At last, just when I was thinking I was doomed to play dull and mediocre adventure games forever, one has come along that is interesting and compelling. Nikopol is an adventure game from White Birds Productions, and is based on the graphic novels by Enki Bilal. This is a loose adaptation and supposedly uses the novels more as a basis for this game, rather than a retelling. Whatever the inspiration, though, Nikopol is quite good. The designers have managed to create a surreal world that combines real aspects of current culture with fantasy, and make it believable.

Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals is set in France, which at this time is governed by a dictator who rules by religious absolute power. A mysterious ship that is shaped like a pyramid has just appeared in the sky, and has sent representatives to the French government. The government controls all information, so the general populace doesn’t really know what the visitors want. These visitors are actually Egyptian gods (Immortals). One of them, Horus, is apparently working on his own agenda and decides to take over and possess the body of Nikopol’s father, who has spent the last several decades imprisoned in a cryogenically frozen state. Nikopol has recently joined a resistance group and is on the run from the police. He is approached by the other gods and asked to find his father and nix Horus’s plan. What follows is a fantasy/sci-fi story that is quite interesting. While being familiar with the novels probably helps, it doesn’t detract from enjoying the game, as I can attest.

The setting is futuristic, and combines reality with fantasy. Egyptian gods, weird monsters that look like lobsters, flying cars; these are all seamlessly integrated with ordinary items such as old appliances and clothes, in familiar settings like run-down apartments and civic buildings. The characters’ thoughts and actions are believable and logical, and fit the story well.

It is evident that the graphic designers spent a lot of time on all the visual details. The scenes are filled with familiar and also strange objects, all clearly drawn and asking to be investigated. And investigate you will, as this is an adventure game, after all.  Get ready to do some major pixel-hunting. The camera is free-moving, and can be disorienting at first as it whips around, but players have the option to slow down the mouse speed, which helps. However, this slow mouse is excruciatingly slow when accessing the main menu. The character movement is good for the most part, but sometimes odd things happen, as when a person’s head became detached from his body and moved to the next location before the body followed.

In typical adventure game fashion, Nikopol will walk where guided and pick up and examine all sorts of things. He comments on these things, and many times these comments are helpful hints as to what he may need to do with these items. These are subtle hints, though, and players will still need to exert quite a bit of brain power to solve the current puzzles. These puzzles range from action (timed) sequences, manipulative and inventory-combining types. I usually hate timed puzzles, but the ones here are handled exceptionally well, and the player can replay them again and again until successful.

These puzzles are integrated very well into the main story, and it’s not always obvious what items can be used and how. For instance, early in the game Nikopol will need to find a movie projector.  I had the film, and could see the projector.  However, when I tried to use the film on the projector, nothing would happen, no matter where I clicked on the projector.  Turns out the player had to click on the film container on the projector, thereby opening the container, and then use the film on the container.  This does make sense, but lazy players like me have gotten used to having our hands held.

The music is nicely done, and is never overpowering. There are places where there will be no music, and then music will begin. It always fits the scene and sets the mood. The sound effects are alright, but could have been better.

One note on the English translation from the original French: there are deliberate misspellings in the written subtitles.  According to the company, this was an artistic decision by White Birds, to depict the English pronunciations from the French speakers. Therefore, words like “sacred” are spelled as “socred”, as this is the phonetic pronunciation by the speaker.

Nikopol is an interesting and immersive sci-fi adventure game. Whether players are familiar or not with the novels is not relevant to the enjoyment felt. Anyone looking for a good story-driven game that will involve and engage should pick up this title.  The only real drawback is the shortness of the game as compared to the price of $30. But, some people spend this on dinner and this is more fun.

Gameplay: 8
The game is quite good! It’s fun to play, has a great story and voice-acting, and there are no bad elements to distract.  The only drawback is the shortness of the game.

Graphics: 8
The graphics are excellent.

Sound: 7
The music is exactly right, but the sound effects could have been more frequent.

Difficulty: Medium
The puzzles are a mixed difficulty, but never over challenging or frustrating. Players will have to really think, though!

Concept: 7
This game has a very unusual story, but the actual game elements aren’t much different than any other adventure game. The execution is excellent, though.

Overall: 8
This is an adventure game that rises above the crowd in terms of great story and immersive gameplay elements. There is just the right mix of puzzles and dialogue, plus lots of action. The atmosphere is fitting, and the animation nicely done. The game could be longer, but anyone who enjoys adventure games should give this one a try.