Lifeline: Whiteout

Riveting adventure puts players in the director's seat, determining his fate in the third version that proves to be the most challenging and thought-provoking of the series so far. The story starts slowly, with choices that can make getting to the climax -- or surviving long enough to get there -- take several attempts. Once there, though, the story is deep and complicated, and players won't want to stop until they find a satisfying resolution. Fortunately, the fast-play option makes that possible and takes away the sting of deathly defeat. Unlike the first two games in the series, which included some choices that could be solved by paying attention to clues, using logic, or looking things up online, this installment seems to have more random choices that feel more like the flip of a coin. Though this is a downside, it also has a more sympathetic protagonist than the last release and sets the stage for a sequel using the same character, which allows for a deeper relationship with V. Adams. It also introduces another likable character -- a dog -- which raises the stakes and addresses some deeper questions that force the player to figure out where they stand. So, while the format isn't fresh anymore, the characters, story, and issues at stake make this third adventure compelling.