Frederik Pohl's Gateway

The Good
I've played many, many adventure games over the years. This may not have the best graphics, the best music or the best interface, but it has the best story. (Admittedly, though, I played the game using the hint-book that was packaged with it, so I didn't get too waylaid or frustrated by the puzzles).

You play a 'prospector', or space adventurer, who travels to far off planets from your base on 'Gateway': a space station created by an alien civilisation, and later discovered accidentally by humans.

Its gripping stuff. No really it is. Compelling in fact.

The Bad
It was virtually impossible to buy. Unlike its successor (Gateway 2) it's rare. It comes up on e-bay every 4 months or so (if you're lucky) and goes for a lot of money but I'd recommend it as its worth every penny (cent, euro etc).

The Bottom Line
A rare treat from story-tellers supreme: Legend Entertainment. The game is a challenge, but finding a copy is even more of a challenge!

The Good
The 'being there' factor is great if you are a fan of text based games, the writing is good in quality, the plot great, and, well, it just feel good 'till the end! And the VR puzzles rule!-) Plus, this game is freeware nowadays, something as great as this for free should not be passed up.

The Bad
Hmm.. well the musics aren't exactly from the top although they do fit, and the graphics are good but not excellent. But hey, this is a text based adventure game anyway!

The Bottom Line
Gateway is a brilliant game in the feel and the storyline alike. If you like the genre you really need to play this.

The Good
Great plot, unprecidented atmosphere (even today), splendidly programmed and masterly fullfilled.

The Bad
A bit short, forehaps?

The Bottom Line
Gateway is a worthy game based on one of the most original science fiction novels of all time; "gateway" by Frederik Pohl (which, by the way, is one of my favourite books, so I guess this review is a bit biased).

Having its own independent plot, "Gateway: The Game" still re-creates the novel's famous atmosphere, and then some: following with a splendid and faithful re-creation of the Gateway facility and the Heechee starships (though I would like the other features of the book: traveling with companions for example, the turn-around as the ship slows down in Tau-space and so on - but hey, this game was made in the early 90's).

Gateway was one of the last real quality adventure games - a rare breed which, too me, seems to be dying in our day's. For present day computer companies have a lot to learn from these good old days; the days when making games was not just another way to make cash, but also when making the game itself involved the love from its creators.

Gateway, and its sequel, is one of those rare games we can truly call a work of art!