Favourite Microprose Adventure Game

Kiefer · 03-30-2007, 08:14 AM

There's hardly ever any discussion about Microprose's adventure games. Personally, I think Rex Nebular and Dragonsphere are as good as anything Sierra ever came up with. It's a shame Microprose close down the Adventure Studio so quickly because of lack of sales.

SO, which one is your favourite Microprose adventure? I'll have to go with Dragonsphere.

Risingson · 04-03-2007, 12:02 AM

Dragonsphere. It is beautiful and balanced, isn't it? Phantom has a maze, and Rex Nebular is too dificult for me.

beverheim · 04-03-2007, 06:38 AM

The only one of the four Microprose games I've played is Dragonsphere. But that game was indeed very nice: Balanced puzzles to solve and an intriguing story with a very surprising plot twist halfway through the game.

Truly a forgotten gem.

Dasilva · 04-03-2007, 06:45 AM

Rex, no doubt.

Draco2.5 · 04-03-2007, 06:45 AM

I've only played Return of the Phantom and Dragonsphere.
Both were pretty avarage imo, but Dragonsphere has a pretty neat twist halfway through so I'd have to pick that.

04-03-2007, 08:44 AM

I only played Rex, and it was awesome.

Gonchi · 04-03-2007, 10:34 AM

I vote for BloodNet. I love that game despite its many, many flaws.

Risingson · 04-03-2007, 02:42 PM

And being more an RPG, I suppose. Bloodnet is a game that... how do you manage to play it? I have it original, with the manuals, and gave it one thousand tries, and still doesn't get what it's good about it.

Gonchi · 04-03-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risingson

And being more an RPG, I suppose.

I'm a big fan of RPGs, so it being a hybrid doesn't bother me in the least. In any case, the RPG elements in BloodNet are really quite poor and are generally what fuel most people's disdain for the game (like for example the combat, inventory management, lack of interaction in dialogs, lack of meaningful choices and freedom, the numerous dead-ends).

That aside, I was somewhat surprised at it's inclusion in this poll while other Microprose games that might be considered hybrids were not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risingson

Bloodnet is a game that... how do you manage to play it?

A PC is a good start. Or an Amiga, depending on what version you have...

That and patience, tolerance, perseverance, unhinged determination and a detailed walkthrough help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risingson

I have it original, with the manuals, and gave it one thousand tries, and still doesn't get what it's good about it.

I have it original too, but if you want to get rid of it, throw it my way.

I'm very fond of sci-fi, cyberpunk specifically, and BloodNet has always reminded me to Shadowrun, which I was obsessed with around the time I bought it.

Personal feelings aside, there are many good things to say about BloodNet. The game is very atmospheric for one, it manages to blend together what are generally contrary themes brilliantly, the writing and acting were exceptional, and if memory serves, the puzzles were all fairly logical.

It's not a game to be openly recommended, yet it is the only one from the list which I've played more than once. I can't help but wonder if it had been made as a pure adventure game if it would not be considered a classic today...

NemelChelovek · 04-04-2007, 01:56 AM

Dragonsphere is a great game. Really original take on the fantasy setting, some of the most innovative puzzles I've ever seen (learning a new language; constructing a poem), memorable characters, and a really imaginative plot twist that came right when you thought the game was over, revealing you actually had a good third left to go. The only problems I had with it were that the main character was a bit underdeveloped for the first two-thirds, and a "one always lies, one always tells the truth" puzzle based around characters with identical sprites who moved around and CHANGED COLOR every few seconds. Other than those things, excellent game. I'm surprised it hasn't gotten an AG review.

vivasawadee · 04-04-2007, 02:21 AM

I just want to chime in and say that at a certain point in my life, Rex Nebular was one of my least favourite adventure games of all time. Nothing wrong with the graphics, story or characters but the box art promised boobies and porkies-style shenanigans and the game didn't deliver.

This was during my pre-pubescent pimply geek stage of life and shelling out full price ($$$) for the game during the Leisuresuit Larry days and not getting any satisfaction from it was a total downer.

If I had the game now I think I will probably enjoy it quite a bit.

Shizukana · 04-13-2007, 06:26 PM

I've played all but Phantom (still own Rex and BloodNet, but Dragonsphere was stolen) so i voted for BloodNet. Great story and interesting mix of cyberpunk and vampires. Lots of neat ideas hampered by tough as nails combat heh. But it's the story that drove me to play through it. Not bad voice acting and i'm sure everyone will recognize the same people from Microprose' other games.

Jobabob · 04-13-2007, 11:54 PM

what about Star Trek: The Next Generation - A Final Unity? Another great microprose adventure game

Ninth · 04-14-2007, 01:29 AM

Dragonsphere. I really really need to replay it...

View Poll Results: Best Microprose Adventure Game?
Rex Nebular and the Cosmic Gender Bender	4	23.53%
Return of the Phantom	0	0%
Dragonsphere	8	47.06%
Bloodnet	5	29.41%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll

03-30-2007, 08:14 AM	#1
Kiefer Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1	Favourite Microprose Adventure Game There's hardly ever any discussion about Microprose's adventure games. Personally, I think Rex Nebular and Dragonsphere are as good as anything Sierra ever came up with. It's a shame Microprose close down the Adventure Studio so quickly because of lack of sales. SO, which one is your favourite Microprose adventure? I'll have to go with Dragonsphere. Share Share this post on Twitter

04-03-2007, 12:02 AM	#2
Risingson Your average crooner Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 485	Dragonsphere. It is beautiful and balanced, isn't it? Phantom has a maze, and Rex Nebular is too dificult for me. Share Share this post on Twitter

04-03-2007, 06:38 AM	#3
beverheim Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 44	Dragonsphere The only one of the four Microprose games I've played is Dragonsphere. But that game was indeed very nice: Balanced puzzles to solve and an intriguing story with a very surprising plot twist halfway through the game. Truly a forgotten gem. Share Share this post on Twitter

04-03-2007, 06:45 AM	#4
Dasilva Hitch-Hiker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Mediterranean Sea Posts: 4,364	Rex, no doubt. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Regards, DaSilva "If you don't get out of the box you've been raised in, you won't understand how much bigger the world is." - Angelina Jolie _ <Susan falls through the floor and gets stuck> <Paco looks at her blankly> "Whats wrong with you?! Lassy would of had a firetruck here by now!" - Susan Mayer, Desperate Housewives

04-03-2007, 06:45 AM	#5
Draco2.5 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 310	I've only played Return of the Phantom and Dragonsphere. Both were pretty avarage imo, but Dragonsphere has a pretty neat twist halfway through so I'd have to pick that. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ As a young boy, when you get splashed by a mud puddle on the way to school, you wonder if you should go home and change, but be late for school, or go to school the way you are; dirty and soaking wet. Well, while he tried to decide, I drove by and splashed him again. - Jack Handey

04-03-2007, 08:44 AM	#6
Roman5 Guest Posts: n/a	I only played Rex, and it was awesome. Share Share this post on Twitter

04-03-2007, 10:34 AM	#7
Gonchi Adventure Game Elitist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Uruguay Posts: 831	I vote for BloodNet. I love that game despite its many, many flaws. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Currently Playing: Heroes of Might and Magic III: Armageddon's Blade Currently Reading: Guards! Guards! "El tiempo me enseñó que la miseria es culpa de los hombres miserables; que la justicia tarda y nunca llega pero es la pesadilla del culpable." - Lo Que El Tiempo Me Enseñó

04-03-2007, 02:42 PM	#8
Risingson Your average crooner Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 485	And being more an RPG, I suppose. Bloodnet is a game that... how do you manage to play it? I have it original, with the manuals, and gave it one thousand tries, and still doesn't get what it's good about it. Share Share this post on Twitter

04-04-2007, 01:56 AM	#10
NemelChelovek The Solomon of Sarcasm Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 207	Dragonsphere is a great game. Really original take on the fantasy setting, some of the most innovative puzzles I've ever seen (learning a new language; constructing a poem), memorable characters, and a really imaginative plot twist that came right when you thought the game was over, revealing you actually had a good third left to go. The only problems I had with it were that the main character was a bit underdeveloped for the first two-thirds, and a "one always lies, one always tells the truth" puzzle based around characters with identical sprites who moved around and CHANGED COLOR every few seconds. Other than those things, excellent game. I'm surprised it hasn't gotten an AG review. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Before you ask, "Nemel Chelovek" is from a Russian fairy tale about a dragon, his uncle, a princess, and a heroic pageboy. Nemel is the uncle in question. Advertisers don't program morals into their audiences. It would be bad for business. --Sara Ogaz, Queen of the World Just about every adventure game includes you needing to combine a ham and a wrench to make a "porkscrew". --Kevin Wilson

04-04-2007, 02:21 AM	#11
vivasawadee Thats the ticket Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 395	I just want to chime in and say that at a certain point in my life, Rex Nebular was one of my least favourite adventure games of all time. Nothing wrong with the graphics, story or characters but the box art promised boobies and porkies-style shenanigans and the game didn't deliver. This was during my pre-pubescent pimply geek stage of life and shelling out full price ($$$) for the game during the Leisuresuit Larry days and not getting any satisfaction from it was a total downer. If I had the game now I think I will probably enjoy it quite a bit. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Well I, for one, plan on discovering the secrets of the multiverse by rubbing cottage cheese on my belly and eating vast quantities of fresh-water fish. Mmm... cheese - Nameless One

04-13-2007, 06:26 PM	#12
Shizukana Dividing the Digital Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 8	I've played all but Phantom (still own Rex and BloodNet, but Dragonsphere was stolen) so i voted for BloodNet. Great story and interesting mix of cyberpunk and vampires. Lots of neat ideas hampered by tough as nails combat heh. But it's the story that drove me to play through it. Not bad voice acting and i'm sure everyone will recognize the same people from Microprose' other games. Share Share this post on Twitter

04-13-2007, 11:54 PM	#13
Jobabob Lost monkey Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: UK Posts: 127	what about Star Trek: The Next Generation - A Final Unity? Another great microprose adventure game Share Share this post on Twitter

04-14-2007, 01:29 AM	#14
Ninth Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Paris, France Posts: 6,409	Dragonsphere. I really really need to replay it... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ ...It's down there somewhere. Let me have another look.

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