When Electronic Arts announced their online game, Majestic, the company promised that "you don't play the game...it plays you!"  Truer words were never spoken!  Majestic invites you to let your imagination run rampant as you scurry across the Internet gathering information and trying to decipher what is truth and what is rumor.

Majestic immerses you, the player, in an expansive world of sinister conspiracy and intrigue over which you have absolutely no control.  This game is not meant to be played at your pace but rather at a pace set by the game itself.  The game content itself may change as interactive exchanges between players and game characters occurs.

It is imperative that you access the tutorial available at the game's website.  Otherwise you will find yourself stumbling blindly from one website to another with no idea of how you should proceed.  During the tutorial you will meet a number of the people who developed the game as they explain how to use the information provided to you.  Listen carefully because you can only access the tutorial one time.  You can, however, access the Majestic Tutorial Main Menu to reacquaint yourself with individual topics that were covered in the tutorial.

This game is not meant to be played by children...nor the faint of heart.  It simply isn't possible to play through Majestic in one or two sittings.  Through communication channels like email, chat and fax, you will receive cryptic messages that you must determine to be true or false.  There is no game engine, per se, and although the game plays out over the Internet, you will be using communication channels that you probably already have.

AOL Instant Messenger is used for chat purposes with other players and game characters.  Messages are generated and delivered to you through email, fax, telephone and Web browser.

The game monitors your progress continually and you are encouraged to keep the game channels open at all times while you are connected to the internet.  If at any point you get stuck, the game will direct you on how to proceed...not right away, but over a period of time.

This version of Majestic plays out over a period of episodes...five to be exact.  You must complete each episode in order to move on to the next.

When you access the Majestic homepage, you may notice that certain icons are flashing.  Be sure to check each one as there will be information that you will need to proceed.  Sometimes you will need to seek out another player for more information and that player will not always be available immediately.  You might even be directed to call a number and listen to voice mail directives or messages.

Majestic is certainly innovative...definitely not for children...most certainly not for players who want to finish the game in record time.  It will no doubt become boring to some who are impatient...and frustrating to others who keep their imagination firmly in hand.  But...if you like suspense...if you are prone to let your imagination run wild...if you have the patience of Job...then you will find your Majestic experience to be fulfilling and exciting!

This game is rated Mature for players 18 years of age and older.  It contains strong language and the content of the game may change due to interactive exchanges.  NOTE:  Credit card information is required for age verification.

Minimum system requirements include:  Windows 95/98/ME (Windows NT is not supported), 166MHz Intel Processor, 32MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM, 30MB Free Hard Disk Space, 4MB Video Card, 16-bit Sound Card, Macromedia Flash 4 Plugin, Real Player 8, AOL Instant Messenger 3 or AOL 5, Internet Explorer 4.01, Netscape Communicator 4.75 or AOL 5, Internet Email Account with HMTL capable reader, 33.6 Kbps Internet Connection,  Keyboard, and Mouse. 

Install:  Easy

Gameplay:  7.0.  The communication and media devices needed to play Majestic are included on the game CD and are, for the most part, include easy to understand instructions for usage.  It should be noted that a fast (33.6 Kbps or higher), stable Internet connection is required for smooth transition between Websites.

Graphics:  8.0.  Here, too, a fast, stable Internet comes into play as the graphics and video clips are fed through the Internet Websites.  Using a 56K modem and a fairly stable Internet connection, I still noticed some jerky video clip display.  Most of the graphics were very well done and it should be noted that some Websites are made to look rather basic as though they were developed by regular people as opposed to professionals.

Sound:  7.0.  The music selections were obviously made to emphasis the suspense mood of the game.  The same rule applies to the sound effects.  I found some garbling in sound on the video clips that could be explained by interference or line noise generated on the Internet Connection.

Difficulty:  7.5.  A player doesn't have to be like Einstein to play Majestic but good reading and comprehension skills will make the game much more enjoyable.  Additionally, it helps to be wise to the ways of the Internet.

Concept:  9.0.  Electronic Arts has introduced a truly innovative method of game presentation with Majestic.  The game is intended to be experienced rather than played.  This is not a game that will be enjoyed by those who are impatient or who have no imagination to draw upon.  Interactive exchanges can affect the way Majestic plays out.  This, too, will either add to the player's enjoyment or to the player's frustration.  

Multiplayer:  N/A.  Please note:  Although the player will be interacting with other players, it is from a purely anonymous perspective and not by choice of other players which is why I find this factor to be non applicable.

Overall:  7.5.  Even though I realize that Majestic is to be experienced and not just played, I found the gameplay to be rather passive and the waiting for new facts to evolve to be rather frustrating at times.  The overall ambiance of Majestic is truly suspenseful, however.  As one who appreciates a good mystery and as one who has a vivid imagination, I found myself returning again and again to see if there was something new to be inspected.  The amount of work that it took to develop Majestic must have been staggering and I am anxious to see if the aggravating quirks of the game can be resolved in future seasons.