Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ben Jordan: Paranormal Investigator Case 5 – Land of the Rising Dead delivers a classic point-and-click interface that feels both familiar and finely tuned. You’ll begin each of the five acts by selecting your desired action—move, examine, talk, pick up or use—either from the toolbar at the top of the screen or by cycling through options with the right mouse button. This streamlined system keeps the focus squarely on investigation, ensuring you’re never fumbling with controls when a clue might slip through your fingers.

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The inventory and notebook features are particularly well-executed. All the items you collect are clearly displayed, and the notebook automatically logs key clues, NPC profiles and important dates. This makes backtracking to piece together the mystery feel intuitive rather than tedious. When multiple puzzle paths open up, it’s satisfying to juggle different theories and see how various items and notes come into play, especially given the game’s branching possibilities.

Challenge-wise, Land of the Rising Dead walks a fine line between thoughtful and frustrating. Although there are moments where a seemingly random object or conversation detail is the key to progress, the occasional dead end adds weight to every decision. The threat of character death heightens tension, too, pushing you to save often and pay close attention to your surroundings. Overall, the pacing of puzzle difficulty across the five-day timeline feels organic, with each act offering fresh mechanics and new environments to explore.

Graphics

Graphically, Land of the Rising Dead embraces a richly detailed pixel-art style that evokes the golden age of adventure gaming. Backgrounds capturing the neon-lit streets of Osaka, historic temples and shadowy back alleys boast a remarkable level of nuance. Subtle animations—like flickering lanterns and drifting cherry blossoms—imbue each scene with atmosphere, making the city feel both alive and foreboding.

Character portraits are another highlight. Ben’s expressive reactions and the weary determination in his eyes convey emotion effectively, while supporting characters like Simon Booth and Detective Ōta each possess distinct designs that reflect their personalities. Even the undead figures are crafted with care: their gaunt features and jerky movements are unsettling without devolving into cartoonish horror.

The user interface remains clean and unobtrusive. Icons are crisp, inventory items are easy to identify, and the notebook entries pop up in legible text boxes that don’t obscure the art behind them. Whether you’re on a desktop or laptop, the resolution scales comfortably, preserving the intricate pixel work and vibrant color palette.

Story

Following his harrowing ordeal in London, paranormal investigator Ben Jordan returns home only to be summoned to Osaka by friends Simon Booth and Alice Wilkins. A series of grisly murders has rocked the city, and local police suspect supernatural involvement. As Ben delves deeper, he uncovers evidence pointing to the living dead, ancient rituals and a conspiracy that spans far beyond Japan’s bustling streets.

The narrative unfolds across five acts, each representing a new day in Ben’s investigation. This structure lends a real-time urgency: you’re acutely aware of the ticking clock as new clues emerge and alliances shift. Dialogue is well-paced, with flashbacks, newspaper clippings and eyewitness accounts enriching the backstory and grounding the paranormal threat in a believable context.

What makes the story shine is the interplay between Ben and his allies. Simon’s scholarly insights and Alice’s local connections lend depth to the investigation, while interactions with Japan’s police force introduce cultural nuances that feel authentic. As the web of murders, zombies and ancient curses grows ever more tangled, you’re compelled to see how each revelation ties together, making for a gripping and occasionally chilling narrative journey.

Overall Experience

Land of the Rising Dead stands out as a thoughtfully crafted entry in the Ben Jordan series. Its blend of challenging puzzles, atmospheric pixel art and a multilayered storyline will appeal to fans of classic adventure games and newcomers alike. The ability to die—and to take multiple puzzle-solving routes—adds replay value, encouraging you to revisit key decisions and explore alternative outcomes.

While a few puzzles rely on trial-and-error, most players will find the difficulty curve fair and rewarding. The game’s episodic structure ensures a steady drip of new locations, NPCs and plot twists, so boredom rarely sets in. Combined with the clean interface and solid voiceover work in pivotal scenes, the package feels polished and complete.

For those seeking a paranormal mystery with a distinctly cinematic feel, Ben Jordan Case 5 delivers. Its balance of eerie ambiance, engaging character dynamics and clever puzzle design makes it a strong recommendation for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a supernatural whodunit set against the vibrant backdrop of modern-day Japan.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10