There seems to difference of opinion going on between the people who fell in love with the original series and the younger ones who see better technical productions and have preferred the AGV version. In favour of the remade originals: If you were brought up on the original games, these releases are true in gameplay and graphics to the orignals. It will bring back that smile you had when you were 8 and you rushed home from school to see if you could get Sir Graham to get down the well or past the troll or ...whatever. At the same time the frustration of just getting him up stairs without falling and the annoyance that getting hold of that flaming eagle is still there is droves. There is all the good we loved and the bad we lived with. But that's not how adventure games are now I think lots of us like the most recent offerings. In favour of the new style: Personally there are lots I like about the AGV remakes. A seriously interesting plot is being introduced that (I guess) wasn't in the capacity of the programming in the early-mid eighties. The remade KQ2 and KQ3 offer a plot that brings together and consolidates the whole series including the sadly incomplete attempt at Kings Quest 9. The Kings Quest series should always hold much respect for being an initial example of how to develop adventure games but they have developed into something better.
The tag lines for this game seem to be along the lines of 'Quest for Glory meets Leisure Suit Larry.' Thankfully it is much more like QFG. I guess the LSL comparison is there because all of the female characters have lots of cleavage on show. This game seems to be directly aimed at those kids that loved the QFG series and are now adults. You have three character classes, The gameplay is a mix of puzzles, dialogue and fairly simple combat. It looks like there are multiple solutions for many puzzles and tailored sections for each class of player (mage, thief, fighter). The initial setup is almost identical but your character isn't the silent, nameless guy anymore. You get a selfish, mouthy rougue who's on the run from a baron after being found in bed with his daughter. The other writing aspects of the game are also a long way from Sierra's sickly sweetness. Its full of non family friendly language and references but the jokes aren't cheap (on the whole). It's pretty good writing for a mature audience. The character is suprisingly likeable and although the game isn't quite as funny as the trailers suggest you will find a few laugh out loud moments. He is also played by a really good voice actor. The others vary more but the only really bad ones don't have more than a line or two. QFG fans will find this at least enjoyable and other point and click fans should give it a go even if combat annoys you- it is a minor part of the game really. The only bad point about the game is a mildly bland storyline. It starts off looking intriguing before fizzling out at the end. But it does imply a sequel may be coming to tie things up. One more bad point for a minority of people who might buy this. You have to battle with some really grim giant spiders. They are unavoidable.I know people who really couldn't handle these so check out some screenshots before you buy if you're an arachnophobe.
I have been quite a fan of Daedalic's creations on the whole but I've always wondered why they pick such unlikeable protagonists. I played Deponia and Whispered World whose main characters were heavily criticised and still enjoyed them. But I thought Randal was just too much. This game is really not fun to play. Good points first: The artwork is pretty good. It is cartoony in a way that reminded me of 'American Dad'. The background music is also really well done. I also can't knock the voice acting. The game interface is completely fine: right click to bring out the options and left click to select. Good Daedalic standards. Good technical production all round. Despite the technical good work the story is itself downright dull. This is pushed to unbearable by the main character. Playing this game feels like being stuck in a room with a cranky sarcastic teenager that doesn't shut up. I understand the main character is intentionally a complete a-hole. That would be ok if there were enjoyables bits of story and puzzle. But I'm sorry there aren't. It is just a stream of dull non-sensical puzzles while you get whined at by the horrib;y stupid lead character. As for the geek culture references, perhaps I missed a few when i decided that 3 hours of my life were more than enough to spend on this game. *minor spoiler* Threepwood Street as the main character's address. I suppose the music on this street seems to be a nod to the Monkey Island soundtrack. Sorry, but not neither amusing nor clever enough to make up for the tedium of the rest of what I saw. I hate putting down Daedalic . I love loads of their other games. I also hate the fact that i got so sick of this nonsense that I missed most of Jason Mewes' acting. But I just couldn't sit through the dull nonsense any more. Not worth the price by a long shot.
I'm glad there are institutions like Daedalic making techically sound point and click adventures. But I wish they would get some writers to understand that an annoying lead characters are detrimental to the enjoyment of the game. This game has loads of good things going for it. I would recommend playing it if you like point and click adventures proviiding it didn't cost more than maybe $20 or equivalent. Positives: Pretty graohics, Really good effort here. Intuitive interface, Left or right click does what you need and its easy to figure out from thereon. nice though unexceptional soundtrack, puzzles that are relatively sensible Negatives: Verging on dull plot, (although i think this is in keeping with the initial RPG this was based on) Monotonic voice acting at times. The REALLY bad point: The 'sidekick' character. The player controlled character is a bit dull but not actively irritating. *very minor spoiler coming* Near the beginning of the game you come across a fairy who you try to help. This becomes a large part of the main character's goals. Unfortunately she is clueless at best, unhelpful (if you want to be polite) and eventually a counterproductive pain in the backside. I'm afraid that side character puts a downer on the game. A damsel in distress that ends up being brainless and counterproductive. She is really hard to like. Everything else,is fine. Nothing special but a solid production with one really annoying flaw.
Harvester is an engaging 3rd person point and click style adventure game with a very dark and disturbing plot. It is definitely not one to play with your ten year old. In terms of graphics, audio and gameplay it is very typical of the mid 90s adventures that often combined hand drawn background with full motion video characters. (much like Return to Zork, Under a Killing moon...) Good points: Traditional point and click interface that is easy to use A decent set of actors. Very intriguing plot Non player characters that have some depth A set of of optional side scenes that are dark but enjoyably quirky. Scrap quirky, I mean totally mad. Points that appeal to some but not others: Minor elements of the plot change depending on your character's actions. There is a combat element to the game. You can attack almost anyone you meet but you are not obliged to until late in the game. Bad Points: Despite the interesting plot, both of the possible endings are disappointingly weak Combat suddenly becomes obligatory during the end game. You can choose to avoid it until then but when it kicks in it is actually quite difficult and annoying. To summarise, I enjoyed this game and thought it decent value for money. I'd recommend it to people who enjoyed 'Cat Lady' and/or the 'Black Mirror' series or any point and click adventure fans who also enjoy psychological horror fiction.
Without a doubt this is a faithfull and expertly executed remake of a game that already holds the highest esteem in its genre. The locations are recogniseably the same but even more beautifully rendered, the puzzles are mostly the same with a few extra thrown in, the voice acting is really, really good even though big names aren't involved this time. The music in (what I assume is) its first imagined form is gorgeous. I loved the game the first time but with this fully orchestrated soundtrack and the improved graphics I can't deny that this production has got it nearly perfect. I'd leave out 'nearly' if there weren't a bug or two. They seem to be not a minor problem and likely will be sorted out soon. For those new to the game: Anyone who has developed a liking of point and clicks should give this a go. Jensen's writing is exceptional in all of her games and this is was her best known work. The plot is mature, mildly dark and completely engrossing, the puzzles are sensible without feeling too easy and the characterization is perfect. Throw in an excellent production team and a soundtrack that John Williams perhaps might have felt a bit jealous of... what would you rather spend your gaming time on? For those who have played the original and aren't sure about getting this: The game has been made more linear. For example you can't visit Gabe's Grandma until day 5. It isn't a bug. You just have mildly less control over the order when you do some things. One or two locations seem to have an extra screen. This seems to be to make the puzzles more complex or make the puzzles more sensible. Seriously, the voice acting is good despite some of our heroes no longer being avaiable for the roles.
Quick summary -This game is an enjoyable old school style point and click with a detailed but not overly impressive fairy tale plot. The gameplay is mostly based around inventory and conversation based puzzles. I think it is worth its price but it's not one to write home about. It feels like it should be a game aimed at the (very probably) few children that play point and click adventures. The good - This game is excellently produced. It has great graphics, a nice soundtrack and a well designed simple and intuitive interface. I think the voice acting was fairly good although I understand why some of the other reviewers found the main character's voice a bit whiny. If you don't hate the voice you can enjoy a good 8-10 hours gameplay of a beautifully rendered story. The bad - The puzzle quality is very mixed. Most are logical but there is a scattering of the thoroughly mad. You will almost certainly need to look at a walkthrough three or four times. The plot itself is also bland and childish. I disliked the ending even though i saw it coming. It's just a bit too childish and predictable. Overall I felt that Whispered World is a game I enjoyed playing to wind down for a few hours. I would most recommend it to someone who's looking for a family friendly game. I'm glad I bought it but there are better games to try first.
