"Arguably the finest non comedy PC adventure game"

For the longest time since the inception of CD media, game developers were creating a lot of poorly conceived full motion video games. With adventure games, sometimes you'd be thrown into a gameworld with beautiful backdrops but no storyline to connect what seemingly were randomly allotted and mindless puzzles. Myst is the worst offender, though I'll admit I did enjoy the puzzles on their own. However, this random puzzle solving along with the hiring of 3rd rate actors and actresses usually led to horrible games. It really wasn't until this game, Gabriel Knight 2, that we finally recieved a superb game that was done entirely in digital pictures and video. It justified you installing that CD-ROM into your PC.

Gabriel Knight 2, like all Gabriel Knight games, have two distinguishing factors from other adventure games. One, this game like the others use occult/mythical figures and backdrops for its story. This game focuses on werewolves, 1800s Bavaria, and the legend of its famous King Ludwig. It even manages to mix in a ''new'' Wagner opera of all things. Two, there needs to be someone to orchestrate all these diverse story threads. That person is Jane Jensen, and once again, she manages to create a superb storyline and script. The strength of her writing makes some of these tall tales believable.

Out of a game of this type, you ask for good storytelling, which you get from Jensen. Then, you also want capable acting, which this game manages. Most of the cast does a great job, especially the lady who did Grace. She came off as intelligent and with a spark of spunk in her, exactly as Grace should be. I thought the guy who held the lead role of Gabriel also did a good job, though he does employ high school grade mannerisms a few too many times. I wasn't too dissapointed that some of the original voices from the first Gabriel Knight game weren't back, especially after playing through 2 for awhile. Their replacements did an admirable job. Of course, since this is an PC adventure game, you also need good puzzles. Outside of the annoying wolf hunt and perhaps tne very end of the game where it is one of those click quickly or die things, the puzzles fit well within the storyline and aren't obscenely difficult to figure out.

Production values were very good for its time. The FMV can be grainy but overall, it is still a pleasure to view some of the enchanting locales like the Bavarian palaces. Sound is excellent as well, from the quality voice acting to some beautiful productions of Wagnerian music.

I throughly enjoyed the first Gabriel Knight, but this one is my personal favorite of the three GK games. Why? Storytelling. I was more intrigued by this werewolf tale then I was the vampire or voodoo stories (not that they were bad, of course. From top to bottom, I find it very difficult to fault this game in any area. Quite simply, this could possibly be the greatest adventure game ever.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/13/03, Updated 03/13/03