The Beast Within: A Gabriel Knight® Mystery
A game I revisited from my childhood. A FMV classic from the 90s.
It’s an incredible piece of work. Completely engrossing and uncompromising. (It didn’t actually take 152 hours, I left it on the launch screen - but expect a good 25-30 hours if you don’t use a walkthrough)
You play just over half the game as the title character, Gabriel Knight. Knight is a reluctant shadow hunter following the events of the first game, Sins of the Fathers. Living in his ancestral town in Germany, he is asked to investigate the killings of a young girl near Munich. The town folk are convinced it was a werewolf.
– Real player with 152.5 hrs in game
Read More: Best Adventure Mystery Games.
GK2 is the ‘Star Wars:Empire Strikes Back’ of the series, a really strong follow up to a fantastic first game, that may actually be even better than the original.
I’m on my 4th or 5th playthrough of this game since it came out many years ago, and it has singularly spawned my interest in topics such as Bavarian/German history, Werewolves and Wagner. It’s a ‘pilgrimage’ type game, which has me coming back and that in itself tells you a lot of about the quality of this game if i’m willing to do it over and over again.
– Real player with 29.1 hrs in game
Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure
I have been a fan of Tex Murphy since Under a Killing Moon – nearly twenty years! That said, I will not do this game or the community a disservice by writing anything less than a fully honest review. The game succeeds far more often than it fails, but is far from perfect, so I will not score it 10 out of nostalgia, or 0 out of disappointment.
First, let me give this game a score out of ten. In my opinion, it falls somewhere around 7.5. I think this game will please Tex fans and newcomers alike, even if it isn’t perfect. If you like a good story or adventure games, then check this one out. If you like it, I highly recommend trying out Tex’s past adventures.
– Real player with 31.4 hrs in game
Read More: Best Adventure Detective Games.
As a Tex Murphy fan, I was stoked after hearing about the newest installment, and boy was I eager to play! But after playing half-way through, I found myself questioning whether I should even bother finishing the game. It was only through sheer force of will and a weird, nostalgic obligation, that I managed to see it through to the end. sigh So where to begin?
Let’s first talk about the things it did well:
Revisiting Chandler Avenue and reuniting with the old cast was a treat for old Tex Murphy fans like myself. And honestly, I didn’t mind the mediocre graphics, as it felt reminiscent of the old Tex Murphy games. The FMV sequences were well-done for the most part, and I enjoyed exploring areas without running into loading screens or having to change discs. (I know I’m throwing a bone here, but it’s the little things that count, right?) Unfortunately, that’s where the good ends. Now on to my personal gripes:
– Real player with 15.8 hrs in game
Death Come True
Coming from the same creator of Danganronpa, Death Come True is a marvelous FMV with a very interesting and genius gameplay. You play as a person who woke up in a hotel room with no memories of what brought him to this place. He’ll meet people who’ll tell him what is his identity, or what they thought he is. I’m not going to give away much about the story because it’ll be more fun for you to discover it yourself.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2297203710
It has multiple endings, and the most interesting part that if you die, the game will restart but the main character will still have a memory of whatever event happened and the people he met. This will give you a chance to take different choices and decisions.
– Real player with 3.4 hrs in game
Read More: Best Adventure Visual Novel Games.
I recommend this game, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t leave me disappointed. Death Come True comes to us from the developer of the Danganronpa series and is a FMV mystery title. As the story plays out, the game will occasionally prompt you to make a choice where you then witness the outcome of your decision; like a Choose Your Own Adventure novel. However, that’s where my primary criticism of the game comes in. Despite the illusion of choice, DCT is actually very linear. Usually you are left with deciding between one of two paths, but making the “incorrect” decision often leads to a quick Game Over and the option to continue the game at the last branch in the story line, so you can make the other choice and advance. It doesn’t always play out like this, but in the interest of avoiding spoilers, I’ll ease up on getting more specific. Also, this game is a lot shorter than I was expecting. In 3.4 hours, I earned all the achievements and witnessed all the branching outcomes. Granted, there is a fast-forward option that I used to bypass scenes that had already played out in a previous playthrough, but I still wanted a little more meat on this bone. So, why do I recommend it? Because it’s not a bad game. The story is interesting, albeit not as mind-blowing as I was hoping. Just know that you’re getting a bite-sized, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch-esque experience and not much else. With experience in the Zero Escape and Danganronpa series' prior to playing this game, it’s conceivable my expectations were too high. Nevertheless, I look forward to the seeing what Too Kyo Games comes up with next. But as it concerns DCT, I recommend waiting for a sale.
– Real player with 3.4 hrs in game
Phantasmagoria
I think Phantasmagoria surprised me the most out of the FMV games I’ve played recently, partly due to the fact that it was always reviewed as “meh” compared to other classics like “The Beast Within”. It did appear to be pretty mundane at first glance and I didn’t like the idea of puzzles in spades as I’m no good at them. I actually played Phantasmagoria 2 before this one and, though I did have a blast with it, it’s a joke in comparison to this one. The 2nd one just seemed to be a vehicle to show off the technology of the time with a ridiculously goofy story that insulted B movie horrors. This isn’t actually as campy as I expected (with the exception of a couple of ridiculously overacted scenes in the final act, it’s actually quite a serious horror). This is a dark game. Found myself feeling a bit freaked out at various points throughout and the musical score is tremendous.
– Real player with 126.8 hrs in game
So I might be a little bias to this game given that it was one of the very first point and click adventure games from my childhood and I’ve always had very very fond memories of this game.. Now that I’ve gone back and played it a bit, I remember why I loved it as much as I did when I was a kid.
To start off this is a point and click adventure game that features a actors over a green screen in a 3D rendered background. It’s got a strangely charming feeling when I go back to play this game at nearly anytime with the way the actors need to interact with the enviroment around them.
– Real player with 11.1 hrs in game
Phantasmagoria 2: A Puzzle of Flesh
My friend and I have recently gone down the rabbit hole of these fmv games. I’ve learned a lot on the way, and we’ve both lost even more. With this unique experience however, comes the perfect tool set to judge these games.
We started with harvester and there couldn’t have been a better game to get our toes wet. 5 hours later we became the kidders we need to be to take on phantasmagoria 1. Harvester’s story direction (or lack thereof) really made phantasmagoria 2’s story shine through. The acting was mostly good or at least good enough to not take us out of it and the characters were well written. Trevor please email me. Phantasmagoria 2 is nothing like it’s predecessor. It starts you as a white dude named curtis but the real main character, blob, is introduced quickly. A story filled with weird physics and entertaining emails, this game will take you on an mindboggling journey. Walkthrough is highly recommended especially at the end where the game crashes if you don’t do the puzzle right..
– Real player with 48.8 hrs in game
I see a lot of reviews that try to compare Phantasmagoria (1) with Phantasmagoria 2. And then the reviewer draws a conclusion that one is better than the other. My take - they share the title and they are both point-n-click adventures. That’s about where the similarities end. I think this is why so many critics loved the first and disliked the second. They weren’t letting both games stand apart.
Phantasmagoria 2’s horror is more focused on the cerebral… an analysis of insanity. Although there are a few bloody moments, the story focuses on Curtis' psyche and how it affects his relationships. Because of this, there is a distinct focus on interpersonal exchanges between Curtis and his friends/co-workers. You come to know each character fairly well and it’s easy to love some and hate others.
– Real player with 22.6 hrs in game
The Complex
The Complex is by developer’s Wales Interactive, Good Gate Media, Little Jade Productions and filmed in the UK. Also featuring guest acting performance by Twitch streamer and former Xbox UK presenter, Leah Viathan.
This is a story rich adventure FMV game where choices matter. Most playthroughs for each game are roughly about an hour long with one much shorter. Be forewarned: U do have to make quick, tough decisions/judgement calls that matter and alter the progression of the game depending on your choices. The Pause Choices (timer) can be turned off in the Streaming Options. This was mainly for Streamers with audience participation during live streams. I left my timers on.
– Real player with 13.1 hrs in game
SUMMARY
London is under siege. A major bio-weapon attack casts a heavy shadow. Two experts in the Nanocell Technology find themselves trapped into a laboratory where assassins have just infiltrated and with time and air running out. Their only option is to take some hard decisions. But soon, those decisions will come back to haunt them. An interactive sci-fi thriller movie where you must ponder each and every decisions. A nice piece to kill some time, it is worth buying if on sale (half the price-tag would be decent).
– Real player with 7.7 hrs in game
Kingdom: The Far Reaches
very decent despite the fact that is is an old game. A very rich storyline too. It’s a shame that the manual is not included. Also there does not seem to be the sequal, Kingdom Shadoan. Hopefully, it could be released here
– Real player with 3.8 hrs in game
MIAZMA or the Devil’s Stone
I like the slow story-rich games and loved this one. My only complaint is that imho some puzzles were too difficult (in easy mode.) The two walkthrough I found on YouTube end right at the point where it became (overly?) difficult. That said, I’m not a puzzle person and you might find them simple.
The setting and characters are charming and you’ll also have a school-like learning experience.
I did not mind the “slideshow presentation” at all. I felt it was one of the ways the game entertained with subtle humor.
– Real player with 25.1 hrs in game
Playing this game was a great fun. I forgot time and enjoyed it.
The psychological description in detail was remarkable.
The diary book in the game helped me when I missed closed captions.
I’m looking forward to the next work of this team.
– Real player with 23.4 hrs in game
Murderous Muses
It’s a year to the day since controversial artist Mordechai Grey was murdered.
Now, a new exhibition has opened on the anniversary of his death, featuring six of his most famous portraits - each one a potential suspect in his murder.
You play as the night watch, exploring the gallery in the echoing hours to uncover clues about his death. Solve puzzles and use the Eyes of Mordechai to bring the portraits to life, restoring the past to find his killer…
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Solve a cold-case murder mystery that re-rolls every time you play
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Explore a procedurally-generated 3D gallery with shifting rooms and unexpected twists
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Uncover clues and use deduction to find the killer
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Solve puzzles and unlock secret locations!
From the creators of The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker, The Shapeshifting Detective and Dark Nights with Poe and Munro, Murderous Muses is an infinitely replayable supernatural whodunit where choosing how to investigate is an art form…
Night Book
Even though I’m average when it comes to keeping up with new games and playing them, I’ve really liked the FMVs/interactive games that Good Gate Media and Wales Interactive have been releasing recently, and Night Book is no exception! Even without knowing that it was filmed remotely in lockdown, it’s an enjoyable game with interesting characters: the beginning feels like a slow burner, but it sets up the story brilliantly and you quickly become fully immersed in the lore. I love the decision points in the game - they really feel like they make an impact and I can’t wait to play it again to go through the other story route now that I’ve completed the first run-through as it feels completely different. I was also really pleased with how the game dealt with the occult elements because I was never frightened out of my skin but I totally bought the creepiness of the story and Loralyn’s urgency, it’s really well done! I really felt for the characters and got very engrossed in the decisions given as Loralyn, and I was never bored while playing. Plus the fact that Night Book was filmed entirely remotely during lockdown is an amazing feat and makes the game even more impressive. Night Book is definitely value for money entertainment-wise even for people who aren’t hardcore gamers/horror fans, and I’d definitely recommend it!
– Real player with 13.8 hrs in game
FMV has some hit or miss titles out there. I’ve gotta say, I really like this one. It’s pretty short and definitely made to play multiple times, but this one is a fun complete in one sitting type of FMV. To give you a clue where my FMV tastes are, here’s a map of my fmvs.
Loved: Five Dates, Late Shift, I Saw Black Clouds, Shapeshifting Detective, Eric.
Disliked: The Complex, The Bunker - I know those are unpopular opinions, but just giving you a rough idea of where I’m at.
Pros:
- Acting really makes or breaks an FMV. The most polished writing and cinematography is useless if everyone acts like they’re putting on a high school play. Loralyn is great, really sells the horror and shock portions well. Pretty much all of the supporting characters nailed it. I’d say there’s some minor hiccups here and there, but that seems to stem from everyone being filmed separately.
– Real player with 4.3 hrs in game