This small masterpiece takes use back to the Icewind Dale, but with a completely new party of adventurers (i.e. you don't have to play the previous game to enjoy this one). The rules are taken from AD&D, adapted for a computer game and the story takes place in the Forgotten Realms; the only big flaw is the linearity of the plot: the small subquest do not cancel the impression to be railroaded and are often compulsory. Apart from that, it's a very solid game, aged like a fine wine.
This point-and-click game owes much to titles such as Monkey Island, because most puzzles have some comedic logic and the mechanics are very forgiving (i.e. no chance to die or to get "stuck"). That said, graphics are ok for that age and sound effects are good. Since it's free, I don't see why you shouldn't give it a try.
This game has nothing to do with Larry Laffer's previous graphic adventures and even Al Lowe, their creator, said that McL is NOT canon. With that out of the way, let's discuss the gameplay: except for some mild free roaming, the dialogues are not existent and the interaction is limited to a dozen mini games which repeat themselves over and over and have as reward some pixelated poligonal nudity. No puzzle solving, no riddles, nothing like that. Beside, the difficulty is extremely high and the learning curve is almost flat. A waste of time.
To solve most of the puzzles the player must actually try everything wih everyting and eventually come to a solution. This can be frustrating because every wrong choice leads to an energy loss: one blunder too many and you have to restart the level. I know that we are talking about some cartoonish fantasy world but usually graphic adventures (e.g. "Monkey Island") do have an underlying logic of some sort: this game doesn't. If you get bored, just grab a guide, follow it and enjoy it like you would with a cartoon (graphics and sound are fine).
LBA2 simply takes LBA with its (many) redeeming qualities and removes its flaws: the plot is looser, there are more areas to explore in "free roaming" just for the hell of it, some weapons make fighting actually enjoyable (not a simple exploitation of the stun-lock mechanism) and, last but not least, ther is a SAVE option. If you enjoy 3D adventures, cartoonish graphics and some puzzle solving, this game is for you!
This isometric 3D adventure has a few major flaws: a too linear plot, complex controls and the lack of a "save" option (the position is only recorded at fixed chekpoints). It's a pity because it could have easily become a classic, with great graphics, memorable characters, good voice acting and an original world building. Play it only if you want a hardcore experience.
Cartoonish graphics, immediate gameplay and funny soundtrack: this game is both challenging and rewarding, if you are into this genre. Have fun!
"Wolfenstein 3D" might have paved the way for the FPSs back in the early '90s but "Doom" led to their breakthrough. If you are into the genre, this game has it all: claustrophobic mazes, cool weapons, scary monsters and plenty of secrets. Sure, there are far better and newer games but you cannot miss this one!
