If you just have to have a "new" game to play, this one is not bad. It's not good, but it's not bad. There was no effort put into this game to make it better than other games. First, I think they missed a great plot tool. The intro mentions a book the husband must read over the weekend. The demo never mentioned it again. Anyway, lets go to a lovely place and within 20 minutes someone disappears! sounds vaguely familiar. The game is dark. No, not the story, the game. It seems the last few releases, aside from Fright Chasers, are all dark. You cannot see details. Bright sunshine may not add to a chilling story, but someone turn on a lamp! The graphics are beautiful but you cannot see them. Instead toning down the garish green and purple motif that was so popular, now developers use a muddy grey-ish blue. To find some morphing objects, you have to notice movement. In this game, the courser changes when you hover over the object. I avoid moving my courser around on the screen until I find the object. I don't want any help.
FIRST: the only options in this game are volume of game and music, full screen, and tutorial! No timed/relaxed or limited moves. NOTHING. You match three to clear tiles.Each level has certain icon(s) to collect. There are also tiles under icons that you must clear. As you do this, you earn stars and jewels. These are used in the upgrades to buy upgrades for the "hideout". Jewels buy tools used in the game. You have no control over how quickly you can move thru the game. You just play. You can only earn 3 stars per level. Everything is controlled to set the pace of the game. HINT: buy tools as soon as you can. I didn't and therefore was stuck on level 4 for 20 minutes before I just quit. I wish we could find games like Imperial Island 3, NOT 4. Laruaville and Spellarium are on the right track.
I read the first review, and hoped this game would be like MCF Ravenshearst or Fate's Carnival. NO NO NO! Other than mist, and a cat moving around, there is no animation. You play off a map. You transport between a house and each scene. You visit a scene to search for hidden objects. In your search you encounter mini games. Two of the mini games in the demo are impossible to complete because necessary pieces will not move. As for the story, it starts out as helping an old flame. However, as you free a cat from a mailbox, you see the headline that a professor was murdered?!! Very awkward. Like the developer suddenly remembered there was supposed to be a dead professor and just stuck it in there. I think it is a shame to waste what could have been a great story,mystery. The hidden object scenes are dark and muddy. The whole game is dark and muddy. There are tons of little stick figures in every scene that should have been included in the game or explained within the demo. The skulls you are to collect seem to be an after thought. I can't even recommend the demo.
Please note, I played for only 20 minutes. A random bobble head from a random car has to be used to open a case on fire in a random dumpster, developers have given up. Is it too much to ask that the items needed to further the game be somewhat logical? Why would the sign for an electric panel be in a rowboat off the pier? The plot has potential, but they didn't seem to care. Game is dreary and dark. Its just not worth the effort to keep finding little random parts to open random things that only lead to another search. The first review said as much yet they rated the game a five star.
Engaging game for someone who does not wish to struggle to find objects needed three screens back. Puzzles are fun and not too hard, not too easy. I noted the challenge as excellent. It is excellent for the type of game it is. Sometimes these games can be too obvious. Graphics are good, but some of the match games get a little muddy. Colors are bright. Game has every type of HOP covered. I will say some games/puzzles could use better, more specific instructions. The little dragon friend does a delightful dance when you succeed. Its cute. The animals are cute, the fish are beautiful and the monsters are scary (but not nightmare scary). I think this would be a good game to play with your kids. Again, it's cute, so if you hate cute, stay away.
I was so excited to see Imperial Island 4! Excitement turned to disappointment. This game is horrible. It makes no sense that the fourth version of a game would have less features than the first version.. Actually, it has no features. No dialogue, no pirate attacks, NOTHING. I played for the full
The moon is involved, but you visit many diverse locations. This is a fun game. This story line moves you through the game without long bits of dialogue. The story is neatly told in few words and you know exactly what is happening and why you are a necessary participant. You find the items you need before you forget where they belong. The HOPs are varied. Two of them I have never experienced before. The mini games had interesting twists in content, however I'm afraid many will find them much too easy. If you are wanting a game that will tax you and require concentration, this is not the game. If you want to have a little fun among bright scenes and interesting characters, go for it.
Love it. A game without horrible evil overtones. A game where you find the elements you need before you forget where they belong. The morphing objects were not obvious or the same symbol. I like the raccoon. I am relieved that we do not need to earn credits or coins to dress him or furnish his home! If you are looking for a challenge, this is NOT your game. If you are looking for some fun without angst this IS your game.
The artwork is pretty, but not lit very well. Details are hard to see, especially in the HOPs. The game movement is too slow - too many steps to do simple tasks. There is difficulty moving scene to scene and so many "rooms".