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| 2 FEB 2005 at 1:32pm |
SyberianSpace Cadet
Posts : 134
Joined: 22 OCT 2004
Status : Online | In a nutshell: a decent Myst clone with very pretty settings, a thin and forgettable story, few characters (like I said, Myst clone), and some fun puzzles, But note that a lot of the puzzles are just simple variations on earlier ones, so you end up doing the same things repeatedly in some areas. That gets old fast.
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| 2 FEB 2005 at 3:42pm |
SirDaveGuild Master
Posts : 4941
Joined: 17 OCT 2002
Location: US
Status : Offline | Hi Avaka!
Haven't completed it yet, but just a warning: The hardware requirements are somewhat higher than some other AGs. You have to have a CPU that runs at, at least, 1.6ghz and the video board has to be fairly up to date. I wasn't able to run it on my lower powered (1.0ghz) laptop even though it's a fairly new model.
However, knowing your tastes, I think you'll enjoy it.
The future ain't what it used to be!
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| 2 FEB 2005 at 5:41pm |
AvakaJourneyman
Posts : 1437
Joined: 17 SEP 2003
Status : Online | Thanks Syberian and SirDave for your input on this game. I think I'll try it. There aren't that many games right now that look like I would enjoy them.
If you all know of any that are point and click, beautiful atmosphere, explorable, 360 degree, etc. let me know.
Riven, Obsidian, Zork G.I., The journeyman's Projects and Aura are some of my favorites.
Thanks
Myst IV - Never finished it. Got frustrated with it.&&Myst V - Did not finish it either. Very disappointing.&&ATTWN - BORING!!! Never finished it. Kept falling asleep.&&Paradise - So far .... not so good&&Voyage - Not on my favorite list
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| 2 FEB 2005 at 9:06pm |
kuddlesPrivate Detective
Posts : 702
Joined: 22 OCT 2004
Status : Online | Originally Posted By Avaka (2 FEB 2005 5:41pm)
If you all know of any that are point and click, beautiful atmosphere, explorable, 360 degree, etc. let me know.
If you want to play a newer game with that style, you should give Return to Mysterious Island a try, especially since its pretty inexpensive and new enough that it shouldn't be too hard to find.
" target="_blank">http://www.adventurecompanygames.com/tac/mysterious_island/index.html
[size=10][b]Games:[/b] Europa Universalis III&&[b]Music:[/b] [i]Awoo[/i] - Hidden Cameras&&[b]Series:[/b] Dexter (S1)&&[b]Movies:[/b] The Prestige (8/10) Little Miss Sunshine (5/10)&&[/size]
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| 2 FEB 2005 at 10:11pm |
AvakaJourneyman
Posts : 1437
Joined: 17 SEP 2003
Status : Online | Hi kuddles,
I'll try your suggestion also. Thank you. I ordered both games. And they were from the same company too. Save on shipping that way, I think) Shipping was $8.63 for the wtwo of them.
I did try to play Mysterious Journey but had tech problems with it so I never got a chance to complete it. Maybe this one will work better.
Myst IV - Never finished it. Got frustrated with it.&&Myst V - Did not finish it either. Very disappointing.&&ATTWN - BORING!!! Never finished it. Kept falling asleep.&&Paradise - So far .... not so good&&Voyage - Not on my favorite list
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| 3 FEB 2005 at 1:20am |
nytimesguyPrivate Detective
Posts : 684
Joined: 14 OCT 2002
Status : Online | I know it's a tricky dividing line, but I think of Sentinel as more a puzzle game than an adventure game. It's basically a series of small areas each with its own series of puzzles. There is a connecting story but it doesn't really have much to do with anything. The puzzles are the Myst-style how-does-this-machinework variety. The puzzles are generally logical and fun although I've had to consult the walkthrough a few times. A review on JA said the puzzles were easy to medium but I'd say medium to hard (I would say Schizm was hard to ridiculous, so you know my scale).
If you are into good puzzles it's a fun game.
Charles - Game Theorist
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| 3 FEB 2005 at 2:03am |
SirDaveGuild Master
Posts : 4941
Joined: 17 OCT 2002
Location: US
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By nytimesguy (3 FEB 2005 1:20am)
I know it's a tricky dividing line, but I think of Sentinel as more a puzzle game than an adventure game. It's basically a series of small areas each with its own series of puzzles. There is a connecting story but it doesn't really have much to do with anything. The puzzles are the Myst-style how-does-this-machinework variety. The puzzles are generally logical and fun although I've had to consult the walkthrough a few times. A review on JA said the puzzles were easy to medium but I'd say medium to hard (I would say Schizm was hard to ridiculous, so you know my scale).
If you are into good puzzles it's a fun game.
I guess that's true of all the Myst-like games in the sense that the story provides a framework for the puzzles. My sense is that Avaka loves this type of design just as I do so it's all good!
The future ain't what it used to be!
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| 3 FEB 2005 at 2:09am |
hobbesIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 19
Joined: 15 SEP 2003
Status : Online | Yes, if you think that misleading visual-spatial perception is a fun premise for a puzzle, then you will like it.
The puzzles are completely separate from the game and are the same old, same old.
Some people like this, some hate it.
I bought it because of the great review, but I hated the game because it was a Myst clone.
Story and puzzles have no relationship. The key is not only to figure out what the puzzle is, but to painstakingly determine that what you think is lined up in 3 dimensional space , actually is.
I would love to have my money back.
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| 3 FEB 2005 at 3:44am |
AvakaJourneyman
Posts : 1437
Joined: 17 SEP 2003
Status : Online | WOW, I can't wait to play this (Sentinel) game and set the record straight. Well, I do love to solve most puzzles just for the fun of it. And if they are part of the story then it's just more icing on the cake. Sometimes it's just plain old fun to see what happens when you push a button or pull a lever.
Can't wait to try it (them).
Thanks for all your input
Any thoughts on Return to Mysterious Island? I assumed you all were talking mainly about Sentinel, right?
Myst IV - Never finished it. Got frustrated with it.&&Myst V - Did not finish it either. Very disappointing.&&ATTWN - BORING!!! Never finished it. Kept falling asleep.&&Paradise - So far .... not so good&&Voyage - Not on my favorite list
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| 3 FEB 2005 at 4:04am |
nytimesguyPrivate Detective
Posts : 684
Joined: 14 OCT 2002
Status : Online | I differentiate this game from Myst, because even though Myst was a solitary game with a bunch of puzzles, it had a cohesive vision of what that world was, and as you progress you learn something about it in an interesting way. And the main area was large with multiple puzzles. So while some people consider Myst just a puzzle game, I consider it an adventure game. But I feel Sentinel is a puzzle game that tries to give the impression that it's an adventure game by tying it together with the interesting but rather lazy connecting dialogues..
Yes, if you think that misleading visual-spatial perception is a fun premise for a puzzle, then you will like it.
What puzzle are we talking about here? I had trouble with the game here and there and think some of the puzzles involve too much busywork and in a couple of cases too much trial and error, but I don't recall any visual-spatial problems.
Charles - Game Theorist
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| 3 FEB 2005 at 12:35pm |
CarolineJA+ Overseer
Posts : 16540
Joined: 28 JAN 2007
Location: AU
Status : Offline | First, a slap over the wrist to SirDave for not telling me about this game. It sounds like I'd enjoy it.
SirDave - is it as good as Aura?
Edit - 5 minutes later
I have checked my supplier - Australian release date for Sentinel is 31st March..... why? [smiley=hair_pull.gif]
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| 3 FEB 2005 at 1:03pm |
SyberianSpace Cadet
Posts : 134
Joined: 22 OCT 2004
Status : Online | Any thoughts on Return to Mysterious Island?
Definitely one of the better recent adventures. Beautiful locales, unusual art direction with comic-book-like cutscenes, interesting story that ties into a famous Jules Verne novel, and best of all, a fresh approach to inventory puzzles, with a number of ways to solve most problems.
A couple little catches: experienced adventure gamers will probably think it's too easy, and it includes some silly action sequences. (Action is fine if done well, but it's just lame here.) One big catch: it's way too short.
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| 3 FEB 2005 at 5:17pm |
kuddlesPrivate Detective
Posts : 702
Joined: 22 OCT 2004
Status : Online | Originally Posted By Syberian (3 FEB 2005 1:03pm)
and best of all, a fresh approach to inventory puzzles, with a number of ways to solve most problems.
I was thinking the same thing. If adventure games want to really evolve, maybe they should stop integrating action and start integrating RPG elements by making puzzles that have more open-ended solutions, or even ones that change the story completely. The only games I can think of that even tries this aspect are Shadow of Destiny and Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis.
[size=10][b]Games:[/b] Europa Universalis III&&[b]Music:[/b] [i]Awoo[/i] - Hidden Cameras&&[b]Series:[/b] Dexter (S1)&&[b]Movies:[/b] The Prestige (8/10) Little Miss Sunshine (5/10)&&[/size]
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| 3 FEB 2005 at 6:05pm |
SirDaveGuild Master
Posts : 4941
Joined: 17 OCT 2002
Location: US
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By hobbes (3 FEB 2005 2:09am)
Yes, if you think that misleading visual-spatial perception is a fun premise for a puzzle, then you will like it. The puzzles are completely separate from the game and are the same old, same old. Some people like this, some hate it. I bought it because of the great review, but I hated the game because it was a Myst clone.Story and puzzles have no relationship. The key is not only to figure out what the puzzle is, but to painstakingly determine that what you think is lined up in 3 dimensional space , actually is.
I would love to have my money back.
You want your money back?? In the great review(s) you read did you not notice that every AG the developer has released is of the Myst-clone category (Schizm, Mysterious Journey II) with puzzles, and some very tough ones, a major part of the game? Perhaps you were you expecting The Longest Journey II or something.
The future ain't what it used to be!
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| 3 FEB 2005 at 8:40pm |
SyberianSpace Cadet
Posts : 134
Joined: 22 OCT 2004
Status : Online | I bought it because of the great review, but I hated the game because it was a Myst clone.
I'd recommend reading more than just one review for any game you're thinking of purchasing, and try a demo if available. I saw reviews for Sentinel that made it clear it was a Myst clone.
start integrating RPG elements by making puzzles that have more open-ended solutions
I've long said it would be good to see adventures with multiple puzzle solutions and/or multiple variants of the same puzzle that correspond to different difficulty settings. Mysterious Island was a good example of how to do that sort of thing.
Btw, for a game that does just what you describe, check out the classic Deus Ex (the original). It's a strikingly intelligent game that blends shooter/RPG/and adventure genres and gives you various ways to approach many problems/puzzles.
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| 3 FEB 2005 at 10:38pm |
CarolineJA+ Overseer
Posts : 16540
Joined: 28 JAN 2007
Location: AU
Status : Offline | I actually look for and hone in on games that promote themselves as Myst-Clone. They're my favourite type of game. The only issue is how good a clone are they?
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| 4 FEB 2005 at 12:00am |
| Deleted User | Originally Posted By Caroline (3 FEB 2005 10:38pm)
I actually look for and hone in on games that promote themselves as Myst-Clone. They're my favourite type of game. The only issue is how good a clone are they?
Yup, so do I. There are those that look down on us, you know. ;^)
Speck
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| 4 FEB 2005 at 12:52am |
nytimesguyPrivate Detective
Posts : 684
Joined: 14 OCT 2002
Status : Online | I had to stop playing Mysterious Island because it was buggy (lost my save game *twice*). I thought it was an ingenious approach but I found the game frustrating and not always logical:
*****SPOILER********
.
.
.
.
.
For example, there is one place where you have to attache a sharp object (a knife or knifelike thing, I don't recall) to a stick to create something like a spear you can use to cut something high above you. But if you try to use the spear to cut something else that is nearby the first object, you can only cut it if you disassemble the spear thing back into a knife thing. That is one of the classicly common failings of adventure games, puzzles in which only one object will do something that in the real world could be done by more than one of your inventory items. There were other things that bugged me, but that one stuck in my head.
.
.
.
****END SPOILER*****
Charles - Game Theorist
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| 4 FEB 2005 at 1:31am |
kuddlesPrivate Detective
Posts : 702
Joined: 22 OCT 2004
Status : Online | Originally Posted By Syberian (3 FEB 2005 8:39pm)
Btw, for a game that does just what you describe, check out the classic Deus Ex (the original). It's a strikingly intelligent game that blends shooter/RPG/and adventure genres and gives you various ways to approach many problems/puzzles.
Yeah, I heard a lot of good things about that game. I think that's why I enjoyed playing Splinter Cell even though I'm not much of an action gamer. Even though a lot of the problems were of the ole' trial-and-error form, it was nice to play an espionage game where there were several possibilities when it came to ocmpleting missions.
[size=10][b]Games:[/b] Europa Universalis III&&[b]Music:[/b] [i]Awoo[/i] - Hidden Cameras&&[b]Series:[/b] Dexter (S1)&&[b]Movies:[/b] The Prestige (8/10) Little Miss Sunshine (5/10)&&[/size]
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| 4 FEB 2005 at 12:28pm |
SyberianSpace Cadet
Posts : 134
Joined: 22 OCT 2004
Status : Online | The Splinter Cell games definitely live up to the hype. They would seem to be a natural fit for many adventure gamers, too, because of the huge emphasis on atmosphere and story. But honestly, Deus Ex really beats those games by a wide margin where player choice is concerned. The game came out five years ago, so you can get it at bargain-bin prices now. Well worth a try. It didn't win a huge stack of game-of-the-year awards for nothing.
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| 5 FEB 2005 at 3:15am |
geowizIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 9
Joined: 11 JAN 2005
Status : Online | Have you seen the review of Sentinel by Frank Nicodem, Jr. ?
http://www.uhs-hints.com/articles/reviews/sentinel.php
I agree 100% with his review. I really love puzzles and 3D exploration of worlds with great graphics, fun sound effects, and oh, did I mention puzzles? Yes, it is similar to Aura and a Myst clone too. :
I also thought Mysterious Island was great for many of the reasons already given.
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| 5 FEB 2005 at 5:33am |
AvakaJourneyman
Posts : 1437
Joined: 17 SEP 2003
Status : Online | It's a great review. I just worry about the type of puzzles that are in this game. I played Schizm I & II. Sweated bullets through both games. I'm hoping that the puzzles are more like Myst, Riven then The Schizms.
So can you explore pretty much anywhere, i.e. URU (within reason, of course) or are you pretty much mapped out where you can go (sort of on a track) like Schizm?
I'm so picky, aren't I? [smiley=blush.gif]
Myst IV - Never finished it. Got frustrated with it.&&Myst V - Did not finish it either. Very disappointing.&&ATTWN - BORING!!! Never finished it. Kept falling asleep.&&Paradise - So far .... not so good&&Voyage - Not on my favorite list
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| 5 FEB 2005 at 5:45am |
SirDaveGuild Master
Posts : 4941
Joined: 17 OCT 2002
Location: US
Status : Offline | Avaka:
Puzzles more like the Schizms (IMO not nearly as hard as Schizm 1) and your directions are essentially mapped and it is not true point & click because it operates more like a 3D game, but you can't go backwards with the mouse, not that that is such a big problem.
The future ain't what it used to be!
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| 5 FEB 2005 at 6:15am |
AvakaJourneyman
Posts : 1437
Joined: 17 SEP 2003
Status : Online | Originally Posted By SirDave (5 FEB 2005 5:45am)
Avaka:
Puzzles more like the Schizms (IMO not nearly as hard as Schizm 1) and your directions are essentially mapped and it is not true point & click because it operates more like a 3D game, but you can't go backwards with the mouse, not that that is such a big problem.
SirDave:
As long as it's not as hard as Schizm I, I'll be OK. I think that one was the worst of the two.
Have you played Myst IV, BTW? If so, tell me what you thought of it. I'm having fits with it but some kind people on this foum have been really a big help. I'm really pressed to find AGs that bring joy like ... Riven. That game did a number on me and my expectations about AGs.
[smiley=raise_eyebrow.gif] I really needed a ''bawling'' smilie here but we don't have one.
Myst IV - Never finished it. Got frustrated with it.&&Myst V - Did not finish it either. Very disappointing.&&ATTWN - BORING!!! Never finished it. Kept falling asleep.&&Paradise - So far .... not so good&&Voyage - Not on my favorite list
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