Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Hexuma: Das Auge des Kal embraces the classic conventions of text adventures while offering a modern twist through its point-and-click interface. Players can choose from six distinct input methods: traditional text typing, clicking objects in the graphical window, constructing sentences via an icon menu, selecting from context-sensitive command lists, copying any word from the text display into the command bar, or even “typing” each letter with the mouse on a virtual keyboard. This versatility ensures that both veteran adventurers and newcomers can find a control scheme that suits their playstyle.

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The game’s structure revolves around exploring an eerie old mansion that serves as a portal to six different historical eras. Each era houses a crystal shard that you must recover, which introduces varied environments—from lush prehistoric jungles teeming with dinosaurs to sleek, neon-lit futures. The transition between eras feels seamless, thanks to cleverly designed narrative hooks and consistent interface elements. Puzzles are themed around each time period, offering a fresh set of mechanics and items to combine, use, or inspect.

While the multiple input options are a highlight, they also introduce complexity. Certain puzzles can lead to unwinnable states if key items are overlooked or actions are performed out of sequence. This design choice encourages meticulous exploration and frequent saving. For players who relish methodical problem solving and don’t mind backtracking, these challenges enhance the sense of accomplishment. For those seeking a more relaxed experience, the generous save slots and clear feedback on clickable objects help mitigate frustration.

Overall, the gameplay loop of exploration, puzzle-solving, and time-period hopping keeps the experience dynamic. The game’s parser is impressively robust, understanding a wide variety of synonyms and phrasings, which reduces guesswork and allows you to focus on the narrative and environmental details. Whether you prefer typing commands or relying on the graphical interface, Hexuma delivers a flexible, engaging adventure that rewards curiosity and careful observation.

Graphics

Although rooted in text-based storytelling, Hexuma integrates static and semi-animated graphics to bring its seven key locations to life. Each era you visit features distinct color palettes and art styles—muted sepia for the Jurassic, vibrant pastels for the Renaissance, and stark neon for the distant future. The illustrative quality is reminiscent of classic adventure game art, evoking nostalgia while still feeling polished for its time.

The main mansion hub is rendered with atmospheric detail: flickering candlelight, overgrown vines crawling the walls, and subtle weather effects outside the windows. When you click on an object, it highlights with a soft glow, making the point-and-click functionality intuitive. Although the images are not animated in a modern sense, occasional transitions—such as fog rolling in or shadows shifting—add a layer of immersion.

During era shifts, the screen fades to black and then fades into the new setting, reinforcing the sense of traveling through time. The mini-scenes that accompany key puzzle solutions or narrative milestones are especially well-done, combining evocative visuals with short text overlays. While the graphics are not the primary focus, they complement the text brilliantly and elevate Hexuma above pure text-only adventures.

Story

Hexuma’s narrative begins with a simple premise: investigate a haunted mansion. As you probe its crumbling corridors, you uncover clues hinting at an ancient deity named Kal and a shattered crystal relic that binds him. This mystery serves as the catalyst for your temporal journeys, ensuring that each era you explore feels narratively connected to the overarching quest.

The six time periods are more than mere backdrops; they each contribute to the mythos of Kal and the shard you seek. For example, in the age of dinosaurs, you discover early attempts to harness the crystal’s power, while in the medieval epoch, secret sects guard fragments of its magic. These vignettes add depth to the central conflict and encourage players to piece together the broader lore from scattered journal entries and environmental clues.

Dialogues and descriptive passages are written in German, with a tone that balances mystery and subtle humor. The Weltenschmiede team’s flair for atmospheric writing shines through in moments of suspense—doors creaking open on their own, distant whispers echoing down empty hallways—and in lighter reprieves when you find humorous commands hidden in the prefab lists. The layered narrative rewards attentive reading and exploration, making every shard recovery feel like a meaningful stride toward sealing Kal’s power forever.

Overall Experience

Hexuma: Das Auge des Kal presents a compelling blend of classic text-adventure charm and user-friendly graphical interfaces. Its six-way input system is a masterclass in giving players choice, catering to both traditional typists and those who prefer more visual interaction. The need for frequent saves due to occasional puzzle dead-ends may feel old-school, but it also imparts a tangible sense of risk and reward.

The game’s pacing is well balanced: the mansion exploration in the early hours sets a foreboding mood, the time-travel segments inject variety, and the shard reunification arc drives the narrative forward. Although its graphics are static, they are artfully composed and thematically consistent, providing enough visual stimulus to complement the rich text descriptions. Sound effects are minimal but effective, reinforcing key moments like unlocking secret doors or activating the crystal shards.

Accessibility is a double-edged sword here: as a German-only title, Hexuma may not be suitable for non-German speakers, but for those fluent in the language, it offers a polished, meticulously designed experience. The underlying engine’s robustness and the parser’s intelligence minimize parser frustration, allowing you to immerse yourself in the adventure without constant trial-and-error in phrasing.

In sum, Hexuma is a standout example of late-90s interactive fiction, marrying detailed prose with graphical flair and a versatile interface. Its narrative depth, period-hopping exploration, and innovative command options make it a memorable journey for genre enthusiasts. If you’re keen on text adventures that respect your time with flexible controls and demand strategic thinking, Hexuma: Das Auge des Kal deserves a spot in your collection.

Retro Replay Score

7.3/10