Syberia

{{Infobox video game series

| title = Syberia

| image = Syberia-logo.svg

| developer = Microids
Anuman Interactive

| publisher = Microïds
Casterman and Ubisoft (Amerzone)
The Adventure Company (North America, Windows)
XS Games (Xbox, North America)

| platforms = {{plainlist|

}}

| first release version = Amerzone

| first release date = March 18, 1999

| latest release version = Syberia: The World Before

| latest release date = March 18, 2022

| genre = Graphic adventure game}}

Syberia is a franchise of graphic adventure games created by Belgian comic artist and video game developer Benoît Sokal. Set within an alternate universe designed by Sokal and introduced in the 1999 video game Amerzone, the series is currently developed and published by French video game company Microids. The central focus of the franchise, beginning with the eponymous 2002 video game, follows the experiences of Kate Walker, an American adventurer who originally worked as a lawyer in a prominent New York City law firm. In each installment, Walker travels to various fictional locations in continental Europe and former Soviet states during the 2000s, where she encounters fantastical creatures as well as highly advanced automatons powered by intricate clockwork mechanisms.

The first Syberia centers on Walker's efforts to locate and deal with the eccentric inventor Hans Voralberg on behalf of her firm to secure the purchase of his family's factory. By the events of Syberia II, Walker abandons her assignment and accompanies Voralberg in his search for the legendary island of Syberia, which is said to be home to the last surviving mammoths of the world. The franchise features a cast of secondary characters, including Oscar, one of Voralberg's sentient automatons, and Dana Roze, an aspiring pianist introduced in the 2022 video game Syberia: The World Before. Members of a nomadic tribal people indigenous to the geographical area of Siberia known as the Youkols also play an important role in the lore and setting of the series, which combines realistic and surrealistic elements for its tone.

The first two Syberia titles have been commercially successful, with lifetime sales reaching 3 million worldwide by 2016. Both titles have been ported or re-released on multiple platforms ever since their original launches in the early 2000s. Amerzone, the predecessor of the first two Syberia titles, also saw critical and commercial success, especially in France. Syberia 3 was released in 2017 to a mediocre critical reception. The World Before launched for PC platforms on March 18, 2022, with console platforms due for release at a later date.

In May 2025, Microids announced Syberia Remastered, a modernized version of the original 2002 game. The remaster is being developed by Virtuallyz Gaming and Microids Studio Paris, with a planned release in the fourth quarter of 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam.

Games

{{Video game timeline

| title =

| 1999 = Amerzone

| 2002 = Syberia

| 2004 = Syberia II

| 2017 = Syberia 3

| 2022 = Syberia: The World Before

| compressempty =True|2025=Amerzone (remake), Syberia - Remastered}}

Amerzone was first released for PC platforms in 1999. The player assumes the role of a journalist who interviews an elderly French explorer, Alexandre Valembois, in 1999, though much of the plot explores the backstory of Valembois's 1932 expedition to the fictional South American country of Amerzone. While not bearing the series title, it takes place in the same setting as the later games in the series.
Syberia, the first entry in the series proper, was released for Windows in several territories throughout 2002. It follows Kate Walker, an American lawyer tasked with overseeing the successful financial transaction of an automaton factory owned by the Voralberg family in the fictional European city of Valadilene. This title is later ported to multiple console and mobile platforms across console generations since its original release.
Syberia II was released for Windows between March and May 2004 in North America and Europe, and for the PlayStation and Xbox later that year. It continues the story of the first Syberia and follows Kate Walker, who abandons her career and the opportunity to return to the United States, as she accompanies the last surviving member of the Voralberg family in his search for the legendary island of Syberia. Like its predecessor, Syberia II has been ported to numerous platforms since its original PC release.
Syberia 3 saw a multiplatform release for Windows, OS X, PlayStation 4 & Xbox One. It launched in Europe in April 21, 2017, and for North America in April 25, 2017. It continues Kate Walker's story arc following the conclusion of Syberia II and her subsequent departure from the island of Syberia. She joins the Youkol tribe in their traditional migratory journey as she attempts to evade her pursuers.
Syberia: The World Before launched worldwide on March 18, 2022 for Windows. It features two main player characters: Dana Roze in the late 1930s, an aspiring pianist and member of a persecuted European ethnic minority; and Kate Walker in 2004, who is forced into indentured servitude at a salt mine following her capture in Syberia 3.
Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy, a remake of the original game, was released PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in April 2025.
Syberia - Remastered is an upcoming remastered version of the original 2002 Syberia game. It will feature fully redesigned character models and rebuilt environments, with updated visuals intended to meet modern graphical standards. The game's puzzles will also be reworked to provide a more intuitive and streamlined gameplay experience.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Matti |date=2025-05-19 |title=Classic Game Syberia is Getting Remastered After 23 Years |url=https://gamerant.com/syberia-remaster-release-date/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}

= Compilations =

Syberia Collector's Edition I & II is a compilation of the first two Syberia titles. It was released on April 7, 2008 for PC platforms and PlayStation 3.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/games/syberia-collection-1-and-2/images|title=Syberia Collector's Edition I & II [Images] - IGN|via=www.ign.com}}
Syberia Collection is a compilation which consists of remastered versions of the first two Syberia games as well as Amerzone. It was meant to be the first pack in the "Adventure Classics" branding used by publisher Iceberg Interactive. It was released for PC platforms on October 30, 2009.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/syberia-collection-set-to-arrive-in-uk-shops-on-october-30th|title=Syberia Collection|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=October 20, 2009 }} A similarly named compilation for the PlayStation 3, which only collects the first two Syberia titles, was offered as a free PlayStation Plus game for December 2017.{{cite web | url=https://www.redbull.com/ie-en/playstation-plus-december-2017-games | title=Here's the lowdown on December's PS Plus line-up | website=Red Bull }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/free-ps4-ps-plus-games-of-december-2017-revealed/1100-6455265/|title=Free PS4 PS Plus Games Of December 2017 Revealed}}
Syberia 1 & 2 is a compilation of the first two Syberia titles for the Nintendo Switch. It was released on November 8, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/syberia-1-and-2-switch/|title=Syberia 1 & 2|access-date=March 13, 2022}}
Syberia Trilogy collects the first three games of the franchise as a physical release. It was released on October 31, 2019 for the Nintendo Switch.{{Cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/syberia-trilogy-collates-all-three-titles-for-nintendo-switch/|title=Syberia Trilogy collates all three titles for Nintendo Switch|date=September 20, 2019}}

Development

The Syberia universe is created and designed by Belgian comic artist and video game developer Benoît Sokal.{{cite web|url=http://www.virtools.com/applications/games-microidssyberia.asp |title=Syberia |publisher=Virtools |access-date=2008-03-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410231606/http://www.virtools.com/applications/games-microidssyberia.asp |archive-date=2008-04-10 }} Each installment in the series has been developed and published by Microids.{{cite web |url=http://www.justadventure.com/Press_Releases/June18_02Syberia.shtm |title=Microïds' Syberia Launched in Canada! - Welcome to Just Adventure + - Press Releases |website=www.justadventure.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030801202054/http://www.justadventure.com/Press_Releases/June18_02Syberia.shtm |archive-date=1 August 2003 |url-status=dead}} The development team originally considered developing a single game for Syberia, but decided to develop two separate titles due to the large scope of the project as envisioned by Sokal.{{cite web|url=http://www.justadventure.com/Interviews/Syberia2/Syberia2BenoitSokal.shtm |title=Syberia II Benoît Sokal interview |publisher=Just Adventure |access-date=2008-06-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514132227/http://www.justadventure.com/Interviews/Syberia2/Syberia2BenoitSokal.shtm |archive-date=2008-05-14 }}

Adaptations

Syberia was first adapted into the comic book format in 2017, with the release of a two-volume graphic novel published by Belgian publisher Le Lombard.{{Cite web|url=https://www.europecomics.com/album/syberia-1/|title=Hans 1/2}} It serves as a prelude to the video game series' third installment and offers an "alternative version" of the first game's story, which is centered on Hans Voralberg's backstory as a child in the distant past, with interspersed scenes depicting Kate Walker in the 2000s. The first issue was released on April 20, 2017, and the second issue on October 18, 2017. Sokal and his son Hugo were credited as scriptwriters, with art provided by Johann Blais.{{Cite web|url=http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news/benoit-sokal-obit/|title=Benoît Sokal, Cartoonist and Video Game Designer, Dead at 66|date=May 30, 2021}}

In June 2023, Microids announced an animated series adaptation of the franchise with What The Prod will produce.{{cite web|title=Syberia animated series announced|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/06/syberia-animated-series-announced|website=Gematsu|date=June 6, 2023}}

Reception and critical response

{{VG Series Reviews

| game1 = Syberia

| mc1 = (NDS) 52/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |title=Syberia for DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}
(NS) 76/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Syberia Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}
(PC) 82/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Syberia Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}
(PS3) 50/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Syberia Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}
(Xbox) 72/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Syberia Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}

| game2 = Syberia II

| mc2 = (NS) 68/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Syberia II Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}
(PC) 80/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Syberia II Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}
(Xbox) 71/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Syberia II Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}

| game4 = Syberia 3

| mc4 = (PC) 51/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Syberia 3 Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}
(PS4) 48/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Syberia 3 Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}

| game5 = Syberia: The World Before

| mc5 = (PC) 81/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia-the-world-before/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Syberia: The World Before Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}
(PS5) 77/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia-the-world-before/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=Syberia: The World Before Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}
(XSXS) 82/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/syberia-the-world-before/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |title=Syberia: The World Before Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 24, 2023}}

}}

Amerzone was a surprise commercial success.{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802090325/http://www.lalibre.be/economie/digital/cyber-siberie-51b879dae4b0de6db9a7761d | url=http://www.lalibre.be/economie/digital/cyber-siberie-51b879dae4b0de6db9a7761d | title=Cyber Sibérie | date=August 9, 2002 | author=Van Overstraeten, Mathieu | work=La Libre Belgique | archivedate=August 2, 2018 | url-status=live }} Following its release in France in March 1999, it sold 10,000 units by early May.{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802082853/http://www.liberation.fr/ecrans/1999/05/07/le-dessinateur-de-bd-a-concu-et-porte-l-amerzonesokal-en-trois-dimensions_272288| url=http://www.liberation.fr/ecrans/1999/05/07/le-dessinateur-de-bd-a-concu-et-porte-l-amerzonesokal-en-trois-dimensions_272288 | title=Le dessinateur de BD a conçu et porté "l'Amerzone".Sokal en trois dimensions. | date=May 7, 1999 | author=Rivoire, Annick | work=Libération | archivedate=August 2, 2018 | url-status=dead }} By June 1999, GameSpot UK concluded that Amerzone had become a "big hit in France".{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.co.uk/pc.gamespot/adventure/amerz_uk/review.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001214210900/http://www.gamespot.co.uk/pc.gamespot/adventure/amerz_uk/review.html|archive-date=2000-12-14|title=Video Games Reviews & News}} The game generated lifetime sales of 1.5 million copies by 2013.{{cite press release | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323090300/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/198939/Remastered_Full_version_and_new_Freemium_of_Amerzone_TheExplorerrsquos_Legacy_is_available_on_iOS.php | url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/198939/Remastered_Full_version_and_new_Freemium_of_Amerzone_TheExplorerrsquos_Legacy_is_available_on_iOS.php | title= Remastered Full version and new Freemium of Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy is available on iOS | location=Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis | date=August 26, 2013 | publisher=Gamasutra | archive-date=March 23, 2018 | url-status=dead }}

The first two Syberia titles have been successful commercially and critically. The first Syberia surpassed 225,000 units in sales by February 2003,{{cite magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813153740/http://www.justadventure.com/TheInventory/TheInventory.shtm | url=http://www.justadventure.com:80/TheInventory/TheInventory.shtm | title=The Celebrity Corner; Interview with Microids | date=February 2003 | issue=4 | magazine=The Inventory | publisher=Just Adventure | archive-date=August 13, 2006 | pages=7–19 | url-status=dead | access-date=October 28, 2006 | df=mdy-all }} and had achieved nearly 350,000 global sales across its console and computer versions by September 2003.{{cite magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813153740/http://www.justadventure.com/TheInventory/TheInventory.shtm | url=http://www.justadventure.com:80/TheInventory/TheInventory.shtm | title=Syberia Reloaded | issue=8 | date=September 2003 | magazine=The Inventory | publisher=Just Adventure | author=Manos, Dimitris | archive-date=August 13, 2006 | url-status=dead | pages=2–6 | access-date=October 28, 2006 | df=mdy-all }} In France, the Agence française pour le jeu vidéo reported that Syberia{{'}}s computer release had sold 50,000 units by September 2003. According to Michel Bams of Sokal's White Birds Productions, it reached "nearly 500,000 copies" in global sales that February,{{cite magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813153740/http://www.justadventure.com/TheInventory/TheInventory.shtm | url=http://www.justadventure.com:80/TheInventory/TheInventory.shtm | title=Interview with White Birds Productions | issue=13 | date=March 2004 | pages=6–10 | magazine=The Inventory | publisher=Just Adventure | archive-date=August 13, 2006 | url-status=dead | access-date=October 28, 2006 | df=mdy-all }} a number it surpassed by late 2005, according to Ubisoft.{{cite press release | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211014035/http://www.ubi.com/US/News/Info.aspx?nId=3488 | url=http://www.ubi.com/US/News/Info.aspx?nId=3488 | title=Ubisoft Takes Players to Paradise | date=October 12, 2005 | location=San Francisco | archive-date=December 11, 2005 | publisher=Ubisoft }} By 2006, Syberia{{'}}s sales in the United States reached 161,000 units.{{cite web |url=http://www.adventurelantern.com/Magazine/AdventureLantern_Aug2006.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.adventurelantern.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801114804/http://www.adventurelantern.com/Magazine/AdventureLantern_Aug2006.pdf |archive-date=1 August 2010 |url-status=dead}} Following its launch in March 2004, Syberia II reached sales of 215,000 copies in Europe and the United States combined two months later. Its PC version also saw some commercial success in Russia.{{cite magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813153740/http://www.justadventure.com/TheInventory/TheInventory.shtm | url=http://www.justadventure.com:80/TheInventory/TheInventory.shtm | title=Interview with the Developers of Still Life | date=June 2004 | issue=16 | magazine=The Inventory | publisher=Just Adventure | pages=8–14 | archive-date=August 13, 2006 | url-status=dead | access-date=October 28, 2006 | df=mdy-all }} By late 2005, Syberia II was on track to reach 600,000 sales overall,{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029101915/http://www.auracan.com/Indiscretions/indis.php?actu=13 | url=http://www.auracan.com/Indiscretions/indis.php?actu=13 | title=Les indiscrétions de Stanley Graphic; Benoît Sokal au Paradis | date=October 13, 2005 | author=Carlot, Marc | work=Auracan | archive-date=October 29, 2006 | url-status=dead }} a number it had reached by March 2006.{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220074446/https://www.lalibre.be/archive/les-nouveaux-del-ephe-51b88daae4b0de6db9ad91d3 | url=https://www.lalibre.be/archive/les-nouveaux-del-ephe-51b88daae4b0de6db9ad91d3 | title=Les nouveaux del'éphé | author=Tamaï, Michi-Hiro | date=March 4, 2006 | work=La Libre | language=French | archive-date=February 20, 2019 | url-status=live }} Worldwide sales of the overall Syberia series had topped 1 million units by 2008,{{cite press release | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080814174121/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/syberia-website-adventure-series-gets-online-home | url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/syberia-website-adventure-series-gets-online-home | title=Syberia Website | url-status=live | date=July 24, 2008 | archive-date=August 14, 2008 | publisher=GamesIndustry.biz }} and rose to 3 million by 2016, before the release of Syberia 3.{{cite press release | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323101118/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/274600/E3_2016_MICROIDS_AND_BENOIT_SOKAL_UNVEIL_VIDEO_OF_NEWFEATURES_IN_SYBERIA_3_CURRENTLY_IN_DEVELOPMENT_FOR_PLAYSTATION_4XBOX_ONE_PC_AND_MAC.php | url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/274600/E3_2016_MICROIDS_AND_BENOIT_SOKAL_UNVEIL_VIDEO_OF_NEWFEATURES_IN_SYBERIA_3_CURRENTLY_IN_DEVELOPMENT_FOR_PLAYSTATION_4XBOX_ONE_PC_AND_MAC.php | title=E3 2016: Microids and Benoit Sokal Unveil Video of New Features in Syberia 3 | url-status=dead | date=June 9, 2016 | archive-date=March 23, 2018 | publisher=Gamasutra | location=Paris }}

The first two Syberia titles received praise from critics following their initial launches, although reviews of console ports for the original Xbox and Nintendo Switch were less enthusiastic. The Nintendo DS and PlayStation 3 ports of the first Syberia in particular received criticism over significant technical issues or perceived quality. The third installment received an unfavorable critical reception, with a consensus among reviewers that it is not up to par with its predecessors in terms of overall quality. The World Before received generally positive reviews from reviewers, with some reviewers lauding the title as a return to form for the series.