PROS: - Graphics are like walking into a wonderland. Bright, crystal clear, lovely detail. - Music, sound effects and voice overs are good. - Interactive map with objectives. - Journal with notes. - HOS are either list-based or images. Scenes are mildly crowded with very detailed objects. Some interactions. - Special effects are very good and help create the wonderland. - Get an artifact which glows on casual mode when it can be used. - Good balance of HOS and puzzles.
CONS: - Have to have all required elements to use them in puzzles. - Only 2 modes of difficulty.
SUMMARY: Lovely adventure to look at and play. Interesting story (although it has basically been told before). Fun to play. Don't think the CE has enough to warrant the increased price. I recommend this game!
PROS: - Graphics are like walking into a wonderland. Bright, crystal clear, lovely detail. - Music, sound effects and voice overs are good. - Interactive map with objectives. - Journal with notes. - HOS are either list-based or images. Scenes are mildly crowded with very detailed objects. Some interactions. - Special effects are very good and help create the wonderland. - Morphing objects. - Get an artifact which glows on casual mode when it can be used. - Good balance of HOS and puzzles.
CONS: - Have to have all required elements to use them in puzzles. - Only 2 modes of difficulty. - Don't know if it has enough to warrant the CE designation.
SUMMARY: Lovely adventure to look at and play. Interesting story (although it has basically been told before). Fun to play.
You have to play as both characters - change characters by clicking on the other. Fun game to play, even without the collections. You can select the normal 3 modes of difficulty or customize your own level. Music and graphics are good. Scenes can be somewhat crowded and, since you frequently get a view of rooms from one point, the items in the rooms can be a little smaller than from a close-up.
SUMMARY: Good production values and well executed gameplay. The CE seems to be the way to go with this game if you like achievements, collectibles, and collecting items to purchase decorations for your castle and panel.
PROS: - collect garlic and bats to buy decorations for the panel and castle - collect animals - achievements (though most are from ordinary gameplay) - 4 modes of difficulty, including custom - play as two characters (change by clicking on the other) - HOS or match 3 - music is apropros to story
CONS: - prefer to choose different type of decorations according to my tastes (sort of like in Gardenscape) - prefer voice overs, with ability to turn them off - well, that's all I can think of
You are a matchmaker who thinks you can find the reason there have been no weddings in town for the last 20 years.
Several types of HOS: list-based, silhouettes, differences No voiceovers - only written dialogue Fix-it tasks for the current residents Graphics are okay Puzzles are not difficult
SUMMARY: Story seemed to move too slowly to keep my interest. Not much adventure. Run-of-the-mill type HOG. Good for beginners.
There are enough reviews which tell the story, so I won't repeat.
Very spooky - seeing the dead people being dragged away was really creepy. I was somewhat disappointed that the environment had a dismal appearance. Just because the topic is scary doesn't mean the localities have to be dull and drab. Otherwise, the graphics were okay - dreary makes it difficult to show crisp and detailed artwork because of the color palette.
Long on adventure - short on HOS. Puzzles are not too difficult. I like this kind of game; I just think others have done a better job of kick-starting interest in the story and keeping it at a rather high level. But there's nothing really wrong with the game - just personal preference.
CE: I thought it odd that you couldn't see what extras the CE offered. It was only through playing that you found out there were achievements and collectibles. I'm assuming the bonus game, wallpapers, et al appear at the end of gameplay.
GENERALLY: If this were a movie, the developers would certainly win an academy award or two. There are collectibles and achievements in addition to the usual CE amenities. There are four modes - casual (relaxed which is my preference), advanced, hardcore (with absolutely no help) and detective (which has less help than hardcore - but what help is left - so this must be absolutely for those who hate any type of help or guidance).
GAMEPLAY: (in casual mode) Elf is back, though I don't know why he sits in the inventory tray instead of off to the side where most helpers sit. He helps in tight places. More adventures than HOS driven, with lots to see and do. Objectives are specifically given, which I like. Also, liked the ability to choose whether or not to play in freeze mode. I preferred the freeze mode and finding the morphing articles to help keep me from becoming a popsicle. HOS are typical. Puzzles are varied and not so difficult that you can't solve them (unless you're a beginner).
Color palette and graphics are outstanding as all the Mystery Tracker games. Map and journal are normal. Flawless gameplay. Carefully crafted environments and nicely-told story.
SUMMARY: I don't think this is my favorite Mystery Trackers, but then they all are terrific. I don't understand someone not liking them - maybe they are newbies and the game is too difficult for them. If you play a lot of HOGs, can't help but love this series.
The graphics and color palette are outstanding. Such detail - it's an eyeful of incredibly beautiful environments. Love the Kitty, especially watching her trying to climb out of her storage case to help out. You have 11 trophies to collect, 28 elusive objects, 13 story achievements, 30 spirits to collect and the bonus game, plus the usual CE content. Like that the bonus game is different. Nice voice overs (which can be turned off) except the main male character sounds like a dictator. Fast travel map (showing available actions if playing casual). Play dominoes if you don't want to play the HOS. This is a refreshing, imaginative and beautifully conceived game, with flawless gameplay, for a wonderful day of being entertained. I would have bought 5 minutes into the game, but couldn't stop myself from continuing. Great purchase.
An adventure game with plenty of objects to find and use. Only a few HOPs though. The graphics are crisp and special effects are outstanding. Hint works wonderfully and gives you clear direction. Wisps will flow through the air while the hint is recharging; catch them and immediately refill the hint.
KARMIC: I really liked the karmic choices - you have two choices of dealing with a puzzle and whichever you chose has implications in future game play. So you have to think of what the consequences could be. Note that both objects which you can chose will disappear from inventory, even though you can use only one.
There are a number of achievements to accomplish, but they have counterparts. So you have to think of how to accomplish all of them so that you can get the achievement for meeting all of them. For example: you get an achievement for helping the blacksmith and you get one for not helping him. So you have to figure out how to help and not help him.
Find 45 hidden pumpkins, which are usually hidden in plain sight. Puzzles are easy to figure out - you just have to find what you need to finish them (and that may be several scenes away). HOS are mildly crowded, but detailed, so you can find things even when the hues are similar. An entertaining game.
The Sky Kingdom is falling apart and you must save it with the help of Jack. Compelling music. Incredible color palette. Outstanding graphics with an almost obsessive detail to the scenes. Wide variety of puzzles - objects may be found in the frag scenes or lying about in the environment and are used within a short distance of where they are found. Map shows where you have pending activities. Didn't need to use the hint as I'm happy just exploring for things to do and find. Blue Tea did a fantastic job of putting together a stunning top-notch production, as usual. A pleasant afternoon of gameplay. I think because of the new bonus game of Rumpelstilskin, I prefer the CE on this game.