Syberia: The World Before

A wonderful return to form for the Syberia series after the misstep of the 3rd game, The World Before is not only a wonderfully written game that finishes the 20 year old story of Kate Walker, but also one of the best games from Benoit Sokal, the perfect goodbye to this legendary artist.

A world filled with mystery, beauty, and adventure, Microids put plenty of love in care into the game’s themes of history. World Before beautifully combines classic storytelling with the art of world storytelling, not to mention the intertwining tales of two characters from different eras in time. It’s like a book that takes you in many unique directions within the same story and it’s good fun.

Despite a slow start and some persistent technical issues that are inexcusable, Syberia: The World Before is a fantastic narrative adventure that continues the series in spectacular fashion, and does Benoit Sokal’s legacy proud. It’s not clear where Syberia as a series goes from here now that the Sokal is sadly no longer around to steer the ship, but I have full faith after playing Syberia: The World Before that Microids is more than capable of continuing to deliver more incredible tales in this universe.

After a third episode which made us fear the worst for the future of Syberia, The World Before manages to prove that the license still has things to tell and an uchronic and dreamlike universe to exploit.

No surprise for the PS5 and Xbox Series versions of Syberia The World Before, which continue the fine work done by Microids Studio Paris started last March with the release of the game on PC. The adaptation on new gen consoles is a great success, both visually and in terms of handling, with more pleasant controls on the joystick than with the keyboard-mouse duo.

Syberia - The World Before brings the series to current gen consoles with wonderful inclusions such as an ornate city that's a joy to explore. Plus, playing as a mysterious woman in a war-torn country from decades ago then swapping to Kate Walker in more recent times makes for an interesting story. So, if you're an adventure game fan and have some patience, there's a lot to admire and enjoy here.

Syberia returns to the good path with a new and convincing adventure, that offers two different plots and eras, with a tried and tested gameplay formula that, even with new little details, it feels like being at home. If you like the genre, and Syberia series, you have all the chances to fall in love with it.

Syberia: The World Before is a solid return to form for the series, with strong and inventive puzzles and an engaging story.

While not pushing the genre forward, Syberia continues to develop and expand on its established gameplay loop and continues a story that began 24 years ago. I’m sure that returning franchise fans will enjoy it, and there’s a lot to like here for those who enjoy narrative adventures and interesting puzzles — it might even motivate them to delve into the previous entries and experience the magic from the mind of creator Benoit Sokal.

Syberia The World Before is a beautiful conclusion to the saga of Benoît Sokal. With a sublime art direction, a captivating universe and an episode that erases all the flaws of the much criticized Syberia 3, Microids delivers a last successful tribute to one of the monuments of point'n click. Its poignant story, its touching heroines, its mastered narration and its satisfying puzzles keep you on the edge of your seat for ten hours. An engaging and exotic adventure that is true a pleasure to play, despite some clumsiness at times. The PS5 and Xbox Series versions inherit some technical flaws and bring some nasty framerate drops that sometimes spoil some nice scenes. A pleasant version to play, despite some clumsiness.