~Lost Eden 

~Review By Martin Keen


Is this game any good? The PC magazines can't decide between them.
Some say its a decent enough adventure with astounding graphics, some
say its alright while its lasts, and the rest group it in the nice
graphics no gameplay category (where it joins the countless other 3D
Studio slideshows passing as games).

So is it any good? Well, yes. 
Is there gameplay amongst the graphics? Yep.
Is it worth buying? Possibly...

Lost Eden is basically a point and click graphic adventure. You play 
the dubiously named Prince Adam Of Mo where you spend your time trying
to befriend dinosaurs to rid the world of the supposedly evil Tyran. 
The plot is a bit cliched and occasionally completely unbelievable. 
Even if you take into account the game is set in an alternative
history where dinos and humans co-exist it hard to believe some of the
things the giant reptiles do. For instance pick a mushroom from the
forest and give it to the brontosaurs and you will be hailed as the  
bringer of hope, a god amongst the dino people. That seems a lot of
gratitude for offering one easily obtainable object.

Most computer games have pretty poor plots anyway which makes it all a
little more acceptable. The storyline does have its high points 
though, including the addition of several different tribes of people 
and a bit of character development near the end - a particually rare
feat for PC adventures.

But forget about all that namby-pamby stuff, lets talk about the
graphics. The cut scenes featuring the dinosaurs are beautifully
rendered and are backed up with some excellent Enigma style music.
This could very well be the most asthestically pleasing game yet.
Watch the breathtaking scenes as the dinosaurs wonder across ancient
lands, and droll at the camera flybys (if you're in to salivating over
games). The graphics really are a gem.

So good are the graphics and sound that it compensates for some of the
game's deficiencies. For a start the game is way too easy. I don't
remember getting particually stuck on any of the puzzles on offer.
During the citadel building phase of the game it all begins to get
very repetitive with the same old solutions solving the same old
puzzles. This game will take most people less than 10 hours to
complete.

But while the game lasts its lovely. If you can pick it up for around
20 quid then do the right thing and buy the game. But don't even 
consider it if you are only satisfied by brain-bending puzzles or
are suffering a distinct lack of cash. 

There are many better graphic adventures out there, but few with such
a high quality of presentation.


`                Graphics        [* * * * *]
`                Sound           [* * * * *]
`                Playability     [* * * - -]
`                Lastability     [* - - - -]

`                Overall         [* * * « -]
