Isis
Review by Al Giovetti, 09/15/96
Price: $50
Genre: adventure
Release: June 1996
Developer: Snow Lion Entertainment,
Programmer:
Music:
Art:
Producer:
Publisher: Panasonic Interactive Media
Phone: 408-653-1887
Website: http://www.panasonic.com/cool/isis/isis.htm
Requirements: PC or Mac

History: Isis was originally released as a 3DO title.

Plot: The ancient ship, ISIS, has slept for a thousand years. Now it awakens and you are the summoned one, chosen to prepare for the launch of the ship. But you must find three gems to power the vessel hidden in an ancient pyramid. Make a mistake and the ship is lost for another millennium. Overlying this plot is a multimedia history of the band Earth, Wind and Fire which does not significantly relate to the other plot.

Full Motion Video (FMV): FMV biographies of Earth, Wind and Fire band members are found throughout the game and seem to have a lot to do with the plot. The band seems to be intrinsically bound to the ancient pyramid, ship, and god Isis, in such a way that if you find the three gems there is danger they will be sucked out into space and die from pressure explosion.

Game play: The game player must find and solve the simple puzzles. The game play is far to short for an adventure game of any stature.

Graphics: The 320 x 240 pixel game window surrounded by the blank green border is too small when compared to other games of this type. Full screen game windows are more the norm these days.

Music score: Featuring the music of Earth, Wind and Fire, but Isis cannot make up its mind whether to be a game or music history. Isis is mediocre to good as a game or band history, but there is not enough music to support the band history and not enough game play in the game.

Sound effects: There are no mood setting sound effects.

Utilities: The three save games are far from adequate for any adventure game.

Conclusion: Beginning adventure gamers who might by chance be Earth Wind and Fire fans will enjoy this one. Grognards need not apply.

References:
Hermann K. Peterscheck, Computer Games Strategy Plus, issue 70, September, 1996, pg. 110, 3/5, (60%-80%).
Kevin J. McCann, Computer Player, volume 3, number 4, September, 1996, pg. 96, 7/10, (70%).