Retro Replay Review
Gameplay
Beauties and Beasts delivers a classic point-and-click adventure framework that feels instantly familiar to longtime AGS fans, yet its bite-sized scope makes it accessible for newcomers as well. The left-click interaction and right-click examination scheme remain intuitive throughout, and the inventory system encourages experimentation. Early on, you’ll gather basic items—hairpins, cloth swatches, even a misplaced key—and puzzle out how to combine them in inventive ways.
Each of the three change-room challenges unfolds like a micro-puzzle: you must sabotage rival contestants by piecing together sabotage tools from scattered props. The thrill comes from that “aha” moment when a lipstick tube transforms into an explosive distraction or a borrowed dress conceals a hidden trap. Though the puzzles are not overly complex, they strike a rewarding balance, pushing you to think laterally without veering into obtuseness.
Timing also plays a subtle role. Certain sequences require you to observe NPC patrol routes or wait for pageant staff to turn their backs—elements that add a low-stress tension to your scheming. Because the entire adventure runs fairly short, each click feels meaningful, and there’s little filler to pad the experience. The brevity ensures a compact, streamlined ride from the moment you slip into the mansion until the final car giveaway ceremony.
Graphics
As a one-week AGS entry, Beauties and Beasts showcases charming pixel art that punches above its weight. Character sprites are expressive despite their small size: you’ll catch subtle animations like a contestant’s frantic hair-toss or the heroine’s triumphant fist pump. Backgrounds are richly detailed, with each change room sporting its own color palette and decor, from pastel makeup tables to plush velvet curtains.
Lighting effects deserve special mention. The inclement-weather opening uses animated rain streaks and flickering neon signage to set an atmospheric tone. Inside the pageant hall, tightly framed camera angles and occasional shadowed corners heighten the sense of sneaking around. While the resolution and frame rate are modest, the overall presentation feels polished and avoids the jerky glitches sometimes found in rapid-turnaround jams.
Sound design complements the visuals with a lean but effective audio palette. A jaunty, slightly sinister piano motif loops in the background, and context-sensitive sound cues—like the clack of stiletto heels or the rustle of a hidden dress—punctuate key moments. Though there’s no voice acting, well-timed effects keep the mood lively and help convey narrative beats without cluttering the interface.
Story
Beauties and Beasts hooks you with a deceptively simple premise: a rain-soaked stranger stumbles into a beauty pageant and decides winning is worth any cost. As the main character embraces her inner Machiavelli, dark humor seeps into every interaction. Dialog lines are punchy, and overheard gossip among the contestants provides satirical commentary on pageantry culture.
Despite its brief runtime, the game strikes a clever balance between comedy and suspense. You’ll chuckle at the exaggerated vanity of rival contestants while your palms sweat as you execute the next sabotage. Three distinct rivals—each with their own personality quirks—give the story structure, and watching them fall one by one offers satisfying narrative payoffs.
Though there’s little in the way of moralizing, the game’s twisted premise encourages reflection on fairness and ambition. By the final scene, you may find yourself cheering for the underdog anti-hero as much as you cringe at her ruthless tactics. It’s a darkly comedic romp that leaves a memorable impression long after the credits roll.
Overall Experience
Beauties and Beasts excels as a focused, self-contained adventure that can be completed in under an hour, yet it packs more personality than many longer indie titles. Its tight pacing ensures you’re never left hunting aimlessly for the next clue, and its blend of humor and tension keeps the momentum high from start to finish.
This game is ideal for fans of classic point-and-click puzzles who appreciate a satirical twist on conventional tropes. While it won’t satisfy players seeking sprawling narratives or high-end production values, it offers a delightful jolt of creativity and dark wit—proof that a clever concept and solid puzzles can outshine a massive budget.
For those browsing free or low-cost indie adventure offerings, Beauties and Beasts stands out as a compact gem. Whether you’re drawn in by the promise of sabotage-fueled humor or simply craving a brisk puzzle fix, this little AGS title is well worth the plunge into the shadiest pageant ever staged.
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