Myst
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $19.99
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Editorial Review

Myst sends you to five fascinating worlds, where only your wits and imagination will unlock the ancient betrayal of Ages Past. Myst, the number-one-selling CD-ROM title of all time, has over 2500 photo-realistic images and hundreds of clever puzzles to challenge any player. ... Read more

Features

Reviews (79)

Cool Game!!!
This game is a must have for people who enjoy rpg games. at times it can get a little tricky, but dont let that get in the way of buying it. Myst will keep you entertained for weeks on end.

Dull
I give this game 2 stars because the people who made it basically made it in their house and now they're millionaires. I give them credit for that.

That still doesn't hide my secret irritation for this game.

Maybe half the fact is I don't know what the heck is going on. The other fact is that every now and then you get some character or maybe something that is supposed to be like a character, but in the end all you're doing is going through a series of backgrounds. If strolling through a museum sounds like "Die Hard" to you, then this is your game. My final complaint was it was essentially like a bad Zelda dungeon: endless puzzles, one after the other. Maybe its a thinking person's game, but it's still incredibly boring and repetitive. I'm surprised they didn't have a puzzle to open the box, and then another puzzle to get the CD key, and then the CD key was a puzzle, and then...

So yeah...just what the hell WAS going on?

Why is this a classic?
This game continues to haunt my memories as an irritation because of it's length and puzzles, which usually amounted to no more than treading back and forth across the island of Myst.While the environments were increadibly beautiful, they fail to make up for the miserable gameplay, which has you go to one place at least 5 times to solve five different puzzles.The story is intruiging, yet the game's ending fails to please the player, since, you'll discover shortly after completing it, it could be completed in a matter of minutes.

A good game for 10 to 20 dollars, but you shouldn't spend more than that on this weekend game. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JL60
Subjects:  1. Fantasy    2. Computer Games    3. Adventure   

Riven: The Sequel to Myst
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $29.99
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Editorial Review

Prepare to enter a world "torn asunder" by timeless, unresolved conflicts--a world of incomparable beauty, intrigue, and betrayal. Prepare to go to Riven. Journey through vast, awe-inspiring landscapes, where clouds sit nestled in a deep blue sky and the rolling sea waters shimmer from bright morning sunlight. But be forewarned: nothing is quite as it seems. Reclusive beings and mysterious creatures populate the land. Deep, dark secrets lay hidden at every turn.Your utmost powers of observation and reason are required to complete a most elusive task. You must let Riven become your world. Only then may the truth be discovered and a world be saved. Riven stands as a story for all time, a story that evokes a sense of awe, wonder, and profound purpose. Prepare to go to Riven --a world unlike any you've ever known. ... Read more

Reviews (175)

RIVEN is wonderful
The differing joy continues as you again see Atrus fighting evil.He sends you through a wunderous mystic land of puzzlic adventure.
You need this game!

RIVEN is wonderful
The differing joy continues as you again see Atrus fighting evil.He sends you through a wunderous mystic land of puzzlic adventure.
You need this game!

Well, it's better than Myst
I enjoy playing the Myst games once through, they are fun and challenging. However my computer would not allow me to hit a certain switch for some reason, and I was therefore never able to get to the location on the cover. Even if I had, I would never play the game again, I would know how to do everything, and therefore, what would be the point? At least it is better then Myst in which you can win within about 15 minutes of starting the game, but still... Any 60 dollar game (as it was when it was released) should last longer than this. With the detail put in, the game itself is rather short, with puzzle solving accounting for much of your time. Also some puzzles can be so frustrating when you know what to do, but can't (the stopping the scopes thing, the puzzle at the top of the dome on the first island). I thought it was a beautiful game, but I wouldn't get it unless it is below 20 dollars, otherwise I don't really think it's worth it. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JL6V
Subjects:  1. Fantasy    2. Two (2 II)    3. Computer Games    4. Adventure   

Myst 3: Exile
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (08 May, 2001)
list price: $49.95
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Editorial Review

Myst arrived just in time to take advantage of brand-newCD-ROM technology, and quickly became the number-one reason to buy anew computer. Myst and its sequel, Riven, featuredbeautiful and lonely landscapes, a strong and fascinating sense ofpervading mystery, and puzzles both fiendish and clever. Playersnavigated through the games by clicking on points of interest, andsolved puzzles by paying careful attention to the lush graphics andhaunting sounds of the environment. Myst III: Exile proudlycontinues and even advances that tradition.

Myst's ongoing story line is as convoluted as it is fantastic.Central to the story is the mysterious civilization of the D'ni, whichcreates entire worlds by writing books. Other books are used to linkthe D'ni worlds together. Myst trapped the player in a series ofinterconnected worlds, and challenged the player to puzzle through theramblings of two mad brothers in order to free Atrus, their imprisonedfather. Riven revealed more of the history of the D'ni, and sentthe player to the unstable world of Riven in order to rescue Atrus'swife.

Myst III: Exile concerns Atrus's earnest attempt at creating anew world. He hopes this world will mark the rebirth of the D'ni, butbefore he finishes his book, a thief (portrayed in the game by actorBrad Dourif) breaks into his laboratory and mucks things up. You haveto track this thief through worlds written by Atrus in his earlieryears. Within each world you must right the wrongs the thief hascreated, all the while uncovering a deeper mystery surrounding hisrelationship to Atrus and his troublesome children. Prior experiencewith Myst and Riven isn't necessary for this thirdexcursion, but familiarity with Myst's point-and-click gameplayand its often infuriating puzzle logic helps.

New to the game is a full 3-D landscape, which replaces the staticprerendered artwork of the previous games. The gorgeous new graphicsallow you to quickly pan and scan your way through an area, looking forpuzzles and action spots with the hand cursor. The puzzles have beenimproved so that you can now see changes to the environment immediatelyafter you solve one, rather than simply moving on to the next picture.Still, the puzzles are often wickedly difficult and may provefrustrating to new players.

The environment is the true star of the game, and is sure to enchantplayers of all stripes. As before, the music and artwork are topnotchand immersing, and the experience is not easily forgotten. Mystfans of old will be delighted with this new installment, and those newto the series will be enchanted, provided they are willing to spendtime on the puzzles, enjoy the scenery, and let the game carry themaway. --Andrew S. Bub

Pros:

• A strong continuation of the series
• Brilliant new artwork and music

Cons:

• Puzzles can be confusing
• Not for impatient gamers

... Read more

Features

• Free-look movement system allows players to pan a full 360 at any location, fully immersing them in the world.
• 5 entirely new ages to explore.
• Dramatic storyline extends the Myst mythology by focusing on a pivotal new character.
• Puzzle solving, revealing mystery & intrigue.
• Original soundtrack.

Reviews (336)

Visions of this will follow you while youfall asleep...
I leave it to the other posters for the specifics. Just an emotional response here.
A must for anyone who can use a computer and find a walkthrough or 4 to finish this game. It isn't the easiest game but one of the most beautiful and memorable!
It has such beauty, you'd regret not having played it.
Schizm I, and the Beyond Atlantis series also show such beauty.
All can be found here.
Please, please, play this game! The visions you will encounter will fill your mind and blot away life's problems as you fall asleep. Hey! This is a series. There's more! Yep!
Check them out!

Wonderful and challanging third installment in the MYST saga
If I was able to be personally with Catherine, I'd probably be spending much more time complimenting her hair (because it's so long, almost as long as Crystal Gayle's), than talking of the Releeshan.

OK, so Catherine is just a fictitional character, but of course I'm sure they needed a real person to do the acting.

I am new to Myst, already trying the Masterpiece Edition (which was basically the original MYST with some improvements), and Riven. With Myst III, one huge improvement found here you can't find on the previous two is you can look around 360 degrees so you can see if there's anything missing on your journey. The drawback is, if you're not familiar with the game, you can easily get dizzy.

In this game, you're supposed to retrieve a book called the Releeshan, which was stolen. On the way, you get to solve lots of puzzles, collect pages, and visit different worlds. There is lot of trippy music, some of it sounding pretty sinister sounding, as you go through some very dreamy landscapes. Admittedly this isn't an easy game to win, but like on the previous MYST installments, you must be sure to write things on paper to solve the puzzles. Many of these puzzles give you access to new passages you need to make to reach the end of each world. The animation is great as well. I can't believe how advanced in graphics games have became, I've been playing games since the old days of Pac-Man and Donkey Kong, and it never fails me how newer games have stunningly realistic graphics, as demonstrated on MYST III.

A truly wonderful game for those enjoy adventure games!

The Very Best Myst of All!!!
I wasn't so sure about buying this game, because i was so disappointed by Riven, but i was amazed by the new 360° freelook interface in Exile, the quality of the video and rendering of the worlds is incredible, even the storyline is very exciting.

A must have for every Myst fan out there! ... Read more

Asin: B000056O4Q
Subjects:  1. three (III) myst3    2. Computer Games    3. Adventure    4. Board    5. Macintosh (Machintosh)    6. Mac    7. Apple    8. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, crpg, crpgs, rpg, rpgs)    9. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, rpgs, rpg, crpg, crpgs)   

Journeyman Project Trilogy
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $29.99
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Editorial Review

For a limited time, you can own this critically acclaimed time-travel game as it was meant to be played--as a series! The Journeyman Project Trilogy boxed set includes these three award-winning games:The Journeyman Project: Turbo! Detecting a rip in the fabric of time, Agent Blackwood must jump back in time and prevent its opening before the timestream is forever changed!The Journeyman Project 2: Buried in Time. Agent Blackwood is accused of altering earth history. He must walk through the shadows of time in a dangerous and challenging mission to clear his name and reveal the true conspirators.

The Journeyman Project 3: Legacy of Time. Agent 5 runs a race against time, traveling to the lost civilizations of Shangri-La, El Dorado, and Atlantis. Apprehend renegade TSA Agent 3 to find the clues that will save the future from certain destruction. Use the Chameleon Jumpsuit to assume the identities of 18 different characters and experience their ancient cultures firsthand. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

The best series ever
I had some compatability problems with the first game in the series. The graphics and game play were what you would expect from a mid 80s game.

The last two games in the series made up for what the first one lacked. The game storyline was it's biggest strength. The graphics on the last two games was quite good and their game play much better than the first game. The third game was the best in terms of game play. It was cool to be able to scroll around with the mouse and look all around.

After playing the second game, I was so excited to see that there was a third Journeyman Project being released. The third one was just as good if not better than the second.

My favorite part was the wise cracking computerized lifeform named Arthur that got downloaded into my time travel suit. Arthur kept me in stitches throughout the last two games.

I enjoyed these games so much I hated to see them come to an end.

Maybe someday the software companies will do modern day remakes of these classic adventure games. I can only imagine how cool this game would be if it were remade using modern 3d game engines. (I guess I'm just dreaming.) Hmmm. I just realized how big of a geek I am. I really should get a life. Maybe even a girlfriend.


I recommend this game series whole heartedly.

Awesome, educational, and I have a fix, hopefully
My first review of this game was written here in 2000 and it is now 2004 and Buried in Time and Legacy of Time remain tops on my list of computer games, and I have played a few over the years.(...)

Be sure and right click the icon for the game and select Properties, Compatibility, and change the settings to 256 colors, 600x800, and to run in Win95 mode, and turn off the visual themes, and make sure a few things as possible are running in the background to give up as much memory as possible.This program is so virtual in its reality playing, watch for signs of motion sickness and obession!

Never before has a computer game I've played had so much staying power in my memory.While I adore Myst, Riven, Exile, and have played many interactive fiction games, among others, few stay in my memory over the years as much as Buried in Time.Truly a delight and well worth every penny spent on the game, in whatever format, though I'm hearing it runs better as a stand alone on the newer machines than in Trilogy form.

Absolutely incredible, very educational, and a must play for teenagers up to the elderly but actively thinking.

Buyer Beware
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE PURCHASING THE JOURNEYMAN TRILOGY

As you read the reviews, you might notice that some reviewers had problems with the 2nd game of the trilogy.Specifically, disk 2 of Buried in Times would not read.In fact, if you look carefully, you will see that everyone who bought the trilogy had this problem.Those reviewers who bought Buried in Time separately did not.

I did not notice this at first, so I took a chance on a used copy of the Journeyman Trilogy.I also have a disk 2 of Buried in Time that cannot be read.I decided to explore this a bit further by examining the files on each of the 3 disks.Disk 1 of the Trilogy version of Buried in Time is named BIT_MPC_1 and has an identifying file called BIT_DISC.1.Disk 3 is named BIT_MPC_3 and has an identifying file called BIT_DISC.3.So we would expect disk 2 to be named BIT_MPC_2 and its identifying file to be named BIT_DISC.2, but its not.Instead, Disk 2 is named BIT_MPC_3 and its identifying file is BIT_DISC.3 -- identical names to those used for disk 3.Not only that, but the size and creation date of the BIT_DISC.3 file on disk 2 is exactly the same as the one on disk 3.In other words, the disk that is labeled disk 2 is really just another copy of disk 3; there is no disk 2.

Given the prevalence of the problem (see other reviews here), it looks like this was a manufacturing problem.It's likely that many packages were shipped with this error.In fact, it appears that the technical support folks weren't even aware of the problem so whenever it was reported, they just shipped out another copy of the same defective disk (see one of the reviews here).

I haved tried to track down a correct copy of disk 2 for Buried in Time, but since so many of the original developers and marketers have either gone out of business or have been sold and merged with other companies multiple times, I am having no luck.

I am still happy with my purchase because I bought an inexpensive used copy.I will be able to play Journeyman Projects 1 and 3.I am trying to find someone who has the original Buried in Time so that I might use their disk 2.I wouldn't spend the money for an unopened box unless I was interested in it as a collector's item.

I hope this was helpful ... Read more

Asin: B00001WRSO
Subjects:  1. I, II, III (1 2 3 One two three)    2. Turbo, Buried in Time, Legacy of Time    3. Computer Games    4. Adventure    5. Collections (Collections)    6. Bundle (Bundles)   

Dracula Resurrection
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (15 June, 2000)
-- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Dracula Resurrection is a new story based on the characters from Bram Stoker's novel. The book ended as Dracula rose from his coffin bed only to be defeated by a stake to the heart and turned to dust by the last rays of the setting sun. Jonathan takes his rescued fiancée to London to recover from the illness caused by the puncture marks in her neck.

The game commences seven years later. Married to Mina and comfortably living in London, Jonathan thinks the nightmare is behind them until one day, when he returns home to a letter. In the letter, Mina tells him she has gone to Transylvania, finally unable to ignore the call of her blood. Jonathan follows quickly and discovers he has very little time to find Mina before it is too late. For you see, Dracula has returned.... ... Read more

Features

Reviews (32)

A traditional PC game and a great starter. No, not scary!
The cover and title are misleading. This series, there is more than one, is a great series with which to start one's pc gaming experience. Much is traditional in movement and puzzles.
Violence? Not really! Just fun and mystery.
As a former educator, I'd recommend this for 13 and above. Killing about 3+ creatures is about as violent as it gets.
Gore? Not really.
Some fascinating, creepy but beautiful women are presented, if I remember correctly.
Wish I would have started with this instead of the Beyond Atlantis series which is more difficult. Crystal Key is gorgeous as is BA but the Dracula series is great for a beginner.
Enjoy!

my nightmare...my dream
My nightmare...my dream.
This is a fantastic game, it's filled with hours of everything a real horror game should contend. The producers has really used the best way to evolve the gaphics over the years, and the final result of years of production, this is the final result.

Story: 10/10
The story starts seven years after Jonathan defeated Dracula, but as time went by Mina, Jonathans fionce develops and feel the need to return to the castle, but what they didn't know was that Dracula was back, and ready to claim his revenge.
So Jonathan travels to Transylvania to save Mina from this evil, Only their love for each other can save Mina from the Prince of Darkness, Dracula, the ultimate evil.

Graphics 10/10
State-of-the-art graphics, exceptional beauty this game is absolutely on of the finest graphics ever seen in a computer game, each and every character is so exceptional detailed, you can see every vein and pore in the faces, it's so real that you almost can smell and feel their precense.
The enviroments are so lifelike, from the moment you enter the Barina Inn you can feel the warmth coming from the fireplace, to feel the coldness and loneliness of the ancient castle.
This game will suck right in, from the moment you put it on,it doesn't matter if you play this Pc version or the PSone version the atmosphere is just as immerse.

Sound/ Music 9/10
The cold winds of the late dawn is rushing over you like a shadow from the past, the creepy noices in the forest are watching you, and the loneliness of an empty heart is just as cold as the winds of dawn. The sounds and music is absolutely a part of it's gothic attraction. Don't bleed your soul to waste.

I'm positively passionate about this game, but hey the story doesn't end here pick Dracula 2: The Last Sanctuary so you can get a highly satisfying ending...will Jonathan save Mina from the ultimate evil?...it's up to you to make sure he does...

A "movie" type of PC game
This game wasn't one of the best I've played.It was inexpensive, so I didn't feel I'd lost a lot by buying it.But I've played it once through, and now it gathers dust.It's one of those "move the mouse around until it's obvious of the only thing you can do" games.Disappointing. ... Read more

Asin: B00004T1MG
Subjects:  1. Adventure    2. Computer Games    3. Supernatural (Horror)    4. Vampire    5. Action   

Dracula 2: The Last Sanctuary
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (12 February, 2001)

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Reviews (24)

dracula the resurrection
this is a game fool of advencher and action i would give this game 5 out of 5 it is so good i just completed it on sunday at 01;00 i reckon this is the best game inthe gaming industry so i hope you like this game because i loved it.

I Vant...DreamCatcher to make another sequel!
TLS has it all, exceptional graphics, good voice acting, great plot, superb cutscenes and that classic story and characters. I'd expect nothing less from DreamCatcher, and once again they amazed me! But there was one element that lessened the joy and excitement to play this game, there is some unnessecary nudity that I could do without. But altogether, this was a fairly tame game for an M, so I will recommend it foraround the teen-ager and up category, but only for the mature ones. I know my daughters, a 13 year old and 14 year old could not handle some of this. Be cautioned, but enjoy. This is an Awesome Adventure!

was sent the wrong platform
i order DRACUAL: the last santuary for the windows platform and was sent the PLAYSTATION platform............now i have to hope i can quickly and easily get my money refunded or do a swap for the platform that i want. I did get the order in time for XMAS.........however the game SHOULD have been sent under a windows platform..........that is what seller listed the platform under. ... Read more

Asin: B000059WIM
Sales Rank: 8345
Subjects:  1. Adventure    2. Computer Games   

Schizm: Mysterious Journey
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (18 October, 2001)
-- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Schizm: Mysterious Journey is a thrilling first-person 3-D adventure game that will appeal to everyone from the novice to the experienced adventure gamer. A compelling, nonviolent story line, highly nonlinear gameplay, and incredible graphics combine with a mix of puzzles of varied type, including mechanical, logical, sound, and inventory based.

A fascinating adventure awaits players of Schizm: Mysterious Journey. It is the year 2083. Ten months ago, the first humans landed on Argilus. They found cities, towns, and industrial installations--all deserted. Doors unlocked, meals unfinished, strange machinery still operational... but no people. Scientists were brought in, research bases set up. Four months later, your supply ship has been sent to check on these bases. But when you hail them from orbit, there's no answer. The scientists, too, seem to have vanished. Now your systems are failing and you and your crewmate have no choice but to abandon ship. But where can you go? In Schism: Mysterious Journey, players explore the fascinating landscape in this unfolding story of an alien world filled with mystery and intrigue. ... Read more

Features

Reviews (52)

save your money unless you're a masochist
Like many before me, I give mixed reviews because this is both good and bad.The bad outweighs the good overall because the bad is so, well, BAD!I thought the music and graphics were gorgeous.I found the cursor was difficult to use.It took me two or three tries and reinstalls to realise the problem was you needed to swing the cursor left and right to get a response.Bizarre.I found the puzzles had no relation to the environment, and that really put me off.I spent a few hours and solved the first two puzzles by guesswork.That is not what I want the game for; I want to use the old noodle, but not merely guess.It almost seemed random, but since I didn't go through it all, I cannot say for certain if that were the case or not.Overall, any of the Myst games would be preferable.

I HATED THIS GAME
I bought this game from the "bargain bin" not realizing that there was a DVD version of the game - in the long run it probably would not have made a difference. With the CD-ROM details are fuzzy. I'm sure this game is beautiful with the DVD version since there are some spectacular colors even on the CD-ROM. In any case, this does not take away from the fact that I loathed this game.

In Schizm there are two characters - Sam and Hannah. At times you play Sam, other times Hannah. One of the difficulties is knowing who to play when. As we all know, there is a lot of running around in adventure games. That's just the nature of the genre and true to form, there's a lot of back and forth to various locations. That's OK but sometimes you have to do this with both characters - the exact same locations, essentially repeating all that running around. But that wasn't what did me in.

What did me in were the puzzles. I'm not big on puzzles that don't seem to have any relation to the story. In other words, finding clues, putting them together and solving the puzzle. No - some of these were random puzzles. Just keep on plugging in numbers over and over again until you come up with the right combination. The puzzle that truly tried my sanity was a maze-type puzzle - basically finding a route from one place to another while the game blocks your moves eventually cutting you off from reaching the end. The puzzle is random so it's a new route everytime. It's not as easy as it sounds. I probably attempted this puzzle 30-40 times until I got it right. But guess what...you don't have to do this one time, but twice and you have to get it right two times in a row. One walkthrough (I had to use three different ones) stated that if you kept track of your moves on the first successful attempt all you had to do was repeat the results on the second try - nope. Oh but guess what??? Once you are successful with this puzzle, you get to go to another location and do the exact same puzzle again. Sorry - not me. That's when I quit. I was able to finished 3/4 of this horrible game but I just couldn't go on.

I would only recommend this game if you are some kind of masochist.

Very difficult game, but rewarding in the end
I bought Schizm: Mysterious Journey just solely on the graphics I saw on the package and this was one game I do not regret buying. I only have the CD-ROM version, but I understand it is only made better if you get the DVD-ROM. Even if the graphics on the CD-ROM isn't the sharpest, I was still very impressed with many of the surrealistic landscapes. Also, it's much better to have all five discs installed, as it would avoid you the hassle of having to swipe discs as you travel new places. It took me an hour to give all five discs installed on my system, but then you don't have to worry about that again, and it makes things so much easier never having to changes discs. This game originated in Poland, but for us North American users, was translated to English. As it turns out the comparisons to the MYST series can't be avoided. You have to solve many puzzles to get places, just as you do MYST. Some puzzles are random (like getting the fish-like balloon craft inflated and ready for flight). Yes, many of these puzzles are very difficult, and unless you're a rocket scientist, you're probably going to need a walkthrough. Be sure to write things down on paper as you go along. This game is not for novices, but for those wanting a challenge, go for Schizm. ... Read more

Asin: B00005A7FK
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Action    3. Adventure   

Odyssey
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (14 November, 2000)

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Editorial Review

A Butcher/Lang translation of Homer's Odyssey begins, "TELL ME, O MUSE, of that ingenious hero who traveled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy." Now, with the advent of computers, players can control a hero in an adventure inspired by this tale. Explore the Homeric epic as Heriseus, sent by Queen Penelope to find Ulysses 10 years after the end of the Trojan War. Odyssey features a detailed 3-D world for your full exploration, and a variety of puzzles and unusual challenges. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

PARENT'S BE CAUTIONED!
THIS IS NOT A GAME THAT I FEEL IS SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. IT SHOULD BE RATED "T" FOR TEENS, CERTAINLY NOT "E" FOR ALL AGES.
THE REASON BEING IS THAT ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT TRULY A VIOLENT GAME BY TODAYS STANDARDS, THERE ARE STILL SOME SCENES, ALTHOUGH WITHOUT GORE, THAT ARE STILL PRETTY INTENSE. THERE ARE ALSO VERY REALISTIC SCARY MONSTERS THAT WOULD BE PRETTY SCAREY FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN.
THERE IS ONE OTHER REASON THAT I WOULD CAUTION PARENTS.ON THE FIRST LEVEL, THE MAIN CHARACTER ULYSSIUS, IS PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO "SPEND TIME" WITH A LADY WHO WE SAY "WORKS THE STREET".ABSOLUTLY NO IMAGES ARE SHOWN, BUT THE IDEA IS STILL THERE.I GUESS THAT DREAMCATCHER INTERACTIVE JUST HAD TO THROW THAT IN. PRETTY UN-CALLED FOR IF YOU ASK ME.

OTHER THAN THAT I LIKE THE GAME.THE GRAPHICS ARE REALLY WELL DONE, INFACT SOME ARE JAW DROPPERS.THE STORYLINE AND EASE OF PLAY ARE WELL DONE AS WELL.

ALTHOUGH I DOUBT THAT I WILL BE BUYING FROM DREAMCATCHER AGAIN, I LIKED THE GAME (OTHER THAN WHAT I MENTIONED ABOVE), AND GIVE IT FOUR STARS.

Great game!
I love this game great story fun bad guys great game play that kids and adluts will like I have played a lot of games and this is one of the best it even has fun puzzles and great graphics and you don't keep having to fight bad guys that there is no point to in lots of games bad guys just come and kill you but in this game bad guys don't just came and kill you some times you fight them but bad guys don't just kill you. this game you will not just win fast it has a lot of stuff so it will last a long time but it will not get boring really fun buy it if you think it sounds fun you will like it.

Prepare to die!
Okay.There were a lot of things I liked about this game, and a lot of things I didn't like.

I don't tend to be as fond of third person adventures.And the keyboard control of the main character was very difficult! Although it was supposed to allow for precise movement, I found that it was extremely hard to get your man where he was supposed to go.Some of the pans and changes of orientation were extremely disorienting, too.I had to stop and re-orient myself in about every scene.

You die A LOT in this game.I don't like that, much, myself.I tend to prefer games where you don't die, or at least where you can revert to the place where you last saved without reloading the whole game.Some of the ways you can die are pretty amusing, though.

Some of the puzzles are REALLY illogical.I found myself going to the UHS hints quite a bit, which is annoying to me.Many of the times I got hints, I would NEVER have figured the puzzle out without, because the answer just was not something that followed or made sense.

On the plus side, however, the graphics were decent.I loved the mythological content (if you've read others of my reviews, you know I'm a mythology geek).When you didn't die and the puzzles made sense, the game was really great and absorbing.I especially liked the pig section;now that was original thought!

All in all, pretty good with periods of tedium and frustration. ... Read more

Asin: B00004U8K5
Subjects:  1. Adventure    2. Computer Games   

Amerzone
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (10 August, 2001)
-- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy is a first-person role-playing game in the style of Myst,. You're cast as a journalist on an extraordinary quest. Inside a lighthouse in France, you find a magical egg, the progenitor of a race of white birds who spend their entire existence flying--from birth to death, without ever landing. Valenbois, the old explorer who lives in the lighthouse, stole the egg from a Central American tribe in a country called Amerzone. Now dying, he begs you to return the egg to its rightful home.

Puzzle solvers looking for a serious challenge will love Amerzone. The game takes you above the rain forest and under water as you seek to return the lost egg. Play is as much about sensory experience as it is about unlocking the mystery, with 360-degree environments that bring the jungle to life with lush visuals and crystal-clear sound. Often the story line seems like an excuse to draw you farther through what is essentially an interactive art gallery. The only catch is that there is no guarantee you'll get to the next gorgeous scene--that is dependent upon solving yet another brainteaser.

Players with a low tolerance for frustration may not enjoy the slow pace of this game. Each scene must be patiently searched, and it is easy to miss important clues or helpful objects. The journey is worthwhile, though, so stock up on patience and allow plenty of time to enjoy the trip! --Alyx Dellamonica ... Read more

Features

Reviews (21)

Loved it! Loved the beauty!
A bit difficult at times and I used a walkthrough.
But this game is a must for the pc gamer. Not to be missed.
More specifics seemed to be already described.
There are scenes of such beauty that I still recall!
A+++++

A fantastic voyage!
I enjoyed going through this adventure as I enjoyed every single Jules Vernes book I read. Do not expect amazing animation (although they are pretty good) or complicated puzzles. THis is a trip into the imagination of the author. Recommended!

A good practice run if you're new to gaming, but...
This game will disappoint those who are more experienced at adventure games.

Amerzone was the third modern (post-1985) adventure game I played (after Harry Potter and Chamber... and Syberia II). I found the gameplay easy to learn (click where you want to go, click to pick up the object, click to use the object, etc.), but problem-solving puzzles involved scenarios that seemed either illogical or contrived. In many cases, the "problem" to be solved was just within grasping range of the character, but because of the visual perspective, you have to roll your head around and up and down to find the related object. Combined with a sometimes "fishbowl" perspective, I found myself getting dizzy and nauseated at times. To save my sanity, I used "walkthroughs" from other web sites to help me find those objects "right under my nose" but which I was otherwise too sick to start pixel-searching on my own.

Also disturbing was the disjointed way you jump from scene to scene as you progress. Thus, if you face north, and continue straight ahead, you'd expect to still be facing north. But in many cases, you transition into the next frame by facing another direction. In settings like swamps, jungles, and underwater lagoons that have poor visibility anyway, this can be disconcerting. I became lost several times.

After playing Syberia II, also by Benoit Sokal, I anticipated Amerzone to have a richly engaging story, but was disappointed to discover that I didn't much care about my mission or the characters. Also disappointing was that the game is played in first-person so you never see yourself, and that nearly all personal interaction is with characters you'd normally avoid under other circumstances. There were no engaging personalities, no witty dialogue, and--just like Syberia II--no chance to repeat a dialogue if you missed what was said (unless you reloaded a saved game). At least with Syberia's Kate Walker, the character you play sometimes speaks charmingly to herself so that you have somewhat of a personality and don't mind spending time by yourself. In Amerzone, however, most of the time you're alone, with no dialogue, and no "inner dialogue" of the mind like Kate Walker had--I felt as lifeless as a doorknob. I guess after a stellar game like Syberia II, my expectations were way too high.

On the upside, Amerzone's storyline was imaginative, there was no violence (only one instance where someone points a gun at you at close range and then he expires of infirmity), no sexual content,no coarse language (except one instance where the aforementioned character alludes to the lovemaking practices of disinterested women--this is mentioned very quickly and under a drunken stupor so you might miss it if not paying close attention), no nudity (except some journal's line drawings of natives in sparse clothing), and the scenery was filled with fantastical creatures and lush landscapes.

The cut scene movies were illustrated dreamily and smoothly--although I had some technical difficulties on Disk 1 with the first major cutscene as you take off in the Hydraboat-thingy: the music and visuals were choppy and kept blacking out. This may be because I am running Windows XP with advanced hardware and software--too advanced for the aging nature of the game. There were a few other minor technical bugs in the program (such as the inability to perform certain actions when I know via walkthroughs that I was supposed to be able to), but they resolved themselves. I also discovered that it is best to play this game with as few other software programs running as possible--otherwise your mouse movements will be choppy and difficult to control.

For imagination and originality, I'd give this game 5 stars. For interface, puzzle-solving, and value for your money, I'd give it 2 stars. Overall, a 3. Not really bad, just not really good. ... Read more

Asin: B00005NGS3
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Action    3. Adventure   

The Messenger
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (13 February, 2001)
-- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

Reviews (21)

Are all the reviewers here paid by Dreamcatcher !?
I had to do a lot to get a copy of the game. (Had to buy it on EBay.) And I really looked forward to play it. But despite the beautiful face of Morgana, just like one of my best friends, it became desperately dull. It wasn't just the graphics, with structures belonging to the early nineties, and extra monotonous backgrounds that managed to follow most of the rules in how to not do it in computer graphics. The worst thing was that there was something with the "feel" that felt completely dead after having played The Longest Journey. - (And with Morgana climbing a thin rope like you would have climbed a pole, despite having mountaineering gear deLuxe, just confirmed for me that the men behind the game had done a sloppy background research too.) - With a disappointment with Myst III in addition, I haven't played computer games for allmost a year. - And with all the good reviews that The Messenger gets on this page, how can I thrust the reviews for Syberia? (It looks like Syberia has the same software behind the female figure, according to the pictures.)

DO NOT CONSIDER THIS GAME VIOLENT
this is a second review from me-after reading all the reviews-i had to add this-i do not know why this game is rated teen or considered violent-i despise horror games and even feel that seven games of the soul-minus the violence- is morbid and inappropriate for children -the underlying theme itself is morbid-this is not a bloody game at all -or- in my opinion-inappropriate for anyone-i have seen kids movies and cartoons with more violence-i would reccomend it to any age-i think that some parts of these reviews -and the teen rating-are very misleading

LOVE THE MESSENGER!
THIS IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE GAMES-just to begin with-the story line is fantastic and the ending is anything but disappointing-i cannot understand anyone giving this game a bad review-it is a brilliant story with a surprise ending-i am tired of playing games and the end is a let down-this game delivers from beginning to end-i love this game so much i have given it as a gift to 12 different people so far-plus-you get a whole lot for your money-and the price is more than right on this game! ... Read more

Asin: B000059WIG
Sales Rank: 7224
Subjects:  1. Adventure    2. Great Deals (Outlet store)    3. Computer Games   

The Longest Journey
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (17 November, 2000)
list price: $39.95 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Before embarking on The Longest Journey, check yourpreconceivednotions of reality at the door. While this may play like a traditionaladventuregame, the story is anything but conventional. As art student April Ryan you'llsoon discover you have the ability to bridge two worlds--the 23rd-century,science-oriented Earth that you live in, and its counterpart, Arcadia, wheremagic is reality and technology is the stuff of legends. Telling you more thanthat would spoil the story, but suffice it to say that your ability to crossbetween the two worlds must be used to save both.

The game spans four CDs and needs all that space to hold both the gorgeousgraphics and hours of high-quality speech. Everyone you meet has plenty tosay,and you'll want to listen to everything because the game contains some of themost brilliant voice acting ever recorded. Each character has such a distinctand engaging voice that you could play this game with your eyes closed and itwould maintain much of its beauty, although you likely won't want to blinkafteryour first glimpse of the game's detailed environments. The graphics run at afeeble maximum resolution of 640 x 480 but are packed with enough atmosphereandanimation that they look great even on a large monitor.

The Longest Journey obviously excels from a technical standpoint, butit's the writing that really makes it memorable. April maintains a diary thatcan be read to give players further insight into the game's strange events,andinto April's mind as well. Lengthy conversations that seem tedious at firstlater serve to really make you care about the game's characters. They becomemore than simply people who exist to dispense items or tell you where to gonext, and it's fascinating to watch April develop as she slowly absorbs thegravity of the situation into which she's been thrust. This game may seem likethe longest--and most boring--journey at the beginning, but after a few hoursadventure fans and anyone else who likes a good story will probably wish itwould never end. (Note to readers: this game has an ESRB rating of Mature, andcontains a lot of adult language.) --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Outstanding production values
• Terrific writing
• Should run well on practically any computer

Cons:

• Many of the puzzles are too contrived
• Game gets off to a slow start

... Read more

Features

• Over 150 locations spanning two distinct and detailed worlds
• More than 70 speaking characters
• Exciting mix of 2D and 3D graphics in high-resolution
• Supports both 16- and 32-bit colour depths in software and hardware
• Each scene featuring multiple 3D characters with up to 1,000 polygons each

Reviews (198)

Great Game
I'm normally a strategy gamer but I heard so much about The Longest Journey, I decided to try it.I bought it used from Amazon, and have been playing it nonstop since I received it.

The story is excellent so far - it could stand on its own as a fantasy novel.The writing is great.Some people have criticized the game for the use of 4 letter words, but the dialog really reflects the way young people speak.Most people, if they're honest, will admit that they spoke that way when they were 20.

My only quibble with the game is that some of the solutions to the puzzles were too obscure.I believe that, without internet access, lots of players will not be able to finish the game.This would be a shame, as the story and dialog are so good, everyone who plays should be allowed to play through to the end, even if they can't solve the puzzles.

Disappointing at best
I can usually approach media with the sense that it comes from a certain time or period. But when I bought The Longest Journey based on the positively glowing reviews, I expected to be wowed regardless of technical limitations. I expected not just one of the best adventure games ever, but "one of the best games ever."

I have played other games in the adventure genre and what I found reassuring, I suppose, is that it would give you gentle guidance on where to go and what to do. Even if it ended up killing you, you would be able to eliminate one possibility.

The case is not so with The Longest Journey, and this was what I found to be merely one of the very frustrating aspects to the game. In each new area I would become stuck, knowing exactly what I was *supposed* to be doing, but not knowing what to do in order to trigger the event. Eventually I learned that I had to talk to characters an inordinate amount of times to trigger everything that I was supposed to. This took away from the flow of the game by forcing me to backtrack often, and to listen to a lot of text 5 minutes long that could really be simplified into 5 sentences.

It's not that I don't enjoy dialogue, either. I love hearing the characters come to life through inflection, but I need something more than a bare wall to stare at while I'm listening. All of the character faces are animated, I can see them moving as the characters speak, but we never are close enough to see them. This seems like an especially poor decision to always distance the player from the people involved. That is also why I put in a recommendation for Knights of the Old Republic instead of this game. KOTOR manages to spend the majority of the time talking, and still not seem boring about it. It's not that I'm a slave to graphics, either. Blade Runner managed to be an excellent adventure game in all its pixellated goodness, and Bad Mojo is one of my favorite adventure games of all time. But all these games shared a deep connection with the characters involved, which brings me to my next point.

The story, supposedly the selling point of most adventure games, seemed lackluster and very, very anticlimactic to me in this game. Often there would be characters that would be introduced or placed in danger, and I knew I was expected to feel some sort of response for that, but the encounters between characters were often either too short or not focused on the characters themselves, leaving me confused why they were placed in the game at all except as a deus ex machina, a vehicle to conveniently push the character forward. Furthermore this left me confused as to why the lead character, April, should care so much about people she had just met, and made it very hard for me to relate to her.

Next, the puzzles, supposed to be the secondary focus of adventure games, were sometimes very easy (inventory items and on-screen hotspots accounted for most of this) or much too obscure. (Maerum temple, anyone?)
I was never given any indication of how to solve any of the puzzles, although most of them I figured out through a bit of foresight and some tedious errand girl running back and forth. To me that doesn't make a very "fun" game. That makes a frustratiing and needlessly nitpicky game.

Finally, and I realize this is a bit of a cheap call, but the ending was pretty lame in my opinion. It answered no questions, gave no excuses, and seemed altogether too sure of itself. It seemed to me as if the screen faded to credits, and the developers turned to the player to say "See? Wasn't that *amazing*?"

The game was at its best when it first introduced a new area or character, because it was then that I was filled with that sense of wonder and anticipation characteristic of many adventure gaes, but I was consistently disappointed with the results due to a lack of technical prowess and an insanely disappointing lack of intuitive gameplay.
I would suggest looking at other games first, most especially KOTOR, but even something as moderately entertaining as "Primal" on PS2 has this game beat, I'm afraid.

With some hope, the sequel, an action-adventure hybrid, will feature a more close relationship with its main characters, not to mention a better concentration on contextual rather than incidental storytelling.

Profanity and pro-homosexual propoganda
I bought this game because the reviews I read were glowing and it looked like it had good graphics.

When I got home and loaded it (it took forever to install) I discovered that the game was 95% just walking around and talking to various characters. Some of the characters are homo-sexual and the language was terrible. I don't want to listen to profanity or some gay woman telling me about her sexual life. I just wanted to play an adventure game. I didn't want to hear all the gay talk. After about a half an hour I had had enough of this game.

This game was totally boring with reguards to gameplay.

The content was vial.

The profanity was plentiful and totally uncalled for.

I give this game my lowest rating.

... Read more

Asin: B0000507UR
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Adventure   

The Ward
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (02 February, 2001)

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Reviews (3)

THE BEST COMP GAME(ADVENTURE/ROLE PLAYING)
I rate THE WARD 5 stars for suspense, intensity and imagination.Fragile Bits has made the most amazing adventure game crated! It is addictive cause as soon as you finish one puzzle, another pops out of nowhere! if u like suspensful, sci-fi adventure games, U'l LOVE THE WARD!!!

The BEST Game!
I rate The WARD 5 stars for the suspense and imagination that fragile bits put into it. This game is addictve cause once u beat a puzzle another pops out at you and you have to think like u'r actually THE WARD. If u like intense sci-fi adventure games, u will love THE WARD! from, THE DUDE

I Loved This Game
The Ward, from Fragile Bits, is a unique scifi third person adventure game that offers significant gaming fun and challenges. The game is loaded with timed sequences, no less than five slider puzzles (solvable with the push of a button) and numerous other diverse puzzles and challenges. The production is beautifully designed. The game plays flawlessly with no technical problems. The story is well-developed and compelling. The Ward also provides a variety of situations for the player.In some areas you are entirely alone and in others, you must interact with other characters to move the story along. The game provides plenty of game time and is an all around sumptuous adventure feast. ... Read more

Asin: B00005448E
Sales Rank: 9228
Subjects:  1. Adventure    2. Computer Games    3. science fiction (sci fi scifi)   

Seven Games of the Soul
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (13 December, 2000)
list price: $29.95
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Editorial Review

Marcellus Faust, an old, wise man from Mississippi, the last guard of an unused theme park at the frontier between heaven and hell. Midnight, a strange visitor appears. It is Mephisto, an aristocrat demon, supreme manipulator, and tempter. A duel between the hunter and his prey runs its course. The stakes? Salvation or damnation! Faust must avoid the traps set by the master of illusions and go through the looking glass. Faust must cross the frontiers of time to investigate the strange past of the park. Dive into a whirlwind of paranormal phenomena to solve the seven mysteries that haunt these walls. ... Read more

Features

Reviews (32)

I was disappointed
In the early part of the 20th century, a man named Theodore More built an amusement park called Dreamland.The park was inhabited by various societal misfits--a pair of Siamese twins, an animal trainer with parental issues, a fat lady, etc.--all of whom had some dealings of an infernal nature with a gentleman named Mephisto.Now there's some dissension in the upper realms as to whether all these people deserved what they got and an everyman--Marcellus Faust--is sent to explore the past and sort things out.

_Faust: Seven Games of the Soul_ is a game that players seem either to love or hate.The ones who love it cite its adult themes, great soundtrack, decent graphics and freedeom of exploration.Its detractors refer to illogical puzzles, technical problems, random action triggers and lack of a truly coherent story.All these things, both the good and the bad, are part and parcel of this game.Taking all into account, I fully expected to be one of the pro-Faust camp.I wasn't.

In the first place, as another reviewer has pointed out, this game really doesn't run very well on XP.You can get it to run if you use a compatability mode and turn your sound acceleration all the way down. But sound in the cutscenes is still extremely choppy and there are numerous things in the game that don't work.Half the features on the main menu simply don't function.Some of these features are supposed to be helpful in gameplay (detailed notes on each character, for example, that just aren't there).Some are things that have led others to give Faust high ratings (no matter what, I could only access one song from the soundtrack)so their lack really had an impact.Within the game there are numerous glitches as well--hotspots that don't appear, or appear far from where they're supposed to, cutscenes that don't play, things that don't work.Just for that, I found attempting to play Faust a frustrating experience.

But it's when you get to the story that things really fall apart.In seven episodes, each devoted to one of the park's denizens, you're supposed to unveil a greater mystery.And you do, kind of.But the episodes themselves are too short and lack detail, and only a few of them contribute to the greater story.Otherwise, you're exploring territory that's infuriatingly random.Some of these people had relationships with each other.Some didn't.What's the point and who cares?By the end, I didn't.

The puzzles were a mixed bag, mostly inventory-based with a few combination locks--not enough variety to excite me, I'm afraid.And here, too, the randomness showed.There was too much inventory that you picked up that had no purpose other than to trigger a cutscene.There was other inventory that you picked up that had no purpose at all and later disappeared (what was that baseball bat for?????)There were puzzles that were so obtuse that there was no possibility that one could solve them without at least a nudge and puzzles that gave no indication they HAD been solved, so I still had to consult a walkthrough to see what was going on.There were puzzles with so many possible solutions--putting a number of words into order in a sentence, for example, when those words would make sense in a hundred different orders--that solving them would take days. I generally play without hints or a walkthrough, so having to exit the game and consult one about five times an episode just to follow the gameplay was truly annoying.Also, towards the end of every episode you're suddenly thrust into a totally different location where you have to complete some action unrelated to anything else to move on.The whole experience was like being shunted back and forth along a series of badly running bumper cars.

After everything else, the revelation of the "true" story and the final decision were a letdown and the two endings, good and bad, were frankly abrupt, meaningless and had the feeling of being slapped on.

I completed Faust in under 20 hours.It would have been shorter if I'd known what was going on.I have to say, for all the disappointments, it IS a haunting game and I DO keep thinking about it.I think if I had an older computer on which to play older games I'd play it again;maybe I'd like it better.But on modern machines, by the standards of today's games, it just doesn't measure up.

It was okay
I kinda liked it at first.I love puzzle, gotta figure things out kind of games, but after a while this one got pretty dumb.The graphics are pretty 'archaic' as far as 3D animation goes now days.It's definitely not Titan A.E. quality.Some of the puzzles were impossible to figure out in my opinion.Like I said, it started out okay, seemed like a really intense story but it got pretty dull and dumb pretty quick.

Who stole the rest of my game?
This game begins very nicely.It's a fun premise, having to go back in time and learn about peoples lives that are in the balance between being really good and really bad and then helping to decided what happens to them.Even more fun is the Devil, or Mephesto, is going to "help" you and the game does a great job at the begining creating a feeling that he's after more than he says and that you are somehow at risk as well.

Then it goes down hill.

Don't get me wrong, there is some fun game play here, it just missed so much of what it could be, and falls prey to some adventure game conventions that I hate and I feel have lead to the decline of the genera.First of all it's 1st person perspective...I HATE THAT!Adventure games are called interactive fiction for a reason.It is much more engageing to watch your character move around and explore things than to get a camera's prespective.I know this was the format for "Myst" and that sold a bizillion copies, but that was 1994 and it was visually new.It's not and it lessens the story telling aspect of a game like this.The idea of a wize old black man from Mississippi as your hero is great...then we hardly ever get to see him.

Which brings me to another point.There is no character interation in this game.Every so often you get a cut scene, but you never get to ask another character a question that gives you insight and information to further your quest, alow for us to get to know our hero better and suck us into the world of the game more.

Some of the puzzels are quite nice, but some are a bit random and there is no information in the game as to how you should find your way through some of these, you just have to guess, trial and error or go to a walk through.I have no problem with useing walk throughs, the way I see it is I paid money for the game to enjoy it, not be frusterated by it so at a certain point I will turn to one.I was just dissapointed with how random some of the puzzles seemed to be.

I guess the biggest disapointment was the ending.I don't want to spoil it, but it changes the opening premise totally and suddenly Mephisto is your harmless, charming buddy.All the reference to tricks and deciet and twists vanishes into thin air and suddenly we are playing the ending to what seems to be a totally different, and much less intersting game.

So, after all of that why 3 stars?Like I said, it does have some very nice moments, it is visually very nice and the MUSIC.If nothing else they made wonderful use of music for mood and period.One of the nicest features of the game is the Juke Box feature that allows you to play any of the music from the game.I sometimes open the game just to play the music. ... Read more

Asin: B00004Y54K
Subjects:  1. Adventure    2. Computer Games    3. Board   

Baldur's Gate
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM

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Editorial Review

Baldur's Gate is a near-perfect adaptation of the classic tabletop, role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. Six separate races and eight core character classes, from which the player can create a completely original character, are available. The game world is well painted, and players are free to explore this wonderfully textured game environment in any way they see fit, all against the backdrop of a thoughtfully conceived and versatile plot.

You begin the game as a young orphan living with your stepfather within the safe confines of a scholarly community. It is a happy and idyllic life until your stepfather is killed and it becomes clear that you are intended to be next. You, as the young protagonist, then set out to discover just what kind of a mess you're in. During the adventure, you recruit a number of personable allies, battle foes, delve into dungeons, trek across wilderness, solve puzzles, and complete a plethora of epic quests that are seamlessly sown into the fabric of the overall plot. The story line unfolds in response to your choices to reveal your character's true identity as well as the nature and motive of your enemies.

If the Lord himself were to ask me what games he should have in his home game collection, the first two words out of my mouth would be Baldur's Gate. This 1998 Role-Playing Game of the Year is a masterpiece and the standard by which all such games will be judged for the foreseeable future. Groundbreaking 32-bit graphics, 3-D sound, multiplayer options, and a friendly real-time game engine are blended with a depth of plot in a way that redefines the genre. --Joshua B. Coombs

Pros:

• Versatile and responsive plot
• Entertaining character interaction
• Huge game world
• Friendly game engine

Cons:

• Nonplayer characters exhibit little free will

... Read more

Reviews (146)

After 6 Years It Remains One of The Best
I unearthed this gem among my collection of old games after a recent move, and I promply popped it in to play out of nostalgia after experiencing a string of disappointing RPG's on the PC. 2 Weeks later I emerged to write the review this wonderful game deserves.

The game is set in Faerun, of the Dungeons and Dragons fame. Don't worry though you will not need to know basically anything about Faerun at first to enjoy the land and it's people, which is why this game is so wonderful. Once you are in the game and playing you will not feel out of place at all. If you are looking for a unique and seamless fantasy setting then you have found it. This is a beautiful world teeming with life and unique characters and once you finish Baldur's Gate, I know you will read up more on this "Faerun." It is that immersive.

Soundwise, this game was a breakthrough in video game entertainment. Bioware outdid itself with its ambient environmental effects. Enter a forest area and you can hear birds and natural wildlife along with trees swaying and wind blowing. When rain comes, it comes with excellent audio. I'm telling you, crank up your fancy speakers and listen! You will become immersed. The towns are constantly alive with sounds of commotion and people shouting. Masterful. The combat sounds such as spell effects and weapons hitting flesh along with the music is commendable as well.

You all play CRPG's for the story right? Even as a couple of Diablo fanboys scamper out I'm going to tell you that the Baldur's Gate saga is one of the great storytelling achievements not just in videogames but literature as well. Call me crazy but I enjoyed the story that much! Oh and don't read the crap novels based on this game the author did it no justice. Baldur's Gate follows the player character as he/she sets out from his warm, cozy lifestyle in the fortress-library of Candlekeep and takes off into the unforgiving land of Faerun. This comes on the heels of your foster father Gorion's urgent warnings. You are sent out into the world fresh for adventure, and there are many twists and turns along the way including one at the start, which will hook you for the rest of the game. Even in Candlekeep things aren't what they seem and without spoiling anything I can tell you that the story blossoms as you advance. You will never feel like saying "What the hell am I actually doing here?"

The gameplay is simple and intuitive. Party navigation is a breeze, and over 15 NPC's can be recruited into your party of 6 as you progress and their unique "banter" amongst themselves really never leaves you bored with your party. Combat is simple and the weapons are fun. Character development is one of the richest ever found in an CRPG. As for all this anger about the rules of D&D and how they "suck" in a CRPG, I can safely say that you should not worry one bit if you are looking for a rich roleplaying experience. I never bothered with 2nd edition 3rd edition and all that crap, the rules are fine and everything is calculated "behind-the-scenes" for you so it never takes away from the experience. Everything is seamlessly done and for a person looking to immerse themselves in a wonderful world the rules should never come up and detract from your game. You DO NOT have to be a Dungeons of Dragons fanatic to pick up this game and enjoy adventuring. It really is quite a masterpiece by itself.

With a lot of areas to cover and hundreds of quests and mini quests (I'm not kidding) you are looking at least 30 hours of gameplay, 20 if you "powergame" and rush through. That's real value for the 10$ max you're paying.

Graphically the old game is showing its age, I must admit. The 640x480 resolution and low-bit sprites are all here, but strangely enough it did not detract from the overall experience one bit. For all you "What are you crazy, 640x480? This ain't the stone age!" people who might pass up on this game because the graphics are dated, do no despair! There is a great mod/upgrade for Baldur's Gate called BGtutu which converts the engine to the newer Baldur's Gate II engine, with dramatic effect.

There's no reason to doubt me and countless other gamers out there that consider this the Holy Grail of CRPG's, there is a reason for that. The reason is that Baldur's Gate is one of those special games that you will be proud to own and look back on it in another 20 years as the "genre-reviving","genre-breaking" masterpiece that it truly is.

There's not much left to say, except that if you are a person that is reading this review right now, in front of your computer, and searching for that different RPG, that is not just hack and slash then end your search my friend. You have found your gem and it is called Baldur's Gate. Give it a go, and when you're done and well on your way to installing it's sequel do what I did and recommend it to someone.

Awesome! says mom of 2
Love the game!Bought this three years ago and still enjoy.Lots of Strategy involved (ie not just a fighting game, ergo women can enjoy too).Thought the fact that my players couldn't advance beyond a certain point was a flaw until reading another review - thank you!.Great way to lose yourself at the end of the day (can consume great amounts of time but easy to leave off and start again).Great adventure!

BEST FRIGGIN' GAME IN THE WORLD!
I've had this game for around four years now, and I've yet to come upon anything as great as this. This is a giagantic world of the fantasy-tinted middle ages that I've yet to learn all the secrets of. I've played through it nearly seven times, and it never seems to get old what with the six racial options including elf, dwarf, human, half-elf, gnome, and halfling, the many, many unique characters that you may choose to adopt throughout the game, and the INCREDIBLY engrossing plotline. Get this game, if you don't like it... then there must be something wrong with you. ... Read more

Asin: B00001QEQA
Subjects:  1. Dungeons and Dragons (D&D)    2. Fantasy (FRPG)    3. Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D)    4. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, rpgs, rpg, crpg, crpgs)   

Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (26 September, 2000)

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

It's not easy being a child of a god. Your character quickly comes tothis conclusion after being imprisoned and tortured by a wizard with anunhealthy interest in your parentage. So begins Baldur's Gate II: Shadows ofAmn, an ambitious role-playing game based on the Advanced Dungeons &Dragons game.

Shadows of Amn is not really a sequel to Baldur's Gate. Instead,Baldur's Gate was merely a prelude to Shadows of Amn. Shadows ofAmn develops the plot lines, characters, and events introduced in the firstgame into a mature, genuinely interesting fantasy tale. Players who thought theoriginal game shallow will be pleasantly surprised by Shadows of Amn'sbold story arcs. Major events are afoot, and the characters' choices have a realimpact on the Forgotten Realms.

In the same way, Baldur's Gate served as a proving ground for the refinedgame mechanics evident in Shadows of Amn. The game's artificialintelligence has been vastly improved, and players have many more choices forNPC AI scripts and party communication. Keeping with Shadows of Amn's moremature theme, the party interaction even includes possible love interests foryour character.

Those who played through the original Baldur's Gate can import theircharacter into Shadows of Amn, or can choose to create a new character.Character kits such as the Mageslayer and Swashbuckler add variety, and the gameeven includes the Monk, Sorcerer, Barbarian, and Half-Orc options from the newDungeons & Dragons 3rdEdition rules. Whether you import an old character or create a new one,you'll begin the game as a fairly advanced character--unlike most RPGs, youwon't have to spend hours slaying puny critters and instead are plunged into ahigh-stakes plot against powerful foes.

A strong plot backed by strong technology makes Shadows of Amn stand outas one of the best RPGs we've ever played. Fans of AD&D will love the classicAD&D feel, and fans of the popular Forgotten Realms setting will delight in thepeople, places, and politics found in Shadows of Amn. --MichaelFehlauer

Pros:

• High-level power gaming
• Quality voice work
• Improves the already great Baldur's Gate interface
• Character kits and D&D 3rd Edition races and classes add variety
• Advances the plot begun in Baldur's Gate

Cons:

• Based on obsolete AD&D 2nd Edition rules
• Character animations are stiff
• Player's character starts out less powerful than other party members

... Read more

Reviews (231)

Incantus Pulchur Imperium!
This is easily the best game i have ever played. You can rank a game in many ways, i give this game maximum points in every single category...

Voice Acting

Probably the games strongest area was it's character development giving the game an extra dimension of realism and gravity, integral to this was the awesome voice acting which was/is the best i have ever known, this game showed that voice acting in computer games can be incredibly powerful, the actors who played the characters are real pro's. My favourite was Irenicus, he breathed a realism and a menace into the character which truly brought that villainous character to life. Also in this category is dialogue, which is equally incredible, occasionally i can still here a reedy voice in my head saying...."you should not have come to this place", unforgettable.

Graphics

For their time, these graphics were top of the range, the outdoors are particularly impressive, wether it's the temple district or the wilderness, no two trees look anything alike.

Sound/Music

The sound effects in the game were amazing, when you are in a city you here murmurings (of street traders/hawkers) which blend wonderfully into the background complementing everything. When you enter Suldanesselar you hear the frantic almost deranged chirpings of the birds which convey a sense of order-disrupted. The games musical score is absolutely gorgeous! The main theme (which kicks up when a fight starts) is rousing and exciting and a pleasure to listen to, it adds even more grandeur and scale to the game.

Gameplay

Top marks here too, there are so many ways you can play the game, so many paths you can take, the challenge level varies but overall is suitably balanced. The games replayability was awesome (i won it at least 10 times and each time i was amazed at how new the experience was). When you add to this the extraordinary value for money you get because the game is extremely long, yet it never becomes repetitive.

Overall this game showed me for the first time what the computer role playing genre was capable of, playing this game was like starring in a movie combined with reading a wonderfully gripping novel. You really feel for the characters. I had thought Planetscape Torment was good, this game introduced an entirely new experience. Easily the best game i have ever played (and i have played a lot).

How did they pack it all into five cd's?

sort of.... dreary
It is difficult to stand against the onslaught of love and respect for this game. And I'm not saying don't try this game. Too many people loved it for me to expect you to go by my experience, but I do want to share with you my different perspective.

First off, looking back, I don't hate Baldur's gate. It has it's virtues. Its just that after 20 or so hours it began to weigh on me, leaving me with a feeling heavy, bleak, and insistent.In taking up computer games as a hobby a year ago it was one of the first games I played or really got into.Fascination rolled into addiction and addiction rolled into a kind of dread and tedium.Finally I realized I didn't actually have to play this game anymore.So I didn't.This may seem like an obvious solution to you, but then you don't actually know me so well.

Enough preamble. I like to rate games based on categories that I find important to me and so I will do that below on a scale of say 1 to 10. How's that?

Story:4, I'll admit my predispositions here, and also that not actually getting more than a third of the way through this game limits me a little, but I do feel I got the main idea.My predisposition is that I long for a computer game that is story driven effectively and actually works as a good story. Story is always such a distant second to gameplay that you end up with these half hour stories built into 15 to 60 hour games.Generally they either make little sense, or fade into a weird sequel nothingness in the end (hello half life 2, beyond good and evil (good games both nevertheless)). I have tried so many, do actually like many games, but have been underwhelmed repeatedly as far as story.Baldur's had the advantage that I was new to gaming and so hadn't seen all it's conventions before, even if they were familiar.In this game you wake up in a prison cell and have a secret destiny.Yeah yeah yeah.It's actually not too bad though and the quality of some of the characters helps, but, and I think this might be the key problem, in order to create an open ended world, provide a variety of quests, and give the good/evil option as it were, the whole thing comes completely apart at the seams.The story falls apart into ridiculousness except the game pretends it hasn't and you're supposed to too. Just to start you spend hours struggling to break out of a dungeon you have no knowledge of even though a member of your party broke in to get you.Wouldn't she have some helpful information?How did she manage it in the first place? So much of this game is full of stuff like this. Its been awhile so I'm fuzzy, but could come up with quite a few more examples, like places where the sense of what is good and effective to do in the game defies the reality of your characters as actual people.In my opinion you can have a very linear game (problem is too few options as a player unless it's done perfectly), or a completely wide open, basically questless game (problem is it feels kind of pointless unless it's done perfectly and beautifully) or you can have a reality defying muddle in the middle of the two. Baldur's takes this last path I am afraid.Still, I would have sort of liked to see how it all turned out if I didn't have to slog through so very much stuff and time to get to it.

Characters: 7 or 8,very good.Love the pictures. Voices excellent. Really nicely done, though after awhile hearing them say the same phrases hundreds of times was hard to take.Also the story caused them to do things completely out of character at times.

Gameplay:5, I prefer less difficulty in games and would have appreciated a difficulty level system very much.There is a lot of fighting, managing your stuff and fighting some more and its that d and d dice rolling fighting that can look very strange (big guy with huge sword swings at weakened creature just standing there and misses wildly). It often left me feeling faintly like it wasn't working and that the game didn't do what was in the queues for my characters even though I suppose it really was.

Graphics: 6, nice general visual design and though its dated now its pretty powerful in the sense of mood it imparts (though see below). I mean it really did affect me in an almost dreamlike way for awhile.It was a bit of a letdown in terms of giving me a sense of wonder though.

Dreariness factor:1,cold, chill and frequently joyless.That's how I found it.Some of the character humor helped a little, especially the nicer characters, but so much killing and grim characters and so little relief or oasis or real rewards or lightness in comparison. Plus I felt burdened by the way the quests could just sort of pile up on you and all be emergencies.

Technical issues:I always feel this is so subjective as you never know what will be a problem with your computer, but a few small or weird glitches were really awful for me.I couldn't get downstairs in one place, something crucial disappeared in another.

Learning factor:4, had a tutorial level which maybe I wouldn't find too confusing with the experience I have now in games, but I really wish it had been more clear and specific.

Product materials:5,a nice start, decent book, but really quite incomplete.

Chore factor:2, well, you know, so many rooms of so many monster things to really get anywhere.I really did feel burdened.

Difficulty:3, kind of already discussed but I'll add that everything seemed either kind of hard to kill or quite hard to kill, it would have been nice and even appropriate if some things had been very easy too. I will repeat I might have lasted longer with an easy or moderately easy setting, but it still would've gotten to me in the end.

Game saves:7,a pretty good save anytime system only flawed by an inability to save in combat, which, if I recall, could sometimes sneak up on you and then it was too late.

Conclusion:I find when I write negative reviews of really popular and respected games (gta vice city is a good example) people tend to say its not helpful, and if I like them its very helpful,but sometimes I think they maybe already played the game and think it's some kind of contest these reviews (then of course, maybe they just think its not a very informative review).I'm just telling you my reaction here and my thoughts. A lot of people gave this classic game 5 stars. I really think this game could've been alot better.

Baldur's gate made me think maybe I don't like rpgs too much, but I am currently pretty far along in star wars knights of the old republic and very much like it.

Not verymuch changed...luckily
Baldur's Gate is a first-class game, so why change the formula in the sequal? Yea, you can fight with two weapons at a time now, but who cares? I still use only one. Graphics didn't change that much in my eyes, so it's actually the same game with another story-line. But the story - because of that I fell in love with BG - is again very good. I saw someone complaining that the bad guy (I forgot his name) is too evil..well, did you expect that the bad guy just sold illegal armor or something? I didn't really like that beginning part - there in those underground mines - but the rest is again amazing. Someone complained you don't know how strong the monsters are if you want to attack... doesn't that make it more real. It's kind of silly if you see a number above his head or something.. It's an addictive game and I wished my copy of it didn't brake (just like my copy of BG1). I love this game (maybe because it's one of the few games I'm really good at), it's perfect just like the first BG. Buy it, the game is cheap these days.. ... Read more

Asin: B00004KHB7
Subjects:  1. Dungeons and Dragons (D&D)    2. Fantasy (FRPG)    3. Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D)    4. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, rpgs, rpg, crpg, crpgs)   

Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee (Jewel Case)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $49.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

You want weird? Look no further than Oddworld: Abe'sOddysee. Mild-mannered factory worker Abe has discovered that hisemployers at Rupture Farms are planning to use his fellow Mudokons asthe main ingredient in their latest product, Mudokon Pops. Like anydecent Mudokon, Abe aims to rescue his peers.He also is determined toseek justice in his battle to bring down the corrupt Rupture Farms. Youhelp Abe carry out his heroic duties by possessing enemies,participating in action sequences worthy of an Indiana Jonesflick, and talking to fellow Mudokons using the game's impressive"gamespeak" feature, which allows multiple characters to communicatewith each other using your control pad.

The graphics in Abe's Oddyssee convey a unique personality, whichis often lacking in platform action games. Still, a few pretty gameenvironments will not distract you from the devious puzzles scatteredthroughout the game. Fortunately, you never run out of lives inOddworld: Abe's Oddysee. Instead, Abe rematerializes immediatelyafter you "die" and the game continues from the last checkpoint youreached. This approach encourages exploration, which you'll want to doanyway since this is one of the most beautiful 2-D games we've seen.--T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Gorgeous graphics and cut-scenes
• Challenging puzzles
• Entertaining story

Cons:

• Many puzzles require perfect timing, which can be difficult tomaster

... Read more

Features

Reviews (5)

"Hello." "Hello." "Follow me." "OK."
THIS GAME FRICKIN' ROCKS A$$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Abe's Oddysee is a video game about a slave/worker in a meat factory on Oddworld, and you have to help him escape form his evil boss, Mullock. It's got a CRAPLOAD of obstacles and puzzles and devices and other places and characters you get to solve, work, visit, and meet! It is very challenging, especially having to get through the dogs and Paramites (*shiver*) and Scabs. THEY WILL KILL!
I haven't actually beat the game yet, but my cousin got me cheats that get me to different levels of the game! You'll become TOTALLY ADDICTED to this! :-D

Very Impressive
An entertaining game with an engaging story and challenging puzzles. Will most likely be a favorite. Some warnings: Some puzzles can be extremely frustrating, no quicksave feature and while the good ending for rescuing more than half of the Mudokons won't disappoint, the ending for rescuing all 99 of the Mudokons is a bit of a letdown. However, well deserving of five stars for gameplay alone.

Absolute favorite
If I could I would give this game 10 stars.It's my favorite computer game.You play Abe, a pathetic little mudokon with a destiny to save his race from becoming pie-filling.You work and puzzle your way through dangerous lands and incredible enviornments.Match wits with Scrabs, Sligs, Paramites and Slogs.A Must-have for any gamer. ... Read more

Asin: B000059GZZ
Subjects:  1. Humor (humour humorous humourous)    2. Computer Games    3. Action