80 Days Review

Games based on novels are hardly a new occurrence. From old text adventures based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy books, to more modern examples such as the Metro and The Witcher series, games have taken inspiration from literature and adapted them into fun, interactive experiences. While certain Such is the case with 80 Days, a game based on the famous Jules Verne novel, Around the World in 80 Days, and transforms it into something fun, while staying true to the source material.

Built around the premise of the novel, 80 Days presents it in what is essentially a chose-your-own adventure mixed with Oregon Trail. The player assumes the role of Passpartout, the French valet for the story’s main character, Phileas Fogg, as they attempt to circumnavigate the world within 80 days in order to win a £20,000 bet (fun fact: that’s about $2,413,660 today). While traveling to different cities and locations, players can encounter various characters and events, which will have an impact on where their journey will take them next.

There is also a degree of micromanagement, where players must keep in mind how much money they have in order to afford travel and helpful items. While in a city, the player can visit the bank and withdraw funds. How many days it will take to withdraw the money depends on the amount, and since the player is limited to 80 in-game days, there is a level of risk/reward. Funds can also be acquired through events in the story, although these are dependent on which routes the player takes. In addition, Phileas Fogg’s wellness is displayed in the bottom right corner, and it must be maintained by providing food, certain clothes, and taking less dangerous routes.

Presentation wise, the game feels very much in keeping with the style of the original novel, both in setting and in tone. The visuals have a cartoonish charm to them, and the story is told in a way that feels as though it was written as a book, while offering different options that affect how the rest of the story unfolds. This helps keep the player involved in what is happening, while also giving them agency in how they wish to progress. The music also has a lively, adventurous tone to it, fitting with the excitement of traveling the world. Players can even see what routes other people are currently taking, which is a nice touch.

What makes 80 Days more than just an interactive retelling of the famous story is the amount of freedom the player has in completing their task. Rather than being forced to take the route the characters took in the novel, there is a plethora of choices available in deciding which location to travel to and how to get there. While the available routes are dependent on the player’s funds and whether or not they have discovered them throughout the story, there are still plenty of travel points to choose from, each with their own unique characters and scenarios. Having this degree of options is not only great in terms of freedom, but it also incentivizes multiple playthroughs in order to see everything the game has to offer.

With its unique take on a classic story as well as interesting gameplay options, 80 Days offers a fun mix of familiar elements, while still feeling fresh. The level of choice gives players a feeling of ownership over the story, and the different options make this well worth playing more than once. Even if you are completely unfamiliar with the source material, 80 Days stands out on its own, making it accessible to anyone.