Game review 16 March 2022, 18:20

author: Jerry Bonner

Syberia: The World Before Review - Same As It Ever Was?

Point'n'click games are not dead! Syberia 4 – The World Before – is back and will once again take us to the cold lands where we will solve illogical puzzles. Read our review.

The review is based on the PC version.

There are those who will say that games like Syberia: The World Before shouldn’t exist any longer – that point and click adventure style games are archaic and passe. Those critiques typically come from those who are currently getting eviscerated in Elden Ring and shooting the holy hell out of online pals in whatever “game as a service” FPS rules the roost at the moment.

Well, I’m here to tell you that those types of assessments are utter nonsense.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand personal opinion, “to each, their own” and all that. But, to dismiss an entire genre of games that is critical to the evolution of video games as we know them today is short-sighted at the very least. And, while we are at it, get the hell off my (pixelated) lawn, you uncultured swine…

Regardless of what camp you find yourself in here, Syberia: The World Before is now upon us and, for the uninitiated, this is the fourth game in the series which began in 2002. The series itself and the three previous games were conceived and designed by Belgian Benoit Skoal who, sadly, passed away in May of 2021 before this title was completed, and there is a fitting tribute to his memory when you start a new game. All these experiences are set in an alternate, steampunk version of the Western world that plays fast and loose with various timelines, but this one seems to be a “prequel” of sorts.

Two years before WW2

The opening of this new iteration of Syberia puts you in the shoes of one Dana Roze, a young woman in 1937 who is trying to become a pianist in her hometown of Vaghen – a fictional (German) town facing the myriad conflicts and issues leading up to World War II.

The narrative also focuses on long-time series protagonist, Kate Walker, who is imprisoned in a Taiga (Russian) salt mine in the early aughts. She and her cellmate/lover come across an abandoned (stolen) treasure train which contains a painting of Dana (although Kate knows nothing about Dana at this time) and, coincidentally enough, Kate and Dana look strikingly similar. Kate then sets out on a mission to find the origin of this painting, who painted it, and who this “doppelganger” girl actually is.

The overarching story itself is tightly wrought and engrossing from “go” as it seems to be evoking current events (as well as historical events) with the rise of a dubious, fascist power (the Brown Shadow… thinly veiled Nazis) in Europe. You’ll flip-flop between Dana and Kate throughout the entirety of the game to uncover clues and story nuggets to progress further and further until the inevitable and (mostly) satisfying conclusion.

The Syberia series as a whole has always come correct in terms of overall presentation, graphics, and music and The World Before definitely lives up to its three predecessors in the series as its vibrant steampunk sensibilities are prevalent throughout the experience. The orchestral score is also nothing to sneeze at and truly shines in the moments when Dana is at the piano, bringing some much needed levity to otherwise dour settings and surroundings.

Stuck in the past

The meat and potatoes of any good point and click adventure game are its puzzles and Syberia does have a few brain teasingly involved ones (the retreat’s attic chest stands out), but luckily those don’t come until later in the game and you’ve had some time to figure out the particular machinations this game employs, which is to the game’s (and the designer’s) credit. There’s nothing worse or more humbling than being hit with a brain-bending puzzle that makes you feel stupid then makes want to quit the game right out of the gate. (Yeah, I’m glaring right at you Sierra and LucasArts.) Again, to the game designer’s credit here, you can ask for up to three hints if you are stuck or lost at any point during the quest. So there’s that, as well.

Unfortunately, not all is perfect in this alternate universe as the voice acting and script pulled me out the game at times – mostly because a quasi-German person shouldn’t have a British accent and/or speak in British slang/idioms. Maybe I’m picking nits here because I’m a literary person at heart, but this incongruity gave me pause and ripped me out of the experience on several occasions. Also, there are moments when Kate’s VO is entirely inconsistent in that it sounds as if it was recorded by two different women. Not sure what the deal is there, but it is definitely noticeable.

I mentioned the puzzles previously, and while I thought they were fine for the most part the main gameplay loop (i.e., go to “X” place, investigate, find stuff, then use stuff to solve main/boss puzzle at the end) which they are involved in does become a bit dull after you’ve slogged through it three or four times. There are some nice cinematic touches that break things up here and there, but not enough to fight off the dread of “here we go again with another overly complex puzzle” and that’s not cool. Variety, as they say, is the spice of life and that was lacking a bit here, sad to say.

As an extension of that, the “mystery” surrounding who it is in the painting that Kate finds at the outset is pretty easily deduced early on… just do some math in terms of years and you can make a pretty good educated guess. Also, there’s a moment (SPOILER) where Kate is watching an old film reel she uncovers and it finally shows by who, where at, and why this painting was created and it’s completely glossed over in the dialogue? I’m still scratching my head over this one. It seems like a “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain” moment, and I’d really like to know why since this seems to be the impetus for this whole undertaking?

Another element that gives me pause (and it’s more because I know that it’ll annoy “modern” gamers more than myself) are the outdated, early Resident Evil style “tank” controls that are employed in Syberia when you are using a controller. As I mentioned, it doesn’t bother me so much, but it is what it is, so use a mouse and keyboard if you prefer… and I have a feeling most hardcore PC gamer types will definitely go that route.

All in all, Syberia: The World Before is a rather solid adventure game that leans into its overall history and the standard adventure game tropes. While that may not be for everyone, it most certainly weaves a narrative that’s relevant to understand our collective past… and then recognize why it is repeating itself today, approximately 80 years later. I wish more video games could be that relevant.

Syberia: The World Before will available on Steam, GOG, and the Epic Game store on 3/18/2022, and all consoles later in 2022.