Martin Mystère: Operation Dorian Gray
2004 video game
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Martin Mystère: Operation Dorian Gray (known as Crime Stories: From the Files of Martin Mystère in North America) is the only video game adaptation of the Italian sci-fi detective comic-book franchise called Martin Mystère, starring a detective and his assistant, Java. It is a point-and-click adventure game, published by Leader S.p.a. in Italy, The Adventure Company in North America, and GMX Media in Europe. A Macintosh version was planned, but was cancelled in the evaluation stage.[2] Versions for PlayStation 2 and Xbox were also planned, but were also cancelled.[3]
- ITA: Leader S.p.a.
- EU: GMX Media
- NA: The Adventure Company
| Martin Mystère: Operation Dorian Gray | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | Artematica |
| Publishers |
|
| Platform | Windows |
| Release | |
| Genre | Adventure game |
| Mode | Single-player |
Plot
The player takes on the role of Martin Mystere, a young private eye who is looking into the brutal killing of Professor Eulemberg, a renowned scientist.
Gameplay
The gameplay is standard for graphic adventure games: search for items in order to solve logic puzzles.[4]
Development
Development for the game began around 2002. Most of the time was invested on the storyboard, which was heavily based on the original comic strips of Martin Mystère.[5] The models for the graphics started as layouts on paper. The models were output in Realtime 3D with octagonal views and pre-rendered backgrounds (similar to Druuna: Morbus Gravis and Syberia)[3] and animated with 3DS Max.
Critical reception
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 45/100[6] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| 4Players | 59%[7] |
| Adventure Gamers |   [8][9] |
| Computer Games Magazine | [10] |
| GameSpot | 4.1/10[11] |
| GameSpy |  [12] |
| GameStar | 51%[13] |
| GameZone | 5.9/10[14] |
| IGN | 5.2/10[15] |
| Jeuxvideo.com | 11/20[16] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 48%[17] |
| PC Games (DE) | 66%[18] |
The game received "generally unfavorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[6]
Computer Games Magazine gave a scathing review describing the game as "tragic", adding that it was too over-enthusiastic.[10] IGN deemed it "generic"[15] and GameSpot called it "archaic".[11] Game Chronicles thought the puzzles were illogical and the story didn't make sense.[4]