Theseis
Preview
Watching the "real" story behind the Theseis myth unfold and develop during the investigation should be intriguing and gratifying
by Marcus Mulkins
previewed on PC
Did I mention That It's All Greek To Me? (cont.)
From the hidden network of caves beneath the Greek metropolis, crawling with the remnants of a bygone age and the treasures of the past, to long lost places of legend all over Greece, Andronicos and Pheve struggle to uncover the pieces of an ancient conspiracy, kept secret through stealth and murder. But what they find could well be just the tip of the iceberg. For beneath the cover of shadows and time, a great power lay dormant, waiting for the time when it will once again come forth to the light of day, back amongst the people where it belongs. Awe and dread, humor and split-second decisions, discovery and betrayal, the mythical and the mundane, are all intertwined in this fast paced crossing to the other side, where your only allies are the discarded rumors of ancient folklore, dubious medieval books and above all your wits!
The features list proclaims "a gripping story that emerges and places you in a Greece full of marvel, danger and back-stage scheming just beneath the surface of everyday life". You can play with both Andronicus and Pheve and you try to uncover the secret of the Theseis, while you are opposed in this quest by both men and monsters. The game also features multiple endings, a variety of puzzles, mainly based on Greek mythology, and colourful characters and locations, varying from neo-classical buildings to the grim depths of Hades.
Now, just so you have a clearer understanding of what the game is, think "Tomb Raider", with a pacifistic Greek touch. That is, lots of Greek stuff (history, myths, geography, names), but no guns. You'll be tackling the Bad Guys (whoever they might be), without the benefit of Lara Croft's arsenal. You won't even be able to slip a dagger between the ribs of monsters that the world truly could live without. But the graphics will be to die for, albeit a bit on the dark side, literally (Crank up the gamma!). And for those that speak (and read) English as a first language, don't be surprised if some of the written captions get creative with the syntax and grammar. (We can hope that Take7 hires on an American or British Copy Editor.)
Finis (That Means "The End" In Greek... I Think)
As adventure games go, Theseis looks like it will be well worth whatever the price tag will be. Even veteran gamers with scores of puzzle-solving jawbreakers to their credit should find the excursion entertaining. At the very least, watching the "real" story behind the Theseis myth unfold and develop during the investigation should be intriguing and gratifying.
And then there will be all those pesky monsters around, just so the adrenalin junkies have something to keep them busy. So, hold your horses; the game is on its way. You might want to spend the time studying up on your Greek mythology.
