15 min read

Lost in Time

Last updated: January 10, 2026

Overview

Lost in Time is a 1993 first-person point-and-click adventure game developed by French studio Coktel Vision and published in North America by Sierra On-Line1. Marketed as “The first Interactive Adventure Film using Full Motion Video Technology,” the game represents an ambitious attempt to blend traditional adventure gameplay with emerging multimedia capabilities2. The game follows Doralice Prunelier, a young woman who finds herself mysteriously transported through time while investigating a shipwreck, ultimately becoming embroiled in a complex plot involving the Space Time Patrol and a dangerous criminal named Jarlath Equs3.

The game occupies a fascinating intersection between classic adventure structure and early multimedia experimentation4. Coktel Vision, known for their Gobliiins series, positioned Lost in Time at the forefront of the multimedia revolution, making extensive use of 3D computer rendering and digitized actors5. Contemporary reviewers noted that “game play is interesting and movement through the 3D world is fluid”6, though the game’s difficulty and unconventional puzzle design divided critics and players alike.

Lost in Time has been described as “sort of like a bizarro French version of Back to the Future” due to its time-travel narrative and the ways in which protagonist Doralice must navigate both past and present to resolve the central conflict5. Despite its dramatic science fiction premise, the game maintains a silly, often absurdist tone that became characteristic of Coktel Vision’s adventure titles5.

Story Summary

In 1992, a young woman named Doralice Prunelier is investigating a shipwreck when suddenly the vessel begins to move3. Disoriented and unable to understand what is happening, Doralice explores the ship and eventually discovers that she has been chosen—unknowingly—by the Central Computer of the Space-Time Patrol (STP) in the year 2092 to assist in a critical mission8. Her task is to search for and eventually arrest a thief named Jarlath Equs, who has stolen a rare radioactive element called Americium 1492 and hidden it somewhere in the past8.

Doralice is selected because of her unique “historical-temporal ties” to Equs—she is actually a descendant of his wife8. Transported back to the year 1840 when the ship was still intact, Doralice has no choice but to explore her surroundings and unravel the mystery9. Her investigation takes her through three major locations in the past: the ship itself, a mysterious manor, and a lighthouse, before eventually reaching an island where the final confrontation with Equs will take place10.

The game’s narrative involves Doralice uncovering revelations about her own past while pursuing the dangerous criminal across time9. Along the way, she encounters numerous characters including Melkior, Yoruba, Velvet, Philibert, Oswald, Makandal, Delia, Celeucie, Amilcar, and Serapion11. The plot weaves together elements of science fiction, historical adventure, and personal discovery, as Doralice must stop a man who “plotted your doom centuries before you were born”1.

The narrative is advanced primarily through cutscenes, with minimal dialogue and no conversation trees12. This design choice places emphasis on puzzle-solving and environmental exploration rather than character interaction, giving the game a more solitary, investigative feel compared to other adventure titles of the era.

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

Lost in Time is a completely mouse-driven first-person adventure game12. The interface features six icons at the top of the screen: a control panel, hints, notebook, inventory, map, and options12. Players interact with the environment by clicking on objects and areas of interest, with Doralice’s actions shown through small picture-in-picture videos that display the results of each interaction—a feature that was “mighty impressive for something back in 1992”5.

The game uses a modified version of the Gobliiins engine, previously seen in Inca II13. This engine supports the game’s unique visual style, which combines full motion video, hand-painted backgrounds, digitized backgrounds, and 3D decor2. The three major locations in the game are rendered in completely different art styles, giving each area a distinct visual identity5.

Structure and Progression

The game is divided into several distinct areas that players must navigate:

  • The Ship: The opening location where Doralice awakens and begins her investigation
  • The Manor: A large estate with numerous rooms and puzzles to solve
  • The Lighthouse: A key location involving navigation and environmental puzzles
  • The Island: The final area where Doralice confronts Jarlath Equs10

Players must thoroughly explore each location, collecting items and solving puzzles to progress. The game features two timed puzzles toward the end, adding urgency to the final confrontation12. In Europe, the floppy disk version was divided into two parts called “Lost in Time: Parts 1 & 2,” while the CD-ROM version contained both parts on a single disc with enhanced video sequences6.

Puzzles and Mechanics

Lost in Time is notorious for its inventory-intensive puzzle design14. Players will face “literally hundreds of puzzles that require MacGuyver-like logic of combining household items into useful tools”14. The protagonist has been described as “the original MacGyver” due to the ingenious and logical nature of the puzzles12—reviewers noted that “the developers at Coktel must have watched too many episodes of ‘MacGyver’“13.

Typical puzzle solutions involve creative item combinations, such as using battery acid to rust locks, or combining seemingly unrelated objects to create functional tools13. The game character “touches everything, but does not take the time to examine things more closely,” according to the manual15, suggesting that players must be proactive in experimenting with inventory items.

The game includes a hint system called “Jokers” that is limited to only three uses throughout the entire playthrough7. Once used, these hints cannot be restored, making them a precious resource that players must use sparingly. This design choice contributes significantly to the game’s reputation as “one of the most fiendishly difficult and intricate puzzle games you’ll ever come across”14.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Lost in Time received mixed to positive reviews upon release. Electronic Entertainment gave the game a score of 8/10 in their March 1994 issue6. PC Zone was more reserved in their assessment, awarding the game 69% in their November 1993 review6. Computer Gaming World noted that “game play is interesting and movement through the 3D world is fluid,” though the review also highlighted some concerns about the game’s difficulty6.

Critics were divided on the game’s voice acting, with some reviewers finding it problematic. Alex Bevilacqua stated bluntly that “The voice acting in this game is atrocious” and concluded that “Lost in Time is not fun”7. However, other reviewers found the storyline compelling enough to overlook technical shortcomings, with one fan noting that “even those that don’t like the game love the storyline”16.

Modern Assessment

Modern retrospectives have been more favorable toward Lost in Time. Home of the Underdogs described it as “arguably Coktel Vision’s best game”14. MobyGames user MAT wrote that it is “probably the earliest 1st-person adventure game that I can think of as calling it a good one”17, giving the game a positive assessment while admitting it’s “Great, but I can’t quite figure out why”17.

The game has developed a cult following among adventure game enthusiasts. One player on GOG’s wishlist noted: “This is the first game I played on the PC many years ago. Very underrated. Or possibly just my nostalgia talking”18. Another fan wrote: “Honestly, Lost In Time is one of my favorite games… the storyline is gripping and the puzzles are tastefully challenging”16.

Aggregate Scores:

  • MobyGames: 74% (22 critic ratings), 7.0/10 user rating1
  • Abandonware DOS: 3.92/5.0019
  • MyAbandonware: 4.4/514
  • Amazon: 3.2/5 stars20

Development

Origins

Lost in Time was developed by Coktel Vision, a French game company that had made its name with the Gobliiins series of adventure games13. The game represents Coktel Vision’s venture into interactive movies following the success of their earlier titles13. Designer Muriel Tramis, who had previously worked on the adult-oriented adventure game Fascination, created the character of Doralice Prunelier for that earlier title—making Lost in Time effectively a sequel featuring the same protagonist18.

The game was developed during a period of significant change for Coktel Vision, as Sierra On-Line acquired the company in 199315. Lost in Time was released shortly after this acquisition, with Coktel Vision handling European distribution while Sierra On-Line managed North American publishing6.

Production

Coktel Vision positioned themselves at the forefront of the multimedia revolution with Lost in Time, making extensive use of emerging technologies including 3D computer rendering and digitized actors5. The game was marketed as “The first Interactive Adventure Film using Full Motion Video Technology”2, though this claim was somewhat hyperbolic given other FMV titles of the era.

The development team created three distinct visual styles for the game’s major locations, each rendered using different techniques5. This approach gave Lost in Time a unique aesthetic that set it apart from other adventure games of the period. The game was released the same year as The 7th Guest and Myst7, placing it in direct competition with other titles pushing the boundaries of multimedia gaming.

Development Credits:1

  • Designer: Muriel Tramis
  • Composer: Charles Callet

Technical Achievements

Lost in Time featured four distinct graphical elements: full motion video, hand-painted backgrounds, digitized backgrounds, and 3D decor2. “Every time you take an action, there’s a small picture-in-picture video showing the result”5, a technique that was innovative for 1992-1993 and added immersion to the gameplay experience.

The game used the Gob engine, a modified version of the interpreter previously seen in the Gobliiins series and Inca II7. This engine supported the game’s hybrid visual approach and handled the integration of live-action video clips with the point-and-click adventure gameplay.

Technical Specifications

CD-ROM Version:21

  • Resolution: 320x200, 256 colors9
  • Audio: AdLib, Sound Blaster, Pro Audio Spectrum, PC Speaker22
  • Disk Space: 19 MB21
  • RAM: 2 MB21
  • CD-ROM: 2x CD-ROM drive required21
  • OS: MS-DOS 5.0 or greater21
  • CPU: 386 or better21

Floppy Version:19

  • Media: 3.5” Floppy Disks
  • Distribution: Divided into two parts in Europe

System Requirements (Minimum):23

  • OS: DOS 4.0
  • CPU: Intel 286
  • RAM: 640 kB
  • Graphics: VGA

System Requirements (Recommended):23

  • OS: DOS 5.0
  • CPU: Intel i386 16 MHz
  • RAM: 2 MB
  • Graphics: VGA

Cut Content

Audio analysis of the game files has revealed three unused audio tracks: dora1.adl, dora3.adl, and dora4.adl22. The purpose of these tracks and why they were cut from the final release remains unknown.

Version History

VersionDatePlatformNotes
Floppy (Parts 1 & 2)1993DOSEuropean release, divided into two parts6
CD-ROM1993DOSSingle disc with both parts, enhanced video6
US Floppy1993DOSSingle combined release15
CD-ROM (NA)1994DOSNorth American CD release via Sierra6

Gob Engine Information:7

The game uses the Gob engine, which was Coktel Vision’s proprietary adventure game interpreter. ScummVM has supported Lost in Time since version 0.12.09.

Technical Issues

Lost in Time has known compatibility issues with later Windows versions. “XP’s emulation of the old DOS driver (MSCDEX) is imperfect, so the game may lock up”21. The game is part of a group of Coktel Vision CD games that have compatibility issues with Windows NT environments21.

When running in DOSBox, users reported various problems: “None of the Coktel Vision games seem to work quite right in it”24. Cutscenes in the game are timed based on the audio track, which can cause synchronization issues in emulation24. Some users also reported graphical errors: “I still have the disc but even with ScummVM running the game there is little graphical errors like the colors mess up in places”18. DOSBox compatibility issues were reportedly fixed in the CVS version as of August 200524.

The CD-ROM version has been noted to have “poor lip-synching” in cinematics, where “during close-ups, only actor’s lips move but not the head”13.

Easter Eggs and Trivia

  • The protagonist Doralice Prunelier previously appeared in Coktel Vision’s adult-oriented adventure game Fascination, where she appeared nude13
  • The game’s box and documentation did not indicate that Lost in Time was a sequel to Fascination18
  • Lost in Time has been compared to Back to the Future due to its time-travel narrative structure5
  • The game features 3D prerendered rooms, which was cutting-edge technology for 199322
  • One fan called it “one of the hardest games I’ve ever played”25

Voice Cast

CharacterVoice Actor
Doralice (Dora)Dominique Laurencine
Jarlath EqusLionel Leroy
MelkiorFrédérique D.
YorubaSongolo
VelvetAnne-Lise Prodel
PhilibertKendo
OswaldJean-Michel Jullien
MakandalRene-Guy Tramis
DeliaNathalie Lam
CeleucieSharon Rungasamy
AmilcarDarren Rungasamy
SerapionFelix Sither

Source: Sierra Chest11

Legacy

Sales and Commercial Impact

Lost in Time was part of Coktel Vision’s portfolio when Sierra On-Line acquired the French developer in 199315. The game was distributed through Sierra’s North American channels, giving it broader international exposure than many European-developed adventure games of the era6.

Collections

The game has appeared in various compilations and has been made available through abandonware channels following the end of its commercial availability3. Archive.org hosts multiple versions of the game for preservation purposes, including installation packages compatible with modern systems through DOSBox3.

Fan Projects

Lost in Time is supported by ScummVM since version 0.12.0, allowing the game to run on modern operating systems without DOSBox9. The game has been requested on GOG.com’s community wishlist, with fans expressing continued interest in an official digital re-release18.

  • Game Manual: Included with original release, contains character background and gameplay instructions15
  • Walkthrough Guides: Multiple fan-created walkthroughs exist, including comprehensive guides on GameFAQs, GameBoomers, and The Spoiler161225

Critical Perspective

Lost in Time represents an important transitional moment in adventure game history, arriving at the intersection of traditional point-and-click design and the emerging multimedia revolution of the early 1990s. While the game was overshadowed by higher-profile releases like The 7th Guest and Myst in the same year7, it demonstrated Coktel Vision’s willingness to experiment with new technologies and narrative approaches.

The game’s MacGyver-like puzzle design, while frustrating to some players, established a distinct identity that set it apart from the more straightforward inventory puzzles of Sierra and LucasArts titles. Modern retrospectives have generally been kinder to Lost in Time than contemporary reviews, recognizing it as an ambitious and unique entry in the adventure game canon. Its first-person perspective and emphasis on environmental puzzle-solving anticipated design trends that would become more prominent in later years.

The game also holds historical significance as one of the earlier adventure games to feature a female protagonist in a non-comedic role13, though this distinction is complicated by the character’s origins in the adult-oriented Fascination. Muriel Tramis’s design work on Lost in Time contributed to her legacy as one of the few prominent female game designers of the era.

Downloads

Purchase / Digital Stores

Download / Preservation

Manuals & Extras

Emulation Support

Series Continuity

Lost in Time is technically a standalone title, though its protagonist Doralice Prunelier previously appeared in Coktel Vision’s adult-oriented adventure game Fascination18. The connection between the two games was not indicated in Lost in Time’s packaging or documentation, leaving many players unaware of the shared continuity18. The games share the same protagonist but feature very different tones and subject matter.

  • Previous: Fascination (1991) – Same protagonist, adult-oriented adventure
  • Next: None – Lost in Time was Doralice’s final appearance

References

Footnotes

  1. MobyGames – Lost in Time – developer, designer, composer, ratings, credits, platform information ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  2. ClassicReload – Lost in Time – FMV technology claims, graphical elements description ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  3. Internet Archive – Lost in Time (DOS) – game description, story summary, preservation status ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  4. Best DOS Games – Lost in Time – analysis of game’s historical significance ↩

  5. Hardcore Gaming 101 – Lost in Time – Back to the Future comparison, visual style analysis, development context ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9

  6. Wikipedia – Lost in Time (video game) – release dates, publisher information, review scores, version details ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11

  7. Alex Bevilacqua Blog – Lost in Time – Gob engine, Joker hint system, voice acting criticism, contemporary context ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  8. eBay – Lost in Time Product Page – Space Time Patrol details, Americium 1492 plot element, character backstory ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  9. ScummVM Wiki – Lost in Time – ScummVM support, resolution, plot summary, Hebrew title ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  10. Sierra Help – Lost in Time Walkthrough – game locations, puzzle structure ↩ ↩2

  11. Sierra Chest – Lost in Time – complete voice cast listing ↩ ↩2

  12. GameBoomers – Lost in Time Walkthrough – interface description, gameplay mechanics, timed puzzles ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  13. MobyGames User Review – Katakis – MacGyver comparisons, engine details, lip-synch issues, Fascination connection ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8

  14. MyAbandonware – Lost in Time – HOTUD review quotes, difficulty description, ratings ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  15. Adventure Gamer Blog – Lost in Time Introduction – Sierra acquisition timing, manual quote, release details ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  16. GameFAQs – Lost in Time FAQ – fan testimonials, storyline praise ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  17. MobyGames Reviews – Lost in Time – MAT user review quotes, critic aggregate score ↩ ↩2

  18. GOG Dreamlist – Lost in Time – user testimonials, Fascination sequel revelation, compatibility issues ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  19. Abandonware DOS – Lost in Time – rating, floppy version details ↩ ↩2

  20. Amazon – Lost in Time – customer rating ↩

  21. Sierra Help – Lost in Time Technical Help – system requirements, compatibility issues, technical specifications ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8

  22. VGMPF – Lost in Time (DOS) – audio specifications, unused tracks, composer credit ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  23. PCGamingWiki – Lost in Time – minimum and recommended requirements, Gob engine ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  24. VOGONS Forum – Lost in Time – DOSBox compatibility issues, CVS fix information ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  25. The Spoiler – Lost in Time Walkthrough – difficulty testimonial ↩ ↩2

  26. Internet Archive – Lost in Time (Alternative) – ESRB rating, language support ↩

  27. Internet Archive – Lost in Time Manual – original manual preservation ↩

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