PC CD-Rom. Minimum system requirements: 486DX2/66mhz; 8MB RAM; 15MB hard disk space; DOS 5.0; dual speed CD-Rom drive; SVGA £24.99 JUST home from a secret expedition to the Americas and planning to take it easy for a while, Piers Fetherston-Haugh's only task in hand was to report to the Queen on his findings. That was until a talking cat walked through his door shortly after his arrival at his London home. Not that the talking cat surprised Piers - he was more concerned with, the way in which the cat pronounced his name. It is, after all, Victorian England and the British Empire is revelling in the glory of steam engineering and cucumber sandwiches.
Piers, one of society's more respectable gentlemen, listens to the cat's tale, which could have tremendous implications for the future of mankind. On an island in uncharted waters, a mad doctor is conducting genetic experiments whereby he can create for himself an army of cross-bred creatures to take over the world.
The cat, named 73, was the 73rd experiment this doctor has carried out. Fortunately, this cross between man and cat escaped the island prison and found his way to London. Piers is the only one 73 feels he can turn to. At first Piers is a bit sceptical but, never one to pass off a challenge, he decides to take on the task of finding the doctor and destroying his sickening plans.
This is where you take control and try to help Piers rid the Earth of this threat. However, things aren't what they seem. For a start you'll need finance to fund the trip and, to make matters worse, nobody knows where the island is, not even 73. Down at the docks Piers meets the harbour master who, instead of making things clearer, actually confuses the issue even more.
After your little chat with the harbour master you have a new name to contend with - Stumpy McPherson, a pretty bad shark wrestler who (according to the harbour master) hasn't a leg to stand on and can sometimes be found doing a spot of pro-celebrity halibut juggling! This sets the tone for what is to come. A point-and-click adventure from the top drawer, The Gene Machine has an abundance of humour, is exquisitely drawn and the more puzzles you solve the more you'll have to face. There are over 190 wide-ranging locations so there is always some where to visit when you are stuck. If you are a bit fed up with all those games with FMV (full motion video) and want something refreshingly different The Gene Machine has it.
Graphics: 95%, Sound: 90%, Gameplay: 90%