Gabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned

Great story, acting, interface, are all wrapped up to create one of the best adventure games yet.

It's equipped with tons of powerful adventuring tools, such as a newly designed 3D engine and free-floating camera, and contains one of the most riveting endings I've seen all year. But ultimately I wish it had offered me more.

Gabriel Knight 3 is a fascinating and enjoyable mystery. It is also a good long game with a plot and puzzles that are quite absorbing, but be warned, it is also a dark tale containing ritual sacrifices of the throat-slashing variety.

After you finish the game, read all the books. The stories are wonderful, and their lasting appeal in somebody's imagination is a pretty subjective category to evaluate.

If you are looking for believable characters, good acting and dialogue, lots of bloody, horror-style vampire action, and a nice looking smooth 3D engine, you'll want to look elsewhere. If, on the other hand, you are a history buff entertained by a more thoughtful experience, have the desire to play master sleuth, or really have a thing for Tim Curry and the Gabriel Knight series, give this a try.

It's got a fascinating and complex plot that's based on real history and legends, so playing the game is in many ways, an "educational" experience. However, when you get down to the core, Gabriel Knight 3 is a solid, but not earth shattering adventure game.

There's no easy way to say this, but the game that adventure fans have patiently been waiting for has proved to be one of the biggest disappointments of the year so far, at least as far as this reviewer is concerned.

A superb game with a truly deep story. Couple this with a rather good looking graphics engine, some great dialogue, detailed environments, and an all round attention to detail, and you have a great game. Unfortunately though, thanks to the nature of the adventure system and the pauses while loading scenes, the game can become tedious at times.

Despite a few flaws, this is probably the best adventure game on the market today: a brilliantly plotted story with good characters, tough puzzles, and a 3D interface.

The gameplay is quite excellent, but Tim Curry is so off-putting that it almost makes this one a tough call. [Mar 2000, p.90]

The interface in GK3 is simple point-and-click with keyboard support.

Those that hate obtuse puzzles will want to steer clear. The real attraction to GKIII is the information about Rennnes-le-Chateau and surrounding environs. It’s the next best thing to actually traveling to the south of France, and a lot cheaper.

An incredible, audacious attempt that doesn't quite live up to its goals. Easily one of the most complex stories ever told in a computer game. Highly recommended as both the continuation of a great series and on the strength of its high points.

If you are interested in solving a mystery and running down dangerous corridors then this is the game for you.

GK3 is a long, difficult, immersive game with a strong, adult-oriented plot.

With some of the best graphics and artwork in the field, Blood of the Sacred is a visual feast. With memorable characters and an addicting storyline, it's a world that you won't want to leave and one that you will return and visit for many of your days.

It's a traditional adventure with some excellent plot elements, interesting challenges, poorly written dialogue, and below-average acting. The 3D engine is more of a gimmick than a true improvement.