Rating: 
Summary: Good sequal - same old style
Review: Impressive scenery; great storyline; funny lines; same story and game. That pretty much summons it all up. If you have Syberia you'll need Syberia II to get a conclussion - dispite there's no conclussion on what our heroine Kate Walker will do - a little disappointing ending. Maybe there's a sequeal in the works?
The sequal picks up from excatly where the other ended. Kate is on the train with Hans, trying to help Hans fulfill his dream. She's being pursued by the old firm back in New York - why really doesn't make much sense - this super powerful layer firm is being preasured by Kate's mom? Well, that's beside the point - they send an investigator after kate. Kate stops in 4 places where you have lots of puzzles to solve (she has at least 6 or 7 stops in Syberia I - depending on how you count). As always, keep your eyes and ears open - one of the great things about Syberia is because the graphics are so life like you sometimes ignore the obvious hidden in the details.
Oscar as always is his whimpy self. Not as much as in #1 - and by the end, you'll get a completely new impression of what/who Oscar is. He indeed is a nobel automatron. In the end he proves to be more human than most of us (*sniff*).
Syberia II is shorter (too short) than the original. It can successfully be completed in 4-5 hours. Once you know the idea behind the puzzles and the hidden hot-spots, the game doesn't have too much brainyack stuff to offer. In comparison, Syberia I takes at least 6-8 hours to complete with the same level of knowlege.
It seems rather a cheat that this wasn't included in the original game. Basicly you get "fooled" into buying the game twice. For that, I took away one star. Well - and the fact that the faith of Kate Walker remains unknown by the end of the game also played into my decission. Do not confuse this with not enjoying the game. Syberia I and II is a wonderful game, visual, audio and thought wise.
Rating:
Summary: A Mystical Journey
Review: In _Syberia 2_ Kate Walker, having abandoned her former life, is caught up in Hans Voralberg's quest to find the mystical land of Syberia and the last living mammoths. The quest will take her from the last outposts of civilization and through a snowy wilderness; it will also take her into a landscape of dreams, her own and Hans'.As others have noted, S2 takes up right where Syberia left off. These two games are really one game and the story is one story. So, no, not as much time is spent in character development as in the previous game. I imagine this might make S2 a little hollow to people who haven't played the first Syberia--but why play an obvious sequel without having played the original, I wonder? Anyway, I wouldn't recommend it. Although there is a brief Syberia Recap provided on the main menu, it's more suited to those who HAVE played the game and need a refresher than those who are entirely new to it. One thing I always look forward to in Benoit Sokal's games is the graphics, and they were not a disappointment. If anything, S2 was even prettier than Syberia, chock full of evocative detail from snow falling off branches to realistic splashing when Kate stepped through puddles. The character movement has also been enhanced with more gestures. I wasn't annoyed with this as some people have been, but I wouldn't have missed it, either. As in Syberia, most of your puzzles revolve around moving from place to place, and it's interesting to see how many obstacles the developers can come up with and still serve the plot! The puzzles are mainly inventory and conversational, with a few mechanical thrown in for good measure. I found most of the solutions to be pretty obvious, although there was one pretty major pixel hunt and another place where I had to get help because it wasn't clear what I was looking at and I got tired or clicking randomly. All in all, S2 was marginally more challenging than its predecessor. The thing that REALLY impressed me about this game was the use of dream imagery and dream logic, as well as the attention to detail regarding Shamanic practices. A long dream sequence is beautifully done, and was one of my favourite parts of the game. Some people were bothered by it for reasons ranging from the monochromatic pallette in this section making objects hard to distinguish, to not understanding the sense of the clues provided. I warn anyone who is dogmaticaly logical and looks for that in puzzles to beware. Something else I liked about this game is that just when you thought is was going to be over, it kept on going, taking the time to tie up several loose ends and bring everything to a satisfying conclusion. A certain part of this extended ending seemed a little contrived, but I was glad the topic was dealt with. The only part of this game I didn't like was the weird subplot about Kate's former employers trying to track her down. It didn't make any sense, and it had sinister overtones that hinted at some conspiracy that never came to anything. Then, instead of actually accomplishing anything, it just ended with a "Oh well, so much for that!" I think they should have skipped it. I took about 20 hours to complete Syberia 2. It was one of those games that I had trouble tearing myself away from. If you played Syberia and liked it, this game is a must. If you haven't played Syberia, play it first. You'll want to know more.
Rating:
Summary: A continuation of an already amazing achievement
Review: It is very fair to say that Syberia was the game that got me back into adventure games. I picked it up off the shelves on a whim shortly after it was released, thinking that it looked like a good game, but half expecting it to be a mildly dissapointing experience. People have been saying that the adventure game genre is dead, but that is most certainly not the case. Syberia was an amazing accomplishment, as much a piece of art as it was a game. Given from what I've seen of this sequel, I have no doubt in my mind that this one is going to astound and amaze me as much as the first did. If you're feeling depressed about adventure games, play this series. Then you'll just feel depressed about there not being a Syberia III to look forward to.
Rating: 
Summary: More of the same
Review: Let me just say that if you loved the first Syberia, you'll probably like the sequel as well. It continues the storyline, the puzzles are the same kind, and the scenes are absolutely gorgeous.
That said, if I never again have to sit and walk "Kate Walker" back and forth to 3 different people through 8 gazillion scenes to ask exactly the right question in the right order, I won't be very sorry. If they only had some option to quickly get you from one place to another, I wouldn't mind as much, but it takes forever to make Kate trot around from one scene to the next. Then again, the game would be really short without all that running around. I agree with the previous reviewer that this could be combined with the first game- it would be a much better value that way. There were also some inconsistancies that bothered me ***SPOILER WARNING*** why is Kate's boss SO concerned to get her back- she's on the phone with her mother, so her family knows what she's doing. Why was that whole subplot there? Nothing ever happened with it. Why does Kate's cell phone work on a Youkol ark? Why are there giant penguins in the arctic circle? Why is there a primeval fern forest lost in the arctic if the mammoths moved further north to keep cool? And finally, if Hans' health is so awful that his automaton friend had to give his life to save him, why is Kate letting him ride off on a mammoth who presumably is not feeding him, sheltering him, or taking care of his illnes? And what is Kate going to do stranded on a lost primeval island with her youki stuck in a cage? Is that Syberia 3? Kate may just have to stay there.
Rating:
Summary: Love the Youkols
Review: Like Syberia I, this sequel provides fantastic graphics, cut scenes and plot. I enjoyed being revisited by some old friends too. The new characters add to the game and I enjoyed my companion Youki. Of all the areas Kate visited, I especially liked the Youkol Village and the Spirit Woman "too-k, too-k". If you enjoyed Syberia, you'll love this. I found myself wanting Syberia III at the end.
Rating:
Summary: Syberia II a stunning completion of Kate and Hans¿ journey.
Review: Montréal-based Microïds and artist Benoît Sokal have teamed up once again to bring us the final chapter to Syberia, a mythical island where mammoths still roam. In 2002's Syberia (rated Game of the Year), promising New York lawyer Kate Walker traveled to France to oversee a simple factory buyout. The factory owner, Anna Voralberg, had died, and left a mysterious heir--her brain-damaged brother, Hans, who was somewhere deep in the Russian tundra. Kate journeyed across a Europe recovering from the scars of Communism in order to find the heir and be done with it, but along the way she began to care about Hans and his fantastic mechanical creations. The first Syberia ended with Kate jumping aboard the train in Aralbad, leaving her past and journeying towards an unknown future in Hans' quest to reach Syberia. Syberia II picks up at that exact point, with Kate and Hans rocketing along in the snowy wilderness towards Syberia. As in the previous game, there are four worlds to discover: the gloomy border town of Romansbourg, the vast Great North Passage, the Youkol Village and the Last Voyage. Kate revisits Valadilene, Hans' birthplace, in a sepia-toned dream sequence (the haunting music here sounds as if it was composed by Danny Elfman, i.e. haunting chimes, bells and soloists). In addition to Kate, Hans and Oscar (the cowardly automaton train driver), several characters from the first game have cameos here as well. There are multiple new characters to aid Kate on her quest: the spunky orphan Malka, Colonel Emeliov Goupatchev, bartender and surrogate parent Cirkos, a Youkol chief and shaman. There are enemies that threaten to end Kate's quest: the stern Orthodox Patriarch and bumbling villains Igor and Ivan. Animal characters also play an important role in Syberia II: the spirit guardian Harfang, lemmings, man-eating penguins (!), ferocious grizzly bears, and a Youki, a loyal dog-seal hybrid bred by the Youkol people. There are several notable improvements from the first game, including major graphics improvements: reflections in water and glass, ice textures, and uniform fabric and decals; real time snowfall and footstep marks; dynamic lighting and shadows; animated fog; and better in-game animation. The cutscenes are gorgeous and numerous, and can be replayed at any point. The music is as immersive and beautiful as in the first game, and cycles in and out of gameplay. For much of the time the only sounds are of Kate's footsteps, snow gently thudding off branches and roofs, and nature sounds (birds, wind, wolves howling, ice cracking). The puzzles are more organic in nature than the first game and there is more of an action element: Kate must rock climb, scale antennae towers, swing across chasms and outwit attackers (human and animal). An interesting (but unnecessary) subplot involves a detective hired by her employer to hunt Kate down and bring her home. Kate's cell phone, a crucial element in the first Syberia, has several brief appearances, but Kate generally hangs up mid-call (If I were her I would have thrown it off the train!). Syberia II has much more of a spiritual element based on Youkol medicine and shamanism (you must make a Youkol potion, summon a spirit guide, and journey into a spirit world), and the ending ties up storylines from both games. There are several tear-jerker moments in the game. There are optional subtitles for the hearing-impaired, a "Syberia recap" that neatly packages the major events of the first game into an entertaining trailer for those not familiar with the Syberia universe, and replay option for cinematic cutscenes. Syberia II is visually stunning, thought-provoking and a more than satisfying sequel that lives up to the impossibly high standards of the first Syberia. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Syberia II a stunning completion of Kate and Hans¿ journey.
Review: Montréal-based Microïds and artist Benoît Sokal have teamed up once again to bring us the final chapter to Syberia, a mythical island where mammoths still roam. In 2002's Syberia (rated Game of the Year), promising New York lawyer Kate Walker traveled to France to oversee a simple factory buyout. The factory owner, Anna Voralberg, had died, and left a mysterious heir--her brain-damaged brother, Hans, who was somewhere deep in the Russian tundra. Kate journeyed across a Europe recovering from the scars of Communism in order to find the heir and be done with it, but along the way she began to care about Hans and his fantastic mechanical creations. The first Syberia ended with Kate jumping aboard the train in Aralbad, leaving her past and journeying towards an unknown future in Hans' quest to reach Syberia. Syberia II picks up at that exact point, with Kate and Hans rocketing along in the snowy wilderness towards Syberia. As in the previous game, there are four worlds to discover: the gloomy border town of Romansbourg, the vast Great North Passage, the Youkol Village and the Last Voyage. Kate revisits Valadilene, Hans' birthplace, in a sepia-toned dream sequence (the haunting music here sounds as if it was composed by Danny Elfman, i.e. haunting chimes, bells and soloists). In addition to Kate, Hans and Oscar (the cowardly automaton train driver), several characters from the first game have cameos here as well. There are multiple new characters to aid Kate on her quest: the spunky orphan Malka, Colonel Emeliov Goupatchev, bartender and surrogate parent Cirkos, a Youkol chief and shaman. There are enemies that threaten to end Kate's quest: the stern Orthodox Patriarch and bumbling villains Igor and Ivan. Animal characters also play an important role in Syberia II: the spirit guardian Harfang, lemmings, man-eating penguins (!), ferocious grizzly bears, and a Youki, a loyal dog-seal hybrid bred by the Youkol people. There are several notable improvements from the first game, including major graphics improvements: reflections in water and glass, ice textures, and uniform fabric and decals; real time snowfall and footstep marks; dynamic lighting and shadows; animated fog; and better in-game animation. The cutscenes are gorgeous and numerous, and can be replayed at any point. The music is as immersive and beautiful as in the first game, and cycles in and out of gameplay. For much of the time the only sounds are of Kate's footsteps, snow gently thudding off branches and roofs, and nature sounds (birds, wind, wolves howling, ice cracking). The puzzles are more organic in nature than the first game and there is more of an action element: Kate must rock climb, scale antennae towers, swing across chasms and outwit attackers (human and animal). An interesting (but unnecessary) subplot involves a detective hired by her employer to hunt Kate down and bring her home. Kate's cell phone, a crucial element in the first Syberia, has several brief appearances, but Kate generally hangs up mid-call (If I were her I would have thrown it off the train!). Syberia II has much more of a spiritual element based on Youkol medicine and shamanism (you must make a Youkol potion, summon a spirit guide, and journey into a spirit world), and the ending ties up storylines from both games. There are several tear-jerker moments in the game. There are optional subtitles for the hearing-impaired, a "Syberia recap" that neatly packages the major events of the first game into an entertaining trailer for those not familiar with the Syberia universe, and replay option for cinematic cutscenes. Syberia II is visually stunning, thought-provoking and a more than satisfying sequel that lives up to the impossibly high standards of the first Syberia. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: A sequel that works
Review: Oddly they did that too. They made a sequel that was just as great as the original. An old fashioned adventure game that doesn't want you to kill people (or things), just makes you think and use your head. Unlike the mindless shoot-em-ups being shoved down our kids throats today. And you don't have to save it every few minutes so that you don't get killed and have to start from the beginning. I loved it!
Rating:
Summary: Another disappointment
Review: On the positive side:
(1) This time we did not have an irritating and hokey telephone soap opera to interrupt the flow of the game.
(2) We do indeed find out the significance of mammoths
(3) The graphics and general ambiance are as alluring and wonderful as in the first. On the not so positive:
(1) The puzzles once again are not very difficult and basically solved themselves. (Total playing time: 5 hours)
(2) We may bever know why there are giant emperor penguins on an ice shelf in the arctic.
(3) The ending is once again quick, rushed, and leaves far too many unanswered questions. Gameus interruptus.
(4) If you are going to place a monastery in the middle of siberia, would it not make sense for it to at least be a Russian (probably Orthodox) monastery? Also, since when do monasteries look like opulent palaces? Why the Latin? Why the silence? (How about some basic research?)
(5) I was hoping to return to Valadilene, or at least find out what happened to the town. No such luck.
(6) There are some areas of the game in which perspective changes make navigation a little difficult at first. Overall: disappointing, but still a bit on the fun side, thanks to fun imagery and a somewhat engaging story.
Rating: 
Summary: The thinking man's adventure game
Review: SPOILER WARNING!!!!!!!!
I just finished Syberia 2 and I must say I am disappointed. You're wondering how I can give the game 5 stars and say I'm disappointed?! Well, it wasn't as good as the first but I think that's mostly because the first one was so novel. I LOVED the first Syberia and raved and raved about it. The second one didn't speak to me in the same way; I wasn't as invested in the storyline nor was I really understanding it!! I thought the ending was ridiculous to be honest. As another reviewer mentioned, how can "KATE WALKER" just be left in Syberia waving to her deathly ill "friend" riding a mammoth into the...what?...snow drifts???? What is she supposed to do? I spent at least 15 minutes trying to figure out how to free the youkal from the cage!!!! I can't believe we just leave the poor creature in the cage!!!! Don't even get me started on the cheezy sub plot with her boss. Yuck! It cheapened the game.
With all of that said, if you are reading this review because you are wondering if you should buy the game then that's a total no brainer. BUY IT! It is simply the best adventure game ever. NO competition. I haven't really enjoyed any other game (closest would be Longest Journey and maybe The Last Express but I didn't even like those that much). The graphics are what make this game so incredible. I found the puzzles super hard; maybe I'm just a novice gameplayer but I don't understand how so many reviewers can say the puzzles were EASY!! I needed to look at walkthroughs MANY times (but not as many times in the first one).
I wish there were more adventure games to challenge this one because it isn't perfect. But...it's still the absolute best one out there.
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