Hoodwink Preview

Tell me about a videogame character who’s a thief with a smart mouth but a heart of gold, and my attention will wander almost immediately. Tell me that he’s on the run from suicidal, chocolate-loving cyborgs and a vicious killer plant, and my attention will return almost as quickly. And that’s what we seem to have with Hoodwink, an upcoming PC adventure that will hopefully have a lot more of the latter than the former.

Follow a lovable rogue on the run in a crumbling future dystopia

Set in the future city of Global-1, Hoodwink looks like it could be a fairly conventional take on the whole “man against The Man” thing, but for the promise of a bizarre cast of supporting characters and antagonists that will populate the game. In the wake of a troublesome heist, Michael Bezzle is on the run from “all-powerful governing forces,” and must navigate the streets of the city and interact with its residents in order to stay ahead of his pursuers – like the aforementioned cyborgs and murderous plant – and stay alive.

Amir Irwan, executive producer at Kuala Lumpur-based developer E-One Studio, said Hoodwink is “a return to the classic gaming genre,” and described the lead character as “just an average Joe seemingly powerless against forces much larger than him. Fulfilling dreams and surviving against the odds are human elements that resonate with us and it is these elements that help to create a memorable gaming experience.”

Adding to the intrigue are the screens that have been released thus far, which look absolutely fantastic and reveal a unique, hand-painted visual style and what appears to be an anthropomorphic cheetah in a fedora and trenchcoat. It will also feature the work of composer Leon Willett, who created the music for the award-winning 2006 game Dreamfall: The Longest Journey. And that’s what makes it a game to watch: In spite of a lead character who sounds like a tired TV trope, other elements of the game are absolutely fascinating.

Hoodwink will arrive on the PC at the end of June.

Reviews
July 11, 2012
Hoodwink Review
By Mike Bellmore
Someone took this game out of the oven before it was done, which is a shame because it had potential. Hoodwink is a point and click adventure that tells the story of a professional thief -- or, as he calls himself, an acquisitions expert -- who steals a diamond ring in order to propose to his bride to be. Later in the game he also calls himself an unlicensed maniac, which is probably a more apt description.
Upcoming
September 21, 2007
Diner Dash: Hometown Hero Preview
By Joel Brodie
Diner Dash: Hometown Hero is Out! We are working on our review and strategy guide, but you can download a free trial of the game here.The greatest irony of being the man behind Gamezebo is that in the year and half since our launch, I personally have not written one preview or review of any game. My brilliant staff of writers has the privilege of writing reviews and previews for you. But when PlayFirst, creators of the popular Diner Dash series, gave me the opportunity to stop by their offices in downtown San Francisco today for a sneak peak of their upcoming game, Diner Dash: Hometown Hero and write a preview, I had to oblige.

Andy Chalk

Long-time PC gamer and shorter-time freelance writer, with work at Gamezebo, The Escapist, PC Gamer, Joystiq and parts unknown. Owner of many cats, drinker of fine beers, eater of too much. A steadfast javelin in a flaccid world.