OK Janeites, it’s Saturday AND a holiday weekend. Let’s have some mindless fun with a Pride and Prejudice gaming action! This new sims-like game, Matches & Matrimony, created by Reflexive® Entertainment was released in February. According to online reviews at Gamezebo and by Janeite, Jennifer at The Bennet Sisters Blog, it is quite diverting, but the 2D images are quaintly paperdoll painful. The upside is that they use much of Jane Austen’s text verbatim (huzzah!), it requires a lot of reading (oh horrors!!!) and you have to answer questions posited by the characters (thinking? double horrors). I am of course being very cynical (big surprise) and actually think this rather a great way to introduce someone to Pride and Prejudice, or for an acolyte of Jane Austen to expend a few hours of harmless diversion in pleasant company. Here is the game description from its creator.
Take the starring role in Jane Austen’s most popular novels as you become one of the Bennet sisters in search of a husband. Will you pursue Mr. Bingley, whose good nature has already endeared him to your sister, or perhaps Mr. Darcy, the famous protagonist from Pride and Prejudice? The narrative of Matches & Matrimony comes from the combining of 3 different novels, allowing you to create new storylines from Miss Austen’s most famous works! As you play you, will pick your daily routine to improve your characteristics, and then select your own path through the intersecting stories. With 9 different endings to be discovered, Matches & Matrimony can be played again and again as you create your own tale of classic romance.
- 9 Different endings!
- Hours of replayability!
- 6 suitors to pursue!
- 3 Novels in one game!
- Thoughtful and Provocative gameplay!
Even better than the description, you can watch the game being played in fourteen parts by Michael at Big Fish Games on Youtube.
We admit to being a bit perplexed over who Hortensia Humperdink Walter III is and why Col. Brandon is in a P&P game, but throw up our hands in resignation and just go with it. You can also watch part two, and the rest of the segments online. Enjoy!
Happy Holiday everyone!
Cheers,
Laurel Ann
© 2007 – 2011 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose
Austenprose 
Oh boy! I’d love to play this!
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I was able to play this game to review it, and I found it lots of fun. Challenging to get the “perfect” ending, but definitely worth my time and effort.
BTW, Col. Brandon is in the game because the storyline is a hybrid of three Jane Austen novels, not just the P&P beginning. :)
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Not sure if I would like the game, but whoever Michael is, he’s commentary is hilarious! =D
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Don’t see my gamer sons getting into this, but I agree Michael is a trip. Mr. Darby indeed! LOL I think I’d rather read the book.
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Yay Michael Gray, and a cool game?! Awesome! lol
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I love the book, the movie and the game! Jane Austen’s masterpiece is just astonishing!
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