Silver

by Infogrames

Product Details

• ASIN: B00004TEQE
• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,660 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

Console-style games are rare on the PC. That platform excels at deeper, more complex fare than one is likely to find on a video game system, thanks to its wide variety of input methods and its extensive hardware base. In particular, PC RPGs are known for stats and number crunching, while the typically Japanese-developed console brand of RPG focuses more closely on graphics, story, and characters - the technical versus the stylistic, in a sense. UK-based developer Spiral House clearly felt that PC gamers needed a bit more style in their role-playing, so they created Silver, which was released on the PC last year. Now, the console-style RPG intended for the PC has ironically made its way to Dreamcast. However, Console gamers already used to the style Silver emulates may not be so accepting.

Silver's story is a familiar one as video game adventures go. The game's title character is a wicked sorcerer-emperor who oversees the world of Jarrah with an iron fist and a hard heart. One day, Silver orders that all the fair maidens of the land be brought before him so that he can select a new bride. His minions then round up Jarrah's female population for Silver's ghastly perusal; needless to say, the male half isn't pleased. The player takes control of David, a kindly, if stereotypically blonde, knight whose wife Jennifer was among the captured. David strikes out, full of vim and vigor, to stop Silver and retrieve the women. On his journey, David learns that Silver is trying to strike a deal with the evil god Apocalypse, and thus his quest gains even greater import. David also learns that only the combined power of eight magical orbs, which have been lost for years, can defeat Silver, and thereafter most of the game is devoted to obtaining these orbs. This isn't the most generic plotline ever, but it sure isn't Dickens, either. Add one part Final Fantasy, two parts Legend of Zelda, and stir.

The graphical presentation in Silver is crisp, but not particularly inspired. Characters are represented by simplistic polygonal models, and though they don't sport much detail, they're usually seen from such great distance that detail isn't necessary. The world of Jarrah is composed of prerendered backdrops like those found in the PlayStation Final Fantasy titles. They often contain hot spots, such as switches, doors, or treasure chests, which can be revealed by holding down the L trigger. This is an entirely necessary feature, because these spots often blend into the background, and they are sometimes almost impossible to detect. The static camera angles used in some backgrounds are poorly chosen because of their distance from the action; it's not uncommon for Silver to force David into a battle when he's only a few pixels tall as seen by the player.

Speaking of battle, Silver conducts combat much like a typical Zelda title. All the fighting happens in real-time on the standard background screens. David is joined in battle by up to two companions, starting with his grandfather (whose death is perhaps one of the most contrived moments in video game history) and ranging from the slingshot-wielding rebel girl Sekune to Jug, the standard barbarian type. The AI that controls the other party members works periodically, but it is largely a failure, as David's friends are never eager to avoid attacks or to attack enemies themselves. Fortunately, control can be passed at will from David to either of his compatriots, although all the characters are nearly identical in actual combat. A variety of fighting moves are provided, such as jabs, swipes, and backhand chops, but frankly the best strategy is simply to point in the direction of the enemy and hit the attack button as fast as possible.

Special weapon attacks, magical items, and magic itself round out the list of offensive and defensive options at David's disposal. Weapons, magic, and healing items are all controlled from the "pie menu," a circular arrangement that otherwise behaves like any standard RPG menu. The pie menu also allows access to David's stats, but these numbers seem superficial because the game raises his level only at preset times (specifically, after defeating a boss). A world map is the last notable feature found on the pie menu, and it allows the player to instantly transport back to any location previously visited.

As a game, Silver is well-intentioned but flawed. It draws on a variety of console role-playing's staple elements, but never to truly great effect. The story is bland. The graphics are decent, but certainly not earth-shattering. Combat situations usually degenerate into a frenzy of button mashing, and they're often obscured by camera problems. Music, often a high point in RPGs, is mostly average and rarely above average. On the whole, the voice acting is reproachful (especially the lines recorded for David himself, who is apparently one of the most deadened characters in RPG history). Nothing about Silver is unbearably horrid, but it never clicks like really classic games do.

It's amusing that Silver, a game targeted at an audience not used to the conventions of console role-playing, is now available for one of the very consoles on which those conventions are repeatedly exercised. Silver might be novel for a PC enthusiast looking for a bit of action, but jaded console gamers won't find anything new. If you've got an insatiable jones for RPGs and adventure games, playing Silver wouldn't be the worst thing you've ever done, but it wouldn't really be the best either.--Brad Shoemaker--Copyright © 2000 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Silver", October 3, 2000

By 

"anubis27" (Morrisville, VT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silver (Video Game)

Play as David, a head-strong, sometimes over-confident knight on a mission to reclaim the wife who was taken from him. Wander through the amazingly rendered world of "Jarrah". Throughout the game you are free to roam the land without the constraint of having to complete one mission to move on to the next. There is no given sequence that you have to follow which makes the game more realistic than most RPG's. There is a wide array of weaponry, all with upgrades. Many different types of magic to wield, which only get stronger with frequent use.

The downside to this game would have to be the distance at which you view the action. Being so far away can make battle difficult, especially when trying to take on many creatures at once. The battle controls seem rather awkward at first but become more comfortable in time. All in all this is a really great game, a must buy for an avid action/RPG fan.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great RPG, June 29, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Silver (Video Game)

This is an all around entertaining game. The graphics are breath taking, the best on Dreamcast yet. The controls take a bit of getting used to, but once you have they're second nature. The voice acting is horrendously awful, but it is still the best Dreamcast RPG out there. (note: Grandia 2 and Eternal/ Skies of Arcadia were not out at the time of this review)

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Silver is everything that can be desired from an Epic., June 29, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Silver (Video Game)

Not since Secret Of Mana have the play controls of an Epic been this good. Silver, like any good RPG or Epic, places the story first, (a quality not often found in Dreamcast RPGs.) and gives a good story line so that you actually care what happens to the characters. Silver uses the full capacity of the Dreamcast to portray spectacular graphics. The scenes behind the characters are awe inspiring. The demo for Dreamcast was short lived, and had me wishing the game was released. All in all, Silver looks like a promising Epic.