Syberia 2
Preview
Let’s get one
thing settled right away. The graphics are stunning. It is hard for
me to believe it could get any better than Syberia, but it is
amazing how finessing the look here and there can take things to a
whole new level. There is gently falling snow that settles to the
ground, and a richer ambient sound to the sequel. There are so many
little things that bring this game to life and create a rich
tapestry of sight and sound as you pass through. A rabbit pauses as
it crosses your path and look back quickly before it scampers on
it’s way. A wolf slinks through the distant woods, as you walk
along, your footprints gently filling in with newly fallen snow. It
has been a long time between these two games and it is easy to
forget how good a game can truly look and feel. No matter how well I
try to describe Syberia 2, it will still surprise. You will just
have to see it all unfold for yourself. I can tell you that when
this game releases – you are in for an experience you will savor for
some time.
Where is Kate now?
At the
beginning of the game, we find ourselves on the train in a new
faraway town. Hans, who we barely met at the end of Syberia, is
tinkering away in his workshop on the train. He seems more capable
than before, but also frailer. There is a nagging cough that occurs
and somehow you know that time is precious. Oscar is tending to his
train – but he too has evolved. He is as opinionated as ever, but
now there is a detectable tenderness in his cadences and dealings
with Kate. And of greater importance, is the unique and eventful
role Oscar will come to play in this journey. What that choice
involves, is for you to discover on your own. I can say you will be
surprised and perhaps moved by this part of the game. As for the
world Kate left behind? It’s still there and plays an interesting
part in the sequel, but Kate is long past heeding their calls.
Old Friends
and New
There will be
news about and encounters with characters from Kate’s past. There is
a careful attentiveness to continuity between the first part of this
game and the conclusion. I won’t spoil any of the surprises in this
preview, but I really felt that many questions lingering from part
one were reconciled. And then there are all the new faces to meet
and discover. There are so many characters that weren’t even covered
in the pre-release news. These lesser characters are as memorable as
any others you will meet in the game. It seems amazing to me that
with the right voice actor and a deft hand with the art – even the
smallest of encounters tells you so much about the person you are
interacting with. I don’t believe anyone in the industry can bring
characters to life with such seeming ease, as Benoit and company. If
you loved Momo - you will want to take Malka home with you. Then
there is the warm-hearted owner of the cabaret. The small- minded,
but struggling to be more, Colonel Emeliov. And no preview would be
complete without a nod to the rambunctious Youki, I found these
characters captivating. I have barely scratched the surface of this
new wondrous world with Kate and her companions. No matter – they
had me with Oscar’s first words in the game.
Devices and
artifices
One convenient
feature in the main menu is a beautifully done short film that hits
the highlights and storyline of part one of Syberia. It seems a
shame to bypass Syberia 1, but you can follow events and characters
in the conclusion without having played it. For those who have
played game one, it is still nice to have a quick summary of past
events to bring you back up to speed with Kate and her adventures.
One item still
present is Kate’s phone. But it isn’t ringing, well not much anyway.
And it serves a better purpose, than fielding pesky calls from back
home. You can now access Oscar by phone at any time. No more running
back and forth to discuss some new discovery or dilemma. On another
note, it is also pleasant to hear a friendly voice on that cell
phone for a change.
Of course,
there are more of the wondrous devices created by Hans, encountered
along the road to Syberia. Many are an old familiar sort, beautiful
machines of whimsy and delight that need a little tinkering and
hands on to get moving again. Others are quite exceptional and
unexpected. There are also a number of challenges that involve
fantastic conveyances and mechanical oddities that were built by
quite different hands and minds.
What will
surprise some gamers are the number of pure puzzles sprinkled
liberally through out the game. For those who think they have this
game pegged from past exposure to Syberia 1 or even the short and
narrow slice of the game represented by the playable demo – well
they will be wrong. This is such large game world. Aside from
several large environments, the diversity and number of places in
the game surpass part one substantially. The challenges and gameplay
are more detailed and complex as well. It is clear now, why this
game had to be broken into two parts. Anticipate spending quite a
while on this trek through towns, monasteries, wild places, woods,
villages and more. Unless of course you opt to walk-through this
game, which as with any of Benoit’s creative efforts… well, that
would be a real loss. Rambling around all the many places, vistas
and wonders in this game is more than half the joy.
Final thoughts
are pretty simple. Mark your calendars, watch for pre-order sites –
you do not want to miss this game. Now as for myself, I have a train
to wind and as we all know that usually involves a whole lot more
than simply turning a crank.
Would you
like to learn more about Syberia 2? Read the full review by
gatorlaw.
design copyright ©
2004
GameBoomers
Group
