Note
to the executives at Microids: would somebody there sign Benoit Sokal
to a long-term contract to develop a new adventure game every two
years. If you let this guy get away it would be the biggest loss to
the adventure community since Sierra canceled their adventure line.

We’ve
just finished playing the beta version of Syberia and the only
word that comes to mind is WOW! Amerzone
– Benoit’s first effort – pales in comparison next to Syberia.
From the opening logo to the concluding cinemas, Syberia is
a wonderfully intertwined medley of eye candy, melancholy music and
puzzles that are driven by the plot.

Syberia
begins as a solitary tin man drums a funeral dirge leading a funeral
procession through the rain-drenched village of Valadilene. We next
meet Kate Walker, a business lawyer who has arrived to purchase the
locally based Voralberg Mfg. for the American owned Universal Toy
Company. But Anna Voralberg, the sole heir of Voralberg Mfg., has
passed away the night before and now Kate must find whoever was next
in line to inherit the company.

As
to what was manufactured inside this ancient factory – automations
– robot-like mechanical figures that can work and perform chores in
place of humans. It is these whimsical creations that are the backbone
of Syberia‘s charm.

Syberia
is an entirely mouse-driven, point-and-click adventure and should
be an eye-opening experience for adventure nay-sayers. The music alone
is worth the price of admission as this was one of the few times in
recent memory that I have actually turned-up the music volume rather
then placing it on mute. An option to replay cut-scenes from the game
has allowed me to replay favorite cinemas over-and-over and an unlimited
save feature is also a welcome addition.

Expect to see Syberia
in quite a few ‘Top 10 Best Games of the Year’ lists at the end of
2002.