Orient Express is the fourth title in Wrebbit’s superb Puzz3D
CD series, and like the other titles, it’s pure pleasure.

This time
around you are reconstructing several cars from the 1920s version of the fabled
Orient Express train.

As before, you can do the jigsaw on four different
difficulty settings. For the very first time, I did the puzzle on the hardest
setting. There must be an effective learning curve after working through several
of these titles, because I had no trouble breezing through construction even at
this setting.

Like the earlier titles, the interface of Puzz3D Orient
Express is simple, elegant, and versatile. All of your pieces are laid out
on a large table, and with left and right mouse clicks, you can manipulate the
pieces in any direction you choose. You can also easily create temporary trays
in which to store similar pieces. You can also look at models of the finished
train from various perspectives, to help you along.

While you are building
the puzzle, you have the opportunity to watch several small movies that illuminate
the history of the train and introduce characters in the story that comes later.

Once
you’ve finished building the train, you are rewarded with the chance to enter
it and have a little adventure.

The interiors of the train are beautifully
done, with a nice attention to detail.

I have mixed feelings about the “adventure”
in this title, however. I enjoyed it, as I did on the other titles, but I do wish
Wrebbit would challenge itself to evolve the formula just a bit. There are the
same old puzzles, including a music jigsaw just like in Bavarian Castle and
Victorian Mansion. Now, I like a good musical jigsaw as much as the next
guy, but, come on, let’s dig a little deeper in the puzzle well, shall we?

On
the other hand, there were delightful elements to the adventure sequence as well.
When one particular cast member spoke to me, I realized I’d seen her before in
another Puzz3D title. “Great,” I thought, “they’re recycling
actors.” But then I realized that it was actually the same character from
the earlier game. Well, that’s different! It was really fun to see this familiar
character in new surroundings. And there’s a payoff with a lovely moment at the
very end with this character that I don’t want to give away; trust me, it’s nice.

There’s
also a famous historical person on the train, and this is also entertaining.

One
more nice feature is a map which details the Orient Express route from
Paris to Istanbul, with hotspots that lead to information on each city along the
way.

All in all, as with the other titles in this series, you simply can’t
go wrong with Puzz3D Orient Express. Get your hands on it and enjoy!

Final
Grade: B

If you liked Puzz3D Orient Express:
Watch: Murder
on the Orient Express
Read: Murder on the Orient Express by
Agatha Christie
Play: The Last Express

System
Requirements:

PC:

Windows 95 or higher
Pentium 133 MHz (200 MHz recommended)
32 MB of RAM

Microsoft-compatible mouse
60 MB free hard drive space
640×480, 16-bit
color, DirectX certified video driver
(1 MB of cache video memory recommended)

2X CD-ROM drive (minimum)
Direct Sound compatible sound card

Mac:

Mac OS 8 or higher
PowerPC 120 MHz (200 MHz recommended)
32 MB of RAM

50 MB free hard drive space
640×480, 16-bit colors (800×600 recommended)

2X CD-ROM drive (minimum)