The Longest Journey

I played this game when it recently came out and I totally loved it. The story, the graphics, the sense of humor... everything was great to me. Very recommended!!

I love adventure games. I grew up playing the Lucas Arts classics and Sierra titles and this is definitely a good game that can stand amongst them. The story is about April Ryan living in a corporate future and the very odd occurrences that happen to her thereafter. The story is engaging and really draws you in with its interesting characters and locals. In particular, the little details interested me as you learn about the places you visit and engage in conversation. The game is humorous despite it's bleak locales and I was laughing on many occasions. However, the ending for many people (myself included) is a let down. The puzzles are logical and well thought out and I was never stuck for very long. This isn't a game where outlandish efforts are needed to solve a puzzle. A few you need to use your brain and are quite enjoyable. The first of my complaints is that they use the same voice actor far too often. Some of the characters are absolute hoots and I enjoyed every second talking to them but some are voiced by the same voice actor and it is very apparent that it is the same person. Two characters are actually voiced in the exact same voice with no changes and things like that break immersion. I wish they had tried a little harder in this respect. Another of my complaints against the games is that it is not particularly good looking; some would even call it ugly. The game is old and made when 3D games first started being made so I excuse the graphics somewhat. I wish they had went with something that would better stand the test of time. My last complaint is that the game appears rushed. The opening location is great and interesting and so is the location after that but then you go to another where a whole civilization appears to be represented by a single person. You then go to another civilization and meet the same voice actors you've heard before and aren't human but they might as well be by the way they are portrayed. A few characters you get attached to are also never seen again. I wish they had taken more effort to bring these people and places alive and use those we have a connection with better. All in all it is a good game and I enjoyed playing it. My criticisms are the result of really liking the game and wishing it had been put together a little better. Buy the game and you won't be disappointed though you may, like I, wish they had changed a few aspects.

I played this game after enjoying Dreamfall and had a hard time adapting to how horribly aged both the graphics and the engine, full of bugs, if tried to be run on a modern system. Thankfully, nothing ResidualVM software can't fix. Also some puzzle are the most obtuse thing ever, operated on a moon logic, which was a standard level of challenge back when the game was released. Again, nothing a walkthrough can't fix and nobody feel ashamed of using those for the sake of keeping up the pace of the story. Luckily, both writing and voice actors' performance hasn't aged a bit and if you let yourself in, the story will slowly suck you into its magnificent reality and let you travel across the worlds, exploring them from the deepest bottoms of their oceans to the tallest mountains and buildings, hiding all the mystery, all the dark and sinister secrets that keep their worlds spinning. They should make a fantasy/sci-fi epic on a big screen out of it some day, "Lord of the Rings" style.

I really don't need to add to what has been said from clearly passionate players like myself, other than lose yourself in a pure classic story that was made by a bunch that loved games. Those were the days. 'Do the monkey'!!

While Ragnar Tørnquist's masterpiece, The Longest Journey, hasn't aged so well, it's still one of the best adventure games available now and easily the best at its time. That's top notch writing everywhere: the plot, the dialogues, the in-game texts, and items description which are narrated by the charismatic female protagonist, April Ryan. The game is full of pop culture references, and there's a lot of though put into characterization and mood. Some of the puzzles, specially at the beginning of the game might be a little too abstract and frustrating but GOG offers a great guide in the download section. The Voice acting is still one of my favorites of all time. Unfortunately, while the pre-rendered backgrounds look amazing, most polygonal modes are too simple and straight up ugly and expressionless, except for April's. But while the character faces won't properly convey feelings, the voice acting more than makes up for it. Brace yourself, for the Longest Journey is more than just the title. This is a very long adventure game, and while you might not love it in its entirety, when you finish and looked back at all the moments you spent, you'll be glad you did.