Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy offers a fresh perspective on Benoît Sokal’s cherished classic. Let’s delve into what makes this revamped journey so engaging.
In this reimagined version, the story revisits French explorer Alexander Valembois and his adventurous pursuit in the fictional land of Amerzone, nestled in South America. Valembois’s journey, dating from 1932 to 1934, revealed astonishing creatures, including the extraordinary magical White Birds. Sadly, these birds face extinction, threatened by a twist of fate where a friend of Valembois turns tyrant, seizing power over Amerzone. Fast forward to the 2000s, you step into a journalist’s shoes, tasked with fulfilling Valembois’s final, heartfelt wish—return a white egg to Amerzone, aiming to resurrect the White Birds to their former glory.
Fast forward 25 years from its original 1999 release by Microids, and we’re witnessing this classic’s rebirth on PlayStation 5. Inspired by Sokal’s 1986 Inspector Canardo comic strip, L’Amerzone, this game, originally a 3D adventure from the first-person view, now boasts incredible enhancements courtesy of Unreal Engine 5 for the 2025 edition. The changes are remarkable, elevating the classic point-and-click mechanism where transitions occur smoothly, breathing life into the game’s world. This renovation not only introduces voice acting but also elevates the ambiance with significantly improved lighting.
Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy offers two distinct modes catering to different play styles. Opt for Traveler Mode if you’re keen on savoring the narrative and environment with less focus on solving puzzles, bolstered by handy guidance and document support. Alternatively, Adventurer Mode cranks up the challenge, delivering a more authentic old-school vibe with sparse hints and formidable puzzles. For those who thrive on challenge, there’s an option to disable hints and objectives entirely.
With gaming from a first-person view, you’ll navigate using the left stick to guide your line of sight and interact with the world. Highlights can be interacted with by pressing the X button, while the L2 speeds up your cursor movement. The Triangle button serves to reveal all possible interactions within a given scenario. The DualSense’s Touchpad opens your journal where you’ll track missions, diary entries, inventory, and collected documents.
Interactivity extends to objects within reach; they can be examined thoroughly. Hold X over an item, and use the left stick to rotate it. If the cursor turns into a magnifying glass, you’ve spotted something worth noting; a hand icon suggests an interaction is possible.
Throughout the game, you’ll uncover investigative material, offering the chance to expand your in-game report. Although not mandatory, these investigations are invaluable for uncovering deeper layers of the story and understanding the intricacies of the game’s universe—a prime opportunity for those trophy hunters aiming to achieve a Platinum trophy.
On the trophy hunt, you’re in for a variety of achievements beyond completing story chapters. Targets include executing investigations, tuning into the radio, making story-driven phone calls, organizing slides in a professor’s projector, locating fast-travel maps, navigating over the Hydrofloat’s roof in transit, and unlocking its full conversion modes, among others.
Ultimately, Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy is a lovingly revamped tribute to the original, adding new life to the story of Valembois’s pursuit. Enhanced with cutting-edge visuals and retaining classic gameplay, it’s a nostalgic experience awaiting both loyal fans and newcomers alike. Scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 on April 24 with a price tag of $39.99, it invites players to once again undertake this wonderful journey.
Please note that this review is based on a PlayStation 5 version provided by Microids.
