Still Life (video game)
This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (September 2013) |
Still Life | |
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Virtools | |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, Xbox |
Release | Microsoft Windows Xbox |
Genre(s) | Adventure |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Still Life is a 2005
A major theme throughout the game is art, especially the technique of still life that the game is named after. The game also uses a storytelling device of switching back and forth between two player characters.
Gameplay
Still Life is a point-and-click graphic adventure. Unlike its predecessor, which featured dialogue trees and first-person navigation, the player controls Victoria from a fixed third-person angle and conversations are linear in nature. A variety of puzzles must be completed to progress the narrative, which sometimes require backtracking to different stages that have been unlocked on the map.
The game features no hint system, nor an objective list, but the player may find clues on to what to do and where to go next by accessing documents obtained throughout the game in the menu. Also accessible is the inventory, which allows players to keep track of items obtained and examine them.
Plot
In both cases the murderer targets sex trade workers: street prostitutes in Prague, and employees of an exclusive Chicago massage parlor and S&M club called the Red Lantern. The killer or killers are disguised in a dark cloak, top hat, and silver mask.
Gus eventually identifies the man responsible for the Prague murders, but the killer escapes justice and relocates to America. Near the end of the game Victoria discovers that similar murders occurred in 1931 Chicago and later in 1956 Los Angeles.
The identity of the 2004 Chicago killer is never revealed. Victoria encounters him several times, but never sees behind his mask. She does not believe he is the same person as the Prague killer, but rather a younger person who has been influenced by the Prague killer in some way. At the climax of the game, Victoria manages to shoot the Chicago killer, but he plunges into the Chicago river and does not surface. As the game ends, the Chicago police are still searching the river for the killer's body. Victoria plans to travel to Los Angeles to learn more about the 1956 killings.
A controversy surrounding the game is its lack of an ending. Originally planned as the second of a trilogy,[
Development
Still Life was made with
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
X-Play | [18] |
Just Adventure | A[16] |
Computer Games Magazine | [17] |
According to
Still Life received fairly favorable reviews from critics. Its
Still Life was a finalist for
In 2011, Adventure Gamers named Still Life the 20th-best adventure game ever released.[22]
See also
References
- ^ "What's New? (New releases roundup)". Eurogamer.net. 2005-06-03. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ Dubin, Jayson (April 14, 2005). "The Adventure Company Ships Still Life". GameZone. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ "Xbox Still Life moves to retail". GameSpot. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ "Encore to Release Still Life 2 - Sequel to Still Life". Encore. PR Newswire. 2009-05-05. Archived from the original on 2009-05-22. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
- ^ "Ubisoft Montréal enters into an agreement to acquire Microïds Canada's development operations". Ubisoft. 2005-03-02. Archived from the original on 2012-04-10. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
- ^ "Microïds announces Still Life 2". Microïds. 2007-12-06. Archived from the original on 2011-05-11. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
- ^ "Still Life project". Virtools Applications. Archived from the original on May 28, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
- ^ "Still Life Review" (PDF). Virtools Applications/ Adventure Gamers. 2004-12-20. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-02-10. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
- ^ a b "Still Life for PC". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ a b "Still Life for Xbox". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ a b "Still Life for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ a b "Still Life for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ a b Davis, Ryan (1 June 2005). "Still Life Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 28 November 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ a b Clayman, David (14 June 2005). "Still Life". IGN. Archived from the original on 30 September 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ a b Hall, Shannon (19 May 2005). "Still Life". Just Adventure. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ Martin, Tiffany. "Gruesome and Gory, and Leaving You Wanting More". Computer Games Magazine (177). Archived from the original on November 8, 2011.
- X-Play. Archived from the originalon May 26, 2005.
- Microïds. September 19, 2008. Archived from the originalon June 3, 2009.
- ^ "Encore to Release Still Life 2 - Sequel to Still Life" (Press release). Los Angeles: Reuters. May 5, 2009. Archived from the original on February 21, 2011.
- PC Gamer US. 13 (3): 33–36, 38, 40–42, 44.
- ^ AG Staff (December 30, 2011). "Top 100 All-Time Adventure Games". Adventure Gamers. Archived from the original on June 4, 2012.
External links
- Still Life's original official website - Captured by the Internet Archive, March 29, 2005
- Still Life, at Microïds
- Still Life at MobyGames