I was so pleased and surprised by the first half of this game. The graphics were somewhat cartoonish but I absolutely loved the way the game nudged you forward and made you think outside the box in almost every scene.
The second half was a disappointment. It was almost as though two different teams did the two halves. In the second half, there was no wonder and mental challenge...it was all a repeat of the most basic HOS and puzzles.
When your daughter, Emily, is taken over by a mysterious force, you must travel to the Nightmare Realm to search for a cure. But nothing could have prepared you for what you find there…
Review of completed game: I very much enjoyed this sequel to the first Nightmare Realm. The graphics were excellent and the game was thought-provoking. It didn't just divide between "mini games" and "hidden object" hunts; multi-scene diversions were puzzles themselves.
I read one reviewer state s/he was disappointed because this sequel was not as good as the first. After I finished this game I re-downloaded the first game and played it again. It is clear the developers expanded on the first and made it better. The only thing I could see that could prompt such a negative comparison was that the first had many more hidden object scenes. Come on people, let's move beyond simple HOS!
I also must comment on the bonus game. I will confess I never play the bonus games; they are often rehashes of the game itself and lack the wide-eyed wonder I cherish. This bonus game is different--it explains the whole story in a totally new environment. I highly recommend opting for the Collector's Edition here.
All in all, this sequel is one of my favorite games thus far this year. Thanks!
Favorite Genre(s):Arcade & Action, Adventure, Large File, Match 3, Brain Teaser, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
I played Hidden Wonders 3 first...twice...and just found HW2. In some ways I like it better. I like all the different power-ups, the different games, and the jigsaw puzzles are challenging. I am now on level 15 and will keep swimming along until the end. One thing though--I am on a MacBook Air--there is no sound except music. There is no option to turn sounds on or off (except music). Odd. Otherwise a fun game!
This review is of the complete game. I would put this game in my top five adventure games from BFG. The graphics in the first part, when you are on the airship, reminded me of Myst. The scenes were beautifully rendered and detailed. Little did I know that was just the beginning!
The game kept chugging along with new doors to open and new rooms and environments to explore. The level of challenge was high...I switched from Expert mode to the middle difficulty level so I had the benefit of a slightly more detailed hint system.
The puzzles were different and for the most part fun. There were a couple that I skipped, not because of difficulty but because the instructions on how to complete them were unclear. There were two instances (chalk and keys on door) that seemed as though the pixels had to be perfectly aligned to an unclear standard, and one was not skippable.
I don't like hidden object scenes, but the few that were included in this game were interactive and enjoyable. I found myself actually relieved to find one because I knew it meant I would get objects to use elsewhere.
The best thing about this game was the beauty of the scenes and the level of challenge. I really felt I was trapped in a castle and it was up to me to figure it all out. I liked the somewhat vague hints as they added to the challenge. I don't know that this game is for everyone, but it was a great game for me, and I'd love to see more from this developer.
I recommend this game!
+3points
5of7voted this as helpful.
Hyperballoid 2
A great Brick Buster game that pushes the boundaries of visuals and gameplay and user customization!
Overall rating
5/ 5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Fun brick breaking game
PostedJanuary 21, 2013
Katie318
fromEleuthera, Bahamas
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
I don't see many of these games that keep me interested...break bricks and release good (or bad) power ups...fast action that you can control with an easy--expert control. This is one of the good ones; if you like the genre, download this now. If you haven't tried a brick game but like action and strategy, give it a try.
Good graphics, well thought out story and puzzles. Someone actually sat down and sketched this story out. This game is not an excuse for running back and forth and wondering where the next hidden object quest may be. I consulted the strategy guide a couple of times and realized I'd just missed a connection--NOT missed a hidden object or HOS. Challenging and fun with good built-in help should you need it... Extra play makes the CE worth it--and I *never* say that.