Ankh: Heart of Osiris
a game by | Deck 13 Interactive GmbH |
Platform: | PC (2006) |
User Rating: | 9.0/10 - 4 votes |
Rate this game: | |
See also: | Point-and-Click Quests, Ankh Series |
Getting given this game to review is like a dream come true. I'd already written the entire review in my head; I barely had to play the game. But then, I leafed through ZONE'S review of the first Ankh title, and my heart seeped and sank when I saw that we'd already made a joke about Ankh rhyming with a rude word. So I abandoned my mucky essay, and decided to actually play the game.
Before talking about Ankh however, a massive round of applause to Heart Of Osiris's copy protection; a code-breaking set of concentric cardboard rings which -if used correctly - win you an essential item in the game. Essential to passing the first chapter, anyway. It's a fitting retro throwback, and instantly warms you to the game. If you've played the first game, there's plenty of recognisable faces to draw you back into the world of conniving Egyptian gods.
And certainly, 'warm' is the word. There's never a moment where you'll leap to your feet strip yourself naked and press yourself against a window with a reckless smear, but as part of the recent deluge of point-and-clicks, Osiris ranks fairly high. With a family-friendly sense of humour that features the odd lol moment - and the occasionally toe-curling moment that comes from trying a touch too hard, and perhaps from being translated - Ankh benefits from genuinely likeable characters who don't have really, really, annoying voices. It's amazing how rare this is.
Clickety-Click
Sometimes the puzzles don't make themselves obvious - a man complaining about a draught was placated with groovy music. Also clicking on things - important in a point-and-click - seems a little fussy when it comes to using things from your inventory on world items. However, you tend to have all the time in the world, so it's just an irritant, rather than fatal to the game. Sadly, it just breaks that lovely bubble every so often.
Heart Of Osiris won't convert adventure-haters in the way the polished charms of Sam & Max might, but it's more than good enough if you're willing to take off your jaded hat for long enough to combine some crazy crap in your inventories. Oh, and it still rhymes with wank.
Download Ankh: Heart of Osiris
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP