For too long now, games have been from the and decisions of you the gamer. Every move you made was from your command, the character on screen would only move if made it. Now for the first time ever(I believe) gamers must rule a world where they have no control over the main character, Mendel. In Galapagos, a world "who's only truth is power" a new life form has come into to be:Mendel. The structure of Mendel has been stolen from a conquered race. The rulers of Galapagos plan to create Mendel into one of the most devastating war machines ever that could affect every world including your own. Mendel on the other hand, "is alone", trapped, and means no harm. Your job is help Mendel escape from Galapagos. Since Mendel is like a living creature it adapts to its surroundings as you play the game. Instead of starting out on easy, medium, or hard mode, the player selects how old Mendel will be. Meaning that if you start the game out with him being one day old you have to be an experienced gamer to move this sucker around. Of course if you just suck at adapting a creature to its surroundings you can start out with it being 7 years old, which makes the game easy but of course you'll eventually have to curse at your machine.

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The world of Galapagos is a detailed and large one. Bitmaps are not even a concept here. Polygons fill each frame making any Power Mac made before 1997 drop to its knees on even on 50% best graphics resolution. If RAM is what you pride on, though, I wouldn't be concerned. The environment itself made of 3-Dimensional puzzles galore. Those who have played Shivers may be used to the environment but be prepared to think a lot faster.Any color possible to be seen by the human eye are put where any space is not filled up. A world like this is 99% eye candy and 1% thought, but you may think of that the other way around. As for playing the game itself: Your mouse is the controller of the scene. Any object in the game(practically) can be poked, prodded, or clicked to let Mendel make one more step towards his escape. Timing is required and unlike most puzzle games one must(as I said before) click before you think sometimes so that you can beat the clock. At the same time though you play from the third person view so the camera is always moving. But unlike most games that are played from the third person view (with a camera, such as Mario 64(even though that will never be ported to the Mac)) I didn't get real pissed by it constantly moving around. SInce your not controlling the creature why worry? But Mendel himself is not always as agreeable you want him to be, which I feel is one of the things that makes this game award winning. In real life a creature will not obey your every command (even humans) and if a person can comprehend that then they can understand why Galapagos deserves a lot of recognition.

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The Glamour of Galapagos also is spectacular. Graphics are superb and sound is every where. No soundtrack though. Still any Audio CD can be played while running the game (Beck seems to fit it fine). And the best thing: no FMV sequences! Like all good games now-a-days video is old, it takes away from the game. But like any good game Galapagos displays an intro, but its run by the same engine as the game! It just keeps getting better and better! Conclusion: Galapagos has everything that great game needs. Most importantly its addictive. Like Tetris or Myst(two of my most favorite) it makes you want to come back for more. Great graphics, superb sound , a plot that actually works, and character gives this game the best rating. Galapagos will has already a new standard in gaming.

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Reviewed by James Morren