The Chievo Challenge - Lost: Via Domus

On 09/07/2015 at 12:51 AM by KnightDriver

It's a new game I made up this week. Take two people, give them each a game that has reportedly easy achievements, and see who finishes with 1000 points first. Today challenge was Lost: Via Domus.

This game costs $2 at Gamestop, so it was no problem to get two copies. Various online sources told me this game can be completed, with all achievements, in 5-8 hours. I gave my friend Mark a copy and said, "Go!"

We were neck and neck most of the day. First I was ahead then he was. He finished the game's main story just before me in the 7th hour. When I finished, I was ahead in achievements with only four left to his six. From there it was a matter of figuring out what we'd missed and looking up some guides to get to them a little quicker. One rule in this challenge is there are no rules. Cheat as much as you like; look up guides; do it all. By the end of the night I was ahead with only 2 achievements left to his four. Tomorrow will see the quick completion of the challenge.

I have to say, I was very surprised by Lost: Via Domus. I thought this would be a much worse experience than it was. It was actually quite good. It's an adventure game with exploration, puzzles, photography, some action, and some shooting (though very little shooting). The game looks very good for it's time (2008). The voice acting is very good as is the story. It's not a difficult game and none of the challenges presented seemed badly designed or unnecessarily frustrating.

I will probably be finishing the game at around the 12 hour mark, a little longer than predicted, but I enjoyed exploring the island, talking to all the characters, and gathering items to trade for torches, or weapons. I'd say I'm quite happy with the experience.

I'm going to do this Chievo (and maybe Trophy) Challenge every week now as long as I can find the right kind of games. I can tell you, there'll be more than a few movie licenced games and sports games,

Matt Snee Staff Writer

09/07/2015 at 04:39 AM

$2? What is this, based on the Lost TV show?

KnightDriver

09/08/2015 at 12:35 AM

Yes. I never watched the show but Mark did and told me about it.

Cary Woodham

09/07/2015 at 09:34 AM

I'm playing a game right now, too, that I didn't expect to like. It's called Lara Croft Go on iPad and it's actually pretty fun. It's like a cross between the other Lara Croft game, and isometric puzzlers like Captain Toad. Hey that gives me an idea! Lara Croft and Captain Toad should team up and be in a game together! Yeah, I guess it's probaby good that I don't make games, huh?

09/08/2015 at 12:38 AM

Like Matt said once (not in these exact words), "no, your games ideas are good."

That Lara Croft Go is by the Hitman Go devs and I want to play both of them. They sound great.

mothman

09/07/2015 at 10:42 AM

I have this game for PS3 but only got as far as the forest then somehow got killed by the smoke monster. I should try again if I ever get the game room back from my son. :(

09/08/2015 at 12:42 AM

That was one of the more annoying segments in the game. Thankfully it's pretty short. However, I had to replay it to get the photograph of the abandoned VW van in the woods there. Then I had to replay it again to help Mark find it. Sheesh! The key is those Banyon trees where you can hide and be safe from the black mist.

PixlBit