It seems like at the end of the year the universe really wants me to spend my time on point-and-click adventure games. Having just reviewed “Return To Monkey Island” earlier this month (check it out HERE), another game of that genre has fallen on my lap, fortunately this one is a much different experience and mostly for the better. That game is “Syberia: The World Before,” the fourth installment in the series which started 20 years ago. All of which are directed by Benoit Sokal, who sadly passed away last year at the age of 66. Developed and published by French company, Microids, this title originally released on PC back in March, but has finally made its way to current-gen consoles.
The game takes place in two separate timelines, both set in eastern Europe, but one during 1937 and the other during 2004. In the 1930s, you play as Dana Roze, a talented pianist and in the later timeline you play as the recurring protagonist of the series, Kate Walker, an American Lawyer who at the beginning of the game is imprisoned in a salt mine. Throughout the story you will slowly unravel clues as to why these two stories are intertwined with one another. You will need to solve countless puzzles along your way, some involving locks, or even broken instruments, when you’re not walking around talking to people or watching long cinematics, you’re probably knee deep in trying to solve a puzzle. Some of which can be rather challenging and took me a bit to figure out, but instead of feeling frustrated, I felt motivated, because I knew I could figure them out. Once solving some of the particular hard puzzles, there is immense self-gratification of feeling accomplished.
While I was very intrigued by the story that was playing out before me, I could tell I was missing out on a lot of info having not played the first three games. I liked Kate as a character, but I often felt like I didn’t really know her, certainly not as well as I should. It took a long while into the game for me to really figure her out. I really wish I did my homework or something before playing, because this series does feel you need to experience them all before playing the latest title. Not that I still didn’t enjoy my time with “Syberia: The World Before,” it’s just a factor that may deter some new people to the franchise.
There is a lot here to love, from strong puzzles, a mystery you can sink your teeth into and even keep going down the rabbit hole of clues to find out even more things, to even just the beautiful atmosphere that begs to be explored and viewed in awe. I was often reminded of one of my favorite games, “Bioshock Infinite” when walking around. Something else that needs to be noted is the phenomenal soundtrack/score composed by Inon Zur, it truly is amazing and I’m buying myself a copy of that soundtrack. While “Syberia: The World Before” doesn’t do the greatest job at welcoming newcomers, I still suggest giving it a try, because it is very engrossing in which very few point-and-click adventure games are.
8/10
For more information, visit https://www.microids.com/game-syberia-the-world-before/
Related: Reviews by Nick Navarro
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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