DS Critic Reviews

Theresia: Dear Emile does a great job of providing old school adventure elements with striking visuals, great sound and a breadcrumb approach to storytelling that will have you up far longer at night than you had planned, as you work to uncover more memories, or just see what's in the next room.

Theresia does feel like an "old" game, but the mature storyline and some interesting puzzles might make it appealing to adventure gamers. I think it was a design mistake to litter the game world with traps, discouraging exploration.

Though likely created on a shoestring budget, Theresia offers an interesting story, engaging gameplay, and a fine, cinematic presentation. But as is the case with most games of its kind, there’s little reason to come back for seconds.

So if you’re feeling nostalgic for the bygone days of Shadowgate, or simply like your content dark and deep and don’t mind slogging through a world of hurt to get to it, Theresia may just warrant a look.

Again, those with a mind for puzzles and pestilence may be able to stick with Theresia, but discerning adventure fans -- who at least like their games to move faster than a snail's pace -- can skip it with little shame.

The atmosphere of Theresia, as well as its convoluted story, just doesn't scare us, but instead makes us want to stop playing, or failing that, kill ourselves.