I had already decided to pass on the CE because I didn't like the demo..... noticed some really good reviews and when the SE came out and I had a cc to use before the month ran out I decided to take a chance. Not EXPECTING to like I actually really started enjoying myself after I got across the bridge. Not a big fan of cute helpers this one kinda grew on me and was sad to have to leave it at the end of the game. Actually quite a long game and I'm REALLY glad I got it. It was fun (except for the puzzles.. not a puzzle person). So if you passed on the CE based on the demo don't despair.. you might find yourself enjoying it afterall... fantastic map!
I knew this was going to be an easy game when I bought it after beta testing it some time ago. I happen to love ERS games because of their wonderful HOs but in this game I was let down..after a while they became more mundane.. finding slightly interactive word lists but luckily there's a pretty good Majohng game to play instead. Yeah, the storyline was weak but the gameplay made up for it. However, the bonus game storyline was ludicrous! all that work only to find..... ah... you will have to find that out for yourselves should you buy the CE.
You've returned from school to visit your father at his famous Jazz Pepper Club during Mardi Gras, but everyone is hypnotized. Have they heard the wrong note?
For the very first time ever I didn't mute the music on a game...as I was priviledged to beta this game and found out how fantastic it was. Everything..everything about this game screams ORIGINAL and out of the box and intriguing. Mad Head doesn't crank out cookie cutter games one after another so while the wait is hard it's so worth it. While the Bonus game isn't essential Cadenza is a game you want to last LONGER and keep playing so for me it was worth the extra price to get the extra bang even though I'm not an "extras" fan. I know I'm not adding any new information but I wanted to give this game the 5 stars it deserves.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Current Favorite:
Dark Dimensions: Somber Song Collector's Edition
(61)
Fun Factor
2/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
2/ 5
Storyline
3/ 5
Just not enough in the gameplay itself to hold my interest and alll the bling doesn't interest me.
PROS: customize your gameplay, HOs with quite a bit of interactivity or switch to puzzle option, good map
CONS: Gameplay way too easy with quick completion of tasks
Short demo (although I did skip a few puzzles to get further into the demo before time was up)
I do own Nightmare Cinema which was also an easy game and I might spring for this one if and when it comes out as an SE since I am not interested in morphing, collectibles, etc. which appears to be this game's main attraction.
Yes, it's a thriller but in my opinion it wasn't scary or make me "jump". After playing the demo I wasn't sure if this was going to be my cup of tea so waited for the SE. It was a long game for an SE and as others have stated more of an adventure than HO game but the HOs were a little hard on the eyes with the items being so small. Not many games draw me into reading the diaries but this one did.. It's ending on a real cliffhanger so my instincts tell me there is to be a sequel. I have never heard of this develper Goblinz but that character they show makes me want to play with characters like HIM, too! I'll be looking for more from this developer and especially a sequel for this game.
I admit I loved the game, but the bonus was too easy . I was standing in line for this one after playing the demo BECAUSE Artifex Mundi was mixing it up with the HOs...loved progressives and was surprised to see some FROGS, too.. but about halfway through the game the HOs became your standard slightly interactive lists which I've come to be so bored of and the domino alternative was no better (since I hate dominos).. I would almost buy a HOPA for JUST some creative HOs and I would care if the storyline was only so so........the demo suckered me in.. I admit it. Still not sorry I purchased it, just wish the HOs stayed consistent with the mixing up of the types. The main story ended conclusively.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
For an SE this was a long game and altho' not the most challenging game it certainly kept my attention.
You collect coins along the way to "repair" your ship which is actually a drawing but I'm wondering if I hadn't repaired it if I would have been able to get off the island?
Slightly interactive hos with mahjong option.
LOTS of puzzles!!
anyway, was able to get it with a coupon code so it was definitely worth the money!!
Will I play it again? Probably not but it was fun while it lasted..and it seemed to last a while.. so many places to explore (even if there weren't more than 3 or so things do in each scene).
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
what a twist, what a twist.........ending not what I expected! If you're looking for great voiceovers, helpful hints, a jump map or even a map period you better keep on looking. If you want to have to figure things out, TRY to remember where that little screw must go you will love this game. If you like slightly interactive HOs or silhouette HOs and all the above you will love this game. As for me sometimes I just like to be challenged a little more and step away from cutesy helpers and tired storylines. So I really liked this game a lot but will have to admit that as I was getting closer to the end I consulted the walkthrough a few times!
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
Great game... played it in spurts over a few days and you really need the CE edition for the bonus game because the ending in the main game was a little disappointing/abrupt but the bonus game continued on from there and you have a choice to make for the ending of it.
I had no problem with the match 3 option and chose to play it instead of the HOs. (appreciated the option!)
A LOT of puzzles, too.
LOVED the going back and forth between characters to help reunite them. Great map (transportable)
Plenty of extras if you're into that sort of thing.
Had fun and looking forward to more games from this developer.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3
Fun Factor
2/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
I had demo'd this game a long time ago and had made a note that I didn't like it and now I remember why... it's almost a completely FROG game and that would be ok BUT the pieces were sooo tiny I couldn't see them and what looked like (for example) a red gemmed jewely item would turn out to be a BLACK fuzzy thing only found by doing a hint for it. Speaking of hints there are NO hints available outside of the FROGs so I had to rely on the walkthrough several times. I also made a note that the Briar Rose items were too small when I demo'd that one.
For those with GOOD eyesight and who love FROGS I would recommend this game... for all others beware.
Seems Blue Tea improved on their games as time went on because I own The Final Cinderella, Red Riding Sisters, and Jack and the Sky Kingdom which not only have visible FROG items but there seems to be more adventure to them.