The Dig (Review)

In this review I talk about one of my favorite Lucusarts and and near my favorite true science fiction in the adventure game genre. The Dig. A deeply flawed game yet in its own way a true masterpiece. This review is more for people that love adventure games and I have tried to inject some of my thoughts on the game rather than just listing what the game is about and how the interface works.
This is the 2nd review I have ever done and I think I am getting better.
Have fun and happy adventuring!!
Check back for more reviews to come as well as other presentations on the Adventure Game scene!

[@nottiredofwinning3736]

For several years in the 90s this what my favorite game of all time.

[@thorstenwasserman1789]

They should make a movie based on this game

[@TBgunsandbutter]

was going to be an Amazing Story

[@blacksunapocalypse]

I love how this game feels so much more immersive and has me emotionally involved, where most games coming out today feel more like "something to do." :/

[@wisnoskij]

Amazing game, this review made me try it out and I did not put it down until it was finished. One of the best games I have ever played, every single part of it is truly fantastic.

[@emmalepage5267]

i loved it as a kid i remember completing it a few times till the disc had worn out

[@Quazatronn]

I try to influence a lot of friends to play this game. They don't even imagine what they're missing! It's not only a game with a brilliant story -- they're missing a whole sci-fi experience that would touch their hearts, mind and soul!!

[@timurgildanov6552]

This is one of most immersive adventures ever made!

[@andreashahn7355]

I would absolutely agree. Even from today´s perspective, and compared to all the games and sci-fi-films that came up in the years after the Dig was released, it is still my immersion champion of all time.

[@ozziemonkey4790]

This, Full Throttle and The Curse of Monkey Island were my introduction to LucasArts and adventure games in general. It's right up there as one of my favourite games. You made some really excellent points in your review, and I appreciate the balance of positive and negative aspects, good job :)

[@CristianBeltramo]

I haven't played this game in almost 20 years now but I've always thought it had a very special thing to it ever since I played the demo back then. This was an excellent review and very entertaining to watch. Thank you!

[@AdventureReviews]

If you ask a variety of adventure fans to list there top 5 Lucusarts games you will find The Dig to be near the bottom of the list if it is on it at all. That to me means underrated.

[@Staudten]

I played this game a lot as a kid, but because I'm from a non-english-speaking country I had such a hard time solving those puzzles and I never managed to complete it! I just found the game in a dusty old box and now the time has finally come for me to solve this alien mystery!

[@duramirez]

Lucas Arts is for me a God, i love everything they did, there's nothing that they have done that is half backed or a mistake, they really delivered ART. I have so many fond memories of this game from when i was a kid, and i have many many others in my mind as well. The second war simulation Luftwaffe, Loom and many many others.

[@SparcMan]

The Dig is at the top of my list. The story, the visuals, the style, the voice acting, the puzzles, the music. It's all top-notch in my opinion. The only thing I thing detracted from the game is what you mentioned about the examine function - too clumsy to use on everything.

[@BramVaschellie]

I've really enjoyed watching your reviews since finding your channel recently. It looks like you haven't done any in awhile, but finding good reviews that don't use random cursing and yelling as a vehicle for drawing viewers is refreshing. Thank you for your videos!

[@Bothanspiesdied]

The music in this game is a 10/10, freaking fantastic.

[@Quazatronn]

I disagree with you. The final was conceived with care and attention, especially attention to the words used. I recall playing it at the age of 17 and the fact was this: The Dig was the first game that made me cry for real. The end was marvelously touching and beautiful. :)

[@Quazatronn]

Continuing your words... an astonishing, beautiful, timeless and touching game! Against facts, no arguments!

[@Boots43096]

i miss this guy so much i learned so much about adventure games :'C

[@Quazatronn]

You couldn't be more right! The Dig will forever be a classic. The Dig has it all: atmosphere, story and excellent musical scores to beautify the whole experience. I can imagine the impact that a remake of this game could cause if decently conceived for the actual PCs. It would be a dream to see it remade with new graphics and gameplay.

[@Quazatronn]

Undoubtly!! A petition should start over the net to show Steven Spielberg the importance of that!

[@doberman2yk]

to be honest i didnt really like this game but i think your spot on when you say it a "love it or hate it" type adventure. Great in depth review though and although it wasnt for me, i think hardcore sci fi fans will love this.

[@X_Leonhart]

I just love this game. I played back in 1997, and it's music, atmosphere and history are amazing. I never found the puzzles to be that hard, in fact, I finished the game in two days. One of the most greatest LucasArts productions, I loved it the first time I played it, and I still loving it today. Great review!

[@googlymoogly64]

Thanks, I love this game and I'm really glad you put this up.

[@Quazatronn]

It never became a movie... but I'm sure it would do a GREAT one. In fact, I think that Steven Spielberg's A.I. has some parts of the The Dig game in the end of it. One of the most touching stories ever told in a videogame!

[@X_Leonhart]

It's 2013, and I still play this game. It's an amazing experience, with great soundtrack, voice acting and mood. It was an easy game, tough, I finished it in two days without any guide (back in 1998). Great review.

[@rickonami]

I'm making an Intro remake of this game.

[@jeffk1722]

What do you mean? A new animation and voice over re-make of the intro?

[@Bloodklot]

this game was pretty amazing back in the day. It's a perfect example of how an engaging story can be stronger than the visual graphics. Even though this was decent graphics for the time. Like Vebinz commented earlier, it's very reminiscent of Another World which I played on SNES. This game was pretty challenging and annoying at times where my brother, sister and I would all try to figure it out. And then realize how easy the answer was. Keep in mind there was no real outlet on the internet to look things up back then lol But there was definitely a sense of accomplishment when the game was done and I have fond memories finishing it with my siblings.

[@The.Crawling.Chaos.]

Again a nice review, and a very nice game Imho. Btw.. I think you absolutely right about it being underrated for some strange reason :)

[@Lambda462H]

Best. Insult. Ever.

[@synth77]

the comedy in grim fandango kept me from going insane at the tedious harder puzzles

[@lfroncek]

One of the big problems this game had is that the development took so long that by 1995, 320x200 VGA graphics were considered old school.

[@featheredmusic]

Where is this music from? Awesome review!

[@Quazatronn]

This was, for sure, one of the best Lucas Arts adventure games and, probably, one of the best adventures among a wide range of others. The Dig has the most impressive story, musical scores and atmosphere all along! If any adventure fan did not play this game, it is a certain crime not to do it immediately!

[@zoidus6429]

I have a question for the poster of the video, what version of The Dig did you use for this review? Because in my version (which is for the PC and I got the game when it was brand new) the cursor didn't have that red/blue "radar" thing emanating from it (as seen between 4:28 and 5:15). Also, the character models (esp. Boston) look more High-Def than they do in my version.

[@mocthezuma]

I bought this game and absolutely loved it. Until it refused to let me progress. I came to a part where I went into a crypt and found a statue of a horse or something on a platform. Then when I touched the statue it disappeared. Then I could do absolutely nothing. I even looked up a solution which said I was supposed to touch the statue, make it disappear and then get on the platform, but no matter where I clicked the guy refused to get on the platform. I haven't played it since.

[@AdventureReviews]

I'm not sure what version I used... I still have my originals form when was a kid. The little RED/BLUE radar things you see when I talk about the clicking, is in fact made by the video capturing software Camtasia, witch is designed for doing video tutorials where knows if you left or right click might be important. Also the thing looks high rez as in SCUMVM I am running it on HQ3 video mode.. so it is 3x larger and uses some weird filtering and blurring to remove the pixel look.

[@jessbragg1]

well, about 9 years BEFORE this game was release, the black cauldron had that style, where you HAVE to eat and drink while exploring. nice video

[@Pasteldqueijo]

this is a great game... it starts of a bit slow but damn does it picks up after a while.. i was blown away by this title as a kid..

[@zoidus6429]

Actually I'm not sure that's true, I recall a lot of reviewers putting it down because of the "dated" graphics and "bad" voice acting - on both counts I think they were a bit too harsh. The graphics were pretty nice for that time, I think, and as for the voice acting, well, could maybe have been better; VOs were, at the time still new in gaming and to get it PERFECT was no doubt difficult. Overall, everything from the beautiful music to the wonderful story and characters was magnificent for me.

[@zoidus6429]

Well that's the thing, as much as it was very sci-fi, at it's core it was a story about humanity and our highs and lows in extreme situations.

[@rickonami]

The Dig intro remake is ready :) visit my channel 2 check it out.

[@CaminoAir]

'The Dig' is memorable and unique, but the difficulty level is too high. The writers and game designers created a genuinely alien world, but that's the problem. An example is the display panels in the 'museum'. The meaning of the alien animations is obscure, but the style of the visual animation is also difficult to see properly. So you rely on Boston Low's interpretations, without understanding how he arrived at them and therefore how you will benefit when trying to solve puzzles is also very unclear. It is also difficult to remember the pathways to various destinations and to also remember all the destinations.

[@HappyCanMan]

Looks interesting. Quite like this slower style of game. Good review, very balanced.

[@magnusm4]

great game and i love all of it except for the button pannel part its to damn hard with that many buttons!

[@gt_oliver]

Are there ways to run this game on Windows 7 and to have the SCUMVM HQ3 video mode for the game?

[@NeXon2k7]

Great ending on that review :D Oh, the shovel ;) I loved the game.

[@bobbystips]

These are fantastic reviews, boss. Good work!

[@TKnightcrawler]

Seems like a perfect review.

[@M4ttyplus]

i love this games soundtrack, one of the best ever imo, i even have the book that came out (after?) the game :D

[@Quazatronn]

The most annoying puzzle isn't for sure the turtle one. It is the Rays of energy one, at the beginning. Anyway, I must agree with you: The Dig is certainly one of the most beautiful adventure games ever, in every aspect. And yes, I am also dying to see this game turned into a movie, but I guess Steven Spielberg has already stated that he ins't interested to do it. I just ask him: WHY?!!!!

[@mocthezuma]

@featheredmusic It's from a game called "The Dig". You dig?

[@gt_oliver]

Me too, it will be one of THE BEST Steven Spielberg films?

[@squattingheads]

Just played through the game and a few thinks stand out. the Game has 1 item that isn’t standing out from the background and is easy to overlook. unskipable dialogue is the Games biggest flaw. Since you never know if a topic has new dialogue. Often you will have to listen to the same minute of banter you already know. unskipable Travel sequences are frustrating as well. around 3 or 4 times the Motivationsprobleme the next plotpoint/puzzle will not be apparent. When you either simply don’t have a new objective or you have to visit a place you have seen before to trigger a now unlocked event. the 2 NPCs companions are infuriatingly confrontational for no reasons. Especially in such a situation. none of the characters react in any way realistically human to the situation they are in. One puzzle is extremely annoying since there are plenty of ways you could be wrong. Since many options look just as right as the real one. over all I like the game for its story and creativity. But it’s far from the nicest gaming experiences

[@Quazatronn]

You're definitely right. This is a jewel videogame. It is a pitty that not all reviews were kind with this game, like the one given by GAMESPOT, which clearly stated the most idiot and insulting comment an adventurer could get: " In almost every sense, The Dig represents a leap backwards from LucasArts' previous group of adventure games. " -- Jesus Christ! The guy who wrote this was certainly in bad shape, recovering from a severe alcohol ingestion!

[@kamajje]

Great review! :)

[@Nitedragon001]

I still think they should make it a movie.

[@metabog]

I just finished it. Awesome, awesome game, but some of the puzzles were ridiculous.

[@Vebinz]

I sense some strong "Another World" influence.

[@LeonidBraynerMyshkin]

Review The Monkey Island series!

[@emilysaraahhh]

amazing game.... :D

[@monkeh008]

How can you be such a fan of LucAsArts, but not get the name right in your description. :P

[@eviljigglypuff2254]

7:13. Wtf did you just say?

[@Quazatronn]

Hum... not at all, if you look carefully.

[@Quazatronn]

LOL.