Moebius Review

I admit it. I have yet to be disappointed in a Jane Jensen game. This one looks to be the start of a series. Super!

Several things set Jensen apart from other game developers. First, her stories drive everything in her games, including the puzzles. Second, she sticks to her own in-game systems with points, which adds an element for players who want a bit more of a challenge. Third, her characters, even the heroes, have real flaws. For example, in her classic Gabriel Knight games, Gabriel is a lovable rogue, but a rogue nonetheless. We wouldn't want to see his assistant Grace end up with him. Fun though Gabriel is, Grace deserves better.

Story and Characters

In Moebius we have another complex and intriguing storyline, and, again, with two characters to play. Although David only gets a few scenes If the series continues David clearly is going to be the sidekick, and a good one too, with completely different skills than Malachi. We have a hint of the supernatural, as always, although much of this sticks to reality until Malachi starts to have his visions. Where is the game taking us? 

With Malachi's character Jensen takes some risks. This guy comes across as only barely likable much of the time. He's arrogant, snobbish, and frequently rude. It's possible, players, that he may change his ways a bit. Be sure not to miss the cartoon at the beginning (you have to click on the link deliberately to access it). It provides some necessary background for Malachi. However, Malachi's major characteristics are his brilliant mind and his willingness to take risks, and we're willing to follow him because we know we're going to win with him somehow. Once David comes into the picture as a far more likable character the game gains quite a bit. Now we can really root for our heroes.

Gameplay

A warning: this game gets into serious history in the character analyses sections. Malachi is so smart that he can analyze people merely by looking at them. He spots telltale clues, and you the player have to interpret those to Malachi's satisfaction (fairly easy multiple choice with some humor thrown in). The plot of the game revolves around discovering which characters actually are reincarnations of historical figures, and what those characters will do to alter the future. Those puzzles require quite a bit of on-screen reading. I enjoyed them, but they are complex and not easily solved. It was a feature I've never before seen in a game. Quite an innovation, but not to the taste of all players, I would assume.

Jensen's usual point system is still there, but seems less emphasized this time. Players who care about that can check their progress, but you can ignore it if you want. The puzzles remain inventory based, and that's just fine with me, but they can become fairly complex. Often you really have to think how something would work in order to solve it--such as the darts game sequence in Cairo. I don't mind having to go back to a scene to get an item because to me that's more realistic, but I will admit that having to return to New York from Washington D.C. just to fetch one common item indeed was a bit of a stretch.

Fortunately, Jensen has improved her inventory system massively since Gray Matter. That one had a serious learning curve that involved steps to make items active before you could use them. This one is far more intuitive. Grab and go, as it should be.

The Look of It

Scenery throughout the game, while sometimes cartoonish, looks very nice. Jensen has always relied on a graphic novel approach, and she sticks to it here. 

I lamented in my blog entries that this game would have worked extremely well in full-motion video. Jensen was almost the only game developer who did that really effectively back in the 1990s, with her classic Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within. No doubt it's far too expensive to use now, but the cartoon characters just don't come across as believable this time. David is fine, but Malachi doesn't look at all realistic in many scenes. I would imagine that's also a function of budget. Too bad it had to happen with the main character though.

That quibble, however, is about the only real criticism I have of this game. As always it was absorbing, challenging and excellent entertainment all the way through. 

Real Adventuring is Back!

OK, it isn't going to be for everyone, certainly not shooter fans. This is a point and click adventure game in the classic mode--the mode we adventure fans crave. Thankfully, good, absorbing adventures like this are still coming out. If you're an adventure fan you absolutely will not want to miss it. At only about half the length of the Gabriel Knight games but longer than Gray Matter, it's well worth your money and your time.

Jane Jensen still rules. She's got major competition, thankfully, but for adventure fans, missing one of her games just isn't in the cards.

Go for it!