The Lowdown

There's a particular genre of computer game where you're presented with a screen with lots of different objects on it and you have to look for specific objects. This is one of those, but based on The Count of Monte Cristo.

Some Observations

• Given that very little (if any) of the plot of the original book involved the Count looking for a specific object among lots of other, similar objects, there is limited scope for read across. Instead, it is changed to a kind of whodunnit, where Edmond is going around Marseilles (not Paris) trying to find out who framed him (by finding hidden objects amongst lots of similar objects)
• In fact, very few of the objects even bear any relation to the original plot. At several points you're asked to search the Mondego mansion for a croissant (presumably because we're in France?)
• The game seems to be based more on the 2002 film than the book: Edmond and Fernand are Best Friends, Edmond and Mercedes get back together at the end, and even some of the camera angles in the scenes are the same. However there are also some elements of the Gerard Depardieu version with character portraits based on the actors.
• There's a sequel which I didn't play where Mercedes is murdered (under the 'no sequels' rule)

The Verdict

This game had little to do with The Count of Monte Cristo but, to be fair, it is probably constrained by the fact that it pretty much has to, at its core, be based on looking for a specific object among lots of other, similar objects. That said, I actually quite enjoy this type of game (what can I say?) so I was happy.

Characters and Plot Elements