Why ask why? Here we go
again. The more things change, the more they stay the same. What’s old is new
again. I’m sure you’ve all heard of these phrases before either in conversation
with friends or reading articles on the internet or in magazines. What’s the
point of me bringing them up in this review? It’s a simple answer. Even with
all of the advances in technology in gaming over the last five to ten years
there is one genre that remains almost unchanged. The point and click adventure
game proves that no matter how advanced technology can become that the point and
click genre will still remain (relatively) unchanged. Mix a simple to use
interface, decent graphics, a bunch of puzzles to solve and you get the
ingredients for almost every point & click adventure game released.
Crime Stories: From the File of
Martin Mystere doesn’t mess with the basic formula of the point and click
genre. The game has you playing the role of NY Police detective Professor
Martin Mystere. Martin is investigating the death of scientist Professor
Eulemberg, who was found murdered in his estate. Martin must figure out who
murdered Eulemberg and why. In order to solve the case Martin will interview
witnesses and travel across the globe in search of clues.
The storyline can be considered
a mediocre attempt to recreating a comic book atmosphere in a game. The game is
based on the Martin Mystere series of comic books popular across the world. The
instruction manual even includes a mini comic book that is a prelude to the main
story of the game. To keep this review spoiler free let’s just say that you get
the necessary plot twists found in all adventure games. But the story in the
game just falls on it’s face unfortunately due to the presentation in the game,
especially the voice acting.
I would say that the voice
acting in Crime Stories isn’t the worst voice acting I’ve ever heard in a game
but it comes close. For example it’s common to hear the following phrases
repeated throughout the game. Hmm….wa…ha..ha….oh….hmm…agh…..hm….oh…..
All of the dialogue is acted out in the Adam West/William Shatner tone.
I…don’t….know……about you…..but…..I…..only…..want……to
hear…….Shatner……….or West…….acting……that…..way. I’m sure
the intention of the dialogue is to further the storyline but there are way too
many pauses and breaks when the characters are speaking to make the storyline
interesting. After a few conversations the use of the hmm…..ha…ha and other
phrases really started to wear on my nerves. The point was to add personality
to the characters in certain parts but the voice acting just made the phrases a
source of frustration.
The game is played out in the
classic point and click adventure game style; 3D character models over 2D
backgrounds. All of the backgrounds look good with excellent details on every
location you explore. The character models just don’t look as detailed as the
2D backgrounds which isn’t a surprise. Think of the first Sim’s game and that
should give you an idea of how the characters look. All of the lip synching in
the game is way off from the spoken dialogue.
The game plays out just the way
a point and click adventure game should play out. You just simply point and
click on items located in hopes of finding items you can pick up. Once you have
an item you can add to your inventory then that item can be used either with
another item, given to another character in the game or used to solve a puzzle.
The inventory button is brought up clicking on an icon in the lower left corner
of the screen. But the game would never bring up the inventory screen right
away. I would have to click on the inventory screen at least twice before I
could access my inventory.
I mentioned that each screen is
presented in a static view which (of course) limits the view of each location.
This creates a few problems occasionally when you’re trying to move through
various parts of a stage. Since Martin can only be moved by clicking on a
location you want him to move to, sometimes he moves to an area where you can’t
see him. Martin should be solving the mystery. It shouldn’t be a mystery to
the player where Martin went during the game (sorry…bad joke).
The total amount of time to
complete the whole game is very short, probably eight to ten hours. This is
only solving all of the puzzles right away and moving through the game without
exploring everything in the game. But exploring everything in the game can be a
problem depending on the order you explore the game. The majority of adventure
games (and all games) are triggered by you completing certain events in the
game. If you don’t complete certain parts of the game then other parts of the
game will remain locked. Yet the game shouldn’t lock up because I didn’t follow
the correct path. There is a bug near the end of the game that came up when I
didn’t speak with a certain character first before I picked up a particular
item. Each time I tried to talk to the character the game controls would
disappear. I couldn’t exit out of the game without closing the game in the task
manager. Hopefully this is just an isolated bug but I didn’t find any updates
on the publisher’s website to correct the problem.
Crime Stories isn’t the best
point and click adventure game available on the market but it might be enough
for the dedicated adventure gamer. The storyline is entertaining and
suspenseful at times but the voice acting causes a big distraction in following
the story. The interface is easy enough for anyone to understand and the
difficulty isn’t too complex. The actual gameplay time is shorter compared to
other adventure games on the market which means that you shouldn’t expect this
game to last you for weeks. The graphics do an admirable job, especially the
background graphics. Unfortunately I can only recommend Crime Stories to those
that might be familiar with the comic book series or hardcore adventure gamers.
|
Review Scoring Details Crime Stories: From the Files of Martin Mystere |
Gameplay: 6.0
It’s the standard point and
click game that we’ve been playing for years now. Click on an item and then try
to use it to solve a puzzle. The game does change things up later in the game
but those moments are short lived.
Graphics: 6.5
The 2D background graphics work
well in the game with lush details and vibrant colors. All of the 3D models are
animated the same with stiff movements. The 3D characters look like they jumped
out of a game five years ago.
Sound: 5.0
I have to mention that the
voice acting in the game comes close to terrible. It’s not the worst but it
comes close to ruining most of the game. The music in the game was made up of a
few tracks that helped in creating the atmosphere of the game. The music would
range from orchestral music to other instrumental tracks.
Difficulty: Medium
The game’s difficulty is more
based on how determined you are in figuring out a puzzle. Since you only have
to point and click in the game you know that if you can pick up an item that
it’s important and necessary for the game. The game does include a section
where you have to use a special code included inside the game box. That was an
interesting segment that I’m sure could prove difficult if you didn’t get the
game with the box.
Concept: 6.0
I’ve written plenty of point
and click adventure game reviews that everyone should have the general idea by
now. Crime Stories is no different. You can add an extra point if you’re
familiar with the comic book series since you can finally play as Martin
Mystere.
Overall: 5.9
By now you probably already
know if you’re going to get Crime Stories. Those of you that are addicted to
these games probably already have the game and are just reading the reviews to
see how a reviewers opinions differ from your own. Crime Stories is
unfortunately a mediocre point and click adventure game that doesn’t advance the
genre. The game offers just enough to keep you playing but fails to offer
anything new or impressive to make it stand out from the crowded adventure game
market.
