Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 20th Dec 2008, 10:20

http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/2008/...kopol-review/1

Based on the works of comic book artist Enki Bilal, Nikopol: Secret of the Immortals is a story of fanaticism, politics and artistry, but is it any good? We take a look at this most unusual of adventure games to see if it can move us beyond point and clicking.

ComputerKing · 20th Dec 2008, 10:56

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww

azrael- · 20th Dec 2008, 11:45

While I've never read the original comic books I did see the movie "Immortel Ad Vitam" a couple of years ago. It looks gorgeous, but the story is ...weird. The movie was directed by Enki Bilal himself. Even if the story was a bit hard to follow I must admit that I was quite taken by the movie. But then again I'm a sucker for good-looking dystopian movies with Blade Runner being my all-time favourite!

Seems I have to check out this game. Never knew it was in production. Did I mention I also like adventure games?

The boy 4rm oz · 20th Dec 2008, 13:05

It looks ......interesting. Well at least for a few hours anyway.

Otto69 · 20th Dec 2008, 15:44

Sounds too much like reality for me to enjoy it

Nexxo · 20th Dec 2008, 19:17

Quote:

We’re big comic book fans at bit-tech, but even we have to admit we’ve never heard of Enki Bilal, the writer and artist upon whose work Nikopol is based. We don’t know if that’s a good or a bad thing.

It's a bad thing. Phillistines! How can you not have heard of the great artist Bilal before? He was practically required reading for any geek who grew up in my times... together with Jean Giraud (a.k.a. Moebius, who gave The Fifth Element its characteristic look) and Druillet.

impar · 20th Dec 2008, 19:59

Greetings!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Article

We’re big comic book fans at bit-tech, but even we have to admit we’ve never heard of Enki Bilal, the writer and artist upon whose work Nikopol is based.

Read the Triology.
Although, I still prefer the "Hunting Party" (or whatever name is called in english-speak).

Adnoctum · 21st Dec 2008, 00:02

Saw the movie. Didn't read the comics.

"Immortal" was all style and very little substance. With the comic creator directing it I can now see why.
Sometimes the creator is not always the best person to translate their vision to cinema/TV/other media. It was far too indulgent and relied too often on some kind of unspoken knowledge or understanding that I didn't have - what with not having read the comics.

Style seemed weird-for-weirds-sake, if you get me. Loved "The Fifth Element", so I don't think I'm anti-weird-style, but it just seemed affected. Story seemed to have very little point, and although it could be argued that a narrative doesn't need a message, the story desperately needed some central idea. If it has one, I missed it.
If you post back "The Egyptian god Horus takes over Nikopol's body in order to impregnate the blue chick so he will become "immortal". Plus blue breasts are great" I'll scream. Thanks, I got both points (>nudge, nudge, wink, wink<), I just didn't need to sit through such a dreary film for so little reward.

Mixing live actors with CGI characters and sets was a great idea (and necessary due to how unrealistic the story is) but implemented badly. Probably due to a low budget.

Anyone comparing it to "Blade Runner" needs their head read. Even if you are comparing them stylistically. The movie is a forgotten French cult thing that tried to break out into wider popular culture but was just too crap to do so.

lysol · 21st Dec 2008, 19:19

i picked this game up, and after playing it for the first 2 stages i was quite frustrated by the clunky mechanics and completely unintuitive convoluted "puzzles". i found it often difficult to find items required to progress in the game as many of the hotspots are difficult to locate unless you already know what exactly you are looking for. while the graphics look fairly good, for some reason it is 4:3 ratio only. while it allows me to select 16:10 resolutions i end up with a columned display. also as the review mentions the story is almost not existent and really does not provide much of any motivation. while i have not played much of the game yet so far i would have to say for die hard adventure gamers only.

20th Dec 2008, 10:20	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/2008/...kopol-review/1 Based on the works of comic book artist Enki Bilal, Nikopol: Secret of the Immortals is a story of fanaticism, politics and artistry, but is it any good? We take a look at this most unusual of adventure games to see if it can move us beyond point and clicking. __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

20th Dec 2008, 10:56	#2
ComputerKing Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dubai\|Alexandria Posts: 4,100	Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww __________________ GigaByte Triton 180\|GigaByte EP45-UD3LR\|Intel Q9450\|Transcend 4GB 1066Mhz\|Sapphire 3870X2\|Creative X-FI ExtremeGamer\|Enermax Galaxy DXX 1KW\|Samsung 2220WM\|Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme\|3TB WD Green The King Of CK Appreciation Society Group

20th Dec 2008, 11:45	#3
azrael- Ex nihilo nihil fit Join Date: May 2008 Location: Aarhus, Denmark Posts: 1,172	While I've never read the original comic books I did see the movie "Immortel Ad Vitam" a couple of years ago. It looks gorgeous, but the story is ...weird. The movie was directed by Enki Bilal himself. Even if the story was a bit hard to follow I must admit that I was quite taken by the movie. But then again I'm a sucker for good-looking dystopian movies with Blade Runner being my all-time favourite! Seems I have to check out this game. Never knew it was in production. Did I mention I also like adventure games? __________________ ''Trying is the first step towards failure.'' - Homer Simpson

20th Dec 2008, 15:44	#5
Otto69 Supermodder Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 253	Sounds too much like reality for me to enjoy it

21st Dec 2008, 00:02	#8
Adnoctum Smeghead Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 90	Saw the movie. Didn't read the comics. "Immortal" was all style and very little substance. With the comic creator directing it I can now see why. Sometimes the creator is not always the best person to translate their vision to cinema/TV/other media. It was far too indulgent and relied too often on some kind of unspoken knowledge or understanding that I didn't have - what with not having read the comics. Style seemed weird-for-weirds-sake, if you get me. Loved "The Fifth Element", so I don't think I'm anti-weird-style, but it just seemed affected. Story seemed to have very little point, and although it could be argued that a narrative doesn't need a message, the story desperately needed some central idea. If it has one, I missed it. If you post back "The Egyptian god Horus takes over Nikopol's body in order to impregnate the blue chick so he will become "immortal". Plus blue breasts are great" I'll scream. Thanks, I got both points (>nudge, nudge, wink, wink<), I just didn't need to sit through such a dreary film for so little reward. Mixing live actors with CGI characters and sets was a great idea (and necessary due to how unrealistic the story is) but implemented badly. Probably due to a low budget. Anyone comparing it to "Blade Runner" needs their head read. Even if you are comparing them stylistically. The movie is a forgotten French cult thing that tried to break out into wider popular culture but was just too crap to do so.

21st Dec 2008, 19:19	#9
lysol Multimodder Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Des Moines IA, U.S.A. Posts: 137	i picked this game up, and after playing it for the first 2 stages i was quite frustrated by the clunky mechanics and completely unintuitive convoluted "puzzles". i found it often difficult to find items required to progress in the game as many of the hotspots are difficult to locate unless you already know what exactly you are looking for. while the graphics look fairly good, for some reason it is 4:3 ratio only. while it allows me to select 16:10 resolutions i end up with a columned display. also as the review mentions the story is almost not existent and really does not provide much of any motivation. while i have not played much of the game yet so far i would have to say for die hard adventure gamers only.