I can't tell you how many times I just stopped and admired the beautiful scenery in this game. Thank you, designers! Each screen was more breathtaking than the previous one.
The HOPs are not your standard click-a-list - which can get tedious very quickly, no matter how gorgeous the scenes. These are a great collection of variations on the theme. I can say I enjoyed every one of them. They are not too hard and not pathetically easy either. I absolutely ADORE the multi-mini-game panels that are all connected for one ultimate goal... Rube Goldbergs I think they are called? Thrilling to see, because I know I will be there a while and just challenging enough not to be frustrating. And they always have a legit purpose and advance the game.
Speaking of advancing the game, what about the story? Eh. Mild-mannered and misunderstood damsel in distress evolves into a powerful Banshee - whatever. But it was coherent and connected enough to gather together carnival fortune tellers, pixies, Druids, and even a leprechaun. At least they were effective vehicles to make objectives and next steps clear. LOVE Dire Grove revisit. Nice touch.
Extra chapter in Collector's Edition was long and fun, too, definitely added value.
I will be looking for GrandMA games now. Eipix used to be my #1 all-time favorite for outstanding mini games. They now have a rival in my house.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File
Fun Factor
1/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
2/ 5
Storyline
1/ 5
Maybe I missed the allure, but this game talked me to boredom. I did not even finish the demo, and exited with 37 minutes left! I tried - really - and thought it might be setting up the story, but almost an hour in and cut-scene after cut-scene left me yawning.
I am here for games, puzzles, and challenges, beautiful scenery, and a clever but logical sequence to find objects and solve those challenges. I have Netflix if I want to watch video.
About me: I have been a member since 2008 and have purchased (not just played - but bought) more than 200 games. This one ranks among the worst.
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Large File, Puzzle, Strategy
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
I have no idea what game the other reviewers played, but this crazy game gave me the puzzles I crave. Lots of them. I like a good story, but not too much of the story and cut scenes - for that I'll watch Netflix. I want a story that makes sense for the puzzles that are presented. These puzzles are different, can be hard or easy, are clever, and appear deceptively easy, but hold on - think before you click. They are NOT typical or plain ol' HO lists. Finding artifacts and coins adds another dimension, too - keeps you alert, and busy clicking on random objects for fun morphs and animations.
I found the game rather intuitive, too - you know what to do next, which is unlike some recent games where I have to click hint because there is no clear or logical path forward. It has enough (awkward) humor that I chuckled once or twice. Bought it as soon as the trial was over.
I can be skeptical of these adventure / HO / puzzle games - same old same old. I know what I like and what I do not. This was loaded with what I love. The scenery was beautiful (stopped playing to take in the art several times). The characters were all gorgeous - men and women - and the puzzles, oh the puzzles! They were ingenious. Just when you think you know a hidden object game, the folks at Mad Head throw you a curve to keep it interesting. LOVE IT. I purchased the Collectors Edition of this game and the bonus chapter was entertaining and challenging, too.
I am pretty picky when it comes to considering an adventure game GREAT - I try to choose carefully which ones to buy, but usually don't bother rating them once played through to the end - mostly because most non-Collector's Edition games end abruptly with almost ridiculously quick resolution, as if the developers suddenly got bored with their own game and had to finish it. Often also, the Hidden Object scenes become boring obstacles contrived just to delay your progress.
THIS game, however, was filled with intriguing mini-games (very intuitive in casual mode; I did not play expert), excellent and carefully spaced hidden object challenges (for example, finding objects based on clues given or finding pairs based a common trait), and a great variety of puzzles, games, and tasks. Most importantly to me, the game was gloriously long, with 6 unique chapters and lots of logical puzzle solving in each chapter. There wasn't a lot of built-in backtracking and retracing steps within chapters, either. It was a long game because there was so much to explore and do, not because the game developers made it hard to do simple things.
There is also a concurrent system of earning achievements for things like solving puzzles without hints, finding little fairies hidden in scenes, etc. Nice little bonus.
Boom-Zap did a great job with this one. It's one of the rare non-Collector's Edition games that had a very satisfying ending, and attention to detail and good game play throughout. And... they left behind a wide open door to a sequel. Thank you, Boom-Zap!
So, if you love games with beautiful scenery, excellent game play, a fanciful story line that's also a little creepy, and a stockpile of magnificent, creative, and varied puzzles, THIS is a must-buy game. Enjoy!