GAME REVIEW: Lost Via Domus (Ubisoft) - Xbox360

Ach, this could have been SO good.

Ever since the Lost video game was announced a couple of years back, I've been looking forward to crashing on that island and discovering just what the hell is going on. Perhaps as Jack, perhaps as Sawyer, preferably as John Locke. What a shame then, that instead you play nothing but a bystander to the established Lost storyline. A bystander with a pretty non-descript and (by Lost standards at least) by-the-numbers back-story.

It starts well. The initial plane crash on the island is very well rendered and plays from a much more personal viewpoint than we've seen before. It's genuinely exciting. With the crash leading into the TV show opening titles, establishing the player as a part of the shows mythology is very well played and promises much.

What follows though, are seven 'episodes' (complete with "previously on Lost" recaps, opening titles and the closing 'boom' from the TV show) comprising of little more than rudimentary exploring, infuriating logic puzzles and pointless conversations with poorly voiced versions of the established cast. Sadly only a few of the original cast have lent their voices to the game, and the actors hired to play Jack, Kate, Hurley etc. are very poor. Unlike the, er, likenesses, which are pretty much spot on.

It's not all bad though. The graphics are actually very well executed - especially in the forest sections of the game, and - arguably - look even better than similar environments in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune on the PS3. And, yes, for fans of the show there's no denying the thrill to be had from encountering the smoke monster, entering the numbers into the computer in the hatch, and stumbling upon the Black Rock deep in the forest. You'll even find yourself exploring a couple of locations that we've not (yet) seen on the TV show.

Your character's flashbacks are also implemented fairly well into the structure of the seven episodes, and pick up towards the end, developing into an interesting enough story of twists and fractured memories. Nothing better than we've seen on the TV show, though.

But these moments are not enough to rescue some annoying game play faults. You'll find yourself throwing the controller to floor in sheer frustration during the long (long!) and winding cave sections, and the fuse-based logic puzzles that crop up far too often. The dynamite carrying section is a particular lowlight and if you get passed it without more than a few harsh words, then you'll deserve the achivement points you'll rack up for completing that episode.

So, who should buy this game? Hardcore Lost fans will find enough to keep themselves amused. Casual Lost fans would be best to rent the title. As for everyone else - steer well clear. For a TV show which - especially during the current Season 4 - has never been better, this game does nothing but validate the cry's of "confusing!", "they're making it up as they go along!" and "what the hell is happening?" frequently levelled (incorrectly, in my opinion) at the TV show.

Truly, a wasted opportunity. (5/10)

THE GOOD:
- Succesfully captures the 'feeling' of the TV show.
- Impressive visuals.
- Well structured - if pedestrian - storyline.
- A quick way to grab an easy 1000 Achievement points.

THE BAD:
- Confusing logic puzzles.
- Poor character voicing.
- Very short.
- Adds nothing new to the Lost mythology.