Publisher: The Adventure Company

Developer: Future Games

Category: Adventure

Release Dates

N Amer - 11/13/2007

Official Game Website

Next Life Review

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After a terrible accident our character finds himself in another world. Is this what happens after death? The game’s story is very intriguing indeed, but soon you find yourself in a linear game solving puzzle after puzzle trying to make sense of this new world.

The characters in the game look absolutely awesome. I cannot think of another game that I have personally reviewed where the characters look so good. Unfortunately while playing, it becomes difficult trying to find the key areas in the landscape that you need to click on to bring up the next screen. Yes, you can get some help by pressing the E key to show you the exit areas, but you quickly find yourself relying on this rather than trying to find it on your own. In short, if your cursor is not exactly on the right spot, you can’t move on. Just gets a bit frustrating in my opinion.

Gameplay is extremely slow. There seems to be a constant delay between actions of a few seconds, which had me actually yelling "C’mon!" Also when trying to solve some puzzles you have to talk to characters two and three times to make something work even if you have all the tools you need to solve the puzzle. This makes for a long frustrating journey that gets boring rather quickly.

I loved the plot. The idea of what happens after death is sure to spark curiosity in most of us regardless of any religious belief. However, this is quickly forgotten as you just try and make your way through the world asking questions to help solve puzzles. You are guided as to what you can and cannot take regardless if it’s the right thing to do. I’m sorry, but if I want to steal something to make my journey easier, I should be able to and have consequences for doing so. This would have made for a more dynamic game. Instead I felt that no matter what I did, I was following a pre-determined course. I might as well read a book. That probably would have been a bit more entertaining.

Review Scoring Details for Next Life

Gameplay: 6.0
Slow and monotonous

Graphics: 8.0
Nice looking landscapes and much detail on most objects

Sound: 6.0
Nothing to write home about and so-so character acting.

Difficulty: Medium
Some of the puzzles are very difficult do within the time constraints.

Concept: 7.0
Though it may feel like a very dynamic game at first, in reality it is very linear. No matter what you do you are steered to accomplish certain objectives before you can move on.

Overall: 6.0
Too slow for my liking, I wouldn’t play this game again even in the next life.



Next Life Comments (0)



GameZone Review Detail

Gameplay6
Graphics8
Sound6
DifficultyMedium
Concept7
Overall6.0

6.0

GZ Rating

Next life lays down a very interesting storyline of what lies beyond death, but executes a very slow and drawn-out game

Reviewer: Kevin “BIFF” Giacobbi

Review Date: 12/10/2007


ESRB Rating

Teen
Alcohol and Tobacco Reference
Mild Blood
Mild Language
Mild Violence
Partial Nudity
Suggestive Themes

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