Hi, how would you rate this adv to the point of a newbie to the genre? is it friendly?
I've purchased GK1, attracted by the setting and the horror theme, but the adventure is difficult and very punishing, with lots of dead ends and the possibility to prevent yourself to reach the end but discovering it only later, after hours of useless play. this was a big let down to me.
How is this one compared to GK?

So far it doesn't seem too challenging and you just need to think a bit and so far there doesn't seem to be any obvious ending besides failing.

As far my experience goes, it is a pretty good adventure. Even if it has its difficulties, they are not those "developer logic" puzzles, where you combine the pink pencil with the red balloon to craft a blue pen and open a door.
The puzzles require thinking, but are not extremely hard. IMO, it has the best kind of puzzles.

Its more of an interactive movie done in the traditional point and click style, you play it mostly for the atmosphere and themes. I think its purposely made easy for anyone can just explore it. Good game for beginners to the genre.

LOL, I love a lot of adventure games but this post is so true, especially from Lucas arts games (as I feel Sierra did a better job designing puzzles that had logic).

The game is a bit rough to newbies as you need to interact with everything in the environment and talk to every one to get the best information possible. This can also lead to deaths of loss of morale as some people or things will disturb your character. Just give it a go (as your probably had started this game all ready) and enjoy the story and maybe even learn a little bit more about life.

I wouldn't say it's really newbie-friendly. There are unwinnable states, or at least states that lead to a bad ending, without the game warning you about it. Think very carefully before you try the "use everything on everything" approach as the game might punish you for that.