Home Game Reviews Thimbleweed Park: The Body is Starting to Pixelate

Thimbleweed Park: The Body is Starting to Pixelate

Thimbleweed Park Point-and-click Game Review

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Thimbleweed Park Town sign with bullet hole
Thimbleweed Park Town sign with bullet hole

Title: Thimbleweed Park
Type of Game: Adventure, Point-and-Click
Developer: Terrible Toybox
Publisher: Terrible Toybox
Released: March 30, 2017
Platforms Available: PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Platform Reviewed: PC
Level of Maturity: Teen 13+
Reading Time: 6 minutes

Pixel Nostalgia Meets Modern Mobile

Firing up Thimbleweed Park on my phone, I couldn’t help but grin. As a guy who’s been point-and-clicking since floppy disks were a thing, I was curious to see how this deliberately retro game would hold up not just on mobile but on PC, Playstation Xbox, Nintendo and Mac same time!

The Bold Retro Aesthetic

Let’s get this out of the way: Thimbleweed Park looks old. Really old. We’re talking “EGA graphics from 1987” old. It’s a bold choice, especially considering some of the gorgeous adventure games that have come out in recent years. Games like Grim Fandango, Broken Sword, or even the later Monkey Island entries showed how the genre could evolve visually while keeping its puzzle-solving soul.

But you know what? The ultra-retro look works. It’s not just nostalgia – though there’s plenty of that. The pixel art is sharp, detailed, and surprisingly expressive. Plus, it runs smooth as butter on mobile, which is a big plus in my book.

Quirky Characters and Clever Writing

The game follows five quirky characters as they stumble through a murder mystery in the oddball town of Thimbleweed Park. The writing is clever, with plenty of fourth-wall-breaking jokes and pop culture references that had me chuckling.

Brain-Teasing Puzzles in Your Pocket

Puzzle-wise, Thimbleweed Park doesn’t pull its punches. If you picked “hard” mode like I did, be prepared for some serious head-scratchers. The multi-character gameplay adds layers to the puzzles that I really dug. Switching between characters felt natural on the touchscreen, making it easy to try out different solutions.Speaking of touchscreens, this game feels right at home on mobile. The point-and-click interface that once needed a mouse now works perfectly with taps and swipes. I found myself pulling out my phone for quick puzzle-solving sessions during lunch breaks or while waiting for the bus.

Old-School Charm, Modern Sensibilities

What really struck me about Thimbleweed Park is how it captures the spirit of classic adventure games while making smart concessions to modern gaming. The hint system, disguised as an in-game phone hotline, is genius. It preserves the challenge for stubborn old-schoolers like me while preventing casual players from getting permanently stuck.For all its retro trappings, Thimbleweed Park feels fresh. It’s not just imitating the past; it’s building on it. The developers, Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick, clearly know their stuff. They’ve taken lessons learned from decades of game design and applied them here, resulting in an experience that’s both familiar and new.

The Verdict: A Pixel-Perfect Adventure for the Modern Age

Is it perfect? Nah. Some jokes fall flat, and occasionally, the puzzles cross the line from challenging to frustrating. The ultra-retro graphics might be a turn-off for some players, especially those used to more visually rich adventure games. But for me, Thimbleweed Park hits a sweet spot. It’s a game that respects its roots while embracing the convenience of modern mobile gaming. It’s the kind of game I can lose myself in for hours or play in short bursts, perfect for my not-as-much-free-time-as-I-used-to-have adult life.

If you’re an old-school adventure game fan, Thimbleweed Park is an easy recommendation. It’s like finding a lost LucasArts classic, but one that plays nice with your smartphone. And if you’re new to the genre? Well, prepare for a weird, wild, and wonderfully brain-teasing ride.In a mobile gaming landscape often dominated by quick-hit puzzlers and endless runners, Thimbleweed Park stands out. It’s a proper, meaty adventure game that just happens to fit in your pocket. Whether you’re a veteran pixel-hunter or a curious newcomer, it’s well worth your time.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a murder to solve and a cursed clown to deal with. These puzzles aren’t going to solve themselves!

Timbleweed Park Madam Morena Mistress of dark arts
Timbleweed Park Madam Morena mistress of dark arts

Where to Buy Thimbleweed Park

Steam (PC, Mac, Linux): Available for $19.99. You can purchase it directly from Steam.
Xbox Store (Xbox One): Available for $19.99. Check it out on the Xbox Store.
PlayStation Store (PS4): Available for $19.99. You can find it on the PlayStation Store.
Nintendo Shop (Switch): Available for $19.99. Purchase it from the Nintendo Shop.
App Store (iOS): Available for $9.99. Download it from the App Store.
Google Play (Android): Available for $9.99. Purchase it from Google Play.
Epic Games Store (PC): Available for $19.99. Purchase it from the Epic Games Store.
GOG (PC): Available for roughly $21. Purchase it from GOG.


Official Page: Visit the official Thimbleweed Park page for more information.
Subreddit: Join the discussion on the Thimbleweed Park Subreddit.

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