Reah: Face The Unknown
Score: 70% ESRB: Unknown Publisher: Project Two Developer: LK Avalon Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 Genre: Miscellaneous/ Adventure
Graphics & Sound: I was really expecting a lot out of Reah. Unfortunately, I fear my expectations were too high. Don't get me wrong, the graphics were good; I just expected more. I remember playing Myst years ago, in awe at the graphics. Now, years later, the DVD Reah has graphics that are no better (maybe even a tad bit worse) than the CD Myst. Why do I compare it to Myst? It looks, plays, and feels like Myst. Reah is just another Myst clone, only with a better storyline. The graphics were somewhat grainy and pixilated. In a world of ever changing technology, full motion video, and picture perfect screen shots, I guess I'm just spoiled. The graphics weren't bad, they just didn't feel
Gameplay: It's the future (isn't it always), and you're a journalist on a small planet. There is no real reason for anyone to still inhabit this planet, yet the military still operates a base there. Why? Well, as it turns out, there is an alien artifact on the planet. It is discovered that the artifact is, in actuality, a gateway to an alien civilization on some unknown place in the universe. Under observation, it is found that the portal loses integrity every time that someone passes through, and it will not last much longer. Being the good journalist that you are, you can't help but step through the portal to investigate the other side. Of course, the gateway collapses behind you, and you are left stranded on this alien world. How do you get back home? Well, that's the object of the game. As you run around the world, you begin to solve little puzzles. The puzzles then allow you to get a better overall view of what is going on, where you are, and how to get home. Point and click your way off this rock, with knowledge of a new alien culture.
Difficulty: I found that the puzzles weren't all that difficult. Simple attention to detail and even trial and error helped to achieve the goals. What made the game difficult was the depth. The game is too long and too in-depth. After a while, I began to lose interest (as well as my place). The story was good, but too much extraneous detail was put into nonessential parts. Some of it was just outright confusing. It was hard to tell if you were getting somewhere or just going in circles (that was usually the case). The puzzles were too easy, but the world was too big.
Game Mechanics: Reah uses a simple point and click interface. The only thing that I didn't like was the fact that you had to click and hold while moving the mouse in order to navigate. Other than that, it's pretty straight forward. Click on an item to use it or to get a better view. Move around, look at stuff, manipulate the environment, and get back home. That's about all there is to it. Simple mechanics help to make this one more enjoyable. If you like this genre of games, then Reah may be just what you're looking for.
-Storm, GameVortex Communications AKA Jeremy Kelso
Minimum System Requirements: Windows 95/98, Pentium 200 MMX, 16 MB RAM, 120MB HD Space, 1MB SVGA card, DVD-ROM, Sound Card, Mouse   Test System: P2 450, Windows 98 SE, 128MB RAM, Diamond Viper V770 Ultra w/32MB RAM, 2 Voodoo 2's SLI, 5x24 DVD-ROM, Monster Sound MX300
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