Ebenezer and the Invisible World

Ebenezer and the Invisible World is a Metroidvania action game where players take on the role of a reformed Ebenezer Scrooge, venturing through Victorian London in a Christmas Eve adventure. After his famous redemption, Scrooge discovers he can perceive helpful spirits and must recruit these ghostly allies to gain new spectral abilities. These powers are essential for navigating intricate environments, solving puzzles, battling foes, and ultimately confronting a sinister new threat to the city during the holiday season. The game features a distinctive hand-drawn 2D art style inspired by Dickensian London.

Ebenezer and the Invisible World: Review

Introduction

Ebenezer and the Invisible World is a bold and ambitious Metroidvania that dares to expand upon Charles Dickens’ timeless tale, A Christmas Carol. Released in November 2023 by Play On Worlds and Orbit Studio, this game transports players into a Victorian London teeming with spectral intrigue and platforming challenges. While the game’s premise is undeniably intriguing—a reformed Ebenezer Scrooge battling malevolent forces—its execution is marred by technical issues and design flaws that prevent it from reaching its full potential. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, and its reception, ultimately assessing its place in the Metroidvania genre and video game history.

Development History & Context

Studio and Vision

Developed by Orbit Studio and published by Play On Worlds, Ebenezer and the Invisible World is the brainchild of a team that includes lead level designer Elton Lopes, art director Rodrigo Pascoal, and creative director Carlos Martin. The game was built using the Unity engine, which allowed for the creation of its hand-drawn, anime-inspired visuals. The team aimed to blend the rich literary heritage of A Christmas Carol with the dynamic gameplay of modern Metroidvania titles, creating a unique holiday-themed adventure.

Technological Constraints and Gaming Landscape

Released in 2023, Ebenezer and the Invisible World entered a gaming landscape dominated by high-profile Metroidvania titles like Hollow Knight and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The game’s development was likely influenced by the success of these titles, as well as the growing trend of indie developers drawing inspiration from classic literature. However, the game’s reliance on Unity and its indie budget constrained its ability to compete with larger, more polished titles. The resulting product is a visually appealing but technically flawed experience that struggles to stand out in a crowded genre.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Characters

The game’s narrative picks up a few years after the events of A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge, now a reformed philanthropist, is approached by the ghost of Eric Fellows, who seeks his help in stopping the industrialist Caspar Malthus. Malthus, inspired by a malevolent fourth spirit, has become a tyrannical figure in London, oppressing workers and wielding a powerful device. Scrooge, now able to see and interact with the deceased, embarks on a journey to save London from Malthus’ influence.

The game’s narrative is rich with Dickensian themes of redemption, social inequality, and the consequences of greed. However, the execution of these themes is often hampered by lengthy exposition and convoluted side quests. The game’s characters, including the repentant and unrepentant spirits, are well-designed and add depth to the world, but their stories are sometimes overshadowed by the game’s technical issues.

Dialogue and Themes

The dialogue in Ebenezer and the Invisible World is verbose, often requiring players to read through multiple lines of text to understand the backstories of the game’s characters. While this adds depth to the world, it can also feel tedious and disrupts the flow of gameplay. The game’s themes of redemption and social justice are well-executed, but they are sometimes overshadowed by the game’s technical flaws.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loops

The game follows the classic Metroidvania formula, with players exploring a non-linear world, acquiring new abilities, and unlocking previously inaccessible areas. Ebenezer’s arsenal includes a variety of canes and spirit weapons, each with unique properties. The game also features a spirit energy system, which allows players to use powerful abilities granted by friendly ghosts.

Combat and Character Progression

Combat in Ebenezer and the Invisible World is a mix of melee attacks and special abilities. Ebenezer’s cane attacks are quick but have limited range, while spirit weapons offer greater range and power but do not regenerate spirit energy. This creates an interesting dynamic where players must balance between using spirit weapons for damage and canes for energy regeneration.

The game’s progression system is tied to the collection of heirlooms and reagents, which can be used to upgrade Ebenezer’s health and spirit totals. However, this system is hampered by the game’s lack of clear markers for collectibles, leading to tedious backtracking and grinding.

User Interface and Controls

The game’s user interface is functional but lacks polish. The map is rudimentary and does not provide clear markers for collectibles or quest objectives. The controls are responsive, but the game’s camera can sometimes pull back too far, revealing the edges of the beautifully painted London skybox and disrupting immersion.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

The game’s setting is a Victorian London that blends the familiar with the fantastical. The city is filled with spectral enemies and repentant ghosts, each with their own tragic backstories. The game’s art style is hand-drawn and anime-inspired, creating a visually striking world that captures the essence of Dickens’ London.

Visual Direction

The game’s visuals are one of its strongest aspects. The hand-drawn animations and detailed character designs bring the game’s world to life. However, the game’s visuals are sometimes marred by technical issues, such as incomplete backgrounds and camera glitches.

Sound Design

The game’s soundtrack is festive and holiday-themed, but it can become repetitive over time. The sound effects are well-designed, adding to the game’s immersive atmosphere. However, the game’s audio design is sometimes overshadowed by its technical flaws.

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Ebenezer and the Invisible World received mixed reviews upon its release. Critics praised the game’s premise and visuals but criticized its technical issues and lack of innovation. The game’s Metascore on Metacritic is 65 for PC and 51 for Nintendo Switch, indicating a divided reception. The game’s commercial performance is unclear, but it has not achieved the same level of success as other Metroidvania titles.

Influence and Impact

Despite its flaws, Ebenezer and the Invisible World has had a minor impact on the Metroidvania genre. Its unique premise and holiday theme have sparked discussions about the potential for more literary adaptations in gaming. However, the game’s technical issues and lack of polish have limited its influence.

Conclusion

Ebenezer and the Invisible World is a game of contrasts. Its premise is intriguing, its visuals are stunning, and its narrative is rich with Dickensian themes. However, its execution is marred by technical issues, tedious gameplay mechanics, and a lack of innovation. While the game has its moments of brilliance, it ultimately falls short of being a standout title in the Metroidvania genre. Its place in video game history is likely to be that of a footnote—a game that dared to expand upon a classic tale but was held back by its own flaws. For fans of Metroidvania games and A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer and the Invisible World offers a unique experience, but it is one that is ultimately overshadowed by its technical shortcomings.