The Dark Crystal
Main game
2.75 average rating based on 4 ratings
- Developers
- On-Line Systems
- Publishers
- On-Line Systems, StarCraft
- Franchises
- The Dark Crystal
- Series
- Hi-Res Adventure
- Platforms
- Apple II, Atari 8-bit, FM-7, PC-8800 Series, PC-9800 Series
- Genres
- Adventure
- Themes
- Fantasy
Release Dates
User Stats
How Long Is The Dark Crystal?
giopep's review of The Dark Crystal
This review is for the PC (Microsoft Windows) version
The last, true Hi-Res Adventure was Time Zone, because it ended that series with an overambitious bookend. But money is money, so here is a seventh game with the Dark Crystal license. It’s a bizarre game, in which you can feel the tension between wanting to appeal the Hi-Res Adventures fans but also people “coming” from the movie. It ends up being a more approachable game, quite fun if you like the fact that it follows the movie’s plot. But you can clearly see the compromises. It is interesting, though, to see Robert Williams, who was probably already working on King’s Quest, trying to find a more sofisticated writing style. Also, the graphics are quite better than usual, so overall it’s an enjoyable game.
Well-Done And Worth A Try, But Be Ready For The Usual Text Adventure Frustrations
Look: 8/10
Wow, I couldn't even begin to capture all the beautiful screens. Usual Apple II colors and look, but very well-done full body sprites etc, probly thanks to it being based on a movie. I've only seen the movie a couple times, but I kept feeling like it was super accurate and brought back the feel of the movie. Here's just one screenshot I managed to capture while at work trying to focus on the game itself 
Nice to see actual emotions/expressions in the characters too. I mean, cmon 
And in general, I love how shadows and darkness and silhouette motifs are all over the game. So cool. Mind you, the colors could look different depending on your Apple II settings, but I was too into the game--and impressed by the look anyway--to take the time to tweak it at all ha. It felt like the graphics got "lazier" more and more as the game went, some empty faces and whatnot, but still loved most the screens.
Play: 7/10 For the most part it was terse but effective--which I always appreciate in text adventures. But also, when needed, it was descriptive and even told some stories, etc. Well-done indeed. …
Look: 8/10
Wow, I couldn't even begin to capture all the beautiful screens. Usual Apple II colors and look, but very well-done full body sprites etc, probly thanks to it being based on a movie. I've only seen the movie a couple times, but I kept feeling like it was super accurate and brought back the feel of the movie. Here's just one screenshot I managed to capture while at work trying to focus on the game itself
Nice to see actual emotions/expressions in the characters too. I mean, cmon
And in general, I love how shadows and darkness and silhouette motifs are all over the game. So cool. Mind you, the colors could look different depending on your Apple II settings, but I was too into the game--and impressed by the look anyway--to take the time to tweak it at all ha. It felt like the graphics got "lazier" more and more as the game went, some empty faces and whatnot, but still loved most the screens.
Play: 7/10 For the most part it was terse but effective--which I always appreciate in text adventures. But also, when needed, it was descriptive and even told some stories, etc. Well-done indeed. I wasn't in love with some of the puzzles, and that it lacks a treasure hunt aspect, but it was nice to see a goal-oriented text adventure that's well-done (plus, based on a movie--I'm a sucker for that heh).
Feel: 7/10 Finally, a good video game based on a movie. I usually love those, but the super early ones (e.g., E.T., Indiana Jones, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween all for the Atari) were just meh. Like I've said quite a few times, sometimes sticking to the basics was actually the right choice for this era (i.e., instead of trying to make an action adventure based on a movie for this era, just stick to a text adventure with graphics... if only it had some animations/moving graphics too). Tho I was loving most the screens, and the descriptions were lyrical yet terse, after dying a 2nd time, I wasn't motivated to finish the game. Maybe if I explored a save function if I return to it--but for now, moving on.
Attachment: 7/10
I was getting really into this, but then work got busy. I didn't get a chance to save it either. So, I started it over the next day. And immediately I was loving the screens again, even a 2nd time (I was going to have graphics off, which is a nice feature of the Hi Res Adventures from Sierra, since I had already seen these screens--but the screens convinced me otherwise heh) 
The main draws of the game are its well-done descriptions and most the graphics. Otherwise, it's just a usual text adventure with its usual frustrations heh. Maybe I'll like the mid and end game better if I return to it someday.
Completion: Partway through Disk 2A was the furthest I got Playtime: ~30 mins