Penrose
Review

Penrose (2020) is a text adventure, where you don't only read the story and choose its next step, but can go back into the text to change it in all sorts of mind-bending ways. As the developer describes it, "Penrose is a non-linear narrative adventure game about time, choice, and the nature of obsession."

It starts as a story about descending into an unknown building. But then you notice that some words are highlighted. You can select these and choose to change the word. For example, you find a generator in the building. But you can change the text so that it is either on or off. One word means there is no light while the other word means there will be. But if you change the word to on, there are also then alarm systems you have to navigate later in the text.

This tweaking of the text is a bit like pulling at a frayed edge of a tapestry. You pull at it, not realising what unintended consequences it might lead to. As the story unravels before you, you are led back and forth through the text in unexpected and interrelated ways.

You also get to see the same event from a different perspective of each character. This adds more layers to consider when changing key elements of the text. It also offers more insight into what is really going on in the story as you hear their differing inner monologues.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Penrose 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Rich Adams and updated 5 months ago.