What has happened to this developer? Their games used to be filled with adventure and fun. Now few actions can be completed without the need to solve a puzzle. Another reviewer stated that there are 63 puzzles and only 17 hidden object scenes. This is absolutely ridiculous! All the puzzles do is interrupt and artificially lenghten the game. I don't like puzzles and skip most of them. Where is the value for money in that?
The collectibles are difficult to find even with the strategy guide. And many of the scenes are dark making game play difficult. The saturated purples and pinks were tiresome by the end of the demo and almost made my eyes hurt.
Also, where is the adventure part of this game? I have been playing some of my older games lately and they are much more enjoyable! They don't have all of the bells and whistles, but they are fun!
And finally, one of my favorite things about this developer's games has gone missing. There used to be many little interactive bits in many scenes. If you clicked on a pile of leaves, they blew away. Click on a stack of books, they fall over. Click on a wall hanging and it falls down. Click on lights and they go on or off. Click on a globe and it twirls. Maybe these seem like small things, but they added a great deal to my enjoyment of the games.
I used to buy every CE by this developer, but I haven't done so for quite some time. And if they continue to pander to those who demand more and more puzzles, I won't be buying any in the future.
As stated in the description, the first part of this game takes place underwater. I have a few questions.
Why are bridges needed underwater?
How does a tree grow underwater? And, if it does, why does it need to be watered?
Why is a passage through mountains needed underwater? Why can't one simply swim over them?
I suppose logic can't be expected in games, but this is ridiculous! Also, this game is nearly identical to every other game in this series. If you've played one, you've played this one.
As always, try the demo for yourself. You may enjoy the game.
I've been waiting for this game! As usual, Joe has given us another wonderful Clutter.
This game offers near infinite levels of customization. Don't like timers? Turn them off. Don't like the moving conveyor? Turn it off. Want to leave the game from anywhere? Hit the leave button...without the need to see "Do you really want to leave?".
The objects are clear and bright in the Main Quest. There are many game variations, many levels, many everything! I haven't tried the extreme levels yet, so can't comment on them. But I'm sure they won't disappoint. Joe's games never do.
This game was an automatic buy for me. Give it a try. You may find yourself losing sleep, forgetting to eat, and shouting "I did it!" and scaring your family.
I really wanted to like this game. Halloween games are usually among my favorites and this game had some good elements.
The special effects, while not particularly scary, were entertaining. The art work was atmospheric and very appropriate for the season. The music and sound effects were also good. The HOS were fun and interactive. Lots of collectibles.
However, two things made this game a huge disappointment for me. There was far too much time wasting back and forth and the constant and numerous puzzles interrupted the flow of the game and made it not at all enjoyable for me. I'll be saving my money for Halloween treats instead of this game.
Try the demo. You may like this game more than I did. If you decide to try the demo, be sure to click around on every scene. The results may surprise you!
What an unusual game! I don't think I can say too much about the game without spoilers, but it is fun and definitely different from the usual games here. There is a hint system, but it's out of the ordinary. The graphics are colorful and cartoon-like. There are no voices, but there is written dialogue. You will meet some unusual characters, one of whom may remind you of Alice in Wonderland.
The story unfolds slowly after a short and basic tutorial. My only complaint is that the music is repetitive, but it can be turned off if so desired. It took me a little while to figure out the mechanics of the game, but it was worth it. Give this game a try. You may like it too! I'm off to purchase and finish the game!
Alicia Quatermain 4: Da Vinci and the Time Machine
PostedAugust 12, 2019
M_LADY
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
What a fun game! I haven't completed it yet, but felt the need to say how much I'm enjoying the beautiful artwork, cute characters and interesting additions. There are new elements not present in previous Alicia Quatermain games, but many of my favorites remain.
My only quibble with this game is that those who, through no fault of their own, are unable to play in timed mode do not receive stars and therefore cannot enjoy one of the bonus components of this game. However, playing in untimed mode does give the player ample time to appreciate the very detailed and lovely artwork, as I stated above.
Joe has outdone himself with this Clutter! This Clutter offers hours and hours of enjoyable game play and a near infinite level of customization. Game play can be timed or untimed, with or without music and the music volume can be adjusted, collect gems for hints or infinite hints and on and on.
There are many familiar features in this Clutter, but I won't spoil them. I will say that the pictures of cats and dogs are beautiful and seeing those pictures made me smile. One of my favorite familiar features is the ability to "leave from anywhere". Click the "X" and the game shuts down. A pet peeve of mime is being asked "Are you sure you want to leave?". Well, there is none of that nonsense in Joe's Clutter games!
The slider puzzles are amazing and the resulting pictures are some of the best in the game. I do miss the "box quotes", but we can't have everything, can we? The story line isn't as obvious as previous Clutter games, but is there nonetheless. And it's a great one that will become obvious as the game progresses.
Try this game. Click on everything in the opening screen. You will be amazed at what you find! Thanks, Joe, for another great Clutter!
I found this to be a nice game apparently geared to younger players. Although I found it to be, for the most part, very enjoyable.
The artwork is very nice and the music unobtrusive.
The game is very linear, but there is a transporting map and collectibles are indicated on the map.
HOS consist of list finds, collect X number of objects and there was a FROG at the end of the demo. And some of the HOS were the least enjoyable part of this game to me due to the extremely small size of the objects.
Collectibles are seventeen flying pigs! LOL Some are not easy, at least for me, to spot.
There is a fair amount of humor in this game. Oskar the cat is one of the main attractions. The minigames, with one exception, were fun and not difficult.
The hint system is quite different from what we see in games today, but it is useful...I used it quite a bit in the HOS!
There are two levels of difficulty. There is a clicking penalty in the more difficult setting.
I recommend trying this game if you want a humorous, easy-going game.
Though this game seems out of date and moves slowly, there are elements of humor in several scenes and the way Blue "takes care of" another character made me laugh out loud.
Sci Fi games are so rare and that makes this game a gem to me.
The hint and skip fill slowly and some objects in the HOS are small. There are interactive elements in the HOS. There is a map, but it doesn't transport that I could see, but the hint does transport.
I initially thought that the hint doesn't work, but you must click on the banner that says "hint"...took me a while to figure that out. LOL
There is a quick clicking penalty in the HOS, but be sure to "click around" in the main scenes and look at everything. What you see may surprise you.
I was really looking forward to this game, but have found it a big disappointment.
Pros: Good voices acting with actual emotions. One HOS in the demo was interesting and innovative. No missing or broken zipper pulls in the demo! The Master Detective's sense of humor. (Seen in pop up comments.)
Cons, and there are many: Many scenes are dark and dreary and look like a giant purple bruise. Far too many puzzles, most requiring numerous steps to complete and are used to artificially lengthen the game. Same goes for the amount of back and forth, back and forth. Changed indicators on the map that appear to be an attempt at innovation, but are just annoying. Music, usually very good in this dev's games, that adds little to this game. The story is the same one we've seen over and over. "Monster of the week and evil human ruin a town/country/what have you and injure people." There are supposed to be three collectibles, puzzle pieces, morphing objects and trophies. I could only find the puzzle pieces. If there are morphing objects in the main scenes or HOS, they were either so small or morphed so slowly that they require staring at the screen for a prolonged period of time. Another device to artificially lengthen the game.
For me, the cons far outweigh the pros in this game. But try try the demo for yourself. You may find it to your liking.