Editing The Dig (video game) (section)

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| AdvGamers = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="ADVGTheDig">{{cite web|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17453 |title=The Dig review |last=Dickens |first=Evan |date=2002-05-19 |publisher=[[Adventure Gamers]] |access-date=16 October 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625140552/http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17453 |archive-date=25 June 2012 }}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|4|5}} (PC)<ref name=allgamepc>{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Joshua|title=The Dig Review (PC)|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14312&tab=review|publisher=[[Allgame]]|access-date=15 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115032813/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14312&tab=review|archive-date=15 November 2014}}</ref><br/>{{Rating|4.5|5}} (MAC)<ref>{{cite web|last=Savignano|first=Lisa Karen|title=The Dig Review (Mac)|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=669&tab=review|publisher=Allgame|access-date=15 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115032937/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=669&tab=review|archive-date=15 November 2014}}</ref>
| Edge = 8 out of 10 (PC)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Dig|author=Edge staff|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|issue=29|date=February 1996}}</ref>
| GSpot = 4.5 out of 10 (PC)<ref name="GSTheDig">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-dig-review/1900-2533404/ |title=The Dig Review for PC |last=Young |first=Jeffrey Adam |date=1996-05-01 |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=16 October 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329041312/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-dig-review/1900-2533404/ |archive-date=29 March 2014 }}</ref>
| GameZone = B<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamezone.com/gamesell/reviews/pcgames/dig296.htm|title=The Dig|last=Mooney|first=Shane|publisher=GameZone|year=1995|access-date=2013-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970605095042/http://www.gamezone.com/gamesell/reviews/pcgames/dig296.htm|archive-date=1997-06-05|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 88%<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/347.html|title=Dig, The|last=Vaughn|first=Todd|journal=[[PC Gamer]]|date=September 1996|access-date=2014-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991116080959/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/347.html|archive-date=1999-11-16|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''Maximum''
| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}} (PC)<ref name="Max3"/>
| NGen = {{rating|4|5}} (PC)<ref name="NGen15">{{cite magazine|title=Miner Hit|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=15 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=March 1996|page=93}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[PC Magazine]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref name=pcmag/>
| rev4 = ''[[Computer Game Review]]''
| rev4Score = 83/80/79<ref name=cgr>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961221184529/http://www.nuke.com/cgr/reviews/9602/dig/dig.htm | url=http://www.nuke.com:80/cgr/reviews/9602/dig/dig.htm | title=Alien Archaeology | date=February 1996 | author=Snyder, Frank; Chapman, Ted; Gehrs, Scott | archive-date=December 21, 1996 | work=[[Computer Game Review]] | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| rev5 = ''PC Games''
| rev5Score = B<ref name=pcgamesrev>{{cite magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961018113420/http://www.pcgamesmag.com/games/Feb96/dig296.html | url=http://www.pcgamesmag.com:80/games/Feb96/dig296.html | title=''The Dig'' | magazine=PC Games | author=Mooney, Shane | date=February 1996 | archive-date=October 18, 1996 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[MacUser]]''
| rev6Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=macuser>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010221163819/http://macuser.zdnet.com/mu_0996/personal/gameroom.html | url=http://macuser.zdnet.com:80/mu_0996/personal/gameroom.html | title=The Game Room | last=LeVitus | first=Bob | date=September 1996 | archive-date=February 21, 2001 | work=[[MacUser]] | url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}
According to LucasArts, ''The Dig''{{'}}s global sales reached 300,000 copies by early 1998, the highest sales of a LucasArts adventure title at the time of its release.<ref name=sales>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980214045406/http://www.lucasarts.com/static/pr/mileston.htm | url=http://www.lucasarts.com:80/static/pr/mileston.htm | title=LucasArts Entertainment Company Milestones | archive-date=February 14, 1998 | publisher=[[LucasArts]] | url-status=dead }}</ref> However, the company's [[Bill Tiller]] later said that upper management considered it a commercial letdown, and speculated that its "budget had run so high that it couldn't make its money back." He remarked, "The whole project had been way over hyped. I think Lucas Arts management thought it would make a bazillion dollars, and when it sold a substantial amount less than a bazillion dollars, they were disappointed."<ref name=inventoryint>{{cite magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813153740/http://www.justadventure.com:80/TheInventory/TheInventory.shtm | url=http://www.justadventure.com:80/TheInventory/TheInventory.shtm | title=The Celebrity Corner; Interview with Bill Tiller | date=March 2003 | issue=5 | magazine=The Inventory | publisher=[[Just Adventure]] | archive-date=August 13, 2006 | pages=8–19 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

''The Dig''{{'}}s graphics, voice acting, and writing were given an uneven reception by critics. Its puzzles were generally viewed as more difficult than most LucasArts games. However, the cut scenes were more favorably received, and the music was universally praised.

Evan Dickens of [[Adventure Gamers]] stated, "''The Dig'' is a lot more reminiscent of ''[[Myst]]'' than any other LucasArts adventure."<ref name="ADVGTheDig"/> He said the game was a bit too difficult, with very challenging puzzles.<ref name="ADVGTheDig"/> A reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' similarly said that the puzzles were generally more frustrating than in other LucasArts games, citing as an example a door puzzle for which the clues "are so confusingly drawn" that the player ultimately must use trial and error.<ref name="NGen15"/> [[GameSpot]]'s Jeffrey Adam Young agreed, saying of the puzzles, "some follow logic, others just call for trial and error, and yet others will leave you clueless".<ref name="GSTheDig"/> A reviewer for ''Maximum'' disagreed, saying that "with the exception of one or two that were just too obscure, [the puzzles are] set at just the right level to keep a serious adventure freak riveted (and not too hacked off)."<ref name="Max3">{{cite journal|title=Maximum Reviews: The Dig|journal=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=3 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=January 1996|page=157}}</ref> Joshua Roberts of [[Allgame]] praised the puzzles, saying there were "only a few real brain twisters" and that most could be solved with patience and consideration.<ref name=allgamepc/>  Bernard H. Yee of ''[[PC Magazine]]'' said that some of the puzzles were "a bit more frustrating than others".<ref name=pcmag>{{cite journal | author=Yee, Bernard H. | title=The Many Paths Toward Adventure |journal=PC Magazine | pages=361–362 | issue=5 | volume=15 | publisher=[[Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc]] |date=March 12, 1996}}</ref>

Dickens noted that the graphics looked a bit dated.<ref name="ADVGTheDig"/> Roberts was more complimentary, saying, "You'll be impressed with the scope of the alien landscape".<ref name=allgamepc/> ''Next Generation'' praised the visuals as becoming "more and more bizarre" as Low goes deeper into the alien world.<ref name="NGen15"/> The reviewer for ''Maximum'' acknowledged that the graphics were stylistically outdated, but still considered them "stunning".<ref name="Max3"/> Young called the character animations "tired" and "[[low resolution|lo-res]]".<ref name="GSTheDig"/> Yee was also unimpressed, saying the graphics are "a bit blocky" and commenting that the characters "lack fine detail".<ref name=pcmag/>  Dickens felt the cut scenes animated by ILM were excellent,<ref name="ADVGTheDig"/> as did Yee, who said they have a "truly grand, cinematic feel".<ref name=pcmag/>

Dickens had mixed feelings about the game's audio, calling its score "majestic" and saying it was the best part of the game. At the same time, he thought the voice acting was "mediocre", saying Robert Patrick was the right voice for protagonist Boston Low, but that he missed some emotional nuances in his portrayal.<ref name="ADVGTheDig"/> Young thought the voice acting was acceptable but "stereotypical." He also noted the "grand music score" as the highlight of the game.<ref name="GSTheDig"/>  Yee called the voice acting "top notch" and compared it favorably with ''[[Full Throttle (1995 video game)|Full Throttle]]''.<ref name=pcmag/>

Dickens thought the writing was hit and miss, panning the dialogue as "relentlessly cheesy and clichéd", but approving of the overall storyline and its suspenseful atmosphere.<ref name="ADVGTheDig"/> The reviewer for ''Maximum'' noted that the story has a much more serious tone than LucasArts' usual wacky fare, and praised the "well developed storyline and characters".<ref name="Max3"/> Young commented that the game takes itself too seriously to be as enjoyable as other, funnier LucasArts games such as ''Full Throttle'', and said the dialogue was "deplorable".<ref name="GSTheDig"/> Roberts disagreed, calling it "excellent" and saying Low was a "likable" character.<ref name=allgamepc/>

Yee summarized his review by saying, "''The Dig'' brings otherworldly adventure, a real sense of exploration, and a true cinematic style to your earthbound PC."<ref name=pcmag/> Young said, "In almost every sense, ''The Dig'' represents a leap backwards from LucasArts' previous group of adventure games."<ref name="GSTheDig"/> ''Next Generation''{{'}}s reviewer assessed, "Although it's not perfect, ''The Dig'' is yet another solid graphic adventure [from LucasArts] with some great attributes."<ref name="NGen15"/> ''Maximum'' stated "We have no hesitation in recommending this to all adventure fanatics, though inexperienced adventurers may want to wet their feet with something a little less taxing the first time out."<ref name="Max3"/> Roberts concluded his review by saying, "''The Dig'' is the kind of adventure we've all come to expect from LucasArts. With an imaginative story, an attractive visual backdrop and a wealth of intelligent puzzles, it belongs near the top of the adventure game class."<ref name=allgamepc/> Dickens recommended ''The Dig'' to science fiction fans more than average gamers.<ref name="ADVGTheDig"/>

Its soundtrack was well received. [[Chris Greening]] of Square Enix Music Online gave the soundtrack 9 out of 10, calling it "accessible yet abstract, simple yet deep".<ref name=enix-music>{{cite web|url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/chris/dig.shtml |author=Greening, Chris |title=The Dig Soundtrack :: Review by Chris |publisher=Square Enix Music Online |access-date=December 14, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905225424/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/chris/dig.shtml |archive-date=September 5, 2011 }}</ref>  About "Mission to the Asteroid", the opening song, he wrote, "Much of the composition conveys beauty and serenity, yet there is a certain tragic element created with the sweeping chord changes and sometimes elegiac motifs".<ref name=enix-music/>  He noted that while much of the album is quite ambient and subdued, it contains numerous subtle variations in its themes. He concluded by saying the album is "surprisingly fulfilling even on a stand-alone basis" and that it "never fails to immerse and fascinate me".<ref name=enix-music/>

In 2011, [[Adventure Gamers]] rated ''The Dig'' at No. 92 on its list of the 100 best adventure games of all time, noting that gamers did not know what to make of the game at the time of its release, but adding, "Strip away the preconceptions, however, and what’s left is a very good game in its own right".<ref name=ag2011>{{cite web|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/18643/page3/ |title=Top 100 All-Time Adventure Games |work=[[Adventure Gamers]] |date=December 30, 2011 |access-date=June 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604021122/http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/18643/page3 |archive-date=June 4, 2012 }}</ref> In 1996, [[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]] ranked The Dig 75th on their "Top 100 Games of All Time."<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1996 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |journal=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=75}}</ref>