Posted November 15, 2009
Some of the voice acting is a bit lame, but most of it is top notch by professional actors!
Some of the puzzles are a bit obscure, but by far most of them logical and fit the story.
On the difficult setting, there are some extra logic puzzles ... like, actual puzzles - crosswords and the like. If you're not into that, you can just skip them.
The graphics. Hmmm. The graphics are poor. The interface is clumsy. For its time, it was great, but if you're playing this for the first time, you will have to lower your expectations.
Pixel hunting. Yes, like every adventure, Pandora Directive has its share of items you have to find under beds, in wastepaper baskets, in the 4th drawer out of 8. Or that darned key on top of the bookcase!
Death. You can die, and will. Save often. Some parts of the game will have your stomach in your throat for the suspense factor ... but after a while (and definately when playing for the 10th time) will just be annoying.
Yes, Pandora Directive was not immune to the common pitfalls that ensured the demise of adventure games. We put up with them at the time, because there was nothing better.
All that said though ... Pandora Directive is an interactive STORY. Unlike the bulk of adventures which were just graphics and puzzles thrown together as an excuse to sell a game ... Pandora Directive was a real novel in adventure game format. You put up with the annoyances because you are advancing in a gripping, thrilling story!
Finally, if any of the puzzles are getting too much for you, the game has the finest hint system ever devised built right into the game, tracking your progress so only relevant hints are shown. You are discouraged from using the hint system because each hint costs you points, so its not a killjoy like having a walkthrough.
I've replayed the game about 8 or so times. I think I've had enough now. It is the most memorable adventure game I ever played, and I'm keeping it safe so my kids can play it when they are old enough.
Some of the puzzles are a bit obscure, but by far most of them logical and fit the story.
On the difficult setting, there are some extra logic puzzles ... like, actual puzzles - crosswords and the like. If you're not into that, you can just skip them.
The graphics. Hmmm. The graphics are poor. The interface is clumsy. For its time, it was great, but if you're playing this for the first time, you will have to lower your expectations.
Pixel hunting. Yes, like every adventure, Pandora Directive has its share of items you have to find under beds, in wastepaper baskets, in the 4th drawer out of 8. Or that darned key on top of the bookcase!
Death. You can die, and will. Save often. Some parts of the game will have your stomach in your throat for the suspense factor ... but after a while (and definately when playing for the 10th time) will just be annoying.
Yes, Pandora Directive was not immune to the common pitfalls that ensured the demise of adventure games. We put up with them at the time, because there was nothing better.
All that said though ... Pandora Directive is an interactive STORY. Unlike the bulk of adventures which were just graphics and puzzles thrown together as an excuse to sell a game ... Pandora Directive was a real novel in adventure game format. You put up with the annoyances because you are advancing in a gripping, thrilling story!
Finally, if any of the puzzles are getting too much for you, the game has the finest hint system ever devised built right into the game, tracking your progress so only relevant hints are shown. You are discouraged from using the hint system because each hint costs you points, so its not a killjoy like having a walkthrough.
I've replayed the game about 8 or so times. I think I've had enough now. It is the most memorable adventure game I ever played, and I'm keeping it safe so my kids can play it when they are old enough.