Curse: The Eye of Isis
Game Title: Curse: The Eye of Isis
Platform: PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Genre: survival horror
Developer: Asylum Entertainment
Publisher: Wanadoo Edition
Russian publisher: New CD / Media Service 2000
The official system requirements: Pentium III 600 MHz, 128 MB Ram, 3D-graphics card, 500 MB HDD
Link to the official website: www.cursegame.com
It is unlikely that there are still people have not heard about the games in the style of survival horror. Such hit series as Alone in the Dark, Resident Evil, Silent Hill have done a lot of noise among fans of computer and console entertainment, suddenly dispersed millions. Despite the fact that in essence this subgenre was a typical variation of the theme action / adventure, intriguing stories and chilling atmosphere have been able to instill players entirely new experience, revealing the unique and absolutely unknown direction - "games of survival."
However, as always happens in such cases, over time, the genre began to experience significant decline in the creative plan. In total then, and business - to come up with some sleek story with a dark slant, to supply all this is a good picture and a bunch of useless, crooked levels, forcing the player to run to and fro in search of another key - and the game is ready. The main thing that the game was on everyone's lips, as, undoubtedly, will take care of eminent publishers.
Apparently, these thoughts have visited Asylum Entertainment in the writing of his "masterpiece." Mark up to this bunch a cheap toy for a license for the PlayStation, the firm decided not to stand in place and set about development of the undisputed super-mega-hit, once for three platforms, as it is now accepted. Immediately and publishers look for: a well-known Wanadoo in Europe and a very well known Dreamcatcher in America. Even in Russia, the game found its distributors, is also the most prominent market participants.
But back to the game. The whole plot is centered on a small statuettes, called The Eye of Isis (Eye of Isis, respectively), which was discovered by archaeologists Stanley Dane in the middle of the nineteenth century, and then deposited in the British Museum. Figurine of this fame that brought enormous calamity to any person who possesses it. For example, Stanley Dane himself, shortly after the discovery of a mysterious artifact has gone coils and was imprisoned in the house for the insane, where he died several years later.
Much water has flowed since then, and now Darien Dane, son of the late archaeologist who comes to the building of the British Museum in order to visit his old girlfriend, Victoria Sutton, worked there and preparing the above-mentioned Eye of Isis to the general public. However, not all is quiet: met at the entrance to the museum constable for unknown reasons did not wish to let the eminent son inside the building. Do not be silly, Darien quietly seeping into the museum and decides to explore all of its own.Here we are, in fact, take it over.
It would seem to us quite intriguing, although it does not aspire to originality, and tie. However, all that it is followed, described as "fun" or just "interesting" by no means be obtained. In fact, the whole plot is reduced to finding a mysterious missing artifact, which is released outside of the disappearance of a strange yellow haze that has spread around the museum and turning people into zombies. True, at first we have yet to find our friend, companion and Victoria. Next - just stupid battle with hordes of identical zombies and walk through dark corridors and tunnels. We will visit four different locations - a museum, sewage, ship and an Egyptian pyramid, but no emotion, except for boredom, these walks are not aroused. Say, a museum - is a series of identical gray corridors, with a thousand doors, most of which are closed. We are forced to wander along these corridors in fact with the sole aim - finding the next key to the next door, sometimes complemented perfectly flat and basic puzzles like search technique points to an elderly security guard. This is not a mystery, my friends, is simply far-fetched an increase in playing time, which in any case, it will take to the game is not so much.
It is true, what is the "Curse" really succeeded, because it is in terms of graphics. Of course, it is far from perfect, but the productive features of the engine is truly noteworthy. Recurring spectacular panoramic pictures as clearly traced the character models and detail always pleasing to the eye. Also very nice look rollers made in the same game engine. All this would move away toys in one big, fat, plus, if only artists were able to properly dispose of all that beauty. However, as is often the case, instead of open locations, preference was given a dark, enclosed spaces with narrow corridors vetvyaschimesya; instead of richly furnished rooms - here and there recurring items of interior, and instead of heaps of variety and clever vrazhin and just minor characters - several kinds of totally identical models of monsters with razor weak AI. Of course, it is difficult to demand from the bleary-eyed zombies, which represented a good half of all opposing monsters, some inhuman tactics, but when brainless creature is just asking ahead, while not even being able to open closed doors, it becomes boring and uninteresting to play.
Also, a few words on camera. It simply will not do. Constantly taking the most inconvenient foreshortening it at the same time, absolutely not allow yourself to adjust. That is, in "The Eye of Isis" simply does not control the camera functions. Therefore, sitting down for a game, I advise you in advance to get a plentiful supply of abusive words, that had something to say when the next collision with an invisible wall.
But still the first thing on which you pay attention when the game starts, in addition to graphics, is the interface. And even then developers have managed screwed up. Start with at least the fact that walking has always done the up and down. At the same time turn comes only with a mouse, because the arrows left and right as always are responsible for movement of the hero in their respective areas, but only sideways. In general, there is a typical case of a wretched adaptation of the console management pisishnuyu Wednesday. Action the player is small enough, with the weapon has to do with one button, to interact with objects - and in one motion. Inventory consists of three main sections - for weapons, for documents, and just for the basic things that can be used in some places, and sometimes combined. However, we are able to do if and only if it pleases the game: if, say, the key - not from the door, then the appropriate menu to "use" just will not be highlighted.To some this may seem like a good idea, but any attempts at the intellectual puzzles solutions, this feature completely kills.
Incidentally, the authors seem very proud that we manage in the game will have two characters, respectively Darienom and Victoria. Of course, the course of a fairly standard, but still really able to bring diversity to the game. Just not in this one. The fact that the management of a girl actually does not differ from management's son archaeologist. If, say, "Alone in the Dark" in such cases, combat and mozgolomnaya part is fairly well distributed between the characters, there is a change from the terms of the amount of seats remains unchanged, that is, played, played for the guy, gave us in the management of his aunt - again play for the man, only in the female exposed. Misfire, sir.
So in summary - an ode to preservation. "Oh, Abdul, save and protect me!" - You have to always cry when you try to survive elsewhere. The fact is that for such procedures to us everywhere will be vitally important ... our attendant, Abdul Wahid, whom we met on his head in a museum. If you have not yet understood, in order to simply be remembered in the game, we should first find of this uncle, and have talks with him, noting in the appropriate menu of conservation. In this case, instead of everywhere to follow us and help us in countless battles, Abdul will be lifeless stagnate, only occasionally moving closer to the hero as it moves along the level. What?
Well, summing up, I want to say that the game came to be extremely unfortunate. Endless, monotonous mochilovo in a very tasteless form, flavored transparent film logic puzzles, rarely go beyond the search for keys to open doors, can hardly be called "thoughtful and enticing gameplay. And on the same schedule, no matter how raschudesnoy it may be, does not go far. So, my advice to you: if you have a sharp desire to play in the next survival horror, better wait for the fourth part of the "Silent Hill", the benefit is not far off. Or replay of old toys this direction, even if only in the very first "Alone in the Dark". In any case, your time will be spent to how to better advantage than a game of "Curse: The Eye of Isis".
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