Setting: If you like graphic adventure games with character, this is a good one! This game (for the most part) is set in New Orleans. The voice of Gabriel (our main character) is done by Tim Curry. Some of the other voices are done by Michael Dorn (Worf from StarTrek) and Ephram Zimbalist Jr. The personality of the characters seems more believable than in many adventure games we’ve played in the past.
Plotline: Gabriel sets out to solve the Voodoo Murders that have been happening in New Orleans and learns about his family heritage in the process. The story line is very full and you get caught up in the mysteries surrounding Gabriel. "I can't BELIEVE they blew up . . . SHHHH!!! you'll ruin it for them......"
Playability: There are a few spots where a pic by pic search is necessary but not many and the puzzles are challenging but solvable. This game is very interactive and if you like playing adventure games with a friend this is a good one.
Graphics: Super VGA animation with some hi-res video. "I really wish Gabriel would leave his hair alone."
Sound: Good quality with nice themes although sometimes repetitive. "Ze woodoo drums and ze woodoo museum will annoy you, ya."
Hints: 1. Talk to everyone, then talk to them some more. Each time you get new information you get the opportunity to ask new questions of people you have already questioned.
2. Jackson Square is not just a waste of graphics. Check it out daily to see what can be done there.
3. For more detailed hints, check out Zen's Gabriel Knight Page
Setting:Gabriel has moved to Germany and taken up residence in his ancestral castle. In this game Gabriel is played by some actor whose name is not important enough to appear on the box. The live video make the whole game very entertaining. Games like this could very easily replace evening T.V. for enjoyment. You get to watch a movie while interacting with it.
Plotline:Both Gabriel and Grace are trying to solve the mystery of wolf killings. You actually switch between playing Grace and playing Gabriel. The character of Grace is very catty and aserbic in the begining of the game but she mellows out some. "Why is Grace being such a b*tch?"
Playability: We were slow to get a grip on this game, the puzzles are pretty logical but some of them are tough. There are a few screens that are slow (while you wait for Gabriel to walk across the screen) and you have to do a good bit of running back and forth to the different places Gabriel can go, but it’s well worth it! Once again there are a few places where a pic by pic search is necessary but not many.
Graphics: Full Motion Video makes it much easier to submerge yourself in this game. The graphics are excellent (better than any other adventure game we’ve played.) The opera is absolutely incredible!!! After playing this game it was hard to sit down and enjoy a simple animated adventure. The graphics really spoil you.
Hints: 1. You can skip any movie and many walking sceens.. Some of the walking sceens can get a bit monotonous.
2. Don't forget to write.
3. For more detailed hints, check out Zen's Gabriel Knight Page
Setting:This game starts in France but sends you all over Europe to places you would never go to do stupid things and ask lots of stupid questions. Our character (George Stobart) is as much of a wenie as his name sounds. He usually seems like a clueless yuppy tourist. "George is STUPID!!!"
Plotline:George is trying to track a killer clown and uncovers mysteries surrounding the Knights Templer with a dash of the ancient order of the Hashashin--subplot, (which, by the way, is never developed.)
Playability: Someone else described this game as Circle of Mouse . You do have to be careful in your seraching to do a thorough job. Many things that you can click on seem to have no function. This is frustrating!
Graphics: They are o.k. for animated SVGA graphics. There is no way to skip any of the tedious walks etc. in this game so prepair for the game to be slow once the novelty of the scenes wears off. "George walks through the hose instead of around it because he is immensely stupid."
Hints: 1. Use everything in your inventory! Ask everyone about everything in your inventory!
2. Some things can be used in more than one way.
3. If you can make it through this game without using the Circle of Blood hints, then you have more patience than we do.