KGB

aka: Conspiracy
Moby ID: 2894
DOS Specs
Note: We may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made via eBay or Amazon links (prices updated 3/23 1:43 PM )
Included in

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)

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

A game like this comes only once in a lifetime...

The Good
KGB is an old game, but it stands as a better game than most out on the market today. The gameplay is thick and refreshing, the music is well designed, and the storyline is intruiging and deep.

First of all, the graphics may not be all that, but KGB's colorful animation really makes you want to keep going, just to see what new places you can go to. Characters look good, in the fact that they each have their different looks comaparing to their personality. Everyone in this book has their own characteristics and traits.

The plot is deep, and is almost like a movie. You always have to keep playing because you always want to find out what happens next.

The music is great, and will probably have you turning up the volume. There arent any sfx, but the music is enough.

The Bad
However, the game is increasingly difficult. Some missions require yopu to be at a certain place at a certain time, or do a certain thing first, and if you do something else first that was required to do later, you blew your chance. Frustrating retries are what made up the bad part of this game.

The Bottom Line
Nevertheless, KGB was a well designed, plotted game, that deserves a solid 5 / 5.

DOS · by ThE oNe (5) · 2002

[ 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

MobyPro Early Access

Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings!

Related Games

Watch_Dogs: Conspiracy
Released 2014 on PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox One
KGB Agent
Released 1987 on Commodore 64
KGB Superspy
Released 1989 on Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
1953: KGB Unleashed
Released 2010 on Windows
KGB: Episode One
Released 2010 on Xbox 360
Furidashi: 1970 KGB-2424
Released 2017 on Windows
Ground Control: Anthology
Released 2001 on Windows
Conspiracy: Weapons of Mass Destruction
Released 2005 on Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Hidden Mysteries: JFK Conspiracy
Released 2013 on Windows

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 ]

Contribute

Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.

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.