The Dig®

Here's the short of it, from the viewpoint of a big sci-fi fan and casual adventure game player: Fantastic atmosphere, great story, frustrating gameplay. The atmosphere absolutely nails it. As for the story, I sincerely enjoyed it. Had a strong Arthur C. Clarke vibe, which was fantastic. The gameplay was inconsistent and confusing. Often times, I was simply left wondering "What do I do?", and other times thinking "That item was for THAT thing?" Puzzles were sometimes unclear, and running around the map hoping to find the thing to advance the plot got old. I eventually succumbed to a guide. C'est la vie! Perhaps more seasoned pro's with more intelligence than I will have better luck. In the end, I am very glad to have enjoyed this game. It got more right than it did wrong, and if you enjoy sci-fi then I heartily recommend it!

I remember the first time I played this game around 1996 - my friend brought it over to my place for us to play. It was a fun Friday evening. After that I owned The Dig many times and still have it on CD-ROM. When I saw it on GOG, I just had to get it again. I liked the intro with the interview that sets the theme. (I did not then know it was a Spielberg creation) but it very much reminded me of the movie Deep Impact. 'So exciting,' I thought and you get to play as the astronauts! Yes, it is pixel hunting at times, but I enjoyed every minute of the game. I liked the story and the atmosphere (almost like an old Star Trek series with captain Kirk adventure feel). The mystery or secrets this world holds - what could it be? Once you get the feel for the puzzles, it becomes even more enjoyable. (Got stuck early on trying to unlock doors) A game should be enjoyable and fun. If you like to go on an adventure and like click adventure games like: Indiana Jones, then you should certainly play this title.

This is not a typical Lucas Arts Point'n'click adventure game. It is missing wacky characters and humor. You are getting a serious and in places pretty dark story and characters with just a tiny drop of light dialogue/monologue. I played it when it originally came out and still find it to be the most impressive and mature Lucas Arts adventure game. Not the best, but highly recommended nonetheless. Guano! Right in my eye.

Yes, this game comes from Lucas and Spielberg. Yes, this game attempts to look and feel like a big budget science fiction movie. But I feel that a review of this game is best expressed in Indiana Jones movies. It starts "Temple of Doom". Plot is engaging, there's elements of suspense, mild horror, and the puzzles are plentiful, but not too difficult. It in the middle it moves towards "Last Crusade". There's some odd design and puzzle choices, and the storyline is getting a little cliched, but what the hell you're along for the ride. The final section goes completely "Crystal Skull", you're running forwards and backwards over the same few screens and the plot has just gone a bit bonkers. When the final scene is revealed, you're left wondering what the hell just happened when it all started out so well. By no means the best work from LucasArts.

This game has an amazing "vibe" to it, with atmospheric soundtrack and visuals that still look alright 30 years later. Some parts of it are really good, and the story is above average, even if there are some plot holes. But the gameplay ... it's very easy to miss picking something up somewhere because things are a tiny pixel hunt, and often the game won't give you any clue what you are missing. It just feels a disjointed in places too. I don't think I'd have had the patience to play this without internet hints when I got stuck.