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Culpa innata - Review #223586
10/29/07 10:22 AM
10/29/07 10:22 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 580
metamorphium Offline OP
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metamorphium  Offline OP
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It has been a long time I've written any review so my apologizes for not being in "writing" shape. I feel that I owe to Culpa Innata this user review as it was the game which nailed me to the chair and kept it there until I've finished it.

So let's start and look at what a strange beast Culpa Innata is!

In Culpa Innata you take control of Senior peace officer Phoenix Wallis who is called to investigate murder of Vassily Bogdanov - World Union citizen. This World Union is very strange place. Governed by the pure Scientific rules (eg. domination of selfish gene, preferring pure objectivism to humanity etc). Phoenix Wallis though thinks that it's the best place to live and performs her duties as a peace officer nonetheless.
It would take too long to describe the World Union logic itself as this is clearly the area where Culpa Innata excels the most. The level of detail invested into the utopic world modelling is amazing and I don't think there has been a parallel in the history of adventure games.

Knowing the background, let's move to the game itself. Culpa Innata is full 3d game, which plays though as a point'n'click game in a similar manner to Bone or new Sam'n'Max game - player uses his mouse to navigate his avatar through the gaming world. You can save your progress whenever you like and I didn't find any limitation on save slots. The game runs in two visual modes - low and high resolution - with the option to turn on anti aliasing. You can also select captions but they are available only for cutscenes and dialogues, not for Phoenix personal comments.

Visuals

Visual side of the game is probably the only low down of the game. It's obvious that the ageing 3D engine used for the game couldn't support the great rest of the game. I normally wouldn't mention graphics but in Culpa Innata it's the only thing which is standing in a way to add this game as one of the best adventures ever. The problem lies in 3d which has plus and minus. Plus is that the game feels incredibly cinematic, the minus is, that the environment looks rusty even for older game, although some of the interior scenes are quite ok. If I compare it to the Sam'n'Max 3D game, the latter wins it by a huge stylization, which covers the polygon-simple 3D environment.
Where the game excels though are facial animations. I've heard that Momentum uses own patented method for facial animations for emotions, lip-sync etc. This really adds a lot to the visual side of the game and increases rapidly the cinematic feel. Also given the fact that Culpa contains a lot of talking, it was a good choice to include such sophisticated system in the game.


Gameplay

The vast majority of gameplay consists of dialogues. Yes, you hear me right. If you thought that The Longest Journey is a talktaive game, think again. Culpa contains much more talking than the aforementioned game. Yet I was never bored by dialogues as they all perfectly depicted the characters and moreover they supported the world union background. Apart from talking there is quite some investigation to do. There are quite some mechanical puzzles and there is a lot of various gadgets to operate.
I think this is very strong point in Culpa, because normally in sci-fi games you have some simple computers and operate them with some really strange way. Here you really feel, that you can use your gadgets to their extent. It was a big fun to fiddle with various machines and use them throughout the game.
Another level of the gaming experience was the interrogation part which was a psychological puzzle based on questioning someone who tried to outsmart you or hide something from you. This section was vaguely resembling to Blade Runner, but here it was done differently and I always looked forward to do some more interrogations to test my skills.

Gameplay in general is very unlinear. The only game I played before which would be comparable to this experience was Sherlock Holmes and Case of the Rose Tattoo, where there were also many different lines which connected at the end. I felt a big freedom in the game as I could go whenever I liked and only once I depleted all possibilities and was stuck (thanks MaG!) for a time being befor the game opened up again for me. Moreover the gameplay is exceptionally long as I spent more than 20 hours playing (I am though a detailist and someone could probably manage to cut the gameplay down by skipping non-optional parts of the game).
Phoenix has an inventory but inventory puzzles are a bit simplistic if you compare them to Kheops games. On the other hand, they are entirely believable as Phoenix doesn't usually carry around ladders and such.

Perfect thing is a well organized diary (similar to RPG games) where your progress and thoughts is recorded. Without this diary the game would be much worse playable.

Music and Sound

Sound was not disturbing although sometimes were footsteps quite odd. Music had two poles - the cinematic music and music with eastern influence worked perfectly, while there were tracks which were completely annoying. I think it was purposeful (for example the Thing Store music) but I don't think that Momentum had to come to this level. smile

Glitches

The most annoyning glitch was Phoenix pathfinding. Sometimes simply some camera changes didn't occur and so I was stuck only because the view, where I could have make something never occur. Sometimes also clicking next to the hotspot I was standing made Phoenix run the big marathon completely away. I expected one bug when a "cup" remained on the screen and I was walking through the game world with a cup centered on the screen. Restarting game helped. I didn't experience any stability issues or crashes and such.

Plot

Ok, here - without spoilers - I have to tell, that I was a bit disappointed upon ending the game that some of the lines never tied. While I am not a friend of spelling everything out, here I felt that developers either too much prepared for Culpa Innata 2 or hid from us too much. That's all I can tell without spoiling.
There's also a lot of sexual talk and strong sexual themes, and I mean a lot, so the game is rated M for purpose. I don't mind it as it's not purposeless at all, but some of the faint-hearted could find themselves offended.

Resume

One of the best adventure games which come out in years. Excellent captivating plot, deep storyline, interesting characters are bit spoiled by substandard 3d graphics and saved by facial animations and dynamic cinematic feel of the game. If you add a lot of interesting and diverse puzzles and very detailed world to explore, you can't think of any other grade than

A

(I would give A+++ if the graphics was better, plot was more closed at the end and some of the music wasn't so bad I had to turn it off, but that can be only professional deformation anyway smile )



Developing: ...

www.cbe-software.com

Created J.U.L.I.A.: Among the Stars, Serena, Vampires!, J.U.L.I.A., J.U.L.I.A. Untold, Ghost in the Sheet
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: metamorphium] #223593
10/29/07 10:33 AM
10/29/07 10:33 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 48,905
Alabama
looney4labs Offline
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Thanks Metamorphium, you covered the game pretty thoroughly. I'm glad you enjoyed it.


"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."
-Roger Caras
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: metamorphium] #223599
10/29/07 10:37 AM
10/29/07 10:37 AM
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 26,918
Stony Brook, New York, USA
Becky Offline
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Becky  Offline
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Metamorphium -- thanks for a great review! Refreshing and helpful. grin

Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: Becky] #224129
10/30/07 09:21 AM
10/30/07 09:21 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 34,316
United Kingdom
Mad Offline
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Mad  Offline
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Hi smile

Thanks for your review, Metamorphium. Appreciated it very much grin

Cheers.

Mad :pumpkin:


Time : The Most Precious Commodity
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: Mad] #224342
10/30/07 03:16 PM
10/30/07 03:16 PM
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,323
gatorlaw Offline
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Thanks for the thorough and fair review. Would have posted thanks sooner - but having google internet woes. (meaning NO access at new flat)

Grabbed some hours at Starbucks - one import here I am glad at the moment is in Spain LOL

Anyways - seems like you enjoyed it, which is the main thing to us - glad to hear it. smile





Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: gatorlaw] #225317
11/01/07 01:17 PM
11/01/07 01:17 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 246
Chicago
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Jess519 Offline
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Chicago
Thanks for the review! smile

Sounds like one I'll enjoy a lot. Glad you liked it so much.

------


Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: Jess519] #225340
11/01/07 02:11 PM
11/01/07 02:11 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,644
New York
Leeana Offline
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Leeana  Offline
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Can't wait... I too think it sounds good also but may I ask a question if you dont mind... is it adventure or darkside and also is it dvd or pc playable smile thank you


'Worry looks around, sorry looks back, Faith looks up.'
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: Leeana] #225355
11/01/07 02:35 PM
11/01/07 02:35 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 580
metamorphium Offline OP
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metamorphium  Offline OP
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LEEANA - it's pure point and click adventure with absolutely no action sequences or slider puzzles smile It's a PC game but you need a DVD drive to install it (at least my version from Strategy First comes on a DVD)


Developing: ...

www.cbe-software.com

Created J.U.L.I.A.: Among the Stars, Serena, Vampires!, J.U.L.I.A., J.U.L.I.A. Untold, Ghost in the Sheet
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: metamorphium] #225543
11/01/07 10:39 PM
11/01/07 10:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,022
Northeast NJ
Darleen03 Offline
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Thank You so much Metamorphium..

For a Great review...Also for the Grade of (A)

This game is a wonderful game...Its well worth the money & the Grade of A..

bravo


Luv Dar


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Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: Darleen03] #226033
11/03/07 10:24 AM
11/03/07 10:24 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,932
Sumrall, MS
raylinstephens Offline
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Wonderful review praise Thank you very much thumbsup

Linda wave


So many games, so little time.
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: metamorphium] #226382
11/04/07 06:51 AM
11/04/07 06:51 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,717
london uk
chrissie Offline
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Thanks metamorphium for a very descriptive review - seems that this is a 'must have' so have just had to go ahead & order it! smile

Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: chrissie] #227343
11/06/07 04:10 AM
11/06/07 04:10 AM
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oldmariner Offline
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Could be the game of the year.

Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: raylinstephens] #229073
11/09/07 05:32 PM
11/09/07 05:32 PM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 623
Ca.
gaily Offline
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Ca.
A very fair review in my opinion. I am playing Culpa now (so I can't speak to the ending) but I must say I am loving this game. It is one of the best games I have played since The Longest Journey; with the same sort of depth in the characters and "the world" of the game. It is filling the space that Dreamfall never came close to fulfilling.In fact, I think I'll go there now...


gaily
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: raylinstephens] #230788
11/13/07 05:31 AM
11/13/07 05:31 AM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,109
Marlborough USA
Kaki's Sister Offline
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Metamorphium thanks so much for the extensive review on the game. It answered all my questions!


Gerry
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: Kaki's Sister] #464570
02/18/09 04:45 AM
02/18/09 04:45 AM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 786
usa
HeavenlyJoy Offline
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usa
Hi, I would like to say thanks also, I appreciate the reviews, I had a little trouble getting started in this one, but I was WELL rewarded for keeping at it, this is one of those games, that was not my fav type but was so good , it was worth it anyway, I am not a fav of alot of dialog, but the plot and characters were WELL WORTH It for me :), loved the game, and how it unfolded, I encourage anyone that may have trouble getting into it like i did to stick with it!!!!

Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: HeavenlyJoy] #464619
02/18/09 09:28 AM
02/18/09 09:28 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,243
Delaware, USA
SharonB Offline
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Thanks for the review! You have made me want to buy it. Now it goes on my games to get list. :shiver:

Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: HeavenlyJoy] #464631
02/18/09 10:35 AM
02/18/09 10:35 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
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Alabama
looney4labs Offline
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HeavenlyJoy, so glad you enjoyed it bravo

What's next?


"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."
-Roger Caras
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: looney4labs] #566722
11/11/09 03:00 PM
11/11/09 03:00 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 799
Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Tomer Offline
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I was an amazing game, I finished it today.
I'm so glad a sequal is being done.


There's definitely definitely definitely no logic to human behaviour.
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: HeavenlyJoy] #589089
01/19/10 10:44 PM
01/19/10 10:44 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 279
Lower Mainland, BC
mission Offline
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mission  Offline
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Lower Mainland, BC
Thanks for the review. I gave this game a pass the last time I saw it, maybe it's worth reconsidering... smile

Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: mission] #589405
01/20/10 10:37 PM
01/20/10 10:37 PM
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Posts: 1,052
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mj2c Offline
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It isn't:-)

Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: mj2c] #589476
01/21/10 08:07 AM
01/21/10 08:07 AM
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UK
Rushes Offline
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Yes it is. razz


"Bleat, Watson -- unmitigated bleat!" ~ Sherlock Holmes
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: Rushes] #589479
01/21/10 08:25 AM
01/21/10 08:25 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,379
Arcadia (twin world of Stark)
venus Offline
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venus  Offline
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Arcadia (twin world of Stark)
I second Rushes. My favorite game. wink


Interrogator: [True or false?] All mangoes are golden. Nothing golden is cheap. Conclusion - all mangoes are cheap.

Helena: Where are these mangoes?
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: venus] #589947
01/22/10 09:45 PM
01/22/10 09:45 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,052
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mj2c Offline
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Blimey. It's the worst game Ive *ever* played. *Ever!* Awfull rubbish. Hope they dont make another:-)

Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: mj2c] #589952
01/22/10 10:12 PM
01/22/10 10:12 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,379
Arcadia (twin world of Stark)
venus Offline
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venus  Offline
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Arcadia (twin world of Stark)
Mj2c, sorry but I strongly disagree with you. Culpa Innata is my favorite game, and I can't wait for the sequel. People do have different tastes, you know. wink


Interrogator: [True or false?] All mangoes are golden. Nothing golden is cheap. Conclusion - all mangoes are cheap.

Helena: Where are these mangoes?
Re: Culpa innata - Review [Re: mj2c] #589954
01/22/10 10:22 PM
01/22/10 10:22 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 279
Lower Mainland, BC
mission Offline
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mission  Offline
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Lower Mainland, BC
Originally Posted By: mj2c
Blimey. It's the worst game Ive *ever* played. *Ever!* Awfull rubbish. Hope they dont make another:-)


Can you share what makes this game the worst game? Is it the nonlinearity that bothers you?


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