Sceal: An Irish Folklore Adventure Reviews

[b]> Be me > Hear about this game called Scéal on Steam > "Scéal" means "story" in Irish, so it's gotta be good, right? > Irish folklore, lost souls, and a Raven of the Dead – sounds like my kind of party > Download.exe > Boot up the game > Immersed in supernatural Irish awesomeness > Playing a lost soul with no memories, just like me after a night of heavy drinking > Meet Branna, the Raven of the Dead > She's like, "Yo, find your name, relive your memories, and I'll hook you up with the afterlife" > Challenge accepted.gif > Main gameplay involves painting stuff to progress the story > Channeling my inner Bob Ross > "Let's paint some happy little trees to unlock this quest!" > Day/night cycle with changing color palettes and music > It's like the game is on a mood swing, but in a good way > Become a spectral artist, transforming into an angel of light or a dark banshee > Repainting the world as I go, like I'm fixing someone else's terrible finger painting > Go from spreading happiness to despair and back again > I'm basically an emotional rollercoaster, but in game form > Unique visual style is like playing through a watercolor masterpiece > Branna's storybook world is more colorful than my Tinder matches > Distinctive and haunting soundtrack, sung in Irish > Collaborated with Irish folk singers – these folks know how to sing a soulful tune > Cries in Gaelic > Overall, Scéal is a hidden gem on Steam > 10/10 would paint my way through Irish folklore again > Branna, take me to the afterlife, but only if it's as cool as this game [/b] Title: "Borderlands Crew Reviews Scéal" [Scene: The Sanctuary III. Zane is sitting at the gaming console, surrounded by the rest of the Borderlands crew.] Zane: (grinning) Alright, mates, gather 'round! We're about to dive into this game called Scéal. Let's see if it's as grand as a pint of Guinness! Moze: (excited) About time we get a break from shooting things. I need some Irish folklore in my life. Gaige: (petting Iron Cub) And I'm curious if the game has any badass mini-mechas that talk, like Iron Cub here. Lilith: (leaning in) Just make sure it's not as explosive as Torgue's personality. Torgue: (excitedly) EXPLOSIONS?! WHERE?!? Iron Cub: (in Torgue's voice) EXPLOSIONS, BABY! LET'S BLOW THIS GAME UP! Tiny Tina: (mimicking Zane's accent) Oi, Zaney-boy! You sound like a leprechaun on a caffeine high! Zane: (chuckling) Can't help it, Tina. It's in the blood! ☘️ [The game starts, and Zane takes control.] Zane: (playing) Ah, lads and lasses, look at this gorgeous Irish landscape. It's like Pandora, but with less skag poo. Brick: (nodding) I like the idea of punching through quests instead of skulls for once. Tiny Tina: (mimicking Zane's accent) Oi, Zaney-boy! You sound like a leprechaun on a caffeine high! Zane: (chuckling) Can't help it, Tina. It's in the blood! ☘️ [Cut to Iron Cub, who starts mimicking Torgue.] Iron Cub: (in Torgue's voice) EXPLOSIONS, BABY! IRON BEAR READY TO BLOW STUFF UP! Torgue: (proud) That's my mini-mecha! Hell yeah! [Cut to Deathtrap, imitating Zane.] Deathtrap: (in Zane's accent) Top o' the mornin', mate! Ready for some craic! Zane: (laughing) You're a cheeky one, Deathtrap! 😄 [As Zane progresses through the game, the crew shares their thoughts.] Moxxi: (smirking) This game's got more turns than a swig of my finest brew. I love it! Timothy: (looking at Zane) Your clone's even more entertaining than you, Zane. No offense. Athena: (watching the scenes unfold) The story's captivating. Reminds me of the tales I used to hear. Janey: (cheerful) I dig the colors! It's like a rainbow exploded on Pandora. Nisha: (leaning back) If there were duels in this game, I'd be the queen of it. Maya: (appreciating the ambiance) The narrative is beautiful, just like the mystical Eridians. Claptrap: (excitedly) I'd give it 5 stars just for having a Claptrap DLC potential! Zed: (in his medical bay) If only this game had a health pack mechanic. I'd be all in! Scooter: (eager) Man, if they had customizable vehicles in here, it'd be the best game ever! Scooter's Voiceover (via Echo device): "Catch-a-ride through the Emerald Isle, y'all!" Zane: (commenting on the Irish folk song in the game) Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are callin'... Amara: (joining Zane) From glen to glen, and down the mountain side... [The crew starts singing together, creating a chaotic yet heartwarming chorus. The game continues, and Iron Cub keeps imitating Torgue, causing explosive noises in the virtual world.] Torgue: (laughing) This game's got Torgue's seal of approval! [Amidst the laughter, Zane pauses the game and smirks.] Zane: (winking) This game is InZane! It's got me feeling a bit Zaney, just like a night out with Janey Springs! The world can't handle the "Irish Springs"! 🤪 [The crew bursts into laughter, and the review ends with the Borderlands crew enjoying the Irish-flavored escapade in Scéal. [b] (Parody for the game Scéal) 🎶 I hear your quest in the glen 🌬️ And I hear you call out again 🗣️ "Listen, dear player," you say to me 🍀 "I am the guide of your Irish spree 😌 Fear not, come paint with glee 🎨 Answer my call, unlock each scene" 🌬️ I am the voice in the gentle breeze 📜 I am the voice of your stories with ease 🌿 I am the voice that echoes through the dales 🎨 I am the voice, unveiling ancient tales 🌬️ I am the voice in the magical refrain 🎨 I am the voice, painting landscapes plain 🍃 I am the voice in the meadows, green and wide 🌊 The whisper of legends in the ebbing tide 🌙 Ne'er do I rest, through the seasons I weave 🎭 I am the muse that your journey believes 📜 I am the voice of the lore that will unfold ✨ Filled with enchantment, and stories to be told 🔮 I am the voice of the future, unfold the page 🌌 Bring me your dreams, let the story engage 🌬️ I am the voice in the mist and morning dew 🎨 I am the voice, guiding footsteps true 🗺️ I am the voice that beckons you anew 🎨 I am the voice, bringing the world to view 📜 I am the voice in the past that lingers near 🎈 I am the voice of your hopes crystal clear 🔮 I am the voice of the future, a tale to tell 📜 I am the voice, where your adventures swell 🗣️ I am the voice 🗣️ I am the voice 🗣️ I am the voice 🗣️ I am the voice [/b]

An okay story set in Ireland with some lovely music, but not much else. Only recommended to people looking for an Irish story though I think there are better sources of Irish Folklore. Like the one about a giant killer otter.

Dia dhuit! Sceal (Gealic for "story") is a wonderful innocent game about Iona, a little girl, who goes on a quest to recover her last memories. You will find yourself painting certain buildings, listen to the wisdom of Branna the raven and help different villagers, including your in-game parents. At the end of Chapter 3, you will have to choose one out of three persons in order to end your story. PROS: - Different languages, including Gaelic! - Awesome soundtracks! - Village represented in both night and day, and different seasons; - Storybook with rising buildings; - Ouvert and intern symbols; - Losts of interpretations can come up from this game; - It almost feels like William Butler Yeats and William Faulkner mixed together; - Better try Windowed version first of all, because... CONS: - ... because my system is not good and it ran in slow-motion, but it was nice! - This is all for the cons. To sum it all, I think that people interested in nice simple stories from the children's point of view would be delighted to play this game. Remember: play it as innocent as a child! You will fall in love, first of all, with its soundtracks. They are instrumental and vocals. I hearby thank the developers for making such an amazing little story available to us and I want to see some more games like this!

This is a beautiful little game based on Irish folklore. The art and music are both absolutely delightful, and makes the game worthwhile. Play is quite simple - just using the cursor to move and paint - and the puzzle element is appropriate for most ages. For me, it was relaxing and meditative. Three separate endings give it a small amount of replayability, but I'll probably wait at least a few months before playing again. Thank you, Joint Custody team!!

Thank you it is one of the most beautiful, spiritual and poetic games I have ever played, so inspired, original, creative, artistic, truly wonderful! An unforgettable trip and so spiritual, truly spiritual, and that is very rare in games! I love the point 'n click 2D handmade, and the story was unique and touching! Make more types of these games please all the creators of the world, it's so rare, there are enough fashionable games for decades or there is only desperation, sordid , disaster, violence, horror games, sex, unhealthy, it's terrible that people only turn to that, their mind is perverted towards self destruction and hatred of themselves , we want dreams, contemplation, beauty, wonder, wit, awakening, we want to rise up and imagine a new world a thousand times more beautiful than this real world so sinister and in this society and civilization which loses its soul and its humanity always more! Thank you so much for this dream!

I'll be honest, this was very disappointing. There is almost no gameplay, which would be fine for a story game... but there's barely a story. I learned more about Ireland from playing "If Found" than I did this supposedly folkloric adventure. The soundtrack, while good, got repetitive very quickly. The map became drab quickly as well. And I have no idea how true to any folklore this actually is, unlike other games based on folklore, such as "Never Alone," which parades its receipts around so you know it's authentic. For this game, I have simply no idea. The game encourages you to go back and get more endings, but unfortunately you can't skip chapters to just redo the last one again, and I won't play the whole thing again just to see the other endings. It's also not clear how those very few decisions would even affect the ending, so I'm not even that curious. The visuals were very pretty, I can say that at least. Unfortunately however, most of this just felt like squandered opportunity.

Incredibly beautiful music and enchanting storybook artwork. I love the option of the possible three endings. I didn't want it to end. So much heart and soul written into this journey of a game. Very touching. My only complaint is that it's so very short. Would have loved to see more chapters or a saga of the story line continue. Go raibh maith agat as an scéal álainn.

I would give this 5/5 alone for being playable in Gaeilge and for the beautiful music, also all sung in Gaeilge. The art style is great and original too and I like how the text is written in the format of manuscript pages. The sad tone of the story combined with the Irish music reminded me of the film Song of the Sea. I encountered a few glitches where clicking on the next action just didn't work and I had to exit the game and go back in then it worked again. But for 5 euros I'm not going to take points away for that when Todd Howard games have similar problems and cost 10x more.

This is a lovely little game, which I would describe as more of an interactive storybook. The mechanics are quite simple: you guide a little spirit on her quest to find out who she is and what became of her. The real pleasures here are in the evocative visuals and especially in the beautiful Celtic music. It may be a short game, but I legitimately got a little choked up at some of the endings.

[u]This review was written in English and Russian in purpose to save your money and time.[/u] They claim Scéal is an adventure game but it’s rather a visual novel which looks like a movable book with pop-up pictures. [u]Story[/u] In Steam Joint Custody, the only game’s developer, concisely describes Scéal as being «steeped in supernatural Irish folklore». Scéal means “Story” in Irish language ( Gaelige or Gaelic) so Joint Custody tells you a story about a girl’s spirit who seeks to find her memories with the help of the raven named Branna. The game puts you in the shoes — or rather the soul — of a little girl who has no memories of her previous life. It’s a simple but interesting story but it’s so short that you can complete it less than two hours. The Irish folklore is represented in the game through some forms of the girl ghost (angel, banshee) and a mythical raven named Branna. [i]Brân the Blessed (Gaelic: Bendigeidfran or Brân Fendigaidd, literally "Blessed Crow") is a giant and king of Britain in Celtic mythology. He appears in several of the Welsh Triads, but his most significant role is in the Second Branch of the Mabinogi (Branwen ferch Llŷr). The name "Brân" in Gaelic is usually translated as crow or raven.[/i] [u]Gameplay[/u] In Scéal, there’s simple and symbolic mechanic: wherever a heart goes, the soul must follow. This becomes your method of movement in the game. Players pull an ethereal green heart around the map, and the floating soul chases it to the destination. You make the girl’s spirit float around a small island consists of two villages and paint some objects (buildings, stones, trees). As you can see the game is focused on its story rather than gameplay. This would be completely fine if the story really pulled you in but it doesn't manage to do this. [u]Graphics[/u] I liked the graphics of this game. Designed to resemble a storybook, Scéal’s pages are filled with pretty watercolor artwork. Upon opening the town map, ink spreads outward to complete the entire picture [u]Sound/Music[/u] The soundtrack of this game is what shines here because it tells the story more through its music. I enjoyed the Irish folk music here as it was high quality and definitely fit the game's tone. There’s an outstanding soundtrack featuring Irish folk singers such as Aislinn Duffy and Florence Glen. If you have an interest in Irish folk music (like me), you’ll like the Scéal’s soundtrack for sure. [u]Conclusion[/u] I ought to say Scéal is more of a narrative than a game and besides very short one. I do not recommend Scéal to anyone except those who are keen of Irish folk music. ________________________________________________________________________________ Scéal хочет быть приключенческой игрой, но это скорее визуальный роман, который выглядит как книга с подвижными частями - всплывающими иллюстрациями. [u]История[/u] В Стиме Джойнт Кастоди, являющийся единственным разработчиком игры, кратко описывает Scéal как «погружение в сверхъестественный ирландский фольклор». Scéal означает «История» на ирландском (гэльском) языке, так что Джойнт Кастоди рассказывает историю о духе девушки, которая стремится найти собственные воспоминания при помощи ворона Бранна. В игре вы оказываетесь в шкуре - или, скорее, в душе - маленькой девочки, у которой нет воспоминаний о ее предыдущей жизни. Это простая, но интересная история, правда настолько короткая, что вы можете завершить ее менее чем за два часа. Ирландский фольклор представлен в игре посредством различных форм девушки-призрака (ангел, банши) и мифического ворона по имени Бранна. [i]Бран Благословенный (по гэльски. Brân Fendigaidd, буквально «Благословенный Ворон») — король-гигант Британии в кельтской мифологии. Он появляется в нескольких ВалийскихТриадах, но самая существенная его роль относится к Второй Ветви Мабиногиона, «Бранвен, дочь Ллира» (Branwen ferch Llyr). Имя Бран в переводе с гэльского означает «ворона» или «ворон».[/i] [u]Игровой процесс[/u] В Scéal простая и символичная механика: туда, куда движется сердце, должна следовать и душа. Это будет вашим методом передвижения в игре. Игроки двигают эфирное зеленое сердце по карте, а парящая душа следует в указанное место. Вы двигаете парящий дух девушки по небольшому острову, состоящему из двух деревень, и рисуете (закрашиваете) некоторые предметы (здания, камни, деревья). Как видите, игра ориентирована на повествование (историю), а не на геймплей. Это было бы прекрасно, если бы история действительно затягивала, но ей это не удается. [u]Графика[/u] Мне понравилась графика этой игры. Страницы Scéal, разработанные, чтобы напоминать сборник рассказов, заполнены прелестными акварельными рисунками. Открывая карту города, чернила постепенно распространяются, чтобы дорисовать всю картину [u]Звук / Музыка[/u] Саундтрек к этой игре - блистателен, так как история рассказывается больше посредством музыки. Ирландская народная музыка в игре понравилась, поскольку она - высокого качества и определенно соответствовала игровому стилю. В записи этого выдающегося саундтрека поучаствовали такие исполнители ирландских народных песен как Айслинн Даффи и Флоренция Гленн. Если вы интересуетесь ирландской народной музыкой (как я, например), вам понравится саундтрек Scéal. [u]Вывод[/u] Должен сказать, что Scéal – это скорее рассказ, чем игра, и, кроме того, очень короткий. Я никому не рекомендую Scéal, за исключением тех, кому нравится ирландская народная музыка.