Syberia 3 Review: A Mixed Bag of Performance Issues and Engaging Storytelling

The latest installment in the beloved Syberia series, Syberia 3, has finally arrived on consoles after making the transition to full 3D with Unity. Unfortunately, this new iteration is marred by a plethora of performance issues that detract from the overall gaming experience.

One of the most noticeable problems is the constant framerate dips, which occur regardless of what's happening on-screen. Character animations also tend to bug out, and lip syncing is subpar at best. These technical issues are a shame, as they could have been easily avoided with better optimization.

The game's level design is another area where Syberia 3 falls short. The large play areas and tricky camera angles can make backtracking a frustrating experience, especially when combined with the poor object placement. It's not uncommon to need to find certain objects scattered throughout the environment, which can be a chore, especially if you're not sure what you're looking for.

On the other hand, Syberia 3 does excel in some areas. The interactions between characters are generally more engaging and cinematic, thanks to fully animated cutscenes and the occasional choice in how Kate responds in conversations. This added interactivity makes the game feel more immersive, as if you're actually fiddling with the parts of an actual machine.

The puzzles themselves are also more engaging than in previous games, requiring players to make certain gestures with the mouse or controller's analogue stick. This adds a sense of tactile control that enhances the overall puzzle-solving experience.

Unfortunately, Syberia 3 continues the exhausting trends of its forebears, failing to adapt well to the sweeping changes that have occurred in the point and click adventure genre. Games like Telltale's The Walking Dead series have shown how narrative depth and flow can be balanced with clever puzzle solving, but Syberia 3 doesn't quite reach the same level.

Despite its flaws, Syberia 3 is still a must-play for fans of the series and point and click adventure games in general. With some polish and attention to performance issues, this could have been a truly memorable experience. As it stands, however, Syberia 3 is a mixed bag that will leave players feeling somewhat underwhelmed.

Syberia 3 review