LOOM™

this version of loom isn't the complete game. many cutscenes were cut. many scenes lack music that the original loom had. many lines of dialogue were cut. character close up were cut. we are left with a game that is heavily cut and does not tell the full story.

Loom is just one of those games that stuck with me years after the specifics faded from memory. At its core, it's a classic Lucasarts point-and-click adventure. Loom's twist is that you play as a weaver - a being that can manipulate the fabric of reality through song. As you journey through a fantasy world equal parts distinctive, whimsical, and menacing, you'll learn from listening to your surroundings, and recreate the music you hear to puzzle your way forward. It's an interesting variation on the standard 'combine two unrelated items to make solution' formula, and one that actually ends up producing more intuitive and satisfying puzzles than many the standard adventure games of the era. To be sure, the bones of those games are in abundance here, and there are moments when you'll be stuck without a clue as to how to progress, but at least in hindsight, (most of) the solutions are clever or at least logical. To clarify, this game is old. It was actually one of the best looking adventure games of its era, and I think the fact the art has held up so well is a testament to the detail and care put into crafting it. That said, be aware that this game is pre-Monkey Island (though comparable in terms of sound quality and arguably better in terms of pixel art). It's also very short - even by adventure game standards, though the variation in environments does make it seem larger than it actually is. If you played adventure games back in their golden age and this one passed you by for whatever reason, check this out. If you're at all interested in classic adventure games, this one is a really standout experience. Not necessarily 'the best', but certainly one of the most unique, and memorable. Loom's world and story couldn't be considered expansive, but the game accomplishes an impressive amount even working with so little.

I truly love Loom. But not this version. This version is supposedly an upgrade over the original EGA one, but it removes content, character close-ups, the dialogues and cutscenes are shortened and everything feels dry. Musical cues are also missing! Most of the new animations for the characters are either unnecessary or really terrible. The accompanying audio drama is also not offered in this listing. Loom is a short game and it really needs its original mythos and atmosphere. Ultimately I am not a fan of what they've done to the game with this Talkie version and I wish the EGA version was offered here as well. Of course I'll be update the review if / when we get the original version.

Loom is one of my favourite games from the "good old days" of gaming. I played the EGA version back in the day, and loved every moment of it. I'd heard that the VGA CD-ROM port, which is what you get here, was inferior, but I dismissed those claims as being exaggerated; sadly they are not. The experience is mostly the same, but the presentation is missing all the character close-ups during conversations and one especially cool and dark story bit is neutered because of that. It doesn't ruin the game, as the overall story and adventure is still fun and entertaining, but I can't help but wish they included the EGA version as an option to play, or the FM-Towns version, which is apparently the "definitive" version that keeps the enhanced graphics, but doesn't have any of the cuts that turn this release from a must-play to a maybe-play if you can pick it up on sale.

Since everyone else has left appropriately glowing reviews, I'll offer some advice for enjoying Loom. I just finished playing it for the first time. First, do yourself a favor: listen to the audio prologue on Youtube. I'm sure you'll be able to find it. Second, at least on OS X, learn how to exit fullscreen: option+enter. And hit F5 for the ScummVM options. Write all the drafts down; they are different across playthroughs. Consider finding the "FM Towns" version and figuring out how to run it, for a slightly different experience.