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The Legend of Lotus Spring
The Legend of Lotus Spring is a title that has captured the attention of many women gameplayers. It is the first title from the developers, Woman Wise, and is the first 'entertainment' title that has, to my knowledge, ever been produced specifically for women. I was very interested to get my hands on an evaluation copy that consisted of the first CD.
It is a story inspired by a legend of forbidden love in Imperial China a century ago during the Qing Dynasty. It tells of the ill-fated liaison between the Emperor Xian Feng and He Han Qu who was one of the 'forbidden' who could not enter the Forbidden City.
Lotus Spring is set in Lotus Haven, one of the 40 sites that comprise the Garden of Perfect Brightness where Xian Feng secreted his lover away. Although the garden was destroyed during the Opium Wars it has been recreated for this title in glorious detail and allows the player to experience the magic that was once shared by Xian Feng and He Han Qu whom the emperor renamed Lotus Spring to declare his love. As the player explores the Garden through the eyes of Xian Feng and interacts with the game environment the pages of the Dream Diary are filled and the tragic love story is revealed along with various rituals of courtly life.
Visually this title looks superb and it is fascinating to have the opportunity to explore such a magnificent world. During exploration the player can catch a glimpse of the every day life of the ill-fated lovers and there are half a dozen items to collect and use appropriately. However, as the gameplay primarily consists of simple activities or interactions with objects such as painting on a blank sheet of paper or watering plants, the impression that I received is that it is much more of an interactive story book than an adventure game where the player is typically invited to solve more convoluted puzzles and problems.
According to Women Wise it is their philosophy to 'identify and service the interests and needs of women' and this is, perhaps, very apparent in the choice of a 'love' theme, though the assumptions underlying this choice can and, no doubt, will be challenged. Now I am not averse to love stories, in my opinion they are every bit as legitimate as horror stories which I don't read either, but this one is more than a simple love story, it's also a journey into Chinese legend and Chinese Culture.
Lotus Spring is due to be released early next year and the purchase price will include access to a downloadable novella. Keep an eye out for it if you enjoy love stories or if you fancy a visual feast served up from Imperial China, but don't anticipate an adventure game where your powers of lateral thinking will be put to the test.
Copyright © Rosemary Young 1999.
All rights reserved.
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