A few months before its release on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC, we were able to get our hands on a demo version of Tintin Reporter – Cigars of the Pharaoh.
We were able to discover several types of gameplay during this session. First, an investigation phase. In the latter, Tintin is in the office of Sergeant Ibn Abou Behkr (when he is forcibly enrolled in the Egyptian army). The objective is to find where the soldier’s treasure is hidden. For this we must inspect the room, examine the clues and solve two puzzles. The difficulty seemed rather reasonable to us, without frustration, making us appreciate this sequence.
Then, we were offered a flight phase at the controls of a plane twirling in a canyon. The movements were quite surprising at first, but the control of the device is finally taken quite quickly in hand. The structure of the level seemed successful to us and we appreciated the little stagings that add spice to the action.
In a very different setting, the next demo phase focused on infiltration. Located in the hold of a boat, the goal is to get to point B without being spotted by patrolling guards. With the impossibility of knocking them down or getting rid of them, the only way to progress is to not be seen. This part was sometimes complicated, the fault of an AI sometimes blind, sometimes endowed with a vision to make Superman pale as well as hiding places badly indicated. We shared these remarks with the member of the Microids team who accompanied us, he told us that these points were already being improved.
Last type of gameplay offered, a sequence in which we pursue a newspaper on the deck of a boat and on which it will be necessary to pass a sequence of QTEs. This part lacked a bit of stability, but nothing too dramatic.
According to our interlocutor, the goal of the studio was to succeed in respecting the original material and to add as much variety as possible, so as not to tire the player. A bet which, based on what we have seen, seems successful and which will have to be confirmed on the full game.
In terms of content, if the game will take up the entire story of the comic strip, it will also offer additional narrative elements to enrich the lore of the universe. Hergé’s work is also respected with an artistic direction faithful to the original drawings, even if the character of Tintin represented quite young may displease some people. Important precision, the game will have a full French dubbing and it is the actor Benjamin Bollen who will lend his voice to Tintin, just like in Spielberg’s film.
This demo delighted us, we hope that the few problems identified will be corrected, but we look forward to seeing the young reporter next November. As a reminder, Tintin Reporter – Cigars of the Pharaoh will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC.
