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ALFRED HITCHCOCK - VERTIGO (XSX)
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Publisher: Microids.
Developer: Pendulo Studios. Released: September 2022. Genre: Narrative Adventure. Other versions: XONE; PC; PS5; PS4; SWI. Posted 31st March 2025. By Shane Battams © 2025 |
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There have been many belated film-to-game adaptations over the years, but the six decades between Vertigo hitting theatres and Pendulo Studios releasing their reimagining on ninth-generation systems surely take first prize. After enduring bouts of financial instability followed by recovery, a partnership with Microids saw Pendulo cutting their teeth on licensed properties, firstly with Blacksad: Under the Skin and then Vertigo. While it’s a loose adaptation in every sense of the word, there is quite a bit to like here for fans of the famed director, though its successes are tempered by some issues.
Aside from showcasing a protagonist suffering from a fear of heights and a quick cameo by Alfred Hitchcock, Vertigo’s plot strays quite far from its source material. Ed Miller is a writer who suffers a car wreck. It proves a traumatic event, especially when Miller claims his wife and daughter were in the car with him, and the shock leaves him stuck at home and unstable. Called in to try to help is Julia Lomas, a psychiatrist who uses special techniques to attempt to aid Miller. But as we discover, things are not all they seem and the truth tells a very different story.
Pendulo's creative take on a cinema classic will appeal to some, though its story is more compelling than its gameplay
It's a dark, complex tale that tackles a variety of taboos, meaning some may find it uncomfortable at points. However, this feels somehow fitting, given that Hitchcock’s films regularly invoked controversial subjects. Vertigo takes a while to fire up, but a slew of impactful twists and logical moments feel like just reward for sticking with it. The atmosphere also feels fitting, thanks to the use of colour which highlights certain moments much like in the film. Camera angles highlight key moments, such as the sensation of vertigo and the unsettling modern setting that, at the same time, feels uncannily rustic. It adds up to a fun experience, especially for Hitchcock aficionados.
Vertigo’s gameplay apes modern adventure titles such as Telltale’s output. Outside of frequent cut-scenes, you can occasionally roam freely around environments and interact with key objects. Objectives mainly boil down to pixel-hunting, so the puzzling is lacking here. There are also a handful of moments where you delve into Miller’s memories for analysis, using a rewind and pause function to dissect certain aspects. But again, these are pretty basic. There are plenty of dialogue options and choices to make, but disappointingly, they don’t change the course of the narrative much, aside from one key plot thread. The game lasts between six and eight hours, which is a little brief, and some differing scenarios from choices may have helped that. Those wanting more involved adventuring like Pendulo’s Runaway games may find it disappointing, but the narrative is strong enough to keep more patient players invested.
Vertigo’s gameplay apes modern adventure titles such as Telltale’s output. Outside of frequent cut-scenes, you can occasionally roam freely around environments and interact with key objects. Objectives mainly boil down to pixel-hunting, so the puzzling is lacking here. There are also a handful of moments where you delve into Miller’s memories for analysis, using a rewind and pause function to dissect certain aspects. But again, these are pretty basic. There are plenty of dialogue options and choices to make, but disappointingly, they don’t change the course of the narrative much, aside from one key plot thread. The game lasts between six and eight hours, which is a little brief, and some differing scenarios from choices may have helped that. Those wanting more involved adventuring like Pendulo’s Runaway games may find it disappointing, but the narrative is strong enough to keep more patient players invested.
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The presentation proves a mixed bag. The visuals display a striking art style, as cartoon-styled characters mesh with more detailed environments for a striking look. When seen in the right light, it can look a treat, and really capture the imagination. Sadly, there are quite a few technical woes which dog the game. Lip syncing can drop out of sequence with the dialogue, leaving gums flapping with no words to be heard, stilted animations draw you out of the experience, bugs with lighting and blur respectively see the game looking either far too bright, or like the screen’s been smeared in Vaseline. Sharp performance drops are also noticeable when the game attempts 60fps.
Likewise, the sound also encompasses varying quality. The music proves the highlight, offering a plethora of tense and dramatic themes that add to the pivotal moments with gusto. Sound effects are mostly competent, but the voicing is where things get tricky. Some characters prove competently voiced, such as Julia Lomas and Sheriff Reyes who deliver believable performances. Others aren’t so fortunate. Ed Miller’s psychosis could be to blame, but his voice-over often displays wildly erratic tones and awkward, stiff delivery. Other supporting characters also struggle with wooden, stilted delivery that feels borderline unsettling. It’s a bit of a shame when the game is so story-driven.
Likewise, the sound also encompasses varying quality. The music proves the highlight, offering a plethora of tense and dramatic themes that add to the pivotal moments with gusto. Sound effects are mostly competent, but the voicing is where things get tricky. Some characters prove competently voiced, such as Julia Lomas and Sheriff Reyes who deliver believable performances. Others aren’t so fortunate. Ed Miller’s psychosis could be to blame, but his voice-over often displays wildly erratic tones and awkward, stiff delivery. Other supporting characters also struggle with wooden, stilted delivery that feels borderline unsettling. It’s a bit of a shame when the game is so story-driven.
So, does Alfred Hitchcock – Vertigo deliver on offering a belated tale worthy of such an iconic director’s filmography? The answer proves as complicated as the man’s legacy. This story-driven adventure game certainly delivers moments which feel in-canon with Hitchcock’s other films, and the strong story could prove compelling for fans of his work. On its own terms, the adventuring is solid, if lacking interactivity. However, it’s let down by technical woes, inconsistent presentation values and some questionable design choices. However, those wanting another adventure in the vein of Telltale or Life is Strange might still enjoy this a fair amount.
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VERDICT"Vertigo offers a belated retelling that feels faithful to Hitchcock’s style. It offers some solid adventuring on its own terms, but is let down by technical woes, a lack of interactivity and inconsistent presentation." OVERALL: 6/10 |
OTHER UNUSUAL FILM ADAPTATIONS REVIEWED
Ecks vs. Sever (2001, Game Boy Advance)
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GoldenEye 007 (2010, DS)
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