Gabriel Knight 2

The Beast Within

Sierra took a risk by taking a successful game and completely changing the interface for its sequel. The second game in the Gabriel Knight series is strictly FMV, with real actors attempting to bring the story to life. Compared to other FMV games, The Beast Within is a rip-roaring success; but the nature of the beast unnecessarily hurts the series.

This time, the game takes place entirely in Germany. The local town is need of Gabriel's "powers" to help rid themselves of what they believe are werewolves. As he is once again experiencing writer's block (after his successful book based on the last game!), Gabriel reluctantly agrees. What follows is a six-chapter series that slowly dishes out an engaging plot, only a little more predictably than before. This time around, the player alternates between playing Gabriel and Grace, as they both must research the problem and risk their lives to fulfill their destinies.

The game is fairly easy, with a faithful dose of hotspot clicking to advance the plot. However, there are still many inventory puzzles, and quite a few are entertaining to solve, including one that involves splicing tape recordings. What really holds the game back is the same problem with the prequel, multiplied threefold. At more than one occasion, Grace must nail every hotspot in a handful of rooms, merely for information gathering, with no indication that it is necessary.

The other disappointment, frankly, is the acting, especially that of the two main characters. In The Sins Of The Fathers, Gabriel was a hunk and a cocky sonofabitch, with layers of depth and sensitivity buried underneath the tough exterior. Here, he is pretty much a wuss, and not at all attractive. Grace is caught during a week of serious PMS, as she overreacts to nearly every situation and is passive-aggressive with everyone she meets. Thankfully, the supporting cast puts in top-notch performances, especially Peter Lucas, Wolf Muser, and Frederich Solms.

While the writing at times leaves a bit to be desired (including humour, which is almost non-existent), the story and characters are enough to draw the player in through to the end, which like the previous game, is well-developed and thoroughly intense. The only major beef I had with the plot was that even though I discovered who the antagonist was well before game's end, I couldn't do anything about it because Gabriel didn't know. Instead of simply implementing mutliple endings and/or plot branches, I was squeezed through the linear story.

Overall, this game was a success, widely considered the adventure game of the year. It is a worthy play, but probably only to fans of the series.