Largo Winch

"Simplistic yet innovative puzzle adventure game which is worth a look"

Largo Winch, better known as ‘The Billionaire in Blue Jeans’ is much better known across the continent in France and Germany, never the less it has come to PS2, and impresses. You play the part of Largo, who’s farther Nero Winch died in somewhat mysterious circumstances and you inherit Group W, a multi-billion dollar franchise. The group start up a humanitarian aid project and from there, Largo and group W are under constant threat from the likes of bombs, gangsters and even e-mail spammers who clog up the Group W computer network.

The game in essence is rather basic and is more of a puzzle adventure game, with a good story line to it. You must explore, infiltrate and puzzle sole if you are to uncover the plot against you, your farther and group W. On your travels you must go to Mexico, New York, Sardinia, and Russia and meet with many strange people and venues. The game also consists of mini games such as combat scenes, hacking mini games, and even poker and a slider puzzle – all of which you can unlock for exhibition play outside of your adventure!

The game used RenderWare for it’s engine and the environments, although not expansive are all 100% 3D (more games should have this). The graphics are very nice, and the slightly cartoony style suits the game well. The general gameplay consists of exploring, finding items, combining then and then using them. If an item can be manipulated and/or is of importance it flashes slightly which makes it a little to obvious, but no real problem. When you meet people a list of questions which you can ask them appears much like Monkey Island and form there answers new objectives will present themselves. A list of all objectives, as well of the current story line can be found in the inventory – just in case you’re stuck.

The only real reason not to get this game (other than you don’t like the genre) would be it’s simplicity. Often the game spells out what you have to do, which means that you progress too quickly and isn’t very challenging. Although there are some tough points which you will get stuck on. You can also die (I won’t tell you how), but there aren’t many ways. More threat would have also made the game more challenging. The hacking mini games (where you hack a computer) are reasonable hard, as is the slider puzzle, but you will over come them.

Graphics 7 – All set in 3D, absolutely no 2D, which is very impressive and should be used more often. Character models are simple but get the job done.

Gameplay 7 – Slightly too easy (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it makes it easy to pick up and play), more challenge would have been nice, never the less the game is still fun and there are some tough parts as well as some very innovative puzzles.

Sound 7 – Music suits the situation and voice acting is very good. Lip synch is bad, however you don’t notice it unless you are trying to.
Life Span 6 – Should have been more challenging but still a nice game with the added exhibition puzzle.

Overall 7- Still a great, and it can be found cheap, so I recommend it, as It will last around a while, as well It would be fun to re-play it and pick up upon details which would missed first time round.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 12/04/02, Updated 12/04/02