Written by Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: Syberia 3
Developer: Microïds
Publisher: Microïds
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
Price: $49.99
Also Available On: Mac, Steam, PS4, XB1
Syberia 3’s release on the Nintendo Switch caps a long journey that began long before the turn of the decade. Development on the last title in the graphic adventure trilogy coincided with issues beyond the control of Microids designers Benoît Sokal and Lucas Lagravette; from the arrival of new management to contractual negotiations to financial concerns, it found its progress stunted for years. And even after support for its production became official, it saw its expected launch date moved time and again, ostensibly to “bring even more depth to Kate Walker’s new adventure,” Elliot Graciano, the French software brand’s founder and Vice President, noted in late 2016.
For all the patience Microids exhibited, however, mixed reviews met Syberia 3 when it was finally released in April 2017 on Windows, OS X, PlayStation 4, and XBox One. That said, plans to bring it to the Nintendo Switch, which had then just made a rousing debut, were afoot. The decision to port it was based on the apt assessment that its point-and-click mechanics fit gamers on the go. And so the trilogy made its way to the hybrid console, the first two iterations in November and the third last month, in the process introducing it to a new gaming base that effectively extended its shelf life.
For Nintendo diehards, the good news is that the Switch version of Syberia 3 sticks to its roots. It has faithfully kept the look and feel of the game, whether played on the big screen or undocked. The trials and tribulations of Walker — a lawyer hitherto in Syberia but subsequently on a cause to assist the nomadic Youkoi as they migrate with snow ostriches — are presented exactly as fans of the series recall. Featuring a simple interface that enables players to get the main character to interact with her environment, it encourages exploration and strategizing and involves no small measure of puzzle solving to move the story forward. In this regard, the immersive soundtrack by Inon Zur of Dragon Age and Fallout 4 fame helps set the tone for particular circumstances.
Parenthetically, Syberia 3 boasts of an outstanding art design. Environments are striking and diverse, lending an authentic air to the proceedings. Walker and other non-playable characters are likewise rendered with care and thoroughness; they blend seamlessly with their surroundings. On the minus side, the voice acting represents a downgrade from those found in its older siblings; the dialogue can occasionally come off as artificial and border on the stilted. And for gamers who prefer to enjoy it with subtitles, the distinct differences between the written and spoken words can be jarring.
Because Syberia 3 employs a narrative that banks on linear progression, situations aren’t enveloped in haste; going through puzzles and trigger events winds up being a leisurely endeavor instead of a time-pressing one. It’s neither good nor bad in the grand scheme of things, although the absence of any touch-screen functionality — a missed opportunity for Microids to make its Switch version stand out — tilts it to the tedious side. In any case, there is no shortage of fun to be had; the tasks at hand are challenging but fair, and problems always have solutions that do not require a ridiculous amount of backtracking. And given the propensity of programming clues, frustration will rarely set in.
Taken in the context of Syberia 3’s presentation, the plot is appropriately devoid of grand designs. In fact, it simply involves the principal protagonist joining in on an annual pilgrimage and helping along the way. Nothing spectacular, and no end-of-the-world machinations to thwart, no do-or-die settings to deal with from the get-go. And for good measure, it includes “An Automaton With A Plan,” previously released downloadable content on a separate story for Oscar, Walker’s mechanical companion.
In sum, Syberia 3 is an acquired taste, and, at its best, an uneven romp that likewise suffers from long load times and frame drops. For longtime followers of the series, veterans of point-and-click sagas, and casual gamers out to pass the time without pressure, however, it’s well worth the 30-odd hours needed to compete the material it offers. Not bad for $40, and remarkable in light of the arduous road it took to reach the Switch.
THE GOOD
- Picks up from where Syberia 2 left off
- Easy controls
- Challenging but fair puzzles
- Vibrant look and immersive soundtrack
THE BAD
- Long load times
- Occasional frame drops
- Voice acting adequate at best
- Subtitles don’t match the dialogue, which can be stilted
RATING: 7/10
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