Below are user reviews of Lost : Via Domus and on the right are links to professionally written reviews.
The summary of review scores shows the distribution of scores given by the professional reviewers for Lost : Via Domus.
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User Reviews (1 - 7 of 7)
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YOU MAY NOT YEARN TO GO BACK - BUT YOU HAVE TO VISIT THE ISLAND AT LEAST ONCE...
4
Rating: 4,
Useful: 25 / 27
Date: February 28, 2008
Author: Amazon User
Flight 815, from Sydney on route to LA, a thousand miles off course, broke in half in mid-flight and has just crashed. You are Elliot, one of the lucky(?) survivors (a new character, not one of the series regulars), a photojournalist who finds himself stranded onto a mysterious pacific island - and struggling with amnesia.
So, when your fellow passengers suspect you of being one of the Others, you cannot offer much of a counterargument, can you? Nevertheless, at least one of them seems to know you enough to keep trying to kill you. So, in order to survive, your aim is to reawaken your memories and find out who you are.
As Lock might have put it: "the Island wants you to find your true self again".
Story-wise, the game is placed between the 2nd and 3rd seasons - so it could be argued that it was delayed, as a November-release would make much more sense. The game runs for 7 "episodes", each with about the length of an actual episode (and each introduced with the familiar "previously on LOST" segment). So, overall, expect a 8-10 hours gameplay of mostly puzzle-solving, item-bargaining and clue-gathering adventure, with a number of fast-paced action moments sprinkled here and there.
The game holds neither surprises nor easter eggs: it runs in a pretty linear fashion and if expecting any LOST-mythology revelations (or pointers, or even hints), well...you will be left waiting longer than Russo. At least I failed to discern any new insights. I guess the writers did not want to make the non-gaming viewers feel left out. Then again, aren't we gamers worth even a quick peek behind the Dharma bulkhead?
Another disappointment was that, for an officially licensed-game, there is only limited original voice-acting. With the exception of Henry Ian Cusick (Desmond) and Michael Emerson (Ben) it seemed to me that most most other voices are done by imitators (hence the overall star withheld).
On the other hand, all the known characters are realistically graphically recreated and the environments are all nicely rendered. The graphics are not exactly cutting edge, but they are rather impressive. What's more, you get to visit and explore the BLACK ROCK, get chased by the BLACK SMOKE, to enter the HATCH and input the NUMBERS into a Dharma computer. To any LOST fan, this is what counts...!
If a fan of then series, no matter the reviews and opinions, you will not be able to stop yourself from giving it a try. However, to any LOST-immune gamer though, one has to admit that there are better Third-Person Action/Adventures out there.
4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42. EXECUTE.
[Repeat every 108 minutes]
Since I am a great fan of the series, to all of you fellow LOSTies out there,
RECOMMENDED!
System Requirements Are Hefty--Beware!
3
Rating: 3,
Useful: 19 / 22
Date: April 09, 2008
Author: Amazon User
This review is restricted to mentioning the system requirements of this game, which are very stringent. Unfortunately, Amazon (as of this date) has not posted system requirements, so I ordered the game only to find that it does not work on my 3-year-old laptop. I wanted to alert others to this link on the Ubisoft website, which provides full system requirements and the list of (2, at this time) supported video cards.
(Update: I can't figure out how to post the link, so I recommend that people go to the Ubisoft site and search for this game, then click on system requirements.)
It's a shame that the makers of this game didn't take into account that not all LOST fans have the absolute latest in gaming equipment. I was really looking forward to it!
Should be called: LOST:We are Dumb us...
1
Rating: 1,
Useful: 10 / 11
Date: March 06, 2008
Author: Amazon User
First I will say I am a HUGE fan of the show, still lookin for the return of Beatrice Klugh, lol. This game is a big let-down. Clumsy interface, hard to move around. And, let me say this, ANY game that has no "jump" button is NOT worth my time. Hate being blocked by contrived trunks/suitcases and even leaves blocking my way (way to keep it LINEAR guys). Graphics are Ok but doesn't run all that well on my system (Athlon 64 x2 6000+,4GB fast RAM, Sapphire x1950pro 512Mb video, WinXP) and I run even Crysis at reasonable frame rates. The fuse puzzles are fun the first 3 or 4 times but it gets old. Spending all your time scrounging around for coconuts and water bottles to trade for "supplies" is not all that fun. Tried to be a good game but fell short in the execution. That said, if you like the series you'll be mildly entertained for a few hours. Hardcore gamers look elsewhere. Maybe they will learn from this and release a good game when series ends. If I had it to do over again I would recommend waiting for the next "LOST" title. Just my 2¢. Do what you feel you must, I'm just trying to act "un-LOST-like" and give you a heads up. AMAZON as always is great!!! Still lookin' 4 Klughs... (Ô¿Ô)
Lost, Great Series, Average Game
3
Rating: 3,
Useful: 19 / 29
Date: March 01, 2008
Author: Amazon User
I'm a big Lost fan so I carefully waited for the game to be available at the local Blockbuster and sure enough I was the first renting it.
First Impressions: The title screen is lovely and it led to an anticipation of whats to come. Turning it on however, I was greeted by blocky controls. At first I thought I had freedom to move about the island but turned out I was wrong, everything is set on paths. Your character kind of quirks and jerks around the island stumbling into unmoveable bushs with all his stiffness. Follow this up with 'what just happened' cut scenes and dabble on a self-centering bad camera angle and you have your opener of sorts. Jungles have never been accurately reproduced in games, I was hoping this would be an exception.
Play it Again Sammy: The game blocks it up like episodes of the show, think Matrix: the Game, only with intros and logos. I didn't like the 'previously on Lost' intro showing me what I played just seconds earlier but this works well when you go back to earlier episodes or pick it back up after taking a break. They could have canned the intro while you were playing and it would have been an improvement. Adding the Lost Logo at the mystery point near the beginning and the mystery at closing was a very nice touch but in some instances, out of place. While your running around you pick up loose items and put them in your backpack. You trade these for items you need, torches, oil, handguns. Collect everything you find and you won't have any issues with currency. Eventually this feels like your only collecting fuses and beer. You become the red neck Thomas Edison of the island with a backpack full of brewskies and the knowledge of electricity.
Getting Lost in It: There I am on the beach, this story doesn't follow between 2 and 3, it starts at the beginning. The wreckage scene was not accurately shown, bummer. Tech heads would point out the left wing was gone all together and the still running engine was originally mounted next to the fusalage not out in the open say between the blown engine and the fusalage. Here is where the game play gets really odd. Your first mission is to divert the fuel flow to prevent an explosion. How? Your best guess and stumbling around looking for something that glimmers that you can click on. Oh, its one of those games! You simply walk around and look for something to get shiny. Hmmm. From there on out its being an errand boy. Find your luggage. Another walk around, this time with dummy objects to slow your progress.
Let The Exploration Begin: "Find your camera"...okay now you get to journey off the beach and thank the light, not a moment too soon. Here is where you find another idea they came up with for you to do. Its 'find your waypoints' time in the jungle. Find your waypoint and it will point you to the next waypoint 30 feet away. Some waypoints are hidden, others can be skipped. All together its a romp in the park. Then you find the front nose of the plane. Again, not accurate at all with the film, they put it hanging over a cliff. Why? On board the plane is another puzzle to divert power to the electronically locked compartment. Sayid would be proud. Even after solving the puzzle you can 'steal' the fuses for later use, brillant.
Do The Hokey, Pokey: This is pretty much the giest of the game. Get your mission, get through the ever increasing difficulty of the jungle (way points turn into compass points you have to cross reference, the jungle has Ben's guys shooting at you and finally you have to make your way past a fast pathing Black Smoke...while walking...with Black Rock Dynomite), find your target and return, Rinse Repeat.
Mini Games? There is two instances of a 'run for your life' part thats interesting even with the blockly controls and bad camera angle. The two cave journey parts are interesting as long as you think ahead...Think fumbling around in Shadowgate back in the day with no torches. There is a Swan Station part that was very interesting with you playing with the computer doing things that Locke couldn't find that lends itself to an all inclusive venture of the station and here they really shined with accuracy, my hats off for this part and the equally thrilling Flame Station part.
ShutterBug: There is parts in the game where your clued in on taking a picture. Somethings are hidden and you must find the special path to find these things but there is usually some risk involved. Getting the snapshot is more thrilling then the Game concept art the game rewards you with back at the main menu. However, getting the right shot can be obnoxiously hard at times. I took a picture of a laptop a dozen times from different angles before it accepted the 'win'. Even my wife mentioned something was off with that. They could have really done better with the camera's rewards or even had hidden things for taking scenic shots ala Metal Gear Solid. Still a lot of the hidden item shots is cheeky fun to do.
New stuff! I'm not going to divulge into any of the new things that your adventure on the island will uncover. Up to now its been stuff we all know. There is one instance at the Flame where you go 'oh thats why that happened'. You also eventually get to see more of the Hydra and the Black Rock, no big deal but fun nonetheless. There is finally a 'gap filler' that is presented. This is a nice albiet short lived portion that had me screaming for my wife to check out. Its a wonderful present in the middle of it all making the rental much worth the money. Another piece of the puzzle and something I can finally breathe a sigh of relief on. You'll have to rent it to find out for yourself. Snicker!
Mi Capitane! The main characters presented for you to talk to in your flight. The talking sessions remind me of the blocky Knights of the Old Republic chat scenes, however, your questions have little bearing of consequences. Ask away! The voice acting is superb and most of the characters are believeable, some sound like they have a cold. All together it had my wife fooled into thinking they were the real deal. Mums the word! The character models are excellent but thier motions are very robotic. Its thier hands, they don't move thier hands. Thier face is expressionable and extremely close to the actor they portray but they end up looking like a talking head on a manniquine.
The Hills are Alive! The visuals, even with the exception of inaccuracies of special locales are stunningly beautiful. They put a lot of heart into how it looked. Even the jungle with its waypoint gimmick is something to behold. Sometimes I want to just look at what they done and all the hard work they put into it but they don't lend themselves to giving you said time because of dangers. Its not 'the' island, it 'an' island. The layout for the most part is great and leads itself to adventuring. Hi-res rocks the world!
It All Comes Out in the Wash: I wrapped this rental up in 8 hours. It has very little replay value which is a loss in my mind from all the work they put into it. I would only go back to find the picture opportunities I missed and the few hidden locations I know are still out there. Lost: Via Domus did not leave a bad taste in my mouth but its shortness was dissappointing. This game is worthy of a rental and your time but don't buy it, save your money for the blu-ray versions of the show :)
Fun but over too soon
3
Rating: 3,
Useful: 2 / 2
Date: May 09, 2008
Author: Amazon User
I found this game to be just similar enough to the TV show LOST, but different enough to not appear to be something trying to give you clues for the TV show. The characters you interact with are the same as the TV show, so it's interesting that way. The puzzles were mostly easy, with only a few requiring a cheat. The only drawback was the length of the game. It seemed to be over so quickly. I wish there was more to it. Like more places to explore and more challenges. Just MORE game. It was over so quickly that I ended up feeling that I paid full price for half a game.
Lost: Via Domus - Where expectations should Lie.
4
Rating: 4,
Useful: 3 / 5
Date: March 03, 2008
Author: Amazon User
Now I've given this game an alright score, but there is reasoning as to why I have a love and hate relationship with this game. You must understand that I too am a lost addict so I bought this game out of principle. I want to warn some of the other fans and prepare them for what to expect and how they should look at the game to maximize their experience as well as to clue in the average gamer about this product.
John Locke is a grand character and his spirit is indomitable, he's always telling people "Don't tell me what I can't do"; however, for this game I have to tell him something he can't do and thats sound authentic. The voices of some of the characters like Sayid, Sawyer, John, and Charlie and all very offsetting to your average lost Fans. A plus is that there are some original voices like Benjamin, Julia, Claire, and Desmond, but those people you talk to maybe once. Along with the off voices the text is very short, but the lines seem like they'd come out of the series.
"We're all on this island for a reason" As John Locke says and he is a firm believer of "All things for a reason". Now I bring that up because this game is notoriously linear not really allowing for free exploration in the levels and to top it off you don't get much time to dawdle before you're sent off through another 2-5 loading screens to progress the story. The reason it's all like this is because this game was made for the console systems and merely imported to PC.
Now the game itself allows for shallow exploration, little to no combat, an impossibility to die in most cases, and a linear path when out in the Island... So you may ask why I chose to give it a good rating. This is because the story is very good and I am willing to overlook faults if the story is compelling. Half way through this game I stopped looking at it like a game and more like an interactive episode. They also beautifully allowed Elliot to maybe be on the Show, but at the same time allow all the happenings of the games to be completely cannon.
The game does go by you fast and for those of you who watch Lost you'll need to spend a few moments trying to figure out just where in the time line things are when you progress "episodes". They don't take the time to explain any other major plots other than those Elliot has to pass through like the Hatch, in fact, thats about it. If the developers had spent maybe 30 minutes in total adding scenes to go over major plot points and just show Elliot in the background than this game would of been a lot better, but I'm willing to forgive it because of the good story.
All in all buy it not expecting a game, but 7 hours of Lost story because the game is fairly short. Also from one gamer to the next I have one tip: Don't buy clips for your gun. You only need 10 bullets to get through the game.
Read this before you buy
3
Rating: 3,
Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 01, 2008
Author: Amazon User
All I can say is - make sure your computer meets the requirements of this game before purchasing. I made the mistake and thought it would work on my laptop and it didn't. I never got a chance to play it, but I did return it to Amazon immediately and they did refund me, so I'm grateful for that.
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