Here is the gem. Here is what boys palyed amongst Street Fighter series to get inspired into martial arts, boxing, aikido, karate etc. Me, as a teen, was no exception. We played these games originally with Amiga's 500 etc. and arcade cabinet. PC version is more closer to the arcade version, but gotta admit that I love the PC and Amiga versions equally. The playability has not changed a bit nor the athmosphere of the original conflict feel. It is still dirty, mean and fast tournament play which we used to play for days trying to learn the moves and fatalities since there were not that much manuals present and people merely copied the floppies etc. For people: F10 brings up the games configuration menu amongst with choises for controllers and if these would not cut it, which only tells that the DOSBox configuration should be consulted, then Ctr+F1 opens the DosBox own configuration even for the screenshots. Not going to spoil others playing experiences by telling more, all I am going to say: JUST GET IT!
This was the first time I completed the game. I must regretfully say that had to use the Official Stategy Guide, which is included in the package for every Kyrandia Books, in the infamous and notorious Towers of Anoi puzzle which is inverse of the Hanoi Towers. The game was fun and unique to play with: now with Zanthia the female mystic first encountered at the Kyrandia Book I. The game playstyle is unique: Zanthia has spells that are Kyrandia like: Instat Sandwiches, Teddy Bears, Snowman, Snowmen costumes... The plot is: Kyrandia is disappearing and Zanthia gets chosen to travel to the World Anchor Stone which lies in the Center of the World. Travel to there has few plots and turns, however, and turns out that the Anchor Stone is just a minor twist during the way... Puzzles are relatively logical and easy when one gets grasps on them. I think, that Kyrandia series are difficult for the first touch but after one gets hold on the Kyrandia thinking style they get pretty logical and simple. I recommend warmly the Kyrandia Book II: Hand Of Fate to every traditional adventure and lore lovers.
First of all, after completing Kyrandia I must say that Kyrandia I has treacherously simple user interface and, secondly, it belong to the class of games that you can do some fatal error that force you begin all over again or atleast load a save. It is a true gem of oldtimes gaming with true magic & legend and not some "alien invasion" explanation to the worlds state but a true classic "bad and evil" and a happy ending. The puzzles are simple, but sometimes difficult to get a hold on them. The graphics are a sheer beuatiful scenes that are a delight to the adventurers eye. Game world is very convincing and has the elements every game has to have after Quest For glory or King's Quest's and are almost like Kyrandias Counter Parts for it. I recommend for every adventure gamer.
Personally, I think this was the first time I completed the game. I remember it getting high reviews when it game to Finlands gaming scene. I think the game has aged remarkably well and is definitely the same enjoyable genre of first person adventures. Game has lots of good humour and the puzzles are usually easy and cannot be done wrongly nor one does not really need to begin all over by any other than will to play it again. First, the user interface is just perfect for the game and movement in the gaming word is smooth and fun. Plot offers lots of fun and good moments for laughs. The only reason I give only 4/5 stars is because the game is kind of short. One wwould have hoped more to play. And, remember: "Stay Normal!", Fellow Gamers!
Let me say that I had both, original in CD form and had downloaded the deluxe which is free. Deluxe, which also comes free with the package, is certainly nice(r) looking but I like more about the original and played directly to the #1 campaings 3rd mission, the railway station, when got this. To be honest, original is ++++ much better than the deluxe, save that maybe some gfx are poorer, but the feeling is somewhat more real. Hidden & Dangerous, as well as Hidden & Dangerous 2 are the classics of RTS and FPS war games and have aged better than one would believe - - - - COD: Black Ops etc. are just shooters when compared to real war operations planning and feeling.
The Untold Stories is just wonderful. It is done with a good taste with Pixel gpcs and it is fairly easy game but very attracting. There certainly is horror elements and the Ancients buttkicking is fun. At the first gaming day I got to the level 4, Mines and found first new character - - - Professor. Also, gfx is clear and attractive; I got hooked immediately to the representative. Some controls were, at first, difficult to learn but to throw a dynamite and use certain items, like those which prevent the bleeding, and avoid traps is fairly well. I think that this was absolutely game to confront - - - It is fun, you don't have to be a Hardcore Lovecraft fan to enjoy it and it can be enjoyed as a shooter and slash and hack if one feels so. And, if one loves to collect horror stories, the elements are certainly there. The insanity system is well established, but would wish it would cause more monstrosities or ancients to appear as is in the case in the real worlds - insanity breeds beasts from the deep. I will not spoil the plot more. Just, warmly recommend this!
The game is from my point of view, the best of the 6 - 9 sagas. 7th comes next, then 9th and 8th. All these I have walked throught several times. Last time I ended 6th with every character at the 60th level and the time of Enroth it took 2 years 7 months and 6 days while got 10560 points. It was one of the many times I went the game throught, not the single incident. It honestly tells me, that game is really worth of 5/5 stars if I start it all over again from time to time. The instalment has a largely interesting plot, again battling with the devils of the land and the same time a cult of Baal which has come to the land. Landscapes are pretty and difficulty is in correct place. Advancement system allows every character to advance in almost any skill to final level. The game mechanics is good and stable. I will not spoil this more than say: "Hey, just play it! It is largely worth of it".
This is it guys! A true adventure game and not some actor of fine gfx:s, but with a good taste and classic point and click adventure with a excellent voice acting and gfx. I have been a player of QFG series for a long and since loved them so much that when I saw this game from Infamous, I decided immediately to buy it. So I did and have played it throught again and again. Indeed so much has this game made me to enjoy adventuring. In the game you play a role of of anti-hero that saves the realm because it fits into his plans accidentally originally. You choose, but with an original style from fighter, thief and mage that all have their specieal ways to get with the story and even their own quests that are not familiar to other characters. The game world is addicting and nicely voice acted, love the music and Graphics. Indeed, if there has been a noteworthy adventure game in last 10 years - I say - this IS IT! Absolutely recommended for old time QFG and such lovers and those who love true adventuring!
You guys wouldn't believe that one game that I've just played throught was Unreal with the Expansion. Games Graphics are good, but the athmospheric sounds & design is unmatched By any game I've played thus far. The game with it's secret and mysterious athmosphere pulled me instantly within. Unreal starts with a crashlanding of jailcargoship to the planet. Then the story unfolds as you look a way to escape the planet with carefully designed levels that give plenty to play and search. The expansion continues from where the game ended: you are drifting in spaceship and are rescued By your own race. You are given choise: to go back and return what they want for them or simply be thrown out of airlock... you quess what shall happen .. :) ? Expansion gives few new guns with the originals, gives the same kind of levels and some freedom of choise, but not that much as the original does. Overall: Perfect expansion for perfect game - the sequel is just enough long to play, not too much.
