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The 10 Best Adventure Games That (Almost) No One Has Ever Played
Continuing in our quest to emulate Gamespot (just kidding), we here at Just Adventure are proud to present another in our series of "lists for adventure gamers." So now joining our legendary 10 Scariest Games of All-Time, 10 Biggest Turkeys of All Time, 10 Games You Won't Believe, and Son of 10 Games You Won't Believe is our newest entry--The 10 Best Adventure Games That (Almost) No One Has Ever Played. Every one of these games is a gem. Many of you will have never heard of some of them. A few have been only rumored to exist. No matter. Their quality is determined not by their recognition, but by their ability to captivate the adventure gamer. These games all suffered from the same stigma: poor or no marketing, computer magazines indifferent to the adventure genre, or publishers that did not have a clue as to how to sell their product. You will also notice that many of the companies that created these games no longer exist. The sad truth is that it does not matter how great your game may be; if consumers have no outlet from which to purchase the product, then it will not sell. If you would like to know more about any of the games on this list, please read the entire Just Adventure review. Where possible, we have provided information on purchasing the game.
Secrets of the Luxor is one of the few games to rise above the now-derogatory label of Myst clone. Live-motion video and 3D rendering recreate an ancient pyramid and an uncertain future as you traverse time and space 300 years in the future trying to convince a madman not to blow up the sun. Well-written and immersive, Luxor is one of those games that very few adventure gamers have had the pleasure of playing, but those who have relish the memory. Secrets of the Luxor is occasionally available on eBay and the Game Trading Zone.
Soon to be a major movie release in 2002 and an ABC mini-series, Dinotopia is an island populated by dinosaurs and humans living in harmony. Author James Gurney's three Dinotopia books are available in over 30 countries and have inspired countless cottage industries. Dinotopia, the game, was a marketing disaster. An adventure game geared toward family participation, Dinotopia was erroneously advertised to hard-core gamers, who shunned it. Dinotopia is an interactive world full of art, science, and invention. This 2D animated point-and-click recreation lets you play as Nathan, a young man who has been separated from his twin sister Constance as the result of a shipwreck. Dolphins have rescued the pair and transported them to the island. The game is an exploration of the world of Dinotopia and visits many of the areas--Waterfall City, Treetown, the World Beneath--made popular in the books. There are over 130 characters with whom to interact. The player must learn the language and alphabet of Dinotopia in addition to solving audio and visual puzzles. As the game progresses in difficulty, the younger gamer may find the going thorny, but this is a game that parents will enjoy sharing with their children. The graphics and sound are representative for the year the game was released, and today's gamer may be annoyed by some of the pixelation and sparse sound effects. Yet Dinotopia is a solid, nonviolent adventure game that could have influenced a generation of gamers to gravitate to other products in the genre. Instead, it is impossible to find and a little-known collector's item. There is no known source for this game.
From Craig White's JA review:
The Feeble Files deserves your consideration for a very important reason: if you're reading this review, you are most likely an avid adventure gamer. And, as an avid adventure gamer, you seek true adventure--games that challenge you and give you the thrill of accomplishment, that make you feel as though you actually lived the adventure. The word "adventure" itself denotes a challenge that involves investing a good amount of time and that involves using your reasoning, creativity, and tenacity. When I say The Feeble Files is an adventure, I mean it is a true adventure. From the makers of Simon the Sorcerer, Feeble Files is, as would be expected, also chock-full of the same dry humor and cutting sarcasm. Feeble is a downtrodden alien caught up in a rebellion of epic proportions. Beautifully rendered animation enhances the gameplay as you and Feeble adventure your way through a galaxy of over eighty locations. The voice of Feeble is superbly created by Robert Llewellyn, renowned for his role in the excellent Red Dwarf television series. If you are a fan of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or just need a good hearty laugh, then this game is a must-have. The bad news is that The Feeble Files has never been sold in North America; the good news is that it can still be directly purchased from the Adventuresoft website.
From the JA review:
Pilgrim is the kind of game that gives the term "graphic interactive fiction" a good name. Because that's what this game is: a lovely, mysterious, educational, and compelling story told with words, beautiful pictures ... and me. It's the kind of game that reminds me why I like to play adventure games. Pilgrim is subtitled "Faith as a Weapon" and, as you may guess, this game ventures into areas of theology and superstition that were previously foreign to adventure gamers. The year is 1208, and a Knight Templar brings a mysterious manuscript back from the Crusades. Simon de Lancrois has agreed to deliver the document to a friend of his late father. Now he finds himself stalked by the Inquisitor of Pope Innocent III as angels and demons struggle for control of his mind and soul. Written by Paulo Coelho, author of the best-selling The Alchemist and The Pilgrimage, and designed by Moebius, the artist of Blueberry and The Incal, Pilgrim is an artistic tour-de-force for those with an adventurous mind. The gameplay is clunky at times, but any shortcomings are overshadowed by the sheer power and scope of the theme. Pilgrim was rumored to be included as a bonus with the upcoming release of Pilgrim 2, but it seems this idea has been scraped (yet another marketing mistake). Very rare, but can occasionally be found on eBay and the Game Trading Zone.
From Randy Sluganski's JA review:
An almost perfect blend of humor, puzzles and storytelling has been intricately woven together to create an unforgettable gaming experience. You, playing in the third person as Robert Ripley, must traverse the world in an attempt to find the "key" that will unlock the secret of Master Lu's tomb and obtain the world's most coveted treasure. Along the way, you must be on a constant lookout for bizarre exhibits to display in your Odditorium, keep your cartoon series updated by sketching interesting objects in your journal and stay one step ahead of the nefarious foes who are intent on taking your life and the "key" you have discovered that will open the door to eternal life. A blockbuster of a surprise ending awaits those whom solve the riddle and the knowledge that the world can again sleep in peace thanks to your vigilant efforts. Riddle of Master Lu is the kind of game they used to make back in the good ol' days of adventure gaming: puzzles that advance the plot, characters with personality, and historically accurate and authentic environments. The year is 1936 and, with the planet on the brink of a world war, the Imperial Seal of the first emperor of China has become the focus of a plot to rule the world. Written by Lee Sheldon, the dean of adventure gaming, Riddle succeeds in turning a real-life person, Robert Ripley of Believe It or Not! fame, into an Indiana Jones-type personality without subjecting the gamer to the usual awkward action elements. A roller coaster ride from start to finish, Riddle of Master Lu is readily available at various Internet stores for as little as five dollars.
From the JA review:
"Embark on a clay adventure that breaks the mold." This quote appears on the box of the adventure game The Neverhood. I almost missed out on this adventure for two reasons: (1) I thought it was a kid's game. I somehow missed the statement on the box "for ages 17 and up." (2) Even if it was for adults, I thought, "how good can a game using claymation be?" It turns out the answer to that question is, "it can be one of the best!" I did eventually play the game and found it to be an excellent adventure, and it remains one of my favorites today. The Neverhood is one of those rare games that auctions for upwards of $100 on eBay. It is lovingly remembered by anyone who has ever slogged through its world of clay and strange noises. Published by a major company (Dreamworks), The Neverhood just never seemed to find its niche. Adults thought it a kid's game and kids found it too difficult. Through the years, word of mouth has transformed this game into the Holy Grail of gaming claymation. Three tons of clay and over 50,000 frames of animation bring to life a fantasy land of terrifying creatures, extraordinary machines, and mysterious artifacts. Oddball humor is the order of the day as you guide Klaymen through his bumbling attempt to save the Neverhood. A sequel was released for the Playstation, but, though it also was excellent, this version was a platform game. Almost impossible to find, The Neverhood does make an occasional expensive appearance on eBay.
Rose Tattoo was the second adventure in the Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes series, the first being the award-winning Case of the Serrated Scalpel. As well-written as any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes narratives, Rose Tattoo is a masterpiece of adventure gaming. The game's afoot as Sherlock and Dr. Watson explore the cause of an explosion that has severely injured Holmes' brother. The investigation involves the duo in a tangled web of theft, treason, and murder. Your journey through Victorian England will require you to unravel heinous crimes, protect the national security, and preserve the honor of England's most famous family. Rose Tattoo is by no means a short game and, similar to reading a Sherlock Holmes novel, demands strict attention to spoken dialogue and visual clues. This is a journey for advanced adventurers with no apologies given. A unique mix of video-captured characters, 3D locations, and movie-style video sequences bring the cast of familiar characters to life. Watson's journal tracks your progress from 221B Baker Street to the seedy underside of London. A must-play for any adventure gamer, Sherlock Holmes: Case of the Rose Tattoo is a little-known classic that is next to impossible to find for sale or trade.
For years I wondered why this game was never released in the United States. It is, after all, based on a hit television show. It does feature superb voice acting by Tim Curry and Dweezil Zappa, among others, and the animation is top-notch. Here's a clue: the game's subtitle is "The Graphic Adventures of a Private Dick," and they ain't just whistling Dixie. For Duckman is probably the most sexually suggestive, and funniest, game I have ever played. The back of the box claims that Duckman is appropriate for children age 11-14. Quite simply, Playmates Interactive did not have a freakin' clue as to Duckman's identity when they marketed this game. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall at the corporate board meeting of Playmate Interactive Entertainment when they voted on their clueless decision to release Duckman: The Graphic Adventures of a Private Dick as a children's computer game. Having been privy to numerous board meetings in my "real life" jobs, I can almost guarantee it went like this:
Suit #1: Hey, he's a talking duck. Ducks are funny! Now understand that probably not a single one of them had ever seen the show. So imagine their surprise when the opening game scene featured Duckman in a Jacuzzi surrounded by naked women, their long hair covering their huge breasts. Duckman asks one of the beauties to massage the webbing between his toes and then loudly sighs, "Ah, that's enough to make the cock crow." Okay, anyone out there still not understand why Playmates cried fowl and ducked out of distributing this game stateside? It took me three years to find a boxed Duckman; if you ever spot a copy, snatch it up immediately, for this game will quack you up.
Recently rereleased by Interplay, The Last Express has often been referred to as "the game that bankrupted a company." Well ahead of its time, The Last Express was a noble, but failed, experiment by Jordan Mechner of Prince of Persia fame. You play as Robert Cath, an American summoned to join his friend aboard the Orient Express. Your voyage on this opulent train will find your character involved in a maelstrom of political intrigue, suspense, romance, and betrayal. There never had been, nor has there since been, another game like The Last Express. Real actors were turned into animated characters through an advanced rotoscoping process. The diplomats, revolutionaries, and aristocrats aboard the train speak in their native dialects and behave in real time--moving about as they please, dining during mealtimes, and conversing with fellow passengers. Real life swirls around you as the train moves relentlessly through 1914 Europe to its place in history. The Orient Express itself has been authentically recreated down to the last screw, adding to the look of the historical period. At first play, The Last Express is a confusing gaming experience only because it is so unique. As play progresses, and the player becomes accustomed to the jerky animation and the freedom of the characters, it is easy to become absorbed into a rich world of multiple story threads and quirky characters. The Last Express has been rereleased and is available for under $15 at all Electronic Boutiques and Babbages and also many online stores.
From Randy Sluganski's JA review:
[The Quivering] is presented with such loving care and knowledge of the horror industry that you soon realize that The Lads have gone beyond what could be considered a "B" game. Instead they have created a minor gem that pays homage to the horror genre in much the same manner as Mel Brooks' classic film, Young Frankenstein. They have purposely assembled a world that is chock full of every hoary plot device and evil creature familiar to the many midnight fans of chiller/horror/suspense movies around the world. An entire page could be filled with the subtle references inspired from well-known horror films. I have yet to hear of anyone who dislikes The Quivering. In fact, the only consistent complaint about this game is a save system that can be an adventure in and of itself. The Quivering is a cliche of every horror film and game ever made and, as Martha Stewart would say, it's a good thing. Loving care is evident in every scar and wart as Charybdis, Ltd. pays homage to the classic horror flicks of our childhood. You play as Spud, a young man with a strange family tree, and your Uncle Franken-Stamp is in desperate need of your help. The taxi driver will only take you as far as the local village, and the locals slam their shutters tight at the sight of a stranger. Thunder crackles in the sky, the wind is screaming through the trees, and it is a dark and stormy night. If done incorrectly, this is a game that would have deserved anonymity, but instead it constantly attracts a smile or a grin as familiar horror characters involve you in increasingly devious and demanding puzzles. The bad news is that despite my numerous pleas and machinations to have this game distributed in North America, not one single company has had neither the foresight nor the guts to purchase the rights. The good news is that Alan MacDonald, owner of Playing Games, is doing his best to provide hard-to-get products to adventure gamers and now has The Quivering for sale online. * * * Now rate yourself as an adventure gamer: Just Adventurite Extremitus--Have played and own all ten games
on the list. |
