Les Misérables: Jean Valjean is a hidden object/point and click style game that is based around the musical/novel Les Misérables. This game particularly focuses on the story through Jean’s part in the story. The game starts out with an explanation of Jean Valjeans back story. However the gameplay starts at from the moment he encounters Bishop Myriel through to the end(ish) of the novel. Les Misérables: Jean Valjean is the sequel to Les Misérables: Cosette’s Fate you can read my review for it here.
This game does play a lot like the other Les Misérables game (Les Misérables: Cosette’s Fate). I feel that this game replicates the experience quite well. As there is a selection of different and at times difficult puzzles. You do also get many hidden object scenes. But on this game unlike on Les Misérables: Cosette’s fate it doesn’t have any puzzles in the hidden objects scenes. I think this is a shame as I liked how some of the items you had to find. Did involve you finding a way to make them. The apple slice puzzle in Cosette’s Fate is a perfect example of this.
I dislike the amount of back tracking in the game. Since you cannot play scenes in one go. The game will allow you do a hidden object scene/puzzle in one area. Then when you complete it you receive an item that is required. Although in some instances you will have to go back areas to find another item that is needed.
However on a technical level this game is better. Firstly the book is now located on the left hand side rather than right. The book is stated that it is a menu button. The game is also less buggy and you can leave puzzles/scenes and then go back to them later. This cannot be done in Cosette’s Fate because the game would freeze progress. I found frustrating as if your game crashes you would end up starting from scratch if it happened.
Although, there is various bugs present in this game. Namely the bug that is present in mini games. In which the bar at the top of the screen that acts as a timer for the game. However if the bar goes green at the end of the bar nothing happens. I also think that this game does have various English translation issues. I found some issues with translation. One example is when they knock out Javert at the barricades. However in conversations in game Jean Valjean states that he has ‘knocked up’ someone. But it is instead meant to say knocked out.
I also feel that the games environments are very bland. Purely because Cosette’s Fate has more environmental effects and this game does have fewer. Personally I feel that the environments in Cosette’s Fate are better. This games environment is a downgrade from the last game. Particularly because comparing this game to the prequel. This game has an uninteresting environment in comparison to the other game.
For the story the game is based upon this game does take various liberties with the story. The first part of the game is a good example of this. The game does make various changes such as the events that happened at the Thénardiers inn. As well as when Cosette first meets Jean Valjean and what happens during the first part of the game. The events in this part of the story also differ to the other game as in Cosette’s fate. In Cosette’s fate Cosette first meets Jean when she is sent in the dark to get some water from the well. Afterwards he then pays the Thénardiers to adopt Cosette. However in Jean Valjean she is serving him a meal before washing the dishes and the 2 versions don’t combine.
But one thing I do like is how there is slides that explain what has happened during the story. I appreciated as I think that unlike some story based games. This game does provide slides in which it explains the transition between what is happening to the story during the route to the next level. I liked it but I felt that it was dull as it is in black and white and is reminiscent of older films. I think it is dull as there are no images or a voice over to accompany the transition. Comparing it to other story based games particularly the older harry potter games (Philosophers Stone being a great example). As the older Harry Potter games provided images and a voiceover explaining what was happening. The differences between the two games with regards to explaining the story is huge.
There is one aspect of the game’s portrayal of the narrative that I don’t like. Personally I dislike that the game expects you to have seen the musical/read the novel before playing the game. This is because it gives spoilers to the ending at the start of the game which is disappointing. This game sadly also ends inconclusively. It also uses the same ending screen as Cosette’s Fate at the end after providing the ending as to what happens to Javert.
I felt that this was a letdown as it ends but it doesn’t give a full ending. As it doesn’t explain what happens to Cosette and Marius and gives a blunt version of what happens to John Valjean. There is no explanation to what happens to Gavroche at the barricades after looking for ammunition. There is also no mention of what happens to Monsieur Thénardier both during and after his looting during the barricades. But I do like the facts given about the Les Misérables story or the author (Victor Hugo) that are provided in the game. Facts about Les Misérables or Victor Hugo appear when you click on the butterflies that are located in the environment.
In short Les Misérables: Jean Valjean isn’t worth buying as it is short and completable in 2 hours. Sadly once you have played through the game once there is little reason to replay it. Mainly because you have seen/done everything there is to do. Unfortunately there are no new difficulty modes or extra items to unlock in the game.
Despite the criticisms I have for this game. I feel that if this game is given away, is on sale or is a part of a bundle. Then I feel that it might be worth spending a rainy afternoon on it. However I don’t think it is particularly brilliant or bad it is just an ok game. I also feel that between the 2 Les Misérables games I have reviewed. Even though this game is better on a technical level as there is less bugs etc. However I feel that Cosette’s Fate overall is a better game out of the 2 games. As Cosette’s Fate has environments that are more immersive and the inclusion of the puzzles used in the hidden object scenes.
