Games that looked absolutely breathtaking in the ’90s will always remain that way in the hearts of fans, but a remaster or reimagining brings these oft-forgotten classics to a whole-new generation of curious players. We’ve had a few point-and-click games follow this trajectory recently, from Monkey Island and Broken Sword to 2024’s Riven. The latest game to be upgraded for modern audiences is the 1999 cult classic Amerzone The Explorer’s Legacy, and it looks gorgeous.
When you hear the name of the legendary Belgian game developer Benoît Sokal, you might think of Syberia, his famous point-and-click adventure games that are full of mechanical curios and fairytale locations. Amerzone The Explorer’s Legacy slots in just before this series, occupying the same world but never crossing paths with Syberia’s plot directly.
Amerzone’s main legacy is its atmosphere. From its mystical animals to its fantastical story, there’s wonder everywhere you look. The game takes you from the French lighthouse retreat of the reclusive explorer Alexandre Valembois to the depths of a South American swamp, all navigated by way of clues left behind in the form of floppy disks, sketches, and notes. Using a homemade seaplane which can also transform into multiple different vehicles (including a helicopter and a crank-powered boat), our unnamed hero must somehow save the endangered Amerzonian White Bird and reignite the flame of resistance in a country ground down by a despotic president.
In the new trailer, we see this atmosphere enhanced, remodelled, and brought to life with incredible detail. From the White Bird sweeping over a clifftop to the illustrations of Valembois’ journals, Amerzone maintains the original’s spirit, and its trademark magical surrealism shines more than ever.
The inside of the Hydrafloat has been given a revamp, keeping the slightly rusted aesthetic while enhancing the vistas and dense rainforest views that shine through the windshield. NPC models are more realistic and human looking (the 1999 originals come right out of the uncanny valley), and the player character’s new, more-fluid movement is intuitive when compared to the old game’s static point-and-click format. Put simply, the reimagined Amerzone looks immersive, beautiful, and feels like it’s been rebuilt with care. You can see Microids’ latest take on the classic universe, as well as a few moments of gameplay, in PCGamesN’s exclusive trailer below:
If the fantastical world of Amerzone has piqued your interest, check out my Amerzone The Explorer’s Legacy review. Alternatively, if you love piecing together clues and sneaking around, we have a rundown of all the best detective games to keep you busy.
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