Jack The Ripper

by Dreamcatcher

Product Features

• A thrilling investigative experience with the illusive and deadly Jack the Ripper
• Exploration, inventory-based gameplay with a suspenseful storyline
• A mass-appeal theme based on true historical events
• Virtools Engine allows for special effects and detailed graphics
• Numerous puzzles of varying complexity--environmental, tactile, auditory

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000A345K
• Item Weight: 5 ounces
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: February 3, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,397 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

While writing a series of articles about horrible murders in the Low Side District of New York, the young reporter, Jimmy Palmer, will soon become involved in a game of cat and mouse with an illusive and deadly character--Jack the Ripper. Along Palmer's dark journey he will foster a friendship with a young singer, Abigail, the "Irish Nightingale," and meet numerous other colorful characters of this poor district.

Beginning with the search of witnesses to the crimes, Palmer's snooping will soon lead him to investigate suspects. His daily editorials trigger the interest of the serial killer himself, who begins to correspond with Palmer via the newspaper, leading Palmer to surmise that this killer is the infamous Jack the Ripper!

Features:

• A thrilling experience with realistic and unforgettable characters and a compelling storyline
• Virtools Engine allows for special effects and rich, beautiful, and detailed graphics with a user-friendly interface
• A mass-appeal theme based on true historical events
• Exploration, inventory-based gameplay, suspenseful storyline
• Numerous puzzles of varying complexity--environmental, tactile, auditory

Product Description

From out of the shadows the legendary terror returnsProduct InformationImmerse yourself in an incredibly realistic 3D world of thrills andsuspense.  Terror ruled the fog-covered streets of east London as Jack TheRipper committed murders of such a vicious nature that people feared for theirlives.  Who is this killer that seems to vanish in the mist ofdarkness?  Rise to the challenge and let your instinct help you to solvethe mystery.  Journey through a mysterious world with undercurrents ofdanger as you attempt to solve the mystery behind the world's most elusiveserial killer.Prepare yourself for an incredible adventure!Product Features Inspired by The True Crime Stories An adventure that will capture your imagination A mystery that will challenge your wits Intriguing and engrossing storyline Numerous interesting characters to interact with Inspired by a true story Many interesting objects to search for collect and useWindows Requirements Windows 98 Me 2000 XP 500 MHz processor 64 MB of RAM 1.6 GB free Hard Disk space Sound Blaster compatible Sound Card 16X CD-ROM drive 16 MB DirectX 3D compatible Video Card DirectX 7 compatible Sound Card Internet:  56.6 Kbps Modem and Web Browser

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Major flaws in this game, March 17, 2004

By 

tuesday next (The Cape Cod of the Midwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jack The Ripper (CD-ROM)

I'm vacillating between two or three stars on this game so maybe it should be two and a half. The story is pretty obvious - Jack the Ripper or a copycat is in New York in 1901 killing off prostitutes in what the game calls the "Lowside District" of New York. Why in the world the developers decided to call lower Manhattan the Lowside District is beyond me. Or why the Pinkerton detective agency is called the "Pinterten" Detective agency. Or why a deranged raven shows up at the crime scene of a couple of the murders and then disappears until the very end of the game when you hear the words, "Nevermore, nevermore." What's Poe got to do with this game? They even have a story line about the World Series which didn't even exist in 1901.

OK, but all that aside what drove me the most crazy about this game was that it was very linear. You have to keep going back over the same locations over and over because something wasn't done in the correct order. In the final chapter I ended up visiting every location three times. The only positive note is that navigation is easy. It you want to leave a location, just right-click and the map comes up so that you can visit another spot - again and again.

The graphics are pretty good. There's really isn't an abundance of dialogue but the acting is fine. The music is something I rarely pay attention to - in fact if there is an option to turn it down I usually do because it interferes with the speaking voices and I find it annoying. This game did not have that option and there was only one time that the music was a problem. There really aren't any puzzles - just when to use inventory items in the right place at the right time. They were pretty straight forward. There was one timed sequence in the morgue that I actually thought was kind of a bit of sick humor - I had to use a walkthough for it. I never would have figured it out myself.

After all that - the ending. It was terrible. Absolutely awful. All that detective work (reporter work actually)for nothing. I expected some big confrontation between the reporter and the villain or the heroine to be in actual danger and saved by the reporter - nope. Nothing, except a stupid, "Nevermore, nevermore."

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dreamcatcher's usual standard, March 6, 2004

By 

Lynn S. Hendricks "Wordmama" (Carson City, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jack The Ripper (CD-ROM)

Not a bad little game overall, though I emphasize the little (a day or two should see you through, and that's without a walkthrough). Graphics, acting, and interface are all unimpeachable. Game play is *extremely* linear, to the extent that you sometimes can't end a day without revisiting every scene and clicking on every dead end to see which one you missed. They've mixed in a fair amount of historical detail from the actual Jack the Ripper case, such as letters and so on, with fantasy and speculation. The most impressive part of the game is the authentic feel of fin de siecle New York City -- and that should tell you something.

Still, it's an enjoyable enough way to spend a weekend. Parents, don't worry; there's no on-screen violence and very little gore (except for written descriptions in autopsy reports). The creepiness is all in the ambience.

Be aware: There are a large number of bugs in the game, some of which will stop you in your tracks. Save early and often!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't even bother...., October 1, 2004

By 

Midas (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Jack The Ripper (CD-ROM)

This is one of the worst games I have ever played. First of all, I like games that make you think. This game is completely predictable. If you don't figure out something right away--you won't have to worry. Your cursor will figure it out for you. There are only a few logic puzzles, and even those are too easy. And if you like visiting the same locations over and over in a game, then this one's for you. I give it a 1 out of 10.