RHEM 2

RHEM 2 is the sequel to RHEM, a popular puzzle-driven adventure game from the software publishing company Got Game Entertainment, which lately has released several low-budget, but decent-quality games on the market. RHEM, Laser Squad Nemesis, and A Quiet Weekend in Capri are some of their latest games. RHEM and RHEM 2 are from the same designer, Knut Mueller.

Both of the RHEM games are puzzle-driven games that are similar to the Jewels of the Oracle type games, rather than Myst, despite the mechanical nature of some of the puzzles. In Myst, the story was a strong component; in RHEM 1 & 2, the story is just there to provide a framework for the puzzles, which are the point of the game. So, if you’re into a strong story with lots of dialogue and verbal clues, don’t read any further. However, if you’re into well-crafted, thoughtful puzzles just for the sake of puzzles, then this may be the game you’re looking for.

The game begins with a train ride down to the hidden, underground city of RHEM. Evidently there is even more to this mysterious world than previously explored, and you, the player, have to discover further secrets of RHEM. In the beginning, the player is given a puzzle piece of a star-shaped key; there are an additional two pieces to find. Once assembled, this key will be used to find a disk that Zetais and Kales, the two brothers who are exploring RHEM, need.

Of course, this is not all there is to the world of RHEM, as there are many more puzzles besides the key to solve before the end of the game.

Most of the first part of the game is spent collecting clues, which will aid in deciphering the many puzzles. The puzzles range from mechanical to pattern recognition to a few math equation problems. They all, though, are logical puzzles – there are no word puzzles. Some of the puzzles are directional, like mazes. There are no timed puzzles, though, or any of which require good reflexes, thank goodness.

The puzzles range in difficulty from medium to very hard. This isn’t a game for the faint of heart. One of the most difficult puzzles involves traversing a maze, which has doors that open and close other doors as they are opened. There is a map that can be copied down and used, though. Some of the easier puzzles simply involve inputting information that has been gathered from other locations, as in a clue found in the third train stop in a hall. This clue involves counting the number of rivets found under the different colors. This clue will be used at the fourth train stop to input matching numbers to colors; this in turn activates the riveted panels that contained the original clue back at the third train stop. Most of the puzzles are similar to this type of clue gathering.

RHEM 2 is a fine example of puzzle-solving adventure games. The puzzles are the entire point of the game, as the story is just there to provide some continuity to the puzzle search. This is a game that adventure gamers will either love or hate, depending on what type of game they prefer. I prefer story-driven adventure games, preferably played in the third person, with lots of either humorous or suspenseful dialogue. My husband, on the other hand, thinks Myst is the greatest game ever, and also thoroughly enjoyed games such as Shivers, The Lighthouse, Zork Nemesis, and the recent Myst sequels. Not surprisingly, he likes this game, while I’m left somewhat cold by the experience. This is a good puzzle/adventure game, but the appeal entirely rests on what type of adventure gamer you are.

Gameplay: 7.5
Literally hours of puzzle-solving fun is to be found, this game will provide a lot of pleasure for people who like manipulative puzzles.

Graphics: 6.0
The graphics are basic and uninspired; the money is in the gameplay, not the looks.

Sound: 6.0
Negligible music and sound affects, and the voice acting is less than inspired.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
This game is fairly taxing to the brain, but not impossible. It’s time consuming, though.

Concept: 6.0
There is nothing new here, but the execution is good.

Overall: 7.5
A good game for puzzle fun, albeit one made on a small production scale. There aren’t any fancy graphics or famous voice actors, but there are lots and lots of puzzles, most of which are interesting and thoughtfully designed. As stated above, this is a specific type of game that is for a specific type of gamer, one who likes puzzles for the sake of puzzles, and doesn’t require much story to go with it. A good choice for that Jewels of the Oracle fan out there.