Largo Winch: Empire Under Threat

Largo Winch: Empire Under Threat is a game based on the relatively unknown Largo Winch comic book series that was wildly popular in Europe. Released exclusively in Europe, in 2002, the game follows the same directives of most comic books that inspired it, with the main character Largo Winch, defending his inherited empire from different kinds of threats.

Explore the World

Largo Winch is very similar to traditional point-and-click games where players use a mouse to move the camera around and interact with the scenarios, but instead, the game runs on keyboard controls. Arrow Keys moves the character around, “shift” runs, “enter” focuses on an object, and “space bar” interacts with the world around him. As expected from these types of games, commands are not the core purpose of gameplay, as it is focused on exploration, and investigation to progress the story.

The style of the game isn’t reliant on fast combat, reflexes, or quick-action-events, it relies on its narrative and storytelling to grab the player’s attention. Briefly speaking, the game follows Largo Winch, a young billionaire known for his business savvy and humanitarianism, who uncovers disturbing news of the murder of one of his scientists who had been secretly studying morally dubious genetic experiments. Shortly after that, a bomb threat is made on his company, and amidst the confusion, documents are stolen. You then set out to investigate the mysterious threats, with the assistance of some friends.

Piece by Piece

An investigative, narrative-driven game by design, players will find that conceptually Largo Winch: Empire Under Threat is a puzzle game. Challenges are encountered and solved by sheer curiosity and exploration, keeping track of information while connecting them to your environment (especially in the use of your inventory) will suffice to navigate most of the game. If you ever feel lost, the game provides a way to access Largo’s notes which describes the information you have, as well as what needs to be done.

In this nine-hour puzzle game, there are small glimpses of an action movie and a limited number of combats, which are turn-based and in a similar fashion doesn’t put players in a position to rely on reflex to win. The cutscenes illustrate the story well while adding a cinematic vibe to the storytelling,

A game that relies on its own story to deliver a satisfying experience, doesn’t really allow for a description of its story without falling into spoiler territory and ruining the game. But, overall, the story takes you to different exotic locations and introduces you to various types of people that help you in your journey. Most, notably your friends Joy and Simon, who become somewhat important to the story.

Verdict

For fans of detective work, and point-and-click games like Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders, Sherlock Holmes Crimes and Punishments, or any of the games from Telltale, are the only ones likely to enjoy this game. It is not a bad game, but just it feels like a dated and less detailed version of newer titles.

PROS:

• Good Adaptation
• Simple Commands
• Well Developed Main Character
• Entertaining and Inviting
• Voice Acting

CONS:

• Unchallenging
• Ordinary Story
• Badly Developed Supporting Characters
• Game Drags on a Bit