In Salammbo, you will venture back to the ancient world, for an incredible historical adventure!
REVIEW
Atmospheric Adventure I have been a fan of adventure games for ages, yet have never truly got into those first-person perspective games until recently. The reason I have never understood those games is that despite their often breath-taking graphics, most of them had less of a plot than your average first-person shooter. Now, though, with games like Post Mortem and Salammbo, I can find a reason to play these games.
Salammbo is loosely based on historical events that occurred during the Punic Wars. Don't let the tag line on the box (where it claims to be part strategy and part action game) fool you though, this game is pure adventure. The 'strategy' elements are nothing more than a miniature chess match and feel like a puzzle more than even that. It is true that there are some timed sequences and one location where you are required to shoot a moving target, but the timing is fairly generous and the aiming is forgiving if you have played anything beyond classic Sierra or Lucas Arts adventure titles.
What truly sets this game apart is its atmosphere. The entire world is presented in a dark, gothic manner. Given the fact that this is one of those adventure games in which your actions can cost you your life, I constantly felt like every move I made could be my last. Everything had a feeling of forbodding to it and it made me feel a part of the game. The main character is an escaped slave whose very life is at risk with every turn he makes, and you can easily feel that way with this game.
Furthermore, the characters will stick with you after playing this game. While the voice-acting is forgettable at best, the characters themselves are so vividly drawn and so distinct from each other and any other game on the market that you simply will not forget them soon. For example, the women in the game are stunningly beautiful. Every one of them looks like the woman on the cover (which probably means the designers are lacking in a social life). The mercenaries, on the other hand, all look threatening to one degree or another (in no small part to those red eyes). Some of the characters, though, especially some of those mercenary guards look like they came out of some ... nightmare (which, incidently ads to the atmosphere).
In the end, while the game presents few game-play elements that have not been seen before, the title deserves to be played simply for its ambiance.
The legacy of the Tastan tombs has long held some of the most profound secrets of an extinct race of people. Some believe the tombs hold a fabulous treasure; others say wealth is in the knowledge and technology left behind by this advanced civilization. Watching over their sacred caverns is a holographic image with advanced A.I. who randomly appears in the form of a mysterious woman, awakened when there is disturbance in the tombs. You will discover that in the realm of illusion, the sentinel is much more than she appears to be -- her dark purpose might threaten your very existence.
REVIEW
A very good puzzle game Realms of Ilussion is the same as Sentinel Descendants in time, the change was done because of some copyright issues. But the game is very good doing a challenge mind. The hard puzzles (to me) are the sound based. You will get worlds over the sky, with snow, a under sea city and many other places with fantastic landscapes. The puzzle style is similar to Schizm, and you will need write details to solve them.
The appearance of the Super Nova of the Crab in the skies has awakened the light half of the force. Ten, descendent of Seth, the original Hero of Atlantis, holds within him the key to the mystery and is bound on an adventure to Tibet, where he will gradua
REVIEW
Mixed bag with Beyond Atlantis It's currently March 2004, and this game shows its age a bit - not that it could do anything else. I played it this past week using Windows XP and it ran equally with and without dropping it into 95/98 compatability mode. Sometimes the pauses between steps/movements got to be irritating; by today's standards, it needs polish. Motion is guided and limited, the progression leans heavily toward the linear, and there's a fair amount of disk-swapping.
That being said, the brilliant dialogue and characterization this game has won't be bested for years to come, if ever. On top of that, the graphics are wonderful, and the music (both beautiful and appropriate), has a definate part in the role play. These advantages more than make up for the limitations of the mechanics.
My hat is off to the writers and voices - an extended conversation with the Mayan bat is a treat not to be missed, the entire Chinese section is undertoned and hillarious, and the Irish birdman is perfection.
I bought the jewel case version used for under $4. I'd happily pay the current game rate of $50 if that's what it would take to replace it.
Theending I did not care for. For that, I deducted one star - the story quality took a definate nose dive right at the end - and even the fantastic artwork couldn't save the last two cut-scenes.
But they aren't part of the game.
Buy it soon, folks. They aren't making this one anymore.
Solve another great adventure in Sherlock Holmes: The Silver Earring. At a reception organized in honor of his daughter, Melvyn Bromsby, a rich tycoon, is about to make an important announcement concerning his future business affairs when, all of a sudden, a shot rings out. Sir Bromsby collapses, having suffered a mortal wound to the heart. Use your impressive array of skills to solve this intriguing affair.
Windows XP / Me / 2000 / 98
REVIEW
Sherlock Holmes is smarter than you For ten dollars, what an excellent game! From the same voice-acting as Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened and Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis comes the case of the Silver Earring. Holmes and Watson, as in the two 'later' games are played quite well.
I wouldn't ruin the plot but will say this. Plenty of people die and it is up to Holmes to link Brazil, a pillow, cigarettes, a ball-room function, and a young woman's fortune together. Needless to say when the case is resolved, bravo if you figured out who the real culprits were on your own. I for one needed Holmes to explain it to me, using very small words.
Graphic Wise, the game is decent but the human characters are blocky and move like robots.
Music is limited and the later games were far better at including more period sounds.
Movement is a true pain, rather than by arrow key, you must use your mouse cursor to tell Holmes where to go. Normally I would not complain except several times there are cases where swift movement is key, and the game is dreadful at it. There is a situation involving guard dogs, and later a fire, which seems to be the main complaint from users I've found online, and rightfully so!
At the end of each segment, a quiz is given where you must answer questions and link them to evidence. A neat feature except the game is exacting in which evidence you need to use. A few times, the testimony of another would have sufficed.
For ten dollars the game is interesting and not too challenging. The puzzles sadly revolve around little math games. Who does math for fun? If you do, do investigate the other games!
Like the other games you are more a witness to a movie than a real interacting detective. But that is not so bad. Watching Holmes work makes me feel like Watson. I see everything but observe nothing and am amazed by Holmes' conclusion at the end!
must have nibiru is a must have in any adventure library, nice colorful graphics, cool puzzles, i had lots of fun with this game...i love games like tunguska,black mirror,runaway,next life,broken sword.....its right up there....oh yeah and crime stories.....that was in this group too..we never seem to get that perfect adventure game that makes our jaws hit the floor...there is so much trash out there that costs time and money..this game was what i was looking for...you will be pleased
In Neverend, you'll become an ancient fairy with broken wings. Feared and despised by humans, she has been forced to live among thieves. When their drunken leader turns on her and is killed, Agavaen finds herself on the run. Lead her across the world as she tries to find her place in this hostile, rough place. Rejected by society, Agavaen explores a vast and unique world arming herself with powerful weapons and spells as she uncovers the clues to her true identity. Active real-time battle system using a number of different moves, weapons, and special combos Create your own spells using a special new rune system For Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP with DirectX 9
REVIEW
Never Ending Bugs This game is a bad mix of Hero's Quest and Final Fantisy and its riddles with bugs.
3 Great Games For Girls is packed with hours and hours of solid entertainment for girls and women alike. This special combo pack features top-selling games including the Adventure Game of the Year award winner, Syberia.
REVIEW
DreamCatcher games are Awsome!!! I personally love Dreamcatcher games! The graphics are breathtaking. I own and played two of the games in this pack, I wasn't in for the pony game, not my thingas a 40 yr. old man. Syberia I've played twice once for the game and the puzzles the second time was just to view the graphics. The other game was like all the other Dreamcatcher Games great puzzles and awsome graphics. If your looking for slash em up gun toting machinegun action these are not the games for you. The puzzles are thought out logical puzzles with a great story background. If this is your first introduction to this company be warned you will be hooked. I own all most the whole Dreamcatcher games. For young Girls, Grown ladies and even Men will enjoy the games. I can't speak for the horse game but I'm sure it's just as awsome based on my experience. Check out their Nancy Drew games too. Their great for girls as well! Im a Man and I enjoyed them. So give them a try.
Amazon.comPC gamers, get ready for the next great Experience in Action and Adventure with The Experiment. Over sweeping cliffs and across scenic coastlines, this innovative shared adventure begins in the bowels of an old, dilapidated ship grounded ashore. Mysteriously, you find yourself in the ship’s operations room faced with a highly advanced panel of controls, surveillance monitors, and a wide array of sophisticated technology. As you scan the monitors frantically searching for answers to what this place is and why you are there, the only signs of life you have come across are a series of strange, curiously hard to identify animals, but then you see her; a woman.
Help Yourself by Helping Her Professor Lea Nichols is a research scientist in her thirties and could be described as beautiful if the strain of her situation wasn’t so etched into her features. As hard as you try you are unable to communicate with her, but it is clear she is being held captive by someone or something and wants help. The problem is, apparently you too are being held prisoner by an unseen captor. Soon you come to realize that the only way to escape is to help one another. But how and why is it that control over both your fates seems has been placed into your hands?Use the Tools You Have If you can discover a way to use the few tools tools you’ve been given (the surveillance system, an Intranet and other technologies) to Watch, Communicate, Search and eventually Take Control, you may both have a chance at escape. But remember that things are not always as they appear, even in the most controlled of experiments.Full Features:
Unlock a powerful story revealed through vivid flashbacks and shocking plot twists.
Each character has independent attitudes, notions, and fears requiring you to build trust with the other character and overcome human and environmental challenges.
As Lea’s extended eyes and ears, explore every corner of the eerie ship scouting the path ahead for unseen dangers and enemies.
Strategically employ high-tech surveillance equipment to solve ingenious puzzles including: the ship’s Intranet, full 3D rotation cameras, light intensifiers, heat detectors, thermal vision, and even cameras on remote control vehicles.
Screenshots
Explore the odd creatures. View larger.
Attemptto communicate. View larger.
Review character histories. View larger.
Utilize in-game monitors. View larger.
System Requirements:
Minimum Requirements:
OS:
Windows® Vista™/XP
Processor Speed:
1.5 GHz Pentium® 4, AMD® Athlon® or equivalent
RAM:
512 MB (1 GB for Vista) or more
Video:
MB Graphics Card, Supporting Vertex and Pixel Shader 1.1, Compatible with DirectX® 9.0c
Hard Disk Space:
1.4 GB of Free Space
REVIEW
I also wish I could play this game The game would not play. After investigating on the company website I found my video card was not sufficient even though it met the requirements stated on the box. Check company website to see if your card will work.
Enjoy five classic adventure games from The Adventure Company in one package, a must-have for any adventure gaming fan! ESRB Rated T for Teen ( Keepsake = E for Everyone )
REVIEW
Game by game It's easier to review the games one by one. I have not played Dead Reefs because the reviews say it's buggier than an entymologist's den. Disregard the ratings above because I would rate each game so differently. Also, I would buy it again, if only for two of the games.
1. Keepsake: The visuals were gorgeous; the puzzles were interesting, with a few of the usual puzzles thrown in. The storyline was stupid. We're in a school of magic! Wizards, dragons, you know! Could we have a little action, please? How about a real bad guys? And frankly, Celeste got on my nerves.
2. Return to Mysterious Island: Visually okay, but I really, really loved loved loved the fact that puzzles had more than one solution. I played it twice just to try things differently. I've always hated the fact that you can be standing over a bomb, needing the wire cutters, and going to die because you only have a pair of scissors. In real life, you wreck the scissors, get a little shock, and live. Story line was a little thinner than usual, but the flexibility of the game made it one of my favorites in this pack. Only one pixel hunt I can think of.
3. Nibiru: This game reminds me of Eastern European films: Grim, humorless, inflexible, and giving me a lot less agency than I am used to. Not a coincidence--it's based on an Eastern European game. Too much walk and talk. Storyline could have been interesting, if it didn't insist on being so noir. At least it wasn't buggy. It was beautiful, though. Points for using Nazis without falling into sterotypes.
4. Tunguska--we enjoyed this one. Humor, action, and a great button. You push on it and you can see all the "hot spots" on the screen. No more pixel hunting. Good storyline. We await the sequel. I think if you like Broken Sword, you'll like Tunguska.
In Sacred Rings 2: The Aura you'll prepare yourself for a journey unlike any you've seen before. You become Umang, a citizen of the strange world where the Sacred Rings are key. The Sacred Rings that grant the holder unlimited power and immortality -- and you've awakened and found them clenched in your hand. Soon you learn that a rival clan wants the Sacred Rings' power for their own evil purposes. Before they track you down, you have to protect the Sacred Rings and return them to the Keepers -- the only ones who will be able to watch over them. The fate of the Sacred Rings and Mankind lies in your hands. Game engine with immersive special effects andan astonishing musical score
REVIEW
DEFINITELY A MIXED BAG I sure wish I could give "Sacred Rings" a higher rating, because like so many, I was very much looking forward to what is a sequel to what was a pretty good game.
OK, the graphics are good. OK, the voice acting is actually superior, but is it better overall? Sadly, I don't think so - as much as I'd like to say otherwise. I'm a passionate graphics freak, and good voice acting (not to mention plot) helps a lot. Sadly, it was not to be so. So much of "Sacred Rings" is so DARK graphically - to the point of being unrealeaingly GRIM. HEY, guys!!!! Lighten up! Most locations are either in dungeons, or underground, or it's raining. (Sorry folks, but it's true.) Also, given the magic of "Aura", would it be unreasonable to expect the same to continue - even more so? I don't think so. I certainly hoped so - to the point of being several months back-ordered on it.
OK, so the hero is going into a new world that no one has been to before, what an opportunity - lost. Yeah, he was a lot more tolerable that he was - acting-wise in "Aura", but it's all got to hang together, and it just didn't.
In "Aura" there was all this wonderful stuff that was visually magical - some was even truly superior. The music and sound effects ditto. Sadly, this was missing from "Sacred Rings". Frankly, it was downright GRIM - w/ no magic to alleviate the mood.
Of course, I'm not about to reveal the ending, but I will go as far as to say: HUH?
I appreciate all the work that the creators put into this, but sadly, they missed the boat - or lost track of what could have been a wonderful series.
