Windows

The Beast Within: A Gabriel Knight Mystery

Tras el éxito de la primera parte de Gabriel Knight, que quizás fue la aventura que dio el empujón a las aventuras "para adultos", Sierra dio uno de sus cambios radicales de tecnología y Jane Jensen diseñó su segunda parte en el polémico FMV (video a pantalla completa, muy de moda entonces), y consiguió otra magnífica aventura, apasionante en todo momento, que al igual que la anterior cosechó muy buenas críticas y varios premios.

Until you've played one of the Gabriel Knight series, you can't truly call yourself an adventure gamer. These classic games immerse players in heart-throbbing suspense, constantly focusing on the story, the story, the story. You're caught up in it, part of it, intrigued, frustrated, triumphant, and just plain scared by your experiences on the screen. That's adventure!

Jane Jensen is the best storyteller to write computer games. No one can deny it or say someone else is better. If you believe Take 2's Black Dahlia has a storyline "that blends reality and fiction in perfect rapport," then you just have to repent and pray to be forgiven ... and play Gabriel Knight 2 to see what a strong storyline should be like.

Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers is considered by many to be among the best animated graphic adventure games of all times. It is only natural for Sierra On-Line to capitalize on its success by making a sequel. With the advent of Full Motion Video in game design, many critics are complacent when it is learned that its sequel, The Beast Within: A Gabriel Knight Mystery, has incorporated this technology in place of animations to achieve the so-called interactive movie experience. This worry is well founded considering that many games incorporating this multimedia technology have failed so miserably. Fortunately, the strong direction by Jane Jensen has ensured that, once again, the story and gameplay are not overshadowed by technology. The Beast Within: A Gabriel Knight Mystery is therefore a rare example of success in the use of this interactive medium.

Questo gioco è frutto di un grosso impegno creativo, per quanto riguarda la storia, per i riferimenti culturali, le ricostruzioni ambientali e i dialoghi curati da Jane Jensen, sia per quanto riguarda gli enigmi, non difficilissimi ma comunque impegnativi e ben inseriti nel contesto. Vi sono delle scene piuttosto realistiche che possono non rivelarsi adatte per ragazzi troppo giovani ma che sono d'altronde necessarie e peculiari alla narrazione. Non è facile definire quale sia l'elemento che rende un gioco avvincente e coinvolgente, ma di sicuro questo lo è perché raggiunge perfettamente il suo scopo; creare nel giocatore una suspence, una tensione, una suggestione tenebrosa di pericolo incombente e e nello stesso tempo prenderti emotivamente per la gola e condurti senza fiato verso lo svelamento del mistero ultimo.

In conclusion, Gabriel Knight II is an excellent game. While other games at the time used full motion video as this does, they tended to be fairly poor, lacking the effectiveness of either movies or less realistic games. In this case, however, the movies are well-directed and at least decently acted, and are supported by some very well-chosen actors, such as Peter Lucas in the part of Baron von Glower. The game play is fun, the story is well-written and interesting, and the characters have advanced nicely from their previous adventure. The graphics are at times beautiful, and the music at its best stirring and dramatic. This is a game that I definitely recommend to any who might find the themes of interest, and would suggest that others at least try if they come by it for a decent price.

Jane Jensen ist mit diesem Spiel mehr als nur ein würdiger Nachfolger zu ihrem Erstlingswerk Sins of the Fathers gelungen. Sie hat es geschafft, mit einem fähigen Team von Filmleuten und Grafikern, den Musik-Kompositionen ihres Ehemannes Robert Holmes, einer Menge an kluger Rätsel und einer ebenso fesselnden wie faszinierenden Geschichte (die bis heute Ihresgleichen sucht), ein atmosphärisches Meisterwerk zu schaffen, das selbst noch in Zeiten, in denen 3D-Grafik nur noch Nostalgiker interessiert, ein einzigartiges Spielerlebnis sein wird.

Du bliver ikke skræmt til døde af The Beast Within - dertil er der alt for få chok-effekter. Til gengæld får du overbelastning, hjernesvind og en lang interaktiv thriller, der med få skønhedspletter rammer lige i plet.

Bardzo dziwi mnie, że nie powstają już filmowe przygodówki - pomimo pojawienia się DVD na rynku nie pojawiła się chyba żadna. Tym bardziej polecam więc zagranie w Gabriela Knighta 2. To wspaniała przygoda, o scenariuszu epickich proporcji, bardzo długa i niezwykle wciągająca, ale uwaga - tylko dla ambitnych. Szczerze rekomenduję.

Let me say at the outset that I really enjoyed The Sins of the Fathers -- the first Gabriel Knight story by Jane Jensen. It was without a doubt one of the best graphic adventure games I have played. It had an interesting story, some great puzzles and an interface that allowed you to do lots of different things. When I heard that the second Gabriel Knight mystery was going to feature live actors and full motion video I immediately feared the worst. My fears were compounded when I played Phantasmagoria and discovered lots of video footage but precious little adventuring. Now, having recently finished The Beast Within, I have to admit to having mixed feelings about this game.

In the mid-nineties, the big buzzword in the computer gaming industry was "Interactive Movies." Hollywood had invaded gaming, and production companies now had to worry about blue-screens and actors as much as puzzles and gameplay.

Gabriel Knight 2's storyline was the most intriguing and creative one I've seen in an adventure game; the game smoothly integrates puzzles and clues into the plot; it has a low frustration level; it would be challenging for beginning and intermediate level adventure gamers. Cons: Advanced adventure gamers might breeze through this one a bit quickly.

Lock your doors and turn off the phone. Just don’t forget to eat and sleep. Put in the first CD of Gabriel Knight and enter the magic.

This is well-executed, visceral, mentally exhausting, and exciting entertainment.

Gabriel 2 är fortfarande inte i klass med traditionella äventyrsspel, men erbjuder mycket underhållning.