Links: | Cheats,Patches |
Author: | The Dreamers Guild |
Category: | Fantasy Graphic Adventure |
Medium: | 3*3.5" |
Multiplayer: | None |
OS: | DOS |
Protection: | Only one check from the manual |
Type: | Commercial |
Price: | $24.00 US (for CD version from a US based computer game mail order company) |
Version: | Release 10-May-94 |
Computer | Graphics | Memo. | Disk | CD | |
Minimum | 286-?? | 320x200x256 | 2M | 8M | |
Recommended | 386-?? | ||||
Reviewed on | 486-40 | 16M |
Controls: | Keyboard, mouse |
Sound: | None, Sound Blaster, SoundBlaster Pro/16/32, Pro-Audio Spectrum, Gravis Ultrasound, Audio Source, Sierra Aria |
The Legends of the Humans
There are several tribes of animals: foxes, boars, elk, wolves and many others. Each of these tribes has many human attributes (including prejudice against others not like themselves!) and their original animal instincts. For example, foxes are cunni ng and suspected of thievery, while the elk are noble and the dogs playful.
Final Round of the Grand Tournament
I had little preconceived ideas of what this game was going to be like. It is now two years old so I didn't expect it to be state of the art. I remembered reading a good review when the game was reasonably new but it didn't seem to become one of the highly acclaimed games of the period.
Since I was playing the floppy disk version of the game, there was no dialogue spoken by actors except during the opening scene. If the quality of the opening scene is anything to go by the CD, which includes digitized voices for all characters, shou ld be worth hearing. Having played mainly CD games recently, I really missed the voices of actors.
There are sound effects. They seemed to fit in as they should.
The sound quality was excellent. I don't believe I heard any glitches in sound at all.
There are separate volume controls for the music and sound effects. This is something I wish more games would include. However, if the volume is too loud and you want to lower it, you have to increase the volume before you reach the off and low volum settings. This can be painful on the ears. The speed of the dialog display can also be set.
User Interface
Overhead Map Interface
Immediately beneath the action screen is the status line. This is where textual commands are built and displayed which are then acted on. On the far right of the status line is an icon of a floppy disk. Clicking on this icon invokes the Options menu .
Beneath the status line, the remaining area is divided into three sections.
The central character's portrait is displayed on the left. This is usually Rif.
The command screen is to the right of the character portrait. This contains a list of commands, such as Walk To, Pick Up, which the user can invoke by clicking on the appropriate command. It is not necessary to use these verbs too much. Usually the d efault command displayed is the one you want.
In the lower left of the screen is the inventory. You can store everything you pick up in the inventory. You can scroll through the inventory to look for items. I didn't find I collected an unmanageable number of items, so the inventory interface is ery easy. You can click on inventory items to get a text description of the item.
Inventory Map
Example of dialog sequence
: Rif chats with a merchant
Since the dialogue during game play is only displayed as in the above screen shots, each characters words are displayed in a different colour.
Options
You may save up to 24 games. I found this a sufficient number. Apparently the options icon flashes every 30 minutes to remind you to save. I didn't notice this happening so it can't be terribly obvious, or I saved often enough.
The upgrade to CD costs $18 US including shipping charges. Overseas shipping costs an extra $15 US.
The manual is quite delightful. It has a beautiful colour cover depicting the three lead characters in an appropriate setting (same as the art on the box). Inside the manual there are also many enchanting pen and ink sketches of characters from the g ame. The manual provides a clear description of the user interface, including monochrome screen shots and short cut key sequences. It also contains a large amount on the culture of each of the animal tribes; some of which is useful and relevant; som e of which is just interesting background material.
(SLIGHT SPOILER AHEAD -Ed)
The game ends with a suitable celebration and the reuniting of friends and then cuts to a scene with worrisome portents. It seems as though the animal tribes may be in for some more problems which will undoubtedly require courageous adventurers to ta ke to the wild reaches once again.
(SAFE NOW -Ed)
The graphics and animation are very good and everything is in keeping with the premise of the animals having inherited the earth. The story is innovative and interesting. The puzzles
are challenging and the game is a decent length. I don't understand why this game has been under-acclaimed. ITE is priced quite low now and I suspect the floppy disk version, if available, is not worth buying. If you are a fantasy adventure game fan
I'm sure you'll like this game.
Appeal: | classic fantasy adventure fans |
Originality & Story: | innovative: very original premise and interesting story |
Graphics: | in keeping with premise, well drawn attractive art |
Audio: | in keeping music, some OK sound effects, little digitized dialogue with floppy version, flexible volume controls |
Longevity: | 12 hours plus, depending on problem solving skill, no replay value |
Presentation: | easy user interface, no delays |
Packaging & Docs: | high quality manual with interesting text and pictures |
Bugs & Problems: | none! |
Pros: robust, innovative, attractive art, difficult puzzles, smooth game play
Cons: limited long term value, no digitized voices during game play with floppy version