The X-Files Game

The Good
I’m an X-Files fan, so I couldn’t wait to play this game when it was first released and hurried out to buy it as soon as it hit the shelves.

It played very much like an interactive movie and had the flavor of Spycraft to it. Catching aliens is serious stuff, and the overall tone reflects that. You can choose what mood your character presents during conversations and those selections will ultimately effect how you are answered. You can set the “artifical intelligence” on or off which acts as a different sort of in-game hint system. Doing some things differently can make future scenes play out differently, and some will result in alternate endings. You can make mistakes and even die.

The most fun part was interacting with Scully and Mulder, although I didn’t get to do that often enough. You even get to work with Skinner and have a chance meeting with the illusive “X”.

The Bad
I wanted to see more of Scully and Mulder, but other than that, there are a few things I didn’t like about the game play itself.

As an adventure lover, I prefer no action segments, and there are a few in this game. Although they were not particularly difficult (at least while using the “easy” setting), I didn’t think they were necessary and could have been left out completely, in my opinion.

You are given a limited number of save game slots (only 5 if I remember correctly). Although there is a work-around for this, the mere fact that you had to save over a previously saved game was needlessly irritating.

One of the first areas you explore is an abandoned warehouse where you must find small, hidden pieces of evidence. It is understandable that it should be dark inside, but it was way too dark. Some players might have quit playing right then and there, becoming too frustrated to continue – simply because it was too dark to see what you were doing.

The Bottom Line
If you’re an X-Files fan, you’ll enjoy the interaction with the real television show actors and actresses. Fans of spy thrillers will also find the game to their liking. As a whole the game is a little short, but that depends upon how you play. Keep in mind that there are a few action segments in addition to “true” adventure-style gameplay. While not one of my all-time favorites, I did enjoy it and would play another one based on the X-Files theme.