Syberia
deserves some serious applause from all those adventure gurus out there.
They have just received one of the crown jewels of the genre at a time
when it is needed most. This title is nothing short of an artistic
masterpiece in its presentation. It blends all the right elements into
an engrossing experience with shortcomings that are minuscule. So now
that adventure games are back in a big way lets see how this monster
came to be.
The story
begins with the protagonist, Kate Walker, on her way to a small French
town called Valadilene. She works for the firm Marson & Lormont, which
represents a giant company, Universal Toy. Kate is in town to facilitate
the buyout of a local toy maker, Voralberg Toys. Voralberg has been
around for numerous generations and the town has come to depend on the
toy companys revenue.
The
opening scenes of Syberia characterize the games overall flavor. When
Kate first arrives to Valadilene, she stumbles onto an odd funeral
procession. The coffin is carried past her by a group of archaic looking
robots with wind keys sticking out of their backs. The procession is led
by an eerie "drummer boy" machine. Not morbid, but distinctly odd in a
dreamy kind of way. This is much like the experience of Syberia itself.
As Kate
spends time in Valadilene she comes to realize just how inundated the
town is with these machines called automatons. Theyre on every corner
performing menial tasks. The town itself appears to have dropped out of
the late 1800s even though the game takes place in our day. Kate seems
a stark contrast, being from fast paced New York. She soon finds out
that she will be staying much longer than she anticipated. The funeral
procession was for none other than Anna Voralberg, the woman who was to
sign over the Voralberg Toy Company to Universal. From this point Kate
will begin unraveling the mystery behind the Voralberg name and the
hints of an heir once thought dead. Not a bad story, but Syberia
certainly doesnt rest on its laurels. This journey is guaranteed to be
a memorable one.
The atmosphere of Syberia is one of its selling points, like any
self- respecting adventure game. The developers have really gone the
extra mile here, though. The visual presentation is top-shelf. The
pre-rendered backgrounds are beautiful, but still believable. Players
will wander down the cobbled streets of Valadilene with a distinct sense
of appreciation for the effort invested. The interiors are also
impressive. The rooms are decorated just as you would expect, with aged
elegance. The automatons themselves are presented with an interesting
flavor as well. While conceptually they are extremely advanced, their
appearance is as gothic as the towns. So weve got a good story and
great visuals. Have we got a winner yet? Not according to Syberias
developers.
The
absence of any hardcore action from Syberia is definitely not a low
point. The thrill and suspense of this game comes from uncovering clues
and unraveling an intriguing mystery. This is accomplished through tasks
such as puzzle solving and being just plain social. Kate will encounter
several memorable characters that will help shed light on the plot
before her. The riddles and puzzles of the game hover right at an
acceptable balance between easy and ridiculously difficult. The presence
of a puzzle may not always seem very realistic, but in Syberia the
puzzles fit right in. They help the story flow rather than divert you
from it. Im not saying that you wont get frustrated. That is not the
case at all. Those who are not fans of the genre will probably not
remain patient, while those who are should still expect to be frustrated
at times. It comes with the territory. You wont be asking yourself why
the heck youre being asked to perform a task, however. The game is not
arbitrary.
The sound is also executed well in Syberia. The music reflects the
atmosphere with its rustic European tunes. The music also builds during
important moments to add emphasis. The dialogue is all voiced, which
really adds to the experience. I would have appreciated some more
attention in this area, though. The voice actors who inhabit Valadilene
sound disturbingly American. It was like pulling teeth to get a
"mademoiselle" out of somebody. All and All, the voice acting isnt so
irritating, though. Most gamers will appreciate the voice-acting period,
as its still a step above what most games provide.
The
controls in Syberia are fairly simple. Microid has made sure that
getting around isnt one of the many puzzles youll encounter. Just
about anything you will want is but a click away. Moving Kate around is
a point and click affair. Double-clicking on a location will cause her
to run. The mouse icon will change when it comes into contact with
things that can be manipulated such as doors and handles. Menus pop up
by right clicking. The interface is simple and easy to grasp. This is a
blessing because surely you want to be stumped by a novel puzzle, not
how you make Kate open a door.
This game is truly a blessing for those fans of the adventure genre.
This is probably not a game that is for everybody, but it meets and
exceeds the standards set by its peers in the adventure category.
There are a lot of games with intense action and on the edge of your
seat thrills out there. Is Syberia one of those? Nope. This game will
accentuate your brain and imagination, but not your thumb strength. This
kind of a diversion is a healthy one. If there are more games like this
in stores then maybe we ought to start testing the waters of this genre
more often. Those who arent into Syberia will still admire the effort
put into its presentation. Those who are still cant stop thanking its
makers.