Review of Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy [PS5]

Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy revisits a classic game, giving Benoît Sokal’s cherished work a refreshing update. Let’s dive into what makes this reimagined journey worth your time!

Step into the shoes of French explorer Alexander Valembois as he sets out to the enigmatic land of Amerzone, tucked away in South America. His journey, which unfolded between 1932 and 1934, led him to many peculiar discoveries, the most mystical being the magical White Birds teetering on the brink of extinction. Unfortunately, the menace comes from Valembois’ own associate who spirals into the dark alleys of dictatorship, seizing control over Amerzone. Fast forward to the 2000s, you’re now a journalist asked by the frail Valembois to continue his mission. With his last wish hinging on your success, you set off to return a white egg to Amerzone, the key to the White Birds’ survival.

Fast forward to today, more than 25 years have passed since Microids introduced gamers to this adventure on PC back in 1999. Now, it gets a new lease on life for the PlayStation 5, grounded in the roots of Sokal’s 1986 Inspector Canardo comic series, L’Amerzone. The original game’s first-person 3D experience has been dramatically enhanced for 2025, all thanks to Unreal Engine 5. The transformation, seen vividly in the latest trailer, makes the upgrade from the original crystal clear. Instead of snapping from one screen to another, you now gracefully navigate between areas, embracing a revived world bustling with life. The revitalized attention to detail, coupled with superior lighting, makes the world vibrant and fully immersive. True to its roots, the revamped game also boasts voice acting.

In this updated version, you can choose to play in either Traveler Mode or Adventurer Mode. The former offers a laid-back experience, perfect for those who might want to savor the story without the pressure of tricky puzzles. With this mode, documents and context clues are more plentiful, offering a helping hand when needed. On the flip side, Adventurer Mode ups the ante, stripping away aids and offering minimal guidance, reminiscent of the original. Want more challenge? You can disable hints and remove objectives altogether.

This immersive game keeps a first-person perspective, where you use the left analog stick to move through different areas. The same stick serves as your cursor, allowing you to highlight and interact with items by pressing the X button. To zip the cursor across the screen faster, hold down the L2 button; zooming in and out is a breeze with the L1 button. All potential interactions are revealed with a quick tap of the Triangle button. Your journal is your hub, accessible via the DualSense touchpad, where you can track missions, jot down diary entries, check your inventory, and pore over collected documents.

While playing, scrutinize objects from every angle, ensuring crucial details don’t slip past unnoticed. Hold down the X button while focusing on an object for a closer inspection, rotating it with the left analog stick. If you spot a magnifying glass icon, it signifies hidden information. A hand icon, meanwhile, means you have the ability to manipulate the object.

As you explore, a wealth of investigative material awaits to enrich your report. Though not mandatory, these bits and pieces reveal deeper insights into the storyline and add layers to your understanding of the world. For those chasing the Platinum trophy, pursuing these investigations becomes part of the experience!

Trophy enthusiasts will find a gauntlet of challenges to conquer, with a shining Platinum trophy at the summit. Unlock 18 Bronze, 5 Silver, and 6 Gold trophies, rewarding milestones like finishing story chapters, completing your first investigation, or even scanning the airwaves for the first time. Specific actions such as a particular phone call or placing all slides in a projector will also grant you trophies, adding to the adventure’s intrigue.

This reimagined Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy not only honors its origins but brings the story alive for a new generation. Delve into the enriched narrative of Alexander Valembois and witness the transformation made possible by cutting-edge technology. Whether you prefer the smooth gameplay of Performance mode or the visual decadence of Resolution mode, you can tailor the experience to your liking. Priced at $39.99 and available on April 24th, this PlayStation 5 title beckons new and returning adventurers alike.

Note: A PlayStation 5 copy of the game was kindly provided by Microids for this review.