Game Cover

I wish you’d stop treating me like a kid and let me help.

Platform played on: PC (Grift of the Year Edition)

# Review

The Big Con is a 90s themed adventure game where the player assumes the role of a teenager named Ali, who after overhearing how much her mother owes to loan sharks, decides to embark on a cross country tour to grift and steal enough money to keep her mom’s business afloat. Ali is mentored by Ted, a seasoned con artist. Despite the criminal nature of the story, it’s actually very lighthearted and features some very witty dialogue.

Quirky dialogue

There are many young adult themes in this game; my favourite is probably Ali navigating both the world and also her relationships, such as Ali’s mother treating her like a child and Ali confessing her crush to her best friend. The story started intriguing but felt very generic as it went on. There were really no elements of surprise nor any major character development, but it’s a decent young adult plot.

Touring around the US

The core gameplay mechanic involves Ali committing different grifts at different locations she travels to. The grifts include minigames such as pickpocketing and more elaborate grifts which has multiple steps. My favourite are probably the eavesdropping mechanics where Ali has to use the information she learns to complete the grift. Overall the game feels pretty polished, but some areas are hard to navigate due to the fixed camera angles.

Pickpocketing mini game

# Conclusion

A nostalgic young adult adventure story filled with witty dialogue and questionable morals.

# Overall rating: 7.3

What does the rating mean?

# DLC Reviews

There is just one free (mandatory) DLC.

# Year of the Grift Edition

This DLC adds some new content to the game, such as collectibles and side cons. The collectibles are pretty interesting and can't complain about free content.

Rad Ghost mini game

# Overall rating: 7.4