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Neverhood
Published By: DreamWorks/Microsoft
Reviewed
by Circe
6/11/99
Article
Discussion Forum
First
Impressions:
The
Neverhood Chronicles, a highly creative graphical adventure
from DreamWorks Interactive, uses claymation in place of
the more commonly found computer-generated or hand-drawn
visuals. The resulting effect is captivating and combined
with the original musical score, quirky characters, and
clever logical puzzles--makes The Neverhood Chronicles is
highly worth recommending.
You
guide your character, Klayman, through 3 visual modes: first
person where you see through his eyes, a third person side
view of the action where you see your character in his environment
and can move freely about, and thirdly, claymation action
movie sequences full of hysterically funny scenes that begin
after you perform an important task.
Graphics:
The
graphics are phenomenal. This is a game based fully on claymation.
Ever remember being really into watching those old Rudolph
the Red Nosed Reindeer claymation cartoons around Christmas
time when you were a kid? The game is like that but even
better.
Sound:
Just
as much as the claymation environment set this game apart
from the rest, so did the MUSIC. An absolutely perfect score
for such a touchy-feely set-the twangy blues-country music
substitutes in for interactive dialogue. Guaranteed you
will start humming it in the shower as soon as you start
playing.
Gameplay:
The
puzzles are your common fare including mazes, sliders, and
sequences where to solve them you have to jot down the clues
you see throughout the game and then piece them together
when you find the corresponding puzzle. Items that you pick
up throughout the game are stored in your chest, but you
can't ever look in to see what you have--- something that
did frustrate me a little when trying to solve puzzles.
Enjoyment:
This
game was very enjoyable mainly because of its creativity
and uniqueness. I cannot wait to see what else this design
team comes out with.
Their first game will be hard to beat! Ensure that you watch
"The making of Neverhood" on the game CD- it too
is extremely interesting and entertaining. It widens your
respect for these designers.
Multiplayer:
Not
Applicable. This is a single player game.
Overall
Impression:
All
in all, this was a truly refreshing, original game that
I highly recommend to anyone from kids to adults, male or
female.
Marketing
Efforts Towards Women:
All
the characters in the game are male, however they do not
market directly towards any particular gender. It's a neutrally
marketed game, and a wonderful one at that.
Cheats,
Hints, and URLs:
In
the market for a great cheat book? We highly recommend The
Neverhood : Inside Moves (available at Amazon.Com)
by Leslie Mizell. Usually ships within 24 hours.
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