Rama (1997 Video Game) User Reviews

Best computer adventure game ever!

[wonderwoman-12 · 10/10 · 17 July 2007]

This was the best computer adventure game I've ever played. The graphics and the music were beautiful, the puzzles were challenging and the premise was exciting and interesting. I have not read the book, although I started to after I'd started playing the game. So not reading the book did not affect my enjoyment of the game.

My only regret was that I never got to finish it. I had gotten into "New York," and before I could figure out how to get out, I changed computers and operating systems, and have not been able to find a version compatible with Windows XP. If anyone out there know where to get one, please let me know.

Good Accompaniment to books

[NikGen · 9/10 · 4 August 1999]

As always, it could be debated whether this game is a piece of art worthy of the name it borrows from literary works of Arthur C. Clarke, or just another Myst clone. I think the game would be pretty dry to people unfamiliar with the world of Rama created in the books. The interface itself is very much like Myst -- still screens, occasional videos, occasional puzzles. Been there, done that. However, for people who have read the books (and liked them), it provides a welcome visualization of concepts found in the books. This is obviously very subjective, but I found that the environments were quite similar to the ones I imagined while reading the books. Arthur C. Clarke has been very active in production of the game, with one of the CDs including Video interviews with him. Possible spoiler: the game even features Arthur's cameos, as he explains what the player did wrong.

While the puzzles, as in other similar games, are actually quite unrelated to the plot, they have proven to be the must challenging (and to me, the must fun) puzzles of any such game. This game is NOT for the mathematically-weak-of-heart. I have decided to play it with my sister (then 13), as we explored the concepts of communications with alien beings. Universal language? Math, of course. We have had to learn the colour language of Octospiders, as well as language of Avians and Ramans themselves. The puzzles, for those who enjoy this kind of entertainment, are quite amazing, and bound to give hours of intellectual work. An excellent exercise for the grey matter, and possibly the only reason why people other than fans of the book would buy and play the game.

Strangely beautiful

[gilbrou · 8/10 · 22 June 2001]

This is without a doubt my favorite Myst-y puzzle game: dazzling, inspired, fairly well-paces, and not lonely like some others in the genre.

I will admit, however, to certain corn factors. The game mixes real human footage with somewhat cartoony alien backgrounds. The B-movie-type characters talk to you, but it feels awkward that you can't talk back. (One character ironically says, "Here we are inside an extraterrestrial spaceship carrying on a normal conversation.") Also, despite a sincere effort away from the "little green men" of cheap scifi, various things about the Rama natives seem too terrestrial.

Luckily, these factors shouldn't ruin your fun. The game showcases (without overly flaunting) some superb ideas for the technology of 2200 A.D., most notably a wrist computer with "vidmail" capabilities. Raman art and architecture make for captivating scenery. Couple this with the unbeatable musics and you've got enough reason to keep playing for years even if you're completely stuck. And yes, the logic you have to follow to succeed works out very smoothly in its intricate (but not agonizingly difficult) fashion.

My compliments to Clarke, Gentry Lee and the other people who made it all possible.

Graet game

[rscorgi · 10/10 · 26 May 2018]

As wonderwoman-12 and others mentioned, a great play and the music is outstanding. And yes, it can still be played with current windows system. You simply need to grab scummvm, which is free software, install it, and load from there...

Cute fun

[Isildurs Bane · 7/10 · 5 December 2001]

Don't have the patience for Riven, Myst, The Longest Journey, Loom, Starship Titanic, and many other wandering-searching puzzle games? This could be both your speed AND your level of difficulty!

Even if you go a long, long time without progressing, you may find yourself coming back to the game for enjoyment. This game relies less on realism than the Myst series but still offers breathtaking frames. Moreover, the music is phenomenal! Every last tune gives me admiration for the composer(s).

Furthermore, if you have any interest in visualized extraterrestrials and their cultures, you may want a look at the bizarre superintelligent Octospiders and the lovable Avians. They have as well set up quite some buildings, be they info centers, game rooms, labs, or mere dwellings. Marvel at the Octospiders' engineering, including several types of biots (semi-organic cyborgs, many mildly reminiscent of Earth creatures).

Know that there is also a somewhat intense component. Unlike in most games of this genre, you and other key characters can die (although getting fired hinders your game more). The game is rated K-A, but I advise no one under ten to play. For the rest, I hope the suspense delights you as much as it did me.

Put these factors together and you have a winner!