Anachronox

• Windows 95
• 266 MHz CPU
• 64 MB RAM
• 86 MB video card RAM
• 4X CD -ROM drive
• OpenGL

Anachronox (pronounced ənækrənɒks formed from anachronism and noxious ) is a 3D computer role-playing game developed by Tom Hall and the development studio Ion Storm. It was released in 2001 by Eidos for the Windows platform.

Action

The guided by the player protagonist is Sylvester " Sly Boots" Bucelli, a burned-out private detective who works in the slums of an alien world called Anachronox. This world sits inside a giant shell, called One transmitter, which is the center of a galaxy- wide network of space links. Although recruited against his will, he investigates a mystery that stretches back to the origins of the ( Anachronox ) universe. To this end, the protagonist roams the universe and meets many quirky characters, which can also be part of his team.

Gameplay

The game mechanics have been greatly inspired by game console RPGs such as Chrono Trigger, one of Tom Hall's favorite video games. However, in Anachronox is the game focus in the telling and discover the background story rather than a typical RPG character development and equipment hunting.

Technology

The technical basis a heavily modified version of the game engine id Tech 2 ( Quake II) was used. It was extended to allow improvements such as a wider color palette and more complex character animations (such realistic facial expressions ).

History of development

The development to the ( forced ) release in 2001 lasted about three and a half years and was even three years after the first publication date of 1998., The development team was able to finish about half of the originally targeted game scope, so it ends with a big cliffhanger. The story should be completed in the successor Anachronox Prime, but this has not been developed until now.

Later Support

Following the publication of three unofficial patches were available - two by Joey Liaw ( one of the game programmer), introduced improvements such as taxis between distant positions, improved stability and convenient storage - and a so-called community patch from fans, which eliminated most of the remaining bugs. Unofficial translations into other languages ​​, eg German, have also been developed by the fan base.

Machinima

After the release of Jake Strider Hughes created, the person responsible for the scenes of the game, from the cutscenes of the game a half-hour machinima film. He was honored at the Machinima Film Festival 2002 in the categories of Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Technical Performance.

Republication

In March 2012, Anachronox was re-released by the gog.com Digital Distribution.

Reception

From the press and game reviews Anachronox was mixed up favorably received; at GameRankings.com it reaches a value of 80.15 %, obtained from 35 reviews. The U.S. game magazine Computer Gaming World awarded the game in its annual review of a special prize for the best humor in a computer game:

" Tom Hall's epic RPG what bursting with lough - out-loud, throwaway dialogue and cut-scenes that, as in the best LucasArts adventures, had nothing to do with the story but everything to do with keeping us entertained. A classy exit for gaming 's favorite whipping boys. "

" Tom Hall's epic RPG welled with loud laughter, disposable dialogues and cutscenes that had nothing to do as in the best LucasArts adventures with the plot, but should talk especially. A first-class finish for the favorite whipping boy of the gaming scene. "

Also was an active fan base; the oblique humor, compelling cyberpunk game atmosphere and a good soundtrack for this were often cited as reasons.