Windows

Rama

In an admirably restrained, three-disc adaptation, players wander purposefully around the gigantic spaceship, get hints from fellow explorers (delivered in crisp, well-acted video clips), and encounter such extraterrestrial oddities as giant mechanical centipedes. And if you happen to get killed, the septuagenarian Clarke (who helped create the game) appears to offer encouragement and send you back to unravel more otherworldly mysteries.

Overall, I would have to say that RAMA is an interesting game that will keep you on your toes and rekindle that love of math that was forgotten in the back of your head. I would recommend this game to anyone who enjoys figuring out "logical problems" and doesn't have a need for instant gratification. Although I had never heard of the RAMA series before, this game has peaked my interest to the point that I think I will go to the library and check out the books. If they are as good as the game, I should have many hours of happy reading.

The series started with "Rendez-vous with Rama" and today contains three additional titles co-written in a period of ten years by Gentry Lee, Clarke's friend and ex-NASA engineer. Lee is the person responsible for the idea to create a game that would propel players into the mystical universe of Rama. With the help and contribution of Clarke himself, the Rama project became a reality, and is now available as an adventure game that is truly captivating.

Rama is een prachtig spel dat je voor een lange tijd kan boeien. De drie CD's lijken aanvankelijk weinig, maar zijn dit niet. Zowel beginners als avonturiers vinden hun gading. Toch merk je dat ik het niet de hemel in prijs. Vermits ik het plot reeds van het begin doorhad (van in de eerste kamer), verdween een deel van de spanning en was mijn nieuwsgierigheid om dit ruimteschip te onderzoeken, getemperd.

Rama has some similarities to Lighthouse in that you are exploring an alien environment and in many ways the puzzles are even more abstract, but I enjoyed them much more. Puck is a great help here as he helps you to make sense out of many of the devices you find. I thought the game was excellent, though I know it isn't for everyone. Some of the puzzles are quite tricky and it does involve very careful observation to operate many of the weird devices, so I wouldn't recommend it for novice players. Also the video sequences don't have text translations so those of you with hearing difficulties will surely be infuriated. You'll have to stick to the books, I'm afraid.

LucasArts, bitte herhören: Das hätte alles in "The Dig" drin sein können: ein vernünftiger Plot ohne Esoterik-Ende nach dem Motto "Zeitreise macht alles wieder gut", ein Berg von knackigen Puzzles, fremdartige Aliens und Technologie und einfach mehr Interaktion mit einer fremden Welt. Natürlich ist auch das Rama-Spiel nicht ohne Makel.

Spielerisch wird mit Rama kein Neuland betreten. Die gelungene Aufmachung und die persönliche Mitarbeit der Science Fiction-Legende Arthur C. Clarke sorgen jedoch trotzdem dafür, daß sich dieses Produkt deutlich von durchschnittlichen Grafik-Adventures abhebt. Wer die Romane kennt, sollte sich auch das "Spiel zum Buch" ansehen.

Rama is a puzzle-driven adventure and the story that develops during the game is on the sketchy side. You never do gain much insight into Rama's purpose. Nor do you learn any details of how or why Borzov died. Nor do you interact meaningfully with the other characters. Your main concern in the game is to solve puzzles - inventory puzzles, puzzles involving recognition and continuation of a sequence, puzzles involving addition and subtraction in other bases, and a few other types. Much of the first part of the game involves searching for disks in the environment, which you will use in door puzzles to gain entry into various buildings that are part of Rama. The second part of the game is also mainly based on exploring, collecting and using inventory, and manipulating controls in order to access new areas. It's the puzzles, not the story, that drive the game. If you are looking for a story, you'll have to read the book(s).

If what you're looking for in an adventure game is plenty of challenging puzzles, you'll be in high heaven with Rama. It's not without its problems and idiosyncrasies, however, and if you enjoy a little character interaction woven into your puzzle-solving forays you're likely to be left a little cold by the non-interactive video clips used for conversation.