At last, just when I was thinking I was doomed
to play dull and mediocre adventure games forever, one has come along that
is interesting and compelling. Nikopol is an adventure game from White Birds
Productions, and is based on the graphic novels by Enki
Bilal. This is a loose adaptation and supposedly
uses the novels more as a basis for this game, rather than a retelling.
Whatever the inspiration, though, Nikopol is quite good. The designers have
managed to create a surreal world that combines real aspects of current
culture with fantasy, and make it believable.
Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals is set in
France, which at this time is governed by a dictator who rules by religious
absolute power. A mysterious ship that is shaped like a pyramid has just
appeared in the sky, and has sent representatives to the French government.
The government controls all information, so the general populace doesn’t
really know what the visitors want. These visitors are actually Egyptian
gods (Immortals). One of them, Horus, is apparently working on his own
agenda and decides to take over and possess the body of Nikopol’s father,
who has spent the last several decades imprisoned in a cryogenically frozen
state. Nikopol has recently joined a resistance group and is on the run from
the police. He is approached by the other gods and asked to find his father
and nix Horus’s plan. What follows is a fantasy/sci-fi story that is quite
interesting. While being familiar with the novels probably helps, it doesn’t
detract from enjoying the game, as I can attest.
The setting is futuristic, and combines
reality with fantasy. Egyptian gods, weird monsters that look like lobsters,
flying cars; these are all seamlessly integrated with ordinary items such as
old appliances and clothes, in familiar settings like run-down apartments
and civic buildings. The characters’ thoughts and actions are believable and
logical, and fit the story well.
It is evident that the graphic designers spent
a lot of time on all the visual details. The scenes are filled with familiar
and also strange objects, all clearly drawn and asking to be investigated.
And investigate you will, as this is an adventure game, after all. Get
ready to do some major pixel-hunting. The camera is free-moving, and can be
disorienting at first as it whips around, but players have the option to
slow down the mouse speed, which helps. However, this slow mouse is
excruciatingly slow when accessing the main menu. The character movement is
good for the most part, but sometimes odd things happen, as when a person’s
head became detached from his body and moved to the next location before the
body followed.
In typical adventure game fashion, Nikopol
will walk where guided and pick up and examine all sorts of things. He
comments on these things, and many times these comments are helpful hints as
to what he may need to do with these items. These are subtle hints, though,
and players will still need to exert quite a bit of brain power to solve the
current puzzles. These puzzles range from action (timed) sequences,
manipulative and inventory-combining types. I usually hate timed puzzles,
but the ones here are handled exceptionally well, and the player can replay
them again and again until successful.
These puzzles are integrated very well into
the main story, and it’s not always obvious what items can be used and how.
For instance, early in the game Nikopol will need to find a movie projector.
I had the film, and could see the projector. However, when I tried to use
the film on the projector, nothing would happen, no matter where I clicked
on the projector. Turns out the player had to click on the film container
on the projector, thereby opening the container, and then use the film on
the container. This does make sense, but lazy players like me have gotten
used to having our hands held.
The music is nicely done, and is never
overpowering. There are places where there will be no music, and then music
will begin. It always fits the scene and sets the mood. The sound effects
are alright, but could have been better.
One note on the English translation from the
original French: there are deliberate misspellings in the written
subtitles. According to the company, this was an artistic decision by White
Birds, to depict the English pronunciations from the French speakers.
Therefore, words like “sacred” are spelled as “socred”,
as this is the phonetic pronunciation by the speaker.
Nikopol is an interesting and immersive sci-fi
adventure game. Whether players are familiar or not with
the novels is not relevant to the enjoyment felt. Anyone looking for
a good story-driven game that will involve and engage should pick up this
title. The only real drawback is the shortness of the game as compared to
the price of $30. But, some people spend this on dinner and this is more
fun.
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Gameplay: 8
The game is quite good! It’s
fun to play, has a great story and voice-acting, and there are no bad
elements to distract. The only drawback is the shortness of the game.
Graphics: 8
The
graphics are excellent.
Sound: 7
The
music is exactly right, but the sound effects could have been more frequent.
Difficulty:
Medium
The
puzzles are a mixed difficulty, but never over challenging or frustrating.
Players will have to really think, though!
Concept: 7
This game has a very unusual story, but the
actual game elements aren’t much different than any other adventure game.
The execution is excellent, though.
Overall: 8
This
is an adventure game that rises above the crowd in terms of great story and
immersive gameplay elements. There is just the
right mix of puzzles and dialogue, plus lots of action. The atmosphere is
fitting, and the animation nicely done. The game could be longer, but anyone
who enjoys adventure games should give this one a try.
