DREAMCAST
Publisher: Sega
Reviewed by GameCritics on 11/28/00

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First Impressions:

Graphics:

Graphically, the game is presented in a sparse 3-D environment that could be described as bland. Seaman's physical features are more detailed and capable of a wide range of emotions, but visually, there's still not much to get excited about.

Sound/Music:

There is no background music in Seaman and there are no extraneous sounds beyond what nature had intended. It's an intentional decision by the developers and for the most it works since most of the time, Seaman's constant chatter fills the silent void.

Gameplay:

Seaman isn't a game in the traditional "command and conquer" sense. Seaman is a somewhat passive experience best described as part digital pet and part conversational simulator, but 100 percent strangeness. Seamen are mysterious creatures that basically start off looking like fish with human faces. Players are charged with the task of being the caretaker of the independent thinking Seaman from birth to maturity and beyond. Direct control over the Seamen is impossible, but players can manipulate a hand-shaped cursor to perform several different interactions with the creatures through the aquarium-like interface. While not the most intuitive control system, tapping, tickling, flicking, feeding, grabbing are all the physical possibilities that are manageable.

But perhaps the most unique twist to this already twisted game is that players are able to verbally interact with Seaman through a microphone attached to the Dreamcast controller (note: microphone is included with game). Once the Seamen develop the ability of speech, they will snappishly respond to most of your remarks and will also inquisitively delve into the details of your life. As with most new technology, the two-way voice recognition is far from perfect, as Seaman will struggle to recognize a few select words. Yet the conversations that take place between Seaman and the player are still unprecedented for a console game and probably still far more lively, diverse and convincing then anyone would have imagined.

Enjoyment:

When it comes to landmark titles like Seaman that transcend genres, it's hard to make specific recommendations to different groups of gamers. Seaman is obviously not for the traditional gamer, who feel the need for clear structure, goals and rewards. But if you're like me and you like games that are different, quirky and innovative, Seaman is a worthwhile, one-of-a-kind experience that is imaginative and wondrous. For gamers who do choose to experience Seaman, I do have a couple of warnings that should be heeded. First of all, Seaman is at times aesthetically unappealing. His freakish look grew on me over an extended time, but some gamers may be put off or outright disturbed by his appearance. Seaman will also require a bit of dedication on the part of the caretaker. It's not a terribly demanding task, but like raising any pet, close to daily attention is necessary, and long-term neglect and mistreatment can be unforgiving and result in deadly repercussions (thankfully, an appropriately cast narrator of the game, Leonard Nimoy, does offer scant, but useful tips and guidance at the beginning of each session).

Multiplayer:

NA

Overall Impression:

There isn't much else I can say about it. Seaman is a game of observation, discovery and the miracles of nature replicated in a digital environment. Unsuspectingly, Seaman is also a game of socialization, self-introspection and can often behave like a digital therapist. For me elaborate any further would essentially spoil the experience. All I will say is that I found raising Seaman to be an engaging and often enlightening experience. The game is not without flaws, but the technological feats that the game accomplishes and the emotional depths that the game explores still constantly surprised me and made the experience worthwhile. My last comment may sound greatly exaggerated given the premise of the game is allusively about feeding a digital fish! But trust me when I say that Seaman is a gaming experience like no other, and I feel better for having played it. I don't know all gamers will share in a similar experience as I did. I can only hope that readers will take the chance (regret is optional) and open their minds to Seaman so that Sega, Vivarium and other developers will continue to produce imaginative and innovative titles like this one. HAL has arrived and his new name is Seaman.

Marketing Efforts Towards Women:

Print ads and television spots for Seaman went for the "gross-out" factor more than anything else. It's arguable that this form of advertising is traditionally targeted at a youthful male audience. The actual game itself takes more of a scientific approach that favors neither male nor female persuasions. In fact, Seaman's responses and comments are often tailored towards the answer of its caretaker. In other words, Seaman will acknowledge female players as such and make appropriate comments and conversations based on responses given. In that sense, Seaman is a fairly progressive because when was the last time a videogame even bothered to draw a distinction between male and female game players.

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