May 20

Written by: Brian Wray
5/20/2008 12:35 PM

Game: Lost: Via Domus Reviewed by: Brian Wray		Run! Lost: Via Domus is a new game based off the TV series of the same name. As a rule of thumb, I do not expect much from games based off of movies or TV shows, as I am always disappointment by the results when I do so, but for this game was being developed by the magical folks at Ubisoft Montréal. Also unlike most movie tie-ins, the developers did have about 4 seasons worth of complex storylines already developed for the TV show available to them. The show's premise is perfect for the adventure game genre, so how could they fail in delivering a quality gaming experience.
The game centers around a previously unknown survivor of the Oceanic Flight 185 crash. During the crash, you bump your head and now cannot remember who you are (very cliché but yet very convenient at the same time). This is your goal in the game, to remember who you are and to escape the island. The other characters in the game are from the TV show, well from the best of my knowledge that is. I have to admit to having never watched an episode of Lost. I know very little of the show other than little bits of information that I overheard from co-workers around me that used to talk about it (when people actually watched the show that is). So it may not be a surprise to you to find out that I do not know anything of the storyline besides the fact that the show is based on the adventures of a handful of survivors of an airplane crash on a somewhat deserted island. My ignorance of the TV show and it’s characters, plots and events would become an obvious obstacle in my enjoyment of this game as the developers must have assumed that most gamers who opted to play this game would be fans of the show.
The game itself is an adventure game, and on this front, it deliver a somewhat satisfying, albeit short  gaming experience. To recover your memories and escape the island, you need to complete a series of tasks that will move the story along. The game is divided up into seven episodes, each featuring a memory puzzle, in that you must take a picture in your flashback that will trigger a memory. Then you are returned to the game world to take action(s) that has little to nothing to do with the memory you regained.
The game offers little in way of challenges to seasoned adventure gamers. All parts of the game feel extremely scripted and linear. I could not help but feel that the game was developed for non gamers as you are left with little in the way of discovery. The only real challenging part of the game is the fuse puzzles. Several locations in the game has you solve a puzzle in which you must supply a precise amount of voltage to several terminals using one of  three different fuses to complete the circuit. Each fuse will offer a different amount of resistance reducing the amount of voltage flowing in the circuit. These little mini games are actually challenging, especially the final ones, as you may need to bring your own fuses to the puzzle. Hint: After you complete a fuse puzzle, you can remove the fuses for later use saving you a lot of time searching or having to trade for them.
I feel that Ubisoft Montréal wasted a great opportunity to create a truly outstanding gaming experience. The game introduced me to all types of interesting locations, characters and plot lines, only to leave them fall flat. After having completed the game, I do not know the TV show characters any better than before playing the game. Sure I know that Sayid can fix electronics, but not a single thing about who he is, and what makes him tick. The same can be said about everyone else in the game. I now know that Kate was an criminal, and that Locke was crippled but not more than that. I do not know how or why there is a ship in the middle of the jungle. I do not understand why there was a dead polar bear or a mechanical shark in the game. I still do not understand what role does Ben play is and what organization he works for. What the hell is that black smoke? Maybe these are not questions they are at liberty to answer, but I am sure they could have provided some extra background information for the newbie to the series. It would not have been extremely difficult to add a few simple books in the library filled with Lost lore. All I can tell is that Sun and Kate must be pretty nice looking in the TV show as their digital recreations were very flattering. That is one thing I can say about this game, it does look very nice. As it stands, I cannot fully recommend Lost: Via Domus to anyone but hardcore fans of the TV show, as there appears to be a startling reveal at the end of the game (I did finish it, and I think I know what the big reveal is, but I will not spoil it for anyone). Even if you are a huge Lost fan, or an avid adventure gamers, rent this game, for it can be completed in about five hours of gameplay, this including replaying some levels to get some missing achievements.  Considering the source material, Lost: Via Domus had the potential to become this generations Myst, but now will be destined to be lost in the discount bin at your local retailer. -Brian William Wray

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