Seaman with Microphone

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Title : Seaman with Microphone
Author : Sega of America, Inc.
Release Date : 20000811
Binding : CD-ROM
Regular Price : $49.99
Amazon.com Price : $8.24 (84 %)
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Editorial Reviews :
Seaman is quite possibly the weirdest video game to ever be released. It's also one of the most incredibly original titles in a very long time. And if you don't believe me, just ask the frisky Seaman, a fish/reptile with a human face--it isn't shy.
According to legend, this strange creature is the discovery of scientist Jean Paul Gasse. The weird-looking beast was documented to have an almost grotesque look about it, as it had the body of a reptile and the face of a man. Yet it was able to talk and reason with the doctor as well as your average human. And while the good doctor was laughed into obscurity after trying to explain his discovery, you have the opportunity to raise a Seaman from egg to its fishlike state and beyond.

Not only must you keep Seaman well fed and warm, you'll find that conversation (via the included microphone) with Seaman is a must. The scaly inquisitor will probe into your personal life by asking about your age, marital status, and favorite music, among other things. Also, if treated well this creature will spew its (usually sarcastic) rantings on pop culture, the Internet, and even reality itself. There's even a touch of sexual innuendo that may raise a few eyebrows. I doubt your goldfish ever did that.

The speech recognition is far from perfect, but there's no doubt that the gimmick almost always causes a smile when you realize how long you've been conversing with a fish and just how many words it does respond to. The simplistic graphics often make Seaman look like he's swimming in space rather than in a huge tank, but this game makes no claim to break new ground in graphics--it's the speech recognition that is most noteworthy. Star Trek veteran Leonard Nimoy acts as narrator, bringing all of the emotion of Spock (read: none) to his performance--yet somehow it works.

Since the Seaman can starve or freeze if not tended to regularly (raising this thing will take weeks), it might be a good idea to invest in another Visual Memory Unit to store the status of Seaman's habitat and your performance.

It's hard to say just how much 'game' is actually in this title. Rather, Seaman offers an interesting life journey through birth, growth, death, rebirth, and change. Seaman offers a unique Dreamcast experience that is both disturbing and fascinating. --Mark Brooks

Buyer Reviews :
Seaman is a strange adventure that rewards the patient. If you're looking for button-mashing, then move on, because you will be sorely disappointed in this game. What Seaman provides is a totally emersive experience in which you raise your 'babies' to eventually become a full-fledged Seaman. As he grows you converse with him using the included microphone pack and learn about each other. While he can be moody and acerbic, Seaman seems to be truly well-intentioned. I've been raising mine for about 3 weeks and look forward to my daily visit. I can't wait to find out what he will say next or what the next step in his evolution can be like. A hint for the impatient folks: you can advance Seaman by adjusting the clock of your dreamcast and restarting the game. This is especially helpful if you get occupied and can't get to the tank on a given day to check in. I wouldn't recommend using this trick to accelerate play, however, because part of the overall experience is to have the daily interaction that allows your Seaman bond to grow deeper over time.

(by Robert Kruss)

Features/Technical Specs :
* Virtual-pet game for the Dreamcast
* Raise human-faced fish from eggs to adulthood
* Included microphone and built-in voice recognition software allow you to have conversations with Seaman
* Feed Seaman, regulate his water temperature and oxygen levels, and even tickle him
* Seaman will complain if you neglect him

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