LOOM™

While Loom is easily recognizable as a classic, early Lucas Arts adventure, it misses the typical mechanism of adventure puzzles: You have no inventory and thus don't solve puzzles by combining objects. Instead, you have a magic staff and learn "spells" in the form of short melodies. The difficulty arises from choosing the right melody (probably reversed for reversed effect) at the right point. While Loom is quite an old game, it has aged well. The pixely graphics are nonetheless well-done, the music (mostly pieces from Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake") is simple, yet beautiful, and the story, while not highly original, is nicely told. The setting, a world where people are divided into craft's guilds instead of nations, is quite original and interesting. I can recommend this game to anyone who likes classic LucasArts Adventure games, Tchaikowsky or the dreamy, somewhat fairytale-like fantasy setting. Note: Originally, this was to be the first part of a trilogy, but the second and third part were never made. Fans of Loom have recently released the first chapter of Forge (http://forgegame.com/), the sequel to Loom. So, if you bought Loom and want more, consider the fan-made sequel and maybe help the developers with the next chapters.

For the players who have never played Loom, on youtube you can find the currently missing "Audio Drama", which serves as an introduction to the game and the lore of the world. For a comparison between the original EGA version (currently not included) and this VGA, CD-Talkie version, I will point to this good review video by "DOS Nostalgia". Warning: SPOILERS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRJD0OrGulU

A terrific adventure game. I've never played the talkie, but the 256-color FM-Towns version was great. BTW, for those that have never heard the audio drama, you can find it at the International House of Mojo: http://mixnmojo.com/media/files/Loom-Audio-Drama The audio drama really would have been great to include as an extra, though. Yes, the game was a tad short, but the atmosphere was fun and I really got into it by the end.

LOOM is a game about MUSIC, but this VGA-Version of the game SUCKS. The VGA version cut down on the music (a shame in a game that revolves around music). Yes, there is a new CD-audio track, but still a lot of music got cut. The VGA- graphics are somewaht INFERIOR to the EGA ones (Portraits are cut and a lot of atmosphre is lost). If you want to see what i mean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRJD0OrGulU LOOM was one of the last great EGA adventure games, so it is sad, that a site like GOG, that tries to keep good old games alive, wont include the ORIGINAL EGA version (far superior in every way).

Mark my words: buy it, then go, download the EGA original version out there, stream the LOOM Audio Drama, prepare the manual printing it or loading it on mobile or table and the play the thing using SCUMM. That is, that's the best way to play this absolute masterpiece. But sadly, this VGA version is not the best one. Also, post playing, I recommend to watch the Loom Making Off conference by writer Brian Moriarty. And the video essay "LOOM™ EGA vs VGA - DOS Nostalgia" to know why the EGA version is the best. Good play!