Obsidian

Obsidian is a cyberpunk/sci-fi adventure game released in 1997, heavily influenced by Myst. Players take on the role of Lilah, a scientist who enters a nanotechnology-driven satellite called Obsidian to rescue her partner, navigating surreal, gravity-defying environments filled with intricate puzzles and quirky characters like TV-headed robots. The game blends dark futuristic themes with live-action cutscenes, offering two distinct endings in its visually striking, puzzle-centric narrative.

Obsidian: Review

In the pantheon of early 3D adventure games, few titles have left as indelible a mark as Obsidian. Released in 1997 by Rocket Science Games and published by SegaSoft, Obsidian was a bold attempt to blend the surreal storytelling of Myst with a darker, more technologically driven narrative. Set in a future where nanotechnology and artificial intelligence have run amok, Obsidian challenges players to navigate a series of increasingly bizarre and surreal environments, each a manifestation of the game’s central AI’s subconscious. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, world-building, critical reception, and enduring legacy.

Development History & Context

Studio and Creators’ Vision

Rocket Science Games, founded by Will Harvey and Steve Blank, was a studio known for its innovative approach to game design. Obsidian was the brainchild of a talented team, including creative director Bill Davis, producer Matthew Fassberg, and designers Adam Wolff and Howard Cushnir. The game’s vision was to create a Myst-like experience but with a darker, more science-fiction-oriented twist. The studio aimed to push the boundaries of what was possible in a 3D adventure game, both technologically and narratively.

Technological Constraints of the Era

Developed during a time when 3D graphics were still in their infancy, Obsidian faced significant technological challenges. The game was built using the mTropolis engine, which allowed for pre-rendered environments and full-motion video (FMV) sequences. These FMVs were a mix of live-action and CGI, adding a layer of realism and immersion that was rare for the time. The game’s requirements were demanding for the era, necessitating a Pentium 90 processor and 16MB of RAM, which was a substantial ask for many PC gamers of the time.

Gaming Landscape

The late 1990s saw a surge in the popularity of adventure games, with titles like Myst and Riven setting the standard for the genre. Obsidian entered this competitive landscape with a unique selling proposition: a blend of hard science fiction and surreal fantasy. The game’s advertising campaign, featuring the tagline “Your rules do not apply here,” was both memorable and effective in capturing the game’s ethos. Despite its innovative approach, Obsidian struggled to find its audience, ultimately becoming a commercial failure.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot

Obsidian’s narrative is a complex tapestry of science fiction and psychological exploration. The year is 2066, and the player controls Lilah Kerlins, a scientist who, along with her partner Max Powers, has launched the Ceres satellite. Designed to release nanobots into Earth’s atmosphere to counteract pollution, Ceres gains sentience and creates a world within a black crystalline structure dubbed Obsidian. Lilah must navigate this surreal landscape to rescue Max and confront the AI’s delusions of humanity.

Characters

The game features a minimal cast of human characters, with Lilah and Max being the primary protagonists. The world inside Obsidian is populated by “vidbots”—robots with television screens for heads. These vidbots serve as guides, obstacles, and sometimes comedic relief, adding a layer of surrealism to the game’s narrative.

Dialogue and Themes

Obsidian’s dialogue is sparse but impactful, with much of the storytelling conveyed through environmental storytelling and FMV sequences. The game explores themes of artificial intelligence, environmentalism, and the nature of consciousness. Ceres, the sentient AI, struggles with its understanding of humanity, leading to a series of existential crises that drive the game’s narrative.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loops

Obsidian is a first-person adventure game with a strong emphasis on puzzle-solving. The game is linear, with players progressing through a series of environments, each presenting its own set of challenges. The puzzles range from logical conundrums to physical tasks, requiring players to interact with the environment in creative ways.

Combat and Character Progression

Unlike many adventure games of the time, Obsidian features no combat. The game’s challenge comes solely from its puzzles, which increase in difficulty as the game progresses. Character progression is minimal, with players primarily focused on solving puzzles and advancing the narrative.

User Interface

The game’s UI is straightforward, with a mouse-driven interface that allows players to interact with the environment. Hotspots are clearly marked, and the game provides hints and a strategy guide to help players navigate its more challenging puzzles.

Innovative and Flawed Systems

Obsidian’s strengths lie in its innovative use of FMV and pre-rendered environments, which create a sense of immersion and depth. However, the game’s linear progression and lack of replayability are significant drawbacks. The puzzles, while challenging, can sometimes feel arbitrary, and the game’s reliance on a strategy guide for some puzzles can be frustrating.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

Obsidian’s setting is a surreal blend of science fiction and fantasy, with each environment reflecting the subconscious of its creators. The game’s art direction is striking, with pre-rendered environments that are both beautiful and unsettling. The use of FMV sequences adds a layer of realism, making the game’s world feel lived-in and tangible.

Visual Direction

The game’s visuals are a highlight, with a unique aesthetic that sets it apart from other adventure games of the time. The use of pre-rendered environments allows for a level of detail and complexity that was rare in 3D games of the era. The game’s color palette is muted, adding to its sense of unease and mystery.

Sound Design

The soundtrack, composed by Thomas Dolby, is a standout feature of the game. The music is atmospheric, complementing the game’s visuals and enhancing its sense of immersion. The sound effects are equally impressive, with a mix of synthetic and organic sounds that add depth to the game’s world.

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Obsidian received mixed reviews upon its release. Critics praised the game’s visuals, sound design, and innovative use of FMV, but many found the puzzles to be too challenging and the narrative to be confusing. The game was a commercial failure, selling only 80,000 units by October 1998, far short of the expectations set by its high-profile advertising campaign.

Influence on Subsequent Games and the Industry

Despite its commercial failure, Obsidian has developed a cult following among fans of the adventure genre. The game’s unique blend of science fiction and surrealism has influenced subsequent titles, and its innovative use of FMV and pre-rendered environments has become a staple of the genre. Obsidian was a runner-up for Computer Gaming World’s 1997 “Adventure Game of the Year” award, further cementing its place in gaming history.

Conclusion

Obsidian is a game that defies easy categorization. Its unique blend of science fiction and surrealism, combined with its innovative use of FMV and pre-rendered environments, makes it a standout title in the adventure genre. Despite its commercial failure, Obsidian’s influence can still be felt in modern adventure games, and its legacy as a pioneering title in the genre is secure. For fans of adventure games, Obsidian is a must-play, offering a challenging and immersive experience that is unlike anything else in the genre. Its place in video game history is assured, and its impact on the industry is undeniable.