QCF: Nescape

hen most think of the NES, they'll likely imagine platformers, side-scrollers and turn-based RPGs. Nintendo's premier console did, after all, introduce us to the very roots of these genres as we know them today while also restoring our faith in video games as a whole after the 1980s game crash.

Some titles, however, were more experimental than others – more specifically, those of the point-and-click genre. Two that immediately come to mine are the console ports of King's Quest V and Shadowgate, in addition to Manic Mansion from Lucasfilm Games.

One could consider NEScape! a faithful ode to any of these titles now available in the Nintendo Switch and Xbox Live libraries, albeit with a much more docile feel. In short, it truly is an "escape room" for the NES.

NEScape! launched back in 2019 as part of a Kickstarter campaign to create a complete physical edition with box, instructions and all. The digital release for the Nintendo Switch and Xbox Live comes about thanks to 8-Bit Legit, which specializes in recreating retro experiences for modern consoles.

So the objective sounds straightforward enough: solve the puzzles within the allotted one-hour time to, you guessed it, escape. Failure to do so will boot you right back to the start screen (a creative lock-based puzzle within itself), but that's the beauty of memory games: the more you complete these challenges, the faster you'll progress over time.

First thoughts of this experience might take one back to the NES port of Shadowgate, but that comparison wouldn't be entirely accurate – there's no text in NEScape!, for one. In playing as a "virtual escape room," it allows for a more in-depth experience as opposed to relying on textual cues. Some players might find this a bit more frustrating, but it honestly feels very intentional and, for a lack of better words, all in good fun.

Puzzles range from basic lockboxes, latches and visual cues to more creative uses of appliances such as a clock and a piano that require a bit more attention. In some cases, these brain teasers can feel like mini (if not "micro") games in themselves, with some being better than others. The slide puzzle, for instance, is among the most engaging, though it may be a bit more frustrating to have to repeat upon secondary attempts.

Controlling the cursor and making selections works well, though it can take some getting used to. I'd be lying if I said the controls were seamless, though there's nothing that really breaks the game or shatters the experience. Still, I can't help but wonder if this truly does work best on the NES itself as opposed to the joystick and d-pad on more modern consoles. (Fun fact: they even found a way to make the damn Mario Paint SNES mouse work with the cart on the NES.)

With a handful of tricky yet creatively entertaining puzzles, visual riddles and nostalgia-packed sound effects, NEScape! is a solid buy and nifty addition to any retro fan's library. Players more used to tutorials and immediate instructions may find it a bit more frustrating to get into, but fans of the NES, point-and-click genre and a healthy dose of nostalgia will find the $4.99 digital price well justified.