When Edna wakes up, she has no memories of her past. And though she hasn't the slightest idea how she ended up in a sanatorium cell, one thing is certain: She wants to get out of there! After all, she feels sane - and her talking plush bunny Harvey absolutely agrees. Together they make their escape and meet the weirdest inmates - from a man in a bee costume to the pseudo-siamese twins. But Dr. Marcel, the head of the sanatorium does everything in his power to stop Edna. What is his endgame? And why has her memory been wiped? Bit by bit, Edna remembers the time before the sanatorium...

Edna & Harvey: The Breakout was originally released in 2008 by German studio Daedalic Entertainment. It's original English language release received mixed to poor reviews, in the main because of its mediocre translation. This anniversary release has been given a bit of a makeover. The animation has been redrawn, while the game has also received an overhaul: high resolution, new technology, intuitive controls.

This is an adventure game where you must escape from your padded cell, and work out why you have been institutionalised in the first place. As you start to progress through the asylum, you slowly begin to piece together your shattered memories.

For the most part the gameplay works well. You start off trapped in you cell, with no objects to aid you, save for Harvey your bestest friend in the whole world, who also happens to be a wise-cracking stuffed toy rabbit. Areas and items of interest are clearly marked and you can interact with these in a variety of ways, from looking, talking, taking or moving them. And when you acquire objects or abilities these can be used on room items too.

So, the first challenge is getting out of the room... Save your energy, because you can't... not until you've spoken to the guard and found out enough information for Harvey to take you back through time to help you unlock a new ability. Unless you constantly think outside the box, you're going to have to go online and find a walkthrough to help you get past some of the difficult areas.

Most of the puzzles are straightforward, but some are not overly obvious. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that some are completely illogical. When you know what you want to do , and that action is pretty simple, the game leads you on a bit of a merry dance to get to your goal. On occasion it was simply a case of trying every combination, no matter how bizarre, that finally unlocks the puzzle.

The vocal acting is good, for the most part - Edna, in particular has just the right balance of childlike wonder and unhinged lunatic in waiting. And you do get caught up in the storyline. It's genuinely interesting to have Edna's past slowly revealed.

It's a fun, engaging adventure game... Just be prepared to get frustrated a little too often.

7

Darren Rea