I was wondering if anyone's played Dreamfall-The Longest Journey yet? It came out in April, but I just saw it in the store near me. I've already read online reviews & visited the gamesite, but has anyone heard personally how good/bad it is? I'm thinking of getting it for PC and it'll be one of my few PC games. It's supposed to be the 2nd in a trilogy, though the first came out in 2000, so I think I'll pass on that one. Anyway, here's the link to the gamesite if you're interested:

www.dreamfall.com

It seems to be a combination of TR + Final Fantasy + plus a mysterious/creepy element.

Hi AJ!

I've ready lots about that game, most of them very good things! I'm sure Jedicri will tell you more about it because I think he played both of them! He's a big fan as far as I remember.

If you buy it, let me know how it goes! I'm curious myself!

BPanther

Looks great to me. It looks like a game I'd buy, and it's also been given a 5 star rating, so it can't be bad. I say go for it!

I want to buy it now lol, thanks AJ, I think I might just do that.

MsC

Dreamfall: The Longest Journey....!

For starters, yes I heartliy recommend this adventure game but I also highly recommend that you first get and play The Longest Journey. This is a trilogy therefore it is, well.... mandatory that you play the first game.

The Longest Journey is by far, the best adventure game in existence (though there are some who'll beg to differ) bar none. You will care for the game's heroine, April Ryan, and by game's end, I guarantee that you'll wish the game had not ended. I personally went through, lol, withdrawal symptoms of sorts, upon beating the game --- I wanted more....! There is a lot, and I mean, a lot of reading to do. The story telling is superb, the story very immersive. You only have but to read the many and all positive reviews (soooo many btw, which I all read, heehee). This is really a wonderful game!

As for Dreamfall, while an adventure game, it plays more like a cinematic game. There are less, less puzzles to be found and gameplay is roughly 10 -12 hours. TLJ took me about 30- 40 hours to complete. While not as immersive, it is an enjoyable game to play.

@ BP: Hi! I'll let you know how I like it when I get the game. It may be a little while, since the stores near me that have it for $10 cheaper than I first saw it are sold out. I was tempted to pay the extra, lol.

@ MsC: Hi! I'm glad I was helpful in convincing you to buy it. Let me know how it is if you do get it.

@ jedicri: Thanks, I appreciate all the info. I did see that the first game got high ratings, and wasn't sure if it'd be too outdated to be worth it. And I appreciate you letting me know how important it is to play the first game. Sometimes, it doesn't matter if you come in on the middle of the series, but in this case, maybe I'll see if I can order it online. I haven't seen it in the stores.

I figured Dreamfall seemed more like FF in that it has tons of cinematics in it. Which is fine, though for $30-$40 bucks I was debating on the short gameplay time. TR Legend was worth it, since it's well, TR, but a series I've never played before...you know. I'll let you know what I think!

The Longest Journey also is no longer available at any game stores in my area. And I assure, the game is not outdated. It is your typical and classic point-and-click adventure game with beautifully rendered 2-D backgrounds although there will be times when the character looks pixellated from afar. This is great story telling at its best. It starts off with a bang right from the get go and pulls you in ever so surely.

I eagerly look forward to your thoughts, not just on TLJ, but also for Dreamfall.

I can't believe I'm reviving a thread this old, lol, but I wanted to post about my progress with Dreamfall. I wasn't able to find to many places online that offered the orginal game, but I did get Dreamfall as a gift for Christmas. It is a beautiful game! I'm only on the 2nd chapter right now. (My laptop, which was my only computer for a little while, is unable to play Dreamfall due to an older video card and a small amount of RAM, so I had to take a little break)

It has choices on responses to dialogue, which is interesting, though from what I can see, it doesn't make a huge difference in the storyline. The one cool thing I found is the main character, Zoe, is learning Tai Chi. I got to practice against her instructor. The graphics are great, and I love the details in the scenery, such as advertising signs, flowers and plants in the marketplace, and clothing details for each character. There's some technology things, such as hacking a lock with your cell phone, and interacting with intelligent computers that add something I've never had in my games before.

I'm still going to order The Longest Journey online. It's about $12-15 US and I think based on your opinion, jedicri, and what I've read online, it'll be worth my money. I also found out I can run it on either computer, so if I put it on my laptop, it'll be portable & I'll be free to be obsessed.

Wow, yeah, this is quite a ways......

Yes you can order it online from Funcom:

https://funcom.asknet.com/cgi-bin/show/ml=EN

https://funcom.asknet.com/cgi-bin/show/P13386

It is a new 2 CD version that has been optimized for Windows XP.

AJ=TR, you really must play TLJ first before Dreamfall, just a friendly suggestion.

In any case, enjoy the game and as I posted months ago, I look forward to hear (more) on your thoughts on both games! Until then....

Well, jedicri, I decided to stop playing Dreamfall for now and started The Longest Journey. (Btw, thanks for the link, though I had seen it before I read your post, and decided earlier to get TLJ first.) I did keep playing Dreamfall until I got TLJ, because, well, I'm obsessed.

TLJ is great, especially given how old it is. I wasn't prepared for some of the rough language and innuendo, so I'm glad I have earphones, lol. I'm not that far into it, of course, but from what I've seen, I can't imagine doing too much else in my free time for a while. It runs fairly smoothly, and many of the characters and scenery I've seen are referenced in Dreamfall. I can see exactly why I needed to play this first. Otherwise, playing TLJ afterwards would be like watching a flashback. This way, I'm getting a history on these characters, and watching April develop from a college student to someone who's a little less self-absorbed. Some of her sense of humor reminds me of Lara!

Oops, .... yes about those innuendoes and language .... yeah, it's best to use those earphones particularly when you come to a character called Flipper Burns --- man does he have a mouth! That's not to say that this sort of language pervades the whole game --- no --- only with this particular character --- so no kids around, lol!

And once you've completed the game, the Gag Option is unlocked which is quite entertaining and hilarious to boot.

The beginning of the game certainly does grap your interest doesn't it? I know it did for me.

Enjoy the game!

UPDATE:

Well, you can forget this game being a trilogy as it's been announced that the story will continue though downloadable online content --- Dreamfall Chapters, as it's currently being called.

http://adventuregamers.com/newsitem.php?id=1393

http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend....T&item=1004

I have mixed feelings about this. Being episodic in nature, gameplay will most likely be shortened (something I greatly dislike in games); but there would be a constant influx of the game's release and adventure gamers need not wait through long stretches before the next installment....

I don't know......

Edited March 2, 200719 yr by jedicri

Oops, .... yes about those innuendoes and language .... yeah, it's best to use those earphones particularly when you come to a character called Flipper Burns --- man does he have a mouth! That's not to say that this sort of language pervades the whole game --- no --- only with this particular character --- so no kids around, lol!

And once you've completed the game, the Gag Option is unlocked which is quite entertaining and hilarious to boot.

The beginning of the game certainly does grap your interest doesn't it? I know it did for me.

Enjoy the game!

Thanks for the warning, jedicri! I'm just playing the whole game either when no one's home or with my earphones. It reduces my gameplay time, but also my parental guilt, lol.

I look forward to unlocking the Gag Option! And, yes, it definitely grabbed my interest.

UPDATE:

Well, you can forget this game being a trilogy as it's been announced that the story will continue though downloadable online content --- Dreamfall Chapters, as it's currently being called.

http://adventuregamers.com/newsitem.php?id=1393

http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend....T&item=1004

I have mixed feelings about this. Being episodic in nature, gameplay will most likely be shortened (something I greatly dislike in games); but there would be a constant influx of the game's release and adventure gamers need not wait through long stretches before the next installment....

I don't know......

This is kinda disappointing. I really prefer a game that has a long gameplay time. While shorter games are easier for me to complete with my busy schedule, I like getting my money's worth. I also like getting wrapped up in the story as it progresses and you watch the character change through a longer storyline. You're right about not waiting long stretches between games, though, so that is a plus. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Since it's in pre-production, I guess I have time to finish both games! Thanks for the article links.

IMO when I saw the previes for this game it looked like a rip off of Tomb Raider

With a game like this that is soo emotionally packed, particularly TLJ, I would've preferred some closure. There is still the risk or possibility that the funding may be cut in the future.

One has only to look at SiN Episodes; while not funded by the government, there won't be any forthcoming releases as originally planned so we fps are left with just 1 short episode and a story left unfinished and unresolved. The developers' distributors was taken over by another company I believe wich is going in a decidedly different direction and approach to games for release.

I read online the other day that they may not continue TLJ, since Funcom lost so much money on piracy of Dreamfall. Any idea if this is true, jedicri? I hope they continue it. I must say, I'm so glad you recommended these games to me -- they're fascinating.

I'm on Chapter 5 of TLJ. I stuck with it past the lovely Flipper character -- and thanks for letting me know, I turned my earphones down for him, lol. I figured the language would get better after that, which it did. The story's getting more and more interesting. I've just finished battling the alchemist Roper Klaxx (I think I spelled it right). Some of the stuff is hilarious...especially the challenge to hopscotch. There's just nothing like April's sarcasm.

All I know of the situation is that Funcom will stop developing offline pc games due to piracy. Note the word "offline". As far as I know, they will still continue to develop Dreamfall due to financial assitance provided by the Norwegian Film Fund but will only be available from the internet, a la Steam.

This is from Adventuregamers.com

Funcom drops "offline" PC games

Piracy is to blame, apparently

Funcom, the developer behind the adventure game classics The Longest Journey and Dreamfall: The Longest Journey, have announced their decision to stop producing traditional, offline PC games, reports the Norwegian newspaper E24. Funcom, who previously have mentioned MMOs and adventure games as their primary focus, blames piracy as the reason for the decision.

According to Funcom's Trond Arne Aas, there had been over 200,000 illegal downloads of Dreamfall, even before its release last year. Also, he estimates that for each PC game that is sold, between 3 and 10 times as many is stolen, thus resulting in Funcom's decision to stop producing offline PC games.

No info was given on the recently announced Dreamfall chapters, although given the fact that the project has already gotten financial assistance from the Norwegian Film Fund, we have all reason to believe that they are still on schedule. However, this could result in PC gamers needing to have an active internet connection in order to verify the game's authenticity.

Funcom is no newcomer to online gaming, as they have already released Anarchy Online and countless add-ons. Also, Funcom has already mentioned the possibility of an online game set in the The Longest Journey universe. Their highly anticipated Age of Conan will be released for PC and Xbox360 later this year.

As I've mentioned before, I'm personally not too keen on downloading games from the net. I'd rather have a hard copy in my hands. There is a lengthy discussion on this very subject matter that you've brought up AJ=TR:

http://forums.adventuregamers.com/showthread.php?t=19219

Yeah, good ole Flipper, lol --- gotta wash his mouth with soap and alot of it to boot!

I believe the spelling is Klacks --- and he

does make a brief return in Dreamfall if you didn't already know

.

I'm glad you're enjoying TLJ! As far as I'm concerned, it's the best adventure game I've played bar none. If you're interested, there are also some adventure games worth playing that are classics in themselves.

Thanks for the info on Funcom's offline PC games, jedicri. I guess we'll have to wait and see exactly how they're going to release it and whether or not a subscription's worth it if they go that route. I'd still prefer a hard copy with the box. Call me old-fashioned, but if I want to play it later, I don't want to have to re-download it. I also don't want to have to worry about how long they'll keep the server up if an online connection is the only way to play. Some games, like TR, I play again a few years later, and I hope whichever way they release it, this will still be possible.

Well, I completed TLJ last night. You were right -- I didn't want it to end! As I started getting closer, around Ch. 10, I was happy that I had come so far in the game, with very little walkthrough help. Then, I started realizing that it was almost over, and I enjoyed the story so much. The ending did not disappoint. I also had a fun time looking through the Book of Secrets, especially the Outtakes. My favorite world in the game is Arcadia. The stories the Alatiens told were amazing, and the Bandu (sp?) reminded me of Ewoks from Star Wars. I actually ended up having an audience here throughout most of the game, even though I had earphones on. Everyone else in the house was fascinated, too!

I'll be going back to Dreamfall now, picking up where I left off. I'm so glad I played TLJ first, thanks!

I haven't come across Klacks yet.

You said there were other good adventure games? Which ones would you recommend?

No problem on the info.

And yes, hard copy all the way! Having said that, I'm wondering if one may copy the downloaded content onto a disc....

Feeling any "TLJ withdrawal symptoms" yet?

As you may already know, the liking or the dislikes of adventure games may be subjective and not entirely objective. TLJ was one of a very few exceptions to this very fact. More recent games I could recommend:

Syberia

Syberia 2

The sequel ties up the knots left at the "end" of the first.

Indigo Prophecy (a.k.a. Fahrenheit)

Plays like an interactive movie. Gameplay is immersive and very innovative and I seriously mean innovative. Had to play this game to the end with what spare time I had given a very hectic schedule.

Ankh

Ankh: Heart of Osiris (Coming Soon; sorrry; had to plug it ---- I so enjoyed the first one)

Runaway: A Road Adventure

Runaway 2: The Dream of the Turtle (recently released in the U.S.)

If you can't find it, the first game is downloadable from the game's website (or is it the second game's official website). Yeah I know about downloading etc I'm with you on that; just so you know .

Grim Fandango

My very first intro to the world of adventure games. Not sure if this LucasArts game classic is readily available; it's been years.

These are just some offerings that I personally have played. There is the Gabriel Knight series by Jane Jensen, the Broken Sword series; I played the third Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon and the fourth in the series has just recently been released in North America, namely Broken Sword: The Angel of Death (a.k.a. Secrets of the Ark).

Edited March 30, 200719 yr by jedicri

I have to say that Syberia 1 and 2 is also one of my favourite games!! You should try it!

BPanther

There you go --- another vote for Syberia 1 & 2! A very atmospheric game these both are.

Just an update on some of the LucasArts classic adventure game mentioned and overlooked (actually, more like forgotten ) by yours truly. According to this forum linky, these classic games are available through an online Australian game site:

http://forums.adventuregamers.com/showthread.php?t=19369

I have always wanted to get a copy of The Dig.

Actually, jedicri, I am suffering from TLJ withdrawal. I'm wondering what I did on the computer before, lol. I used to catch up on the forum and read my mail, then play for hours. Oh, well...I'm on Dreamfall now. It's a little weird, though, I keep expecting to hear April's voice, and it's Zoe's. I'm on Ch. 3

I'll check out all the games you listed, especially Syberia. Thanks jedicri & BP for suggesting it. I saw it mentioned on a TLJ forum, and was curious about how good it is.

Playing TLJ first has helped me move around much faster in Dreamfall. I know the layout of the Victory Hotel a little better, although it's seriously creepy now! I hope I get to play as April once more (other than the fight she was in earlier in the game). Shhh...don't tell me if I get to play her again...I'll wait to find out.

Oh don't worry AJ=TR, you needn't worry about me giving out any spoilers

All this talk of TLJ has made me want to install and play it once again! I just have to gey my copy back from my sister who borrowed it along with my copy of Dreamfall.

It's funny you mentioned knowing better the layout of the Victoria Hotel in Dreamfall --- it was my brother who actually pointed out to me that the room I was then in was once occupied by April. It was then I realized that I should have re-played TLJ just to refresh my memory on events and characters encountered that were pivotal to the story. At the moment, I have no idea what vital role Brian Westhouse plays --- he is a mysterious character and I'm not so sure if I can trust him ---

given the situation that occurs late in Dreamfall

; you'll know and realize what I mean and refer to.

Lol, jedicri...that's ok, I found out that

Zoe talks with April...how weird is it that suddenly I started playing as the guy Kian after that? Rofl, what a shock after Zoe disappearing.

Anyway, I'm glad I didn't have to do the Victory Hotel before I started playing TLJ...I stopped right before I got to that part. You should definitely replay both games! I can't believe how much I'm enjoying my gaming time.

OT: I bought both Syberia & Syberia II this past Saturday. I was looking for Syberia, which I didn't expect to find in the store since it was so old. I found it for $19.99 US, then was just browsing the discount racks where they have the smaller PC game boxes, and found Syberia II for $9.99. I figured even if I wasn't crazy about the first game, how can I go wrong for $30? Now I just have to finish Dreamfall, lol. My husband said TRA better come out soon before I buy too many games.

Yeah, you play 3 characters here. It's funny how when you become involved in a given situation, that you're suddenly taken up into another different, but related, situation via another character. This method in some ways prompts you to want to press onward with the story.

I'm definately planning to re-play both games, no doubt about this! I still have Dreamfall in my hard drive sans disk in my possession.

Cool --- you have both Syberia 1 and 2! Now I must really welcome you to the world of adventure gaming, a genre that is unfortunately overlooked and/or unknown to many gamers, particularly in North America but is decidedly more popular in Europe. Give me any game that is backed by great storytelling you can always count me in! Syberia 1 and 2 are actually one game but the developers split it into two. Syberia 1's "ending" will prompt you to play the second. I believe you'll enjoy this one as well....

On a side note: speaking of great storytelling......

I'm aware I've suggested a number of adventure games with great stories to boot, but there is one that immediately pops to mind although this particular game is not an adventure game, rather an action/adventure rpg turn -based game entitled Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. There is also a sequel but it does not reach the breadth or scope of its predecessor in character involvement and storytelling. You're looking at 40 to 80 hours worth of gametime. This was my first entry into the world of rpg and I was not disappointed and neither were rpg non-Star Wars fans. Highly recommended!

EDIT:

I've just remembered that there is a thread on said game above started by Angel Trent, "Star Wars Games" where we briefly discussed KotOR:

http://www.laracroftonline.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=139

There is a storyline spoiler there btw where I ask Angel Trent about the "twist" near the end of the game. Do not read her reply if this game peaks your interest (or your kids for that matter).

Edited April 3, 200719 yr by jedicri

Well, jedicri, it is cool getting involved with the 3 different characters, but sometimes I have to remember where I left off when I last played as that person. I mean, I switched from Kian, and was like, 'oh, yeah, that's right, I'd just completed that part.' Anyway, I've come to an interesting twist in the game, and I'm looking forward to playing Kian again to see his perspective on the situation.

I thought I could install Syberia on my laptop and play it when I didn't have enough time to play Dreamfall. Ok, well, I was hoping to play both at the same time, lol. But, my video card is only powerful enough for the minimum requirements. I'll just wait until I'm done Dreamfall (almost done Ch 5 now), then install Syberia on my desktop. It probably would've been too much to play both games, given how busy I am right now.

I'll keep SW:Knights of the Old Republic in mind for when I'm done these games I have now. I'm a huge SW fan anyway, dating back to the release of SW before it was called SW:A New Hope, lol. And 2 of my sons are fans, too...we won't get into how many SW games, movies, and lightsabers we have here. Thanks for recommending it. I wasn't sure how much I'd like it. I played Rogue Squadron and Bounty Hunter, and wasn't totally fascinated. I like some fighting/shooting mixed in with a good storyline. Thanks for the storyline spoiler warning, too.