Summary
- Release Year: 2012
- Genres: Adventure, Indie, Puzzle
- Platforms: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Brawsome
- Publishers: Brawsome
MacGuffin’s Curse: A Hilarious and Challenging Comedy-Puzzle-Adventure
MacGuffin’s Curse is a 2012 comedy-puzzle-adventure game developed by American studio House of Monkey. The game follows the story of Lucas MacGuffin, a magician-turned-thief who bungles a museum robbery and finds himself magically bound to an ancient amulet. Now dealing with the worst body hair problems he’s ever had, Lucas must transform between human and werewolf forms to sneak and smash his way through a city in full high-tech security lockdown.
The game was praised for its hilarious dialogue, charming hand-drawn art, and clever puzzles. It won the Freeplay Award for Best Game Writing and was nominated for several other awards, including the IGF Award for Excellence in Narrative.
Gameplay
MacGuffin’s Curse is a 2D side-scrolling adventure game. The player controls Lucas as he explores the city, solves puzzles, and fights enemies. Lucas can transform between human and werewolf forms at any time. Each form has its own unique abilities.
- Human Lucas is agile and cunning. He can sneak past enemies, pick locks, and use items to solve puzzles.
- Wolf Lucas is strong and powerful. He can smash through obstacles, fight enemies head-on, and use his enhanced senses to track down hidden objects.
The player must use both forms of Lucas to progress through the game. For example, Lucas may need to use his human form to sneak past a guard, then transform into his wolf form to smash through a wall.
Story
MacGuffin’s Curse follows the story of Lucas MacGuffin, a magician-turned-thief who bungles a museum robbery and finds himself magically bound to an ancient amulet. Now dealing with the worst body hair problems he’s ever had, Lucas must transform between human and werewolf forms to sneak and smash his way through a city in full high-tech security lockdown.
Along the way, Lucas will need to befriend a hilarious cast of characters, convince the city its most beloved citizen is a terrifying criminal mastermind, and hardest of all, teach his daughter it isn’t funny to fill the fridge with dog food.
Characters
- Lucas MacGuffin: A magician-turned-thief who is now cursed with lycanthropy. Lucas is a charming and resourceful rogue, but he’s also prone to making bad decisions.
- Delores MacGuffin: Lucas’s estranged wife. Delores is a brilliant scientist who is determined to help Lucas break his curse.
- Fang: A talking dog who is Lucas’s loyal companion. Fang is always there to help Lucas out of trouble, even if he doesn’t always understand what’s going on.
- Inspector Gumshoe: A jaded private investigator who is on Lucas’s tail. Gumshoe is a tough and cynical cop, but he’s also fair-minded and has a soft spot for animals.
- Mr. Big: The city’s most powerful billionaire. Mr. Big is a ruthless and ambitious man who is determined to get his hands on the ancient amulet that Lucas is wearing.
Setting
MacGuffin’s Curse is set in a fictional city that is in full high-tech security lockdown. The city is a labyrinth of towering skyscrapers, neon lights, and surveillance cameras. Lucas must use his wits and agility to navigate the city and avoid detection.
Themes
MacGuffin’s Curse explores themes of identity, family, and redemption. Lucas is a man who is struggling to come to terms with his new life as a werewolf. He must learn to accept himself and his new abilities, and to use them for good.
Reception
MacGuffin’s Curse was praised by critics for its hilarious dialogue, charming hand-drawn art, and clever puzzles. The game won the Freeplay Award for Best Game Writing and was nominated for several other awards, including the IGF Award for Excellence in Narrative.
Legacy
MacGuffin’s Curse is a critically acclaimed comedy-puzzle-adventure game that has left a lasting legacy on the gaming industry. The game’s unique blend of humor, puzzles, and action has inspired many other games, and its characters and story continue to be enjoyed by gamers around the world.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
