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"Prisoner of Ice" is a point-and-click adventure game based on the Cthulhu mythos. The game follows a German submarine crew who discover a mysterious survivor and an ancient artifact, leading to a series of Lovecraftian events. As the player, you must explore, solve puzzles, and make choices to uncover the truth and survive the horrors of the deep.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Ms Dos
  • Play​Station
  • Sega Saturn

Reviews

42%
Audience ScoreBased on 40 reviews
story5 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of classic point-and-click adventures, especially those who appreciate H.P. Lovecraft's works.
  • It features an interesting plot with some twists and turns, making it engaging for players familiar with the Cthulhu mythos.
  • The game runs well on modern systems and includes an autosave feature that helps mitigate the frustration of dying during gameplay.
  • The puzzles are often illogical and rely heavily on pixel hunting, making it frustrating for players to progress.
  • The story lacks coherence and depth, failing to capture the essence of Lovecraftian horror, which may disappoint fans of the genre.
  • Graphics and sound have not aged well, contributing to an overall experience that feels dated and poorly executed compared to other games from the same era.
  • story28 mentions

    The story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it disjointed, nonsensical, and lacking in depth, particularly in its connection to Lovecraftian themes. While some appreciate the twists and investigative elements, others criticize the dialogue and overall execution, leading to a perception of a poorly developed narrative. Nostalgia plays a role for some players, but overall, the consensus leans towards disappointment in the storytelling quality.

    • “Though readers familiar with that universe will know that even in most Cthulhu stories the octopus monster does not show up much, it still has a story full of twists and turns the way you might expect from a Lovecraft story.”
    • “It does well overall on every aspect, with a story that gets really exciting when it starts to deal with time travel and connects with Shadow of the Comet, a previous game based on Call of Cthulhu.”
    • “However, also like many games of the time, this game actually has a well-written plot and is accompanied with some detailed storytelling.”
    • “The story is a complete mess and has nothing to do with Lovecraft - neither in terms of content nor style of narration.”
    • “The story isn't that Lovecraftian, that's true.”
    • “The story is an absolute mess, trying to loosely branch off of the Mountains of Madness, and serve as a kind of continuation of Shadow of the Comet within 3-4 hours.”
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of the game have not aged well, with many users noting the pixelated visuals and poor animations that detract from the overall experience. While the combination of 2D and 3D elements was innovative for its time, it now feels outdated and often leads to frustrating pixel hunting. Overall, the graphics are considered a weak point, overshadowed by the game's short length and lackluster plot.

    • “The combination of 2D and 3D graphics is unique for the time.”
    • “Sure, the graphics are dated -- but at the same time they're kinda cool!”
    • “It's story is enjoyable, the investigative part is well done, and for someone used to much better graphics or game mechanics that are way younger than this game, it's still something worth checking out for such a small price and a very few hours of relaxation.”
    • “While graphics are improved and some of the gameplay is better, it has hideous animations, a lot more pixel hunting but way less puzzles (it often felt more like a hidden object game than a normal point & click), it's a lot shorter, and the story is so much worse that it makes the original look like one of the best of the Cthulhu mythos' stories.”
    • “The graphics didn't age very well - it's pixelated and sometimes almost impossible to find smaller items on the screen (e.g. the needle in the doctor's office).”
    • “Graphically, 'Prisoner of Ice' uses a mix between sprite work, pre-rendered 3D models, and motion capture that for the time might have looked good but leaves a sore mark nowadays.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game is generally stable and effectively sets the tone, though some users noted occasional glitches. While some players found the original soundtrack impressive, others described the music as mediocre and preferred to turn it off. Overall, the reception is mixed, with a few highlights overshadowed by a lack of standout quality.

    • “The music also sets the tone pretty well.”
    • “I remember being amazed by the game's OST (soundtrack) and characters.”
    • “I remember being amazed by the game's OST (soundtrack) and characters.”
    • “The music is mediocre.”
    • “Like many games from the time, I can't say much about the music or the voices other than I found it helpful just to turn them off.”
    • “Mostly stable (minus some music glitching).”
  • gameplay5 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising its simplicity and accessibility for beginners, while others criticize it for poor animations, excessive pixel hunting, and a lack of puzzles. Although the investigative elements are well-executed, the overall experience is marred by frustrating mechanics and a significantly shorter playtime compared to its predecessor.

    • “This is a good game for beginning players: the mechanics are fairly simple, the puzzles make more sense than many other point-and-clicks of the time and every sudden death is preceded by an automatic quick save - which is great, because I often forget to save at regular intervals.”
    • “While graphics are improved and some of the gameplay is better, it has hideous animations, a lot more pixel hunting but way less puzzles (it often felt more like a hidden object game than a normal point-and-click), it's a lot shorter, and the story is so much worse that it makes the original look like one of the best of the Cthulhu mythos' stories.”
    • “...because the gameplay is also bad.”
    • “It's story is enjoyable, the investigative part is well done and, maybe, for someone used to much better graphics or game mechanics that are way younger than this game, is still something worth checking out for such a small price and a very few hours of relaxation.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as amusing yet flawed, with some players expressing regret over their experience. The voice acting and dialogue are noted for being unintentionally hilarious, contributing to the overall comedic tone.

    • “The voice acting and dialogue are hilariously awful.”
    • “It's funny in a way, but if I could go back, I would.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is described as interesting and tension-filled, but it lacks strong Lovecraftian elements, with only a few references to the original game. While some players appreciate the overall atmosphere and story, fans of Lovecraft may find it disappointing due to the minimal thematic connections.

    • “The game is interesting with a good atmosphere and story, and it manages to keep the tension at a good level.”
    • “It has very little to do with Lovecraft, other than a few references here and there, and a loose connection to the first game; none of the atmosphere is present.”
    • “The game fails to create a sense of dread or immersion, leaving the environment feeling flat and uninspired.”
    • “Despite its potential, the atmosphere feels lifeless and disconnected, lacking the tension and intrigue that one would expect.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers highlight that the game features a deeply engaging storyline complemented by significant character development, enhancing the overall narrative experience.

    • “The storyline and character development are very deep.”
    • “The characters evolve in meaningful ways, making their journeys feel authentic and relatable.”
    • “I love how each character has their own unique backstory that influences their actions throughout the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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