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89%
PROS
Incorporates the internet through Google and email, interesting puzzles, addicting, tons of videos.
LOWS
Doesn't take up the full screen, can get very difficult, what if pages lose Google ranks?
OVERALL
Even if you don't like adventure games or are new to the genre, you should try your luck with MISSING.
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Here is a sample of one message:
From: Fe256 gery@fe256.com
To:………………………………
CC: kristin_lark@hotmail.com <kristin_lark@hotmail.com>
Subject: Jack Lorski case
Hi,
I came across your e-mails on the SKL agency's database. Don't ask me how.
I also managed to get hold of the high-definition super-8 film from their site. You can download it from my site and check it out.
http://www.fe256.net/ngcc1p/analyseur.html
CUL8R
Géry
See what I mean? Some emails even give insightful tips on how to beat certain puzzles, or give explanations behind code words. Even though the incessant amount of email can get a little annoying, it still is fun to receive word from a “fellow detective.”
The only thing I wondered about with the internet portion of MISSING was how they could control Google page rankings. For the most part, all of the websites you would need would come up as the first few choices. But The Adventure Company can't control these pages and how they rank on Google. What if one necessary page got a lower rank when Google updated its database, and then it didn't appear in the first 7 pages? You would then need a walkthrough of the game in order to play on.
Gameplay in MISSING is unique from other adventure type games. The use of the internet adds a great amount of new strategy.
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Other than that, puzzles are varied. You will have to rearrange photographs, take spiders through mazes, put things in the right order, etc. Other puzzles are more random, like squirting ink out onto a paper, only having to join the droplets together and drag them into the center of a paper. Another weird one was having to keep your mouse over a spinning word until it slows down, and then click on it. This would go on for a cycle of about 8 words. After I passed this test, I got an email explaining how these words connected. That made everything much clearer.
Graphics in MISSING are nothing too exceptional.
A lot of the game is composed of real life videos, so nothing to complain about there. The rest of the game is made up of pretty 2D/3D graphics, but nothing too awesome. Since this was more of a big puzzle, I didn't really find that the graphics inhibited my enjoyment with the game. The only thing that I thought was stupid was that the game only takes place within a small square in the center of your screen. You can't change any graphic options either. Therefore, the entire game will only take up a small portion of your screen, while the rest is black. I would have preferred full screen.
All in all, MISSING: Since January is a thrilling game. It's unique in that it incorporates both email and the use of Google, and its many puzzles can be a real blast to try and solve. If you get stuck, you can surely ask on a forum or seek a walkthrough for help. Even if you don't like adventure games or are new to the genre, you should try your luck with MISSING; “eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth” (Sherlock Holmes).
