Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: January 5, 2004

Schizm: Mysterious Journey from Polish developer LK Avalon was a stunning release in 2002, truly one of the best adventure / puzzle titles of all time (particularly when considering the DVD version). The gorgeous graphics and amazing puzzles drew many who gave it a fair chance into the gameplay. So it’s perhaps no surprise that a sequel – Mysterious Journey II – has been released. As before, you have to explore numerous unworldly locales while unraveling a seemingly endless stream of enigmas. The open question is whether this new release can match the brilliance of its predecessor. ( read more… )

Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: December 22, 2003

After the success of Microids’ adventure title, Syberia, it would be expected that other offerings would emerge in the same vein. Frogwares Game Development Studio has gone back to the famous Jules Verne novel to create Journey to the Center of the Earth, published by Viva Media. This adventure-puzzle title contains, at least on the surface, remarkable similarities to Syberia, but sports several distinctive components as well. ( read more… )

Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: December 16, 2003

LEGO is no longer a company that just distributes children’s building bricks, and its new game has nothing whatsoever to do with the kind of LEGO products with which most readers are familiar. Originally conceived in 2001, the Bionicle legacy is based on an epic story of light and dark. Last September, a lavishly produced Bionicle movie DVD appeared on the scene. Now, a full interactive adventure with well-developed characters and lots of integrated action is available on the personal computer (as well as all the video consoles) to take the franchise one step further.

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Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: November 24, 2003

2003 has been a great year for pirate lovers. The success of arguably the best pirate movie ever made, Pirates of the Caribbean, led Akella and Bethesda Softworks to release a game of the same name earlier this year. Even the reality show “Survivor” has taken on a pirate motif in its current Pearl Islands setting. Now Ascaron Entertainment, developers of the more strategy-oriented Port Royale, has released through Encore Software Pirate Hunter, harkening back to Sid Meier’s classic Pirates!. This new title combines action, strategy, and role-playing elements. Despite the similar name, this offering is not in any way related to the new best-selling book, The Pirate Hunter by Richard Zacks, chronicling the adventures of Captain William Kidd. ( read more… )

Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: November 12, 2003

Computer game genres continue to have their carefully delineated boundaries degrade and become increasingly fuzzy. Hybrids are becoming more and more widespread, often combining more than two established niches. Such is the case with Cold Zero, a new release developed by Drago Entertainment, published by JoWooD Productions and Encore Software. This offering combines adventure, real-time strategy, role-playing, and shooting action elements in an intriguing way, all placed in the context of a violent mafia motif. ( read more… )

Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: October 28, 2003

In this age of copycat releases, sometimes it is a refreshing change to see a new title that attempts to break new ground. To do so involves more risks than just issuing yet another “me-too” sequel, and sometimes these creative attempts do not exactly hit their mark, but you sure appreciate the originality of the developers. Such is the case with Neighbors from Hell, the new recreational offering from JoWooD and Encore. Although it plays a bit like the 1980′s computer game Spy vs. Spy, Neighbors from Hell offers a totally new computer play experience. What with the current mania concerning reality television shows, this new release provides a hysterical interactive parody of this popular “art” form. ( read more… )

Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: October 15, 2003

In the wake of the buzz surrounding the anticipated release of Half-Life 2 and Doom III, renewed interest has emerged in the first-person shooter genre. In recent years, it has been quite interesting that many of the best offerings in this niche have come from relatively new developers from Eastern Europe. Following that trend, Slovakian developer Cauldron has recently released a new title, Chaser, published by JoWooD Productions and Encore Software. This futuristic science-fiction shooter is a pure old-style action game, with a run-and-gun style and not much need to stop and think. ( read more… )

Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: September 30, 2003

Although an avowed fan of undersea adventure, I am the first to admit computer offerings in this niche have often failed to hit the mark. Microsoft’s Deadly Tide, Ubi Soft’s Deep Fighter, and SegaSoft’s Fatal Abyss all had significant flaws. Some of the more promising releases, however, came from the German company Massive Development – Archimedean Dynasty, published by Blue Byte in late 1996, and AquaNox, published by Fishtank Interactive in late 2001. Although AquaNox had gorgeous graphics, it had some failings in many other dimensions. Now Massive is at it again with a sequel, AquaNox 2: Revelation published by JoWooD Productions and Encore Software. ( read more… )

Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: September 16, 2003

To begin with, I should admit that the groundbreaking 1982 movie Tron is still pretty much my favorite of all time. Way before most advances occurred pertaining to the personal computer, the flick contained such original ingenuity and such an exciting adventure within the computer that, to me, it never loses its luster. More than anything else, the movie solidified my love of both computers and computer games. So, I do not come into this review devoid of bias. However, having this reverence for the 20-year-old inspiration for Disney’s new title, Tron 2.0, makes me even more demanding about the quality of the interactive release. ( read more… )

Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: September 1, 2003

Many computer games attempt to achieve horror, but few succeed; usually they fall flat on the virtual screen. Now a small British developer, XXV Productions, is attempting to break the mold and has released through The Adventure Company (after 18 months of work) a terrifying adventure named Dark Fall: The Journal. Jonathan Boakes, the creator of the game, obviously loves the point-and-click adventure genre, and has created a title that harkens back to scary virtual haunted house memories from the past. Can it succeed in its unnerving quest of keeping players on the edge of their seats? ( read more… )

Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: August 14, 2003

As an avowed lover of everything related to pirates (that is, the seafaring kind, not the illegal software-stealing variety), I was thrilled to see Disney Studios put out a truly first rate pirate movie this summer, Pirates of the Caribbean. Knowing the growing linkages between film and computer software, I eagerly anticipated the game debut sure to occur at roughly the same time. Well, Russian developer Akella and American Bethesda Softworks came through right on cue, releasing the computer title Pirates of the Caribbean. In reality, the Pirates of the Caribbean computer release has precious little to do with the Pirates of the Caribbean movie (and, for that matter, both have little to do with the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland). Instead, this new game is actually a sequel to Sea Dogs, a three-year-old computer offering, and harkens back to Sid Meier’s classic Pirates!. Regardless, can this new version maintain the same high standard set by the movie? ( read more… )

Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: August 4, 2003

Though not a Trekkie, I’ve played lots of Star Trek games, the worst of which by far was Star Trek Pinball. Nearly three years ago Activision released a first-person shooter designed by Raven and set in the Star Trek Voyager universe named Star Trek: Voyager – Elite Force, and it generated robust sales and great critical acclaim. Now Activision has issued a sequel, Star Trek: Elite Force II, this time developed by Ritual Entertainment and going to the USS Enterprise-E, where Jean-Luc Picard is captain.

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Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: July 7, 2003

One of my favorite categories of games is what I’ve dubbed the “get-to-exit” genre. In it, you use your wits to overcome obstacles and find a way to the exit, successfully solving a predicament that at first glance may look absolutely impossible. The most common variant of this niche involves moving boxes or crates to make your way through; while it originated as a pastime called Sokoban, it’s also similar to Boulderdash. Swiss developer Epsitec, the same firm that gave us the excellent Buzzing Cars, has taken this basic concept and spruced it up into a full 3D retail release called Blupimania 2.

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Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: July 1, 2003

The history of MYST-like adventure games that try to incorporate action sequences is a sorry one. From THQ’s Redjack: Revenge of the Brethren to Discreet Monsters’ Auryn Quest, this particular mix has not worked well. There is a seductive tendency here to try to appeal to the many customers who prefer shooting or combat because they represent a much larger base than those who enjoy puzzles and exploration. Now The Adventure Company is taking one more stab at this combination through the release of Curse of Atlantis: Thorgal’s Quest. Can this third-person point-and-click adventure succeed where others before have failed?

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Review by: Bob Mandel
Published: June 11, 2003

Like many forms of arcade recreation, pinball has withered on the vine lately on the personal computer. Only a smattering of quality offerings, such as Digital Extremes’ Adventure Pinball, LittleWing’s Jinni Zeala, and Roundhouse Entertainment’s Attack of the Silver Ball, have emerged in recent years. Now Iridon and Simon & Schuster Interactive are releasing Pure Pinball, a throwback to the traditional pinball machines you would find at the arcades, yet sporting support from some of the latest technologies. So can this new title breathe some life into the genre? ( read more… )