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Physicus

Physicus

List Price: $19.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: I was hoping for so much more...
Review:

Yes, the instructional chapters on Physics are fabulous. Yes, the graphics are stunning. And, yes, the overall idea for the game is admirable. However, I was still disappointed in the depth of overall game.

Tying the puzzles of the game to principals of physics was such a great idea, yet, I can't help but feel that the designers came up way short on fulfilling that potential. Most of the puzzles are "physics-related", but a lot of them just barely attain that distinction. One puzzle has you quickly matching a flashing optical lens to one of the four push buttons on the key panel in order to obtain access through a door. This is physics?

Exploration of the landscape of the game was very limiting and disappointing as well. Several times I was disgruntled to find that not all directions of panning were available (sometimes you can't even turn around). This leads to the potential of NOT turning or panning in a not-so-obvious direction that ends up being very critical to the solving of the game.

Also, the overall scope of the landscape is pretty small. With the exception of one "elevator" all other conveyance in the game is on foot. I was so excited to find a rail car on a track that leads down a hill into the town only to be disappointed to find out that you just walk down the track instead of riding the car. Also, I heard references to a submarine which I thought might convey you out to the island with the giant "impellor" device. But, no, the "submarine" is just a shell "up on blocks" with a generator in it. Bummer, I want to go somewhere else in the game!

Oh well, its not such a bad little game, but it could have been a really great "physics-bound" adventure game.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: I was hoping for so much more...
Review:

Yes, the instructional chapters on Physics are fabulous. Yes, the graphics are stunning. And, yes, the overall idea for the game is admirable. However, I was still disappointed in the depth of overall game.

Tying the puzzles of the game to principals of physics was such a great idea, yet, I can't help but feel that the designers came up way short on fulfilling that potential. Most of the puzzles are "physics-related", but a lot of them just barely attain that distinction. One puzzle has you quickly matching a flashing optical lens to one of the four push buttons on the key panel in order to obtain access through a door. This is physics?

Exploration of the landscape of the game was very limiting and disappointing as well. Several times I was disgruntled to find that not all directions of panning were available (sometimes you can't even turn around). This leads to the potential of NOT turning or panning in a not-so-obvious direction that ends up being very critical to the solving of the game.

Also, the overall scope of the landscape is pretty small. With the exception of one "elevator" all other conveyance in the game is on foot. I was so excited to find a rail car on a track that leads down a hill into the town only to be disappointed to find out that you just walk down the track instead of riding the car. Also, I heard references to a submarine which I thought might convey you out to the island with the giant "impellor" device. But, no, the "submarine" is just a shell "up on blocks" with a generator in it. Bummer, I want to go somewhere else in the game!

Oh well, its not such a bad little game, but it could have been a really great "physics-bound" adventure game.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Physicus
Review: An excellent game, but 6 and up? It's a little complicated for a six year old, but a very interesting, educational game in the same vein as Myst. Unfortunately, there are several typos in the database text, which detracts from the overall quality and beautiful graphics of the game. I would recommend it for those with children interested in science and that can read and comprehend what they read.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Awesome graphics, but a huge disappointment
Review: I bought this for my daughter who is 15 and wants to be a science teacher. Neither one of us can figure out how to work it. We are not big games players, don't own a Nintendo, game cube, etc. We enjoy reading, but there isn't an instruction booklet to read. There's an encyclopedia type part which talks about physics, but we all ready own an encyclopedia. Then there is a game where we wander around but can't figure out how to make anything happen, we just wander around the same paths over and over. Some things are obviously important clues to a puzzle but we have no clue how to interact with these objects. Definitely not for a computer games novice.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Worse purchase I made this Christmas
Review: I bought this for my daughter who is 15 and wants to be a science teacher. Neither one of us can figure out how to work it. We are not big games players, don't own a Nintendo, game cube, etc. We enjoy reading, but there isn't an instruction booklet to read. There's an encyclopedia type part which talks about physics, but we all ready own an encyclopedia. Then there is a game where we wander around but can't figure out how to make anything happen, we just wander around the same paths over and over. Some things are obviously important clues to a puzzle but we have no clue how to interact with these objects. Definitely not for a computer games novice.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Really Cool
Review: I really liked this game. The graphics are awesome and it's tricky enough to hold my attention but easy enough (okay, I looked at the hints twice!) to know that I will save the world! Very cool.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Physicus
Review: Physicus is a terrific game. It is similar to Myst, with the game play and graphics, and has the added bonus of being very informative. The information on optics, mechanics, acoustics, electricity, and heat are excellent. Some of my middle school students love it. They have fun playing, and they're learning.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Can't wait for Physicus II
Review: Stunning graphics, great price. True, the physics could have been better, but since Chemicus has a sequal (not yet translated) perhaps Physicus will also, and maybe they could then bring in some more real physics.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Need More Work From the Creators
Review: This game is an interesting one, but completely confusing. I would like if it could tell the player what she/he is supposed to do. I try to play this game, but I am always bewildered about what exactly do I have to do to reach the next level. I just get lost and walk around for like hours without a clue! You should say something like "Here you must solve the ........." or something like that. This way people can understand what you mean and what they have to accomplish.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Awesome graphics, but a huge disappointment
Review: This game looked so cool as it made my Pentium 1 computer crash again and again that I purchased a new Pentium 4 machine JUST TO GET THIS GAME TO RUN!

Physicus has an intriguing storyline. Awesome, superior 3D graphics. The reference material is top rate.

But the game: In a scavenger hunt scenario you search for clues then solve problems. There is not enough direction. Hours of aimless frustrating hunting. There is no help in the game that provides any guidance as to what to do next.

The Tivola website offers some guidance, even shows you the answers for the next step but this leaves you no feeling of success. Even after these Tivola hints, you still can't find subsequent clues until more aimless frustrating hunting.

I don't like scavenger hunts where I don't know what I'm looking for so this game is a huge disppointment for myself and 9 yr old child.

It could be useful as reference material for explaining physics related subjects to kids, but the game needs a greater degree of direction.


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