Qin: Tomb of the Middle Kingdom

 

Genre:   Adventure

Developer:   Learn Technologies Interactive

Publisher:    Time Warner Electronic

Released:  August 1996

PC Requirements:   Windows 3.1 / Windows 95;  8 MB RAM for Win 3.1;  2X CD-ROM Drive;  640 X 480 Graphics Card - Under Win 3.1 (256 Color), Under Win 95 (High Color);  Supports Stereo Sound Cards;  Mouse

Walkthrough

 

 

 

by lasanidine

Qin: Tomb of The Middle Kingdom 

Pointers:

Adventure game (educational)

Point and click

First person

Puzzles

There are endless discussions about what a good adventure game is and opinions are as varied as are the adventure players themselves. There is seldom and agreement about the different parts of a game. There are preferences of dialog, first or third person play, linearity, game engine, 2D, 3D and the complexity of puzzles. However one underlying truth always comes out of these discussions. A good adventure game has an intriguing story, it takes us to interesting and beautiful places, it allows us to explore it and solve its mysteries. We like to do this without having to kill someone or something, without gore and weapons. Some qualify a game as Myst like or a Myst clone implying that this somehow is not a compliment. This does not worry me. I like Myst like adventures and I know that a lot of other adventure gamers do too as the sales records of Myst, Riven and Myst III already showed this to us. I also like educational games I do not mind learning new things or get a new perspective on old ideas. Sometimes these “edugames” are more like interactive books but if the subject matter is interesting I am game. If you are interested in Chinese culture, literature, art and archeological findings you are in your element, if you are not you will be bored to death.

Story

Qin is exactly what its title describes: it is the exploration of an underground necropolis the tomb that contains all that Qin Shi Huangdi a great emperor of China had during his rein.

A Mega Media, an international conglomerate finances an archeological expedition to locate a fabled buried city. The purpose of this expedition is more than meets the eye, the financial giant is looking for the “elixir of life” that is supposedly secreted somewhere in this city.

You play an archeologist who is searching for this underground city and find its entrance, by accident, during an earthquake. Suddenly this new and exciting underground word is yours to explore. You encounter works shops, stores, canals, gardens, palaces, temples, they are colorful and authentic and very interesting to explore. At the end you are called upon to make a very serious and important decision that will govern the outcome of the game. It is your call, do what you think is best.

Gameplay

There is an extensive and well-written manual. It not only elaborates on the history of the Qin Empire but also gives detailed information of the time of the game. The cursor is indicative: objects can be picked up examined and manipulated. This is all well explained in the manual.

Option Screen: Start/exit, game, save, help and adjusts preferences form music on/off to cursor speed and brightness.

Navigation is either by keyboard arrows or by mouse clicking on the arrows provided at the lower left screen, active direction shows on an indicator at the lower right screen.

The Data Visor on the top of the screen gives access to:

The newsreader gives contemporary news at the supposed time the adventure takes place.

The interpreter will translate text and symbols in a separate small window on the screen. Spoken Chinese will be simultaneously translated.

Maps: map of the current realm can be accessed and the location indicator shows the player’s position.

Transport nodes can take you back to already visited places.

Archive contains the Encyclopedia and the Room Index.

You can explore each level at will but better be careful how since there are places where you need to do a mild pixel hunting at others the approach has to be in a certain way.

There are three possible game ending, governed by the player’s choice

Puzzles

This word has five realms and as you solve the puzzles you advance to the next level. Some puzzles require you to find objects and move them to specific places, others that you manipulate elements in a specific view. There are plenty of clues about. There is however an exception, where you think you are supposed to think of the regular north south directions when actually the cardinal directions should be used.

The puzzles are not hard and are well integrated with the story and gently lead you on the path of Chinese history, literature, culture and art. You gain a lot of interesting information this way without being exposed to heavy-handed instructions.

The graphics

The game is made up of slideshow like graphics that are historically accurate, beautifully presented and have a mysterious quality perfectly fitting the subject.

Music

The music is quite nice and it reflects the subject matter. I liked it, but that may be just a matter of taste.

My Final thoughts:

This is a short but enjoyable game provided you would like to learn more about Chinese culture, art and way of life in the time of Qin. If you do you will have an informative experience, if you do not and want a fast game with a lots of action look elsewhere because you will be bored here.

There is more information to be had about the Qin Empire here:

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/7547/

This game will play on XP with the compatibility adjustments.

 

System Requirements:

PC

  • Windows 3.1/95
  • 2X CD-ROM drive
  • Screen capable of displaying 256 colors
  • 8MB RAM

Mac

  • Performa or better/33 MHz (68040 processor or higher)
  • * 12 MB RAM, or 8 MB of Available RAM
  • * Color monitor with 256 colors or better
  • * Double-speed CD-ROM drive (4X CD-ROM recommended)

Review Grade:    C++

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