Back in 2004, PC gamers got to know the title Syberia II, a gripping and imaginative third-person adventure saga that followed a young New York lawyer named Kate Walker on an adventure through a mystical version of Russia’s wilder lands. The game was well received by players and widely praised for its impressive visuals and engrossing narrative.
Now after having been adapted for Android devices earlier this year, Syberia II is available in the iOS app store for iPhone and iPad. It costs $4.99, which could drive some more casual app gamers away, but for a full experience without in-app purchasing requirements, rates like these are becoming increasingly reasonable. But what does Syberia II have going for it?
For starters, it looks to be a very faithful adaptation of the 2004 version that was pretty beloved by players. A press release about the game’s arrival for iOS devices included a lengthy (and somewhat over-the-top) trailer for the app that will look familiar to fans of the PC game, and beautiful to everyone. Showcasing a somewhat fantastical, steampunk-influenced take on Siberia (it’s unclear why the game prefers “y” to “i”), the trailer displays exceptional graphics for a mobile experience, as well as a satisfying degree of action and intrigue. The story of the game will follow Kate Walker as she embarks on an adventure with the eccentric and elderly Hans Voralberg, whom she previously tracked down to sign papers for legal reasons. Specifically, the two are journeying across the wild, wintry land in search of the last Siberian mammoths.
In a broader sense, the game may also resonate with players who have grown used to Siberian landscapes as a surprisingly common backdrop for video games. The most memorable example in recent years may be from Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which situated its “Down The Rabbit Hole” level in a haunting Siberian diamond mine rendered with exceptional detail. But there are other examples as well. This site’s Siberian Storm mobile game is one of the more unique online casino experiences in a genre that’s often repetitive and stale. The game is a slot machine at heart, but it is defined by its visuals, making use of the mystical nature of the Siberian tundra. And finally, Siberia is the principal setting in the new Rise Of The Tomb Raider Xbox One/Xbox 360 game, with Lara Croft set to fend off bears and beasts in the snowy setting.
All this is to say that Syberia II is working with a couple huge advantages. The first is that it has a built-in player base of those who loved the 2004 PC game. The second is that over the years, the Siberian setting has become familiar and even comforting to gamers. In the same way that ancient cities turned into reliable backdrops for Assassin’s Creed games, or Gotham became such a hallmark of the Arkham games, snowy tundras and adventurous deep north landscapes are already associated with great gaming levels—and Syberia II is looking to offer more in this regard.
It will be no surprise if this becomes one of the most popular app gaming releases of the autumn and winter.