To Score or Not to Score Reviews
Author: David Whyld
Date: 2004
ADRIFT 4.0

Reviewed by A. Ninny

My main comment about “To Score…” is that once you accept the main premise, the entire game is about trying to solve the running puzzles. I count three main puzzles in the game, figuring out what combines with what in the cauldron, finding all the money needed to get what you need from the store, and working through the conversation trees with Jennifer. I have to admit that it took me numerous repeat plays, sharing puzzle information with another player, before I could solve all the money and cauldron puzzles. 

The main issues I had with the money and cauldron puzzles is that they were too random. There was no rhyme or reason I could see what would combine with what in the cauldron. There was also, in my opinion, insufficient feedback from Jennifer as to whether we were making progress getting her warmed up, other than that she obviously appreciates some gifts more than others. We also weren’t given any feedback at all about the clothing items (without giving too much away) that was obviously designed to turn her on. 

The game also had a fair share of bugs and annoy-isms. For instance, it has a long wise-ass disclaimer that pops up every time you type something the parser doesn’t understand. It was cute the first time it appears, but it should have been limited to that one instance and then been replaced with a simple disclaimer. As an example of a bug, it had a sign that could not be read, even though it was obviously supposed to say something. 

Finally, this game is all about its puzzles, and a bit about its characters. The sex at the end is one paragraph. Period. Once you’ve read that one paragraph, the game ends. 

Scores: 

Concept: 5. This is a fairly good idea, and the puzzles are interesting enough that I didn’t really mind too much having to replay the game a bunch of time in order to win. 

Characters: 4.5. There is good consistency throughout for what the characters say and do, which is important for a game with multiple scenes between characters. 

Technical: 4.5. The game is a little buggy and could have given more detailed descriptions of things. 

Playability: 3.5. The glitches and lack of feedback as to whether we are getting close to solving Jennifer bring down this score. 

Hotness: 1. All build-up, no delivery. 

Enjoyment: 4. Considering the amount of time it took to figure out the puzzles, I consider the game a huge letdown. Still, it held my attention while I was doing it and it had more to offer than a bunch of other games. 

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