Reviews: Issue # 4 3 • Edna and Harvey: June 2013 the Breakout • Evoland • 1953: KGB Unleashed June 2013

Reviews: issue # 4 3 • Edna and Harvey: june 2013 The Breakout • Evoland • 1953: KGB Unleashed june 2013

This month we are serving up another issue crammed with adventure gaming goodness. Among all the adventure gaming news, and the reviews, there are two things I want to highlight and add some information to.

The latest game in the classic Dracula series, Dracula 4: Shadow of the Dragon. This is the worst case of lying by I studio that I have ever seen, as an adventure game reviewer. All of the press releases, that I saw; All of game descriptions on the on store pages, even most of web, I saw a 5 star review of it; Are outright lies, both of omission and the normal variety. Microids lies to its customers, and additionally omits facts, which in this case constitutes another lie. And online stores, additionally are just parroting these lies to people who buy the game. All of these lies are tied to one fact that Microids is doing its damndest to hide, and I do not even see the truth revealed on many forums or reviews. But the fact remains, Dracula 4: Shadow of the Dragon is episodic. It is Dracula 4, part 1; It only introduces the plot that it promises, and does not even hint at a few of the plot points in the official story description.I t is a three hour game, and if you want to experience the story that was promised to you when you paid $20 for Cover Image: it, you are in for, probably, two more purchases when they release Dracula 5 and Edna and Harvey: 6. The length and story progression in this episode played, at most, like 1/3 of a complete game. I urge everyone who bought this to return it to the retailer you The Breakout bought it from, I think you have a very good case to get a full refund. Does anyone who bought the game and played it NOT feel ripped of and deceived? Adventure Lantern I do not want to end on a sour note where the Dracula series is concern. #6 (43) june 2013 Ignoring this latest debacle of a game, it has to be my alltime favourite game trilogy. In my opinion, it is a must play for all adventure enthusiasts. And for $5 dollars you can get the entire first three games on a physical disk in a dvd enclosure on Amazon. I personally reviewed all of these games last year in Owner/Executive Editor the lead up to Halloween, here are some links to the reviews: Dracula Resur- Ugur Sener rection, Dracula 2: The Last Sanctuary, Dracula 3: The Path of the Dragon. Other Editor(s) More on the bad news front is the closure of Kheops Studios, who in fact Jonathon Wisnoski developed the last Dracula game (Dracula 3, that is). I go into great detail later in this issue about them, but I never mention my personal history with articles by that studio. I played Return to Mysterious Island first, I cannot remember Jonathon Wisnoski Syberia why or where I heard of it. But something about it reminded me of . Nick Burgener The two adventures share a common voice actor; Both Kate Walker and Mina are voiced by Sharon Mann. And I think she did a wonderful job in both instances. That might be a significant reason why I love RtMI, but it News by is not the reason I like Kheops in general. Kheops produced some of the Jonathon Wisnoski most unique, and most enjoyable games during the last 10 years. I am very relieved that I still have about half of them to playthrough. Layout/Design/Assembly Constantin Starodub – Jonathon Wisnoski Igor Tokin

2 adventure lantern Contents june 2013

News Announcements 9

Upcoming Releases 13

New Releases 15

updated Releases 17

News From the Big Blue Cup 18 Adventurer’s Ravine

Edna and Harvey: The BrEAKOUT 20

Evoland 24

1953: KGB Unleashed 28

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Indie Game Stand extras. They have had some truly Since I do not think I have men- great games on the site so far, tioned them before, I wanted and it is by far the cheapest way to point out the great site Indi- to get individual games, and it is egamestand.com. Every four days even cheaper on a per game ba- they offer up a new game for a sis compared to many bundles. truly PWYW price. The slider starts So far they have featured the first at 25 cents, but it is a minimal $1 two Cognition titles, as well as a for a desura/Steam key, and for few puzzlers that would appeal to The Indie Adventure Bundle a little more they throw in some most adventure fans. Bundle Stars.com has launched a new bundle for only ~$3.00 called The Indie Adventure Bundle, which you would think that we could assume means it contains indie adventues. Strangely, half of ScummVM 1.6.0 the titles seem anything but indie, A new version of ScummVM has and I do not think that Captain been released; And with it comes Morgane nor Jack Orlando have support for 6 games, among been called such before this bun- other updates. These games are: dle. Still it is an amazing bundle, 3 Skulls of the Toltecs, Eye of the and in fact those two games are Beholder, Eye of the Beholder II: the reason I bought it and are rec- The Legend of Darkmoon, Hopkins ommending it, in the first place. In FBI, Tony Tough and the Night of addition to these amazing games, Roasted Moths, The Journeyman the bundle also includes Shadows Project: Pegasus Prime. on the Vatican I as well as Rever- sion episode one and two.

The Secret of Monkey Island: Insult Sword Fighting The famous and witty insult sword fighting mini-game from The Secret of Monkey Island is now playable in your browser. The game, taken from both The Secret of Monkey Island and The Curse of Monkey Island has been ported to html4 by a wonderful individual.

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developed the original RTS Dune, but more pertinently to us also the Atlantis series, the first two Dracula adventures, and whose last game was none other than Salammbo: Battle for Carthage; Among many others. Like Kheops Studios, Cryo Interactive was known for creating adventure games based on existing literary works and historical events; It was closed down in 2002, when it was absorbed by DreamCatcher Interactive. A subsidiary of Dream- Kheops Studios, A Memorial Catcher, and probably my favourite I just heard that Kheops Studios publisher, The Adventure Company silently faded away last year. This is published most of Kheops’ games horrible news; In addition to them until it was dissolved. Microïds The Egyptian Prophecy being my personal favourite studio of picked up the Cryo Interactive (2004) all time, I believe they were the most brands and IP in 2008, and used Praised for its cinematics and talented adventure game developer them as a publisher for Kheops for accurate portrayal of history, of their time. They operated right in The Egyptian Prophecy (aka the middle of the adventure game Egypt III: The Fate of Ramses) is depression, and developed a great set in ancient Egypt, in the 12th many games over that time; And just century BC, and is the very first when things are looking up for the game developed by Kheops Stu- genre they go out of business. From dios, and was published by The what I can tell, they simply could not Adventure Company. find any publishers, and their self publishing of their last game did not a small number of games. In ad- yield the necessary funds to continue dition to The Adventure Company operating, but there has been no and Microïds, Kheops did a small official word on the matter. amount of self publishing, through their own web store, as well as Kheops Studios was founded on using a few other companies. In September 2003 as a medium 2011 they released their last game, sized,100% independent, adven- and according to LinkedIn the last ture game studio. Based in Paris, employees, the founders, left the France and founded and run by company in January 2012, and cur- Crystal Key 2 (2004) Stéphane Petit and Benoît Hozjan, rently all of Kheops’ websites are One of Kheops’ games that does both formerly of Cryo Interactive; closed down and unreachable. not fit the trend, and contro- Kheops Studio produced adven- versial because of this. It is a ture games based on historical Kheops Studios describes their sci-fi adventure and Myst-like; and literary sources as well as a own brand of adventure titles as A sequel to Earthlight’s and The puzzle adventure and an episodic “cultural entertainment”, though Adventure Company’s most hidden object game. The studio “historical fiction” might be a more successful adventure yet. It is that effectively birthed Kheops, common name for their genre, and considered horrible by some, and Cryo Interactive, is the studio that edutainment would not be too a great/good Myst-like by others.

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far off in some instances. Kheops an alien civilization? What if a Over and above the genre, many shows us how entertaining some modern day explorer found the of their games share some defin- of the cultural cornerstones of our Mysterious Island from the story ing characteristics. They all have time can be, regardless of if they of Captain Nemo? What if you good conventional graphics, in are adapting a Jules Verne novel were an European Homo Sapien a first person panoramic point- or recreating a real historical set- in the Paleolithic period, or lived of-view, and all seem to have at ting. Many of their stories are not during and around Nostradamus? least one notably unique feature, straight adaptations, but instead What would a sequel to Treasure tailored to that game’s specific plot unofficial sequels or alternative Island look like? Kheops Studio and setting. But the truly innova- stories; Sort of what-ifs. What if in developed games that answer all tive and unique attribute that is Jules Verne’s novel series, A Trip to of these questions and more, as included in many of their games is the Moon and Around It, the space well as providing players with a the increased use and complexity expedition actually succeeded and real appreciation for these works of inventory based puzzles, to such landed on the moon and found and historical time periods. an extent as to push the genre

Return to Mysterious Island (2005) Probably Kheops’ most successful and well known adventure title of all time, and the source of the inventory system and gameplay that Kheops is know for, Return to Mysterious Island is an unofficial sequel to Jules Verne’s novel The Mysterious Island. In it the player returns to Mysterious Island, years after captain Nemo’s adventure there. In the game Mina gets trapped on the island and as she explores she finds the living spaces and technologies left behind by past inhabitants. The game also has a direct sequel developed by Kheops Studio, Return to Mysterious Island 2: Mina’s Fate.

ECHO: Secrets of the Lost Cavern (2005) Set in the Paleolithic era, 15,000 BC, where you play a young Homo Sapi- en hunter. The game is about surviving and living in this time. Most of the game and all of its charm is from doing the mundane tasks of 17,000 years ago; Starting fires, fording rivers, defending yourself, and hunting for food, all without any modern conveniences. In many ways, Echo keeps the RtMI gameplay formula, but it is portrayed in a slightly different way.

Voyage: Inspired by Jules Verne (2005) Voyage, aka Journey to the Moon, is an adventure game inspired by the nov- els From the Earth to the Moon and Around the Moon by Jules Verne. Unlike the books the protagonist actually makes it to the moon’s surface and finds life; Unfortunately, his two partners in adventure are killed during the journey and he does not remember how they came to die as he suffers from amnesia. The plot and challenges revolve around finding out what happened during the trip to the moon, exploring this alien civilization, and returning to earth. The gameplay is, more or less, the same style as RtMI.

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to new heights in that area. This aka different inventory items can puzzles are the most intuitive in complexity appears in many ways be used to solve them. There is the industry, and surprisingly en- in the games’ puzzles. For example also an extensively used unique tertaining. There is a certain magic often there is a large number of inventory item combining and to a puzzle that is exactly what items and your inventory is a huge taking-apart system, which allows you would do in real-life. And multi-page interface, possibly even very complex inventory manipula- the combining and taking-apart to such an extent as to require tions, and puzzles that take place system that is standard in Kheops’ inventory management; Many completely in the inventory screen. games allow these inventory of these items can be harvested puzzles to be something really from the same place, or different Many of these puzzles are repeat- special and unique. These inven- places, over and over again and able, or non-repeatable, mundane tory puzzles are the backbone of you can have multiples of them in tasks, like creating a fire with most of Kheops’ games, but the your inventory; Additionally, many some kind of combustible and games also contain many great puzzles allow multiple solutions, a spark/fire/heat source. These logic puzzles.

The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript (2006) Another RtMI-like, in it a young apprentice scholar, Valdo, is exploring the late Leonardo’s mansion. He is looking for a secret hidden manuscript of Leonardo’s. Along the way Valdo will have to decipher messages and puzzles left behind by Leonardo and repair some of his inventions.

SafeCracker The Ultimate Puzzle Adventure (2006) Kheops Studios’ one and only pure puzzle adventure, and a sort-of spiritual sequel to the 1997 game SafeCracker by Daydream Software and DreamCatcher. The basic premise is: you are in an eccentric millionaire’s mansion and it is filled to the rafters with unique and challenging safes, and you must unlock them all. This lack of plot leaves lots of room for puzzles, and SafeCracker does not disappoint. It is full of interesting and diverse mind benders.

Destination: Treasure Island (2006) A sequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 Treasure Island novel. The gameplay is generally Kheops’ normal affair, with logic puzzles and a strong em- phasis on advanced inventory puzzles, But Destination throws in treasure hunting style riddles and even a knot-tying mini-game, to emphasise the game’s sailing roots.

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Cleopatra a Queen’s Destiny (2007) Set in Alexandria around 50 BC, and with a story involving the infamous Cleo- patra, of historic Egypt and the Roman Empire. Same RtMI interface.

Nostradamus: The Last Prophecy (2007) Set in 1566, you play Nostradamus’ daughter. Nostradamus who is, of course, the most famous seer in all of history and a prolific creator and publisher of prophecies. As Madeleine you must investigate a string of deaths connected to one of her fa- thers prophecies. As a woman you are not considered capable enough to conduct a murder investigation or a curse; So not only do you she have to investigate the deaths and put a stop to them, but also hide your real identity, as you masquerade as your brother César. The game plays very much like a murder mystery with you examining crime scenes, bodies, and evidence with your ever handy investigation kit, or talking to witnesses and suspects; All wrapped up in Kheops’ standard interface and inventory system.

Dracula 3: The Path of the Dragon (2008) It is the 1920s and Father Arno Moriani has been sent by the Vatican to investigate a recently deceased potential candidate for sainthood, in a small war scared village just outside of the ancient ruined castle of Vlad the Impaler. The investigation takes an unexpected turn when the body of the saint is found to have the “Mark of Dracula” on it; While the church has already de- cided that vampires do not exist, and are just a peasant superstition. What follows is his scientific investigation into strange blood disorders, vampire myths, and the strange happening surrounding the death of the potential saint, in this Kheops adventure with their standard interface and inventory.

Return to Mysterious Island II: Mina’s Fate (2009) A sequel to Kheops most successful adventure, RtMI 2 put you back in control of Mina who never made it off the island in the original game. Continue to explore the island, with the same style of gameplay and interface as the original game.

The Fall Trilogy: Separation, Reconstruction, Revelation (2009-2011) An amalgam of the adventure and hidden-object genre’s, this episodic series is the last produced by Kheops Stu- dios and was produced exclusively by them. It is more for fans of casual adventures than anything else.

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Announcements

Armikrog. As described by the developers I am not sure why this titles themselves, Armikrog. tells the name ends with a period, but story of a space explorer named it does. It is being developed Tommynaut and his blind, alien, by Pencil Test Studios with a talking dog Beak-Beak, who crash ongoing Kickstarter, that is doing land on a strange planet and find well, and a Steam Greenlight themselves trapped within the campaign. Armikrog. is a brand walls of a fantastic, mystical fortress new clay-animated point and called Armikrog. Players will need click adventure game brought to solve an array of entertaining to you by the creators of the and mind-bending puzzles to help Neverhood and Earthworm Jim; Tommynaut out of his predicament, And it a spiritual successor to the and will quickly discover that the Neverhood as it’s being devel- epic Armikrog is much more than oped by the same core creative simply a fortress from which they group. must escape.

Harvest “In the future, a chemical war took Harvest is a 2D graphical adven- place leaving 99% of the Earth’s pop- ture/visual novel compared to ulation unable to produce offspring. Snatcher and Phoenix Wright. It The remaining fertile humans are cru- has a Kickstarter running until the cial to the survival of mankind, how- 1st of July, where you can pre- ever they begin to disappear myste- order the game for $20, as well riously. You will play as a detective in as an ongoing Steam Greenlight Detroit working to solve the case and campaign. help save the world from human ex- tinction.” - GondeFire Productions

Mainland which is not too much distant from “Mainland is a text adventure classical adventure games.” game about a traveller of a 19th century, who lives on a ship which The game is already out in Rus- entire crew died from plague. The sian, and completely free. Its cur- game focuses on an original un- rent Steam Greenlight campaign conventional story and atmosphere is running alongside the develop- rather than on hardcore puzzles, ment of the English version, which yet it does feature a gameplay will also be free.

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NaissanceE NaissanceE is a short first person exploration adventure taking place in a primitive mysterious structure, with a planned release date of latter this fall. It is set in a particularly interesting looking works with beautiful architecture on a colossal scale.

The Forest small shelter or a large ocean side Recently Greenlit,“The Forest is fortress. decorate your home with an open world survival horror found items. Lay traps and de- game currently in development fenses to keep a safe perimeter.” for PC. Build, explore, survive in this terrifying first person survival “Explore and build during the horror simulator. Enter a living, day. Defend your base at night. breathing forest with changing Craft weapons and tools.Bunker weather patterns, plants that down during the evening or grow and die. Tides that roll in bring the fight directly to the and out with the day/night cycle. enemy. Use stealth to evade Below ground explore a vast net- enemies, or engage them di- work of caves and underground rectly with crude weapons built lakes. Chop down trees to build from sticks and stones. Defend a camp, or start a fire to keep yourself against a clan of ge- warm. Scavenge food to keep netic mutant enemies that have yourself from starving. Find and beliefs, families and morals and plant seeds to grow food. Build a that appear almost human.”

Oknytt classic point-and-click puzzle solv- but there are hints of some unpol- Oknytt is described as “a point- ing combined with the usage of ished areas as well as the whole and-click adventure game where four runes located at the bottom of thing being quite consistently dark. the player takes the role of a small, the screen. These runes can be ac- seemingly insignificant creature, tivated at any time to trigger vari- leading it through a dark world ous changes and events in the area riddled with obstacles to help it around the protagonist.” find a place to belong. The game takes place in a Norse medieval I am rather divided on the graphics. world and contains a number of They looks very stylish in general, beings and areas inspired by Swedish folklore. Oknytt’s gameplay is comprised of

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Master Reboot In the not too distant future, the A psychological horror adventure Soul Cloud has been invented, set in the Soul Cloud and inspired which is a giant server that holds by The Day of the Tentacle. the data of your soul and memories when you die. The Soul Cloud “Welcome to the Soul Cloud. is filled with floating islands. Each Upload your soul to our dedicated island looks like a town, village or servers and relax knowing that a city filled with rooms, skyscrap- part of you will live on for eter- ers and houses that hold people’s nity. That favourite holiday, happy memories. To house your Soul, a moments from your childhood, family member (or yourself before meeting that special someone for you die) purchases an island on the first time. All these memories the Soul Cloud where the server saved for your digital soul and will generate living spaces that your family to revisit again and hold each and every memory again. The Soul Cloud - saving from the deceased’s past, or just your past to secure your future. memories of their choosing.”

Jacob Jones and akin to Monkey Island, with a the Bigfoot Mystery unique humorous story written by Sherlock Holmes: The Greenlight page describes this the Bafta nominated George poles Crimes and Punishments game as: “Jacob Jones and the Big- and full voiceover from a cast of Frogwares’ new Sherlock Holmes foot Mystery is a 3D point and click professional actors.” title has gotten its first set of screen- adventure, layered with brainteas- shots released after its change in ing puzzles to test your mental And while it looks rather kiddish, graphics engines to Epic’s Unreal En- ability. Use the mouse to navigate it also looks rather fun. Appar- gine 3. In short, it looks quite good. the world, interact with crazy ently, the game is already out characters, find hidden objects and on iOS and VITA, and what they interact with the many puzzles. It’s are working on now, for a second been likened to Professor Layton quarter of 2013 release, is a PC but this is a 3D adventure more and MAC port/remake. adventure lantern 11 News Announcements UPCOMING Releases News

lite mechanics. While all these el- The Maker’s Eden Upcoming Releases ements may seem familiar they Currently on Indiegogo and Steam are combined with intense visceral Greenlight the game is set to be combat, horrific death, and envi- released in three parts, the first of Ether One ronmental puzzles, making Ab- which has a planned September Ether One, the upcoming indie ad- ducted a truly unique experience.” release date. The Maker’s Eden is described by its developers in the venture by the new studio White Paper Games, has been Greenlit It is set to be a six episode adven- succeeding paragraphs. on Steam. Currently the release ture, with the first episode released estimate is for summer 2013, and Abducted in August 2013, and following epi- The Maker’s Eden is a first- looks very interesting. You play a “Abducted is an action, adventure, sodes at two and a half month in- person slideshow style point Restorer, who travels the minds of mystery, horror game with a fo- tervals. Right now the game is on and click adventure game in mentally ill humans to restructure cus on a deep storyline, immersive Steam Greenlight as well as Kick- a retro-futuristic noir inspired their broken memories. this world gameplay as well as a mixture of starter, and you can preorder the is hand-painted where “science- classic adventure game and RPG- whole bunch for $15. fiction meets English coastline”

The St. Christopher’s School Moebius Lockdown This full length adventure by Jane Running a Kickstarter until July setting, presented in the style Jensen, and the first by her stu- 11, this upcoming adventure is of a motion comic. The focus is dio Pinkerton Road, has gotten its looking for $14,000, with an $8 on story/narrative and you will first trailer. Kickstarter. This point and click learn about the world by talking adventure game is set within a to characters and examining British private school and asks your surroundings. the question: “When a political Lifeless Planet action-adventure games. Don’t protest turns violent, whose side Your story begins inside a stasis This one man project, successfully get me wrong: 3D is good. Plat- will you take?”. It will be in the in both the United Kingdom and in pod, and you have no knowl- funded through Kickstarter last forming is good. But I love games form of seven episodes, and is Chile, involving massive student edge of who or what you are. year, just released a new trailer. that combine great graphics with heavily inspired by “recent events demonstrations, rallies and riots.” You have been given no memo- The Witness The single developer had this to great stories.” ries, so for all it seems, you are There has been a bunch of small say about his upcoming title: nobody... but why are people updates since I last talked about “While seeking life on a distant after you, and why do they The Witness, under development “My goal with Lifeless Planet is to planet, a skeptical astronaut Ronnie want you dead? Can’t give away by the creator of Braid, here; Is- build a game that puts the adven- discovers an abandoned Russian A one-person indie adventure, too much without spoiling, but land snapshots, posters, and ture back into “action-adventure.” laboratory. He suspects his mis- Ronnie is on Steam Greenlight. It there’s a deep layer of socio-po- trees. They are all looking signifi- I grew up loving games like Out of sion is a hoax until a mysterious is a first person horror adventure litical commentary surrounding cantly more polished visually. this World, The Dig, and ICO, and I young woman saves him from game based on demonic posses- your personal story. want to create a gaming experi- a strange and deadly phenom- sion. The game is designed to ence in the spirit of these true enon.” “constantly leave you question- ing your own sanity as you strive to regain your soul.” decent at times, and who knows Honestly, the graphics look rather how they will improved as the rough; But they still look pretty game draws closer to release.

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specific than later this year, This leads to two interesting ideas about exploring an abandoned and gameplay concepts. First off, house. There is loads of details as the author states: “Katie being in this two page preview, and part of the missing family gives most of it I, at least, have not the player implicit permission to never heard before. do those socially unacceptable things we typically do in adventure Most importantly, the setting is not games, like rifling through dresser a long abandoned mysterious and drawers, pocketing items that don’t Gone Home unknown house, but your family’s belong to us, and reading other AdventureGamers.com has a house, that you left not more than characters’ diaries.” And it made preview of Gone Home written a year ago. You are a young girl just puzzles a somewhat bad fit.T his is about some advance demo copy. returning from a one year back- your house, you know it, and every This is the upcoming indie gem packing trip to Europe, and much of door is not guarded by a puzzles, being developed by The Full- the story is . You need to figure out and most doors are not locked. bright Company, that still does what has happened in the interim There are apparently no traditional not have a release date more by exploring this empty house. puzzles and it is all exploration.

Nicolas Eymerich, ian inquisitor, and the main charac- The Inquisitor ter in Valerio Evangelisti’s unrelated Nicolas Eymerich, Inquisitor is an science fiction series. In production episodic adventure game which these last three years, the first epi- puts you in the shoes of Nicalas sode of Nicalas Eymerich, Inquisitor, Eymerich a, real-life, historical Ital- Book I: The Plague, is scheduled for release on July 2nd.

AR-K have met with more success since floating in space, filled with mys- After a failed kickstarter back in then and have both a Greenlight tery, humor, and suspense. 2012 Gato Salvaje did not give campaign ongoing, and a suc- up, and was completely willing to cessful kickstarter campaign that You control Alicia, an ex-cop continue development. Well they raised $100K. You can still pur- turned journalism student who chase these same pledges direct wakes up following a one-night from the developers website, stand with a terrible hangover and starting at $20 for the quadrilogy, a lot of questions. How much did or try out the first episode for free. she drink? Did she really take that guy home with her? What was his The following is developers name again? And what, exactly, is description: the Golden Sphere, the mysterious “AR-K is an homage to the classic object that seems the source of all point-and-click story game with Alicia’s woes? And what was that an updated twist. Dialogue and guy’s name again?“ puzzles are the catalysts that move you through the world of Look for episode 2 to be release the AR-K, an apparent utopia next month.

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New Releases

Syberia iOS Part 1 Big Fish Games has just released the first in a planned trilogy of games which will serve as a port of Syberia over to the iOS devices, iPhone and iPad. And what is more, it is completely free. It looks to me like a 1-to-1 transla- Cognition Episode 3: tion that uses the exact same The Oracle graphical assets and gameplay. The third installment of Cognition, Episode 3: The Oracle, has been Since Syberia has always been a released, with the fourth and final little on the easy side; And it is being scheduled for late 2013. my opinion that it looks better on Nancy Drew: a screen that doesn’t have a huge When a trail of clues—and bodies— Ghost of Thornton Hall resolution, like modern PCs; I lead Erica to the luxurious Enthon Her Interactive has released (on think this translation has every- Towers, her post-cognitive pow- May 14th) another Nancy Drew thing going for it to be a fantastic, ers leave her unable to escape title called Nancy Drew: Ghost of and quite possibly a better, expe- the dark betrayals in its past. The Thornton Hall. Adventure Gamers. rience than the PC version. This shocking truth about the Oracle’s com gave it a 3.5, calling it a solid first part, as you might suppose, identity is revealed, along with game with fun puzzles. Read the apparently comprises the first the killer’s connection to Erica’s official story teaser from Her In- section of the game; The small own tragic past. No longer sure teractive below. remote French village Valadilene. who she can trust, if anyone, Eri- ca is determined to find the truth, Jessalyn Thornton’s fateful slee- no matter what the cost. pover at the abandoned Thorn- ton estate was supposed to be a pre-wedding celebration, but the fun ended when she disappeared. While her family searches for clues, Jack Haunt: others refuse to speak about the Old Haunting Grounds estate’s dark past. Did something A point and click pulp mystery supernatural happen to Jessalyn, adventure where you play a or is someone in Thornton Hall dead private eye. Your goal is to holding something besides family find your remains in the house secrets? where you died and investigate the house’s dark past. Visit this adventure’s hand-drawn locations for over six hours, for only $5.

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Dracula 4: The Shadow of the Dragon The fourth entry in the classic Dracula adventure series was released on June 19th. This is the series that includes the 1999 and 2000 Dracula: Resurrection and Dracula 2: The Last Sanctuary, as well as Dracula 3: The Path of the Dragon. And while The Last Sanc- tuary ended the story arc that be- The trailers show graphics that do gan in Resurrection, while The Last not stand up to the previous titles Sanctuary was stand alone with in this illustrious series as well, an open ending, allowing future but I am still tentatively optimistic. entries, if not with the same pro- And Microïds has already an- tagonist. The story of The Shadow nounced that they are working on of the Dragon follows Ellen Cross, a future title for the series, at this an art restorer, across Europe on very moment. One would assume The Yawhg the trail of Dracula himself, and if it that this title they speak of is A one-to-four player choose- has any ties to any of the previous Dracula 5, but they have revealed your-own-(text)-adventure, with games, I have yet to hear about it. anything yet. a randomized story and great looking visuals. I first became I am a huge fan of the Dracula Having now played Dracula 4: The aware of it through Christine series of adventure games, and Shadow of the Dragon I have far Love’s blog; The author of Digi- am very excited about this latest more details on it. Dracula 4 is an tal: A Love Story and Analogue: addition. That being said, beyond episodic adventure with about A Hate Story, among others; Who previous entries in this series be- two-to-three hours of gameplay never recommends anything, so I ing amazing games, Microïds has and which costs $20 on a number thought I had to check it out. given me no reason to suspect the of digital platforms. The sequel, same will be true for that title. I Dracula 5 is in the works, and will found that the screenshots looked continue the story of Dracula 4, OK but (at least for me) are moder- though Dracula 4: part 2 would be ately disappointing and worrying; a better name for it.

Pandora: Purge of Pride As you recapture the Seven Deadly Out now on Desura, and with a Sins in the titular box you will gain Greenlight campaign ongoing, Pan- further powers to solve puzzles. dora is a first person puzzle game set in Victorian England based It started life as a student project around the story of Pandora’s Box. that has turned into a full blown It features a unique hand-drawn art commercial adventure after a Kick- style and custom designed puzzles. starter campaign raised six grand.

16 adventure lantern adventure lantern 17 News new Releases updated Releases News

Updated Releases

The Journey Down It is over now, but on the 23rd of June the musical talent behind The Journey Down put together an eleven piece band to perform a live rendition of the game’s crit- ically acclaimed soundtrack. This live performance was performed in Brighton, UK, but also live- streamed on justjamit.com. My Ex-Boyfriend the Space Tyrant One of the few already released game on Steam Greenlight, My Ex-Boyfriend the Space Tyrant is a gay-themed point and click adventure. By gay-themed they appear to mean a comedy/ro- mance adventure where all the characters are scantily clad buff men. The full game, is already purchasable for Windows, Mac, and Linux for the price of $22, and a demo if you want to try it before you buy it. Also, We are told that it is a “full length” adventure, so hopefully the content justifies such a large price.

The Five Cores Enhanced Edition? On May 25 Neebla Games an- The Five Cores is a Myst-like, re- nounced the imminent develop- leased in late 2012 to OK reviews, ment of an Enhanced Edition that I reviewed it myself and it is obvi- would improve and add to the story ously a game that is lacking polish, development, with cinematics and but has some great features and books, graphics, and much more. a lot of heart. It is back on Steam And will be free for all original pur- Greenlight for another go, and there chasers. This announcement has is a new patch that fixed some of since disappeared off of the Neebla the bugs, an enhanced Edition has Games webpage, without any ex- even been hinted at as well. planation that I am aware of.

16 adventure lantern adventure lantern 17 News News from the big blue cup News From the Big Blue Cup

1st Gold of the Red Dragon (Scarab117) - Journey (John Freier) - A quick adventure Meet Mongoose Fitch. Loveable peasant and game made completely on a bus, while de- wizard’s nephew. There is nothing Mongoose veloper was being driven to and from work. loves more than the princess of the realm, so when the king offers her hand in marriage, our hero must set off on an adventure to Mutagen (bwintz) - In this game you become a suitable candidate. play different “mutagens”, some creatures 5 created by humans. Follow your way through the game to find the reason why humans Coderbattle: Quest for the Whole Game created you and live a touching story. (Freidenker01) - First AGS Project by this developer. You play as an intern who is asked to create a computer game, without any The Pubicle (Billy Peden) - As a safety in- knowledge of game development. spector at a Weapons and Tech manufactur- ing company, every day for Steve Cumin may 10 The Search for Oceanspirit Dennis be his last. With a bioengineered monster (OneDollar) - Ray has been tasked with track- on the loose and a homicidal weapons tester ing down the legendary Oceanspirit Dennis. making a mess trying to stop it, this particu- Word has it he’s in the very next city. A come- lar day is no different. Can you make it out of dic storyline, classic point’n’click adventuring, the U.S. Annihilation building without soiling mini-games, a ton of art and animation and yourself? an unlockable director’s commentary and 15 medal system for performing special actions. House of de Sade (slasher) - De Sade’s Children’s Home had been closed down after Adventure Island (elentgirl) - A light police found murdered children there a year hearted homage to ‘point-and-click’ adventure before. The staff of the Children’s Home were games. In the sand of Adventure Island you all sentenced to the electric chair. Since then will find the footprints of games such as Myst, children are going missing from the grounds Atlantis, Black Mirror, Syberia, Monkey Island, of de Sade’s. You, Ernest Penrose P.I., sense 20 The Journeyman Project, and many more. a need to investigate de Sade’s Children’s Assist a seasoned adventurer, Annie Player, Home in search of the missing children. who is tasked to find missing scientists sent to survey a newly discovered island. Soon Annie realizes that this is no normal island... The Can (springthoughts) - The game invites you to take on the role of a robot Marshmallows Of Everlasting Realms abandoned by his human owner. It is half (Luke Calder) [DEMO] - Help Puff Daddy cross psychological study, half usual point-and- 25 the river to avenge the Marshmallow people click adventure-style action. from the Fass Cazz.

Adventures of Max Fax 1 (Alexander Deep Hope (Cleanic) - Made for MAGS Kucherenko) - A cartoon, comedy, point May 2013: Underwater, Deep Hope is a very and click adventure. Spend a day and a short game with more than one ending. Help night as Max Fax in this adventure with Alex in his quest for the most unbelievable 30th colorful cartoon graphics and animation, solution. To the bottom of the sea. What music, sound effects. exactly dwells down there?

18 adventure lantern News from the big blue cup News

Pick of the Month: June - The Bum Help a homeless bum and his talking sock to get revenge for a destroyed ball. The crazy story, brilliant old-school graphics and puzzles will immediately take you to the golden age of adventure gaming. Adventures of Max Fax 1 (Chosen by cat) House of de Sade (Alexander Kucherenko) (slasher)

Journey (John Freier)

Mutagen (bwintz)

Adventure Island (elentgirl)

Coderbattle: Quest for the Whole Game Gold of the Red Dragon (Freidenker01) (Scarab117) The Can (springthoughts)

The Search for Oceanspirit Dennis Deep Hope The Pubicle (OneDollar) (Cleanic) (Billy Peden) to contents 19 ADVENTURER'S RAVINE E DNA AND HARVEY: THE BREAKOUT REVIEW REVIEW E DNA AND HARVEY: THE BREAKOUT ADVENTURER'S RAVINE Edna & Harvey The Breakout Genre: adventure Developer: Daedalic Entertainment Publisher: Lace Mamba Global Release date: February 8, 2011 Platforms: Windows, iPad Website: http://edna.daedalic.de/index.php

First released in 2008 as a German university project and the very first game out of what has now turned into an internationally renowned adventure game developer and publisher; It has sinced received an English translation and release in 2011 and an iPad port in late 2012. Originally, The Breakout received many terrific reviews in its native German, but did not make quite the same impression overseas, with many reviewers stating a bad translation as one major factor.

Review by Jonathon Wisnoski

he graphics of Edna & Harvey are extremely rough. They are something that look thrown together in Paint quite quickly. But they are consistent, and extensive. I think everyone will necessarily find these graphics vary subpar at first, but their simple charm eventually won me over, and I quite like them. One obviously subpar feature is the

�20 adventureADVENTURE lanternLANTERN ADVENTURER'S RAVINE E DNA AND HARVEY: THE BREAKOUT REVIEW REVIEW E DNA AND HARVEY: THE BREAKOUT ADVENTURER'S RAVINE Edna & Harvey The Breakout Genre: adventure Developer: Daedalic Entertainment Publisher: Lace Mamba Global Release date: February 8, 2011 Platforms: Windows, iPad Website: http://edna.daedalic.de/index.php

animation; There is quite a lot of this case: walk, pickup, talk, and use. one that through lossless compression animation that is simply incredibly This extra complexity is simply never brings the game down to 400MB jerky; Too jerky to even understand used in an advantageous manner, without leaving anything else or what they are supposed to and it is implemented inconsistently. changing the game in the slightest. represent in some cases. These controls just slow everything The game is set in a massive, The only feature of The Breakout down, making a simple action take open, game world. Most of which that I absolutely hate are the controls. three of more clicks instead of what takes place in a truly huge, six They are based on the old fashioned should've been one; They are simply floor asylum and accompanying First released in 2008 as a German university project and the very first game out of what has now multiple verb button style gameplay the worse controls I have ever grounds, which opens up more turned into an internationally renowned adventure game developer and publisher; It has sinced (like The Secret of Monkey Island), in encountered. Additionally, the loading and more as you progress through times are terrible, and the game files the game. You zig-zag throughout received an English translation and release in 2011 and an iPad port in late 2012. Originally, The themselves come in at around an this expansive building throughout Breakout received many terrific reviews in its native German, but did not make quite the same astounding 4,000MB; Though it is most of the game; And still have impression overseas, with many reviewers stating a bad translation as one major factor. worth mentioning that there are a a cemetery and companion large few rips floating around the internet church, and house (each with Review by Jonathon Wisnoski that will save you a lot of time and around ten rooms); as well as a bandwidth, specifically significant road system to explore he graphics of Edna & after you finally escape. All in all, Harvey are extremely you get a world comprised of well rough. They are something that look thrown together in Paint quite quickly. But they are consistent, and extensive. I think everyone will necessarily find these graphics vary subpar at first, but their simple charm eventually won me over, and I quite like them. One obviously subpar feature is the

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22� adventureADVENTURE lanternLANTERN ADVENTURER'S RAVINE E DNA AND HARVEY: THE BREAKOUT REVIEW REVIEW E DNA AND HARVEY: THE BREAKOUT ADVENTURER'S RAVINE

over one hundred individual and your memories, as well a hiding a strange addition is that you can complex locations. dark secret connected to his son’s use Harvey on all objects, and he The story and characters of Edna death and your father’s innocence. will respond with some dialogue. & Harvey are quite unique, very To accomplish this breakout you You do not really ever have to use enjoyable, and simply funny and will meet many esoteric and him outside of tempomorphing twisted. You are a young woman downright crazy individuals along which only happens twice, but locked in a padded room in an the way; Some will be obstacles every time I did use him I got quite asylum run by Dr. Marcel, and this is you will have to overcome, and extensive and unique dialogue, your attempt to breakout alongside others will help you on your quest. and it seemed quite funny; Which your blue terry-cloth stuffed rabbit The story, I guess, is mature, with makes me think there might be they provided an easy and quick mentioned before, is quite extensive though it is possible to rush through Harvey. Harvey is capable of speech death, murder, and insanity, but quite a bit of extra dialogue in way to skip scenes and dialogue, and open; And the gameplay takes it in six to eight hours. and of tempomorphing Edna into also just a lot of silliness. the game, for those interested in as there simply is so much of it. advantage of this to allow you to The Breakout is truly a great game, the past to learn specific skills at This story is told through loads taking the time to go through it all. The gameplay of Edna & Harvey is complete most of the puzzles in any with interesting challenges and a specific times. Quite quickly you of voiced dialogue, and while I Even without counting any of this quite extensive, but not that diverse. order. Some things that you will not terrific story; Beautifully conceived realize that your father went away have read opinions about how extra dialogue you have hours and There are loads and loads of item need to complete, or even have a and delightfully realised. A lot of for the murder of Dr. Marcel’s son, it was a bad translation of just hours of it to listen to, and some puzzles, but the game sticks to just reason to do so, can be done far in games advertise themselves as but you believe that he is innocent tiring dialogue, I did not find it so; pretty large dialogue trees to click this type singularly. Not that it ever advance or in any order you choose; styled after the classical adventures and that Dr. Marcel is both fixated Particularly with the large amount through. While it is all well written gets boring, there is a wide range Depending on what particular puzzle of The Secret of Monkey Island on torturing you and destroying of talented voice acting. One in my opinion, it is also nice that of unique object puzzles of every arc you happen to be focusing on, era; Edna & Harvey: The difficulty level, and quite a lot of them or just because you happen upon Breakout comes a whole are very enjoyable. Some of them a challenge and solve it. Including lot closer than most, in are too abstruse, but in general they the dialogue you are looking at ten my opinion, to this are quite good. The gameworld, like I to twenty hours for a playthrough, high pedestal.

BRIGHT MOMENTS: Its delightful, charming, and darkly twisted story.

FUMBLES IN THE DARK: The controls are the worst I have ever encountered.

VERDICT: A great classically styled adventure.

� ADVENTURE LANTERN ADVENTUREto content sLANTERN 23� ADVENTURER'S RAVINE E VOLAND REVIEW REVIEW E VOLAND ADVENTURER'S RAVINE Evoland Genre: action-adventure/RPG Developer/publisher: Shiro Games Release date: April 4, 2013 Platforms: Windows, Mac Website: http://evoland.shirogames.com/

Evoland is supposed to be a nostalgic tribute to classic action/adventure/RPGs like Zelda and Final Fantasy. The gimmick, here, is that the game progressively "evolves" from the historic roots of video games up to something more modern. The gameplay begins at its most basic, with visuals reminiscent of the original GameBoy; as you play, you unlock extra mechanics (like background music, health meters, save points, etc) and watch as the graphics steadily upgrade themselves to that of the early GameCube. It's an intriguing premise that does manage to kindle nostalgic memories of fonder times, but is the game itself any good?

Review by Nick Burgener

nfortunately, the full game experience doesn't quite deliver on the great potential of the premise. We've all replayed some of our favorite games hoping to relive childhood passions, but the problem with Evoland is that it merely reminds us of other games, without offering much substance of its own. That's good for jogging fond memories (which is without a doubt

24� adventureADVENTURE lanternLANTERN ADVENTURER'S RAVINE E VOLAND REVIEW REVIEW E VOLAND ADVENTURER'S RAVINE Evoland Genre: action-adventure/RPG Developer/publisher: Shiro Games Release date: April 4, 2013 Platforms: Windows, Mac Website: http://evoland.shirogames.com/

fairly low-hanging fruit), but the follows the "active time" system even provide worthwhile bonuses to experience rarely transcends simple where you wait for a gauge to fill up your character; it's just there to parody nostalgia. It's basically like the game before selecting an action, but there's or make reference to other games and is trying to stand solely on references literally no depth to the combat system mechanics in the flavor text. And at without having its own unique stamp besides selecting "attack" until you that stage in the game, all the gold you to tie everything together. Don't get win, which makes these portions of collect is basically worthless, too. me wrong -- the "evolution" gimmick the game pretty boring. Furthermore, mechanics don't is very unique, but that's not enough to There's one sizeable portion of the carry over from one game "type" carry the weight of a $10 game. game, for example, where it turns into to another. When you're in the Final The main issue with Evoland is a Diablo-style hack n' slasher, with Fantasy random-encounter, turn- that the bulk of its gameplay feels enemies coming at you in swarms based combat sections, you earn rudimentary and rote. Taking its and dropping piles of gold and random experience points towards leveling main influences from Zelda and Final loot. It looks like Diablo, but it doesn't up -- but these stats become Fantasy, different sections of the implement the gameplay mechanics completely irrelevant once you enter game alternate between Zelda-style in a wholesome way. Dropped loot is a Zelda section. Weapons and items top-down dungeon crawling with real- automatically equipped, and there's you unlock in the Zelda section (like time combat and FF-style world map only one item to be found for each bombs or the bow and arrow) can't navigation with turn-based combat. equipment slot, so you don't get be used in conjunction with Final Evoland is supposed to be a nostalgic tribute to classic action/adventure/RPGs like Zelda and Final Fantasy. These gameplay styles capture the the satisfaction of managing your Fantasy's turn-based combat or in The gimmick, here, is that the game progressively "evolves" from the historic roots of video games up to basic feel of each game but ultimately inventory and playing with different the Diablo hack n' slash combat. something more modern. The gameplay begins at its most basic, with visuals reminiscent of the original feel like lame, underwhelming types of gear -- the stuff that made The effect is to make each section imitations that just don't come close playing Diablo actually fun. As it is of the game feel somewhat fleeting GameBoy; as you play, you unlock extra mechanics (like background music, health meters, save points, etc) to capturing the magic of playing an in Evoland, you just mash the attack and trivial, because there's barely and watch as the graphics steadily upgrade themselves to that of the early GameCube. It's an intriguing actual Zelda or Final Fantasy game. button over and over again until you any continuity between them. The premise that does manage to kindle nostalgic memories of fonder times, but is the game itself any good? The turn-based combat, for instance, reach the boss. The loot itself doesn't game comes off feeling like a bunch

Review by Nick Burgener nfortunately, the full game experience doesn't quite deliver on the great potential of the premise. We've all replayed some of our favorite games hoping to relive childhood passions, but the problem with Evoland is that it merely reminds us of other games, without offering much substance of its own. That's good for jogging fond memories (which is without a doubt

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of random ideas mashed together story, or goals. The early gameplay basic, and since the characters have without any glue to hold it together. basically just amounts to wandering no personality it's hard to actually The first half of the game lacks any to the next available space and care about what's going on. It's just real form of imperative, because it opening treasure chests along the going through the motions. doesn't give you any kind of set-up, way, which introduce the new The most interesting aspect of the gameplay mechanics and upgrade game's evolution gimmick is that it the aesthetics as you go. There's no makes you appreciate features and incentive to keep going, except to see mechanics that we've come to expect what new thing will be introduced and now take for granted. Playing with the next treasure chest. As neat the early portions of the game, I as it is to see the game progressively was reminded of how primitive build itself up from basically nothing, I combat was in the original Legend feel like the experience could've been of Zelda and Link's Awakening, when more enjoyable if the game had a little you could only move in four directions something more going on. along the square grid patterns. The actual "story" doesn't really Once I'd unlocked free movement begin until the game's finished -- the ability to move off the grid establishing all of its most essential -- combat became so much more building blocks (roughly 1-2 hours feasible. Likewise, in the beginning into the experience), but the story you reach a game over screen after isn't enough to rustle anyone's taking a single hit from an enemy -- interest. Like the gameplay, it feels something typical of early Nintendo rudimentary and rote; it's there games -- and so it was an immense out of necessity, not because there pleasure finally to have a health was an actual story that wanted to meter once I'd unlocked it. be told. While exploring the world map, you rescue a young girl who then takes you to her village. Once there, you learn that the town's been devastated by an evil villain, whom you must stop. From there, you have to go to two different dungeons to collect two halves of an amulet to gain access to a tower to fight the boss. It's incredibly

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of random ideas mashed together story, or goals. The early gameplay basic, and since the characters have The other particularly neat The game isn't very long, either, gameplay is, the game might have without any glue to hold it together. basically just amounts to wandering no personality it's hard to actually spot with the evolving graphics which makes it a little harder to gotten stale and tedious and worn out The first half of the game lacks any to the next available space and care about what's going on. It's just comes when you get the ability justify the asking price. It took me its welcome if it were much longer. real form of imperative, because it opening treasure chests along the going through the motions. to time-travel. Time-traveling four hours to beat the game with a The bottom line for Evoland is that doesn't give you any kind of set-up, way, which introduce the new The most interesting aspect of the between past and present was a 92% completion rate. The completion it's an interesting idea, but it doesn't gameplay mechanics and upgrade game's evolution gimmick is that it big mechanic of Ocarina of Time, rate is sort of like Metroid, based on reach its full potential. Nostalgia is a the aesthetics as you go. There's no makes you appreciate features and but what's unique about time- how many hidden stars and trading powerful thing, and the similarities incentive to keep going, except to see mechanics that we've come to expect traveling in Evoland is that you cards you acquired, but that's the and references to beloved titles what new thing will be introduced and now take for granted. Playing travel between gaming eras. You only replay value the game has -- like Zelda and Final Fantasy may with the next treasure chest. As neat the early portions of the game, I end up switching back and forth backtracking through a dozen areas be enough to make the game as it is to see the game progressively was reminded of how primitive between full 3D visuals and classic you've already cleared searching for enjoyable for some gamers, but I feel build itself up from basically nothing, I combat was in the original Legend 2D graphics, and use the differences bomb spots you saw and passed a like Evoland needs to transcend the feel like the experience could've been of Zelda and Link's Awakening, when between the two eras to solve long time ago, but didn't have access nostalgic references and do something more enjoyable if the game had a little you could only move in four directions puzzles and navigate throughout to bombs at the time. Before facing unique and worthwhile on its own in something more going on. along the square grid patterns. the world. That's a pretty cool the final boss I went around looking order for it to be considered a truly The actual "story" doesn't really Once I'd unlocked free movement mechanic, but unfortunately like for new areas, but just didn't have great game. It's a quality product that begin until the game's finished -- the ability to move off the grid the rest of the game's elements, the willpower (or the desire) to go deserves praise for the effort that establishing all of its most essential -- combat became so much more once you're through with that for 100% completion. Of course, the went into it, but I just didn't have as building blocks (roughly 1-2 hours feasible. Likewise, in the beginning particular area, the time-traveling four hour length is a bit of a blessing, much fun with it as I thought possible into the experience), but the story you reach a game over screen after mechanic never comes back. because with how crude most of the for such a wonderful gimmick. isn't enough to rustle anyone's taking a single hit from an enemy -- interest. Like the gameplay, it feels something typical of early Nintendo BRIGHT MOMENTS: rudimentary and rote; it's there games -- and so it was an immense out of necessity, not because there pleasure finally to have a health The central evolution gimmick is great, and the was an actual story that wanted to meter once I'd unlocked it. Zelda dungeons are pretty fun as well. be told. While exploring the world map, you rescue a young girl who FUMBLES IN THE DARK: then takes you to her village. Once there, you learn that the town's Most of the gameplay feels rudimentary, and the been devastated by an evil villain, story is almost non-existent. whom you must stop. From there, you have to go to two different VERDICT: dungeons to collect two halves of an amulet to gain access to a tower A decently enjoyable game that never quite goes to fight the boss. It's incredibly above or beyond the games it's referencing.

26� adventureADVENTURE lanternLANTERN ADVENTUREto content sLANTERN 27� ADVENTURER'S RAVINE ��: KGB U NLEASHED REVIEW REVIEW ��: KGB U NLEASHED ADVENTURER'S RAVINE 1953: KGB Unleashed Genre: adventure Developer: Phantomery Interactive Publisher: UIG, CP Digital Release date: July 6, 2012 Platform: Windows Website: http://www.phantomery.ru/index_en.html#projects

Developed by Phantomery Interactive and first released in early 2010 in Russian, Phobos: 1953 has finally been released to English audiences. Phantomery Interactive first became known for Outcry, a graphical first-person adventure with a unique graphical style, which was released in 2008. Phobos: 1953, or 1953: KGB Unleashed for its English release, follows Outcry with stylistically similar graphics, story, and gameplay; You could tell that it is made by the same company, even if you were not told, but it is at the same time a very different game. Phobos is a rather small game, made to take a moderate length because of difficult puzzles and abundant reading; But the storyline is extremely short, and the content is very limited. There are only a handful of puzzles (and I can count the number of major memorable ones on a single hand), alongside very minimal story progression and a limited number of locations.

Review by Jonathon Wisnoski what is going on or what happened. As you explore progressively more ou wake up in an abandoned of this facility you learn that it was a facility beneath cold-war era paranormal KGB research facility, where Soviet Moscow. Everything they conducted dangerous psychic and is dark and lit only with the paranormal tests on human subjects. As few red emergency lights. You are an you explore this research bunker you electrician working for the Ministry unravel more and more of this facility’s of State Security, but have no idea dark past, and travel into darker and

�28 adventureADVENTURE lanternLANTERN to contents 29 ADVENTURER'S RAVINE ��: KGB U NLEASHED REVIEW REVIEW ��: KGB U NLEASHED ADVENTURER'S RAVINE 1953: KGB Unleashed Genre: adventure Developer: Phantomery Interactive Publisher: UIG, CP Digital Release date: July 6, 2012 Platform: Windows Website: http://www.phantomery.ru/index_en.html#projects

creepier locations. This story is told hints were not there, for this particular style of the game very well. They mostly through numerous reports and puzzle, but that the solution did not really are hard to describe, being generally other writings, with the cutscenes seem to mesh with the gameworld and realistic, but with some very slight, used to set the mood more than to story. So they are tricky, and sometimes understated stylistic elements. In divulge information. Overall, the frustrating, but even when you give up some places it is a very dark game, game tries, and succeeds, in keeping and consult a walkthrough they are still and particularly in the beginning a deep atmosphere of mystery; And enjoyable. There is not a single puzzle the game can be simply impossible expertly it interweaves just enough that I just hated, and which lessened without the correct brightness setting. information and answers, without the experience, and many, if not all, of One other technical issue to watch giving too much away. The game ends them add to the experience. out for is an optional graphical filter/ very abruptly, but at the same time One thing I liked is how open some effect, which is off by default and satisfactorily; It is a very intriguing of the puzzles are. The hints for for good reason, as it makes reading and enjoyable, while leaving just some of the puzzles are not always some of the text very difficult. Developed by Phantomery Interactive and first released in early 2010 in Russian, Phobos: 1953 has finally enough shrouded in mystery. distinguishable from background KGB Unleashed is an interesting been released to English audiences. Phantomery Interactive first became known for Outcry, a graphical The gameplay meshes object puzzles information and it is not always obvious little adventure, that in my opinion is first-person adventure with a unique graphical style, which was released in 2008. Phobos: 1953, or with logic. Overall, I thought that these where or what your next obstacle is. worth experiencing. The game mixes puzzles were enjoyable, but they had Most of the puzzles are not just here decent graphics, decent gameplay, 1953: KGB Unleashed for its English release, follows Outcry with stylistically similar graphics, story, and me reaching for a walkthrough on at as a locked door, or a machine that is and a decent story, all with gameplay; You could tell that it is made by the same company, even if you were not told, but it is at least a few occasions. At least once, not working; They feel slightly more slightly unique elements, to the same time a very different game. Phobos is a rather small game, made to take a moderate length when I consulted a walkthrough, the natural to the environment and story, create a good adventure. because of difficult puzzles and abundant reading; But the storyline is extremely short, and the content is solution turned out to be something and less linear than some in the genre. Expect around 6-8 that I really do not think I ever would The graphics are good; Not terrific hours for a single very limited. There are only a handful of puzzles (and I can count the number of major memorable ones have guessed. Not so much that the or overly beautiful, but they fit the playthrough. on a single hand), alongside very minimal story progression and a limited number of locations.

Review by Jonathon Wisnoski what is going on or what happened. BRIGHT MOMENTS: As you explore progressively more The mysterious atmosphere and story. ou wake up in an abandoned of this facility you learn that it was a facility beneath cold-war era paranormal KGB research facility, where FUMBLES IN THE DARK: Soviet Moscow. Everything they conducted dangerous psychic and The abrupt ending. is dark and lit only with the paranormal tests on human subjects. As few red emergency lights. You are an you explore this research bunker you electrician working for the Ministry unravel more and more of this facility’s VERDICT: of State Security, but have no idea dark past, and travel into darker and A decent short adventure title.

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