"Dreamfall: Chapters" Review

Publisher:  Red Thread Games

Genre:  Adventure

Summary:  In the cyberpunk future, Zoe Castillo awakens from a coma, but has no memory of the traumatic events that caused it.  As she tries to make a life for herself, she is haunted by this.  Does she really want to remember?  And how does all of this tie into the popular Dreammachines?

Meanwhile, in another world, Kian Alvane finds himself considered a traitor to his people.  He is enlisted in aiding the rebels against them and in helping the oppressed magical peoples of Marcuria.  Will this be his redemption?

Gameplay:  The puzzles are fairly simple and involve finding things and occasionally combining them.  Sometimes there are timed events.  I enjoyed them, overall.  More enjoyable were the numerous choices in the game, several of which influence later story elements, although the general story does not change drastically.  Still, there is enough difference to make another playthrough a distinct experience, and that is appreciated.

Movement sometimes seems sluggish, especially without a run/walk toggle.  I really, really miss the ability to save on command, although the game does autosave frequently.

Style:  The graphics are pleasing.  I really love being able to explore the the cyberpunk and magical cityscapes, especially when I can compare locations that appeared in previous games.  I also love how the title screen changes for each chapter.  Overall, however, the interface doesn't stand out.

Story:  My summary looks complicated as it is, and I'm not sure it even starts to cover this game.  I can't imagine how "Dreamfall:  Chapters" plays to somehow whose first experience with this universe starts with this game.  It's very much a continuation of "Dreamfall" (so much so I could argue they are two halves of one long game) and that game is very much a sequel to "The Longest Journey."  Although there are some unanswered questions and some plot threads that I felt could have used more or less time, overall I feel this game ably wraps up this saga.

Personally, I found Zoe's tale more interesting than Kian's, but there's probably a bit more of his here (which is only fair, I suppose, given he had a lot less to do in "Dreamfall.")  But more interesting than either of those was the tale of Saga, told in interludes between the chapters.  But in everything there are memorable moments and characters and sorrow and laughter.  It's a worthy journey and I'm glad to have had it.