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.

Groups +

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)

Very complex game, a real brain melter

The Good
I still have the original copy of this game that my older brother bought in 1992 and to this day I still think it's an outstanding game. The storyline is somewhat dark and gives you a sense of the shady underhandedness of the KGB. The music is incredible, the plot is amazingly intricate and in-depth, and if you're looking for a challenge, by god you've found it. This is one of those games from your childhood, perhaps, as in my case, something that belonged to an older sibling, that sticks in your mind, even though back then you had no idea how to play it.

The Bad
To be honest, I don't think it would be unduly unfair to say that KGB maybe a bit too difficult. I've never completed it without a walkthrough guide, and my older brother who first bought it gave up on it during the first assignment.

The Bottom Line
Very complex, dark, a rather convoluted storyline. Good brain food for a real genius.

DOS · by Jonathan Jones (2) · 2006

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

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

[ 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.