Good old point and click.  A tried and true gameplay formula that seemed to hit it’s peak of popularity with Myst.  Since that time gameplay has expanded and moved on in ways that some gamers would have never thought imaginable.  Frankly I was one of the gamers mesmerized by Myst and similar games like it.  In fact I used to love playing such games as King’s Quest, Police Quest and other games similar to the point and click genre.  With Crystal Key 2 gamers not only can get their point and click fill, but they get a sequel as well.

Crystal Key 2 is set in the same world that was saved in the first Crystal Key game.  You play the role of Call, a young man living on the planet that’s set in a horrific reality.  Call is the son of the main character from the first Crystal Keep game.  Things on the planet are not what they should be; the population is cursed to wander or stare off aimlessly.  Call soon discovers that his world isn’t alone in this wretchedness, as other worlds are effected as well.  Ozgar’s people are forming an alliance with other creatures in the universe to try and reclaim Ozgar’s old empire. 

The game starts off with a cinema display describing conditions on Call’s world.  Call’s father is missing and the only person that can help Call is a visitor from another planet.  As soon as the visitor visits Call, the visitor is abducted and disappears through a portal.  The visitor drops a crystal key, which is a key to activate the interplanetary portals.  Call uses the portal and is taken to another world where he has to undercover several mysteries.  Where is his father?  Why are the inhabitants of his planet stricken with their curse?  Who was the mysterious traveler that came to visit him?  You will uncover all of these secrets and many more in Crystal Key 2. 

The game is a tried and true point & click adventure game.  The game is played out in a first person perspective, similar to a FPS or similar adventure games.  But you can only point at an item and then click on it to use it.  You have to figure out different puzzles along the way by combining different items in your inventory or simply using an item.  It’s a very simple concept that is very easy to adjust to but can be frustrating at times.  For veterans of this genre of games, you will feel right at home with this game.  The game lets you know if you can take or use an item.  For fans that have never played this type of game, you might be put off by the limitations.  You simply point your mouse at an item and wait for the cursor to signal that you can use it.  It’s up to you to then determine how you use the item to solve a puzzle in the game.  One item you pick up at the beginning might not be usable until later in the game.  This isn’t a FPS where you run around blowing things up or an action game. 

For fans of adventure games, especially point and click adventure games, Crystal Key 2 will be a familiar game.  It’s a unique and interesting adventure game that will provide enough unique puzzles to keep you guessing until the end.  For other gamers, this might not be the type of game to jump headfirst into the genre.  If you’ve played games similar to this one, then feel free to jump in, the waters fine.   

Gameplay 7.3 

The game is played in a first person perspective, but not in the typical First Person Shooter layout.  To move somewhere in the game you simply click on the screen that is available for selecting with your cursor.  Then the next area will come up on the display.  You do have free movement of the camera, which allows you to see what’s behind you, next to you, above you or below you.  But, since this is a point and click game, you can only interact with items or characters that the cursor allows.  When you highlight an item that you can use the cursor will turn green.  If you can keep an item it will automatically move to your inventory screen.  To use an item in your inventory you simply click on the item and then drag it over to another item on the screen.  The cursor will turn green if you can use the item, which is simple for any level of gamer.  However this might be monotonous and boring for some gamers.  It’s almost a trial and error type of gameplay.  Click on an item and see if it works with another item.  Repeat the same steps over and over again and you get the majority of the game.  

Graphics 7.5 

The graphics are well done but seemed to lack the pizzazz of other games.  Each of the areas that you explore are presented in a static, 2D layout.  Imagine someone taking a picture of an area, such as a desert or forest, and then you click on different pictures to move your character around.  Each picture has its own unique view and might be a little bit different than the last picture.  This is how the game looks.  Granted the graphics are detailed and in some instances interesting, they still don’t grab your attention right away.  It will probably remind most gamers of a game from the early to mid 90’s instead of something released in 2004.  As I mentioned earlier you have an almost 360 degree view of each area that you’re exploring.  So while the graphics look flat, you still have the option to view different areas of the screen by moving your cursor.  The graphics for the characters have a little bit more movement since they appear to be 3D models.  But their movement is extremely limited, with usually just their lips movie when they talk.  The in game cinema displays are the best graphics you will find in the game. 

Sound 7.3 

I give the developers credit for the music during the game.  There are a unique variety of different types of music in the game, ranging from standard classic gameplay music to jazz music.  All of the music comes across loud and clear in the game.  Some of the tunes will probably stick in your hear, especially the jazz tune in the bar.  Be aware that one of the puzzles early in the game requires you to remember a certain tune you’ll hear.  So pay close attention to the music you hear.  The voice acting in the game is tolerable but nothing that will impress.  The voice acting ranges from good to bad to near intolerable.   

Difficulty Medium 

Sometimes it can be hard to rank the difficulty of a point and click adventure game.  You point, click and then repeat.  So I guess the easiest way to describe the difficulty really depends on your attention to detail.  If your very detailed and like to make sure you uncover everything during a game, then you probably won’t have a problem with the game.  The game requires you to pay close attention to everything on the screen.  Remember to move your cursor over every section of the screen.  Most of the puzzles in the game are easy and can be completed without a lot of problems, as long as you’ve checked everything on the areas you’ve visited. 

Concept 6.6 

The game is a sequel to the first Crystal Key game, but playing the first game isn’t a requirement to enjoy the game. The idea of the story is interesting; with you playing the son of the main character, from the first game, trying to save your planet and your father.  But how many times have you heard a story similar to this one?   The game itself is a game that you or someone you know has played before, point and click.  The game doesn’t do anything outrageous with this concept, but it does it well enough.

Overall 7.2 

Crystal Key 2 is a good game that will satisfy some gamers, while leaving other gamers scratching their heads.  Honestly if you’re a point and click game nut, then add an extra point to all of the scores.  The game offers an easy to use control scheme, good graphics, above average music and an interesting story.  For gamers that just don’t have the patience anymore for a point and click game, then this definitely isn’t your game.  The game probably could have been released 5 to 10 years ago and played just the same as it does today.  This is either a good thing or a bad thing and it all depends on you.