KGB

aka: Conspiracy
Moby ID: 2894
DOS Specs
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Description official descriptions

It is August 1991, the USSR has only a few days left before its tremendous collapse and KGB officer Maksim Rukov has been moved, without explanation, to the newly formed Department P which investigates KGB corruption and roots out possible double-agents and traitors.

The game's interface and engine is based heavily on Cryo's previous game, Dune, using the same point-and-click system, and a pseudo first-person perspective. The game also allowed players to rewind to the beginning of chapters to correct mistakes they had made.

KGB was later re-released in an "enhanced" CD-ROM version featuring new video sections of actor Donald Sutherland as Rukov's father, giving hints and clues whenever needed. The game was also re-titled Conspiracy for this re-release.

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Screenshots

Promos

Credits (DOS version)

42 People (30 developers, 12 thanks) · View all

Produced by
Designed by
Directed by
Background Graphics
Character Graphics
Animations
PC Music from the EXXOS CD "Rave/Age" by
Producer for Cryo
Producer for Virgin Games
Producer for U.S.
Testers
Translations Polylang Limited
Thanks to
Special thanks to
[ full credits ]

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 72% (based on 24 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.8 out of 5 (based on 44 ratings with 7 reviews)

Play for the Motherland, Comrade

The Good
Addicting plot



The Bad
Some puzzles are unreasonable at first glance

The lack of sound effects

The Bottom Line
KGB is an old title from Virgin also know as "the conspiracy". It runs around a department of the KGB called department P, that is investigating the death of an former agent, who became a private eye involved in a snuff videotapes investigation.

Your character, recently transferred from the spetsnaz, is the person responsible for investigating the matter. The original and interesting plot shows some elements in vogue in Russian society at Perestroika times, though, even as a comic relief, grants an stereotypical view of the Russians.

The game is point and click, the puzzles are realistic, even tough though some just make sense after you complete the level (there are four in total), which takes a impulsive player (and even some more thoughtful) to a sequence of trial and error. In the newer version (released on CD-ROM) there is a in-game hint system added for help in this matter.

The system of protection against unauthorized copying does not work, which frees the player from having to play with the manual at side, something common at the time (reminds me of the pain it was trying to figure out where I left the manual every time I wanted to play Wasteland). Despite being old and having little replay value, KGB is a recommended experience.

DOS · by Open_Sights (466) · 2010

Fun to play, too hard, bad ending

The Good
The storyline was very immersive - it sucked you in, and you wanted to find out what happens next, and to get to the bottom of the conspiracies.

It also seemed very well researched - with lots of little nuances to give the convincing atmosphere of the 1980's USSR.

The Bad
As every other review said - it was way too difficult. Difficult not in the sense that you needed to stretch your brain too much - but that some solutions were simply arbitrary - they could not be arrived at by logic alone. This means, that in order to complete the game on your own, you have to invest quite a bit of time in trying arbitrary strategies and restarting when they fail, until you finally arrive at one that works. I ended up giving up on this technique out of frustration, and finished the game with a walkthrough guide, just to get the full storyline.

And although the storyline started out strong, and all the plot twists were real "page-turners," I found the end very disappointing. Some elements remained unexplained, and the resolution was sheer deus ex machina.

The Bottom Line
For all its flaws, I enjoyed playing the game. However, I would not recommend a new player to start playing it - because they will get sucked into a story that has an underwhelming conclusion.

If you do have some time on your hands, however, and don't mind repeated frustration, the game can be very rewarding: I got giddy every time I solved a puzzle. Just don't expect much from the finale.

DOS · by slapyjoe (12) · 2007

Proof that it's not just LucasArts who could do great graphic adventures

The Good
The setting was an unusual choice, and extremely effective, giving the game a rich political and social backdrop as well as allowing for some great subtle humour and satire.

The control system was well-designed, and a good substitute for SCUMM.

Well designed puzzles, great characterisations and sparkling dialogue all combined to make this a real treat.

The Bad
At times things were a little too linear, and it wasn't always clear that you had to be in a particular location.

It took me ages to get it to run form hard drive, and it was awkward on floppies. What's more, the copy protection was one of the most annoying to get past that I can remember.

The Bottom Line
An adventure game set in the dying days of USSR Communism, as the attempted coup weakened Gorbachev's power. You play an agent investigating the suspicious death of your father, and have many puzzles to solve. The game is very time-critical in places, requiring you to know the maps and plan your time well.

Amiga · by Martin Smith (81669) · 2004

[ View all 7 player reviews ]

Trivia

Engine

KGB uses the same adventure system that drove Dune, Cryo's previous and most famous game, but without the strategy elements.

Analytics

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Related Sites +

  • The KGB File
    Comprehensive analysis of the game's plot and characters.

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 2894
  • [ Please login / register to view all identifiers ]

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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Blackie.

Amiga added by POMAH. Windows added by Plok.

Additional contributors: xroox, ududy, Patrick Bregger, Maniac Mansion Fan.

Game added January 2, 2001. Last modified January 28, 2024.