Consortium | Cheerful Ghost

Consortium - Reviewing it, Anniversary Style

Consortium came out just a little over a year ago, but I've only recently put the effort into completing it. Well, playing it. Completing it is a little more complex than a single play-through. Don't let the cartoon quality of the graphics fool you; there's a lot of depth in this game. If you're at all a fan of Star Trek, LOST, or crazy mysteries in alternate realities, I think you'll dig it.

Consortium operates under the premise that the game developers, Interdimensional Games Inc. (iDGi), have developed a satellite capable of sending a human mind through a digital rift in spacetime. As the player, your subconscious is supplanted into the body of Bishop-6, a diplomat... Read All Consortium came out just a little over a year ago, but I've only recently put the effort into completing it. Well, playing it. Completing it is a little more complex than a single play-through. Don't let the cartoon quality of the graphics fool you; there's a lot of depth in this game. If you're at all a fan of Star Trek, LOST, or crazy mysteries in alternate realities, I think you'll dig it.

Consortium operates under the premise that the game developers, Interdimensional Games Inc. (iDGi), have developed a satellite capable of sending a human mind through a digital rift in spacetime. As the player, your subconscious is supplanted into the body of Bishop-6, a diplomat of sorts and a member of the crew of the airship Zenlil. What happens next, is up to you. There are a number of choices to be made, so multiple play-throughs are encouraged. Be active, passive, peaceful, violent, or somewhere between. The story unfolds because of (and in spite of) your actions. You're a mind from the past, invading the future! You can even let that little cat out of the bag, but it might not go over so well...

Voice acting is superb, which is always a boon when delving into the landscape of alternate realities. What also helps, is that the score is the work of the moodily brilliant Jeremy Soule, which, by the way, comes with a purchase of the game. Available directly from the games site, GoG.com, or Steam, Consortium also comes with access to the files that were available from the companies A.R.G. website prior to the games launch. Purists can put those puzzles together for themselves, at http://interdimensionalgames.com/, or you can sift leisurely through the packet that comes in the DLC, it's pretty much all the same info.

The second game of a planned trilogy, The Tower Prophecy, has been announced with a plan for crowdsourcing sometime in 2015.

Official site: http://consortium-game.com/
Gog.com: http://www.gog.com/game/consortium_the_master_edition
Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/264240/

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 04/20/2015 at 04:11pm

You had me at "LOST." lol

I wish I had more time for more games! This one piqued my curiosity!

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 04/20/2015 at 05:57pm

The good parts of LOST, not the ending ;)

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 04/20/2015 at 07:36pm

I was ok with the ending, but I understand I'm in the minority. But when Hurley started stabbing everyone, it was such a twist that made it memorable enough to be good for me.

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 04/20/2015 at 11:02pm

I can't remember if you're joking or not, it's been so long. Stabby Hurley seems like a very memorable thing.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 04/20/2015 at 11:10pm

It was a joke :) Kind of a fake spoiler, but at this point, if anyone's actually upset by a LOST spoiler, that's on you.

Back to the game though, with your multiple play-throughs, how much time have you put into the game?

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 04/21/2015 at 01:40am

I've only played the one play-through. After you finish, the game encourages you to play multiple times, making different choices, eventually uncovering more of the mystery. So far, though, I've put in about 6 hours, at a fairly steady pace.

Travis Admin wrote on 04/21/2015 at 03:58am

I was fine with LOST's ending, especially if you have seen the epilogue. I don't know why it was never aired on TV and only in the extras.

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 04/21/2015 at 04:45am

Well, now I'll have to see the epilogue!

Coincidentally, Consortium is on sale right now, on the Steam, for $4.49, until April 27.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 04/21/2015 at 04:38pm

I did like the epilogue. I'm glad I saw it!

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 04/21/2015 at 09:49pm

I just saw the epilogue. Now I have to watch the WHOLE SHOW OVER AGAIN!

Why didn't they include that in the show? It really explains a lot.

Also, the packet of files that comes with the purchase of Consortium contains stuff very similar to the DHARMA tapes. That, mixed with the alternate reality theme and mysterious entities, was the basis of my associating Consortium's experience with LOST. You know, all the extra goodies that kept you on the forums for days at a time, trying out new theories and trying to make sense of it all.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 04/21/2015 at 11:57pm

OK, you sold me. I don't know when I'll find time to play it, but I had to buy it :)

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 04/22/2015 at 03:53pm

I think I bought it last year, and just started playing it a few weeks ago. In fact, as long as you get to it before December 21st, 2042, I'm sure you'll be okay :). Otherwise you would probably break the game, and possibly reality as we know it.

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