In League of Light: Wicked Harvest a town is being plagued by an evil force that has begun to kidnap the young children in the town. Alice, fearing for the safety of her daughter has lost all hope of having the local authorities protect her and so she turns to the League of Light for their help. As you approach your destination you experience the evil power for yourself as your coach is attacked. With the coming of the Red Moon, will you arrive in time to rescue the missing children and discover who or what is behind the evil power threatening the town?
The graphics are clear, crisp and colorful, in fact, they are downright gorgeous and one of the most attractive things about this game. The only time the graphics have a less than crisp presentation is during the cut scenes where they take on a misty quality. Couple the awesome game graphics with very good (for the most part) lip-synced voiceovers and, IMHO, we have a game that hits the mark. The overall sound package for the game is quite good and perfectly sets the stage for a great spooky game.
You have a diary that contains your objectives as well as your notes that will help you as you progress on your adventure. The interactive transporter map indicates where you have tasks to accomplish if you have the option checked when you selected your gameplay mode
There are various types of interactive HOPs, some are the standard list type and others are silhouette type. I didn’t find any of the items too difficult to find although I did have to think about what items were needed in the progressive silhouette scenes. The puzzles seemed quite easy and I didn’t encounter too many of them during the demo. It seemed like there were far more HOPs than there were puzzles but since the HOPS include some mini-puzzles that helps improve the ratio a bit. Since I happen to enjoy solving puzzles, I would be a very happy camper if there were more puzzles in this HOPA game. Please keep in mind that my comments are based only on the game’s demo so this review is not the whole picture.
There are hidden owls to find as well as various collectibles. Of course we have the meaningless (MHO only) achievements to earn. I didn’t come across any morphing objects but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. Since the SG is very limited in the demo, I didn’t get the total picture of the extras or perks in the game. If developers want to sell more CE games, it would be a marketing asset if they would make the SG fully viewable during the demo so that gamers would have an idea of game length as well as what extras can be expected.
This second game in the League of Light series is an excellent game and, IMHO, is far better than the first. From the graphics, to the soundtrack, to the puzzles and gameplay, I loved everything about Wicked Harvest. It is a story that some might not like but for me, Wicked Harvest is right up my alley, and I couldn’t wait to hit the buy button. As always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
Fierce Tales is back and this time we are dealing with felines who seem to be controlled by feline "pied piper." Recently, there have been many snow leopard attacks in the area and even the domesticated cats are behaving strangely. We play the game as the local veterinarian who is soon embroiled in the mystery.
There are four modes of gameplay, casual, advanced, hardcore, and then custom. The graphics are exceptionally clear. The overall artwork is excellent. Kudos to the artistic team for creating some of the most realistic animals I have ever encountered in a game: from the artwork down to the movement of the felines, it is all exceptional. Now, if I could only say the same about the voiceovers. Unfortunately they are just okay, and I didn’t care for the voice of the older lady, nor did I care for the falsetto voice of the Inspector that was so out of character. The other thing about the sound package that literally drove me crazy is the constant tone that played whenever I found a useful item. Devs please give me a break – I know when I have found an item and don’t need a trill, a bell or a tone to let me know I have done so! The sound of that tone became so annoying (particularly in an HOS when I was finding one item after another) that I eventually had to turn it off, which was very disappointing because I lost the ambient effects as well.
Early in the game we find the interactive, color-coded map that helps navigate the terrain but I did not find a diary. The map has tabs for achievements and the sketchbook which is most likely connected to the collectible drawings or notes we will find. There is a separate task button off to the right next to the hint.
We have a variety of HOPS included in this game, although some items are very small and thus difficult to find. It has been a long time since I have played a game with a click penalty in an HOS but there is one in this game. If we happen to click three times on an incorrect item, the arrow freezes. In a game where some objects are unidentifiable, it is annoying to have a click penalty. Unfortunately there is no option to disable the click penalty in the custom mode, which is something I think the dev should consider in future games.
The Fierce Tale series has been one of my favorites and, IMHO, this is the best one in the series. Sound issues aside, by the time I finished the game, I had the opinion that this was one of the best games I had played in a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and loved the storyline. The leopards were absolutely awesome and realistic. What a wonderful game! Even though I enjoyed the game, as always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
Without warning, a group of mysterious figures arrives and reduces your village to flames and rubble. What do they want... and who is controlling them?
Your home is in flames and invaded by banshee fire warriors intent on destruction. As you flee your father’s shop, you become aware that you may have some special powers, and you will need them to do battle with the evil that has overcome your village. Not only is your home in ruins but your father has been captured, and as you follow to see where he has been taken a friend comes to your aid and urges you to go to your grandfather’s home for safety, and this is where your adventure truly begins.
There are four modes of gameplay to choose – Spark, Flame and Blaze along with the Custom mode where we can change the settings to suit the way we like to play. The graphics are excellent and crisp particularly in the 3-D cut scenes. The epic soundtrack is awesome and perfectly creates a sense of excitement at the beginning of the game and sets the tone throughout as we play. The voiceovers are also extremely good and they are lip-synced, which adds that extra touch of reality to the game.
Very early in the game you will find some interesting tools – your mother’s medallion as well as her boots and it isn’t long before you discover that you will need to use these special tools to escape the watchful eyes of the invaders. The game has the standard other tools that we generally find in these games such as your journal and an interactive transporter type map that indicates where you have something to do (provided you haven’t turned that option off depending on the mode of play you selected).
There are various types of interactive HOPs, some are the standard list type and others (far too many for my liking) are the story type where you will find items to use according to the tale. I happen to be most fond of the old-style list type HOPs that include some interaction but I know that many of you will really like the story type HOPs. On the other hand, I really like the excellent puzzles that are quite different from the ones that we see time and time again.
Throughout the game there are collectible flames to find as well as morphing objects. There are, of course, the gameplay based achievements that are earned as you move through the adventure. IMHO, there are quite a few extras in the CE version of the game but most of them are locked until the game is completed, so it is a matter of personal choice of whether or not you choose the CE over the SE version that will be released later.
Overall, I really enjoy this game. The graphics are excellent as are the voiceovers. Aside from the HOPs, the storyline, puzzles and gameplay are so entertaining that they blend together to create a top-notch game. I love this game and for me it is an instant purchase but, as always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
In this second game in the Danse Macabre series we will need to unravel the mystery behind the death of one of the most famous stars of the Moulin Rouge, Sophie. After you are hired by the famous artist and patron of the Moulin Rouge Toulouse-Lautrec you are off to find out who murdered his dear friend. Along the way you will encounter more than a few suspects and very interesting characters.
For those of us who are very familiar with the HOPA genre I only need to say one word when referring to the technical aspects of the game – EIPIX. For those of you who are new to the genre, you are in for a treat as this developer always presents us with some of the best HOPA games to be found. From the modes of gameplay, to the graphics, to the sound, this developer is hard to beat when it comes to excellence.
Rather than having a diary, you have an evidence board where information about various characters (suspects or not) is stored. Very early in the game you receive a map of Paris that will help you navigate to the various locations you need to investigate. You also have a carriage at your disposal and will need to use certain items at times to move to a different location. You also have a forensic kit that will be used from time to time to collect information that will prove helpful to your investigation.
Some of the HOPS are silhouette type and very interactive with multi-levels, while others are the list type, but even those have some interaction required. The puzzles are interesting and I did give up on one during the demo since I didn’t want to spend time solving it. When I purchase the full version, I will take my time and enjoy each and every puzzle that comes my way.
There are achievements to earn (of course) and 41 collectibles to find. There are also 14 morphing objects throughout the game so keep your eyes open. The game has lots of bonus content so it is definitely worth the CE price. When I see a game from EIPIX, I can’t wait to get my hands on it so I never wait for the SE to be released.
In the end, the only thing I can say about this game is that it is wonderful and one of the best to come along in months. IMHO, it is a top contender for game of the year because of the gameplay, graphics and sound that all create an immersive gaming experience. When I see a game of this caliber, it is sad that I can only give it five-stars – every one of them well-deserved. I am sure many of you will agree with me and love the game as well but, as always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this game is for you.
In Forgotten Kingdom Dream of Ruin you play the game as an ambassador of your prince who desires the hand of the princess Selene in marriage. As you deliver the marriage proposal to the princess, she is suddenly bound by a mysterious curse. The queen suspecting that you may have something to do with the evil curse that has befallen the princess, binds her life to yours and you have only two days to find a cure to save not only the life of the princess but your own as well. Travel the kingdoms with the aid of your magical flying tiger where you will encounter mystical and wise dragons, mischievous pixies, and other wondrous creatures. Will you meet the challenge and find the cure that will save the princess Selene?
The graphics are mediocre at best, but with lovely artwork and great use of color. The game has voiceovers that are okay but not great and, of course, there is no lip-sync.
You have a very basic journal with two sections: one for objectives and the other for clues. One of your first tasks in the game is to piece together your interactive transporter type map. You have another tool; your flying tiger that helps you navigate from one kingdom to another.
There are various types of interactive HOPs, some are the standard list type and others are silhouette type. The puzzles seem easy, although I did end up skipping one of the more difficult ones early in the game because I didn’t feel like putting more time into solving it.
It is a shame to call this game a CE. The CE content contains the strategy guide and nothing else aside from a few collectible cards to be found throughout the game.
I think, and this is only my opinion, that this game should have been released as an SE because it truly doesn’t deserve the CE label. The story is slow and almost seems plodding. Those gamers who hate sparkles and black bar tips should find this game to their liking since there is very little hand holding or help along the way. Although the game moves slowly in the beginning, it does improve once we leave the palace and I did find myself being drawn into the story in a bit more. In all honesty, I only got the game because I had a free CE coupon that was ready to expire. If not for that, there was nothing about the game that drew me in to the point where I would have wanted to buy it. I am sure that there are some gamers out there who will really enjoy this game. It is not a terrible game and does improve somewhat as the game develops but it is not one that seems very exciting. As always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
In Witches’ Legacy The Tie That Binds - the 4th game in this series – Lynn and Edward are about to be married when Edward suddenly goes off on a search related to his family. Lynn suspects it is a trap so we are off and running to save Edward and find the truth about what happened to his family. With our friend Imp in tow, it looks like we may have a sometimes dangerous and rather entertaining time ahead.
The graphics follow that same style as in the other Witches’ Legacy games and although very good they are not really crisp. I think that the artwork is really very good with a varied color palette; however, the pink, blue and purple tones have been used too much in recent games. The voiceovers are much like those in the other games in the series but Lynn’s voice seems rather stilted and flat for a young woman who is approaching her wedding day. Although the voiceovers may leave a bit to be desired, the other sound effects in the game are excellent, particularly the thunderstorm at the beginning of the game.
You have a diary that keeps track of the story and other information you might need at a later point in the game. Early into the game you will piece together your interactive, transporter type map that shows areas of interest and other information as well. Of course you have Imp to help in situations, and trusty friend is always ready to go with just the click of a mouse.
There are various types of interactive HOPs to be found but most are the list type. If you don’t want to search through junk piles to find objects on the list, you do have an alternative matching puzzle to play. As I have mentioned in other reviews, developers now include puzzles that seem very easy with less challenge to solve. This is a trend to perhaps attract some of those who don’t like puzzles in HOPA games.
Did I like the game? Yes!! The game turned out to be a real winner and it is one I will play again, which doesn’t often happen with HOPA games. I was very surprised because I thought the game seemed a bit boring in the beginning but the excellent HOS and the puzzles kept me entertained for two days. The game is a bit longer than I suspected, and I spent time looking for all the morphing objects in the CE version that I purchased. I would highly recommend The Tie That Binds for anyone who loves a good HOPA. This is only my opinion so as always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
It was a dark and stormy night and you guessed it, something evil is afoot. A neighbor has called the police as she is concerned about the new family that has recently taken up residence at what is believed to be a cursed castle. When police arrive at the scene the family is nowhere to be found, that is all except for the youngest child. You have been called upon by the police (since you just happen to be in the area) to help with their investigation.
I find the graphics to be quite good although a bit “jumpy” at times, meaning that when the characters move it is not always fluid. The overall sound package in the game is very good, including the voiceovers that I think are terrific. The whole presentation fits nicely together to create a game that is very appealing. We have a nice mystery on our hands and the developer has created just the right atmosphere with the spooky music and effects that help bring the story to life.
You have a diary that contains various sections for tasks, memos and record, which is a video replay of certain scenes. The interactive, transporter map indicates tasks to accomplish and areas of interest that should be explored. The map is set up in a way that I happen to like with pages or tabs for each of the different areas of the castle and grounds.
Most of the HOPs are interactive but the progressive ones were a bit tricky, although once you find the first item they are easier. Then there is the little “surprise” that comes with some HOPs that is not to be missed. The puzzles are interesting and I struggled with the first lock puzzle but that is just because I am not great at “mousing” – LOL, and once I got the pattern it was okay. I The puzzles are not too difficult but that is because the recent trend has been to include very easy puzzles in HOPA games in order to “grab” those who don’t want too much challenge in their games.
Overall the game is quite enjoyable, albeit the story line is one that has been “gamed” to death. We have a cursed castle with some unspecified ancient evil or ghosts lurking in the shadows. That doesn’t mean that I find it boring, it is just that the story is the same as always but with the developer’s own spin on the tale. I still had fun and found the gameplay excellent, and I do like the bits of fright that come along the way as travel through the castle. Just a curiosity though, have you ever wondered why we have policemen, inspectors, or other charming male figures in games but we are always the ones who do the actual work? I think it is about time we have a nice male superhero show up once in a while to actually provide some help along the way; maybe HE could replace our pet helpers – just a thought devs! Even though I really liked the game and purchased it early on, as always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
In the beginning cut scene we see the delightfully creepy and ghoulish resurrection of Diva, the greatest opera singer in all of Europe. The story develops as you, detective, are invited by a dear friend to attend the opening of Diva’s concerts in her city. She is delighted to see you but it isn’t too long before catastrophe strikes and your friend is “taken”. Play this latest offering in the Maestro series and stop Diva from singing her deadly siren’s song. Will you be able to save the day and solve the mystery of Diva’s deadly talent?
Of course with this being an ERS game the graphics are excellent and what I consider top-notch. Even though the voice (presumably) of “Diva” on the game’s home screen is rather annoying, the rest of the voiceovers are extremely good. Even with the game having voiceovers that are terrific, once again we have no lip-syncing. I guess that ERS lost their lip-sync specialist to another developer. The remainder of the sound package has the ERS branding and follows the theme of the other Maestro games.
Although we have a very nice interactive, transporter-type map, I did not find a journal or diary. Early in the game we will acquire a special medallion that will help us dispel evil forces when needed. After use we do have to refurbish or recharge the medallion before its next use. There is a feisty little ferret that shows up periodically and I hesitate to use the phrase “animal helper” because I don’t want to infer that we have a pet in the game, one that needs dressing up or a pet house to be furnished, as that is not the case. I happen to think the ferret is the same as any other tool, one that will be found and used occasionally as needed. The ferret is quite entertaining and each time I encounter him I wonder just what type of mischief he will be into next.
There are various types of interactive HOPs, with the inclusion of the standard list type, the type where we find so many of a specific item, and others are silhouette type. No matter which type, each one has a great deal of interactivity included and some even contain separate mini-puzzles, which add to my enjoyment of the scenes. One of the things I like about this developer is that the artwork is very good so I don’t have to play the guessing game about what an item might or might not be. Most items are of a good size so I am not dealing with itty-bitty, almost invisible items.
Throughout the game you will find collectibles that are designated as “enchanted objects.” Not all collectibles are apparent so I would suggest that you click on everything. This developer is not heavy on additional CE content so it really is a matter of preference if you decide to purchase the CE or wait for the SE version. I happen to like the in-game strategy guide and for that reason the CE is my best option. That and the fact that I have a hard time waiting for the SE release.
This new Maestro takes on a different storyline than the others in the series and I found it quite entertaining and , IMHO, it might be the best in the series. The game abounds with ghoulish fiends who seem to delight in causing trouble at every turn. We have a “hero” in the game who rather reminds me of an American movie star (who used to go out dancing on Saturday nights) and he is, IMHO, a quite attractive addition to the game even though he does seem a bit bumbling at times. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the beta and then the demo of Maestro Dark Talent and was sorry to see them end. As for me the game is a definite purchase but, as always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
As Dream Catchers the Beginning opens you are on your way to visit your sister Mia at boarding school. Mia regularly corresponds with you but since you haven’t heard from her in some time you are worried and have decided to check on her. Of course, what would you expect but a good old car accident to set the stage and, bingo, as you are driving you see a dark figure in the road and drive off a cliff. It appears you are not seriously injured, or are you? It’s very early in the game and, unfortunately, this is where the storyline begins to lose its way. I have my own theory as to what is happening but since this is a game, anything goes and I will just have to keep playing to see if I can sort it all out.
Dream Catchers the Beginning is certainly an interesting game that at first glance seems like an older game that might have been dusted off and recycled since it lacks many of the more sophisticated features of the newer type HOPA games. There are three modes of gameplay – easy, normal and hard. Those of you who hate sparkles in a game might find Dream Catchers more to your liking since the few there are appear to be extremely faint and not too noticeable in the easy mode. The other big issue is that there is no option for widescreen. Normally, I would quit playing at this point but there are some things I like about the game in spite of its lack of newer features. I found that even though the game did not have widescreen it didn’t seem to interfere with my enjoyment of the game. The graphics are very clear and lovely, with a lot of color and, IMHO, the artists have done a great job in creating the scenery and characters. There are no voiceovers and although the dialogue is written, it is clear and easy to see, and most importantly, at least for me, does not appear to have too many glaring issues with language or grammar.
The tools in the game are very minimal with a compass on the lower left that only provides a directional arrow to point the way. The journal on the lower right is far more helpful and provides more information on the story.
The HOS in the demo are straight-forward and require no interaction to find objects. The first HOS was the type where I found items by picture, and unfortunately the pictures were very small and I had to put some thought into what they were. The others in the demo were fortunately the list type and it was much easier to find the items since I didn’t have to play a guessing game. I didn’t encounter many puzzles but the first one was a slider type where I had to arrange tiles to create a picture.
I’ve seen many reviews for this game, some of them not very positive, but I am intrigued enough that I think it will be a buy for me. It is not a glitzy game that is polished but it has some great HOS and, hopefully, more puzzles that provide some challenge. Since I have not previously heard of this developer, I think this might be their first attempt at a hidden object game and I congratulate them on their effort, and hope to see more from them in the future. Yes, the game may not be for everyone but I did find the demo entertaining and decided that this is a game I want to continue playing. As always, try the game for yourself to see if Dream Catchers the Beginning is a game you will enjoy.
Fierce Tales is back and this time we are dealing with felines who seem to be controlled by feline "pied piper." Recently, there have been many snow leopard attacks in the area and even the domesticated cats are behaving strangely. We play the game as the local veterinarian who is soon embroiled in the mystery.
There are four modes of gameplay, casual, advanced, hardcore, and then custom. The graphics are exceptionally clear. The overall artwork is excellent. Kudos to the artistic team for creating some of the most realistic animals I have ever encountered in a game: from the artwork down to the movement of the felines, it is all exceptional. Now, if I could only say the same about the voiceovers. Unfortunately they are just okay, and I didn’t care for the voice of the older lady, nor did I care for the falsetto voice of the Inspector that was so out of character. The other thing about the sound package that literally drove me crazy is the constant tone that played whenever I found a useful item. Devs please give me a break – I know when I have found an item and don’t need a trill, a bell or a tone to let me know I have done so! The sound of that tone became so annoying (particularly in an HOS when I was finding one item after another) that I eventually had to turn it off, which was very disappointing because I lost the ambient effects as well.
Early in the game we find the interactive, color-coded map that helps navigate the terrain but I did not find a diary. The map has tabs for achievements and the sketchbook which is most likely connected to the collectible drawings or notes we will find. There is a separate task button off to the right next to the hint.
We have a variety of HOPS included in this game, although some items are very small and thus difficult to find. It has been a long time since I have played a game with a click penalty in an HOS but there is one in this game. If we happen to click three times on an incorrect item, the arrow freezes. In a game where some objects are unidentifiable, it is annoying to have a click penalty. Unfortunately there is no option to disable the click penalty in the custom mode, which is something I think the dev should consider in future games.
In the demo version of the game it is impossible to know what the collectibles or extras might be since the guide is very limited. Unless we purchase the full game, we are “in the dark." I think the fact that the developer chose not to reveal the number of chapters or extra content available in the CE version indicates there is not much available. Please BFG, if you want to boost sales of CE games, insist that your devs include more information in the demo about the perks.
The Fierce Tale series has been one of my favorites and, IMHO, this is the best one in the series. Unfortunately, even though I found the story line intriguing and didn’t want to quit playing when the demo time was up, the issues with the sound and the click penalty were so annoying that I am giving the game a three-star rating instead of five. I also dislike the limited SG in the demo version since I want to know just how much extra content there might be in a CE version of the game. I think I will wait and use a free punch for the SE of Feline Sight. As always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.