D promised to be a moody game that followed the steps of The 7th Guest but being more tied to the psychological horror (true psychological horror I mean). I remember the demo for it was quite impressive, showing you the incredible intro and the first shocks. Old style CGI cannot quite diminish the cinematic quality of that intro that manages to be a psycho thriller and lovecraftian/clivebarkian horror at the same time. Oh, but you know what? There was barely any other gameplay apart from the promised in the demo. I think there was one or two puzzles (one or two, not joking) and the rest of the game is just clicking to "enjoy" non interactive scenes that slow the pace (with a time limit!). The developers/producers had a great setup and did not know what to do to make a game out of it, and the effort really feels poor and rushed and extremely short. Recommended only as a curiosity artifact, to know what was the deal with FMV (full motion video) games and why they end up being a dreaded bunch.
The arguably first game by Kingart (The Book of Unwritten Tales, The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief) already shows how solidly they design the adventure games. Though not as moody as the irregular first part, it depends on it to tell a story of a foreigner that gets involved in the gothic saga of that family. Play the first Black Mirror, with a walkthrough if you want, and then move to this one and wonder about the improvements in humour, puzzle design, narration, and enjoy the several pop culture nods (horror movies and other things) that the game has in spades. One of my favourite adventures of the later years.
You know, every time a game is released in GOG a bunch of people come in and give 5 stars just for nostalgia glasses and some kind of support. Not me. I am usually very cold about the games I played 20 years (ouch!) ago, but not this one: Al-Qadim was, at first, some kind of rpg-lite made for PC, a kind of Zelda or Terranigma with more colours and clunkier scroll and movement, but it ended up being one of my favourite games. Why? - First: for the setting, a very beautiful arabian one, I think the only time it has been seen in a crpg. - Second: for the music, the best oriental-like one at this side of Quest for Glory 2 and Prince of Persia 2. - Third: for how very well written it is, as the plot is not only full of twists, but it is always a pleasure to follow. - Fourth: for the (linear) game design, so clear in its objectives. And - Fifth: for the mix of the four previous points, that makes this a very fun and sweet adventure. How I wish it had a second part and I had not to play it every two years to enjoy it again. One more thing (that I will add in the forum): there is one part at the beginning where you come back to the village to have a meeting. If the dosbox cycles are too high, the people used to get stuck. Just lower them to the minimum at that part if this happens to you.
A kind of twin game to "Dark Seed 2", that reflects on the many kinds of horror of gothic north america. Lots of surrealism, some not-so-good mechanics, but a memorable game and a wonderful unique experience.
First review here? I actually loved this game when it came out: made by the same team behind Al-Qadim (another game I go back to from time to time), it is as unique as that one: not only it is a good action adventure, but its nearly Cronenberg-esque story is quite fascinating. Really good, really fun, just not very deep, but still one of my favourites.
Lighthearted adventure from Westwood that has all the virtues from their games at that era (mostly those gorgeous graphics), much better puzzles than the first part and a much more interesting plot than the third one. Good and forgiving puzzles, excellent environments, and just one thing that I didn't like: an unnecessary Hanoi towers puzzle in the end. Recommended, as it one of the better adventures in GOG.
The main game is a series of puzzle levels, very classic in their design and very well thought and well crafted, that introduces you every new feature gradually, so when you are at the end of the game, things get really difficult. Other available levels, once you finish the main "campaign", are much more devious, but just for the entertainment of those first levels this game is really worth of it.
My first review in GOG, and one that isn't about any old game. Ok, Assassin's Creed: if you don't know it, this is a game that takes ideas from the Prince of Persia modern games, ideas from the Splinter Cell games... ok, ideas from Ubi Soft games in general and put them in a game with an intriguing story and mechanics that, yes, become repetitive. I liked the story a lot, and I enjoyed this game playing it with small doses, like 2-3 hours from then to then, but its flaws are blatant - they would be dramatically fixed in the next game. It's not very difficult, it features great enviroments that makes you believe you are there, and after all, it's a game that lets itself play confortably. I enjoyed it A LOT - indeed, it is one of my most favourite games of the last decade, jumping over roofs, riding horses, silently killing, freeing innocents - and think that its strong features surpass its weak ones, but be aware that there is a lot of repetition here... and a very frustrating cliffhanger at the end.
