Customer Reviews

Beyond Atlantis (Jewel Case)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bought this game about a year before I actually played it. Too "Mystisized". Now I have played and I'm sorry I didn't play it sooner. I'd give it 5 stars in both categories, only I found that end was kind of hokey. Doesn't take away that much from the fun of playing it overall, though. The puzzles are totally in context with each world - not a common thing these days, and you just have to realize that to get through them. What it should be about, right?

There are certainly parts of the game that ARE frustrating, but that's the fun of a challenge. Each world - and each is pretty complete - was a new adventure, and that IS what an "adventure game" is supposed to be about.

Graphics are surprisingly good, given that it's not a new game, and the details in each world were truly and delightfully surprising. I'm a graphics freak. Other thing I am is a music freak. IF you ARE going to provide music, then please make it worth MY while. This game does it.

Given that this is an older game, there is the usual disc stitching - mildly annoying, but not THAT much. I'm constantly searching for adventure games, and one that works is not to be blown off. This one does.

I'd consider it well worth the money - which isn't that much now.
Truly recommended, and worth the money.

It's currently March 2004, and this game shows its age a bit - not that it could do anything else. I played it this past week using Windows XP and it ran equally with and without dropping it into 95/98 compatability mode. Sometimes the pauses between steps/movements got to be irritating; by today's standards, it needs polish. Motion is guided and limited, the progression leans heavily toward the linear, and there's a fair amount of disk-swapping.

That being said, the brilliant dialogue and characterization this game has won't be bested for years to come, if ever. On top of that, the graphics are wonderful, and the music (both beautiful and appropriate), has a definate part in the role play. These advantages more than make up for the limitations of the mechanics.

My hat is off to the writers and voices - an extended conversation with the Mayan bat is a treat not to be missed, the entire Chinese section is undertoned and hillarious, and the Irish birdman is perfection.

I bought the jewel case version used for under $4. I'd happily pay the current game rate of $50 if that's what it would take to replace it.

The ending I did not care for. For that, I deducted one star - the story quality took a definate nose dive right at the end - and even the fantastic artwork couldn't save the last two cut-scenes.

But they aren't part of the game.

Buy it soon, folks. They aren't making this one anymore.

Don't expect to finish this game in a day or two. It's very long and can be frustrating if you don't know what to do. The graphic quality is excellent although it freezes a bit and is obviously outdated. The story itself is beautiful and some of the scenes are quite breathtaking. Don't even try to finish it without at least a few online hints. I wouldn't go near this game without a walkthrough. However, it's definitely worth all the time and effort put into it. A fantastic game that has yet to be upstaged.