E3 2008: Secret Files: Tunguska Hands-On

By Jon Miller, GameSpotPosted Jul 17, 2008 8:12 pm PT

We get our hands on this classic point-and-click adventure game that is shrouded in mystery.

There are many mysteries in the world. How long do Twinkies keep? What's the deal with Britney Spears? And just what the heck caused the massive explosion in Russia in 1908 that toppled an estimated 80 million trees over 830 square miles of terrain?

That event, according to the infallible Wikipedia, eventually became known as Tunguska. While many scientists believe the explosion was caused by a meteor impact, the event remains shrouded in mystery, even though there are not many things in the known universe that are 1,000 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, as this explosion reportedly was. Thanks again, Wikipedia.

Secret Files: Tunguska is a classic point-and-click adventure game that attempts to delve into the mystery that is Tunguska. Years after the explosion, Dr. Vladimir Kalenkow went on an expedition to the Tunguska region in Siberia to investigate the event, but he suddenly disappeared. This doesn't bode well for Nina, the protagonist in Secret Files, who already has daddy issues. Along with her father's colleague Max Gruber, you'll explore the world in search of the good doctor.

We had only a few minutes with Secret Files at the Deep Silver booth at E3 2008 in Los Angeles--just enough time to search a single room for clues. In the DS version, you'll use the stylus to pixel-hunt for information and items, in the vein of Myst, although you'll always see a 3D model of Nina onscreen. If you hate pixel hunting, you can tap a magnifying glass in the corner that will display all the spots on the screen that can be interacted with, such as drawers, file cabinets, and books.

Later on in the game, you'll be able to control both Max and Nina, although it's not clear if there's any difference at all in gameplay in a point-and-click adventure game.

So asteroid or comet or something more sinister? Solve the mystery of Secret Files: Tunguska this October on the DS and Wii.

24 Comments

  • InsultToInjury_

    Posted Aug 4, 2008 3:57 am PT

    Game does indeed sounds very good.n

  • zerander

    Posted Jul 30, 2008 8:13 pm PT

    great preview

  • Fertanimus

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 7:23 pm PT

    I have this game, it's out in Europe. It's quite good.

  • ElementalSoljer

    Posted Jul 22, 2008 1:33 pm PT

    I was thinking about buying it for the PC. I will most likely wait and buy the DS version though. Does anyone know if this is similar to the old-school Lucas arts games like Indiana Jones and the Secret of Atlantis? If so I will definitely buy Secret Files: Tunguska in a heartbeat!

  • robheisel

    Posted Jul 22, 2008 12:37 am PT

    looks good

  • tyzwain

    Posted Jul 21, 2008 1:14 pm PT

    THis really looks like a good game. However I thought it was out already in the UK? I've already played it in the shops, and got past that room.

  • the64freak

    Posted Jul 20, 2008 12:42 am PT

    nice nice

  • zombieman666

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 12:55 pm PT

    awesome

  • Mehfuz

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 11:28 am PT

    good adv game, already out on PC

  • ravencr0w

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 5:40 am PT

    Some of us on the Europe and Asia side already have this game. It's actually pretty good. Right up there with Trace Memory and Hotel Dusk; if you love those, you must have this one.

  • gmax Site moderator

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 12:42 am PT

    The real Tunguska - as a phenomena - is cool. We'll have to see about the game...

  • MrDouglas

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 10:53 pm PT

    The X-Files had their own version and explanation of "Tunguska" if memory serves, must go back and re-watch those episodes, think it was second or possible third season, no later than that!

  • lettuceman44

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 11:07 am PT

    An adventure game? Cool.

  • Macgyver40

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 10:20 am PT

    I wonder if max gruber is hans grubers father from die hard. Looks great

  • shinian

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 9:24 am PT

    wow I have never heard about this history. this game can be interesting

  • Spartan1017

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 5:19 am PT

    hopefully koch media, fusionsphere systems,and 10tacle studios have learned from their mistakes with the pc version and the wii will be much better.... hopefully.

  • Hungry_bunny

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 10:02 pm PT

    That's so cool, never heard of Tunguska... you could make a good scary story out of that mystery.

  • WizengamotX

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 9:17 pm PT

    Scratch that, http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/thesecretfilestunguska/index.html

  • WizengamotX

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 9:16 pm PT

    When I hear the words adventure, point and click, Siberia, and 3D, I have to think of the recent Siberia action series. Though I tracked both games for some time, poor and mediocre (to my standard) reviews prevented me from buying them. I am a classic adventure fan, and look forward to more on Tunguska. Tracked.

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 9:07 pm PT

    i might give it a try

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