Point-and-click games have seen a resurgence in popularity, fueled by the growing interest in retro games. Irony Curtain: From Matryoshka with Love, recently released on the Nintendo Switch, exemplifies this trend. Polish developer Artifex Mundi draws clear inspiration from LucasArts‘ classic adventure titles.
Evan, a journalist with a penchant for extolling the virtues of communism, finds himself thrust into international intrigue when the leader of the small communist nation of Matryoshka takes an interest in him. He quickly becomes embroiled in a conflict between major powers, leading him to question his initial beliefs.
The game’s title, with its prominent use of “irony,” is indicative of the game’s pervasive satirical tone. While the game is filled with irony, it occasionally veers into a less subtle presentation of themes. Although the protagonist encounters difficulties, the game’s underlying message is often overtly conveyed. The game boasts polished visuals, incorporating amusing animations and a vibrant color palette. The point-and-click mechanics are well-implemented, with a clever hint system allowing players to call for assistance on each level.
To further assist players, the game includes an option to highlight all interactive elements within each scene, reducing the likelihood of being stuck.
One minor drawback is that certain puzzles feel unnecessarily convoluted. For instance, manipulating a projector screen involved an excessive number of settings, extending the interaction beyond what was truly needed.
Irony Curtain: From Matryoshka with Love, originally released in May for other platforms, has now made its way to the Nintendo Switch. The text and visual elements are well-sized and legible, ensuring a comfortable experience both on a television and in handheld mode.
In conclusion, the intent behind Irony Curtain: From Matryoshka with Love – to create a humorous game reminiscent of LucasArts’ classic titles – is evident. However, the game falls slightly short of fully achieving this ambition. The pervasive irony occasionally feels preachy, resulting in a somewhat underwhelming overall impression. Nevertheless, the game is still recommendable, offering considerable entertainment value at an accessible price point, even if it doesn’t quite reach its full potential.
