This is a well produced and well designed game. The story is nothing special, but is up to par for most games. The story does have an ending in normal play. The bonus chapter shows more of the story and presents a better ending. Game play is very good. There is some back-and-forth, but the map shows where action is needed and allows jumps which really eases the "walking" pain. The HINT button points in the right direction, too, so you don't need the SG. The HOS all include IA, and the puzzles are good. This is a very enjoyable game to play.
This is a well designed game that is fun to play. The story is interesting and is well told with a journal. (The journal could have been better designed, remembering where you were when you stopped. As it is, it goes back to the first page.) There is a map that shows where action is needed and allows jumps. The HINT button points where to go, too. The HOS all include some IA, and the puzzles are good. There is some back-and-forth, but it is not too much. I would have given the game five stars except that it has a number of software glitches - sometimes things don't work as they should. One can get around them, but it is very annoying and shows a lack of proper QA.
I think this developer should buy those who play their games a new pair of running shoes, because all you do in their games is run back-and-forth and back-and-forth. At least they are consistent - an object you need is NEVER found in the location it is needed. Gets tiresome! This game is an excellently produced game, as usual. The story, while an interesting concept, is not well told - there isn't a journal, for example. Game play is very poor and includes matching pictures with the background, and they are all over the place, surprise, surprise. You use a book to melt some ice, while a flame thrower, whatever for other ice. Talk about dumb. There is the required cute little critter to "help" you - a raven with glasses and a bad attitude. The HOS and puzzles are the same as always and are OK. The HINT button tells you exactly what to do, again, as usual. The included map allows jumping and does give some indication of where action is needed. I think that I will give up on this developer. While their games are great productions, they aren't any fun. Instead, they are tedious.
This is a well produced game with great art work, VOs and music. The story is good, too, and not too far off the mark from possibly being true. It takes place in France just after WWII during which some strange experimentation was taking place. The story has an ending during regular game play; the bonus chapter tells a parallel story. Well done. Game play is well designed without a lot of back-and-forth. There isn't a map, but I didn't find that to be a problem. The HINT button points in the right direction, and charges fast. HOS all include some IA, and the puzzles are mostly the standards. I really liked the depiction of the era, and I got immersed in the game. This is a thoroughly enjoyable game.
It seems like this developer gets a pass with most reviewers - at least four stars. I'll be the fly in the ointment. I really didn't like this game. The production, as usual, is good except the VOs are not. Also, as usual, there is a plethora of objects to be found, many in every scene, which makes them easy to miss. Also, there is the usual back-and-forth ad nauseam. In one instance, there are objects needed to complete a statue that are spread all over the place, and a special screw driver is needed to get them. By the time you get the needed screw driver, unless you take notes, how can you remember where to use it? The included map does list some tasks needed at some locactions and allows jumping, but it doesn't show all. The HINT button does work well (too well?) during game play telling you exactly what to do. The story was OK, but it was not told well in my opinion. There was supposed to be some mystery as to what was going on, but a very young child would know right away. Of course, they had to include some cutesy-pie little critter to help you along the way, a baby Phoenix Bird in this case. Give me a break! There are also collectibles which add noting but a distraction for me. The HOS all include IA, which others seem to like, but that I find annoying. The puzzles are the standards. I found this game to be tedious, and I found myself just following the SG so I could get it over with and done. No, I don't kick puppy dogs and small children. I just didn't like this game.
As usual for this series, the production is outstanding - great art work, VO, etc. The story is OK. Too bad that the game is so simple. This is probably a great game for a beginner, but others will be bored, as was I, with just the demo. Try it before you buy it.
All those who complain about simple games should try this one. It is long and challenging. The puzzles are well done and do have a SKIP, but some things you have to do are like puzzles but without the skip. The HOS all have IA and include words and silhouettes. There is a fair amount of running around and there isn't a map, but the HINT button points you in the right direction. There is a journal that is invaluable - you need to refer to it often. I thought the story was a stinker and really didn't make much sense. This game is not for the casual gamer in my opinion, but I recommend it for others.
While the game's production is nothing outstanding, it is good with crisp, detailed artwork and good music. The game play is well designed with mostly "normal" use of objects and not a whole lot of running around. The HOS are the usual with some IA, and the puzzles are good. There isn't a map, but the HINT button points you in the right direction. The story is OK and is well told with a journal. This game is nothing to write home about, but I found it to be very enjoyable to play without it being a real chore as in some games.
I did not like this game very much. The artwork is good, but the VO is awful. The story is ridiculous, inconsistent, and just plain awful. The HOS are OK, but some of the puzzles are not even easy to figure out what to do. The HINT button tells you what to do and where, which is good because it sure isn't ever obvious. There is a map that shows where action is needed and allows jumping, but it isn't always accurate. Playing this game reminded me of some long hikes I have been on. You start out enjoying the scenery, whatever, but end up just wishing you'd get back to the car so you can stop. I found this game to be very tedious. The one thing you could count on was that the object you found would be needed a loooooooong way away from there and usually a looooong time later. Unless you have a photographic memory and play the game in one sitting, you are lost. Very poor game design.
This is a first-class game in every respect - production, story, artwork, game play, etc. The innovation of the game designers is impressive. The story is a fantasy with some holes, but it is thoroughly enjoyable and is well told. Live actors add to the production even if the words and lips don't always match. The HOS are all IA with inventory items needed to complete them, which means that sometimes you have to go back to them later after you get the needed objects. The puzzles range from easy to challenging. The HINT button tells you what is needed and where, so you really don't need the SG. The map is IA and informative. The bonus chapter is long and continues the story, which does have a satisfactory ending in regular game play. This is a top-notch and thoroughly enjoyable game and could be considered a model for game developers.