I was unsure about this game when I read the reviews, but I thought I'd give the demo a try anyway-I always do. And boy am I glad I did. I had 6 other 'highly-rated" games to choose from, and I used my credit to get this one. 10 minutes into the demo I was hooked.
While it may start off as similar to many other games out there, it actually ends up being quite unique in its style of game-play, which is why this is the game I chose to use my credit on. As others have mentioned, the health-packs are a very unique addition and remind me of first person shooters (I play console games as well). It makes sense that the character that has just woken up from a coma needs health-packs to continue on her journey.
As for the zombie-element. I'm not a big fan of zombie movies or even games, but this one takes the cake. So far while playing I have not gotten bored once, which is highly unusual-I usually get bored with a game and have to come back to it later. This is one I will play straight through. It holds my interest.
I like the adventure aspect of the game and not being overwhelmed with HOS every time I turn around. The ambiance and atmosphere go well with the story line.
As for the graphics-I have a widescreen monitor, and I found the graphics to be clear and crisp. There is a slight grainy effect, but anyone who has every played console games, knows that this is a strategy used to make the atmosphere all the more creepy. In other words, it was done intentionally, and it provided an eerie effect. So no complaints as far as graphics.
While there is no journal per se , you are able to toggle easily between inventory items and documents / clues you come across throughout the game; which I like because it allows you to read them over again, in their entirety, without a journal summarizing for you.
There is help available if you need it-I always play in expert mode, having played this genre for several years. Hovering your mouse over the task button gives you the general tasks. Clicking on the task button tells you what you need to do to accomplish those tasks-much like a built-in walk-through that you can access if you need to. Additionally, there is a hint button as well.
I like the map because it shows the city visually, like a photograph of the area which is a nice change from the typical map which only lists your location.
There are no voice-overs but the animated cut-scenes I thought were done really well.
I have gotten spooked a couple of times throughout the game so far, which I also like.
All in all, this is one of those games that you will either love or loathe-but it is right up this gamers alley, so I highly recommend trying the demo regardless-you might be pleasantly surprised!
I enjoyed the original Scruffs-the character's are likeable and quirky. As for this sequel-it delivers in all possible aspects. The Scruff family is just as quirky and amusing as they were in the first game, and the other characters that you come across on your journey are humorous, likable and downright amusing. I found myself laughing out loud several times during the game. Even the small details are funny and well thought-out so be sure and read sign-boards, etc., as they add to the humor.
The animation is great, the graphics are clear and crisp, and it is a good mix of HOS, puzzles, adventure and inventory item usage. The level of challenge varies, from easy to difficult. The adventure aspect of the game is mostly linear, but it does allow, to some extent, the ability to wander about a bit and perform certain tasks in the order that you choose to. The hidden object scenes do not entirely consist of finding items that are not needed-there is a nice balance to the game regarding the HOS scenes. The puzzles/mini-games provide an original twist to what is becoming the 'all too boring' typical cookie-cutter puzzles.
Another important "thumbs-up" to note are all the 'extras' that you get along with the game, without the CE price-tag which was a welcome surprise! I highly recommend this game if you want to sit back, relax, enjoy several laughs and a few hours of constant amusement. While I do like many of the darker supernatural games, this is a nice break from the morbid, taking you on a very amusing journey. I am looking forward to more games involving The Scruffs, or at the very least, more games done in the same style, with the same careful attention to detail when it comes to creating likeable and quirky characters. Kudos to the developers-you really created a well-rounded, very humorous game. Enjoy! I certainly did!!
I think there are two reasons why I liked this game. First, I LOVE picking up diary papers, notes, newspapers, etc., when I'm playing a game, and I'm a sucker for a good story and a journal packed full of information. And this game has plenty of notes scattered around to pick up which adds to the storyline.
Second, I love having to look really hard to find a hidden object and this game has plenty of that. Many objects are very well hidden and many are very tiny, which make them hard to find. For me, this makes the game more entertaining and the game-play much longer.
So this is a perfect game for someone that doesn't mind small objects, doesn't mind taking their time, and loves looking at notes and newspaper clippings, as well as the journal.
Aside from that, the graphics are so-so. It could be due to my wide-screen that they appeared a bit grainy and stretched. And you do revisit a lot of the same locations. There is not a lot of adventure to this one, but one thing it is NOT lacking is a comprehensive story.
If you cannot stand small objects and hate reading journal entries, then you'll probably want to pass on this one. Otherwise, I recommend giving it a try. For a pretty straight-forward HOS, it's done quite well, and there is plenty of humor involved.
What really makes this game enjoyable, aside from the outstanding graphics and creative puzzles with just the right level of difficulty, is the logical use of inventory tools. For example, important tools that you know you will use over and over, such as a knife and a crowbar, STAY in your inventory, instead of being left behind, leaving you to find another one later on. Also, a crowbar can be used to break things, which is common sense. In most other games, even if you have a crowbar in your inventory, you just HAVE to find a hammer to shatter a vase, a crowbar just won't do! Also, if you need to pick up a flower or reach into water, you don't have to first find garden shears, or (god forbid you get your hands wet), look for gloves. In this game, you just grab it and go. I hope other games in the future take this common sense approach to inventory items. When you have a storyline where you are trying to save someone or are on an urgent quest, it makes no sense to take time to look for ridiculous items that you would never normally need, or look for items to perform an action that some other tool in your inventory could do just as well.
So that is, bluntly, why I rated this game so high. Thank you developers, for a good story. But most of all, thank you for sparing me the headache of useless inventory items and designing your game with logical use of tools in mind. It makes the game play so much more realistic! I hope other developers follow your lead on this one. I'm not sure how many more 'gardening gloves' I can handle!
Return once more to the haunted grounds of Ravenhearst Manor to uncover new details about this poignant saga. What you find could very well be the final chapter of this riveting story-if you escape.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
What a fantastic, cutting-edge game that we have come to expect from BFG's development studio. I am tired of hunting for hidden objects: after years of the same types of games, we have an industry-shattering game here that sets the bar extremely high for other developers to up their standards. With every release, BFG tries something different and unique. Change is not for everyone, but I love it-keeps the gaming experience fresh and exciting. ZERO complaints from me-and that's rare. You will get your money's worth with this CE-expect several hours worth of entertainment!