Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Make It Good unfolds entirely through text, but its interactive fiction engine delivers a surprisingly tactile sense of control. You begin by surveying the crime scene in the opulent LA mansion, typing commands like “examine desk” or “ask butler about alibi.” The parser is intuitive, accepting a wide range of natural-language inputs that keep you immersed in the detective mindset rather than wrestling with arcane syntax.

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The core gameplay loop revolves around investigation and deduction. You’ll move from one room to the next, cataloguing clues and comparing testimonies. Each suspect has their own personality quirks, alibis that sometimes contradict the physical evidence, and unique motivations. Piecing together the timeline requires careful note-taking and logical leaps—there’s genuine satisfaction when a seemingly trivial detail suddenly snaps the narrative into focus.

Puzzles vary in complexity, from simple evidence matching to more elaborate red herrings designed to mislead even veteran sleuths. There’s no handholding; you’re under pressure to solve the case or risk getting the boot from the force. This “one last chance” scenario heightens the stakes, making every interrogation and locked drawer feel consequential. If you’re smart enough to connect the dots, you’ll see one of several possible endings that hinge on your deductions.

Branching paths are subtle but meaningful. A wrong assumption can lead you down a dead-end, forcing you to revisit prior scenes and question new angles. Conversely, a sharp observation unlocks fresh dialogue options or access to previously closed rooms. This balance of risk and reward keeps the narrative pace brisk without sacrificing depth, encouraging replay to uncover every secret.

Graphics

As a text-based title, Make It Good forgoes traditional visuals in favor of evocative prose that paints vivid mental images. There are no character sprites or environmental renderings—every detail from the creaking floorboards to the shimmer of a silk couch cushion is conveyed through carefully crafted sentences. This minimalist approach channels classic noir, where the shadows exist in your imagination.

The interface itself is clean and functional. A simple black-and-white palette reinforces the detective theme, while the choice of monospaced fonts evokes an old typewriter. Dialogue and narration are clearly delineated, with suspects’ lines indented or prefaced by names in bold. An optional sidebar displays your current objectives and a log of discovered evidence, ensuring you never lose track of key facts.

Though it lacks graphical flourishes, Make It Good compensates with atmospheric sound cues—a distant phone ring, muffled footsteps in a hallway, the soft click of a revolver being loaded. These subtle audio touches enhance immersion without overshadowing the text. For purists, there’s even a “no-sound” mode that lets you focus purely on the narrative rhythm and choice prompts.

Customization options are modest but appreciated. You can adjust text size, background color (light, sepia, or dark theme), and line spacing to suit your reading comfort. These small touches show thoughtful design, ensuring long investigation sessions won’t strain your eyes or pull you out of the mood.

Story

Make It Good delivers a tightly woven Chandleresque plot set against the glitz and grime of 1940s Los Angeles. You play a washed-up detective with one final shot at redemption. Summoned to a luxurious hillside mansion, you’re greeted by four potential perpetrators: a grieving spouse, a jittery chauffeur, a secretive heiress, and a slippery lawyer. Each holds pieces of the truth, but trust no one.

The narrative unfolds like a classic pulp novel. Snappy dialogue crackles with wry humor and cynical wit as you grill suspects under flickering lamps. Red herrings abound—a hidden safe, a torn photograph, a misplaced cigarette lighter—and every new revelation forces you to question your first impressions. The writing evokes moody streets, rain-slick sidewalks, and the constant haze of suspicion that defines noir.

Pacing is masterful. Early scenes move deliberately, letting you absorb the mansion’s layout and the suspects’ demeanor. Mid-game twists ramp up the tension, introducing unexpected alliances and betrayals that demand you rethink previously settled theories. By the climax, you’re racing against the clock, methodically laying out your evidence before delivering the final accusation.

Characterization is a highlight. Though your interlocutors start as archetypes, they reveal hidden depths through well-timed monologues and personal subplots. One suspect might crack under pressure, another may offer a soulful confession, and a third could drop a bombshell that reframes the entire investigation. These layers make the narrative far more than a linear puzzle—it becomes a study of human motives and moral shades of gray.

Overall Experience

Make It Good stands out as a compelling example of modern interactive fiction. Its strength lies in marrying a sharp, noir-inspired narrative with responsive text-based mechanics. While it may lack flashy visuals, the game’s atmosphere more than compensates through evocative writing and immersive audio cues. You’ll find yourself leaning in closer to the screen, as if you were bent over an evidence board in a dimly lit office.

Replay value is high. Different lines of questioning and the possibility of overlooking critical clues mean that no two playthroughs are identical. You can experiment with aggressive interrogation styles or a more diplomatic approach, each yielding divergent revelations. Unlocking all possible endings demands multiple sessions, rewarding diligent detectives who relish piecing together every nuance.

Duration sits comfortably around three to five hours per run, depending on your pace and puzzle-solving style. It’s long enough to feel substantial but concise enough to maintain tension without wandering. Whether you’re a veteran of the genre or a newcomer curious about text adventures, Make It Good offers an accessible yet challenging experience.

In the end, Make It Good earns its reputation as a standout in interactive fiction. The combination of intelligent puzzles, atmospheric presentation, and a morally complex storyline ensures you’re not just playing a game—you’re stepping into the worn leather coat of a detective on the edge. If you’ve ever dreamed of cracking a high-stakes murder case with nothing but your wits and a notebook, this title is ready and waiting. Make it good.

Retro Replay Score

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