This game has proved to me that you can have beautiful graphics and a great story at the same time-an achievement rarely accomplished by other games. In an action game you can give me jaw dropping graphics, but in an adventure title I prefer a tight story and good puzzles. I have been worried for the past years that the graphics may soon overwhelm the gameplay that has once defined the adventure genre. There are just not enough good praises to be sung about the graphics in Syberia. This is such the case with Kate's fiancГѓВ©e Dan, who sounds like he has just stepped off the stage of a middle school play. When a game forces a player to sit down and listen to a longwinded speech without interruption, it better makes sure that the voice is not annoying. On the other hand, the remaining cast ranges from stellar to 'turn the volume off' bad, especially after considering the fact that there are sections of the game where you have to listen to a supporting character talk for upwards of 2 to 3 minutes straight. This is fortunate since you spend a lot of time listening to Kate. The character of Kate is done amazingly well. Among the few disappointments of this game is the cast of supporting characters.

In contrast, the voice work is a mixed bag. In particular, the game does a wonderful job with its atmospheric sound to pull you into the game environment. Sound effects are all well done and never heavy-handed. It beautifully matches to the different locations and moods.

The story of Hans and his sister, told almost completely through cut scenes, is a powerful piece of animated movie, to the extent that if there is an Oscar for game cinematic this game surely wins hands down. To my pleasant surprise, all the cut scenes can also be played back from the main menu, so I am able to enjoy them over and over again. The opening scene with the funeral procession has my jaw dropped to the floor, and the game only gets better from there. In my opinion, Syberia is, if nothing else, among the most graphically beautiful games ever developed. The creator of Syberia is Benoit Sokal, whose previous works include the game Amerzone and a collection of illustrated stories Le testament d'un explorateur where Sokal revisits the imaginary world of Amerzone. In the end, however, you discover that nothing is as it seems. So, with only this clue, you are off to hunt down Hans to try to close the deal, all the while you must deal with your upset fiancГѓВ©e, a scheming friend, and a worried mother. The company cannot be sold off now without his permission. Not a problem yet? On her deathbed, the owner confesses in a letter to the town notary that there is an heir to her company-a brother named Hans who is thought to be long dead.

The clockwork funeral you have just witnessed when you first arrive in town is that of the former owner of this company. The only thought in your mind is that there is nothing easier than signing a piece of paper and then jetting back home to your fiancГѓВ©e. The factory is known around the world for their automatons (clockwork robots), but it is now being sold off. You have been sent to a small village in France to close an acquisition deal on a clockwork toy factory. You are Kate Walker, working for the law firm of Marson and Lormont. Put the cats or dogs outside, send the kids to the neighbors, call in sick to work, and be prepared to experience the best week of your gaming life! All exaggerations aside, Syberia is among the best adventure games I have ever played, and it is destined to be a classic. Now the papers are piling up outside my door and I have not had a good meal in a few days, let me put it to you simply this way-if you like adventure games, then you owe yourself to drop everything right now and go out to buy a copy of the game. Syberia starts with a woman standing on a street watching a funeral procession made up of life-sized clockwork figures that include a horse and a cart slowly work their way down the street. Despite all of the hype, I decide to give this game a fair shot. As an old school adventure gamer, I frankly rather see old styled cartoon graphics and good gameplay than a pretty slideshow but little interactivity. I have seen the press screenshots of this game and the thought of another Myst clone pops into my head.

Syberia 3 collector's edition