Joe Dever’s Lone Wolf HD Remastered [Game Review]

Lord Kai, who has undergone years of rigorous training to sharpen his mind and body to unprecedented heights, is the creation of Joe Dever. British fantasy writer and game designer, not very well known in our country.

The center of the series of game books and the subsequent independent game is a character named Lone Wolf, a recruit of the monastic military order ‘Kai’, who defends his monastery from the forces of evil. As a result of an unexpected invasion, the entire order dies and only Lone Wolf remains alive. The entire series tells of the attempts of the Lone Wolf and his successor to take revenge on the Dark Lords and prevent the god Naaru from taking over the world.

Yes, exactly: a game book! In the computer version you undergo training, just like in any other: you choose weapons, skills, you are told a tiny piece of backstory, which will later be overgrown with details, like a thick impenetrable shell. You are not just Lord Kai, not just a monk, with honed skills, sharp intellect and good intuition, you are the hope that will save people from the invasion of the Dark Lords.

Why is it so pretentious?? Are there no other heroes??

No, that’s the problem. And the Lone Wolf is not omnipresent. The last of his Order, he wanders the world, pursuing the goal of defeating these very Lords. The Wolf is helped in this by the Legendary Blade – Samersved – the Embodiment of Light. They always want to steal and destroy the sword, the Wolf finds adventures beyond measure: sometimes hypnosis, sometimes mouse thieves who will help you get out of the labyrinth of caves, but will pick out all your pockets… Not a day without “adventures”. But these are just vague explanations, let’s start dissecting the game.

How to even play this? Gameplay us!

Oooh… Everything here is complicated and simple at the same time.

We are reading a book. Easy, yes? But at one point or another (almost every 1-2 pages) we make a choice.

There are enemies. A bunch https://harrys-casino.co.uk/mobile-app/ of small enemies that won’t take us long to kill, but it’s boring. And there is an open window, crows on the street, looking for something to eat, and our skill "The Animal Connection". Here is the 1st option for eliminating enemies at least partially. Another option is to run into the thick of it and chop everyone down. And 3rd: just pass by using the skill "Stealth", which makes you simply 99% invisible, but make a splash – you’ll have to fight. And this is if you chose this skill for yourself at the beginning of the game! No skill – no option.

Or there is an option: to release the criminal, who seems not to be guilty of the crime – he just ran away from the same Enemies, and caught the eye of the sheriff. The sheriff himself lies like a corpse in the corridor.
And now think about this criminal. And then – bam – this choice came back to haunt you when you met his gang. They didn’t touch you, they even thanked you and walked off into the sunset.
Choice in the game is a frequent and no less important thing. The variety here isn’t fake like in most Telltale games. Here you choose how and what to do and get what you deserve.

There are also mini-events for speed – simple, but no less spectacular. It’s not all just thinking and batting your eyes. You can move your arms a little.

The combat system (which here consists of choosing the method of attacks) is quite simple. It’s rare that you’ll be tested for speed. Poke here a couple of times, move the mouse there and the enemy is already lying down. And, of course, there is a loot system and inventory.

Not bad development, ordinary rpg. Enemies drop equipment, there are stats, just like everywhere else. Nothing new in classical mechanics. Skills are upgraded. Weapon proficiency is honed by its use, Kai skills and many choices affect the main characteristics: Intelligence, Strength and Endurance. Nothing specific.

What about the music??

This is where things get more boring. The set of motifs is quite small, but you don’t have time to get bored. Doesn’t hurt your ears, but doesn’t make you beat in ecstasy either. Simple, beautiful and doesn’t make your eardrums explode. During simple narration, a quiet melody plays in the background, giving no hint of impending tension or problem. During the battle, the melody becomes, logically, more dynamic, more aggressive, but don’t expect hard rock. Not here guys. Music is about 8/10 and that’s it. 2 points deducted for lack of diversity.

Okay, we figured it out. How’s the plot going?? Interesting?

The plot here is a thing in general… Good. Interesting, not too boring. They will take you to the right place, but it will be interesting for you to read. Quite detailed descriptions of the terrain, objects, and the same enemies. You will visit the ruins of a lost civilization, touch their mysterious and dangerous inventions, try to save a small town from the Dark Lords, and then climb the walls of a huge Tower to meet the Main Villain. The plot is really just like a book. There is dialogue, there is not much of it compared to the descriptions of actions, consequences and places, but it is worth reading. And retelling the moments is simply stupid. One big spoiler. Yes, it can be boring in places, but periods of calm are often interrupted by small, appropriate skirmishes with enemies with a tense atmosphere. Here I won’t say anything except: “The plot is good, but decide for yourself. I liked it".

Okay, okay. What about the picture??

The graphics are pretty nice, but not perfect. Not bad for 2013, but not enough stars in the sky. Even the remaster didn’t help much. Just a good picture. Beautiful backdrops, good detail on the weapons and equipment of both the Wolf and all his enemies. In the menu you can even explore concepts and 3D models provided by the developers. And that’s cool.

What’s the verdict for Lord Kai?

The adventures of the Lone Wolf in the game version give you the opportunity to be a hero, of which there are now plenty. With its own twist, subtleties and disadvantages. The story is interesting, there are not enough stars in the sky, but I personally liked it. Sort of like Batman with minor super powers that make him slightly better than a normal mortal. A good story about Good and Evil, about friendship and betrayal, about overly curious researchers and the responsibility we bear for our actions and ideas.

Pros:
— Good plot;
— Real variability;
— Replay value;
— Not bad music;
— Classic RPG in all its manifestations;
— You don’t have to know anything about the series before sitting down to play;
— simple puzzles like: picking a lock, matching cube faces with holes.

Cons:
— Graphics are not bad, but could be better.

According to the rating system established here, the video adventures of the Lone Wolf deserve a rating of “Commendable,” and fall just short of “Amazing.”.