Normality (video game)
A 3D adventure set in a dystopian police state.
Gremlin Interactive published the 3D graphic adventure Normality in June 1996. Its pre-rendered cut-scenes were a notable feature, and the same engine later powered Realms of the Haunting. After its original release, the game became available again on GOG.com in 2011 for Windows, with macOS support added in 2013 and Linux support in 2014.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Gremlin Interactive
- Producer
- Adrian Carless; Mark Glossop
- Programmer
- Graeme Ing; Antony Crowther
- Writer
- Adrian Carless
- Artist
- Ricki Martin
- Christian Russell
- Jonathan Sandford
- Composer
- Chris Adams
- Neil Biggin
- Patrick Phelan
- Released
- June 1996
- Genre
- Adventure
Facts from the source article.
Plot
The story follows Kent Knutson, a rebellious slacker in Neutropolis, a once vibrant city now a dark, polluted police state where fun is banned. After imprisonment for whistling, Kent receives a note from an anonymous inmate about an underground insurrection group. Released, he begins in his apartment, seeking to join the resistance. After gaining its trust, he helps overthrow dictator Paul, who is rumored to have caused the death of his twin brother Saul.
Release
In the UK, Gremlin Interactive self-published Normality with a small credited voice cast. For the US version, publisher Interplay swapped out every actor, hiring a larger group it thought would better suit American audiences. Corey Feldman voiced the lead, while Charlie Adler, Mary Kay Bergman, S. Scott Bullock, Howard Morris, Phil Proctor, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Neil Ross took supporting roles.
Reception
Rich Leadbetter in Maximum praised the rendered intro, the believability of the 3D environment, the setting, and the user-friendly interface, but criticized the dull scenario and repetitive speech, concluding it was for adventure fans only. A Next Generation reviewer found the free-roaming 3D environment impressive but incongruous with limited interaction, and noted logical, not overly difficult puzzles. Scorpia of Computer Gaming World had a generally favorable opinion, disliking load times and interface bugs, but summarizing that Normality was not bad.
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms is Normality (video game) available on?
Normality was released for MS-DOS, Windows, macOS and Linux.
Who composed the music for Normality (video game)?
The music for Normality was composed by Chris Adams, Neil Biggin and Patrick Phelan.
Is Normality (video game) single-player or multiplayer?
Normality offers single-player play.
More in Interplay Entertainment Games of the 1990s
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