What’s Plotting?
In Plot of the Druid, you step into the boots of Jase, a druid apprentice at a most esteemed druid academy. Does he care about its prestige? Nope - he’s itching to graduate, wield real druid magic, shapeshift at will, and get filthy rich and famous. But you see, Jase is kind of a jerk - on the eve of his final exams, he breaks into the dean’s office to cheat his way to graduation. Inevitably, he’s caught - but also metaphorically caught up in events that just might reshape the world.
This whimsical tale, laced with sarcastic British-tinged humor, unfolds through classic gaming point-and-click mechanics: simply move your cursor, click, and interact. It’s a pretty straightforward genre, but you can still choose the Master of Disaster difficulty instead of Young Apprentice, if you want a little more puzzle challenge.
Currently, the Prologue and Chapter 1 deliver about 2–3 hours of gameplay. If Chapters 2 and 3 follow suit, you’re in for 6–9 hours of hand-drawn, fully voiced original adventure packed with clever humor and charm.
It’s worth noting I didn’t encounter any technical bugs during my playthrough (besides the mosquito Jase can turn into at some point) - always a big plus for an indie game still in Early Access.
I heartily recommend Plot of the Druid - with caveats - for its witty writing, magical music, and potent nostalgia power. Allow me to elaborate:
Pros of the Plot
I don’t feel like I need to say again that I enjoyed the writing - the tongue-in-cheek dialogue checks every genre mark that makes a classic adventure game a delight. I laughed at the jokes, followed the plot effortlessly, and stayed generally invested in Jase’s misadventures.
Despite some voice actors doubling up on roles (such are the constraints of indie games), each NPC feels unique with a distinct personality. Clever character designs reinforce that - there’s not a single “plain” face in the crowd. Everyone sports their shtick of a whimsical design choice.
The music deserves a shout-out, too. Composed by the same person who made and scored Moduwar (which I reviewed recently), the soundtrack fits the different scenes and situations Jase finds himself in, and is seamlessly integrated.
And finally, the nostalgia factor is where Plot of the Druid truly shines. It could’ve easily been a blockbuster in the mid-’90s alongside Day of the Tentacle, King’s Quest, and Monkey Island. Fate delivered it three decades late, but the game still deserves the love it would’ve earned back in that era.
Even better, Plot of the Druid is subtitled in no less than eight(!) other languages, so veteran adventure gamers from literally all over the world can introduce this whimsical world to a new generation. I don’t have kids (yet), but I’m already looking forward to playing Plot of the Druid with my future daughter - who’s still cooking in my wife’s belly - since it’s also available in my native tongue. I still remember the seven-year-old me, wide-eyed at The Pink Panther: Hokus Pokus Pink, all because a localized translation made that magic possible.
Where the Plot is a Bit Lost
Even with my overall recommendation intact, I owe you a few caveats - a review isn’t a review otherwise, isn’t it?
Let’s talk about the art style. Coming from a 2D illustration and animation background, I know how difficult it is to put so much effort behind every hand-drawn frame. The illustrations you see in Plot of the Druid are no small feat, let me tell you that. That said, each scene is rendered with the same detailed degree, and the result feels visually cluttered.
It’s not so different from other games in the genre, but if I compare that to more recent 2D adventures, it leaves me wanting more. Take the Deponia series (2012–2016), for example, where frame composition and color grading guide your eye easily. Plot of the Druid leans into the roots of its ‘90s counterparts, and while that nostalgia tugged at my heartstrings, a bit more modern polish in layout and color contrast would go a long way.
Audio buffs might also raise an eyebrow at the recording quality. Dialogue can sound grainy and a touch flat - enough to notice, though not enough to drown out the game’s witty writing.
I know it’s a bit unfair to measure a solo developer’s passion project against big-budget studios. Producing high-quality art and audio is expensive, and I salute the man’s drive to bring his stories and ideas to the forefront despite working with an indie-sized budget. Even with these rough edges, I’ve genuinely enjoyed my time in Plot of the Druid.
Your Next Adventure Awaits
Plot of the Druid is a charming, quirky throwback that wears its ‘90s influences proudly on its robe sleeves. The witty writing, well-delivered voice acting, solid soundtrack, and whimsical world make it an easy recommendation for fans of classic point-and-click adventures.
Yes, the visuals are busy at times and the audio recording quality may raise an audiophile’s eyebrow, but these are forgivable quirks - especially when you remember this is a labor of love from a solo developer who raised the resources and manpower to fulfill his vision on his own.
If you’re someone who misses the golden age of adventure games, wants to support indie passion projects, or simply loves a good laugh when you’re gaming, then give Plot of the Druid a click. I know I’ll be there when Chapters 2 and 3 arrive - hopefully with my little one sitting beside me in the future, giggling at a talking animal or two.
