Return to Mysterious Island Review
Kristophe, 2005-04-14

I've always enjoyed the writings of Jules Verne where, in my mind, he is kept in the same rapture and esteem as my other literary icons - whose numbers include J. R. Tolkien, Mark Twain, James A. Michener, and Homer. His legendary sci-fi classic novel, The Mysterious Island, was first to see print in 1875, and has since seen many reprints in many as many different languages, as well as providing the background for more that a few cinema setting - probably the most famous being that of Walt Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. In every instance that I am personally aware of, Jules Verne's Mysterious Island ceases to exist when the island's heretofore silent volcano begins to stir from it's slumber in a violent way. That was the way it was, until Game Developer Kheops Studios came into the picture with their own, alternate ending to the Jules Verne classic. Kheops Studios resurrects the Mysterious Island (which was named "Lincoln" by the heroes of the novel) in all it's glory with their own little gem of a classic (albeit a classic adventure game), Return To Mysterious Island.

Cast hither Upon the Sandy Shore.

While sailing around the world, the game's heroine, Mina becomes rather careless - and gets washed overboard for her trouble. She awakes on the sandy shore of a (seemingly) deserted island with her ego somewhat bruised, her wrist cell phone, her wet clothes, and the feeling that she is being watched. Little does she know then that she has landed on the Mysterious Island (aka "Lincoln"), where the legendary Captain Nemo still abides, though as a ghost. From here, I think the game's writing staff best sums up the storyline...

"Exploring her new surroundings, she {Mina that is} uncovers artifacts, living spaces and technologies left behind by the people who came before her to this uncharted island.

Desperate to leave the island, Mina builds a temporary home from the remains of Granite House, and uses her survival skills against the wilds of the jungle. Mina becomes aware of a figure in the shadows... Could this be the unsettled ghost of the legendary Captain Nemo?

Take on the role of Mina and solve a variety of clever puzzles and use the various technologies found on the Nautilus to return to civilization or remain cast away on the island forever.

Travel beyond the Jules Verne classic. Your quest for survival begins..."

Mina, O Mina, Where Art Thou?

While many gamers I know don't bother reading any game's manual for more than a quick introduction to the game controls, Kheops Studios and The Adventure Company try to insure that the mechanics of the game don't boggle the wannabe adventurer by providing a very in-depth, easily understood "walkthrough" for the first moments of the game right in the game's manual - thus not only guiding you through the opening stages of the game, but providing you with both a mini-tutorial and a taste of what is to come, game-wise. And while game play, and game puzzles, become ever more complex as you delve deeper and deeper into the game proper - the developers have provided some help in the form of hints, references, game maps/photographs/notes and books - in addition to the additional reference material that becomes available once you have figured out how to re-power Mina's wrist cell phone (which has a built-in encyclopedia of sorts). And while there are no real "beginning game settings" (i.e. you cannot set a Difficulty, Day/Night, Map, or even customize Mina to your own, particular desire), I found that my former sailor's knowledge of things maritime-related, nautical, or naval - helped tremendously in my own game play... not that you have to be a former sailor, or an afficionado of the maritime lifestyle, to play this game - but it does make a big difference to someone as "adventure game challenged" as I. McGyver, the former walking encyclopedia and scientist star of the television series by the same name, would definitely enjoy this game.

Once you finished the game manual's "walkthrough" and replenished Mina, exploring the Mysterious Island becomes tantamount to your goal of escape. During your travels and explorations, you come across many items (some obvious - some not so obvious) that can be used - or combined to be used - in a variety of ways, all dependent upon how your own, personal brand of game play. You'll also come across a young monkey who becomes known as "Jep", your friend and game companion, who can be utilized in a variety of interesting (and clever) ways to aid you in your island escape. You will also discover such dangers as a poisonous snake, hostile monkeys, and a very large and hungry shark (all of which Mina can't bear to kill); as well as a number of aggressive, guard robots from the Nautilus bent on destroying Mina (of which she loses all qualms about killing). At the game's end, you will encounter a final guard robot (non-aggressive, at least) who you must successfully convince that you are the Captain Nemo the robot mistakes you for in order to finally escape Mysterious Island. How you do this is, again, your particular game style - I choose to answer the robot's programmed puzzles (NOTE: you must successfully answer at least five out of seven, randomly generated riddles) by correctly picking out the item/object in that particular section of the Nautilus that fits the robot's puzzle. I should probably add that it is also in this room that you discover precisely how the Mysterious Island managed to survive the volcanic activity that destroyed it in all, previous versions of the island's history.

It is this very element - the game's random game play, and variety of options for in-game use of items found, that makes the Return to Mysterious Island not only a first time challenge, but gives the game it's re-play value (which is fairly good, btw).

Technology in the Lost World.

I'll take but a brief moment or two to discuss some of the technical aspects of the game, and my particular game play itself. First and foremost - I did not experience one game freeze or crash whatsoever, from the game's beginning to its end (and, I might add, only one possible game "glitch"). This game "scores" you on the number of game puzzles you solve successfully, as well as on the ingenuity you display in your own way of game item utilization (or lack thereof) - and periodically let's you know your score throughout the game's progress. Additionally, the game has a rather unique, albeit sometimes subtle, way of giving out hints that can help you adventure through (i.e. the oft, in-game comment from Mina that "it would take a monkey to get there" should really tell you something). Keep in mind that this game isn't exactly a stroll through your favorite park - it IS challenging!!!

I also had zilch for video problems throughout the game (I played this particular game at an 800x600 screen resolution on my 19" LCD monitor) - finding the game's animations, textures, and unique blending of "normal" game play with the occasional "black and white" sketches throughout - to be more than a step or two above the ordinary. Voice acting in this game was very good, not exactly qualifying the game's voice actors for an "Oscar", but far more than adequate for enjoyable game play...while the games ambient sounds were very befitting to the game's environment throughout. The game's soundtrack was interesting and, also more than adequate to refreshing game play - though it would not quite stand up to the works of such game composers as Jeremy Soule or Kirill Pokrovsky.

This game has a "point-and-click" method of navigation, with unique cursor changes that guide you as to what you can (or cannot) do at any given game time and point. Pressing the ESC button in-game will bring up the game's main menu (just as it does for the majority of electronic PC games), whilst "right-clicking" the mouse button will bring up the game's Inventory screen - where you'll perform such actions as reviewing your inventory, checking your encyclopedia and/or text hints, the construction (and de-construction) of various game tools from the items in your inventory, accessing your wrist cell phone, accessing (and supplying/de-supplying) your companion - Jep, reviewing your in-game objectives, etc. Incidentally, the game gives you more than enough inventory storage space (i.e. there is more that one inventory page - which I, at first, missed out on), to satisfy even the most rabid of adventure gamer/item collectors. And finally, there are very few "Timed Sequences" throughout the game - what ones are there also give you an on-screen status bar that slowly disappear as you complete the action required.

As with any game, the old "Save, and Save often" rule-of-thumb is tantamount here as well - most especially while Mina is being stalked by the killer robots from the Nautilus, as one minor mistake can mean the end of the game for Mina. For those of you who really like a little action with your adventure - these same killer robots can be a lot of fun, though it does take some little ability in strategy to survive. And trust me - if you are not quick, Mina also hazards ending up becoming the main course in a very large (and hungry) shark's buffet.

As Mysterious Island Fades Into The Sunset.

All-in-all, I found the Return To Mysterious Island to be a very highly enjoyable game, with one of the more "unique" storylines I've encountered thus far - and the game even manages to stay true to its ambitious storyline throughout - something not easily (or often) done in gaming. This game is not reminiscent of the Myst series by any stretch of the imagination; but with its unique storyline, game play and game variety in play - it is definitely on my own "Winner's List". Return to Mysterious Island is also a challenge - make no mistake about that - though I have to congratulate Kheops Studios for its unique and varied means of conveying enough hints and/or suggestions to enable almost anyone to (eventually) complete the game successfully without pre-qualifying as a "rocket scientist". This game's graphics were definitely good enough to qualify for the "eye candy" award, while its voice acting was more than good enough to restrain me from turning the sound off completely - something I cannot say about every game I've played.

I've always felt that reviewing a game was more of a pleasure than a chore. After all, all I am really doing is giving the reader my impressions - both good and bad (if any) - of a particular game, and merely accomplishing that with the written, vice the spoken, word. That does not mean that I adhere to the golden rule of "If you cannot say anything nice, then don't say anything at all" ideology in writing up a game review, but rather that I write simply as I personally feel - and my "bottom line" is that, when all else is said and done, it is really a given game's fun factor that (for me) determines precisely how I review the game.

Quite frankly - this time around, I found myself following the golden rule - not because I felt compelled to with this game, but simply because (try as I might) - I couldn't find anything uncomplimentary and/or derogatory to say. Kheops has definitely produced a winner with this adventure game (I'd call it an "adventure classic", myself); something that every adventure gaming fan (be they a seasoned or novice adventurer) should have in their inventory. I know my own, personal "Fun Meter Reading" didn't deplete whilst adventuring in the Return to Mysterious Island - I sincerely doubt yours will either.