Penumbra Overture

by Got Game

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000NKPFB6
• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: May 4, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,824 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Penumbra: Overture is a first person adventure game which focuses on story, immersion and puzzles. Instead of using violence to progress the player has to use his/her wits to guide Philip on his quest to unravel the past. Played from a first person viewpoint, Penumbra is very different from other adventure games. Not only is it powered by a 3D engine utilising cutting edge technology, it also has an advanced physics system which allow for a never before seen environment interaction. The player can open drawers, pull levers, pick up objects and more using natural mouse movements creating a highly interactive and immersive game world. Penumbra: Overture will keep players on the edge as they have to explore scary and immersive environments never knowing what is behind the next corner. The world is detailed, graphical as well as a story wise making the player feel part of the world as secrets are uncovered.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting game, hopefully to be continued, June 10, 2007

By 

J. Peters - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Penumbra Overture (CD-ROM)

This is a first person adventure game, not an "fps" adventure. So if you walk into this with the 'shooter' word stuck in your mind you will be disappointed. The interactive environment, which I'll admit isn't perfect, sufficiently serves its purpose once you're used to it. I didn't have a problem with it at any time... well... maybe there were a few mishaps with dynamite.

Speaking of the environment, it is done quite well overall. You're in a mineshaft, its gonna be dark! If its that much of a problem to you, you have your trusty torch (ie flashlight, which is dependent on batteries - GASP, realism) or you have your glowstick, which is infinite (whoops, there went the realism). Both provide certain advantages over the other. You will often find yourself without any light source however, as you do have to sneak around quite a bit. Fortunately they implemented a "night vision" feature into sneaking, which helps significantly in the earlier stages of the game.

And why do you have to sneak around? Well just running around an empty mineshaft would be somewhat boring and easy. So there are feral "creatures" that you must avoid. Sadly, sneaking is the only effective way to bypass them, as they CANNOT be killed with weapons (there is a way to kill them later on, and at that point it is a dish best served steaming). A smack will simply knock them back, then you're supposed to run for your life and hide, but that is a rather tricky endeavor as they don't go down for long. The eight legged friends which appear later on can be killed with two good swipes, but as they usually come in groups which eat you alive, you're once again forced to find an alternative method of dealing with them.

This brings us to the combat system, which is by far the most aggravating part of the game. You must click, move the mouse one way, then move it the other way. Sounds easy, but in mid swing your movement is limited (due to the fact that your mouse is preoccupied with swinging) while your target is moving like Muhammad Ali, dancing around you until its ready to strike. When you only take 3-4 hits to die, you will die... often.

The combat is the only, truly bad part to the game. The fear/horror factor was implemented quite well, with the environment, lighting and sound all adding to tense moments. I didn't say much about the puzzles because there isn't that much too them, they may only challenge you for one of two reasons: you didn't find that one important document, or you need to re-read everything you've found. Everything else is simply like other adventure games, where you may find yourself loading often after taking a wrong turn or not hitting a switch in time.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars penumbra rocks, May 27, 2008

By 

Anthony J. Provenzano - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Penumbra Overture (CD-ROM)

This was a great game, the only thing i have to complain about is the lack of replay value, but all in all it was worth the time and money. This game literally scared me out of my seat a few times and the plot is very well thought out.

The sequel is very much the same; great story, enviromental puzzles, and shocking scares, but no replay. I recommend it as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, June 2, 2007

By 

Dom DeC (Florida) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Penumbra Overture (CD-ROM)

I really enjoyed this game. I'm a horror fan and have to say the horror element was well implemented. I also really love the controls. It's very innovative and fun once you get used to it. They way you interact with objects reminds me very much of the Wii, except with a mouse. The storyline holds my interest and I can't wait for episode 2.