Indigo Prophecy

Most games boasting a cinematic scope include interminable cut-scenes that take the player out of the moment. But the hugely ambitious Indigo Prophecy, which bills itself as an interactive movie, uses split-screen cinematics that are both engrossing and artistically impressive. More importantly, it's reinvigorated adventure gaming by making a player's impulsive, real-time decisions impact a branched storyline reminiscent of Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books. The plot, which unfortunately falls apart toward the end, is a complex supernatural thriller where you not only play an unwitting participant in a ritualistic murder, but also the cops investigating the case. Mixing quotidian activities like working out and playing guitar with complex detective work and a series of ethical dilemmas, the French developers have crafted a truly adult effort. A European "director's cut," including scenes censored in the North American version, will soon be released on this side of the pond