Dexter Stardust: Adventures In Outer Space | Nintendo Switch Review

If you're old enough, like I am, you might know of old TV shows like Buck Rogers. You might also know of a gaming genre known as point & click adventures which were made popular by the likes of studios such as LucasArts. Through games like Monkey Island. If you're not aware of the existence of these things though be prepared to be educated through my review of "Dexter Stardust: Adventures In Outer Space". A game that embodies both the 60's era sci-fi TV series, and the point & click video game adventures of yesteryear ...

Dexter Stardust, and his adventures in outer space span several chapters which are included in this ten dollar package deal. Each episode, much like the TV series that inspired it, are titled and numbered with their own stories and plot twists. Each following the goings on between space courier Dexter Stardust, and his female co-pilot Aurora. Both of whom are survivors of humanity's near extinction at the hands of an alien species known as the Vreesians. Inhabitants of Planet X who wiped out Planet Earth, and left Dexter fatherless and in the care of his business minded uncle Jedo. 

While Dexter's current life situation has him as a courier peddling dashboard hula girls for cash, and a lover of tacos he always seems to find himself in a puzzling predicament on route to delivering the goods. Often times with a surprising lack of awareness. It is here, in the many spacefaring encounters, that the pointing and clicking comes in handy as it allows Dexter and company to interact with both the planetary environments they find themselves in, the objects that are strewn about, and the characters of interest. All of which forwards the plot through five episodic adventures that are tied together, universally, but distinctly different in content and style.

For ten dollars, or a cent less, you get five connecting stories that tell of the origin of Dexter Stardust, and his role as the unknowing savior of the universe. This includes episodes 0-4. Each of which comes with a title, and full-on voice overs complimented by subtitles. The Spanish speaking, and taco loving hero of these tales alongside his partner Aurora will tend to their uncle Jedo's delivery requests while simultaneously being drawn into a series of events that will see Dexter take on his role as the universe's hero. At his disposal are four sleuthing functions that allows him to interact with items, instruments, and characters as he carries on an ongoing dialogue centered around him. He has the ability to pick up key items, interact with gadgets & gizmos, chat with characters, and investigate things. Some of these functions act as means to solve puzzles, and others to flesh out the lore. All of said functions operate with the blend of menu access, and a point & click cursor that can be used to direct Dexter to do what needs to be done in order to progress.

Progression in each episode depends wholly on the episode's story elements, length, and puzzles. These three pacing standards are displayed below the menu listing of each episode's poster art. To begin with the puzzles are easy, and the story content brief. It allows you to get comfortable with the controls as Dexter' is slowly brought into the spotlight. From episode 0 to episode 4 the puzzles, and plots ramp up though. Making Dexter have to piece together more intricate interactive elements that include key items and characters. Sometimes dealing with simple character chats, and at other times multiple choice questions which will tie into the items Dexter picks up along the way. That, and putting together useful combinations of items that unblock further progress.

Visually, and audibly "Dexter Stardust: Adventures In Outer Space" is a charming and comical take on 60's sci-fi shows. It features a colorful style of cartoonish animation with sometimes pseudo-realistic representations of characters. The game is fully voice acted with decent voice-overs that give personality to the characters they are assigned to. There's even quirky episodic music from start to finish adding to the game's lighthearted nature. Compared to it's inspiration it holds up fairly well. Definitely a proper homage to those inspiring forms of old fashioned entertainment.

The Verdict ...

If you like old sci-fi shows, and are into the point & click style of gameplay you'll definitely get your money's worth with "Dexter Stardust: Adventures In Outer Space". It's a competent, and comedic collection of out of this world episodes that are carried well by Dexter's curiosity, and clumsiness. Dexter, in particular, shines as the character he is, and is brought to life in a believable manner through his voice actor. Other supporting cast do fine, but it is Dexter who is the true star of this Spacefaring story. His love for tacos, and penchant for puzzle solving really add to his personality. He is a "Space Balls" parody character come to life. 

In regards to console functionality the game holds it's own. It's nothing overly complicated, and has the menu system components easily accessible through the Switch's shoulder buttons. Interactions are kept mainly to the four face buttons, and the thumbsticks. Showcased by onscreen icons and a cursor that each indicates their purpose. The cursor, in particular, makes finding things easy as it highlights the names of items, characters, and set pieces as the cursor is moved over them.

As far as a verdict is concerned I feel Dexter's adventures are good enough to buy into at the ten dollar pricing. It's a small game in comparison to some, but it has a lot of heart. You can tell the amount of caring that went into designing each, and every part of the experience. From the mechanics to the fleshing out of characters, and even the story elements it all comes together quite nicely. In fact I think it outdoes some of the similar genre experiences in it's use of naturally applied cultural nods. I've personally not seen any Spanish focused space adventures in my lifetime, not that I can remember. For all that I think it deserves a recommendation. If you've got ten dollars to spare give it a shot. You might just like what you find!