The Longest Journey part 2: Dreamfall

[Adagio]

...and here's the last bad news:

I didn't believe any adventure game could have a worse ending than The Black Mirror... but I was wrong... this game leaves you at a cliffhanger, 1000+ unanswered questions, almost not questions that was answered... at least not of the important ones

Also (as some might remember), the old dreamfall site, said something about having "3 characters, 3 worlds, 3 endings"... not much of it is true. The 3 endings are actually just one and the 3 worlds is more or less just 2 as you only spend very little time in 'Winter' (only video sequence, no missions)

This feels like an unfinished product. I believe that what they had in mind when they started on this, was too much, so they cut the "real" ending out, which they'll probably include in an expansion pack or sequel

[Quillan]

There is definitely a planned third one. That was clear from the reviews. I just got my copy of the first one in the mail today. I hope it doesn't take another 6 years for number 3 to come out...

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by Adagio
...and here's the last bad news:

I didn't believe any adventure game could have a worse ending than The Black Mirror... but I was wrong... this game leaves you at a cliffhanger, 1000+ unanswered questions, almost not questions that was answered... at least not of the important ones

Also (as some might remember), the old dreamfall site, said something about having "3 characters, 3 worlds, 3 endings"... not much of it is true. The 3 endings are actually just one and the 3 worlds is more or less just 2 as you only spend very little time in 'Winter' (only video sequence, no missions)

This feels like an unfinished product. I believe that what they had in mind when they started on this, was too much, so they cut the "real" ending out, which they'll probably include in an expansion pack or sequel

And you made it sound even worse again! Given my packed gaming schedule at the moment it looks like I wont even bother with this for a while.

[Adagio]

It would be wise to wait for the sequel, before you start playing it... that is, if you're really interested in the story...

[FrostyBoy]

Well, I just started lastnight, I have to say, the graphics are really really cool. Very immersive. (well at least in Capetown city)

[DaShi]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger


That's a deal breaker for me.

Can't you just go to Kowloon and get a 'copy' there?

[Tau Ceti]

There was an interview with game director Ragnar Tørnquist in Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten last week. It is in Norwegian, but I guess Adagio can read it. Apparently most of the things criticised here are conscious design choices (my translation):

- Gamespot is mostly jubilant, but is disapponted that the game is only about 10 hours long and that the ending does not give a sense of closure.

- The length is a very clear choice. I like games of 10-15 hours length. As an adult I do not have so much time. Reviewers do not do anything except play games, so of course they want more when they like something. Not resolving everything at the end is also a clear conscious choice. I like shows like "Lost", where you never get a clear answer. Instead you get more questions. That does not mean we are not going to finish the story. If Dreamfall becomes a success, we will hopefully make another sequel.

- The reviewer from IGN is the most negative one. He points out that the game was too easy.

- The Longest Journey was at times very difficult. We were very conscious about making Dreamfall easy. About 50 per cent to two thirds of all games are never played through by those who by them, because people get stuck. We wanted to make a game that is easy to sit down with, but still engaging.

Catering to Sunday gamers.

Though it is the first time I have seen a computer game on the front page of one of Aftenposten's sections.

[FrostyBoy]

The game is fine, I am enjoying it, and my girl friend (notice the gap ) is enjoying it emmensly, this is her first time at playing an adventure game, and already she is very engaged. So they must have done something right.

[Adagio]

I do get his point about most gamers will never finish the game, but to make the game extremely easy is not the solution. I'd say the best solution would be if the game could give hints from time to time, when the player is stuck at a part of the game for too long (of course these hints are optional, so a player who wants to play without any hints can do that)
And what he said about Lost is not 100% true, you do get some questions answered from time to time, but sure, most of the questions remain unanswered. But Lost has something that Dreamfall doesn't: The show wont stop now, so at some point you get the answers, but we don't know if we'll ever get the end of the story for Dreamfall

[DrSpike]

10 hours is pathetic, and making it easy by removing the puzzles is just silly. This is a classic example of the sunday gamer phenomenon.

[FrostyBoy]

Just out of curiosity. Who here prefers the old 2D style (think Monkey Island 1 and 2) graphics, or the current 3D graphics? (For adventure games)

[Adagio]

3D graphics (as in Dreamfall) can help the game, but it takes a lot longer time to create the locations
IMHO Grim Fandango would have been even better if it was in 3rd person mode like Dreamfall
I also like Grim Fandango's style better than the point 'n' click system (or pixel hunting as some would call it)

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by Sn00py
Just out of curiosity. Who here prefers the old 2D style (think Monkey Island 1 and 2) graphics, or the current 3D graphics? (For adventure games)

I think it doesn't really matter - it's possible to make great games with either, even today. However, given the state of the market we aren't likely to see anything other than the 3D games.

The newer games are more immersive than any of the old classics, but as a price they are shorter as a rule, and even the good ones like Syberia are less puzzle oriented than say the LucasArts games.

[Datajack Franit]

Well I finished TLJ in one day only, so 10 hours is pretty normal I guess

[Adagio]

One day? I believe the average for TLJ is 40-50 hours