Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
In 2002 a point and click adventure game called Syberia released. The writer was a man named Benoit Sokal. He was a Belgian artist who started his career in the comic book field and then moved over to video games. Though Syberia wasn't the first game he put out, he gained a ton of recognition for Amerzone, which was released in 1999. A couple years later he created an interesting world called Syberia and it gained him even more critical acclaim. He began a legacy with this game and he even won a couple awards.
As far as point and click adventures go, Myst was clearly the top dog of the genre, but Syberia was also well loved for its innovations in the space. Unlike Myst which had very little interaction with people or automatons or entities (until later that is), Syberia had a different technological aesthetic as well as player interactions. So, it only made sense that Microids would remaster this classic game, but does it really hold up to the original? Let's find out together.
Gameplay
Your name is Kate Walker and you are an American Lawyer sent to get a notary for the Universal Toy Company - a factory run entirely with automatons. In fact, the entire city has adopted the automaton way, which is present in everything from being greeted at the hotel, to submitting documentation, to the piloting of the wind-up train you use.
There are a couple of other notable aspects about the city of Valadilene that you can discern within a short time of playing. First, the whole city is in mourning because Anna Voralberg - the woman who ran the toy factory recently passed. Secondly, much of the travel in the game is done by a wind-up train created by Hans Voralberg.
Once you meet with the notary, you learn that your documents cannot be authenticated because there might be a living heir. As such, you must get the documents signed by none other than Hans Voralberg. This is what leads you on a wild adventure to strange places. To do so, you will have to go through hoops, solve puzzles, and meet interesting characters along the way.
As a fan of the whole Syberia series (which I've played and completed every game - yes, including the one people disliked...), Syberia - Remastered fell short of my expectations and it didn't fully dawn on me why, until after I completed the game. It's hard to explain that the jarring transitions between updated and polished graphics versus the original quality didn't bother me as much as it did others. What actually grated on my nerves was the fact that I vaguely recalled needing to do certain things to solve puzzles but I couldn't recall what. So let's talk about the puzzles in the game.
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| One of the puzzles |
Puzzles
I get that gamers of today's day and age would enjoy the simplicity of many puzzles included in this game, but for some of us who played the original series, it feels dull and frustrating. While the game doesn't completely hold your hand for certain puzzles, there are many that are simplified. For example, you only need to click on the spot and then choose the item in your inventory to 'solve' them. There's no puzzle where you can place the wrong object because the game stops you. Heck, it even tells you what you can and can't click on. There is no more pixel hunting for a location or panel you didn't see. It's also evident that you don't need to rotate any dials or wheels because that is also done with a simple click. *sigh*
For most of my time in Valadilene, I spent more time running back and forth than was needed. The clues in your booklet would sometimes lead you to the conclusion that you missed something. Although, some of the objectives were items that would be solved later on. As such, I spent so much time running around the cemetery trying to find a key to the tomb only to have to look up where it was. At the time, I didn't realize that the puzzle I was looking for was completely removed from the game. See, in the original, you used to need a couple of colored key cards that you would put into an organ. All you had to do was put in the correct key card and you would receive the key to the crypt. In Syberia - Remastered the organ nor the key cards are present. Thus, all you have to do is open the drawers in the Priests' office. Because of this change, I kept running around thinking I was missing something that I couldn't quite recall. I could have saved so much time if I knew the puzzle was removed. (Also, WHY?! You just needed the right song! I get some of the other puzzle changes but not this one.)
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| A Still from the Original Syberia Game in the Maze that is removed from the Remaster |
Another puzzle that was completely changed was the whole inclusion of the garden in Valadilene. This is another location that I had vague memories of needing to do something without knowing what it was. In the original version of the game, you needed to go through the maze to find a key. And even if the game doesn't necessarily tell you this, you needed to use the random doors in the garden. In this version of the game, the doors are just for show. Obviously the garden maze was also removed from the game, and the key you require is simply on the ground next to the gardener. Wow. Thanks game. Don't simplify the harder puzzles, remove easy ones that were fun and picturesque instead.
There are a couple of other locations that had me running around in circles because of my familiarity with the original game. But for the devs to remove key puzzles in favor of catering to modern gamers took away some of the magic that made Syberia what it was. A puzzle game is supposed to let you fiddle and try things, not serve the solutions up on a platter. What the hell?
And don't even get me started on the whole dam puzzle and solution... Actually, I will touch on something with respect to the dam puzzle. In the original game Kate Walker is too prissy to get her hands dirty, so she asks Momo to pick up an item to open the dam. Amusingly, I think Kate first tries a relatively thin stick that breaks. Anyways, Kate gets Momo to put a boat oar into the hole to open the dam. Why? Because it's got algae and dirty water so she can't bring herself to pick it up. This in itself is not an issue. The issue is that she asks Momo to do it - taking advantage of the fact that the boy is not as swift as everyone else. *ARGH* And that is what leads me to talk about game localization.
Localization
So let's talk about localization. To simplify what localization is, according to the site I just linked, "Video game localization is the process of adapting the game's meaning for new regions outside its origin. It is translating text, adapting imagery, and adjusting cultural references to resonate with local players. The localization of video games depends on the game's genre." Essentially, it means that you adapt your creative work to be more acceptable to other countries in terms of terminology, UI, and legal requirements. Sometimes different music will be used in game versions because of licensing requirements.
With that knowledge, I question what localization was done on Syberia - Remastered when there are a few comments about Momo being the hard 'r' word. If we take the time to remove and change puzzles and update graphics, why would we not update the verbiage to be more appropriate for 2025? I mean, the use of the word was not exactly acceptable in 2002, but I expect that an updated version would reflect today's standards. At least we only encounter it a couple of times during gameplay, but considering you encounter the word at the beginning of the game, it might turn potential new fans away from the series.
I also question the localization because of the subtitles. The spelling of several words are incorrect and/or inconsistent. For example, Syberia is spelled with a Y in context of the game, but there were multiple points where it was spelled Siberia (which is the actual spelling of the place). To this I say, pick a lane! Because if you can't seem to get the name of the game correct, then I really wonder what was done. What's more frustrating is that the original game had the same spelling mistakes! Here's another example:
Graphics and UI
Syberia - Remastered did something right - sort of. The graphics are improved to a degree where you could stare at the immense detail of the buildings, foliage, and lighting effects in awe. It is a visually stunning game in places. But not all of the graphic details are updated. Notably, the cutscenes are taken from the original game and upscaled. This particular choice doesn't necessarily bother me because it's been done in other games. However, in the game I'm thinking of, it was because the studio wanted to keep the original voice actors because a few of them had passed away. It was a tribute to their contribution to the game, and the studio told their players ahead of time that the old cutscenes would be in the game for that reason. In the case of Syberia, most of the cutscenes aren't kept in the game because of that. And I'm not even sure why the devs would choose to update the graphics and the puzzles but not CGI the cutscenes as well? Did they blow the budget on the other graphics? I have no idea. It just seems like a weird choice and clearly it hasn't been received well by the fans.One of the several issues I have with the graphics are the character models and expressions. Kate Walker seems mostly devoid of expression. This is not only present in her physical expression, but also her voice seems lifeless, particularly during phone dialogue. If a game is going to be remastered, then it should have more life and character than previously. Yet Syberia - Remastered's scenery looks much better than the characters do and it's jarring. In one game we have the whole spectrum of graphics from amazing all the way down to classic. Again this is a moment where I have to say pick a lane.
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| This is a screenshot of an upscaled cutscene in the remaster |
Anyways, let's talk about the elephant in the room for me, and that is the pitiful movement graphics in virtually every part of the game. In point and click games of old, your character's walking animation would progress at a decent clip. In Syberia - Remastered, your character actually moves slower than the original. Honestly, it's painful at times. Thankfully, you are able to sprint to various areas whether you double click a location or you hold down the right trigger button. Even still, the movement is rough as you can get stuck inside walls and barrels. What's worse is you can get stuck in an open area on an invisible wall where you are unable to move at all. It's not pleasing and downright frustrating.
Although, the entire experience is not completely terrible. The transitions between areas are smooth and don't require many loading screens. The points that do have loading screens transition quickly, which is refreshing in my opinion. That said, sometimes you will start in a different part of the screen from where you were before - mostly due to the somewhat fixed camera locations. So while Syberia - Remastered boasts updated graphics, it is not a true 3D experience as you can still run up to the camera's fixed locations. It's amusing as it is annoying because in certain places, the camera seems to be too far back or awkwardly placed which can make it a challenge to find your next destination or objective. Take that for what you will.
Thankfully where the graphics are a bit of a mixed bag depending on what grabs your attention, the UI is pleasantly simple. Most of the time you only need to look in the top right of your screen to know how to access your inventory, phone, or game settings. Although, you will be using the inventory button for the current objectives or to see the items you have collected. The phone, while mostly used for realism, is hardly a focal point. This is true in the original game and the remaster. Sadly, the phone mechanic is seldom used and it's potentially a missed opportunity, but I digress.
Thankfully where the graphics are a bit of a mixed bag depending on what grabs your attention, the UI is pleasantly simple. Most of the time you only need to look in the top right of your screen to know how to access your inventory, phone, or game settings. Although, you will be using the inventory button for the current objectives or to see the items you have collected. The phone, while mostly used for realism, is hardly a focal point. This is true in the original game and the remaster. Sadly, the phone mechanic is seldom used and it's potentially a missed opportunity, but I digress.
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| A Beautiful Screenshot |
Unlike other puzzle games where you might need to manually crank a gear or pull on a lever, the UI is nice enough that you simply press a button to rotate an object or place one. Syberia - Remastered doesn't require you to modify any object to fit into slots or anything like that. Also, the dialogue options with characters is a list of topics to initiate conversation. Furthermore, I appreciate that there is a zoom button for documents in your inventory which is more legible than the written text.
Overall, the graphics are stunning in places, terrible in others, and inconsistent throughout the game. Although, it is a drastic improvement and beautiful, that is only true for the scenery and not the cutscenes. As a result, I feel like the game has lost some of its magic in the remaster.
Stability and Bugs
Unfortunately, Syberia - Remastered has a few issues in the way of bugs. Within the first half hour of game play, my game had completely crashed out on me. The good news is that I didn't lose a ton of progress. But when I reached the end of the game, I had to move quickly and so I bolted to get out of the place I was in. A cutscene started and played all the way through. However, once the cutscene was complete, my game froze entirely. It should be noted here that unlike the original game where you could manually save, Syberia - Remastered functions on an autosaving system. So, I was going to reload the save to continue my adventures, but the game was completely frozen. There was no way I could move or go into the menu or anything. I had to force close the game and repeat the cutscene and pray that it didn't lock the game again.
I shouldn't have to say that this is not a good thing. And while in my case it could have been the strange driver issue I had with my GPU recently, I can't say that the issue isn't present for others. From what I saw, some people weren't able to finish the game because it would freeze after multiple reloads. I generally don't like it when a game crashes that badly, but considering this occurred at the end of the game, I'm sure it would anger a number of players. So proceed with caution if you decide to get this game. Frankly, I think it might be more worthwhile to stick with the OG version.
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| This may have been when my graphics card crashed then the game did... |
I will say that I'm pleased there weren't more issues with respect to stability and bugs. There could have been a lot more given the myriad of other inconsistent elements and the fact that the game was ported into Unity's game engine allowed them to drastically improve a ton of aspects. So, only having a couple crashes and one full lock up is an improvement, I guess?
Final Impressions
I finished Syberia - Remastered despite its good and bad points, but I don't know that I feel great about it. There were many aspects of the game that felt halfway done or untouched at all. And although I still love the Syberia series, I can't say that it is in a state that I would recommend. On one hand, I do love the story, the puzzles, Oscar's charm, and nostalgia. On the other hand I found the game to be watered down and dull. It's truly a shame because the Syberia series is one that puzzle aficionado's should consider picking up, but this remastered version just doesn't do it.
For those of you who are interested in playing through it, I highly recommend the original games and caution those who would grab this version in favor of good graphics and changes. It breaks my heart to have to say that because Benoit Sokal's masterpiece deserves better. Besides, we have to see if the Mammoth's and the Youkal tribe are real or not...
Score: 6 out of 10
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