Phantom of the Opera Computer Games

Plural! Two of 'em! Of course, there could be more I don't know of yet, but for now, two!

I didn't know where else to put this forum, but I figured some of you might be interested in these if you don't know of them. And if you do know of them, I'd love to hear about your experience playing them! I own the Return of the Phantom, and am presently downloading the other one, but I've yet to play either!

The first is an older one, Called Return of the Phantom released by MicroProse. It features a strange plot where a more modern Raoul is investigating modern Christine's mysterious murder when he's sent back into the 1800s. Modern being of course modern back when it was released, which while I'm unsure of the exact date, was quite some time ago. Though it is available on CD-Rom now. Apparently when you get to the point where you're trying to find Erik's lair, you should get a walk through or you'll never find your way.

The second is a new game, just released! It's called Mystery Legends: The Phantom of the Opera. It's an adventure/hidden object game. It seems to differ quite a bit just from looking at it, but it still seems like it might be fun. I'll post again when I've begun to play. The link is here: http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/9493/mystery-legends-phantom-opera-collectors/index.html?src=frmtrygame&osdetect=true .

Any thoughts?

I didn't know about the new game. I will have to try it.

I do own the older one. I thought the graphics were pretty good considering when they came out. The game was fun to play although the lair took me awhile to find my way through. Ended up using paper to write a map of the place.

toasterphantom wrote:

The second is a new game, just released! It's called Mystery Legends: The Phantom of the Opera. It's an adventure/hidden object game. It seems to differ quite a bit just from looking at it, but it still seems like it might be fun. I'll post again when I've begun to play. The link is here: http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/9493/mystery-legends-phantom-opera-collectors/index.html?src=frmtrygame&osdetect=true .

Didn't know about that new game, think I will have to try it to see if it's any fun.

Well, I've played about half of my hour-long free trial on the game, and so far it's not too bad--interesting enough that I'll probably shell out the $15 for the full version. Lots of "find the following objects" puzzles, said objects ranging from easy to maddeningly difficult to "oh duh, why did I need to blow my hint on that?" The design is nice and creepy and atmospheric--a few elements reminiscent of the (groan) movie, but some nice allusions to the original as well and very dark and sinister on the whole.

The story so far (spoilers if you care, most of this shows up in the first 5-10 minutes of gameplay:

Spoiler:

~LCD

I've always wanted to play the Return of the Phantom game but have never yet got round to finding out where I can get the CD-ROM from. Is there a Mac version I can get? If not, where can I get the normal PC CD-ROM from?

I hate it when the stories tells that

Spoiler:

But I'm fascinated by the very thought of someone making a Phantom computer game.

I need to hook myself up with a flash guru 'cuz I have no idea where to begin to write code for my Christine vs Carlotta fighting game.

R.

operafantomet wrote:I hate it when the stories tells that

Spoiler:

But I'm fascinated by the very thought of someone making a Phantom computer game.

Yeah, that's one of the aforementioned (groan) movie things that kind of bug me. But the game hasn't reached my tolerance level of that stuff--yet. On the plus side, there's also a couple things that allude to the original as well. (I'm not sure it's on purpose since I think the list is randomized, but one of the things I had to find at the managers' desk? A safety pin. )

ETA: For those of you who (like me) are interested in Return of the Phantom but for whatever reason don't have access to a playable version, there are a couple "Let's Play" walkthroughs on YouTube, starting here and here. I haven't watched through either one all the way so I can't make comparisons or comment on quality, but there they are.

~LCD

Well, I played through the Mystery Legends game (the standard part--haven't done the bonus level yet). It's fairly short--maybe about 3-6 hours of gameplay depending on how fast you are. On the whole, I liked it--it's got a great atmosphere, and I think Erik is a good antagonist for this kind of game because making you jump through all these bizarre hoops strikes me as the sort of eccentric, sadistic thing he'd do. But, um, the ending...double-you tee eff?

~LCD

Niiiiice....

http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/9493/mystery-legends-phantom-opera-collectors/index.html

I stumbled across this after seeing some artwork on DeviantArt done for the game.

It looks AMAZING - in the spirit of Myst as far as clicking on objects and making them "work", solving puzzles, interactive surroundings. Be sure to watch the preview video. When I have more time I'll have to check out the free trial edition.

Seems like a big step up from Return of the Phantom

~Madame~

PS - Sorry if this isn't the preferred subforum for this topic - I just felt that a videogame was closest to a video/movie in definition. Feel free to move this thread, mods!

So I bit the bullet and bought the full Collectors Edition of the game (ordered the physical CD, too, in case I need it again) and actually just finished it, plus bonus levels, earlier today. Will provide a review later, but until then I've found a great webpage with lots of beautiful hi res screencaps from the game itself:

http://operaghost.ru/game7.html

As I said before, absolutely top notch graphics and great atmosphere.

~Madame~

(deleted double post)

Oh, this new game looks like fun! Madame, is the purchase a computer download, or is it a purchase for a cd? If it's just the download, where are you able to purchase a cd version?

I'm definitely interested - l confess that I had fun with the ancient "Return of the Phantom," and this one looks more intriguing, like Myst.

Susan

Susan, the purchase is for the digital download at $13.99, but for $6.99 extra you can get both the digital download (immediate download to your computer) and the physical CD-ROM (sent via snail mail), and the CD-ROM includes an extra game by the same company. I figured I might as well spring for the CD-ROM b/c I'd hate to pay for the game again if (heaven forbid) something happened to my computer.

Hope that helps!

~Madame~

I totally stumbled across this a few days ago while google image searching and was super curious. I generally stay away from Seek-and-Find games, but it was Phantom, so I couldn't help being intrigued. I almost bought it right then and there, but decided to wait. So I'm looking forward to your review, Madame!

Madame Giry wrote:(Sorry about the double posting. I didn't realize this was already being discussed when I made a new thread in the Phantom movie subforum. The Administrators have been duly notified of my oversight and will be deleting that thread forthwith. *blush*)

Ha! I didn't notice either! So, at least you've got a partner in crime.

I'm interested to give this new game a try, even if it's not perfect. I loved Return of the Phantom, faults and all! And Phantom-themed games are so rare. Remember that aborted ALW one back in the day, and I don't mean the karaoke one? Yeah. I'll be looking forward to your longer review, Madame!

Two threads on this topic was merged. Just in case anyone wondered what happened...

Thanks, Anea, for taking care of that double-post situation for me.

Anyhow, here goes my review for the Mystery Legends: The Phantom of the Opera game. I'll try to avoid spoilers for those who have not yet played the game.

GAMEPLAY

The game is very much in the style and spirit of the famous Myst games that were so popular what, like over a decade ago now? Sheesh. Anyhow, you're pretty much set in the Opera House and you have to walk to each room, finding objects and solving puzzles. The most popular of the puzzles are "hidden object" searches, where you're given a list of items to find in a messy pile of things in a closet, or on a shelf. These hidden object puzzles can get rather tedious, since you're often required to go back to the same pile and do new searches as you progress through the game and unlock more secrets.

The Map and Journal are both very helpful with gameplay. The Map is a blueprint of the Opera House, and it indicates where you are, areas you've explored, and where your next objectives are located. The Journal automatically takes down information when you click on something that contains a clue towards solving the puzzles.

There is a Hint Mirror (with a nice floating Phantom mask in the glass, hee!), which you can break to give you a clue. I often used it when I couldn't find that last pesky hidden object on the list. It takes a couple minutes to regenerate itself, but that's not a big deal. There's also a strategy guide button below the Hint Mirror that gives you tips on how to get through the game, but I didn't actually use it, finding it more fun to try and figure out how things worked.

Overall, nice, easily navigable setting. It really helped that things that needed your attention would 'sparkle' a bit (no, not like a Twilight vampire), and your cursor changes if you wave it over something that is a puzzle or movable object. I just wish that there were some secret passages so that I didn't have to run through the entire place and back to get something I needed for a puzzle. After all, this is Phantom - and there should be trapdoors aplenty!

PLOT

You play Evaline, daughter of Christine and Raoul. After receiving a note from a mysterious sender, you are magically whisked back into the burnt-out, frozen (yes, both) ruins of the Opera House. Once there, what appears to be the ghost of the Phantom confronts you. He claims that he will make you remember everything you have forgotten about the time you spent with him before (clearly confusing you with Christine Daae). He promises to grant you your freedom if you can retrieve the black roses that he has hidden in the Opera House; clearly expecting that you will be unable to succeed and he will keep you forever. As you work your way through the game and find the black roses, the Phantom will appear and fill in more of "your" past.

I will say that the ending was very disappointing. It just seemed like and arbitrary place to stop, and not much in the way of closure. Perhaps they're leaving room for a sequel, because it's definitely not anything like an ending, a resolution, etc...

GRAPHICS

This is the part where I will go all out with praise for the creative team behind the game. The graphics are absolutely gorgeous. The Opera House is overflowing with lavish architectural details, as well as historical and artistic artifacts. The colors are lovely and the lighting alternates beautifully as you move from room to room.

The vignettes featuring the characters, including the Phantom, Christine, Raoul, their Daughter, the Managers, and Joseph Buquet, are very nice digital paintings. I might remark that there's a certain stylized, slightly Japanese Anime/Manga style look to their features and clothing, but it's generally a very high quality of work and I almost wished I could make scene replay during the game just to see the artwork again.

There's no need to really comment on any character designs other than the Phantom. Looking like the love-child of a Sith Lord and a Deatheater, this Phantom's attire is more gothic/high fantasy than Victorian. Black flowing robes, a hood, and black leather gloves. He wears a white mask with some curling darker designs around the eyes, and seems to come in three styles. During the flashbacks, it seems like a Charles Dance style mask that reveals his mouth. However, during the game, the mask appears in two variations. One covers his face entirely, the other shows a little more around the eye socket on one side. Both of these latter variants have no facial features below the nose, so it seems like he has no mouth. What little we can see of his skin appears to have a dull sheen, is grayish brown in color, and there are tear-stains on his white mask. His eyes are light colored, and have a sort of manic look to them. Overall a different look than I'm used to, but not unappealing (at least imho )

MUSIC/VOICE ACTING

The music throughout was appropriately moody, often eerie and echoing. Plentiful use of pipe organ, wind whistling through the corridors, creaking wood, footsteps, etc. Never too overpowering/distracting, though, which is good.

The voice acting was alright. Evaline's voice is a little annoying with its bright and chipper questioning. The Phantom's voice is very stereotypical bad guy, and I was mildly annoyed at the angry, grating tone at first. However, he does sound very possessive and arrogant - Eriky traits to say the least. Good use of echos and reverb to lend an omnipresent tone to his words, which periodically ring out of nowhere as you go on your quest. No singing throughout the entire game, though I think there was a flashback where you could hear Christine singing to an Opera audience.

PHANTOMY TOUCHES

References to Leroux and other Phantom mythos details abound in this game. From the obvious, such as angels, skulls, roses, mirrors and masks, to the slightly less-iconic, like scorpions, nooses, automatons, a gothic cemetery and chapel/church (a la Perros), and even a monkey music box. Some of the Phantom's lines are directly quoted from Leroux, such as "I am Erik!" and "Know that I am built up of death from head to foot". The Phantom's production of Don Juan is also a recurring theme, as are persistent references to the Angel of Music.

I will say that some parts of the game take the gothic horror part of the Phantom legend and really runs with it, whether it be through the presence of supernatural entities or elaborate crypts and bone-laden catecombs. While this may not be to everyone's taste, I enjoyed seeing a sort of Phantom-gone-fantasy approach.

CONCLUSION

Overall I would highly reccomend this game to any Phantom fan. It's not super long - took me only about 6 and a half hours total (I understand those Myst games would keep people locked away for days, lol), including the Bonus Level that you get when buying the Collector's Edition of the game. The Bonus Level isn't really integrated into the main game, but it does take place in the Phantom's Lair, which is rather fun, and worth checking out. Apparently you also get a digital copy of Leroux's novel to read in the game program. I went ahead and paid the extra money to get the physical CD-ROM along with the digital download, but I guess that depends on whether someone wants to play it again/keep a tangible copy of the game after beating it.

I enjoyed writing my thoughts about it in a coherent form and I hope that this was helpful to those fence-sitting about buying this game! (You totally should, because it's worth it and it might encourage the company to make a sequel game )

Regards,
~Madame~

I have started a "Let's Play" style walkthrough of the <i>Mystery Legends</i> game on my Livejournal page, if anyone's interested.

~LCD

I have to say, I did actually enjoy myself playing it. It was definately interesting, and some parts better than others. Some of the items thrown about the hidden object games were a bit out of context. Clown stuff I'll just assume they are gearing up for a production of "For the Love of Three Oranges" or something, but what was the baby imagry for?

Ending made me kind of sad. There wasn't even a lead up to the indefinate perhaps-there-will-be-a-sequal type ending. There was just you're-on-your-way-to-the-next-cool-ohwaitnevermind,goodbye! It was dissapointing.

Otherwise, a good fun two nights.

It turns out that the primary artist who worked on the Mystery Legends Phantom game is on my devwatch list on DeviantArt and I just now noticed his journal post about his involvement with the game.

Here's a link to his blog post about it, with a few really nice shots from the game - including one that partially shows the Phantom's face!

http://damiem.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html

It's great to hear how dedicated the team was to making the game 'as perfect as can be'.

~Madame~

I saw the thread and bought the game after I finished my hour-long trial. I was surprisingly drawn into it considering I'm not into that style of games (puzzles, hide-and-seek sorts of games) otherwise I was happy. The art was fantastic. I love it completely. I beat the game in about 4 hours, including the bonus level--is that sad?