Hello everyone,
I have some questions regarding the game Zelenghorm.
Is it any good?
Would you recommend it?
Is it worth $40.00?
How many "chapters" have been released so far?
Are more "chapters" in the works?

Sorry for all the questions,
Rusty

It is good, I would recommend it, its not worth $40, It has 12 chapters, and only 1 has been released...

There's a Zelenhgorm Review here for the first issue. Personally, I would save my money for later releases in the planned story line.

Love, Witchen =O)

Hmmm...I get the feeling that it is not so great. Not for $40.00 anyway. Thanks for the helpful info.
Rusty

Rusty even I didn't buy it - does that tell you something? If I find it for $10 or less I'll consider it, but I refuse to pay $40 for it.

I won't pay $5 for it. I happened to win it in a JA contest. So bad! chris

Syd, this is unprecedented; I'm frightened!--my comfortable secure world is breaking apart.

I would not recommend it for $40. Maybe for $20 if you really really really like FMV adventure games. Of course I thought I really really really liked FMV adventure games until I played this one.

When I first started it, I was initially thrilled with it. The whole thing is FMV and it was almost like walking around inside a movie. And it is full of people who really look like people.

But then I got turned off by the way nearly everyone is so unfriendly to you and is blaming you for everything. So there isn't really as much interaction with other characters as you might think at first glance. And every time you open your mouth you risk being thrown in jail - unless you are buying something in the market, which seems to be a pretty safe place. Apparently you have to go pearl diving to earn money - which is a sort of timed thing. I'm not even sure I found the place I was supposed to dive because I didn't see anything that looked like pearls. You can also make money by gambling, but I didn't try it because I was sick of people in the game dissing me all the time and decided to avoid them as much as possible.

I got bored with trying to figure it out and checked a walkthrough. It said I needed a scissors to complete one of the puzzles. But I couldn't find the scissors. Eventually I decided to finish the game later when I was more in the mood. I may have to go back to an earlier save to get the scissors to appear. I'm supposed to be writing a "staff review" of it and I can't even make myself finish the game. Right now I'd rather work on my Rhem review anyway.

Zelenhgorm is mouse-controlled and not too hard to navigate. It uses fixed cursor-type panning and has some places where you can click for a closeup. But finding items (like that &%$#! scissors) can be tricky because objects don't call attention to themselves the way they do in most other games. The gameworld is small too. As far as I can tell, it takes place in only that one village.

Check out some reviews if you're curious. I think you have to a real FMV afficionado to play this one though. I just didn't think it was fun - as much as I played of it anyway. I shouldn't pass judgment on it until I've finished it. Maybe I was just in a bad mood and lacking patience at the time. But from what I've played, I wouldn't recommend it for $40.

Here's some reviews:

http://www.gameboomers.com/reviews/Zz/ZelenhgormbyWitchen.htm http://www.justadventure.com/reviews/Zelenhgorm/ZelenhgormAlex.shtm
http://www.justadventure.com/reviews/Zelenhgorm/Zelenhgorm.shtm
http://www.quandaryland.com/2002/zelenhgorm1.htm
http://www.adventuregamers.com/display.php?id=171

So, would anyone like to sell me their copy?
Rusty

Well I have it. I am kind of glad just because the FMV was so well done and it is really hard to find now.

But it isn't a top rated game to me. I would give it an A for look and effort. Great concept and begining story line. B for voice talent, some was great, a few were ok and the rest were good.

What would bring it down is along the same lines as Jenny100 referenced. To me the stall was diving for the money. I initially got a kick out of threats and first end of game moment. But it wears thin pretty fast. I also think that at least the first two parts of the game should have been released together to make it a longer, more plot detailed offering at that price. I also understand that given financial investments and such - why the developer would release the game and try to recoup some of the money tossed into the game thus far. I also know that all of the video footage for the entire trilogy has been shot and that cost already realized.

The other thing that I have read is a frequently mentioned misconception. The game is serialized but not into 12 separate games. It is planned for three games - each game covering several different chapters. Well according to Michi Lantz - the developer.

Again, great premise and vision. Beautiful footage, good acting - too short of a game and some very awkward game play moments.

So a C+ game at a high price.

But I really like Michi Lantz and respect her vision for this game. I have high hopes that the game play and puzzles can be racheted up a bit on the 2nd game. I think with some TLC in this area -Zelehngorm can and will become a good game and series.

Laura

Rusty, even if you were willing to pay 40 dollars for a brand new copy, where would you buy it? I haven't seen Zelenhgorm in on-line stores, it's not even for sale on their own web site.

Betje (traded my own copy a few months ago)

Hi Betje,
Oh...I thought it was available for purchase on the developer's website. If not, then that's a good question. Where does one purchase this game? Would anyone be willing to sell me their copy?
Thanks,
Rusty

I am currently playing this game. I didn't buy it. I won it in a contest at JA. It is true that they story is short, and most of the people are mean to the hero. However, I didn't mind that so much. I love the story. At the end of this episode, the hero leaves on an adventure, leaving the quarrelsome townspeople behind. Hopefully, his adventure will be exciting. I'm a sucker for this type of story.For me the most frustrating part of the game was the constant changing of the discs.

Jenny 100: I had a hard time finding the scissors, but they are there. I'll give you a hint if you ever go back to the game.

All in all, I am enjoying the game, but I agree that $40 is a little high for such a short game.

There is a manual full install. You have to copy some files from the CD's over to the install folder on your hard drive. I think the instructions are in the Readme. After you copy those files, no disc swapping. You just need the CD in the drive to start the game.

Glenna, if you can give me a hint about where the scissors are I'd appreciate it. I'll probably have to start the game over after so long not playing it, but I will get back to it soon.

Jenny, if you find the candle seller, turn right and take the path to the right of the tree, you will find the scissors.

Thanks. I'll check it out.

So, would anyone like to sell their copy of Zelenghorm? If so, please email me through GB.
Thanks,
Rusty

I was wrong, Zelenhgorm is still available at their web site. I needed Dimi to show me the way:

http://www.zelenhgorm.com/index1.html

Click on Miscellaneous, scroll down and to the right.

Betje

Thanks Betje, I see it now. However, I'm not sure if I really want to pay $40.00 for this game. Seems like the general feeling here at GB is that it is a good game but, not worth that price. That's why I was hoping someone here would want to sell theirs. No takers though... .
Thanks again,
Rusty