Tender Loving Care - TLC (DVD ROM and DVD)

Review by Yanman


 

"Perhaps, you can help- A fresh eye, an uncluttered view."

Normally I don't review computer games, heck normally I don't even play computer games. But TLC is from the makers of 7th Guest one of the last (and most fun) games that I had played. So when asked to review this "first interactive, full-length motion picture designed specifically for DVD" how could I resist?" But no amount of hype could get me ready for the experience of TLC - I sat and "played" the movie for over eight hours straight, I just couldn't stop until I got to the end! It was like a novel that you had to see how it ended. Or maybe more like a sixteen part mini-series, that some one had taped for you. However you spin it I just don't see how anyone could stop prior to getting to the end of the thing.

Now I haven't had a chance to play this through a second time, but it is my understanding that each person based on his or her answers to the posed psychological questions gets a different version of this "interactive" film. That being the case and not wanting to give too much away, let me give you only a very very brief overview of the story line.

You are an observer tasked by a doctor to watch and comment as the story unfolds. It seems that a young couple has suffered an unfortunate tragedy. But who knows the real story? To help them work through this event a esoteric (and beautiful) psychiatric nurse moves in to their home, but are the changes she is making for the better? The interesting thing is that you get to answer these and other questions, and based on your responses the story line unfolds (and twists and turns etc.).

But you don't only answer questions about the game, you see this game also ends up doing a "evaluation" of your psyche. Now I won't go into the EXTREME detail of my profile (It might scare you :-)). If you are a young single female however, and have any interest in meeting me drop me a note and I'll fill you in on what the good "game's Doctor" has to say about yours truly.

For a computer game the video on this one is truly outstanding, very lifelike both in the video clips and in the virtual reality walk through. I did on occasion however have problems with the video skipping a scene and I would have to rewind then review the missed video clips. I'm not sure if this was a problem with our review equipment (333 MHz PII, Compaq with 128 Meg Ram) or an inherent problem with the game. A different issue (One that I know has to do with our equipment) is that our machine uses software MPEG decoding not hardware, so video was choppy at some junctures.

Sound was listed on the box as Dolby Surround, but without a decoder in this machine, all we could do was simulate the effect. None the less the sound was better than that of pervious games I have played, but not quite up to the standard that DVD movies have set.

TLC is more than a movie, and not just a game, get ready to have your mind probed and the outcome change at every turn. Just one word of warning here, if you're not ready to play all the way from end to end don't start, this one is impossible to walk away from!

Audio
Video
Extras
Overall 1/2


TLCjpg.jpg (4105 bytes)

 

Staring:

John Hurt

Directed By:

David Wheeler

Warning! Contains Mature themes, sexuality, nudity and some violence.

System Requirements:

IBM-PC compatible computer with an Intel Pentium P133 Microprocessor, Windows 95 or 98. 10 meg RAM Win 95 compatible SVGA video card with at least 1 MB of RAM and support to Direct X 3.0.

DVD-ROM drive and MPEG2 Decoder card, 100% SoundBlaster compatible sound card. 8MB of free space. Microsoft-compatible mouse.