10 Best Interactive Full-Motion Video (FMV) Games
- Leia Emeera
- Jun 26, 2024
- 11 min read
Updated: Sep 26
FMV game, which stands for Full-Motion Video game, is a method where pre-recorded video files are implemented instead of sprites or 3D models, to display action. It isn’t uncommon to use this technique in cutscenes, but some games are presented through these prerecorded videos. These are referred to as full-motion video games or, more commonly, interactive movies.
Interactive FMV games aren’t as common as they once were. However, during its peak popularity, game developers and even movie directors scrambled to take advantage of the then-innovative type of video game. Typically, animated FMV games are solely live action. However, there are exceptions to this.
Full motion games are a niche, but they shouldn’t stay as a nostalgic piece of media genre that stays in the 90s. With better technology and media, implementing live-action video with game elements is easier than ever.
From short sequences to fully animated game playthroughs, here is a list of the ten best FMV games that utilise animation.
List of 10 Best Full-Motion Video Games
1. Dragon's Lair (1983)
Initial release date: June 19, 1983
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, FMV
Type of animation: Cel Animation
Platforms: Arcade
Developer: Advanced Microcomputer Systems
We start this list with the pioneer of the genre. Dragon’s Lair is the first animated FMV game. Through an arcade machine, players assume the role of a knight named Dirk the Daring. The aim is rather simple—traverse 30 levels of a mysterious castle that is riddled with traps, to save Princess Daphne from Singe the Dragon. Cel animation was used for progress screens and comical death sequences, which were cohesively pieced together to make the game feel like a movie.
It has a linear storyline and is without multiple endings—unless the multiple death sequences are to be counted. Unlike other games, where one has full control over the player character, Dragon’s Lair is driven by quick-time events.
It’s a feature in games that is still commonly implemented today, where players must react quickly to on-screen prompts. For example, an arrow or symbol on the screen would flash, and individuals must complete the action within the limited time allocated. In this interactive movie, particularly, failure of quick time events meant death.
Dragon’s Lair remains one of the few games archived in the Smithsonian Institution—and while it may not be as talked about as it was in the period of its initial release, it still is one of the most influential video games to date.
2. Time Gal (1985)
Initial release date: 1985
Genre: Action-adventure, FMV
Type of animation: Cel Animation, 2D Animation
Platforms: Arcade
Developers: Taito, Toei Company
Like Dragon’s Lair, Time Gal’s world was placed on a laserdisc for consumers in arcades. Specific to this interactive movie, individuals play as the heroine Reika, a scientist on a mission to stop the antagonistic Luda, whose aim is to change and control all of history.
Complete 16 levels that take Reika through the past and future, and place. The game’s animation features raster graphics, in which each image is comprised of a large number of pixels, and, similar to Dragon’s Lair, this was utilised to depict both progression and death scenes.
Being so close in time, these two games do have a number of commonalities. Avoid Time Gal’s death through quick time events and eventually achieve the predetermined ending. However, different from Dragon’s Lair and consistent with the theme of time travel, Reika would call for a “Time Stop”.
This allows players to choose between one of three choices: two leading to death and one allowing progression. It should be made clear that, although Reika is vulnerable to injury and death, these depictions are never graphic and merely suggested.
While this interactive movie game failed to reach the longevity that Dragon’s Lair had, albeit neither of them had much replay value, it was praised for being one of the first heroines in video games.
Also read: 5 Mediums in Stop Motion Animation
3. Ripper (1996)
Initial release date: March 4, 1996
Genre: Action-Adventure, Sci-Fi, FMV
Type of animation: CG Animation, 3D Animation
Platforms: MS-DOS, Macintosh
Developer: Take-Two Interactive
Ripper is a hardboiled detective game, with elements of cyberpunk that clearly pay homage to William Gibson’s novel, “Neuromancer”. This animated FMV game is predominantly live action, where scenes are played out by actors, including the elusive Christopher Walken. In Ripper, players undertake the role of Jake, a reporter for the Virtual Herald, who has been receiving messages from the titular antagonist of the game.
But where animation comes into play is either during smaller segments, like puzzles, navigation, and movement, or during the action sequences held in cyberspace. These levels can be guarded by Intrusion Counter Electronics—Gibson’s ICE.
The 3D animated levels in the game had players eliminate ICE by shooting them, all in an environment carefully modelled to feel more alive. Admittedly, its graphics do not hold up, but there is charm in its faults.
Overall, this interactive movie is much more fleshed out than the previous two titles discussed—there are multiple endings that players can achieve, there’s a little more depth to its story, and gameplay is not limited to quick-time events. As mentioned earlier, there are action sequences that players have full control of, as well as a variety of puzzles that need to be completed through cryptology or by listening to conversations.
This FMV game does fall short in a few ways. Droning transitional scenes, awkward shooters, and an overall subpar plot—which are made up for in tone, atmosphere, and the entertaining performances of the actors. It’s debatable whether Ripper is worth the trouble of an emulator, but if your curiosity is piqued and you have a little extra time on your hands, it’s worth a shot.
Relevant article: Best Indie Animations: 7 Must-Watch
4. Bad Mojo (1996)
Initial release date: February 23, 1996
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle, FMV
Type of animation: CG Animation
Platforms: Windows, Macintosh
Developer: Pulse Entertainment
Bad Mojo is an animated FMV game that follows the playable character of the entomologist Roger Samms, named after an anagram of Gregor Samsa. Unlike Gregor, whose metamorphosis was allegorical, Roger was cursed to transform into a cockroach.
This interactive movie utilised live-action FMV cutscenes in conjunction with actual playable scenes, where players control the computer-generated, animated cockroach. Roger roams around a bar, desperately evading impossibly large enemies and environmental obstacles, to regain his human body.
While not completely devoid of plot, this FMV game is much more gameplay-focused than the titles that started the genre. Coupled with tense, eerie visuals, players must solve puzzles and avoid hazards using the arrow keys while trying to preserve their four given lives.
When met with death, Roger would simply be sent back to the starting hub, with pipes that lead back to unlocked levels. But this interactive movie implements an interesting feature, and while not completely novel, it does elevate its playthrough. Instead of spoon-feeding players through solely FMV cutscenes, players need to encounter a symbol of a flaming eye to unlock glimpses of lore or hints to progress the story.
This FMV game has received recognition for its grimy atmosphere and rich gameplay, often hailed as an FMV game done right. In recent years, the game has earned itself a spot as a modern distributor, reinvented under the name Bad Mojo Redux.
5. Henry Stickmin (2008)
Initial release date: August 27, 2008
Genre: Action, Comedy, Parody, FMV
Type of animation: Flash Animation, 2D Animation
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Developer: Innersloth
Henry Stickmin is a staple in the pop culture of the 2000s. It harkens back to when games could be played on a browser through Flash, on websites like Newgrounds or Armor games. It’s a series of 2D animated web games, where one can dictate the actions of the titular character, Henry Stickmin. In each game, players must choose between tools or options for Henry. Any options chosen will lead to a short animated cutscene of either progression or death.
These interactive movies were straightforward and lacked any complicated mechanics or story. Despite this, Henry Stickmin was well-loved. Its comedic elements made up for its deficiencies, and unlike Dragon’s Lair or Time Gal, it had much more replayability thanks to its humour.
Oftentimes, players would come back to choose the other options the game handed out to them, even if they knew it would lead to failure. The collection is a light-hearted set of games that won’t take up much of your day, and if you grew up on flash games, this one is available on Steam, emulator-free.
6. Cliff Hanger (1983)
Initial release date: September 1983
Genre: Interactive movie, Action
Type of animation: 2D Animation
Platforms: Arcade
Developer: Stern Electronics. Inc
Released in the same year as Dragon’s Lair, Cliff Hanger is an animated FMV game taken from the Japanese film franchise Lupin III. Most of the footage is from The Castle of Cagliostro and The Mystery of Mamo. This game paved the way for introducing the now-beloved Lupin III Japanese films to Western audiences.
Much like Dragon’s Lair and Time Gal, Cliff Hanger was a laser disc game in the arcade. The player ‘controls’ a thief named Cliff that ends up rescuing Princess Clarissa from an evil Count Draco. Dragon’s Lair Project archived many of the videos and pictures from the time this game was released on their website, preventing it from becoming lost media.
Unlike Henry Stickmin’s collection, there’s not much replayability factor for this game, but it certainly has become a game that’s part of the pile of games that induced nostalgia for many Lupin III fans.
7. Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Series (1991)
Initial release date: 1991
Genre: Adventure, interactive movie
Type of animation: 2D animation, live-action
Platforms: DOS, Seha CD, Microsoft Windows, iPad
Developer: ICOM Simulations
A well-known detective among fans of Arthur Conan Doyle’s books, Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective lets players go through the stories of his detective cases through this FMV video game.
The game was released on multiple platforms in different years, gaining popularity and love from Sherlock Holmes fans. So much so, David Marsh from the video game company Zojoi released a remastered version of the game with higher resolution in 2012.
Each of the adventure mystery games comes with three different cases that players have to solve. Knowing that this game was re-released on other platforms and even a higher-quality version remade on a more available platform, it’s clear that this game is replayed to this day.
8. Erica (2019)
Initial release date: August 19, 2019
Genre: Interactive film, psychological thriller
Type of animation: Live action, 3D animation
Platforms: PlayStation 4, iOS, Windows
Developer: Flavourworks, London Studio
A more recent and modern game from this list, Erica is a game where players discover the truth about her family’s occult past and her haunting nightmares from her childhood. At first, when playing this game, you won’t notice that it is animated until the snippets of when the player is encouraged to move. The animation for interaction is lifelike, making this game feel a bit too ‘real’.
Despite earning a 69 out of 100 score from Metacritic, the musical score composed by Austin Wintory, who is known for producing stunning soundtracks, was nominated for “Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition” during the 23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards and the 2019 “International Film Music Critics Association Awards”.
Erica feels immersive and too good to be just a game. With choices that determine her path, it’s like a do-it-yourself adventure movie.
9. Phantasmagoria (1995)
Initial release date: August 24, 2015
Genre: Interactive film, graphic adventure game, adventure horror
Type of animation: Live action, 3D rendered environments
Platforms: Windows, MS-DOS, Sega Saturn
Developer: Sierra On-Line
A cult favourite, Phantasmagoria is a nostalgic game for many and is considered to be a game ahead of its time. An adventure horror point-and-click game, the player controls a mystery novelist protagonist, Adrienne Delaney, as they navigate a remote mansion that she bought with her husband.
The mansion is the main premise of the game, which contains a hidden chapel where Adrienne unknowingly releases a demon that possessed the former owner of the mansion. The full story may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as its rating is for Mature audiences, though it does come with a filter that players can activate with a password, so graphic content would be censored.
However, to players who grew up with this game and earned awards like the Editor’s Choice Award from PC Gamer and the Golden Triad Award from Computer Game Review, it is seen as one of the best FMV games of its time.
10. Myst (1993)
Initial release date: September 30, 1993
Genre: Adventure, Story Rich, Atmospheric
Type of animation: Interactive video, 3D animation
Platforms: Mac OS
Developer: Cyan
Another cult favourite, Myst is the best-selling PC game for nearly a decade. So much so, there are remakes and sequels and a masterpiece edition of the game. It has now been ported to multiple platforms other than Mac OS.
Myst is a first-person game in an interactive world where players solve puzzles throughout their journey. With no hints and help from the internet, players find themselves immersed in the gameplay. Some could say it was the ‘Flappy Bird’ of their time. It became an obsession to figure out how to solve the puzzles and finish what seemed to be a never-ending game.
The game was given the Best Adventure/Fantasy Role-Playing Game in the Codie Awards back in 1994 and even received an honourable mention as a “Breakthrough Game” by Electronic Entertainment in 1993. It was written as one of the most innovative computer games by magazines in 1996.
One of the best FMV games, which left a legacy that influenced a new way of presenting video games on CD-ROM and laid the foundation for indie video games in the 2000s. So, if you would like to challenge yourself, try out Myst.
What FMV Games Teach Us About Managing Projects
When games like FMV are involved, some components and assets typically don’t go together. You wouldn’t think that films are capable of being turned into a game, whether it’s 2D, 3D or live action. It makes you wonder if a combination is possible to create the best outcome.
Hence, have you wondered, as a creative yourself, about starting a project like FMV games or creative projects that mix and bring together different ideas? But the thought of it is overwhelming.
You would be surprised to know that even in the game industry, there is a bit of project management that’s executed despite the creative chaos that comes with creative projects. Though they use an approach called creative project management instead.
Using TESSR Project Management Tool for Your Gaming Projects
Developing games is not easy. There are components to investigate before creating the game itself: storyboard, character design, background illustration, acting scripts, etc. If you are a gaming studio struggling to find project management software that is flexible, customisable and visually centred to fulfil these components, TESSR is the potential answer for your worries.
We are suggesting TESSR, not only because it is a project management software for creatives, but it has features that will ease your workflow as a gaming studio. For example, when your team must gather feedback and approval from multiple parties, how would they keep track and streamline the information?
Our TESSR Review helps you provide that space to make it easy to note down the changes and comments from your team. Ever felt frustrated having to switch editing platforms just to circle and annotate an illustration or design? You don’t have to do that in our software. Draw, circle, line or even send a voice note to comment on the amendments you want.
Curious? Book a demo with us!
Key Takeaways
Animated FMV games showcase versatility in media.
They may be considered a forgotten or underutilised genre.
There is significant potential for development in this genre.
Animation can enhance storytelling and engagement in these games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the best FMV games for beginners?
The best FMV games for beginners that suit our current generation would be Henry Stickmin and Erica. Both touch on a different spectrum of FMV games, but it is an introduction to the genre that won’t overwhelm you. Plus, they are easier to download compared to the games made before the 2000s.
Are FMV games still being made?
Yes, FMV games are still being made! It is made evident with the comeback of FMV games. Besides Erica, FMV games like Amnesia: The Bunker (2016) and Her Story (2015) have been on the radar of gamers, noting the return of FMV games.
What do FMV games teach about storytelling?
FMV games teach creatives that games don’t have to be only graphic or fully rendered in a virtual environment. The immersion that FMV games offer makes storytelling through a familiar ‘in real-life space’ makes it an opportunity for creatives to explore filmmaking with game mechanics.
Authors Bio
From Malaysia, Leia Emeera is a writer at TESSR, and a published author. She has been putting pen to paper ever since she learned how to, and has an anthology to her name, titled 'Ten'. Leia loves music, games and her beloved labrador retriever, George. She aims to further her studies in English Literature and Creative Writing the moment her gap year ends. 'Till then, you will find her sitting behind a desk, writing with TESSR.
Connect with her on LinkedIn: Leia Emeera
With a background in Arts English, Adilla has been a casual writer for various hobbies, including parodies of animated shows and plots for board games like Dungeons & Dragons. She loves to read anything and everything from fantasy stories to articles on tips and tricks. Currently, Adilla resides in Malaysia and is a creative writer at TESSR. One day, she is eager to publish her book. To know more about her, check out her LinkedIn.
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