A wonderful storyline that relies too much on a sequel!
This game has so much to offer, but fell short when the developers left too many loose ends. In fact, they introduced even more mysteries, towards the end, that they failed to resolve.
The Good:
The graphics, which are always the first thing you notice, are colorful and uplifting. You will enjoy a color filled interactive world. The environment, the characters, the detail, and the overall feel, is lovely. The graphics bring you in, without overwhelming you, or causing distraction. They certainly are well done and make you want to investigate everything and everyone. Interacting with your environment is meaningful, again, without being excessive. There are some games that go overboard and bombard you with pointless and trivial tidbits. Dreamfall gets it just right, not too little, not too much.
The background sounds, music, and voices, again, are well done and lovely, above average.
Character interaction contributes beautifully to the storyline. The designers thought of everything from storyline driven encounters, to the mundane grind of day to day life, and of course, everything that contributes and supports the overall adventure. The character interaction is meaningful and interesting; from the very start you will meet and interact with some very interesting characters. Your are introduced to a unique and intriguing world filled with acquaintances, adding to this reality. There is plenty of dialog, background, and overall encounters that will stir and maintain your interest. Without revealing too much, this is well done and fun!
The Bad:
Well I have found a few quirks in the game, not that it makes the game itself unworthy of enjoyment or anything. However, it does lessen the overall effect a bit. One of the biggest negatives that I have found is the fighting system. It is slow, minimal, and compared to most games these days, a major let down. Most of us have grown accustom to excellent fighting systems, whether it be free un-tethered movements or turn based, it just has a flow to it. Dreamfall, unfortunately, has a horrendous fighting system, in my opinion. It is slow, shaky, with limited movement, and not much, if any, appeal. There are usually options you can take in the game to avoid fighting. I recommend using your head instead of your fists. The best game to compare it to, in regards to the fighting system, would be Jade Empire (actually... Jade Empire's was better). If you like Jade Empire’s fighting system, which I didn't, then… you probably won't mind Dreamfall's.
The Ugly:
A seriously disappointing ending… I know, I know… there will be another one, so chill; I am not blasting the game. I am just disappointed because I really enjoyed the storyline and wish they had resolved a few questions. I am tired of being set up for the "next installment." Personally I think they should label these games Part 1 and so forth, in order to warn gamers, "you won't get any answers until the next one, maybe..." That way we can decide if we really want to invest our time and sit around waiting. This has happened to me before and by the time they released the "next installment" so to speak, I barely remembered the first one and all the intricate details, so it lost its flavor, wonder, and thrill. I wish developers would stop setting me up for sequels!