A Quiet Weekend-end in Capri (Un
Tranquillo Week-end a Capri)
Quick List of game characteristics
Mouse controlled
Windows
1st person point and click
Save slots: only 3
2 CD's - game plays from 2nd cd – no cd swapping
Choice of Italian or English
Help feature that highlights active areas
Screen resolution set to 1025 x 768
Story
You board your boat for Capri and walk to
the rails, your eyes scanning the horizon. In the distance you see the
cliffs of the island looming ever closer. Finally you dock and exit the
boat with the rest of the tourists. You hail a taxi and give the driver
the name of your hotel. He drives you to a turn around; you pay the
driver and start walking down the crowded noisy streets, dodging people as
you go. You stop at a magazine stand and get walking directions to the
hotel and also find out where you can get a map of the island. After
picking up the map, you leave and following the directions you are given,
finally coming to the steps of the hotel. Suddenly you’re sucked into
some kind of whirling vortex. When you come out of it the first thing you
notice is the quiet, all the hustle and noise of the streets are gone, as
are most of the people. The second thing you notice is a sign on the
hotel door telling you it’s closed. You shake the fog out of your head
and start walking down the empty streets. The few people who are left all
seem to know you – but how? What a way to start a vacation……………….
Game Play
The game comes on 2 cds – one
installation and one play disk. There are over 4,500 still photos used to
create the feeling of actual movement, be it riding in a taxi or walking
through the streets and the movement is very fluid. The few people you
talk to actually speak Italian (there are English subtitles) which gives
the game a much more authentic feeling. Once the game is installed you
pick your language (Italian or English), click on either video game (for
the adventure game part) or sightseeing if you just want a verbal, virtual
tour of the island.
There are only 3 save slots, which is
kind of a drag, but since you can’t die it’s not that critical. The game
will also start you from where you left off or at one of your saves – you
can choose. There are two maps, a camera, a notebook that automatically
records dialogues and my favorite feature that once activated, highlights
all the active areas. And believe me, with all the different directions
you can go in this game it’s a necessity (at least it was for me).
Music and Sound Effects
Generally speaking I rarely pay attention
to music in a game unless it’s totally annoying, at which point I turn it
off if I can. The music in this game however, deserves special mention.
The original soundtrack is by Silvio Savarese and is absolutely
beautiful. There was one particular piece that I love “Laguna al
tramonto”. I retraced my steps a few times just so I could listen to it
over and over again. If nothing else, the soundtrack to this game is
worth the price of admission
Puzzles
The puzzles are your typical inventory;
discover what is going on type. Clues are scattered about the island,
some you pick up like keys, batteries, produce etc. that will be use
elsewhere and some are cryptic. When you find an item you can use, you
click on it and it drops into your “bag”. You then use the item from
there.
In Conclusion
My personal finances will never allow me
to physically visit the Island of Capri. This is the next best thing for
me and why I play adventure games – to visit places virtually that I will
never be able to do in reality. I am far from finished with my trip to
Capri. I am taking it slow and easy – just like I would do if I were
actually there.
Played on:
Windows 98SE
Athalon 700 mhz
Soundblaster Live
GeForce4 MX 420 64 meg video card
As a side note: There is a contest
running at the present time. First prize is a weekend in Capri (you
provide your own airfare). You can read more about it on the developers
website.
Would you like
to learn more about A Quiet Weekend in Capri? Read the full review
by
inferno.
design copyright © 2003
GameBoomers
Group
