4. Beneath A Steel Sky
Though we could probably make a list completely made up of Lucas Arts games, it's only fair we delve into a few different games as there are plenty other great ones out there. One such game is Beneath a Steel Sky, another point and click game set in a cyberpunk world where most live in tight city surroundings while the rest of the world is a Mad Max style wasteland. In stark contrast to most other adventure games it stands out by being a particularly bleak story and setting though it also has very solid gameplay to back it up. It might sound like the title of a U2 song, it just isn't as bleak as listening to them. To break up the bleakness, Revolution Software included some trademark humor, particularly with your robotic sidekick who tags along for the journey. Again, the voice acting makes all the difference and brings a certain believability to the characters and world. Like Blade Runner it attempts a somewhat real time approach in its "Virtual Theatre" scripting system meaning that characters have their own agendas and wander around the game world doing their own thing. Unlike Blade Runner though it is a lot more linear and nothing the like of that games numerous endings. Though you can die in the game, these moments are presented as logical puzzles and not dead end situations where you have to restart the game. Interactions come with a very simple right and left click system as opposed to the SCUMM style text box at the bottom of the screen, allowing for a lot more room for its highly detailed world map. Beneath a Steel Sky was remastered for a new audience in 2009 and remained a popular game with the new additions only serving to emphasize how good the game always was. Revolution recently said that a sequel would be made if their Broken Sword Kickstarter made it to a goal of 1 million. Despite not reaching that magic number the success that they DID manage encouraged them to begin work on a sequel which will resume after the release of Broken Sword 5 in December. Anyone interested in playing the original before the sequel comes might be happy to know that it is currently available to download for free on GOG.com.