Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

For a Fistful of Teeth embraces the classic click-and-point adventure style, presenting most interactions through a first-person, Myst-inspired interface. Players guide Edgar Delacroix around hand-drawn static scenes, hovering over objects to reveal contextual actions—examine, pick up, or use—purely with the left mouse button. This streamlined control scheme keeps the focus on exploration and puzzle-solving, avoiding cumbersome inventory juggling: logical item uses appear automatically when needed.

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Beyond the standard adventure formula, the game introduces a light RPG layer. Edgar’s “naïveté” is his only starting skill, but as the story unfolds he accumulates competencies—such as deduction, persuasion, ventriloquism, and even taxidermy. Successful puzzle solutions and conversational choices earn experience that shapes Edgar’s résumé. Later, in pivotal moments, multiple skill options may surface, allowing you to tailor your approach and sculpt Edgar’s character to your preferred play style.

Time constraints and character mortality are absent, fostering a relaxed atmosphere to contemplate each scene and clue. Puzzles tend toward the logical and humorous rather than the obtuse or punitive. The absence of action-oriented challenges or timed scenarios ensures a focus on story immersion and deduction, making it accessible to newcomers to the genre while still rewarding veteran sleuths who enjoy careful observation and methodical problem-solving.

Graphics

Visually, For a Fistful of Teeth opts for a striking black-and-white palette framed in a letterboxed format. Deliberate film grain and occasional flicker lend the presentation a nostalgic, noir cinema ambiance. This aesthetic choice deepens the 1920s setting, evoking smoky alleyways and dimly lit detective offices, even as it lends an unsettling texture to each scene.

Character art features exaggerated proportions and caricatured profiles, reinforcing the game’s B-movie sensibility. Gaspard Lemaître’s gaunt visage and Jeannine’s cigarette-perpetual scowl are rendered with bold linework and sharp contrasts. These artful distortions—paired with over-the-top animations when actions trigger—inject humor and highlight each personality quirk, ensuring the visuals remain memorable despite their minimal color.

Static backgrounds serve as detailed canvases for clue placement, with subtle animations—like a swinging light bulb or a rotating ceiling fan—bringing limited scenes to life. While purists seeking high-definition realism may find the style rudimentary, the deliberately gritty execution perfectly complements the game’s tone and elevates simple puzzle interactions into cinematic vignettes.

Story

Set in 1920s Montreal, the narrative follows Edgar Delacroix, a recent bourgeois graduate who seeks purpose beyond his family’s comfortable sphere. His decision to join Gaspard Lemaître’s private investigation agency thrusts him into a world of shady dealings and eccentric characters. The plot unfolds through a series of standalone cases that gradually reveal both Edgar’s personal growth and hints of a larger conspiratorial thread.

Centrally, the dynamic between Edgar, his sardonic boss Lemaître, and the chain-smoking secretary Jeannine fuels much of the game’s dark humor. Jeannine’s acid retorts and Lemaître’s cryptic directives encourage Edgar to think on his feet, whether he’s trailing a shady politician or extracting secrets from reluctant witnesses. Dialogue choices coupled with skill checks add depth, as success through persuasion versus deduction can lead to different narrative nuances.

While the episodic structure promises a broader storyline stretching beyond this first installment, only this chapter ever saw release. Nevertheless, For a Fistful of Teeth delivers a self-contained arc brimming with twists, noir clichés, and tongue-in-cheek pastiches. The unresolved threads may frustrate those craving closure, but they also underscore the game’s initial ambition to craft a multi-installment detective saga.

Overall Experience

Carte Blanche: For a Fistful of Teeth stands out as a passion project by Absurdus, balancing vintage noir flair with lighthearted parody. Its accessible interfaces and forgiving puzzle design make it an inviting gateway to adventure gaming, while the RPG-style competence system adds replayability and personalization rarely seen in click-and-point titles.

The game’s strongest asset is its atmosphere: the monochrome visuals and deliberate film grain conjure an authentic 1920s mood, even as its caricatured characters and playful dialogue lean into B-movie charm. The careful pacing—with no risk of sudden death or timeouts—allows players to savor each clue and conversation, fostering genuine engagement rather than frustration.

Despite the unfulfilled promise of subsequent episodes, For a Fistful of Teeth remains a captivating standalone experience. Fans of narrative-driven adventures and noir settings will find ample entertainment in Edgar’s first foray into detective work. While it may leave some narrative questions hanging, its unique style, clever puzzles, and character-building mechanics offer a rewarding excursion into old-school mystery gaming.

Retro Replay Score

6.3/10