The Residents' Bad Day on the Midway

The Good
So your hamster's dead and your friend is laid up with a nail through his foot, why not go to the Carnival? At least you won't have to worry about plague-ridden rats, psychopathic butterfly collectors, or the IRS-- right?

Bad Day at the Midway is an interactive movie disguised as a game. You start off the game as Timmy, but every time you encounter another Midway denizen, you can click on them and play the game from their viewpoint. Every character has their own agenda and by switching characters you encounter different story arcs. For instance, solving the riddle of Coma Man might require playing the game through several times with each character providing another piece to the puzzle.

Speaking of puzzles, there really aren't any. But then again, this is an anti-game, so maybe there are.

Bad Day has many terrific animated sequences. Each major character has their own story, illustrated by a fine group of comic illustrators including Dave McKean (Sandman) and Paul Mavrides (Freak Brothers) and the attractions are memorably rendered as well-- "Torture's Top Ten" and "Kill A Commie Shooting Gallery" really stand out. Terrific music is provided by The Residents, who only marginally exist.

Bad Day on the Midway is a short game (maybe one-hour) but is intended for multiple replay. Several sources on the Internet have indicated that it is impossible to play the game the same way twice and there are multiple endings. Also, there is a sense that things are occurring around you independent of your actions. It isn't unusual to stumble upon characters in their death throes. Far from being a Myst-clone, Bad Day on the Midway is a truly original gaming experience.

The Bad
Although the game is intended for serious replay, some conversations are exactly the same so I wish there was a skip option. Also, while the voice work is largely very good, Timmy is annoying and Otto's voice is highly improbable. Subtitled dialogue would have been a great feature also.

While I really enjoyed playing this game (and replaying) I would have been disappointed paying full-price for this game.

The Bottom Line
This "game" is very experimental and definitely is not for everyone. It is a dark masterpiece with twisted characters attempting to escape the ruins of their lives. Or it's about little Timmy's day at the Carnival.