Syberia - Instructions on How To Play

bfgErie wrote:When you first start up the game, you are presented with the Main Menu. From the Main Menu you can start a new game, load a previously saved game, view cutscenes, view credits, options and quit.

Main Menu
New Game
When you play for the first time, a cutscene is launched automatically explaining your context at the start of the adventure.

Load Game
Each saved game is represented by a picture and is dated the day and hour of saving. To resume a saved game, click with your left mouse button on the corresponding image.

Cutscene
This option enables you to view the cutscenes that you have already played in the game.

Credits
This option displays the game's credits.

Options
This sub-menu enables you to adjust the various graphics and sound options of the game.

Quit
This option halts the game and returns you to Windows.

Options Menu
Subtitles (Yes/No)
To display (or not) the game's sub-titles at the bottom of the screen.

Level of detail (High / Low):
Use this option to adjust the graphic quality of the game according to your computer's performance. Setting Level of detail to High enables you to get the most out of the visual effects of the game and will enhance your immersion in it. Setting Level of detail to Low will disable some of the optional visual effects

Screen depth (16 bits / 32 bits):
This option offers another way of adjusting the quality of the game's graphics to suit your computer. In 32-bit mode, the game will use a wider range of colors and therefore the display will be optimal. On the other hand, in 16-bit mode you will improve performances but your color range will be more limited. 16-bit mode is particularly recommended for PCs with graphics cards lower than 32 Mb. The game should be re-booted for this option to take effect.

Anti-aliasing (Yes / No):
This option enables you to soften the characters' contours and enhance their graphics. We recommend that you do not activate this option if your computer has limited capacities, as this may be detrimental to performances. The game should be re-booted for this option to take effect.

Sound volume:
This menu enables you to adjust the volume of sound effects and voices.

Music volume:
This menu enables you to adjust the volume of the background music.

How to play
It is possible to play Syberia entirely with the mouse.
-Left click for movement and actions.
-Right click to view the game menu, use an object from the inventory, consult documents or use your cell phone.
-To jump a cutscene or a line in the dialogue, press the Esc button or right click with your mouse.
-To run, double left click on your mouse.

The game icons
Ring - Clicking the mouse will move the charecter to this point
Glowing Ring - Move to an adjacent scene
Y - Action possible in this area of the scene
Y with an X over it - No action possible
Eyeglass - Talk to charecter or zoom in on scene
Hand - Pick up or Grab

The inventory menu
To reach the end of your mission, you have to collect objects that will be automatically placed in your inventory. Right-click to access your inventory. To select an object, click on it with the left mouse button. The object selected will appear on the bottom left of the screen. To leave the inventory without selecting an object, right click on it with your mouse. To use an object, select it then click on the zone or the character on which you wish to use it. If the object selected cannot be used, the No Action Possible icon will appear.

The cell phone
When Kate receives a telephone call, she will reply automatically. To call someone, click on the telephone icon in your inventory. The Cell Phone interface will open. Dial the 8 figure telephone number of the character to whom you wish to speak. There are also numbers in the telephone's repertoire that you may consult by clicking on the up and down arrows. When the 8 numbers have been entered or you have selected a number in the inventory, press the Call/Answer button. When you have finished your call and you do not want to make any others, click on the Off button.

Documents
To consult or use your documents, click on the Documents icon. To consult a document, click on the eye icon, then click on the document of your choice. To use a document, click on the hand icon, then click on the document of your choice. Documents are accessed in the same way as objects.

Dialogues
If you direct the pointer at a character and it turns into a "Talk to character" icon, you can converse with a character. To engage in conversation with a character, click the left button of your mouse. Some characters have more to say than others. You can structure your conversations using the Dialogue notebook that appears on the left of the screen. There are various themes in the notebook. You can thus tackle themes relevant to your progression by clicking on them in the Dialogue notebook. When you want to bring the conversation to a close, click on the arrow at the bottom of your notebook. New and different themes will be added to your list as the adventure goes along. You will be notified of their availability by a sound and a notebook icon, which will appear for several seconds at the bottom left of the screen.

cat52 wrote:Thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for - so how come there is no Syberia forum?

Just to make sure I understand the interface...at the beginning, when Booboo or Moomoo or whatever the kid's name is has been run off, I picked up the gears and noticed the pattern on the table-top...just to check that I didn't miss something obvious, there is no way to place the gears on the table, correct? The pattern is, no doubt, a Clue, but not THAT obvious a clue

Editing in a P.S. Ooo, ooo, my 52nd post! Wish it were a little meatier
Wait, I know...as to why there is no forum...can we say "Big Fish: Tomorrow's Game Today...Big Fish Forums: Yesterday's Game Tomorrow"? Kidding!

I only went here (to the Big Fish Forums) where I've been before and to the link below:[URL Removed by Forum Moderator] . WARNING!!! I got a horrible virus in disguise as a spyware thing. It is called Spyware Guard 2009. If you see it, RUN! Not only did it eat the spyware and virus protection I already had. It messed up my RegEdit and System Restore. After many hours of trying to uninstall it, edit my RedEdit, etc I finally had to reformat my entire system. I don't think I got it from the Big Fish Forums and the only other place I went was the website above because I was stuck. I'm not sure that's how I got it, but it's my best guess. I just wanted to pass this information along.

llilly wrote:I played both Syberia and Syberia 2 and they are among the best games I have played simply for the story, music and the beauty of the graphics. As a large file game, it is normally a leap of faith to download it, but if you like following clues that make the story unfold, picking up objects to make something work right, etc. you will love this game because it does those things so much better than Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, etc. I looked high and low for other games by this author, but these were the only ones he (she?) made that I can find. You can't die, you don't have to fight anything, and there is no blood or gore.

The best source for hints for this game and many others is at the Universal Hint System because you can reveal only a little bit of the hint at a time to just help you along when you are stuck, not reveal all of what to do unless you want to.

For Syberia, these hints are located at http://www.uhs-hints.com/uhsweb/syberia.php

TomPop is right -- you get emotionally invested in this game and I felt sad it was over, but it had such a beautiful ending in Syberia 2. Have fun with it!

comicseller wrote:I talked to the notary and got the letter, but now I'm back in his waiting room looking for the key. It takes me to the desk and shows me the blotter with the automotrons but I can't make anything work and don't know what to do next. [/look at the coat rack theres a key.]