Dreamfall The Longest Journey

There are games that break expectations in such a profound way they raise the standards for the industry. Some are awe inspiring for their graphics, others for their breathtaking soundtrack. Dreamfall - The Longest Journey is an amazing example of a game that stands to raise the standards in two categories, concept and sound, while maintaining high standards for all aspects of the game itself. Dreamfall - The Longest Journey has an intricate, compelling plot that is told through the expressive voices of a talented acting staff. The graphics are rich and detailed and the gameplay itself is engaging. The game itself is fun and challenging, requiring players to think outside the box as they face the various challenges and puzzles scattered throughout the game.

The world of Dreamfall is exquisitely detailed. Every character a player can interact with is memorable. Many have personal quirks that help identify their character. “Theoretically” Blind Bob, the not-so-blind beggar is an amusing example of this. Every character has a detailed background. Unlike other games, every character also has a compelling reason for their actions. Players won’t be able to find a character that makes an unrealistic decision just to move the game along. The various areas that players can travel through are all vast and unique. From the technological wonder of the mundane world, called Stark, to the fantastic and magical forest players can explore in the mystical realm of Arcadia.

Dreamfall is a mix of adventure, combat, and puzzle solving. Many of the problems players will face can be solved through conversations with NPCs or the strategic use of items found throughout the game. Other challenges are based on physical combat. At times players will have to defend themselves from opponents who will stop at nothing to end their quest for the truth. The combat system is easy to learn, but can be a trick at times. The puzzle segments of the game are fun and challenging. While players with a low tolerance for puzzles may be frustrated, the game itself is easy enough to progress through as long as you keep your eyes open for objects you can “borrow” and use later.

The controls themselves are very easy to use. Movement is handled through the left directional joystick. Interactions are handled through several of the buttons. Some interactions have more than one option. For example, if you are standing close to an NPC you can often talk to them, opening a dialogue, or you can let the character you are controlling tell you what they see. This can lead to more than a few amusing comments. The inventory system takes a little getting used to, as you must ready an item in your inventory before you can use it. Simply having the keys to a door in your inventory will not let you automatically open it, for example.

The voice actors for Dreamfall - The Longest Journey are very talented.  They bring genuine human warmth to their portrayals of the characters. You can very easily tell when characters are angry, amused, or curious just through the voices. The background music is interesting, but the actors really help bring the action home. The programmers have also brought an amazing amount of expression to the faces of the characters. Eye movement, smiles, and posture help the realistic portrayal of their actions.

As players travel through the worlds of Dreamfall - The Longest Journey they become caught in an intricate plot full of depth and mystery. Dreamfall is one of the hardest games to put down or walk away from I have seen lately because of this. Once again the balance between Stark and Arcadia has been thrown off dangerously. April Ryan, the original hero of the Longest Journey has lost her abilities as a Shifter, an individual able to travel between the worlds of magic and technology at will. A new heroine, Zoë Castillo is brought into the web of deceit, treachery, and murder. Forces inside both realms are threatening the fragile balance to achieve their ambitions. Players take on the roles of Zoë, April, and eventually gain access to Kian, an Apostle of the Goddess. By switching back and forth between these three viewpoints players are able to see the full depth of the vast plot.

wDreamfall - The Longest Journey is an incredibly fun game. The puzzle aspects are entertaining, even if they are occasionally a little frustrating. The plot is extremely detailed and very involving. Players will find themselves rushing through the game simply to see how the story unfolds instead of trying to “win.” The graphics are well done and the soundtrack is excellent. The vocal actors are extremely talented. The responsive controls just make it that much easier to dive right into the game. This game will easily keep fans up late into the night as they explore the extensive, detailed worlds of Dreamfall.

Tips:

Most of the puzzles in Dreamfall involve items you’ve had the chance to pick up earlier. With that in mind it’s a good idea to follow the first two laws of adventuring:

If its not nailed down, loot it.

If it’s nailed down, loot the nails first.

When in doubt take another spin through the area and talk to any NPCs you’ve interacted with before. Often times they will have new information for you or new items they can assist you with.

Gameplay: 8.5
The controls are very well done. The combat system takes a little getting used to, but the movement and interaction controls are easy to use.

Graphics: 8.7
The graphics of Dreamfall- the Longest Journey are an interesting mix. Most of the game world is so exquisitely detailed that it takes a while to realize how good they really are. Watching the characters’ faces and being able to see how they feel is a nice touch.

Sound: 9.3
The music is excellent and the voice-overs are top notch. This is one of the few games I’ve played that left me wondering when the soundtrack would be available.

Difficulty: Medium
Most of the puzzles and trials players face are relatively straightforward. Some of them are not. Combined with the need to remember what you need to accomplish, Dreamfall has a moderate difficult level.

Concept: 9.5
Adventure games have been created before, but very few have been as interesting and engaging as Dreamfall- the Longest Journey. The plotline is extremely interesting. It is obvious that the designers have put a lot of effort into this title. As a result, it shines brightly as an outstanding game.

Overall: 9.0
Dreamfall- the Longest Journey is an entertaining, fun, and challenging game. It will appeal to players of all ages, although parents might be concerned at some of the swearing. (Some of the characters in the game can be a little vulgar.) If you ever played a game in this genre and enjoyed it you will definitely want to try Dreamfall. Just be careful not to start playing it late at night. Once you sit down to enjoy this game you won’t want to stop!