"A worthy sequel to a great original"

They always say that sequels are never as good as their original stories, whether they be film, game or otherwise. But Gabriel Knight II: The Beast Within comes very, very close to breaking this trend, but for me can't quite outshine it's predecessor. All is not lost however! For what, you do have is an excellent follow-up to a brilliant original game. Even if GK2 was as half as good as Gabriel Knight 1: Sins of the Fathers it would have been a good game, but as it is, it's even better than that.

Before playing Gabriel Knight 2 (GK2 for short) I must admit I was very apprehensive. And this was due to the reason that it is a FMV game (Full Motion Video or Frightfully Monotonous Video as I like to call it.) FMV has always been an easy target as one of the major flops in gaming, due to the fact that the acting was normally terrible and the gameplay dull and limited to a few clicks of the screen. However, I'm pleased to say that GK2 shatters all illusions with one big hefty swing of a Schattenjäger dagger.

With Dean Erickson taking the starring role as Gabriel Knight. The story picks up with Gabriel in his ancestral home of Schloß Ritter, located in the small town of Rittersberg. Gabriel has been there a year after learning of his Schattenjäger heritage, and the subsequent death of his Uncle, making him the last remaining Shadow-Hunter. He reluctantly accepts a case from the local villagers about a wolf attack on the local tavern owner's son's daughter… if you can follow that. You step into the shoes of Gabriel Knight and his assistant and friend Grace Nakimura, played by Joanne Takahashi, whom, when hearing of Gabriel's new case, flies straight from New Orleans to Bavaria to assist. The ensuing tale is one of intrigue, mystery and sheer horror. Things are not as they seem, and neither are the wolves…

The game uses FMV effectively I'm pleased to say, and the acting is excellent. The trouble is, for me, I played GK3 first, and then I played GK1, so I was used to Tim Curry's rendition of Gabriel Knight, and the blonde hair also, rather than Dean Erickson's appraisal of Gabe and also, the red hair of Dean also kind of threw me too. But these are just niggly personal points and one's that do not impact of the enjoyment of the game in any way, but I just care to warn anyone who has played the other two games and not this one, that Dean turns in a very convincing performance, but just don't expect him to be Tim Curry.

The storyline of the game is just as compelling as it's predecessors, and some of the scenes are more horrific than any from the original, and are made more effective by the use of FMV. Wow! I'm praising the use of FMV; I'd never thought I'd see the day! The complex interaction of the characters is also very good with Gerde having a more in depth role than from GK1, and of course the inclusion of the charismatic Baron. The story is once again mature and aimed at adults and includes many historical aspects and cleverly weaves King Ludwig II of Bavaria into the storyline and is once again a work of genius from Jane Jensen.

Graphically, the game is better than that of it's original and the FMV looks very good also, but not as good quality as nowadays obviously. However, in 1996, when FMV was very popular form of game production, it looked very good indeed, and is one of few games to actually accent the good points of FMV. However, some objects are unclear against the background, such as some tape late in the game, so that's a bit of a downer, but I can't complain too much about anything else.

The audio of GK2 is very good quality indeed, with clear audio and another wonderful soundtrack produced by Robert Holmes. Having loved the first soundtrack, I was pleased to find another quality soundtrack embracing the suspenseful storytelling of the game, it truly brings the nature of the game into it's own, and was pleased to see the sound track included in with the Gabriel Knight mysteries pack. Sound effects are what you would expect from the game of the period. Good, solid but unspectacular.

The gameplay is once again the major factor, and as with it's older brother, has superb puzzles inextricably linked with the superb plot. There's a lot of character interaction, which sometimes can be too long-winded, but the game is spot on with this, and if you do not talk to the characters then you will not get anywhere in the game. A puzzle I particularly liked was where you had to splice a tape that you recorded in order to fool a staff member at the zoo, very clever, but not immediately obvious. The puzzles range from simple to hard, but it is a game for all skill levels, and quite frankly is recommended to all.

Human beings love stories and GK2, and as with GK1 and GK3, is a wonderful tale of the highest proportion. I recommend this game to all, and it is a must buy, especially with it's older brother: Sins of the Fathers bundled in with the Soundtrack and Sins of the Fathers graphic novel as well, it is one that all must have in their collection.

Graphics: 8 – Excellent use of FMV, although some objects are a little unclear at first glance however.

Audio: 9 – Good acting, good sounds, great music.

Replayability: 8 – Another epic tale from Jane Jensen.

Gameplay: 9 – Compelling story, good puzzles, good acting, a great sequel.

A worthy follow-up to a superb adventure game.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/22/00, Updated 01/22/00