Have You Played... Anachronox?

Have You Played? is an endless stream of game recommendations. One a day, every day of the year, perhaps for all time.

Aka 'the one where a talking planet joins your party.' Sure, Deus Ex gets all the Ion Storm cred, but let's not forget that the other half of the John Romero-founded outfit also pulled off something pretty special, with gonzo roleplaying adventure Anachronox. Robo-chums, malignant aliens and interplanetary detective-work might be the superficial appeal, but it's the strength of ideas, wit and cheerful weirdness that keeps it an essential part of the PC back catalogue.

The combat's a chore admittedly, but it's the cast that really makes Anachranox - the aforementioned planet; the old geezer who defeats foes with endless, tedious anecdotes; a woman who 'lives' inside your mouse cursor - but its regular diversions into unexpected settings or unexpectedly detailed explorations of ideas are glorious too.

Anachronox isn't forgotten, as such, but it certainly didn't get the audience it deserved. It's never too late.