Life and works of Benoît Sokal
, by Quentin
Benoît Sokal is a Belgian artist who began his career in comics with works such as Inspector Canardo, Silence, on tue! and Le Vieil Homme qui n'écrivait plus. In the late 90s, he discovered the world of video games, a true revelation for him. He plunged right into the field, devoting himslef to the Point & Click adventure genre. Let's take a look back at the creations that have marked his career, whether famous or not.
Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy (1999)
If you grew up in those years, you are sure to remember this first gem by Benoît Sokal. Although it was his debut in the industry, it surprised the gamers and press alike.
You played the role of a journalist wishing to interview a great explorer, Alexandre Valembois, who ends up falling victim to old age in front of the protagonist, his dying wish being that you return the White Bird's egg back to Amerzone.
What follows is a magnificent adventure in which you end up traveling to different places to find this mything land and fulfill the explorer's quest.
Syberia I and II (2002 - 2004)
After making a game such as Amerzone, many where chomping at the bits for Sokal's next game. What was he cooking? We had to wait until 2002 to discover the first game in what would become his magnum opus, Syberia.
You play the role of a lawyer by the name of Kate Walker, who travels to a small village in the Alps, Valadilène, to finish the purchase of an automaton factory. Once there, she sadly discovers that the deal can't go through. While attending the funeral of what seemed to be the factory's sole heiress, a notary tells you that one of the deceased's brothers is still alive, though disappeared.
You soon discover that he is a true genius behind extraordinary creations such as an intelligent automaton, Oscar. Oscar will accompany you on your quest to find this heir, Hans Voralberg.
More than just a video game, Syberia is a true philosophical tale in which we meet a woman who leaves her work, her superficial friends and her equally superficial needs behind to bring out the adventurer in her.
We got Syberia II four years later. Without spoilering anything, as it's a direct sequel to the first entry, you can rest assured that the game is is both a true heir to Syberia while building on its foundations. From the graphics to the gameplay, and even the writing, it surpasses the first one on about everything. Both Syberia and Syberia II went on to become great hits, both in terms of sales and critical reception.
Paradise (2006)
One of Benoît Sokal's lesser-known works, Paradise, had the misfortune to be released after Syberia. And yet, despite good reviews in the press, it seems it didn't catch the gamers attention.
The game takes place in a fictional African country called Maurania. You play the role of Malkia, daughter of King Rodon, the dictator of the place where Paradise takes place. As our heroine takes off to join her father, the plane is stormed by rebels and crashes in the north of the country. Although she manages to escape, the young woman loses her memory and can't remember who she is or why she's in Africa. Paradise is a gripping and well-written adventure that we can't help but warmly recommend.
Sinking Island: A Jack Norm Investigation (2007)
After Paradise failed to find its audience, it was the turn of Sinking Island: A Jack Norm Investigation which.. ended up faring even worse.
You play as Jack Norm, a policeman sent to Sagorah Island to investigate the death of Walter Jones, a prominent businessman who ended up being killed there while planning its retirmenet. You'll have to find out who the culprit is, from among the ten people who are with you in such a remote location.
Syberia III (2017)
After that, Benoît Sokal kept a low profile, at least in the videogame world. He'll only be back in 2017 with the return of his flagship series, Syberia for a third entry.
Although the project had been in the pipeline since 2004, the stars never aligned. In the end, it was a long time before it saw the ligh of day. Unfortunately, this is the worst one in the series. Not just because its technical aspects, but for its duller artistic direction and universe. Gameplay and controls are a true disaster, trying to go fo a more varied and dynamic approach than standard point & click stuff but failing to do so.
The story is boring and poorly written, which is a shame when you remember the first two games. In the end, it was poorly received by fans and the press alike.
Syberia: The World Before (2022)
Nevertheless, Syberia still got a fourth game after the disappointment that was the third. Microid listened to the fans, going for a more authentic gameplay, closer to the first games, and great writing.
Sadly, however, we learn of the death of its creator, Benoît Sokal, in May 2021. The game was scheduled for release at the end of that year, but his death and other internal problems led to it being delayed. Still, the game was at a fairly advanced stage, and this final work featured his writing and talents.
In the end, it will be released in March 2022, marking an exceptional comeback for the saga. With a high narrative quality and excellent technical execution, Syberia: The World Before quickly made us forget the third game. With music by Inon Zur (Fallout), we follow Benoît Sokal's latest adventure with tears in our eyes.
The man understood what made Point & Click engaging and took it to greater heights throughout his career. Not without a few missteps, of course, but always with honesty and love for the medium. He made us laugh and cry for two decades, and for that alone, he'll always be a great figure in the industry. Even if he's no longer with us, his works will live on through the years, and his legacy will remain as great as he was.