The second game to be discussed is CONDOR, and what a different game this is. CONDOR is dystopian and futurist, and feels like an homage to the world of Blade Runner. Everything is neon and pastel. Building are grafted into the world with minimalist aesthetic. It’s beautiful. The world here is huge (read: HUGE) and you truly feel its immensity throughout the entire game.

But I have some criticisms.

In the first place, the world feels empty. Granted, this may be the intent of Sherlock. Certainly the game’s objectives and its mechanics treat the world more like a desolate mountain to traverse. But with such a magnificent display, why not entertain there being more? Why not emulate life and interaction, even if these things only serve as foils to your attempts at jetpacking up to the highest point of the skyline. It just seems so wasteful; to construct something so beautiful, but to leave it so barren.

My second criticism turns to the subject of atmosphere. While there is this minimalist architecture all around you, beautiful and brazen, it is merely monolithic. It serves no purpose but to engage the sport mechanic at work here. The music is likewise very disappointing. There is exceptional possibility here. But alas, only a simple, droning soundtrack serves as a backdrop to this beautiful urban cityscape. As a composer, I cannot help but imagine some of the ideas that could emphasize the qualities of CONDOR.

But let’s end on a good note. I think that CONDOR is beautiful, and I think it is interesting. And for these reasons, I will keep the game on my hard drive. I will play it again, years from now, perhaps, and it will be exciting.