Soulbringer (PC)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Andrew Park
• Reviewed on: 08/04/2000
• Updated on: 05/17/2006
• Released on: 07/10/2000
• Originally published on GameSpot: Soulbringer (PC) Review

Gremlin Interactive's Soulbringer is a 3D action/role-playing game that has a number of good qualities, but at least as many problems. Certain aspects of Soulbringer, like its motion-captured combat sequences, are interesting and even enjoyable, but other aspects, like its mediocre graphics and clumsy interface, detract significantly from the game.

Soulbringer takes place in the besieged fantasy world of Rathenna, a place in which evil villains oppress the good folk of the land. The only one who can put an end to the increasingly frequent attacks is your character, a hapless and penniless everyman. But you happen to be the descendant of a legendary hero, and according to an ancient prophecy, you'll not only defeat the villains, but also kill lots of monsters, find lots of gold, get better equipment and magic spells, and uncover a darker, more sinister plot behind the villains' attacks. It may sound trite, and that's because it is, though it does have a few exciting moments.

Unfortunately, neither Soulbringer's graphics nor its sound do much more to recommend the game any more than its uninspired story does. It's true that the game is fully 3D, and that nearly all its character animation is motion captured; however, all the game's characters are crudely modeled with constantly clipping polygons that are in turn adorned with bland textures. Most of these characters sound like ordinary, modern-day British people from off the street, but the voice acting is usually appropriate, if at times a bit overdone. Otherwise, the game is mostly silent; what little background music there is, is fairly good.

Many of the game's environments are also quite plain; they're at once monotonous and easy to get lost in since the game's interface is so flawed. For instance, unlike nearly every other computer role-playing game that's been released this year, Soulbringer has no real in-game map function of any kind. In addition, your field of view is severely limited at all times and on all sides by a black fog that masks everything within a short distance of your character. As such, you'll find it's frustratingly common to lose your way in one of Soulbringer's many larger areas: That helpful landmark that you committed to memory might have been just outside your line of sight, so you'll end up wasting time running about a uniformly monotonous field, cavern, or castle, trying to find your destination without the aid of a decent map.

Continue reading

Compare prices for Soulbringer

This product is currently not in stock at any of our online merchants.

Email me when this product is available