LOST: Via Domus
Previously on Lost... These three words would resonate with fans of the hit TV series, as it brings to mind the mystery of numbers, hatches, flashbacks and black-mist creatures that the show revolves around. Alongside the likes of other survivors like Kate, Hurley, Locke and Sawyer, you play Elliot, an amnesiac photographer who has his own secrets to hide - and to uncover - as he explores the island in this adventure-cum-puzzle game. As someone who gave up on the show about survivors of the doomed flight 815, as well as on the mysterious inhabitants on the island that the plane crashed into, I could have easily dismissed this as one for die-hard fans. But I found myself very intrigued nevertheless. Relying heavily on flashbacks, ala the show itself, you slowly learn of your identity and why someone on the island, other than The Others, is after you. While the events of the game run parallel to the first two seasons of the show, there are treats for fans from early appearances by the likes of Juliet and Ben. (Sorry, not giving spoilers here.) All right, if by now, you are confused with the names and other events from the show that I mentioned, skip this game. You probably will not smile when you see the black mist lunging towards you or if you spot a dead polar bear. Also, you will most likely frown when Sawyer hides a letter from you or when you see Kate squirm when you mention that she was a prisoner on the flight. The game wastes no time in introducing the core characters from the show. You will not know why Sun speaks only Korean at times and English at others, or why Sawyer is the way he is (sullen and seemingly selfish). These are the little Easter eggs that the producers have thrown into the game, to tease and appease (mainly fans). For non-fans, expect puzzles to solve and an island to explore - and these aren't too bad. When it comes to flashbacks, Elliot must recall events by snapping a shot of a scene that would trigger his recollection. There are also gadgets to fix using items discovered around the island. But what a disappointment the fact that the key characters in the game are not voiced by the TV actors who played the same role. For those who have never got lost in Lost, it makes little difference to see a poorly voiced Jack ordering people around. But real fans can tell the difference between the grunty TV Sawyer and the very whiny game Sawyer, plus TV Hurley is way funnier than video game Hurley.