I would have rated this game higher if it didn't have a health meter and if the items collected were labeled. I went through most of the game thinking that the gum was Himalayan salt. Also, the life sucking petroglyphs in the cave was ridiculous. I must have died three or four times before locating the correct symbol. Here's what you should do every time you find a staff: 1) Don't pick it up; just save. 2) Go to the cave, locate the symbol, and mark what section it's in. The layout of the cave is section 1, room, section 2, room, and section 3. The symbol will be on the wall of one of these sections. 4) Once you locate the symbol, pick up the staff and go as quick as possible to the section containing the symbol. 5) Click on the symbol and save. 6) Solve the symbol and save. 7) Run to the temple and insert the staff. And what every you do, make sure the symbols match! Now for the positives: I really like the story, the backstory, and the variety of puzzles. The graphics have improved from Shivers and the music is good. If only this game could be remade to fix the cave issue. Sigh!
I love Shivers and it is my favorite game from my childhood. Replaying it in 2020 was such a treat and it brought back a flood of happy memories of playing this game with my older sister. I love the variety of puzzles and the backstory. The only criticisms I have are the graphics and the health meter. As for the graphics, the video clips and images are a bit grainy on modern computers; it would be nice to have a remastered version like Real Myst. As for the health meter, it isn't needed. Once you know that Ixupis are noisy, it's easy to avoid bumping into them. If you decide to play this game, keep in mind that it's over twenty-five years old. Also, if you like The 7th Guest, give this a try.
Replaying this game from my childhood proved frustrating and futile without aid of walkthrough. This game is brutal and punishing. For example, if you forget to collect certain key items in the first location, you'll have to restart the game from the beginning! Unlike Myst, the cursor isn't contact sensitive; therefore, you have to pixel hunt just to discover if you can pick up an item or interact with a device. Also, this game is not intuitive. Unlike Riven, this game doesn't include any diagrams, models, or journals to help you solve puzzles. Instead, you're presented with a complex machine and expected to figure out how to operate it without any in-game hints or tips. I don't like using walkthroughs but for this game, it was a necessity, for I can't imagine anyone beating this game on their own. If someone did, they deserve a medal!
