Daddy's little girl has sass, attitude, and moxie...and a squeeky, teeny bopper voice.
I was expecting a kind of Hanger 18 type cover up, figured there would be strong russian military overtones.....was pleasantly surprised with the mass marketing plan so considerately explained at the end by Gartuso.
As far as I am concerned, the game is technically brilliant (not one discernable glitch), full of lush scenery with good use of light and shade. I was reminded of "And Then There Were None", which particularily impressed me in the graphics department.
Lengthwise, it fit neatly into the three day (about 25 hrs. total) game compartment that I reserve for a good flat screen adventure. I sooner drag my behind around the scene trying every possible combination and permutation to avoid the walkthrough crutch, so I'm a slower wrapper upper.
Part II really ought to dispense with the helium voiced Nina, and bring on a huskier, more sophisticated and seasoned woman consistent with a more serious story such as this. In fact, all the voiced characters seemed to be speaking at kind of cross purposes with each other. Some were exaggeratedly soap opera-ish, some more kid cartoony, some were almost sleep walky. I don't know, call me a malcontent, but the voices really make the adventure genre come to life or not.
The puzzles were of the "Ok, I've got a handful of otherwise totally incongruous objects that, when combined, metamorphasize into useful and utterly indispensible tools". Puzzles like that really tax the imagination. On the front end you can't see the possibility, though on post-reflection, the solution seems entirely obvious. There is a kind of magic in this.
The back and forth hand off interplay between Nina and Max keeps you on your toes and broadens the scope of the story. It gives it a "Meanwhile, back at the ranch" quality that boosts the drama, tension and urgency.
My biggest gripe is being frustrated not to get to meet and be introduced to the berobed, mystery monks. They are entirely too peripheral to the story, and I sense a great potential in their appearance for Part II.
You could do a lot worse than to kick back for an evening or three with this game. It's a hodgepodge of several other great games, but still stands on it's own to a certain degree.