GameSpot & 1UP Review Dreamfall: The Longest Journey

[Borys]

Another day another batch of Dreamfall (http://www.dreamfall.com/), a sequel to The Longest Journey, reviews hit the web. This time it's GameSpot (http://www.gamespot.com/), 1UP (http://www.1up.com/) and GameSpy (http://www.gamespy.com) with their articles.

GameSpot's Greg Kasavin gives Dreamfall 8.1 (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/longestjourney2wt/review.html) with these ending comments:

Despite the far-flung premise of Dreamfall, the game touches on a number of classical themes. The importance of faith, the significance of dreams, the value of trust, and the need to be free are all woven into a story that runs the emotional gamut from excitement and intrigue to sadness and fear to relief and hilarity. Sound too good to be true? In some respects, unfortunately, it is.
1UP posted a very harsh review with a very low (4.0 (http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3149773&did=1)) score:

The other aspect of the new 3D engine that could have picked up some of the slack was the addition of stealth and beat-em-up action. It goes disastrously. The fighting, hand-to-hand or armed depending on the character, is a numb, mushy, button-mashing mess.

Finally here's GameSpy's take on this adventure with a perfect (5/5 (http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/dreamfall/702029p1.html)) score:


It's been a long-time since The Longest Journey was released, with fans of the game wondering whether a sequel could possibly match the original. They need wonder no longer. Dreamfall is an amazing journey that propels players into a world where science, magic, art, and music combine to make a whole much greater than the sum of its parts.
8.1? A far cry from 9.3 (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/longestjourney/review.html?page=1&q=&q=)that Gamespot gave The Longest Journey... Shame, really.

[Kefkataran]

It may not be as good as Longest Journey, but man 8.1 is still a great score. Can't complain too much about that.

[Spiffae]

I realize an 8.1 is not a 9.3, but I call foul on that quote from Gamespot - they really liked the game, and I am tempted to try it out based on their review. More quotes, for clarity:

GameSpot's Greg Kasavin gives Dreamfall 8.1 (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/longestjourney2wt/review.html) with these comments:Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is, first and foremost, a great work of science fiction. Such a complex plot, endearing characters, and imaginative settings and situations are highly uncommon to gaming, or any medium for that matter. Those familiar with the game's predecessor might expect no less, since it's widely considered one of the best adventure games ever made. Judged as a follow-up to a beloved classic, Dreamfall does not disappoint, for the most part. It exhibits the unique attention to detail and terrific presentation that made The Longest Journey so remarkable for its time. But Dreamfall also does an excellent job drawing in new players as well as those fans patiently awaiting this sequel. The actual gameplay is a blend of action adventure conventions, but it clearly isn't the main draw. It's there to help make the story more engaging, and that's more or less what it does. Yet, as impressive as the story is, it ends too quickly to leave you feeling fully satisfied when you finally reach the game's bewildering, enlightening, frustrating, thought-provoking conclusion. Is the journey itself worth your while, though? Absolutely, yes.The game controls quite well. The camera can get a little awkward in tight quarters, but since there aren't many action sequences, this is almost never a liability. Numerous objects in the environment become highlighted as you approach them, and you can also examine them from afar. Your character's initial observations about a given object may reveal more information, prompting you to take a closer look. Or, similarly, you might observe new things about someone after having spoken at length with him or her. Better yet, since Zoë isn't the only character you'll get to play as in Dreamfall, it can be really rewarding to visit the same places from different perspectives. In one remarkable little moment, your control shifts between two different characters conversing with each other, effectively letting you direct both sides of the discussion. Also, while you might initially find yourself wishing you had access to a map, none of the game's areas are so expansive as to require one. You'll sooner appreciate being able to explore all these places at your own pace while soaking in the detail.They had issues with the ending, and that's a shame, but the impression I get from the review is that if it weren't for a rushed ending, the game would be up there with The Longest Journey.

From a photo caption:In an alternate reality somewhere, Dreamfall is a few hours longer and considered the greatest work of video game fiction ever made.I'm interested

[Kefkataran]

Basically everything I'm reading about this game makes it sound like a great adventure game with a great STORY but very much not focused on gameplay. And honestly, I'm fine with that. I'll be buying it soon.

[Savok]

Yeah, I may try to live through it simply for the plot, hell I did it with Soul Reaver 2. Such a shame they had to fuck the gameplay up so much.

[Mitza]

Gamespy review: http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/dreamfall/702029p1.html
5/5

[Kefkataran]

Yeah, I may try to live through it simply for the plot, hell I did it with Soul Reaver 2. Such a shame they had to fuck the gameplay up so much.

Totally with you. I loved the story of the Kain series, but god the gameplay just got worse and worse.

[Borys]

Thanks for the heads-up Mitza.

[Royal Fool]

PR nightmare for Funcom, eh?

[Kefkataran]

PR nightmare for Funcom, eh?

Huh? .......

[Paranoia]

PR nightmare for Funcom, eh?

Not even close. Bethesda horse armour was far worst.

[Wyrm]

Gamespy cannot be trusted. I want to believe this game is good, but a perfect score? Yeah right.

[alienchild]

TLJ was never about the gameplay. I can live with the fact that they pull down the score because of "lack of gameplay". What I don't like to hear is that the ending was rushed. Reading the Ragnar interview though, there'll be a third and last TLJ.

[Reanimated]

Totally with you. I loved the story of the Kain series, but god the gameplay just got worse and worse.




So true. Defiance was just pure trash. Whoever came up with that camera system should be shot on sight. It's a real shame what happened to that series. I was a huge fan of LoK going all the way back to Blood Omen on the PS1.

Oh well. There's always hope for a revival. Tomb Raider certainly found it's way back onto my games shelf with Legend, so that gives me hope for the revival of other series.

[DingBat]

I'm not sure "far cry" means what you think it means. The difference in the scores for the two games amounts to 12%, which is surely within reason for two different games reviewed by, I assume, two different people.

Time to rein in the hyperbole, perhaps?

[bapenguin]

8.1? A far cry from 9.3 (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/longestjourney/review.html?page=1&q=&q=)that Gamespot gave The Longest Journey... Shame, really.

In all honesty, there haven't been many sequels that are better than their original.

[KamaItachi]

In all honesty, there haven't been many sequels that are better than their original.

You think?

While it may be the case for many "classics", games are one of the few mediums where sequels really can be better than the original.

[Heretic Machine]

You think?

While it may be the case for many "classics", games are one of the few mediums where sequels really can be better than the original.

Agreed... they are almost always better when you think about it. But I think the memory of stinker sequels is much more prominent.

[H.Bogard]

Damn...those reviews are really really mixed... O_O

5/5, 8.1/10, 7.something/10, 4/10...wtf?

[Kefkataran]

Bogard, if you actually read them instead of just looking at the score, they make sense. Basically, all of the authors are using extremely different criterion. The 5 is from someone who's rating it on the story alone and was obviously a fan of the Longest Journey. The two higher-end scores are also fans who love the story but knock it down a little for being gameplay light. And the 4 is quite obviously (given his all-but straight out statement of it at the beginning) from someone who hated the first game, isn't into the story, and is reviewing based on gameplay alone. In a game that's so story-focused that it doesn't have that much real gameplay, it'd make sense that that would be the lowwww score.

[MosBen]

Any tips on where I could pick the original up? Other than ebay, I can figure that one out, but I prefer to just walk into a store and leave with my game. I don't know, maybe I'm crazy. Anyway, sometimes when I'm in the mall I half-heartedly ask the guys behind the counter if they have TLJ and they, predictably, look at me the deer in headlights gaze that tell me they've gone to their happy place, where the preorders flow like the salmon of capastrano.

[Savok]

... I liked Defiance.

Sure the camera was crap, pure crap, but the telekinesis was a fun little gimmick and we got to play Kain in his more "divine" state. Soul Reaver 2 simply had nothing going for it (compared to Soul Reaver 1, which was amazing in pretty much every aspect), though the ending was a nice change from the typical trend.

[Draft]

holy SHIT you are such a blinder wearing douchebag. Jesus fucking CHRIST Gamespot gave it a fucking 8, Gamespy gave it a goddamn PERFECT SCORE, and your only comment? "Boy, a whole point lower than the original. What a shame. Thanks Xbox. A durp a dur."

You are a fucking fanboy moron.

[Derella]

Any tips on where I could pick the original up? Other than ebay, I can figure that one out, but I prefer to just walk into a store and leave with my game. I don't know, maybe I'm crazy. Anyway, sometimes when I'm in the mall I half-heartedly ask the guys behind the counter if they have TLJ and they, predictably, look at me the deer in headlights gaze that tell me they've gone to their happy place, where the preorders flow like the salmon of capastrano.
The easiest place to get it is likely at funcom.com -- they have it available for $14.99.

Finding it in a retail store will likely prove very difficult. It would probably be found in a bargain bin, or in the pre-played section.

[Panda Love]

Any tips on where I could pick the original up? Other than ebay, I can figure that one out, but I prefer to just walk into a store and leave with my game. I don't know, maybe I'm crazy. Anyway, sometimes when I'm in the mall I half-heartedly ask the guys behind the counter if they have TLJ and they, predictably, look at me the deer in headlights gaze that tell me they've gone to their happy place, where the preorders flow like the salmon of capastrano.
I found a copy in the ten dollar rack at Comp USA, they still have some if you want me to ship it from Alaska. :)

Might be cheaper then 15, actually...

[Neosho]

holy SHIT you are such a blinder wearing douchebag. Jesus fucking CHRIST Gamespot gave it a fucking 8, Gamespy gave it a goddamn PERFECT SCORE, and your only comment? "Boy, a whole point lower than the original. What a shame. Thanks Xbox. A durp a dur."

You are a fucking fanboy moron.

I lol'd :rolleyes:

[MosBen]

Well, I broke down and got a copy of Half.com. Should be here in a few days.

[Phanto]

Gamespy review: http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/dreamfall/702029p1.html
5/5


Just to let you know Gamespy its not a bad site but I prefer harder "reviewver", Gamespy gave 5 out 5 for almost all games that comes out, anyway thats just me but I recommend that if you are one of the many that read review before buying or adquiring games look other sites that review games aswell to be more sure ;) .

Maybe I will pick it up this game later it sound interesting :D .

[Borys]

holy SHIT you are such a blinder wearing douchebag. Jesus fucking CHRIST Gamespot gave it a fucking 8, Gamespy gave it a goddamn PERFECT SCORE, and your only comment? "Boy, a whole point lower than the original. What a shame. Thanks Xbox. A durp a dur."

You are a fucking fanboy moron.

I posted my comment in the gentlest way possible, didn't mention Xbox nor Microsoft in a 10 mile radius there and you called me worst names possible.

Keep up the clown work, I had a laugh.

[Spigot]

In my universe, an 8.1 is still a very respectable score.

I'm not liking this talk about a rushed ending, but as for the gameplay, unless it is unplayably broken, I'll be ok with it. From what I've heard, the integration of a 3D world and combat didn't totally destroy the TLJ universe, so that's a good thing. I'm playing this for the story.

While I was originally going to just hold off on getting Dreamfall, I decided this week that I'd break down and pick it up. Of course, every EB I've been to so far has been devoid of it. They're not even sure if it was discontinued by head office before it even shipped, if it's on its way... nothing. It's rather frustrating, I do declare!

While I'm planning on getting the PC version, if the only thing that ends up being available is the Xbox version, I guess I'll have to bite the bullet. Sigh. Ah well.