A unique game and a nice change of pace to the "standard" adventure template. It puts you in a very strange scenario, one you won't see in many other releases. Some will find it disturbing, some will find it intriguing, and I'm guessing that almost all will find it just plain different.

I don't know if it's a classic - only time can tell if Runaway deserves a place alongside the timeless - but this is the one of the most balanced and enjoyable adventures of these last years.

Given how much I loathed playing it, I’d like to give it a really low grade. (Is there a Z?) But I can’t in all fairness do that, because this game is exactly what it’s supposed to be. What it does, it does well, and many of you will enjoy it. I didn’t.

A charming old-school comic adventure which holds its own, courtesy of its beautiful 3D graphics and an engaging plot.

Undoubtedly one of the "must play" adventure games. There is simply no other game quite like it. The 2004 release is not a new game and not even a remake, however the significantly improved technical quality and wealth of additional material, combined with an attractive price, will make the new Bad Mojo appealing even to existing owners of the 1996 version.

This is a very good game for those who love a good story.

In the end this is a solid, light-hearted game that’s fun to play and has very little violence. It’s not challenging, mind you, and not overly long.

Consistently good B to B+ material and an excellent excuse to subscribe to GameTap.

As for me, I had a surprisingly good time helping Maya struggle to bring all of the events back into the bosom of the benevolent gods. Tight story, excellent puzzles, attractive graphics -- what else could we grouchy adventure game players ask for?

Overall, despite its faults, Homestar Ruiner is a pretty enjoyable game, a lighthearted cartoon romp with a great sense of humor and an original flavor.

Basically if you liked the previous three adventures, you’ll love this one too. It’s almost identical in every way, and the plot even feels similar to previous titles.

Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper is a well constructed adventure, but the necessary linearity and dependence on following a pre-established timeline do hinder the overall effect of the game and rob it of much of its suspense.

With all the technical stuff aside, how you feel about this game will be heavily dependent on your own tastes because it is such a niche game – heavy dialog, comedy, and a cartoon. Within that category of adventure games, I think Ceville will rank pretty high on gamers lists.

The experience of playing Dreamfall is so pleasant and user-friendly that I think it has the potential to be a "gateway" game, a game like Myst or The Sims, which brings new players to computer and video games.

Not a perfect game. It suffers from patchy controls, dull and unremarkable locales and an ending that is a bit of a let down. But it also has some gorgeous 3D graphics, top notch voiceovers, music and dialogue, and an ultimately engrossing storyline which is well paced and will keep your interest piqued.

How you react to Penumbra depends entirely on how, uh, adventurous you are feeling when you load the game up. If you are a hardcore traditionalist, you could quickly get turned off by the game's 3D engine, sluggish controls, occasional combat and drab environments. However, if you are open to a new experience and are willing to take the game as it is, you could have a spooky and rewarding gaming experience that could even stretch your idea of what an adventure game can be.

Nancy Drew fans will NOT be disappointed in this latest installment.

“The Bogey Man” is fun, funny and again beautifully made. I can indeed easily see how a W&G fan who has no discernible interest in adventure games might love it. Episode four was of a piece with its three previous installments, although a bit less surprising, a bit less engrossing. One could almost hear the game designers yawning.

Telltale Games more than most developers does a remarkable job of recreating the worlds of its franchises.

Those who are only interested in Eye Candy or who are squeamish at the sight of blood should probably look elsewhere. But those who like a good story and lots of inventory based puzzles should enjoy it.

Not many developers would take the time and energy needed to recreate these famous sites with the care and attention that they require or conduct the many hours of research that this game calls for. Not many games can claim to give you the feeling of actually being there.

The game has bugs, so drag out the bug spray.

Still uses the same sucky navigation system/interface. No real surprise. Ubisoft was obviously trying to recoup their expenses from Uru Online and didn't want to spend any more time on development then they had to.

The ultimate DS show-off title. It looks great, it sounds great, it has near-infinite appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike. As such, it's a great reason to buy Nintendo's finest handheld to date and if it ever gets a EU or US release will no doubt be the next craze after Nintendog fever takes hold.

It is a charming title that is far from flawless but will provide 10-15 hours of gaming that will be unique and enjoyable from the beautiful graphics to the novel puzzles to the striking soundscapes.

If there is one carryover from the Playstation 2 version that I wish would have been changed, it is the ability to only save in the middle or at the end of a chapter.

About the only thing I'd knock crackers off Jolly's overall score for is its not quite top-drawer cartoon style.

Despite my problems with 'earlier' versions, Max and the Magic Marker has a lot more polish than I'd expect from a casual game, but not nearly as much as I'd expect from a commercially sold unit.

The Lost Crown stands head and shoulders above most of the adventure game offerings that have come our way over the last few years and frankly I was saddened when it finally ended.

Most importantly, though, is that the game is fun. It keeps you thinking, throws you a good number of curves, and for the most part is challenging but fair.

Emerald City Confidential is in so many particulars a standout game. The concept, the story, the art, the acting, even the rather jazzy interface all get A's. But the puzzles. What a disappointment.

So far we have pleasing graphics, an easy interface, and unique puzzles... but what about the down side? The only issue I had was that the game occasionally got tedious, but this could simply be a result of being stuck for so long.

I liked this game. There was always something new to see, a fun puzzle to solve or another comment from the A.I. to mull over. I never felt frustration or the need to “get it over with.” I want more.

Almost everything in Black Mirror II deserves an A. The graphics, the music, the acting, the plot, the script, the interface. Even many of the puzzles are well thought out. If only the game had let me solve them. Without something to challenge the mind, however, it's all just cable TV. Which is why, despite its many sterling qualities, I'm giving Black Mirror II an overall B.

A creepy, challenging, intelligent and atmospheric thriller.

Anyone who loves a mystery and has an investigative mind will get many hours of pleasure from Still Life.

What it does offer, though, is a game that takes advantage of the full capabilities of the Nintendo wonder-machine. It couldn't exist on anything else in anything other than a truncated form.

Without giving anything away, I’ll just say that it was quite underwhelming. In all fairness, Overclocked is a decent adventure game with a unique premise that’s worth a look if you’re a fan of adventure games. Just don’t expect too much.

One thing that amazed me about this game was the realistic clarity of the faces of the characters. Awesome! I sometimes thought I was playing an FMV game. Almost photo-realistic.

Everything in the game is top-notch, except, of course, for the puzzles.

The Whispered World is about half a terrific game and half a mess. But since the most important parts, the puzzling, graphics and exploring, are all well done I'm going to ignore the stuff I cared less for and award the game an overall grade of A minus.

But if you’re the type of gamer who enjoys a good, logical mystery within a solid historical framework, I predict you’ll have hours of enjoyment with Nostradamus: The Last Prophecy.

It’s not quite the best Nancy Drew game out there (I think that honor goes to "Curse of Blackmoor Manor"), but Danger by Design is just as fascinating as Minette, and far less frustrating. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes Nancy Drew, and many who like adventure games.

All in all Dracula Origin is not a bad game, it just seems to fall flat in some areas that are important to AG players.

With the exception of my two gripes; this offering is, in this reviewer’s humble opinion, on a par with the big games produced by Lucas Arts, Access, the “old” Sierra, and more recently, Microids.

There are simply too many characters to remember, too many quests to keep track of and too many different devices and combat moves to simply remember them all.

I had a wonderful time pretending to be a medieval snoop, and I think that other gamers will too. While this is not a game I'd replay over and over again, it was a great deal of fun. More intellectual than emotional, certainly, but fun nonetheless.

It's clear that the people at Her Interactive love making these games - and as a result, it's hard for the player not to love them, too.

Rhem 3 is a perfect sequel to Rhem and Rhem 2. The quality and gameplay from game to game is seamless. If you liked the previous games, then you will like this one.

While The Haunted Mansion can not be classified as a children’s game, it does have a genial, yet spooky feel about it and is easily accessible by both novice and veteran gamers.

One way this game falls a bit short is that the story seems a bit rushed and confused. The main villain is so far in the background that he's almost invisible.

Jack Keane is an admirable effort which is compromised by a half-assed and inconsistent focus on the quality of the various game elements.

Perhaps it is just my love of nostalgia. Perhaps I am just a James Bond freak. I loved this game, even when it frustrated my efforts to complete it to the point of putting it down for days until I could return with a fresh perspective.

But there’s a very specific pleasure also to be found in an adventure game in which the plot is simply a thin tissue that connects a series of delightfully attractive and fun puzzles.

It has been so long since we have had a comic adventure game that I think it is a relief to just have some fun and enjoy some ridiculous puzzles (and, might I add, puzzles that are purposely meant to be ridiculous).

It is professionally done with good graphics, good voice acting and challenging puzzles.

It's so annoying when a game is so near being great and falls short because of a lack of attention in a few areas.

A breath of nostalgic perfume for the point-and-click enthusiast. I was sorry when it was over, and I fervently hope that the Count finds a way to come back and haunt us for third time.

This time around, however, the puzzles are a little too organic. Or, rather, a little too literal. Mostly based on farm chores, they quickly become ... well, chores for the player as well.

In summary, I found Sinking Island to be excellent and enjoyed it immensely.

I don’t think you can fully appreciate the game without experiencing it in its other incarnations. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some reading to finish.

I personally have nothing but good things to say about this game. In fact, the only problem I have is that it’s too short, and that just means I’m greedy. I think anyone who wants to be whisked away into a brightly colored land of adventure featuring the time-honored themes of good and evil, friends and foes, and a good dose of real humor will be doing themselves a serious favor by checking out this game.

The best independent adventure game since "Cracking the Conspiracy."

Like all of the Jump Start products, Escape From Adventure Island is a quality product that would be a welcome addition to any family’s library of Wii games.

Now I realize that this review seems to have degenerated into a bitch-fest, but I just can’t seem to find any redeeming values in this game.

The atmosphere and surroundings surround the story perfectly, which unfolds in a way that would surely have earned Lady Agatha’s seal of approval. One feels that there could have been more gameplay-wise though - as well as several bugs and imperfections avoided.

All I can say is, every time I see a stain on my clothes or a mysterious splotch of paint on the wall, I have a strong urge to swab it.

It is a mediocre game that would have probably gone unnoticed under a different title.

Those looking for a true and original real-time strategy challenge will be very disappointed with War of the Ring. Those looking for a game that truly captures the atmosphere of the Lord of the Rings trilogy will also be equally disappointed.

They have really pulled out all the stops with their first effort and created one classic piece of Adventure gaming. Just don’t get too used to that luxury called sleep.

Still Life 2, despite its many faults, draws you in, puts you through the ringer and then spits you out like a wad of used gum at the end. I can't say it's a great game -- too flawed and at times annoying for that -- but it does deliver the goods.

Where the game falters unlike any other in recent memory though is the dialogue. Not the voice-acting mind you, but the dialogue itself.

As an X-Files game - directed to fans of the show - it should receive an ‘A’ as it features everything an X-Files episode would and the player gets to participate.

Like a breath of fresh air in the survival horror world. Although its gameplay is a direct copy of CT3, it is still something that hasn’t been seen much.

Brilliant story and characters, clever and challenging puzzles and a gripping pace, all presented almost perfectly.

This is the saga we’ve been waiting for. Thank you Momentum.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, the puzzles, and the graphics, and felt right at home with much of it. In the same spirit that caused me to love Black Mirror despite its laughable flaws, I’m going to have to give Nibiru an A-.

It just doesn’t do anything to make it stand out from the crowd.

Unfortunately, the first chapter is more exposition than game.

All in all, I was surprised by how enjoyable Unsolved Crimes was to play. While I want to be careful not to oversell this modest game, the fact is that it can be a fun little package of murder to carry around with you.

Could have been a really good game—one of the best of the year—despite some of its flaws. But the twitch requirements and the insult sword — errrr… sarsaparilla duels, combined to cast a deathly pallor over the entire experience.

A tightly integrated game, well thought out and brilliantly executed. An unbelievable effort for a single individual.

This would be a very good game, but it suffers from a fatal syndrome: it will inevitably be compared to the original source material.

The solution to this problem might be corrected by better choices, including more Star Trek-like non-violent solutions and away mission problems, and a less obnoxiously difficult equipment upgrade system, which might give captains the will to live in this world.

But this game does nothing more than remind the adventure game lover of the malaise our beloved genre currently finds itself in.

Yes, it is a quality game with high-end graphics and superb voice-acting, but it also seems to be pretty much 'by-the-numbers' let's get this finished and hope we get better distribution and make more money than we did with Dreamcatcher so we can move on to our next project type of game.

What adventure lovers will appreciate the most about this game, I think, is the fact that, with all its polish and rich production values, it's still at heart a completely traditional third-person point-and-click adventure.

You do eventually play as both the brothers and also their mysterious helper, but it is not a matter of choice as the game forces you into situations. There are also some timed puzzles and circumstances that can cause your capture and in one case even death, but fear not for the game is forgiving and you will automatically return to the point before the deadly mistake.

Compared to the lush screens, smooth animations and high-quality musical scores of the PC versions, MillionHeir feels more repetitive, and the gameplay simply wears out its welcome more quickly.

There is nothing in this game that you can point to and say that it was a breakthrough, but it is all consistent and consistently good. It is thoroughly enjoyable and doesn’t turn south on you half way through.

Not only is it a wonderful effort, but it is also one of those rare games where the sequel is better than the original.

I found Ariane to be a tad fidgety when standing in one place and while other characters are speaking to her. Her abundance of mannerisms proved rather distracting to me, particularly at first. Fewer would have been better.

For those looking for perky puzzles and an array of dazzling environments, look elsewhere. But for the player with the patience to explore a rich story and meet lots of shady characters, Daemonica can be a dark, creepy pleasure.

While Dracula 3: The Path of the Dragon is a step above some of Kheops latest efforts (Cleopatra, Destination Treasure Island) it has a minimalist look to it and still feels too much like a cookie-cutter project.

The best way to think of Time Hollow is to enjoy it as interactive storytelling. If you’re comfortable with that, you’ll probably have a great time with the game, as I did.

It's unlikely to win any awards, but it is fun and satisfying to play.

Murder in the Abbey is a classically-structured third-person adventure game with an intriguing setting, a strong story, quality music, and generally excellent graphical presentation. Unfortunately, it’s also got problems that undermine whatever potential fun there is to be had.

As adventure games go, it is almost a sci-fi opus and it is intriguing to think that only a miniscule portion of the Perryverse has been plumbed.