If Einstein is on you cellphone's "friend" list, then you will have fun with this game.  "Schizm" has a "I think I heard this one before" story plot.  Alas! I do recall.  Remember "Aliens", the movie, where the colony is mysteriously empty... The one where we send people to look for them, and they disappear too? So what do we do? SEND MORE! Yup, except for the excitement of aliens, you basically have the premise of "Schizm's" storyline.  An empty planet-nobody around.  "Schizm" IS beautiful.  Remember when "Myst" came out and following it's success, every company released their own version of the game?  Well, this is the latest. At least in "Myst's" defense, the puzzzles were well-thought through, made sense, and you got that great feeling in your tummy when you solved a major task.  Forget it with this game.  Only original concept: You actually play with two players..each landed at a different destination in the beginning storyline.  You can switch back and forth between them.  In order to solve many of the puzzles, you have to use the knowledge between the two players to complete each puzzle. If you are armed with a degree in Math and Engineering, you will work your way to the lousy ending.  Not so fortunate? Join the other 90 percent of Schizm's players who admit they needed a walkthrough or a website with hints.  Pass on this, unless you feel good about yourself incessantly cheating and feeling no reward for accomplishing a difficult game.  I promise, there are better ones out there.  A great anonymous quote I read online: "After playing this game, even the word "Schizm" gave me irritable goosebumps."  To be fair, if I could, I would give it 2 1/2stars. I know there are people out there who love the ultimate challenge...If you are one of those people who never gets bored with impossible, countless, and meaningless puzzles...this could be the one for you.
If Einstein is on you cellphone's "friend" list, then you will have fun with this game. "Schizm" has a "I think I heard this one before" story plot. Alas! I do recall. Remember "Aliens", the movie, where the colony is mysteriously empty... The one where we send people to look for them, and they disappear too? So what do we do? SEND MORE! Yup, except for the excitement of aliens, you basically have the premise of "Schizm's" storyline. An empty planet-nobody around. "Schizm" IS beautiful. Remember when "Myst" came out and following it's success, every company released their own version of the game? Well, this is the latest. At least in "Myst's" defense, the puzzzles were well-thought through, made sense, and you got that great feeling in your tummy when you solved a major task. Forget it with this game. Only original concept: You actually play with two players.. each landed at a different destination in the beginning storyline. You can switch back and forth between them. In order to solve many of the puzzles, you have to use the knowledge between the two players to complete each puzzle. If you are armed with a degree in Math and Engineering, you will work your way to the lousy ending. Not so fortunate? Join the other 90 percent of Schizm's players who admit they needed a walkthrough or a website with hints. Pass on this, unless you feel good about yourself incessantly cheating and feeling no reward for accomplishing a difficult game. I promise, there are better ones out there. A great anonymous quote I read online: "After playing this game, even the word "Schizm" gave me irritable goosebumps. "  To be fair, if I could, I would give it 2 1/2stars. I know there are people out there who love the ultimate challenge... If you are one of those people who never gets bored with impossible, countless, and meaningless puzzles... this could be the one for you.