gilbrou Reviews

Rama (1997 Video Game)

Strangely beautiful

[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.

Starship Titanic (1998 Video Game)

Buyer beware

[6/10 · 22 June 2001]

It's not uncommon for British humor-based games to be made somewhat user-unfriendly (ever try "Monty Python's Complete Waste of Time?"). This one is no exception, for reasons I don't feel like listing.

My advice: if you buy it at all, buy it for the humor instead of the puzzle play, because it takes way too long to advance without having someone tell you what to do. (This isn't my first puzzle game.)

Dwelling on the positive side, the absurd-looking objects and miserable specimens reflect the late Douglas Adams very well. The robots and parrot have been endowed with the best voices for their comical personas. Everyone who plays will find at least one character to knock their socks off, if only in prolonged conversation (yes, that feature is something of a plus). Unfortunately, you're bound to get tired of it all before you come too close to repairing Titania.

In short, despite the lovable seductive characters, you're in for a spell of annoyance if you commit to "Starship Titanic."