Master Lemon: The Quest for Iceland is an adventure game from Pepita Digital. Inspired by a real-life young man’s journey to become a hyperpolyglot, the game takes players through a fantasy universe in which words are magical.
The Boy Who Dreamed About The World
Ever since he was little, Lemon had been nurturing the dream of learning many languages. Fascinated by other cultures and people, he set his sights on Iceland one day to see this place so far from his home in Brazil.
Right on the cusp of accomplishing this, Lemon starts seeing a strange fog all around him. Suddenly, he’s transported to a fantasy world with no way to go back home. The people who live there are forgetting words and concepts that are very dear to them, and the fog is getting in the way of them reaching areas, including the mystical tree at the center of the world.
It’s now up to Lemon to try to help the individuals living in this other world and find a way back home. The journey won’t be simple and, as he learns more words, concepts, and aspects of other cultures, he’ll also end up having to face a much harsher truth.
Words Are Magic
Master Lemon is an adventure game in which the player collects words and items and helps various NPCs. One special aspect of the gameplay is that the player must use various words as if they were spells.
The first example of this power is the Icelandic word Ratljóst, which the player can use to light their path through the dark fog. By doing this, the player will have the chance to explore more areas of the map, finding more NPCs, items, and hidden quests.
There’s alsothe Brazilian word Gambiarra, which opens up a crafting menu for unusual combinations of items. When someone needs an item, and it’s not something you find around, it can sometimes be the result of combining two objects through Gambiarra.
However, most of the time, words are used as a reminder of sorts. In most quests, the player only has to make Lemon say them out loud as a way to make an NPC recall who they were and how much that specific word is tied to their identity.
From the girl who wants to escape from her Quinceañera to the Ninja who goes around hiding behind trees, there are many individuals to meet. For them, these words truly have special meanings that can sometimes be a very specific feeling or a much broader, relatable aspect of life.
The Nitty-Gritty
As the player advances through the story, they discover that the fantasy world comprises four maps, each accessible by conjuring its associated word. Other areas are actually tied to real life, with places like his school or home. Exploring every nook and cranny will allow players to eventually see everything the game has in store, getting all possible “resources” to solve the sidequests.
Though there are many items and words to gather, it sometimes feels like many of them are a little underexplored. Words and items most of the time fit only one solution at a given time, and there are a lot of terms that don’t even have any use except as collectibles, so that the player reaches 100% completion.
Two moments in the game can cause severe fps drops because the game is loading assets while the player can still run around. This happened to me in the desert section, which has the player go through multiple dreams that overlap reality, as well as a key point in the final stretch of the game’s story.
Despite those things I mentioned, the overall feeling of the game is that of a really interesting journey. Seeing Lemon help others and deal with his own dilemmas, which draw parallels to the real-life boy with the same nickname, is compelling. From funny jokes to tearjerking moments, it’s an emotional journey and a charming experience to get to know these people through their unique cultural aspects and flavor text.
A Path of Words, a Way of Life
Master Lemon: The Quest for Iceland is a fascinating adventure about how words and learning other languages and cultures can be much more than a hobby, but a way of life. This depiction of Lemon’s journey through it has the potential to touch people and provide a compelling experience for those who choose to explore what it offers.
8.5
Great
Master Lemon: The Quest for Iceland is a heartfelt and inventive adventure game that blends fantasy storytelling with a linguistic twist. Players step into Lemon’s shoes as he navigates a magical world where words are spells, solving puzzles and restoring lost meanings to help NPCs rediscover their identities. With emotional depth, cultural nuance, and clever mechanics rooted in real-world language, the game offers a unique experience, even if some elements feel underutilized.
Emotional Journey – Lemon’s story and how he helps others with the right words is a compelling experience
Rewarding Exploration – There is a lot of relics, items and words to find for players who want to truly dig into the full game
Potential to Do More – Much of the game is only used for a single quest solution and there are words that don’t really have an use in-game
FPS Drop – A few moments of severe fps drop at specific sequences