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Obsidian vs Sentient

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

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Obsidian
ObsidianExplore surreal sci‑fi puzzles in a mind‑bending adventure
Sentient
SentientInvestigate a doomed space station and interact with advanced crew AI in 1997.
Overview
Description

Obsidian is a point‑and‑click adventure that thrusts players into a bizarre, science‑fiction thriller world where every choice matters. Solve intricate puzzles while unraveling a mysterious narrative that challenges your perception of reality. Set in 1997, this single‑player experience blends atmospheric storytelling with clever brain‑teasers, offering a hauntingly immersive journey for fans of classic adventure games.

Sentient is a first-person adventure game developed and published by Psygnosis, originally released in 1997 for the PlayStation and PC. Set aboard the space station Icarus, players are sent to investigate a radiation sickness outbreak, only to discover a murdered captain, a threatened senior Senator, and a station hurtling toward the sun. The game utilizes a sophisticated artificial intelligence system to control multiple crew members, each with their own assignments, behaviors, and opinions. Players interact through an elaborate parser interface and navigate through 200 real-time rendered locations. With automatically randomized sub-plots, the game offers a different experience every playthrough as you try to save the ship and yourself.

Pricing
Paid (One-time)
Paid (One-time)
Category
Puzzle Adventure
Story-Rich
Best for
Fans of classic adventure and puzzle games
Retro adventure and sci-fi mystery gamers
Specifications
General
msrp
$19.99
release date
1997-01-13
1997-04-10
Specifications
developer
Rocket Science Games
Psygnosis
publisher
SegaSoft, Inprore
Psygnosis
age rating
ESRB E
ESRB T
multiplayer
Single player
Single player
critic score
50/100
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Engaging, atmospheric storytelling
  • Varied and inventive puzzles
  • High replay value due to multiple endings
  • Beautiful hand‑drawn art style
  • Innovative AI-driven crew behaviors
  • Randomized sub-plots enhance replayability
  • Immersive first-person station exploration
  • Elaborate parser system for deep interaction
Cons
  • Occasional obscure puzzle solutions
  • Limited save slots can force replay of sections
  • Some dialogue pacing feels slow
  • Critic score of 50/100 indicates mixed reception upon release
  • Clunky parser interface can be difficult to master
  • Dated 1997 real-time graphics by modern standards
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

Sentient offers a gritty, AI‑driven sci‑fi mystery with random sub‑plots but dated graphics and a tough parser, while Obsidian delivers a hand‑drawn, puzzle‑heavy adventure with branching storylines and broader platform support.

Key differences

  • Sentient uses a first‑person, real‑time rendered space station with over 60 AI characters; Obsidian is a point‑and‑click hand‑drawn surreal world.
  • Obsidian runs on both PC and Mac; Sentient's platform availability is not specified.
  • Sentient’s interaction relies on a clunky text parser; Obsidian uses conventional point‑and‑click with a scalable hint system.
  • Replayability: Sentient randomizes sub‑plots; Obsidian offers multiple endings and hidden lore collectibles.
  • Graphics style: Sentient’s 1997 real‑time graphics are dated; Obsidian features modern hand‑drawn art and dynamic soundtrack.
DimensionWinner

Gameplay & fun factor

Both provide distinct experiences: Sentient’s AI‑driven survival mystery vs. Obsidian’s puzzle‑centric branching adventure.

Tie

Platform availability

Obsidian explicitly supports PC and Mac; Sentient’s supported platforms are not listed.

Obsidian

Price & value

Obsidian MSRP is $19.99; Sentient price is not specified, preventing a direct comparison.

Tie

Multiplayer / co‑op

Both are single‑player only.

Tie

Content & replayability

Sentient randomizes sub‑plots; Obsidian offers multiple endings and collectibles—each adds replay value.

Tie

Difficulty & accessibility

Obsidian includes a scalable hint system; Sentient’s clunky parser is noted as difficult to master.

Obsidian

Graphics & performance

Obsidian’s hand‑drawn art and dynamic soundtrack are modern; Sentient’s 1997 real‑time graphics are dated.

Obsidian

Choose Obsidian if…

Players who prefer puzzle‑driven, story‑branching adventures with modern visuals and easier accessibility.

Choose Sentient if…

Fans of deep AI interaction, survival tension, and 1990s sci‑fi atmosphere who don’t mind a steep learning curve.

Common questions

Which game runs on both Windows and macOS?

Obsidian supports both PC and Mac; Sentient’s platform support is not specified.

Is there help available for difficult sections?

Obsidian includes a built‑in hint system that scales with difficulty; Sentient has no such feature.

What is the age rating difference?

Sentient is rated ESRB T (teen); Obsidian is rated ESRB E (everyone).