Heart Of China

Dynamix took everything great about Rise of the Dragon and nearly perfected it for their second adventure game. You play pilot Jake Masters (though Indiana Jones would fit as well) of a touring company in the Far East. The only blemish Mr. Masters has on his record is an acquiring debt with his creditor E.A. Lomax, a ruthless businessman out of New York and currently stationed in Honk Kong. Lomax gives Masters an ultimatum: save his daughter Kate who is in the hands of the Chinese in Chengdu and his debt will be cleared. Refuse Lomax's offer, and well, let's just say Masters can't refuse the offer.

In Honk Kong, Masters finds Zhao Chi, a masterful ninja who can definitely help out Masters. Of course, Masters knows he needs no help, but having a companion on this trip would be nice. Thankfully, he knows English. Saving Kate in China is just the beginning of the adventure, as you travel to several different cities, trying to get back to Paris, where Mr. Lomax will be waiting for you.

Simply put, Heart of China is a captivating game. Every character is fully developed, making the player feel for the heroes and hate the villains (and sometimes vice versa!). Conversation is very realistic and diverse. As in the game's predecessor, what you say can come back to help or haunt you later. A romantic story develops with believable sexual tension and humour. The graphics are superb, and the sound is appropriate and lively most of the time.

Even the plot develops as the game progresses, which is a rare treat in the adventure genre. You can play all three main characters at various times, and discover plot branches that give you a completely alternate path to proceed through that part of the game. Along with the three distinct endings based upon the relationships you develop (or destroy) throughout, the replay value is high.

My only major gripe about this game is the same one I had with Dynamix's first offering.  The arcade sequences simply do not fit.  While the first one is marginally enjoyable, the second one again is a clunky mess that completely ruins the game's tempo at the end.

Despite the arcade debacle, Heart of China is easily one of my favorite games and is one that I have gone back to on more than one occasion. If you love Raiders of the Lost Ark, then this game should be on your must-play list.