Missing

List Price: $19.99 Discount Price: $4.24

Features:

• Innovative gameplay - Receive actual e-mail from virtual characters and The Phoenix himself
• Use these email and other evidence as clues, to put together the pieces of the puzzle
• Visit all kinds of Websites within the game to collect information and solve the case

Accessories:
PC Gamer (1-year)	Games for Windows: The Official Magazine

Customer Reviews:

Realistic Fun, if your patient. [Posted on 2006-05-08]
It took me about ten months to finish this game. I had a love/hate relationship with it. I loved it when I solved the puzzles and hated it when the puzzles didn't make any sense or I was 99.9% sure I had the puzzle solved and it wouldn't let me pass. When this happened, I stopped playing it for a while and then eventually tried again. I also had to download a couple fixes to get the game do what it was supposed to.

The thing that brought me back was the realism. I had no problem getting the emails to keep the game going, the movie sequences were interesting and the killer, The Phoenix, would tease you if you took too long on one puzzle. Granted some of the stages were poorly drawn out games that made Pac-Man look modern but I couldn't stop playing until I beat it.

This game isn't for everyone and I understand why some people gave this game only one star. But I'm hoping they make more realistic games like this.

Makes you think [Posted on 2006-05-27]
Ok, alot of you out there are upset because you're thinking the game doesn't work. WHile you are being frustrating, check out the games website, there are patches that need to be downloaded in order for the game to work. I enjoyed the puzzles this game had to offer. ALthough some were difficult/pointless, they nonetheless did what they were supposed to and that was kill time, and make you think. there is an excellent website out there that will help guide you in the right direction if you get lost. If you would like this website, please email me at jaraivy@yahoo

***Caution**** Missing Since January [Posted on 2006-07-14]
The game was fair at best.... the problem is, when I finally completed the game and tried to uninstall it, the uninstall program deleted ALL OF MY PERSONAL DATA AND SETTINGS! I am an experienced computer user and I dont' know if it was some crazy glitch or a bad joke, but none the less, it ate half of my computer!!! USE CAUTION with this game.

Save your money [Posted on 2006-10-02]
Wow, until I played "Missing" I had no idea you could make an entire game from Flash.

Why aren't there _more_ games like this on the market?? Oh yeah, because the only thing you can do with Flash is drag-n-drop, chase balls around on the screen, and watch videos.

To add insult to injury, as one reviewer noted -- this game is indeed demonic. That reviewer might have sounded like a crazy crackpot, but one must only go ten minutes into the game before agreeing with him. Because of the email bug, I was forced to watch the 40-second preview video over (of a women running around terrified and screaming from the supposed serial killer) about five times before I figured out that I needed to download and install some patch. Here's a great example of boring and offensive: an early puzzle involves you watching a video that shows (at the end) someone being kicked and shot in the head. You are then given 10 or more stills from the film to put in order. To solve this, you end up watching the video about 20 times, every time from the very beginning and every time making two clicks to go from frame-ordering to the film. Your reward is yet another screen with floating balls you must chase with your mouse. Having fun yet?

To put my review in perspective: I liked playing Grand Theft Auto and Silent Hill.

Don't Miss "Missing"--A Different And Innovative Breed Of Adventure Gaming [Posted on 2006-12-16]
I don't typically review video games, but the other overall reviewer scores did not do justice to this innovative game. I do love adventure gaming--particularly if it's a dark and disturbing journey. The more wicked, the more macabre--the better. I have enjoyed the traditional point-and-click type of game ("The Beast Within" was my first foray into computer games and will always hold a special place in my heart as one of the absolute best!) They can be a bit corny, they can be a bit repetitive and most of them follow the same formula--but I lean toward this convention because they are the most "movie-like" of games. "Missing" uses some of the same storytelling devices, but provides a new twist (which is rare in this day).

This unique game sets you up as an investigator looking into the disappearance of two reporters and tracking a serial killer. Unlike a point-and-click adventure, however, you are not navigating a character through the action. You and your computer are the action. You receive messages, clues, and puzzles that you must decipher to get the story to unfold and follow the murderer's trail. The video segments used are jaggedly cut and reminiscent of the film "Seven" in motif. You actually communicate with the killer, he taunts you. You receive email from him and other interested parties--it is a fully immersive environment. But it is a smart game, too. You use the Internet to research clues, you need to be logical, you need to think--"Missing" is not a kid's game (rated 17+).

The game also challenges your manual dexterity. Some of the puzzles require you to play rather arbitrary games--some of which are very difficult. While not my favorite part of the game, I always got a huge sense of accomplishment when I finished a particularly nasty challenge. Every time you solve something (physically or mentally), you are treated to more video images. These are exceedingly well done, well acted, and increasingly scary.

This game won many awards for good cause. It's innovative, different and without question one of the most intriguing games in recent years. Challenge you intellect, for once, and stop a madman in the process. KGHarris, 12/06.

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