Post Script is a brand new episodic HL2 mod created by Lewis Denby; I spent some time with Episode One earlier this week. From the start it is unashamedly grim; set in a post apocalypse that you somehow created. You don’t know what happened but it is your fault – that’s for certain. The opening sequence delights in telling you so in an uncomfortable one way conversation; and at one point informs you that you are, amongst other things, an ‘utter, utter bastard’.
What follows in a haunting and almost surreal experience as you explore a town with a constant text driven narrative overlaying the screen. There are a couple of environmental puzzles along the way, but for the most part it’s purely an experience of exploration and discovery. And ultimately it’s rather good; the narrative is fascinating and wonderfully written, the few puzzles that are present are a joy, and the feel of the whole thing is brilliantly atmospheric if not quite able to shake off that ‘mod’ feel of not-quite-polished-enough.
Looking onwards to Episode 2, the one thing I would ask of Denby is for more puzzle elements. I don’t want to spoil what’s in Post Script but the scant sections where you need to actually interact with the world are fantastic – just the type of puzzles that adventure games need to make me enjoy them again. They make you feel like you’re thinking on the spot, being resourceful, and they follow a good logic. More of this please.
Post Script should be out today and I implore you to hit up the official site Post Script Blog and give it a spin. It will only take you between 10 and 20 minutes after all.
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Lewis here – thanks so much for the wonderful review. Great to hear people enjoying it. The response has been mixed so far, as expected, as I’m totally new to this sort of thing. But I’ll be taking on board all the feedback to polish up Episode 1 and incorporate into future episodes.
Since my bloody hard drive died yesterday (fortunately PS is backed up), I’ve no way to update the official site today, so would point people at http://postscriptmod.wordpress.com for download links.