Syberia 3
- November 12, 2017
- Microids
- 6h median play time
Syberia 3 continues the adventure of lawyer Kate Walker, now a stranger in a Yakuza-like Youkol tribe's village. Help Kate navigate political intrigue, solve puzzles, and navigate on-foot and riverboat sequences to reach the tribe's sacred mountain for a mythical ancestor's funeral. This third-person, narrative-driven game brings a suspenseful and beautiful conclusion to the Syberia trilogy.
Reviews
- Beautiful graphics and environments that capture the essence of the Syberia series.
- Engaging story that continues the journey of Kate Walker and introduces new characters.
- Interesting puzzles that challenge players without being overly frustrating.
- Clunky controls and camera angles that make navigation frustrating and difficult.
- Frequent bugs, including disappearing mouse cursor and game-breaking glitches.
- Voice acting is inconsistent, with many characters lacking depth and proper accents.
- story1,554 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story of "Syberia 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it lacks the depth and charm of its predecessors. While some appreciate the continuation of Kate Walker's journey and the intriguing elements of the plot, others criticize it for being disjointed, poorly executed, and filled with clichés. The ending, which leaves many plot threads unresolved, has also disappointed fans, leading to a general sentiment that the narrative does not live up to the high standards set by the first two games in the series.
“I have loved this game for almost ten years and I absolutely love Kate Walker's story and how she gives up her job and boyfriend and is like 'f it, I’m going to help these tribes people in Syberia.'”
“The story is interesting and definitely better than in the first two installments (three if you include Amerzone).”
“The story is very captivating and the artwork and soundtrack are beautiful.”
“You could summarize the entire plot in about 2-3 sentences, and honestly, just get someone to do that for you and skip this installment.”
“The story is absurd and full of clichéd characters: the alcoholic captain in search of redemption, the sadistic doctor, the evil colonel with an eye patch etc. The voices are terrible and do not match the characters at all.”
“The story is very weak - from the get-go up to the ending (which is kind of anti-climactic).”
- graphics586 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Syberia 3" show a significant improvement over its predecessors, with many players noting the beauty and charm of the environments and character designs. However, there are mixed opinions regarding the execution, with some criticizing the lack of optimization, graphical glitches, and dated animations that detract from the overall experience. While the visuals are generally appreciated, they are often overshadowed by gameplay issues and a departure from the original art style that fans loved.
“The graphics and cut scenes were an awesome step up from the other two games.”
“The graphics are greatly improved from the first games, which will enhance your experience.”
“The graphics are beautiful - easily surpassing parts 1 & 2 - and the voice acting for Kate is exceptional.”
“The graphics are uninspired, with ugly characters and a generally dirty, brown aspect.”
“The graphics are really disappointing for a 2017 release.”
“Graphics is really bad, low poly, flickering polys, bad shadows, characters flying above the ground they should be standing on etc. For crying out loud - this game looks like something done 10 years ago, but published in 2017 - horrible.”
- gameplay354 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Syberia 3 has been widely criticized for its clunky controls, frequent glitches, and frustrating mechanics, leading to a disjointed experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. Players have reported issues such as disappearing mouse cursors, awkward navigation, and poorly implemented interaction points, which have resulted in a tedious and often infuriating gameplay experience. While some appreciate the story and atmosphere, many agree that the gameplay fails to meet the standards set by its predecessors, making it a challenging and unenjoyable experience for most players.
“The gameplay has a good combination of puzzles; also, the sound environment and the music fit with the setting and the story.”
“I actually really appreciate how the action prompts are shown on screen, utilizing where the buttons are on the gameplay as well as color coordinating with the gameplay buttons.”
“Well, I played this game for some time now and I must say it’s really captivating, with smart and creative puzzles which involve some mechanical engineering stuff that can really put your mind at work.”
“Really awkward gameplay, enough to have me quit the game for good after 3 hours.”
“The mechanics are frustrating and the view changes as you move your cursor to the edges of the screen.”
“But the gameplay is so extraordinarily clunky and the logic behind what you are supposed to do next is so infuriatingly nonexistent at times that ultimately I found this game to be more of a headache than it's worth.”
- music306 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its beauty and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and storytelling. Composed by Inon Zur, the soundtrack is described as captivating and memorable, often evoking nostalgia for previous entries in the series. However, some critiques mention issues with music continuity during cutscenes and a few instances where the music felt mismatched to the on-screen action.
“The soundtrack is absolutely gorgeous and the feeling of going on a big journey smooths out a lot of the issues.”
“And let's not forget the music: it will haunt your dreams and waking hours long after you've played it because it is that beautiful.”
“The music helps a lot to keep you hooked in Kate Walker’s adventure.”
“Sound, during cutscenes, sometimes the background music which you hear during gameplay continues in cutscenes; it might not seem a big issue, but there are times when you get a more action scene and a slow-paced, chill environmental OST plays.”
“Not just music, environmental sounds are also an issue during some cutscenes. There are awkward moments when there is complete silence; you are telling me that in the middle of a frozen land there is no wind, the characters do not make any footstep noises through all that snow, or any other sounds. Overall, the audio sometimes feels just off.”
“Let me make it clear: the game is bad, much worse than the first ones: graphics, music, the plot - all those things that made your journey to Syberia so unforgettable are no longer effective.”
- stability248 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The game is plagued by numerous stability issues, including frequent glitches, poor camera controls, and unresponsive interactions, which significantly hinder the gameplay experience. Many players report game-breaking freezes and long loading times, leading to frustration and an inability to progress. Despite some positive aspects like graphics and story, the overwhelming number of bugs and poor optimization make it difficult to recommend.
“The graphics are good, and so far I have found no glitches during the game.”
“The game is poorly optimized and very buggy.”
“Game was full of bugs, freezing all the time, stuck in lots of spots, lots of glitches, never got to finish game due to glitches and freezing.”
“Unfortunately the good things, charms and nods towards the original Syberia I & II were drowned by the wave of bugs, glitches and overall instability of the game, which made the playthrough a very rough and often times annoying experience.”
- atmosphere120 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Syberia 3 is generally praised for its beauty, immersive sound design, and the continuation of the series' unique aesthetic, although some players feel it lacks the depth and charm of the earlier titles. While many appreciate the atmospheric locations and the emotional weight of the soundtrack, technical issues such as glitches and poor controls detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully retains the nostalgic atmosphere of its predecessors, but with mixed results due to production challenges.
“I love this franchise, I love the atmosphere, and the Inon Zur soundtrack is wonderful.”
“Syberia 3 took the strengths of the previous two games to provide an installment that was all the more immersive, atmospheric, enduring, and involving in its use of characters, plot, and settings.”
“The eerie atmosphere that stems from everywhere!”
“The atmosphere isn't as good as the old games; it stutters like crazy, the controls are annoying as hell, the camera will sometimes glitch out, voice acting is mostly bad, and the story isn't very good either.”
“The locations also lack the level of detail and atmosphere compared to the previous titles.”
“But that very special atmosphere of melancholy and longing that Syberia 1 had is not present (yet).”
- optimization82 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 44 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, with many players reporting poor performance, frequent bugs, and stuttering controls, even on high-end hardware. While the graphics are praised, the overall technical execution is deemed unacceptable, leading to a frustrating experience for most users. Despite some improvements noted by a few players, the consensus is that the game is poorly optimized and not recommended for play without high-spec machines.
“This optimization issue is especially noticeable during loading and when you need to run around huge scenes back and forth.”
“The previous sequels were definitely much better optimized.”
“Overall, I am expecting updates soon, especially regarding the performance optimization.”
“The game is poorly optimized and very buggy.”
“Graphically, the game looks good, but the biggest issue is the fact that it is not optimized.”
“The performance kills the game.”
- emotional50 mentions
- 92 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The emotional reception of the game is highly polarized, with some players expressing deep disappointment over its failure to capture the heartfelt essence of its predecessors, citing a lack of emotional attachment and a poorly written story. Others find moments of nostalgia and emotional resonance, particularly in character dialogues and music, but many lament the game's mechanical execution and uninspired quests that detract from the emotional experience. Overall, while some players still feel a connection to the series, the majority feel let down by the game's inability to evoke the same emotional depth as earlier installments.
“In fact, it almost made me cry because I'd been wondering all this time about what happened to Kate.”
“It's very enjoyable; it's so beautiful and heart touching.”
“Sentimental, yes, but I cried when Oscar 'died' in the series (something I never do in games).”
“I can't recommend this game because bugs, simple puzzles, and a boring story could break your heart.”
“Stupid quests for schoolers, a boring story, and bugs.”
“I can't recommend this game because bugs, simple puzzles, and a boring story could break your heart.”
- humor48 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of intentional and unintentional comedy, with players finding amusement in the absurdity of the plot, quirky characters, and ridiculous dialogue. While some moments are genuinely funny, others stem from the game's flaws, such as poor controls and predictable storylines, which contribute to its charm. Overall, the humor adds an endearing quality to the experience, making it enjoyable despite its shortcomings.
“I actually found it very funny throughout and it didn't really distract me, but I could imagine it taking you out of things.”
“Voice acting - a huge Russian nurse with a thick American accent made me laugh.”
“I found myself laughing at some of the ridiculous dialogue.”
- grinding46 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its tedious and frustrating gameplay, characterized by clumsy controls, annoying camera angles, and illogical puzzles that detract from the overall experience. Players often find themselves stuck in repetitive tasks and lengthy interactions that feel more like chores than engaging gameplay, leading to a sense of boredom and frustration. Despite some positive elements, the execution leaves much to be desired, making progress feel laborious and unenjoyable.
“From the clumsy controls to seemingly endless and tedious scenes that can't be fast-forwarded through.”
“The dialog does advance the story, but having to attempt to talk to everyone over and over is far too tedious.”
“Syberia 3 offers clumsy controls, annoying camera movement, and overall tedious gameplay.”
- character development20 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant lack of depth for most characters, aside from Captain Olo. While some appreciate the design and personality growth of specific characters, others criticize the overall shallow development, including the antagonists. The game features pleasant graphics and nostalgic character designs, but these elements do not compensate for the underwhelming character arcs.
“She's not designed to satisfy the egotistical and sexual needs of the male player, and she has a depth of character, as well as good character development.”
“I'm really happy with how she turned out, honestly, as I can envision her personality improvements as character development, and she is genuinely an awesome character.”
“Despite its wonkiness, I had a good time with the story, I found the graphics generally pleasant to look at, and I like the character design.”
“The story has the elements of a great epic journey like the previous two games, but it is ruined by a total lack of character development for anyone, save Captain Olo.”
“Shallow character development.”
“Also, there wasn't enough character development of the bad guys, who were not good at their jobs.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with heavy advertising attracting new players who were unaware of the franchise's history. Reviewers feel that the game appears unpolished and rushed, suggesting that the focus on profit overshadowed the quality of the product, leading to a disappointing experience for both new and returning fans.
“The game just truly feels like an early release, an unpolished and quickly developed cash grab - the whole experience of the game is just a bunch of poorly thought out ideas, without any second thoughts in regards to how they actually resonate with the player and with the game itself.”
“No amount of bug fixing is ever going to fix this game, it merely was a cash grab based on past success.”
“When they did a lot of advertising for this game and drew in a lot of people that had never even heard of Syberia by putting it on every console and pushing it, it seemed to damage their creation more than benefit it because people were judging just Syberia 3 and had no idea there was more.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is generally perceived to lack replayability, with multiple users expressing the sentiment that it does not offer enough incentive to play through again.
“I don't think, though, that it has any replay value.”
“I don't think, though, that it has any replay value.”