Xbox

Galleon

Galleon: Islands of Mystery is the game that Tomb Raider: Legacy of Darkness should’ve been. It’s innovative in ways that Tomb Raider hasn’t been for years. Moreover, it’s just plain fun. It’s a laid-back alternative to the Prince of Persia games that stresses exploring over fast-paced platforming. Confounding Factor set out to create the heir apparent to the throne abdicated by the dying Tomb Raider franchise. I would say they accomplished their mission. Galleon was a great surprise, and if Toby Gard, now back with Eidos, can work his magic on Tomb Raider again, maybe that series will back on the right track.

The world couldn't have changed more since Galleon was first envisioned in 1997. After numerous potential systems, dozens of release dates, and a handful of publishers, Galleon: Islands of Mystery is landing on Microsoft's Xbox and is being published by Atlus. Yes, Atlus, the Japanese company otherwise known for publishing Ogre Battle, Tactics Ogre and Persona. Nearly seven years have passed since its inception. Five Tomb Raider games have been rushed out the door. Lara Croft, Gard's creation, is the most popular female game character in the history of videogames. Since Gard and co-founder Paul Douglas left then-burgeoning Core Design Studios in 1997, four new consoles have appeared. One has died, and we're on the verge of a new console war. And Core isn't even in charge of the Tomb Raider series anymore.

The laws of physics have been broken, but there is certain wonder in that. The ship seems only to be 20 yards or so long from the door leading to the stern cabin, but open that door and the 30-35 yards or so revealed is a wonder, marked by a living tree in the aft end of the room.

Galleon: Islands of Mystery has certainly been a long time in the coming. The brainchild of Lara Croft creator Toby Gard, the game was originally announced for the PlayStation in 1997, put on a significant hiatus, re-announced for the Sega’s Dreamcast, pushed back again after that system’s untimely death, only to finally end up as an Xbox exclusive here in the Summer of 2004. It’s remarkable that the game even made it out, really, and like an old, well-traveled vessel of the sea, Galleon will take you on some mighty fine adventures, even despite its several minor leaks, patchwork sails and weather-beaten appearance.

Tomb Raider doesn't get enough respect. Or if it does, it's usually for the wrong reasons. It's easy to forget that Core's 1996 action / adventure was a bone fide groundbreaker, a 3D exploration game that showed the way forward to countless followers. If you're wondering why the Tomb Raider sequels quickly began to suck, it's because the main creative powers behind Ms. Croft had already gone to start a new company, Confounding Factor. It had plenty of exciting ideas for its first game, Galleon. But that was seven years ago. Only now has Galleon finally been deemed seaworthy, and only on Xbox ... all the other versions are long-canceled. How could this possibly bode well for a game? It really doesn't. How amazing, then, that Galleon is as good as it is.

Galleon: Islands of Mystery fails to live up to its incredibly lofty aspirations, but it does so in spectacular fashion. Galleon: Islands of Mystery was originally announced for the Sega Dreamcast way back in 1999. Developed by the original designers of the first Tomb Raider game, Galleon eventually moved to the PS2, then the GameCube, and finally settled as an Xbox-exclusive title during the long course of its development. More than five years after work first started on the game, Galleon is finally here. The ideas and concepts found in Galleon are extremely ambitious--but also deeply flawed mechanically. This is an action adventure game that absolutely permeates with potential, but Galleon just didn't come together as a fully cohesive or entertaining experience.

When a game miraculously reaches store shelves after seven long years of development, there are only two possible outcomes. The game is either the most brilliant, beautiful, well thought out, flawless, and fun creation you've ever laid eyes on, or it isn't. Lara Croft's creator's long awaited (and oft delayed) project, Galleon, has finally sailed -- but its voyage fails to make the impact it would have if released years ago.

It's appropriate that Galleon begins on the waterfront because it could have been a contender. There are some great ideas here, and even greater potential mixed in with some of the most clever platforming segments I've seen in 3D. Too bad its combined with awkward controls, a clichéd story, and tedious combat that end up dragging the whole game down to Davey Jones' Locker

It's appropriate that Galleon begins on the waterfront because it could have been a contender. There are some great ideas here, and even greater potential mixed in with some of the most clever platforming segments I've seen in 3D. Too bad its combined with awkward controls, a clichéd story, and tedious combat that end up dragging the whole game down to Davey Jones' Locker

Quoting the original September 1999 press blurb, it's hard not to crack a smile: "Anticipated for release in spring 2000, Galleon promises to be the ultimate in 3D-adventure gaming." Back in the days when we were looking forward to the Dreamcast, and Galleon was still a PC-only game, Toby Gard's new creation offered "fluid, realistic movement and ultra responsive gameplay". In fact, at E3 2000, we saw the game for our own eyes for the first and only time, and admired the intuitive control system that clambered over obstacles with ease and yet allowed us to negotiate tiny planks in mid-air without crashing to our doom. It was clearly an ambitious game with a unique next-generation visual style, and having enjoyed the original Tomb Raider immensely we marked this down as one to watch.

In the end, I can either pity this title, or I can tell you the truth - Galleon just isn't worth your time.

A l'image du design, chaque élément semble avoir été volontairement allongé dans Galleon. Tellement étiré d'ailleurs que tout se retrouve finalement mince et fragile. Du coup, la jouabilité, toute innovante qu'elle soit, n'est pas assez solide pour soutenir le poids d'un jeu se reposant entièrement sur elle. Naturellement, l'équilibre ne se fait pas et tout se casse la gueule assez vite. Jouer la carte de la sécurité aurait été certes moins gratifiant, mais indéniablement plus salutaire.

The save points are poorly spaced. During one infuriating incident, I painstakingly defeated a giant crab monster, then immediately slid through an "exit" chute, only to fly into a torch and die instantly! Speaking of bosses, your combat strategy against them is predictable - jump on their backs and attack their heads. Galleon contains some nice sound effects and music, but otherwise the game is a mess. With lousy controls, freaky graphics, and innumerable glitches, this one should be marooned on a desert island.