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Dreamfall is a Terrible Game

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: May 10, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Sure, Dreamfall has beautiful grahics, settings, characters, and a mostly interesting story. So why is it terrible? Because it is NOT a game - it's a movie! Most of it is long, long, long cutscenes and dialog. The few puzzles it has are really bad. The exploring is extremely linear despite open-looking geography. The game essentially tells you what to do in most situations and, worse yet, it often actually does it for you! This game is nothing like true adventure games (such as the Monkey Island series, or the old King Quest series, or any good old Sierra game.) If you want to watch movies, fine. But if you want to play an adventure game, forget it.

Frustrating in a Pretty Way

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: June 09, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is the kind of game that is fatally flawed but makes you wish really hard that it was well put together. The story is good, the soundtrack is amazing. The controls are so-so, and the level design and puzzles are linear and really obvious. Its like the actual gameplay is a chore you have to go through to get to the next part of the story

Worst Game.... EVER!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: May 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I'm into the fifth chapter (about halfway through the game) and I can't even finish it... it's THAT BAD! Albeit this is only my opinion, I hope it'll maybe help somebody save forty dollars from feeling wasted. It could be fun and perhaps mildly challenging for those with a lower-end IQ who you wouldn't trust to pump your gasoline. Otherwise, the controls are horrible, the scripting is atrocious, the pace is so slow I've nearly fallen asleep numerous times, the puzzles are retarded, and the little combat that exists is floppy and requires no skill.

I would have to say that the number one reason I just can't bring myself to waste another hour on this game is that the story is just not worth it! There is entirely too much dialogue, and you spend more time watching the characters talk to each other than you do picking the conversations or walking around the worlds. Today alone I've played for about three hours, and I've spend more time watching two people speak to each other while making minor facial and eye movements than I've actually spent walking around or solving puzzles. The things they talk about are not even interesting, which is not surprising because the plot is rather lame, and unfolds ridiculously slow.

That's all I have to say. I hope those who have played this game and enjoyed it are not put off by my utter distaste for it. One should really consider the pace of a game they prefer, as this one is slower than decomposing styrofoam.

Thoughtful and moving science fiction

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 12
Date: May 01, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Playing this game for me was like reading a great book. When I finished the game I realized that I had been completely tied up in the plot and the few irking traits the game carries ultimately did not matter much: The controls are not great and the puzzles are not extraordinarily difficult.

For all of you adventure gamers the controls are similar to those of Grim Fandango. The graphics are great, but will not knock out your video card like Oblivian. The voice acting is absolutely superb.

Overall the plot plays out like a greek tragedy and, to me at least, the ending was great. At first I was disappointed, because the plot does concretely resolve itself, but after some reflection I found that it was much better that way. Instead to tying itself off and letting you go back to your own thoughts, the game leaves you to questioning everything that went on in the game and what implications there are for the future. In my opinion, this is what sets the game apart.

It has been discussed that, in our age, books are falling to tv/video games as the medium of choice. I do not particularly believe this, however, this game along with others like half-life 2 show that tv/video games are just as capable of addressing the great themes of life. They just need a bit of polishing, but the direction is right.

I would rank this game as one of my top 5 favorite along with the monkey island series, grim fandango, half-life series, and the old x-wing/tie fighter games. I would certainly recommend buying this game, I am currently replaying and taking in it's message a second time.

A Wonderful Experience Marred by Bland Gameplay

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 12
Date: April 26, 2006
Author: Amazon User

After waiting for what seemed liked an eternity for this game to be released, I was absolutely overjoyed when I finally got my hands on it. Although, I'm not quite sure exactly what took 6 years for another American release, I am pleased to report that Ragnar Tornquist is still a masterful storyteller, if not necessarily a visionary in the gaming industry.

The game puts you in control of three main characters, Zoe Castillo (the major protagonist), April Ryan (returning from the original Longest Journey), and Kian (another new, if underused, character). Zoe is a listless young woman lacking direction in life. Upper class and with nothing to do (and lacking in the passion she once had), we meet her just after she has dropped out of Cape Town University and broken up with her Boyfriend (who plays a large role in the game). I won't spoil the storyline for you (as it is truly the only reason to play), but suffice it to say that conspiracies and plot twists abound.

The story turns, twists, winds back on itself, and builds as much tension as the best Hitchcock movies can. It has everything an epic storyline should - romance, comedey, adventure, even a scary moment or two. It's because of how wonderful the story is that it's such a dissapointment that the ending is as abrupt as it is. The game feels like the middle episode in a trilogy (which in all reality it probably is), rather than a complete story. But in all honesty, the original also left much to be desired in its ending, too.

The graphics are something of a mixed bag. The game runs surprisingly well (I ran the game at full graphical settings on the highest resolution my monitor allowed), so there aren't any complaints in that department. The environments run the gamut from truly awe-inspiring, as in the case of Marcuria, to fairly bland and generic, as in the case of the russian warehouse (honestly, does gaming really need ANOTHER warehouse?). The character animation, also, runs from above average to downright attrocious. April or Zoe may be screaming or crying or laughing, but they always look pretty much the same. Their lips move, and their eyes change directions robotically, but it makes it feel almost artificial.

However, you'll forget all about the animation once you hear how absolutely marvelous the sound is. Containing a full orchestral score and top-notch voice acting (with one or two exceptions), there is nothing lacking in the sound department. I might even look into purchasing the soundtrack if it is released.

When the game was announced it promised to revolutionize the adventure genre. There was to be action, stealth, multiple paths, and different perspectives. It is true to an extent; it does in fact have all of those things, but they are all far from revolutionary. The action is just plain awful. You have only two attacks to choose from, and the control is surprisingly clunky. Thank god there are only a few instances where combat is needed. The stealth, too, is sub-standard. The enemy AI is really basic, and it's just plain annoying. The multiple paths are true, and there are slightly different perspectives, but regardless of your choices, the story ends up the same. Also the puzzles are extremely dumbed-down, especially compared to the first game.

But once again, I am absolutely willing to forgive all of my grievences just to experience the story. Perhaps it doesn't revolutionize the genre, and perhaps it even fails to be a true game (80% of it is dialogue and character interaction), but I recommend it wholeheartedly and unabashedly to anyone who loves a great story and doesn't mind waiting (in all likeliness) a very long time for a conclusion.

And then it ended...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 10
Date: June 11, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I won't go into a description of the game, others have done that already and more eloquently than I could. It's a beautiful game. BUT: It's not long enough, the fighting is far too easy, the game walks you through each and every puzzle. If you make a wrong move you get a friendly reminder of what you should be doing. I thoroughly enjoyed playing the game, but it was far too easy. And then, suddenly, it ends. It's over and you're left wanting more. In fact, I yelled at my computer screen. I waited six years to find out what happened to April Ryan and I was not satisfied by the game's outcome, AT ALL. I just hope the developers don't make us wait another 6 years, stuck here in Stark, before we can head back to Arcadia.

Excellent Game.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 10
Date: April 27, 2006
Author: Amazon User

First off I would like to say that this game is wonderful. The story and setting are very well written. The graphics look beautiful and do the job of pulling you into the game. The game is not Oblivion graphics wise and I am glad. In fact, if you don't have a top notch computer I think this game looks better. The sound is amazing. The music and voice acting are both superior to any other games out right now. This was the same for The Longest Journey when it came out too.

The bad.
The conrols are akward. The first 15 minutes I thought that I was going to hate the mouse/keyboard control for the whole game. I have a gamepad but can't seem to get it to work in game. Put the mouse to camera, not movement, and that really helps. For walking down streets and making slight angle you simple walk forward and use the mouse and the character walk the direction the camera is pointing. For 90deg turns I stop, turn the character with the keyboard, and let the camera recenter. Think of the camera as being on a boom behind the caracter. It is not that bad once you get used to it.
Fighting is also akward and seems unresponsive at times. Best thing to do I found is to sidestep until the opponent goes off balance from swining then hit him. Not the most elegent method but it works most of the time. Also, you don't fight that much, much of the fighting can be bypasses by talking or sneaking.

All in all this is the best adventure game to come out sine The Longest Journey. It is quite a bit shorter and as others have said the ending could have been wrapped up better while still leaving room for a sequel, but that does not make the game any less worthwile to play.

Dreamfall: Savior of the Adventure Genre

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 15
Date: May 06, 2006
Author: Amazon User

If you are like me, and you have long missed the glory days of Lucasarts adventure games such as Grim Fandango and Sam & Max Hit The Road or Sierra adventure games like King's Quest, you owe it to yourself to buy Dreamfall: The Longest Journey.

Quite simply the story here is not to be missed. Dreamfall has one of the most original and engaging stories you will ever find, anywhere. In addition, the main characters are instantly likable, and the supporting cast is brilliant. Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is indeed a game about story and dialog. It is a bit like an interactive movie, but this just serves to draw you in farther, and you feel as if you control what the characters in the story will do. That isn't to say there isn't some fine gameplay and puzzle-solving to be found here, but unlike some adventure games, the puzzles don't leave you stuck for days, pulling your hair out, trying to figure out the solution to some illogical time-sink.

Those who say that you should read a book instead of playing this game are doing you a disservice. It would be like someone telling you not to read or watch Lord of the Rings because there is no gameplay involved. Ridiculous. Great art is great art, period.

Dreamfall is the sequel to one of the most highly regarded adventure games of all time (The Longest Journey). April Ryan makes a return appearance as one of the three main characters (as does much of the supporting cast), but you will spend most of your time playing as the instantly likable Zoe Castillo - a directionless young girl desperately looking for something better out of life. In Dreamfall you will travel the world, and beyond. This game covers so many topics with great skill. Everything from having faith and losing faith over to politics, religion and the metaphorical. You will constantly be trying to guess what will happen next, what the answers to the mysteries of this game are, only to be surprised at every turn.

Like all great works of art, Dreamfall will leave you discussing the game long after you have completed it. As soon as you finish you will be itching to play it again. Much has been made made of the ending, and how it leaves some things unresolved. It's true, it does leave you with some questions, but so did Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. You will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series, but this is not a bad thing. In the mean time, much as with Empire, it is fun to speculate as to what has happened and what will happen.

Adventure games have never been about graphics, but the graphics of Dreamfall are amazing. Every location is beautiful beyond compare. Equally impressive is the soundtrack. The music is expressive and perfect for each environment. The musical highlight comes near the end of the game with a particular female-sung lyrical song that has had everyone on the official forums talking. When you get there, you'll know which i meant.

The bottom line: Dreamfall is the most impressive and original game i've played in years. You owe it to yourself not to miss this instant-classic.

The awful truth: a very disappointing sequel

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 9 / 15
Date: May 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I would really like to love this game. But after six years of waiting this is what I get:

- visuals are not bad ; sweet and colorful but not stunning either and the game looks and feels like a console game, graphics are a little outdated for todays pc standarts, especially NPC face animations are really bad. And generally I think the game's concept art looks much more datailed and beautyful. If the game would use 2d bitmaps with some very well datailed 3d character models (and with good controls of course) it would probably look and feel more realistic and fantastic..

- story, music and sounds are well done but I prefer the longest journey's characters and story which was much more original and charming

- gameplay is terribly dull. Puzzles are very easy and there are only a few of them (2 maybe 3) , unintelligently written missions are ridiclous and absurd. Developer's "watch the game instead of playing it" style gameplay is simply abysmal!! There is no challange, no feel of success, no nothing.. controls and interface are really awful and sometimes the game becomes really unplayable, looking around in a small room is a royal pain.. there is no first person camera look and there is no way to get rid of the the clastrophobic camera angles. I tried all the configuration settings for nothing.. awful!!

So after some 8 hours of terrible gameplay I finally decided to delete it without finishing it. A good story alone cannot save a game, pity.. You better save your money, this will be a good lesson to funcom for wasting such a great potential

Gameplay=1
Graphicsics=7
Sound=9
Fun=1
Value=2

Caveat Emptor...

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 11 / 21
Date: April 27, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Believe what you want to believe... obviously there are some folks that like this game, and there are some lengthy reviews and some loyal followers to back them up. Nothing wrong with that.

And yes, this game has a good story [which even ardent fans will attest leaves us wanting, answering no questions, but simply leaving a standard of today's entertainment venues that don't believe in their own work -- leave 'em with cliff hangers, assault their curiosity, because goodness knows we're not getting them back on the game alone].

How many people bought this game without waiting for reviews, based on the great adventure of its Prequel? Most? Probably.

And some reviewers say that other reviewers [yadda yadda yadda] obviously didn't get very far. This is probably something that should appeal to your warning signs, spidey sense, hairs on the back of your neck, whatever -- for people who have waited 6 years for a game to come out, and in less than a week are so frustrated with how bad the controls are to not want to continue with it. Again, believe what you want, it's your choice, it's your forty dollars, and it should be your common sense that might tell you that people that were so excited about the game to come out were not waiting around for six years to just write a bad review -- on so many different sites they are appearing.

It's a fact that even people who like the game concede that the mouse and keyboard controls are pretty terrible (except a few, who will undoubtedly say this game is better than Pong if it had been introduced in 1940).

I don't think anyone in these reviews has even mentioned how often the PC game has to switch to the "Dremfall -- Loading" screen, because they cut the scenes to fit the XBOX.

Bottom line -- if you think that so many people waited this long to buy a game, only to just be thwarted by a little kink in the game, well, obviously that's your choice. But, I'd really consider finding a way to play it once before buying -- it'd be a good idea.

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