Diamonds in the Rough was my attempt to lead a team into the creation of a commercial adventure game. It was released in February 2008 by the now obsolete Atropos Studios. It was voted Best Independent Adventure of 2008 from the readers of Adventure Gamers, it received almost nothing but good reviews and the sales weren't bad either. However, I could not attract the interest of investors that I anticipated and therefore I did not make another one.

In the game, you play the role of a 20 year old American called Jason Hart. Jason is a high school dropout who works as an office boy. All that is about to change in the beginning of our story, when he is approached by a mysterious man who seems to know more about him than Jason does himself.

The man claims to represent an organization that recruits people who are believed to have "special abilities". Those abilities could be telepathy, telekinesis, or other extraordinary powers. Jason has had such an ability all his life, fearing to admit it to himself, let alone others. He accepts the job offer for this organization, which is called "Diamonds in the Rough".

The story begins as soon as Jason moves to a town in the Midwest, where he will be employed doing this mysterious "work". He will soon start to wonder who he is really working for, and what the purpose of the organization is.

Diamonds in the Rough is a 3rd person, point & click adventure game. It features a user friendly interface that will feel both familiar and innovative, and an intriguing storyline that will keep you glued to your seat until you witness the ending... which you will never forget. Several scores of atmospheric music by Nikolas Sideris give the game just the ambience it needs.

Ever wondered what the character you were controlling was thinking? In DITR, you will be able to access Jason's thoughts and use them as actual objects in the game, just like inventory items!

"Arguably the most important adventure game I have encountered"
Just Adventure - Grade: A

"Diamonds in the Rough has taken the development of indie adventure games to a new level of standards - which other indie developers will surely emulate for years to come"
Adventure Classic Gaming - Grade: 4/5 stars

"Surprises come in succession till the amazingly orchestrated ending, during which I was left gaping due to the tension and suspense it emitted"
Adventure Advocate (Greek) - Grade: 4/5 stars

"Diamonds in the Rough is one of the finest adventure games of the last few years and clearly the best independently developed adventure I've ever had the pleasure of playing"
Four Fat Chicks - Grade: GOLD STAR (5/5)

"A 'must have' title for all adventure gamers"
Twitchy.co.uk

"The script is exceptional, the writing is awesome, the research that Alkis did sounds out of this world and it's one of the few games that invoke such intense feelings"
PC Master Magazine (Greek) - Grade: 80%

"Diamonds in the Rough with its innovations in puzzle design and the gripping, twisting, if not to say even stirring story absolutely deserves this high rating"
Adventure Archiv (German) - Grade: 83%

"The great and surprising story, simple controls and clever puzzles are absolutely on par with the best modern high budget productions. Clearly this game has been designed by adventure fans for adventure fans"
Adventure Spiele (German) - Grade: 4/5 stars

Click on the banner below to learn more details about the game, download a playable demo or purchase a copy.