“I say, old chap, might you have a bit of pie? “
“Alas, dear friend, I had some, but I finished it not a moment ago with a spot of tea!”
“Not to worry, dear sir. *pop* *pop* Pie for all!”
Welcome to the world of P.B. Winterbottom, time exploiter and pie enthusiast. The game comes from students in USC’s Interactive Media Unit, and is similar to Braid with a twist of Edward Gorey.
Life was simple for our silent film antagonist until he chanced to purloin a Cherry Chronoberry pie. Instantly, Winterbottom’s world turned upside-down. And inside-out. And a sort of side-by-side through thing he hasn’t quite worked out yet. Not content with Braid-like “shadows” and time reversal, these (now graduated) USC students have designed a game where you can play both the hero and the villain, and be in up to six places at once besides.
The art style is a nod to both Victoriana and silent films, with, as I mentioned, an Edward Gorey cartoon twist. The music follows suit, so prepare to fire up the old Victrola and go to town as you listen to ragtime piano and read 1920’s-era title screens to narrate the action. The score is dynamic, sort of like Rez, where the soundscape changes and broadens bas the story unfolds.
IGN somehow lists The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom as both released and unreleased, so I can’t say when everyone will get the chance to play. For more information as it is available you can visit the game website at Winterbottomgame.com. In the meantime, enjoy the trailers and “making of” video below.
Trailer #1.
Trailer #2.
The Making of Winterbottom.
Playing With My Weiner 