- Platform: IBM PC Compatible
- Release Date: 1997
- Genre: Adventure
- Style: First-Person Adventure
Game Description
Using an innovative filming technique, Video Reality technology, SouthPeak Interactive's supernatural first-person adventure, Temüjin, creates an environment where you, the player, navigate the game with full 360 degree freedom. The adventure takes place in the Stevenson Museum which is featuring an exhibit containing many artifacts from the Tomb of Temüjin -- the great conqueror, leader of the Mongols, Genghis Khan. Within these artifacts lies a centuries old evil force, one capable of destroying the entire human race.Given very few clues to work with, you must solve a mystery surrounding this growing ancient evil force now that it has been unleashed once again. Your only clue is that a jeweled goat head, The Capricorn, is somehow involved. By solving challenging and convoluted puzzles you uncover as you travel from place to place in the museum and by listening to (live) characters you encounter (no interaction), you piece together clues and begin to unravel the past in an attempt to solve the mystery. It's up to you to learn the truth and save humanity from the threat of Temüjin.
~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
Resort to on-line or strategy manual walk throughs when playing adventure or puzzle games is not something most gamers should do as it hinders gaming experience. The only decent reason for using such help sources, in my opinion, is if the game is either too convoluted for human logic, frustrating or has unrewarding game play that does little more than waste time working out the answers (in other words, the story isn't compelling enough to warrant a large time investment).Temüjin unfortunately fits the last category all too well. Although innovative in its approach to full motion video through the use of 35mm film, the problem lies in the somewhat weak and contrived storyline. Action takes place in the Stevenson Museum and revolves around an exhibit of artifacts from the ancient tomb of Temüjin, or as he's known in modern day history, Ghengis Kahn. You are thrust into the mystery without any real knowledge of the impending evil curse or dark magic that is awakening from the Capricorn Collection's gem-encrusted goat's head. One of the problems in the game stems from the somewhat small game world and the necessity to cover old ground over and over in order to collect all the mysteries and put them together.
The acting is fairly benign and the presentation is basically well done although not award material. The interface is from a first-person perspective and you wander the halls of the museum, happening upon individuals, hearing strange conversations and sounds and meeting a ghost,
Playing Temüjin feels shallow somehow with the suspension of disbelief not easy to attain. For that reason, once into the game you still want to see the final outcome but not at the expense of a serious time investment. Thus the understandable need or desire for a walkthough. It's akin to watching Chevy Chase scan the Grand Canyon for a second in Family Vacation -- a nod and then on to bigger and better things.
Temüjin's puzzles range from weak to moderate with nothing really too difficult for the veteran gamer. Unfortunately, there is nothing especially captivating about the game play or visual effects either. The interface is simple to use and the interaction with the puzzles is handled fairly well as is the integration of the live video shots of the people you meet. But there is just that intangible something that gets in the way of Temüjin being a truly immersive and adventurous experience.
~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
Searches become tedious as the same ground is covered again and again. The slow evolution of the mystery grates after a while.~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
Innovative use of 35mm film but still not as clear as you might expect.~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
Ambient sounds and "off-stage" voices (screams and whispers) are well done. The music is not inspiring not particularly mood enhancing.~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
No redeeming replay value.~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
On the light side.~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide
