The Next BIG Thing is a point-and-click adventure game developed for PC. Players follow the story of journalist Liz Allaire and tough guy Dan Murray as they navigate a Hollywood setting where classic movie monsters must star in family films, romantic comedies, and musicals instead of horror. The narrative begins at a horror movie award ceremony and unfolds through a series of twists involving these creatures.
Gameplay
Core gameplay revolves around exploration and puzzle solving in a traditional point-and-click format. Players use the mouse to move characters across detailed scenes, interact with objects, and talk to a cast of colorful characters that includes legendary monsters and creatures. Puzzles often require combining items, observing environmental clues, and managing character-specific quirks such as Liz's difficulty with numbers or Dan's aversion to beetles. The game emphasizes humorous dialogue and tributes to film genres, with progression tied to uncovering mysteries rather than combat or resource management.
Visuals feature high-definition cartoon-style art that supports the animated movie feel, paired with an original soundtrack that shifts to match the parody elements. Controls remain straightforward with left-click movement and hotspot selection, though the interface includes options to highlight interactable elements on lower difficulty settings.
Game Modes
The game offers three difficulty modes that adjust puzzle complexity and assistance features. The easiest mode includes a built-in hint system and the ability to highlight all interactive hotspots on screen. Standard and harder modes reduce or remove these aids, requiring more independent observation and logical deduction from the player. There are no multiplayer components or alternate play styles beyond these single-player difficulty options.
Story and Setting
The plot centers on the rebellion of horror movie monsters forced into lighter film roles. Liz and Dan become entangled in the chaos after attending the awards event, leading them through various movie-inspired locations filled with wacky situations and mysteries. The narrative draws on classic monster tropes while twisting them into comedic scenarios across different Hollywood genres, creating a linear but twist-filled experience that rewards attention to character interactions and environmental details.
Is It Worth Playing?
This adventure game suits players who enjoy story-driven point-and-click titles with strong emphasis on humor, puzzles, and film parodies. Its production values, including detailed artwork and voice work, stand out for a title from its era, and the central premise of monsters in mismatched movie roles provides consistent comedic moments. Reception from players and critics highlights the entertaining characters and solid puzzle design, though some note the occasional quirky dialogue as a matter of taste. The game remains available as a complete single-player experience with no ongoing updates or seasonal content required. Those who appreciate classic adventure mechanics from the Runaway series creators will find a self-contained story that delivers on its promises of laughs and mysteries without additional purchases or live-service elements.
