Lana Benton is desperately searching for answers when her friend Carole disappears. Despite the general consensus being that Carole has run away, Lana doesn\u2019t believe it and thinks there\u2019s something more sinister at play. As she begins investigating, Lana is thrust into a dark world where reality and fiction start to blur, and a nightmarish adventure unravels as she tries to solve the mystery of where Carole has gone.<\/p>\n
\u2018Bye Sweet Carole\u2019 from developer Little Sewing Machine is a game that immediately captures your attention thanks to the way it looks. Taking inspiration from classic Disney cartoons, the game features incredible design and beautifully realised characters. If you didn\u2019t know better, you would think that you were playing an actual Disney movie, but it doesn\u2019t take long before the world of game gets darker and darker. Combining point-and-click adventure with head-scratching puzzles and an injection of platform gaming, \u2018Bye Sweet Carole\u2019 is unlike anything else I\u2019ve played for quite some time.<\/p>\n
Starting off your adventure at Bunny Hall, the orphanage where Lana lives, the game is a little slow to get going but once it picks up pace, it\u2019s deeply engaging and addictive. Once you get to grips with the controls, and understand that the puzzles are going to be challenging, the game throws you an added bonus \u2013 Lana can transform into a rabbit. That means you have to decide which of Lana\u2019s forms is the best for completing the various puzzles of the game as you progress. Later on in the game, you can also control another character \u2013 the mysterious Mr. Baesie \u2013 who can separate his head from his body, providing another unique set of abilities that you have to consider during puzzles.<\/p>\n
One of the strongest aspects of the game, aside from the visuals, is just how creepy it is. There are plenty of intense moments over the course of the game where Lana has to evade ghoulish characters at Bunny Hall. One chapter sees her trying to turn on various electricity generators to solve puzzles and advance through the game, while a very scary looking cook is on her tail. Lana can hide in cupboards and crevices, or transform to her bunny form to hide under tables, all with the hopes of evading capture.<\/p>\n
Many of the puzzles require Lana to scavenge her environments and collect items. You have to keep your eyes peeled at all times as the items can be easy to miss, and you have to think carefully about how you might be able to use them. I\u2019ll admit there were plenty of times where I had to revisit areas and think logically, and it\u2019s not the easiest of the games to work your way through. Each of the chapters provides plenty of challenges and puzzles, which amounts to a fairly meaty duration to get from start to finish.<\/p>\n
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Adding to the overall gaming experience are the gorgeous cut-scenes. Weird and fantastical, and at times bringing \u2018Alice in Wonderland\u2019 to mind, they really flesh out Lana\u2019s world and draw you further into the game. I\u2019d be surprised if a film or TV series to accompany the game isn\u2019t already in the works as it would really lend itself to those mediums.<\/p>\n
For the best experience, you should pair a game controller with your PC. While the game can be played using a keyboard, it\u2019s much more enjoyable if you use a game controller. It makes navigating the world Lana finds herself much easier and it gives you a console feel on a PC game. I found the control system pretty simple to get my head around and despite a few niggling moments \u2013 for example getting up and down stairs can be a bit fiddly \u2013 I didn\u2019t encounter many issues.<\/p>\n
\u2018Bye Sweet Carole\u2019 is an ambitious game and one that more than delivers on its aesthetic promise. Perfect for point-and-click fans, and those who love animated films, the game is something truly special. It perfectly balances light and darkness to provide a cinematic and enveloping experience, and while it might be a little too scary for younger gamers, it\u2019ll be a hit with teenagers and adults.<\/p>\n