LunaNik's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.8
- Helpful Votes:12,435
- Reviews Submitted:670
- First Review:November 2, 2012
- Most Recent Review:August 19, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
What's waiting for you in the Shadow Realm?
Overall rating
3
/
5
24 of 28 found this review helpful
Not a worthy sequel. The first two episodes were much better.
PostedJanuary 22, 2017
LunaNik
fromWhat happened to the altars? And the storyline?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Two things made the Shrouded Tales series stand apart from the pack of fantasy games: its engaging storylines, and the altars leading to the shadow world, dark replicas of the real world. Sadly, both elements are missing from this third installment, The Shadow Menace.
I recommended the SE version of the first episode, The Spellbound Land, which was the heroine’s coming of age story. The second episode, Revenge of Shadows, wasn’t quite as good, but was still enjoyable to play. While I only played the demo of The Shadow Menace, I found the storyline thin in some spots, but overly complicated in others.
STORYLINE (6/10★)
Veronica is now a full-fledged mage, but Leon has only just completed his training. There’s no time to celebrate, however, because the city of Grimsdale in under attack. Veronica goes to investigate, and Leon is sent to join her as his first assignment. He’ll have a difficult time, since Veronica is nowhere to be found, and the shadow world is breaking through into the real world.
Veronica is now a full-fledged mage, but Leon has only just completed his training. There’s no time to celebrate, however, because the city of Grimsdale in under attack. Veronica goes to investigate, and Leon is sent to join her as his first assignment. He’ll have a difficult time, since Veronica is nowhere to be found, and the shadow world is breaking through into the real world.
Note: That’s how it begins, anyway. But then a subplot is brought in that’s overly convoluted, and it’s not explained how this subplot relates to the main plot.
BASIC GAMEPLAY (3/5★)
As Grimsdale is falling apart, there are lots of things missing parts or broken that Leon needs to find and repair. He has a bracelet that both allows him to communicate with Archie and to cast spells as he is given them. The altars leading to the shadow world are missing this time. Instead, the cracks between the worlds open up to allow access. Changes made in the shadow realm affect the real world.
As Grimsdale is falling apart, there are lots of things missing parts or broken that Leon needs to find and repair. He has a bracelet that both allows him to communicate with Archie and to cast spells as he is given them. The altars leading to the shadow world are missing this time. Instead, the cracks between the worlds open up to allow access. Changes made in the shadow realm affect the real world.
HIDDEN OBJECT SCENES (3/5★)
As has become standard, none of the objects were actually hidden, but were in plain view in the scene. Most presentations were minimally interactive list, but there were a couple that were challenging and enjoyable.
As has become standard, none of the objects were actually hidden, but were in plain view in the scene. Most presentations were minimally interactive list, but there were a couple that were challenging and enjoyable.
The first scene is presented as a bunch of items blocking Leon’s way. It begins with an interactive list. Then, the items found are used to clear the obstacles. This was stellar, as it resembled what you might do in real life, rather than the usual disconnected list of objects with no context. Another that I enjoyed was finding pairs of related objects. Had this been pairs of objects that were exactly alike, it wouldn’t have been much fun.
PUZZLES & MINI-GAMES (1/5★)
Puzzles were a weak spot. None were particularly innovative or difficult; any challenge lay only in the time-consuming nature of some of the puzzles.
• Backstory - Several versions of “find 3” while listening to the narrative.
• Portal - Swap segments of two concentric circles to correctly complete the symbols.
• Restore - Several versions of restoring an image or pattern, including a grid of nine that rotates four at a time, lights to be connected with patterns on rotating and switchable tumblers, and a Celtic knot to be restored by moving rows and columns.
• Timing - Adjust the flow of water with four valves so that the water in four tubes reaches the top at the same time.
• Odd One Out - Choose the symbol that doesn’t match the others.
Puzzles were a weak spot. None were particularly innovative or difficult; any challenge lay only in the time-consuming nature of some of the puzzles.
• Backstory - Several versions of “find 3” while listening to the narrative.
• Portal - Swap segments of two concentric circles to correctly complete the symbols.
• Restore - Several versions of restoring an image or pattern, including a grid of nine that rotates four at a time, lights to be connected with patterns on rotating and switchable tumblers, and a Celtic knot to be restored by moving rows and columns.
• Timing - Adjust the flow of water with four valves so that the water in four tubes reaches the top at the same time.
• Odd One Out - Choose the symbol that doesn’t match the others.
INTERFACE & MECHANICS (5/5★)
No issues.
No issues.
LOGIC & COMMON SENSE (5/5★)
No issues.
No issues.
GRAPHICS & ANIMATION (4/5★)
I liked the painterly style of the graphics, and thought it fit the game theme well. The palette was well thought out; realistic colors were used in the real world, with more unnatural colors used for magical items and in the shadow realm. NPCs were drawn well, but the animation wasn’t great. However, animation of items and in cutscenes was excellent.
I liked the painterly style of the graphics, and thought it fit the game theme well. The palette was well thought out; realistic colors were used in the real world, with more unnatural colors used for magical items and in the shadow realm. NPCs were drawn well, but the animation wasn’t great. However, animation of items and in cutscenes was excellent.
MUSIC & SOUND (no rating)
I had the sound low, so I won’t comment on the music, voiceovers, or environmental sound, and won’t rate this category either way.
I had the sound low, so I won’t comment on the music, voiceovers, or environmental sound, and won’t rate this category either way.
COLLECTOR’S EDITION EXTRAS (2/5★)
Bonus chapter, the SG, performance achievements, collectible cards, and the dev’s portfolio of wallpapers, concept art, and music. This is not remotely enough to justify double the price, and replayable HO scenes and puzzles should be a given for a CE.
Bonus chapter, the SG, performance achievements, collectible cards, and the dev’s portfolio of wallpapers, concept art, and music. This is not remotely enough to justify double the price, and replayable HO scenes and puzzles should be a given for a CE.
OVERALL RATING & CONCLUSION
Total = 29/45★ = Overall Rating of 3.2★ rounded to ★★★
I won’t recommend it because I don’t plan to purchase it. The first episode was the best, in my opinion, with the second rated just below it. I replay both these episodes from time to time. But this storyline just didn’t engage me. At first, it wasn’t developed enough. Then, when the subplot came in, it was overly complicated. And gameplay was somewhat repetitive, with the exception of those two standout HO scenes.
Total = 29/45★ = Overall Rating of 3.2★ rounded to ★★★
I won’t recommend it because I don’t plan to purchase it. The first episode was the best, in my opinion, with the second rated just below it. I replay both these episodes from time to time. But this storyline just didn’t engage me. At first, it wasn’t developed enough. Then, when the subplot came in, it was overly complicated. And gameplay was somewhat repetitive, with the exception of those two standout HO scenes.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you uncover the cause of the cool down?
Overall rating
1
/
5
78 of 90 found this review helpful
Thankfully, I had my phone on "do not disturb" when Midnight called.
PostedJanuary 20, 2017
LunaNik
fromPuzzles that at least required a high school education would make a nice change.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I'm certain that some fishies consider my reviews to be contemptuous. Whoever said “familiarity breeds contempt” was spot on. This is the sixth HOPA I've reviewed this year, and I feel like I've reviewed the same game six times.
Once again, I have a relative in trouble, which unleashes hundreds of game memories of storylines when my child-sibling-parent-spouse was in danger. Been there, done that, got a closet-full of t-shirts. On the way to the rescue, my horse-drawn carriage overturns and slides off a cliff, which prompts flashbacks of a thousand prior carriage-automobile-plane crashes I've experienced in games. Ugh…again? Next, I discover that the very fate of the world rests in my hands, which causes a myriad of echoes in my mind of games in which the fate of my world-another world-both worlds was in danger of destruction, and I was the only one who could save the day. This is beyond tiresome...hence my contempt. When the possibilities for storylines is limited only by the imagination, I reject attempts to sell me the same boring tale under a new name.
Imagine my utter lack of surprise when the first hundred things I see are shaped indentations requiring matching amulets. Would one of you five-star fishies please explain to me how doing the exact same thing over and over again for several hours is entertaining? Because I find it not only boring, but annoying. Finding and using those amulets was, quite literally, the only thing adventure mode consisted of. Sometimes, I’d place an amulet, the whatever would open, and inside would be another amulet! I’m going to have nightmares tonight.
Moving on to what devs insist on calling “hidden object scenes,” in spite of their lack of hidden objects, do you ever wonder why none of the devs actually hide the objects anymore? Because they don’t have to. It’s not difficult to create a scene of random objects, then decide which of those visible objects to put on the list. It’s even easier if you have a collection of pre-rendered objects from previous games that you can reuse…just change the color and alter the light source and no one will catch on—except the contemptuous reviewer who happens to be a graphic designer…ignore her…look at all the five-star reviews!
It’s comparatively more difficult and time consuming to create a scene, then camouflage objects within that scene so they’re not obvious, because you must create from scratch sixteen objects to hide for each HO scene, tweak them to blend in, then render them. And rendering takes a LOT of time. For large files, it’s not uncommon to start the rendering process…and go to sleep for the night, because there’s literally no point in waiting around for something that ties up your computer for hours. (Oh, the varied presentations? Yeah, that’s not difficult either. This game had minimally interactive list, silhouette multiples, painting fragments, mouse over with a magnifying glass to find “invisible” items, etc.)
Onto what the devs laughingly call “puzzles.” A real puzzle is game, toy, or problem designed to amuse and made purposely difficult in order to test the solver's skills and ingenuity. As an adult, what skills of yours were tested by the six-piece "swap the pieces" jigsaw in this game? Personally, my ability to refrain from spewing profanity was tested. I failed miserably. Did you feel particularly ingenious when you found three matching pairs amidst seven tokens? I don’t think you did, because you’re an adult. Were you challenged by having to randomly guess the correct order in which to click three arrows? I wasn’t either. This is another case of pure laziness. These simplistic puzzles only require simple programming. And when a dev reuses the same puzzles, they just dig into their collection of programs and reuse old programming too. “Hey, do we have a subroutine for a nine-tile slider?” You know they do, because it’s in every single game, isn’t it?
So, recycled storyline, recycled graphics, recycled programming…somehow that’s supposed to equal “new game?” This must be the same type of logic that insists that objects in plain view are “hidden” and matching pairs is a “puzzle” for adults. Anyone else feeling contemptuous?
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save a group of students before it’s too late?
Overall rating
1
/
5
50 of 76 found this review helpful
1½ stars...formulaic and easy, nothing original or interesting
PostedJanuary 14, 2017
LunaNik
from...going back in time to play a game that's actually challenging.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
The principal of the Wilford School for Girls hired me to investigate dangerous paranormal events at her school. Apparently, the ghost of a bullied student had returned to exact revenge, even though the students at Wilford now aren’t the ones who bullied her. Upon my arrival, a doctor was loading the corpse of a student onto an ambulance, insisting loudly that she be rushed to the hospital, which I found odd.
I was appalled that the principal failed to see the obvious need to evacuate both students and staff, but she seemed more concerned with proving to me that the school had passed inspection. Since, when I rehung the inspection certificate, it punched a whole through the flimsy wall, it seemed more likely that someone had bribed the inspector. Upon closer examination, all the school’s certificates appeared to have been tampered with. Strangely, I was able to move elements of them that were actually ink printed onto the paper, as if the laws of physics had stopped working.
In my exploration of the school, I discovered that nearly everything was locked. Some doors, cabinets, and boxes had traditional keyholes, but others bore ornately shaped indentations I couldn’t explain until I began to find objects here and there that matched those indentations in shape. How bizarre.
I was unable to access the third floor because of a pile of broken glass from a fallen light fixture. When I attempted to simply move the large pieces of glass aside, something prevented me. Other strange things I encountered included a broken zipper pull, a couple of missing drawer handles, one dusty item I was required to brush clean, and a key that inconveniently fell through a grating. I began to have a strong sense of dejà vu.
Several times, I ran across oddly cluttered areas accompanied by varying types of lists, some depicted in words, others in silhouettes. Apparently, the idea was to find the objects on these lists, kind of like a treasure hunt. Well, it wasn’t difficult since the items were in plain view. Whoever created the lists believed that simplistic things like matching and jigsaw puzzles would slow me down…lol.
That same person must have created the ridiculously easy puzzles I kept running into, like the one on the certificates. Really, having a four-digit lock, then writing the code on the mirror above the lock and setting up a humidifier next to the mirror? A simple swap and rotate jigsaw puzzle? A lock with five tumblers I must rotate to create an unbroken line, but each one lights up when I choose the correct one? You didn’t need a detective for this.
Suddenly, exactly 43 minutes into my investigation, the Wilford School for Girls disappeared and I was instantly transported into a comfy chair in front of an iMac, staring at a lengthy error message. I realized I wasn’t a detective at all; I was a gamer playing yet another illogical game with a silly storyline and easy gameplay…and that game had just crashed. What a relief!
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop evil forces from taking over the kingdoms?
Overall rating
1
/
5
37 of 47 found this review helpful
Great game for children. This is a game for children, right?
PostedJanuary 12, 2017
LunaNik
from...going back in time to play a game that's actually challenging.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
My 4-year-old niece can solve a 25-piece jigsaw puzzle. She also loves to play matching pairs, and would scoff at matching three or four pairs in plain view; her game requires her to actually remember where each half of the pair is. Presumably, casual game developers are marketing their games to adults. So why are they including puzzles suitable for preschoolers in their games?
The demo of The Fifth Kingdom included several versions of both puzzles mentioned above, as well as a Match-2 (or more), a couple types of slide/move tokens to their matching spots, a version of rush hour, and an assemble the symbol by choosing the correct parts. This is not a game for adults.
The HO scenes, while creatively presented and interactive, were not hidden objects scenes. They were just scenes filled with objects, none of which were hidden. There’s no challenge in finding a staff that literally fills the screen, or in finding six things that look exactly alike when all are in plain sight.
And it’s not fun to run around the game universe in search of 3,293,458 ornately shaped keys to fit into 3,293,458 matching indentations. Even for ERS, this device was used excessively in The Fifth Kingdom. That’s all adventure mode was, except for mousing over the screen with the “magic mirror” to find moons. Such joy. Many fun. Much accomplishment. Wow.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save your missing mother in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
18 of 25 found this review helpful
Awesome HOs are this insane game's only saving grace.
PostedJanuary 7, 2017
LunaNik
from...going back in time to play a game that's actually challenging.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I have no idea what just happened. There was a were-ferret constantly pestering me for safety equipment. I had a chemistry kit that brewed magic potions. Miniature skeletons challenged me to a dance-off. I blinded a vine with eyes using a boomerang. And this all happened in a nonexistent city named Sallenvile, which everyone pronounced “Sullenville.”
I’m fairly sure this game was designed by Salvador Dali, Timothy Leary, Hieronymus Bosch, and Lewis Carroll after a three-day bender. Either that or someone spiked my coffee.
During my journey through this dev’s madness, I did encounter a few rare high points: three hidden object scenes that were creatively presented, challenging, complex, and fun. All three were multi-layered and interactive. There were also four zoomed-in miniature HO scenes, but they were all extremely easy.
None of the puzzles presented any challenge. Adventure mode was riddled with ornately shaped indentations for which matching “keys” needed to be found, and we all know how much I adore that overused and tired gaming device. At this point, the devs are even making excuses for continuing to use it: “Mom really likes ornate locks.” No. No, she doesn’t. Mom likes creativity and challenge, not repetition.
If this game was all HO scenes and no puzzles, I might consider purchasing it, because I really enjoyed the HO scenes. But they were rare. Since the puzzles were throwaways and the storyline was completely insane, I can’t justify buying this game. I did really like the first three episodes—The Charleston Curse, Lair of the Witch Queen, and Hunter and the Hunted—and rated them highly, but feel the series went downhill after that. This episode was just inane.
I don't recommend this game.
Easter Island is under attack by living statues!
Overall rating
2
/
5
28 of 37 found this review helpful
More neon than Las Vegas. More jigsaw puzzles than a kindergarten.
PostedJanuary 5, 2017
LunaNik
from...waiting for the Surly Seven to cast their arrows down.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
STORYLINE (2/10★)
Domini has, once again, chosen to ignore the rich history of mythology that exists around the world in favor of making up a silly myth of their own about a secret society of Seekers that travels the universe battling evil gods. The one you conveniently run into while on vacation, Atakhtar, turns the noble Moai guardians of Easter Island into ridiculous floating heads whose eyes shoot fiery beams that turn people into stone. Off you go to become a Seeker, only to run head on into a secondary, similarly convoluted plotline.
Domini has, once again, chosen to ignore the rich history of mythology that exists around the world in favor of making up a silly myth of their own about a secret society of Seekers that travels the universe battling evil gods. The one you conveniently run into while on vacation, Atakhtar, turns the noble Moai guardians of Easter Island into ridiculous floating heads whose eyes shoot fiery beams that turn people into stone. Off you go to become a Seeker, only to run head on into a secondary, similarly convoluted plotline.
BASIC GAMEPLAY (1/5★)
Overall, gameplay was so linear that it felt contrived, and items necessary to progress were found a step or two away from where they were needed…including the requisite ornate shaped objects used as keys.
Overall, gameplay was so linear that it felt contrived, and items necessary to progress were found a step or two away from where they were needed…including the requisite ornate shaped objects used as keys.
HIDDEN OBJECT SCENES (2/5★)
The unHidden Object scenes varied in presentation, but were completed in less than a minute. They included an interactive list with a puzzle, a narrative with capitalized words, two “find five” zoomed-in scenes, and a silhouette. Play Match-3 instead, if you like.
The unHidden Object scenes varied in presentation, but were completed in less than a minute. They included an interactive list with a puzzle, a narrative with capitalized words, two “find five” zoomed-in scenes, and a silhouette. Play Match-3 instead, if you like.
PUZZLES & MINI-GAMES (2/5★)
Jigsaw puzzles in various forms, a Simon Says, bubble shooter, a couple “moving one may affect others” puzzles, enter a symbol code by copying the given clue, a version of pipes…nothing we haven’t seen and solved before. Most were far too easy, even using the “hard” setting.
Jigsaw puzzles in various forms, a Simon Says, bubble shooter, a couple “moving one may affect others” puzzles, enter a symbol code by copying the given clue, a version of pipes…nothing we haven’t seen and solved before. Most were far too easy, even using the “hard” setting.
GAME MECHANICS (3/5★)
About half my demo time was spent waiting for pop-up boxes to go away. Every time I completed a game goal, a box popped up. When that one faded out, another one popped up to tell me my next goal. At least make this nonsense optional, because it’s exceedingly annoying when gameplay is interrupted every few seconds with a notification!
About half my demo time was spent waiting for pop-up boxes to go away. Every time I completed a game goal, a box popped up. When that one faded out, another one popped up to tell me my next goal. At least make this nonsense optional, because it’s exceedingly annoying when gameplay is interrupted every few seconds with a notification!
LOGIC & COMMON SENSE (2/5★)
Everyday tools locked up like priceless treasures. A vicious carnivore that’s allegedly a friendly pet, but that’s chained up with no food and no water behind a locked door. Oh, no! I’m afraid of dust! Twice in one demo! The archaeologist is worried about his friend, but does nothing to help move the pile of debris that fell atop him; he just stands there and waits for me to do it.
Everyday tools locked up like priceless treasures. A vicious carnivore that’s allegedly a friendly pet, but that’s chained up with no food and no water behind a locked door. Oh, no! I’m afraid of dust! Twice in one demo! The archaeologist is worried about his friend, but does nothing to help move the pile of debris that fell atop him; he just stands there and waits for me to do it.
GRAPHICS & ANIMATION (2/5★)
The palette was eye-searing neon. Look at the first screenshot; the water in the lake looks like gelatinous sludge, and the statues appear to be vomiting nuclear waste, not water. Every scene was drenched in unnaturally glowing color, to the point that it overshadowed every other quality of the graphics. Yeah, there were some beautiful textures and excellent rendering…that were drowned in neon.
The palette was eye-searing neon. Look at the first screenshot; the water in the lake looks like gelatinous sludge, and the statues appear to be vomiting nuclear waste, not water. Every scene was drenched in unnaturally glowing color, to the point that it overshadowed every other quality of the graphics. Yeah, there were some beautiful textures and excellent rendering…that were drowned in neon.
MUSIC & SOUND (3/5★)
Music was neither bad nor memorable. Voiceovers were mediocre, mostly with no affect or obviously fake affect. Ambient sound was done well.
Music was neither bad nor memorable. Voiceovers were mediocre, mostly with no affect or obviously fake affect. Ambient sound was done well.
COLLECTOR’S EDITION EXTRAS (4/5★)
Bonus chapter, collectible morphing objects, collectible artifacts, collectible fractal flowers for your garden house, collectible figurines, performance achievements, replay uHO scenes and puzzles, the SG, and the dev’s portfolio of wallpapers, concept art, videos, and soundtracks. To be honest, having four different types of collectibles doesn’t add enjoyment to gameplay that is boring; it just detracts more.
Bonus chapter, collectible morphing objects, collectible artifacts, collectible fractal flowers for your garden house, collectible figurines, performance achievements, replay uHO scenes and puzzles, the SG, and the dev’s portfolio of wallpapers, concept art, videos, and soundtracks. To be honest, having four different types of collectibles doesn’t add enjoyment to gameplay that is boring; it just detracts more.
CONCLUSION (Overall Rating = 21★ ÷ 10 = 2.1★ rounded to ★★)
I found nothing innovative or interesting about the gameplay, and nothing intriguing or entertaining about the storyline. The neon graphics gave me a headache, as did the lack of logic. *sigh* My kingdom for a well-developed storyline and challenging gameplay!
I found nothing innovative or interesting about the gameplay, and nothing intriguing or entertaining about the storyline. The neon graphics gave me a headache, as did the lack of logic. *sigh* My kingdom for a well-developed storyline and challenging gameplay!
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop a devious plot against the Vermillion Watch?
Overall rating
2
/
5
23 of 28 found this review helpful
The Case of the Missing Storyline
PostedDecember 31, 2016
LunaNik
fromMy 2016 Review Totals: 5✭=13 — 4✭= 30 — 3✭=16 — 2✭=36 — 1✭=10. Here's hoping 2017 will bring more 5✭ games.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I rated the first episode of Vermillion Watch, Moorgate Accord, two stars, and it only averaged that high because of its production values. The storyline wasn't original, and gameplay was sparse and simplistic, with far too many cutscenes and conversations. Nor was I the only reviewer with these complaints.
This second episode, Fleshbound, appears to be missing its storyline entirely. I mean, after an hour, I have no idea what this game is about. I chased the thief, then chased others who seemed to be minions of the Red Queen, but got no closer the plot than "something was stolen from a friend of the Watch." There was one long cutscene that was (I think) an attempt at foreshadowing, but since it resembled an animated Jackson Pollock painting, it not only failed to fill the massive holes in the narrative, it actually created more confusion.
Probably half my hour was spent watching cutscenes and in-game animation, and clicking through conversations with NPCs, including one where all the evidentiary deductions were made for me by another character. Some "great detective."
What actual gameplay there was consisted largely of unhidden object scenes and mini-games suitable for children. Look, I assume we're all adult fishies, so I also assume you're not any more challenged by matching pairs, Simon Says, or spot the differences than I am. When I see puzzles like these, I feel insulted. If I've actually bought the game, I feel cheated. Only two puzzles were actually good:
• A fusebox puzzle where you had to complete the connection by moving different sizes of gold connectors within each of the five rows. (original)
• A lock puzzle where you had to both rotate the four tokens and place them in the correct order to unlock the lock. (recycled)
• A fusebox puzzle where you had to complete the connection by moving different sizes of gold connectors within each of the five rows. (original)
• A lock puzzle where you had to both rotate the four tokens and place them in the correct order to unlock the lock. (recycled)
Sure, the graphics were topnotch, the animation was state-of-the-art, and the music was movie-quality. But those things don't hide the missing storyline and subpar gameplay in the same way that an exquisite buttercream frosting doesn't cover up the fact that the cake is tasteless and dry. I don't think it's asking too much of a game developer to actually develop a game.
I don't recommend this game.
The enemy of your enemy is your friend, or are they?
Overall rating
3
/
5
36 of 43 found this review helpful
3½ stars - Excellent storyline, some good gameplay...I'll wait for the SE.
PostedDecember 29, 2016
LunaNik
fromWishing all fishies a joyous holiday season, and a happy and healthy New Year!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
This episode of Dark Tales is not a reenactment of Poe’s classic poem, but a storyline that merely borrows the inscrutable raven and the narrator’s lost love, Lenore, as thematic elements of a murder mystery with a touch of the supernatural.
Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to like the storyline. “The Raven” is one of my favorite poems. However, I thought ERS did a great job pacing both the plot revelations and the weaving together of the story’s threads into a coherent whole. The mystery intrigued and immersed me. Perhaps the raven motif was a touch overused.
While there was more variety in gameplay than is typical of most games, there were still far too many shaped objects being used as keys. At one point, I had found one “amulet,” and used it to open a box…only to find another. Which led me to another box. Upon opening that, I found…yet another shaped key. Really, enough is enough with this device. Devs need to start thinking outside the box-locked-with-an-identation-requiring-a-shaped-key.
I encountered three types of HO scenes: interactive, find 3 in each category, and interactive sequential list. That last one was the best; it was challenging and most resembled looking for things IRL.
Puzzles were about half easy/throwaway and half interesting/challenging. I liked the scarab maze because it tested a number of skills simultaneously: reaction time, memory, and sense of direction. The safe decryption was fun, since it was both a cipher and a logic puzzle. If devs MUST do matching pairs, the weapons cards is one of the best iterations I’ve seen. And the elements tokens puzzle was enjoyable, because some tokens represented two elements in combination.
Graphically, I loved the grayscale watercolor effect of the opening animation. Overall, graphics were an interesting mix of soft washes of muted color, crisp linework, and almost photorealistic details. It lent a surreal tone to the game, which I liked. It kind of fell apart with the sound. The music was staccato and repetitive, and the voiceovers were lame…either far too melodramatic or lacking affect.
Overall, this is a much better game than most of ERS’s recent offerings, though I’ll wait for the SE.
Join our heroines Lily and Madison as they follow a series of clues about a recent string of chilling murders.
Overall rating
1
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
1½ stars - The storyline remained a secret.
PostedDecember 29, 2016
LunaNik
fromWishing all fishies a joyous holiday season, and a happy and healthy New Year!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
My rating is NOT based on the following:
• No jump map with available action indicators. Each area of exploration was limited; no map was necessary.
• No journal. It would have been superfluous, since there were no visual clues or codes that needed to be noted.
• No plus items in the inventory. It's gotten to be a time-wasting gimmick that's overused, IMO.
• The drag-from-the-inventory method of using items. It's different, but not onerous.
• Not having infinite hints at my disposal. I prefer a challenge, and rarely use hints anyway.
• The admittedly old-school graphics and lack of animation. Sure, it’s awesome to have beautifully realistic scenes, lifelike NPCs, and stunning animation, but it’s not a necessity.
• No jump map with available action indicators. Each area of exploration was limited; no map was necessary.
• No journal. It would have been superfluous, since there were no visual clues or codes that needed to be noted.
• No plus items in the inventory. It's gotten to be a time-wasting gimmick that's overused, IMO.
• The drag-from-the-inventory method of using items. It's different, but not onerous.
• Not having infinite hints at my disposal. I prefer a challenge, and rarely use hints anyway.
• The admittedly old-school graphics and lack of animation. Sure, it’s awesome to have beautifully realistic scenes, lifelike NPCs, and stunning animation, but it’s not a necessity.
What my rating IS based on:
• The complete lack of a developed storyline. When you’ve completed an hour-long demo, but still haven’t a clue what’s going on, the plot is thin, lacks detail, and needs integration with gameplay.
• The simplicity of the gameplay. While I didn’t mind that HO scenes were straight lists without interactions, puzzles, or mini-games, I did mind that none of the items on the lists were hidden. And the puzzles were ridiculously easy. Yet this was manifestly not a children’s game, since it included a murder.
• The complete lack of a developed storyline. When you’ve completed an hour-long demo, but still haven’t a clue what’s going on, the plot is thin, lacks detail, and needs integration with gameplay.
• The simplicity of the gameplay. While I didn’t mind that HO scenes were straight lists without interactions, puzzles, or mini-games, I did mind that none of the items on the lists were hidden. And the puzzles were ridiculously easy. Yet this was manifestly not a children’s game, since it included a murder.
Often, we find hidden gems amongst older, previously unreleased games and/or games from new developers. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. As far as I’m concerned, the Secret of the Pendulum can remain a secret.
I don't recommend this game.
Race to save your son from beyond the grave!
Overall rating
2
/
5
31 of 42 found this review helpful
This hotel is haunted by shaped "keys."
PostedDecember 25, 2016
LunaNik
fromWishing all fishies a joyous holiday season, and a happy and healthy New Year!
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Large File
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
The bad news is I’m dead and the miscreant who murdered me also kidnapped my son. The good news is I can interact with the physical world. And, man, has my eyesight improved. I can actually see in crisp, vivid detail the hotel where my son was taken…and it’s a mile away.
The Good
• Stunning cutscene animation.
• Awesomely creepy ambient music.
• Male protagonist.
• Collectible morphing objects instead of static items that are all alike.
• Stunning cutscene animation.
• Awesomely creepy ambient music.
• Male protagonist.
• Collectible morphing objects instead of static items that are all alike.
The Mediocre
• Inconsistent in-game animation. In one scene, items were moving wildly…while their shadows remained absolutely still. Ghost animation was excellent, but you were pretty much forced to pay attention to it, since you couldn’t move the cursor until it was finished.
• The storyline, which was pretty much spoiled by several reviews. Please let us discover the plot twists for ourselves instead of describing details that aren’t revealed until well into the demo.
• Inconsistent in-game animation. In one scene, items were moving wildly…while their shadows remained absolutely still. Ghost animation was excellent, but you were pretty much forced to pay attention to it, since you couldn’t move the cursor until it was finished.
• The storyline, which was pretty much spoiled by several reviews. Please let us discover the plot twists for ourselves instead of describing details that aren’t revealed until well into the demo.
The Bad
• Millions of shaped “keys.”
• Unhidden object scenes that take less than a minute to complete.
• Ridiculously simple puzzles I won’t bother to describe, since others have. Only one was challenging and fun.
• Millions of shaped “keys.”
• Unhidden object scenes that take less than a minute to complete.
• Ridiculously simple puzzles I won’t bother to describe, since others have. Only one was challenging and fun.
If you’re a beginner to the genre of HOPAs, you might like this game. Experts will be bored by the gameplay, which doesn’t offer enough of a challenge. Personally, I was turned off by the endless shaped “keys,” which is a game device overused by this dev.
I don't recommend this game.