Astate: La Malédiction des Templiers

Astate: La Malédiction des Templiers (translates to Astate: The Curse of the Templars) is a French point-and-click adventure game with static screens and an icon-based interface. Devoid of inventory (you can carry one item at a time), it visually recalls Myst. As an archaeologist, the player has to search the French countryside and its Templar ruins for all the pieces of a missing statue. Each piece collected plays a short animation with part of the storyline. Clicking the right mouse button cycles through several icons, each with a specific function: A pair of boots allows traveling from one place to the other by clicking them on the right or the left side of the screen; A pick-axe and an electric drill for prospecting spots on the screen; A scanner helps finding the right spot to dig for an object; A hand picks up objects; A garbage pail gets rid of a held object. There are several ways to die in this game, some (like walking in a dangerous spot) are instantaneous. On some occasions, the player is presented with a screen where he has to avoid falling spiders. It is also possible to get into an unwinnable situation, by getting rid of a necessary object.