This is not a game persay. It is several things. It's split into 4 rounds. 1 you watch a movie clip. 2 you give your subjective opinion on what just happened and the characters involved, as well as thoughts on the plot or on how you feel about certain situations. 3 you explore the area the scene just played out in, reading diary entries, bumping into characters, reading books on art, books on wicca, listen to hilarious radio programs, reading case files, listening to dictaphones, learning about psychology and sexuality, and trying to figure out what characters are really thinking and doing. The plot of the movie is a mystery but this isn't a game that you try to win. It's an interactive movie where your actions can't change the plot but it can effect how certain scenes are portrayed and how characters might react to each other. Finally 4 you do what's called a Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). You're given a picture and are asked not what the picture is of (which everyone would answer the same) but what the things in the picture are thinking, or what will happen next. It's a way of projecting on to other things your subjective biases and is used to psychanalyse you. After the 4 rounds end and you finish the first 2 rounds and can explore the again in round 3 you can ALSO check your psych analysis, which changes as the game progresses and learns more about you. There's a few things to know going in. 1stly it's a risque thriller movie from the 90s, if you know the genre i'm talking about then you'll know if this is right for you (think Poison Ivy etc). 2ndly it's not a game really, though you could make it one by trying to figure out the mysteries. There's no way to fail/win it or die. 3rdly it's adult in content, no seriously, not just nudity but the themes are pretty adult. It's what i'd call a revealing experience and i'd recommend trying it. I still have my original dvd copy and still i bought it for a bargain on GOG.
I remember playing this way back in the 2000. It was the regular game at that stage. I had become a big fan of adventure games and horror and thought this would be a good mix. I didn't expect it to be such a journey. It's a game that takes a piece of bacon and makes it a bridge. It takes your everyday environment and magnifies it. The detail of ordinary objects up close was sometimes creepy but often fascinating. The lack of HUD was great and the in picture fmv that revealed bit by bit the characters story added a sense of mystery. The puzzles felt connected to reality, both with things done early on relating to later outcomes and just the limitations of what a roach can do. The oracle with her riddles were enchanting and the CGI was brilliant for its time. The puzzles aren't super hard but the main pull is how unique an adventure game this is. I haven't really played anything quite like it. If games with live actors are your thing with an intruiging story and unique control set then this game is for you. I haven't played the redux version yet so this review is based off the original. OH and the music! Listening to the awesome soundtrack as I write this. The artist can be found at www.xorcist.com and he doesn't get money from your gog.com purchase so if you enjoy the music do what I did and go on his site and throw a couple bucks his way.
