adventure games similar to Awake (NBC TV show)

jaap · 04-18-2012, 06:01 AM

Dear fellow adventurers,

I recently started watching " awake ", a TV show on the US channel NBC.

"Spoiler-free summary: After a car accident, police detective Michael Britten (Jason Isaacs) wakes up to discover his son has also survived the crash, but his wife has died. A few days later, he wakes up to see his wife is alive but finds his son had died in the crash instead. Living in the two realities, he sees two different therapists and works with two different partners."

Interesting here is that he is solving crimes in both realities, and hints from reality A can be used for reality B (and vice versa). I was wondering if there are any adventure games that work with a similar concept (using alternate realities to solve puzzles)?
Time travel has been done before, and can be used in a similar fashion, see "Day of the Tentacle" and "The Tomb of Sammun-Mak".

I'd love to see a similar theme, but then in the parallel realities described by Murakami in " Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World ".

any suggestions of games i should play?

Thanks!

diego · 04-18-2012, 07:21 AM

I can't really recall any game where you're actively switching back and forth between alternate realities in such manner that you're also solving puzzles by it. However, Dark Seed 2 (and probably the first one, haven't played it) is built on a concept of two parallel universes:

but it's more of a horror mystery than detective/crime.

Fahrenheit might not directly involve alternate realities (or does it?

), but twists in the story arouse the similar effect. And there're many games where you simply go to "alternate reality" at the very beginning, like Lighthouse, Reah, Outcast...

HandsFree · 04-18-2012, 07:27 AM

Anacapri does that more or less. They call it 'the dream' rather than an alternate reality but it's basically the same thing I'd say.

*Fantasysci5* · 04-18-2012, 08:50 AM

Not sure at all if it is what you want, but "Sanitarium"

Spoiler:
goes back and forth between two realities

, very great game. http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,66

jaap · 04-18-2012, 10:02 AM

thanks!
I know Farenheit and Sanitarium very well (like them a lot).
I actually own boxed copies of Darkseed & Darkseed 2, never played them.
I'll look up Anacapri!

HandsFree · 04-18-2012, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaap

I'll look up Anacapri!

But don't pay any attention to the sour reviews.

Stonez · 04-18-2012, 12:10 PM

I've always liked doppelganger/parallel universe idea since reading The Talisman by Stephen King back in the late 80's. I'm also a big fan of Fox's Fringe and it's take on the genre. Dark Seed 2 looks like it may be one of my next purchases, so thanks to you Diego for the recommendation.

inm8#2 · 04-18-2012, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fantasysci5

Not sure at all if it is what you want, but "Sanitarium"

Spoiler:
goes back and forth between two realities

, very great game. http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,66

Is that a mild spoiler?

Dara100 · 04-18-2012, 12:44 PM

Play those Darkseed games! Darkseed (1) is exactly what you describe - going between two worlds to solve the game. Be sure to use a walkthrough for the first, though, as it is wickedly timed and you can forget to do one thing and die repeatedly. No need for frustration. Darkseed 2 builds on the theme. I liked both very much, especially the Geiger (Alien) renderings. PM me on how to get the first one running if you have trouble.

*Fantasysci5* · 04-18-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inm8#2

Is that a mild spoiler?

Is it? I didn't really think of it as such, but I'll edit my comment, just in case.

*stepurhan* · 04-18-2012, 02:30 PM

Added the spoiler tags to the quote as well, just in case.

Arial Type · 04-18-2012, 02:49 PM

I think Trylby's Notes by Yahtzee fits the description. It constantly switched between "normal" and "dark" realities unexpectedly, unlike Darkseed, making the game more terrifying. Darkseed 1 is also a wonderful Lovecraft/Giger-inspired fantasy though.

Stonez · 04-18-2012, 06:08 PM

Darkseed is a steal on Amazon at $40. Now I recall why I remember that game. HR Geiger. Oh well, maybe when I sell a kidney! lol

TimovieMan · 04-19-2012, 02:46 AM

Doesn't The Last Express and it's time-system qualify as well?

I mean, you're constantly turning the clock back and "changing" your actions (while retaining all the knowledge you held up until then)...

04-18-2012, 06:01 AM	#1
jaap recovering AG addict Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City, USA Posts: 179	adventure games similar to Awake (NBC TV show) Dear fellow adventurers, I recently started watching " awake ", a TV show on the US channel NBC. "Spoiler-free summary: After a car accident, police detective Michael Britten (Jason Isaacs) wakes up to discover his son has also survived the crash, but his wife has died. A few days later, he wakes up to see his wife is alive but finds his son had died in the crash instead. Living in the two realities, he sees two different therapists and works with two different partners." Interesting here is that he is solving crimes in both realities, and hints from reality A can be used for reality B (and vice versa). I was wondering if there are any adventure games that work with a similar concept (using alternate realities to solve puzzles)? Time travel has been done before, and can be used in a similar fashion, see "Day of the Tentacle" and "The Tomb of Sammun-Mak". I'd love to see a similar theme, but then in the parallel realities described by Murakami in " Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World ". any suggestions of games i should play? Thanks! Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Jaap Max: Right! We'll travel through this dimensional portal on the top of the bar! Sam: That's spilled beer, rockhead. Max: Oh in that case ...

04-18-2012, 07:27 AM	#3
HandsFree Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 286	Anacapri does that more or less. They call it 'the dream' rather than an alternate reality but it's basically the same thing I'd say. Share Share this post on Twitter

04-18-2012, 08:50 AM	#4
Fantasysci5 Stalker of Britain Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Missouri, US Posts: 4,535	Not sure at all if it is what you want, but "Sanitarium" Spoiler: goes back and forth between two realities , very great game. http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,66 Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "And everyone's favourite anglophile, Fantasy!"-Intense Favorite Adventure Games-Lost Crown/Dark Fall 1&2, Longest Journey games, Myst games, Barrow Hill Favorite Other Games-King's Bounty, Sims 2, Fable, Disciples 2 Gold Currently Playing-Trine 2 Games I Want-Kings Bounty: Warriors of the North!!!, Asylum, Last Crown, Braken Tor, Testament of Sherlock Holmes Last edited by Fantasysci5; 04-18-2012 at 01:30 PM.

04-18-2012, 10:02 AM	#5
jaap recovering AG addict Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City, USA Posts: 179	thanks! I know Farenheit and Sanitarium very well (like them a lot). I actually own boxed copies of Darkseed & Darkseed 2, never played them. I'll look up Anacapri! Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Jaap Max: Right! We'll travel through this dimensional portal on the top of the bar! Sam: That's spilled beer, rockhead. Max: Oh in that case ...

04-18-2012, 12:10 PM	#7
Stonez Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Atlanta, Ga. Posts: 110	I've always liked doppelganger/parallel universe idea since reading The Talisman by Stephen King back in the late 80's. I'm also a big fan of Fox's Fringe and it's take on the genre. Dark Seed 2 looks like it may be one of my next purchases, so thanks to you Diego for the recommendation. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die."

04-18-2012, 07:21 AM	#2
diego Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: belgrade Posts: 1,407	I can't really recall any game where you're actively switching back and forth between alternate realities in such manner that you're also solving puzzles by it. However, Dark Seed 2 (and probably the first one, haven't played it) is built on a concept of two parallel universes: but it's more of a horror mystery than detective/crime. Fahrenheit might not directly involve alternate realities (or does it? ), but twists in the story arouse the similar effect. And there're many games where you simply go to "alternate reality" at the very beginning, like Lighthouse, Reah, Outcast... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Recently finished: Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened - Remastered 4/5, The Walking Dead Episode 1: A New Day 3/5 Currently Playing: The Black Mirror Looking forward to: Deponia, TLC of Zerzura, Chains of Satinav The Biggest Adventure of the Past, Present and Future!

04-18-2012, 12:44 PM	#9
Dara100 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 199	Play those Darkseed games! Darkseed (1) is exactly what you describe - going between two worlds to solve the game. Be sure to use a walkthrough for the first, though, as it is wickedly timed and you can forget to do one thing and die repeatedly. No need for frustration. Darkseed 2 builds on the theme. I liked both very much, especially the Geiger (Alien) renderings. PM me on how to get the first one running if you have trouble. Share Share this post on Twitter

04-18-2012, 02:30 PM	#11
stepurhan Freeware Co-ordinator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: South East England. Posts: 7,309	Added the spoiler tags to the quote as well, just in case. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ No Nonsense Nonsonnets #43 Cold Topic A thread most controversial, that’s what I want to start Full of impassioned arguments, of posting from the heart And for this stimulation all will be thankful to me On come on everybody it won’t work if you agree

04-18-2012, 02:49 PM	#12
Arial Type Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 365	I think Trylby's Notes by Yahtzee fits the description. It constantly switched between "normal" and "dark" realities unexpectedly, unlike Darkseed, making the game more terrifying. Darkseed 1 is also a wonderful Lovecraft/Giger-inspired fantasy though. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Give Simon 3D a chance!

04-18-2012, 06:08 PM	#13
Stonez Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Atlanta, Ga. Posts: 110	Darkseed is a steal on Amazon at $40. Now I recall why I remember that game. HR Geiger. Oh well, maybe when I sell a kidney! lol Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die."

04-19-2012, 02:46 AM	#14
TimovieMan Filmfreak Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,049	Doesn't The Last Express and it's time-system qualify as well? I mean, you're constantly turning the clock back and "changing" your actions (while retaining all the knowledge you held up until then)... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Currently playing: Again, Escape from Monkey Island (replay), King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow Next in line: King's Quest VII: The Princeless Bride, Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers, The Last Express, Time Hollow Recently finished: King's Quest V: Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder, The Curse of Monkey Island (replay), The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (abandoned), Mass Effect 3

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