it fell flat for me. I felt like the highest stakes in the game occurred when
Overall, though, thank you for an interesting, atmospheric game; definitely worth the look.
Spoiler
"jump scares" of the man attacking you, the face before you wake up in the cell, and the blacklight face
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Agree with Shellz for the frustration involved if a player doesn't know to "look" at the keypad/verses; while keeping this game free of hotspot indicators works for setting the mood, it would've been appreciated here. Or, as suggested, just lines like "There's something strange about the keypad buttons." or "Maybe I should look at each verse on the page." Once you know the above, the puzzle is great.
Storywise, it's not entirely my cup of tea. I understood the general concept, but felt like while each part of the story advanced fine, when taken altogether, it fell flat for me. I felt like the highest stakes in the game occurred when
Spoiler
you get kidnapped, and in contrast, just finding and returning the records to the woman seemed like a pretty low-key way to get out of purgatory; it can be construed as a selfless act, but one that isn't particularly dangerous or difficult for O'Shea. And if the woman's brother was actually someone who had to go through the same "test" in this town, and he had the box to hide, it makes me wonder how he himself could have the possibility to leave through the woman's bar -- it wouldn't seem right if he didn't.
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Overall, though, thank you for an interesting, atmospheric game; definitely worth the look.