Richard & Alice

Richard & Alice is an independent point-and-click adventure game developed and published by Owl Cave. It was released digitally for Microsoft Windows via Desura, GOG.com and IndieCity on 21 February 2013.

The game tells the story of two eponymous characters, who for much of the game are in an unusual prison which provides its inmates with leather sofas and televisions. The game is set in an unspecified future period in which unexpected weather systems have led to half the planet being covered with snow and ice, an event for which governments were not prepared. This led to the downfall of society. Players alternate between the present day prison environment, where Richard is the playable character, and a series of flashbacks in which Alice is the playable character.

The game’s story is told through a series of dialogue-driven scenes, with occasional puzzles to solve. The puzzles are not particularly difficult, but they do require some thought and exploration. The game’s atmosphere is one of isolation and despair, and the story is both touching and thought-provoking.

Richard & Alice received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its story, atmosphere, and characters. It was nominated for the Independent Games Festival’s Seumas McNally Grand Prize in 2013.

If you’re looking for a well-written and atmospheric point-and-click adventure game, then Richard & Alice is definitely worth checking out. It’s a short game, but it’s a memorable one.

Here are some reviews of the game:

• “Incredibly moving… A poignant, well-told tale, exploring themes of hope, despair and morality. And that’s not a thing you can say about enough games.” – Rock Paper Shotgun
• “A quietly powerful tale about parenthood and survival in a frozen world.” – PC Gamer
• “A game like this lives on the quality of its script, and Denby and Raze have written a tender, human story.” – The Escapist

If you’re interested in playing Richard & Alice, you can purchase it on Steam, GOG.com, or IndieCity.