JustTheFacts's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.9
- Helpful Votes:33,148
- Reviews Submitted:681
- First Review:December 7, 2011
- Most Recent Review:June 4, 2018
- Featured reviews0
Status:
The Torment of Mont Triste Collector's Edition
No one dares fall asleep in the village of Mont Triste... for when sleep arrives, so does the mysterious Lord of Nightmares.
Overall rating
4
/
5
58 of 71 found this review helpful
Ooops! I Like The Bad Guy!
PostedOctober 12, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
It’s another ‘mad scientist’ story – or is it? Certainly the idea that we can bridge the gap between real life and dreams sounds pretty nuts, but he does SEEM crazy...
That is the introduction to the game, but it quickly takes on more mystical/magical overtones when the Lord Of Nightmares interrupts the experiment. A powerful scary something, he captures people’s nightmares and makes them real.
Your job is to track down and defeat this monster, and the way to that is through people’s nightmares. As you step into each one, you must resolve the dreamer’s dilemma to lift the Lord’s curse.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
This game is beautifully crafted, with lots of colour and life. There are plenty of lovely objects, from flowers to puppies, but it is beautiful rather than pretty, and while the puppies etc. are definitely cute, they don’t hang around after your one interaction with them. The HOs are bright, crisp and detailed.
The soundtrack is interesting. The music is quite different from what I’m used to, and often you are left with no music at all. Sometimes there are ONLY sound effects. In snowy scenes this is really effective. There are some excellent voiceovers as well, and they don’t try for lip sync – the characters’ mouths are still. I much prefer that to a botched lip sync.
MAKING PROGRESS
There is a balance towards puzzle/mini-games, with 12 HO puzzles and about 35 puzzles, and away from adventure and quest style gameplay. The HOPs are interactive list, with quite a few interactions required. The puzzles are mostly familiar, but some are redesigned to make them more difficult (such as a more difficult matching pairs memory game), and others are just presented in a unique way. There is a directional hint, and an interactive jump map. The map annoys me – it is supposed to show ‘areas of interest’ but often doesn’t in places I think it should.
CE BLING!
Achievements are many, and include each of the 21 goblin collectibles. The SG was a help the couple of times I looked at it. There are the usual gallery items, including:
wallpaper, concept art, screensavers, movies, music and replayable HOPs and puzzles. Enough here I think to justify the CE price tag.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
I am convinced I will enjoy this game, but I don’t expect to be floored by it. It’s a good game, and ...
I recommend this game!
Investigate different locations around the town and find cryptic clues to solve the mystery of Patrick’s disappearance!
Overall rating
5
/
5
30 of 31 found this review helpful
Excellent Sequel To An Extraordinary HOG
PostedOctober 11, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
This game is a literal sequel to the first Letters From Nowhere, in that the first game left us with a cliff hanger, which is continued here. We are given only a skeleton of a backstory, but the story is of no real importance to the game, so you don’t miss much If you haven’t played the other.
This is a pure HOG, not a HOPA and has only HOPs and other simple ones. The gameplay is different from other games, but the same as the first game.
*Each episode consists of a number of HO scenes, and you get a list of 12 items to find in each.
*There is also one puzzle per episode, which can turn up anywhere in one of the HO scenes.
*Each location also has 3 stamps to find and a black cat. These unlock unlimited HOs and puzzles from the game.
*There are also points and achievements to get.
*There are a total of 32 scenes, each visited 3 times, but they don’t get boring.
*There is also one puzzle per episode, which can turn up anywhere in one of the HO scenes.
*Each location also has 3 stamps to find and a black cat. These unlock unlimited HOs and puzzles from the game.
*There are also points and achievements to get.
*There are a total of 32 scenes, each visited 3 times, but they don’t get boring.
There are also bonus items we can ‘buy’ (with points) to help. After buying them, they will be added to the HO scene, but we will still have to find them to use them.
*Thermometer - indicates “hot spots” in the scene for a short time.
*Surprise – a mystery bonus, e.g. 10 000 bonus points.
*Camera – a brief flash of the scene with all the remaining items highlighted.
*Palette – the list is transformed into a series of pictures of the remaining items.
*Surprise – a mystery bonus, e.g. 10 000 bonus points.
*Camera – a brief flash of the scene with all the remaining items highlighted.
*Palette – the list is transformed into a series of pictures of the remaining items.
The graphics quality is very good, and the animations are nicely done. This game is a bit darker than the first, with a lot more creepiness and black magic. I like the music and the voiceovers of the characters is good.
This is a very good HOG. If you don’t go into it expecting a HOPA, it is a very good game indeed.
I recommend this game!
Help Audrey find her missing husband! After disappearing mysteriously, the only clue left behind are the Letters from Nowhere!
Overall rating
5
/
5
22 of 22 found this review helpful
Quality HO Game With Fun Features
PostedOctober 11, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED GAME
If you like the Golden Trails series (by same developer), I believe you’ll love this one and its sequel too, although they are quite different. This game brings together high production qualities and unique gameplay.
Like all pure HO games, there is little else to it, with just a puzzle within the HO scene once per episode (chapter). There is only a sketch of the story, although it is well integrated into the game process.
The graphics quality is wonderful, particularly for a game that is almost 4 years old. Aspect ratio is retained, using a panel wallpaper on widescreen. The HO scenes are well lit and extraordinarily clear, but some of them are tricky to find, as they are partially hidden. The VO of our heroine is very well done, and what little bit of music and sound there is, is apt. The music is ethereal, very pleasant and relaxing. There also isn’t much animation, but it’s good.
GAMEPLAY
Being a pure HOG, there are no inventory items and nothing for us to do between scenes, so movement is through the map. There is a total of 25 scenes, each visited 3 times, but integrated into the story and spaced out enough to keep it from becoming repetitious. We are kept very busy in these scenes, with the following available actions.
*A list of 12 items to be found. Some of these will be hidden, or require interaction, but only the in-scene puzzles are indicated.
*In some scenes, a letter needs to be found, which will progress the story.
*In each scene, there are 3 stamps to collect. Collect 50/75 to unlock unlimited mode.
*We accumulate points and trophies for speed and accuracy, among other things, including achievements in unlimited mode.
*In some scenes, a letter needs to be found, which will progress the story.
*In each scene, there are 3 stamps to collect. Collect 50/75 to unlock unlimited mode.
*We accumulate points and trophies for speed and accuracy, among other things, including achievements in unlimited mode.
There are also bonus items we can ‘buy’ (with points) to help. After buying them, they will be added to the HO scene, but we will still have to find them to use them.
*Thermometer - indicates “hot vs. cold” spots in the scene for a time.
*Surprise – a mystery bonus, e.g. 10 000 bonus points.
*Camera – a brief flash of the scene with all the remaining items highlighted.
*Palette – the list is transformed into a series of pictures of the remaining items.
*Surprise – a mystery bonus, e.g. 10 000 bonus points.
*Camera – a brief flash of the scene with all the remaining items highlighted.
*Palette – the list is transformed into a series of pictures of the remaining items.
I’m not usually much of a fan of pure HO and generally only play them for my mother’s sake, but of the HOGs out there, I’d much prefer to play this series and Golden Trails than any others I’ve played. They are well made, unique, a little mysterious, and just plain fun.
I recommend this game!
Someone has stolen two powerful magic doves from your kingdom, and the consequences could be disastrous. Embark on an extraordinary journey to stop the thief.
Overall rating
4
/
5
21 of 25 found this review helpful
Most Flexible Array Of Difficulty Options
PostedOctober 11, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
This is a beautiful Flight of Fancy alright. After a delightful intro, we quickly acquire an elf and a fairy to help us on our quest to recover our magic dove. And we save a tiger cub. Even the bad guys are beautiful – there is a gorgeous phoenix guarding an early door is.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
As you’d expect if you’re a fan of ERS, delightful hand drawn graphics, clear and crisp, well lit and colourful. Either you love this style or you hate it. Personally, I can’t get enough of it. The voiceovers are excellent – well acted and, I love this, different accents for people of different class. I don't really have an impression of the musical content, so I guess that makes it not intrusive!
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Our family’s magic dove is gone and it looks like our neighbour, the not so nice Count Boss may be involved. Having gathered what clues we can, we head off to pay him a visit. So far, the story hasn’t hooked me.
MAKING PROGRESS
One of the best features of this game is the customisable difficulty options. You can set the black bar comments, sparkles, the usual hint and skip options and the interactive jump map. It is the most complex and flexible array of choices I’ve seen.
The balance of HOPs and mini-games is geared a little more towards the puzzles than the HOPs, and the HOPs are progressive silhouettes and multiples. The puzzles I found quite a bit more difficult than I normally expect from ERS. Sometimes I felt the instructions were not as clear as they could be.
Our elf is our hint and we have to find arrows for him to shoot. Our fairy can neutralise magic monsters when needed with her special abilities. We need to collect the members of our kingdom that have been turned into tiny statues as well, and they will be used later in the game.
CE COMPARISON
Based on the demos only, achievements seem to be the major difference in the two versions of the game. We can decorate the fairy’s home with them. The CE also has the usual sort of things, gallery items, SG, replayables and bonus chapter. I did find the SG was needed, even in the short demo. Personally, I’ll be going for the Standard Edition, because although I love cute, I think there’s more than enough of it, even without the fairy house!
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
There’s no denying it, this game is cute with a capital C! But it also offers the best range of playing options. Enough to neutralise the cute factor? You tell me!
I recommend this game!
Can you defeat the Four Horsemen and save the city?
Overall rating
5
/
5
111 of 123 found this review helpful
Game Summary + Brief CE Content Review
PostedOctober 4, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED CE GAME
I love this story. A strange evil has invaded the town, and is searching for young girls in every home. THAT’s an ominous beginning! But there is a mysterious prisoner who promises help and tells you it is no lesser evil than the 4 Horsemen Of The Apocalypse! Battling each one of these separately, you also find out the history of the Wild Hunt and the legends surrounding it.
The intro to the game is thrilling. Told (I think it’s the first time I’ve ever seen it) from the point of view of the bad guys, it shows the havoc they unleash and gives us a teaser on why. Once past the main menu, we get more info in a letter from a desperate townswoman.
This is presented using comics on parchment, within a thought bubble?, I guess you’d call it. One of the best things about this game is the varied and original ways the backstory and legends are shown.
Everything looks absolutely marvellous, as you’d expect from Elephant. The sounds make an important contribution, and the voiceovers are appropriately majestic and cruel.
Another really delightful element is the ghost skulls, each of whom have a voice and a mind of their own! The game is dark in aspect and colour, but I didn’t find it difficult to see anything.
Gameplay is adventure-oriented, with interactive list HOPs, some easy-to-tricky puzzles, and plenty to do in every location. A hint that hints, an interactive jump map, and choice of difficulty levels gives us as much help as we need. The current task is also noted, but no journal.
BONUS CONTENT REVIEW
The bonus chapter took me much longer than usual to complete, but I can’t give you an exact time. Certainly well over an hour, and possibly even more than two. It consists of a lot of the old locations reworked, plus half a dozen or so new locations, more not-so-easy-now puzzles and just a few HOPs.
The bonus chapter took me much longer than usual to complete, but I can’t give you an exact time. Certainly well over an hour, and possibly even more than two. It consists of a lot of the old locations reworked, plus half a dozen or so new locations, more not-so-easy-now puzzles and just a few HOPs.
The last but one puzzle was absolutely amazing, and if anyone gets it without help, they should get a medal. But it’s not impossible, it just requires some serious brain work and a better memory than mine.
The extra story follows on from the previous ending, without being necessary to it. Story-wise, it seems very much a last minute addition. The graphics also don’t seem quite so good, the language is definitely less precise, and some instructions on puzzles are darn near impossible to work out.
The SG was also no help in these situations. Despite that, I really did enjoy this chapter quite a lot, because the structure was nicely put together.
There are the usual gallery items included, as well as achievements. I don’t particularly like the standard list format Elephant use to display them, other developers do these much better. The collectibles are few, and when found are placed on a “crystal ball” map that gives history as you collect them.
The prize, as far as the CE content goes, is the “Secret Room”. If you don’t want to know what that is, DON’T READ FURTHER.
In this room, the replayable puzzles and HOPs are presented as if in yet another chapter of the game, only just enough to draw the puzzles together. I think of it as the Reader’s Digest version of the game, and I love it!
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
Which is the best buy? I’d vote for the Collector’s Edition, for the bonus game and the secret room, both of which are loads of fun. But there's nothing wrong with this one!
Which is the best buy? I’d vote for the Collector’s Edition, for the bonus game and the secret room, both of which are loads of fun. But there's nothing wrong with this one!
I recommend this game!
Detective, it is your job to destroy the evil machine that is tearing the city apart and arrest the crazed professor responsible for the destruction!
Overall rating
3
/
5
57 of 69 found this review helpful
Don’t Ignore This Little Gem
PostedOctober 1, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
Wow! Achievements and collectibles on a stand-alone SE, why was this a soft release? Well, I suspect there was originally going to be a Collector’s Edition, but somebody decided it didn’t have what it takes. I think that was a wise decision, because despite all the appealing characteristics of this game, it just doesn’t FEEL like a CE. The soft release, though, that was harsh.
Intriguing story (but not, I feel, very well handled) – 3 leaders of a community (professor, mayor, banker) discover a source of free energy after a meteorite hit. Slight hiccup, it’s mutating everything. We are the detective who goes in after the evacuation to find two missing children.
I’ll cover as much of the relevant points as I can, but there’s a lot to this game.
*Good graphics - clear, bright, no roughness around the edges, but not top quality. Not at all dark.
*Live actors who are quite amusing, and excellent voiceovers, even of the children.
*More than averagely interactive HOP lists, quite difficult in fact.
*Hard and mainly original puzzles. I don’t think I actually solved any. Thank goodness skip is quick (on easiest of 4).
*Early on, you get a multi-tool (swiss army knife) and you get to keep it after you’ve used it.
*Directional hint.
*Interactive jump map that also tells you (if you want) where the money is.
*Collectible money (20) for creating your own garden, off to the side of your Achievements Room, accessed from game.
*Collectible mutant plants (15) which are collected in their own book.
*4 difficulty levels. Highest level – no black bar help.
*Live actors who are quite amusing, and excellent voiceovers, even of the children.
*More than averagely interactive HOP lists, quite difficult in fact.
*Hard and mainly original puzzles. I don’t think I actually solved any. Thank goodness skip is quick (on easiest of 4).
*Early on, you get a multi-tool (swiss army knife) and you get to keep it after you’ve used it.
*Directional hint.
*Interactive jump map that also tells you (if you want) where the money is.
*Collectible money (20) for creating your own garden, off to the side of your Achievements Room, accessed from game.
*Collectible mutant plants (15) which are collected in their own book.
*4 difficulty levels. Highest level – no black bar help.
There are also a zillion clovers everywhere that we can’t collect, and that’s why I think it was originally going to have a CE.
I guess there’s nothing really inspired here. But there’s nothing wrong with it either, and for a stand-alone SE, I think it’s very good!
I recommend this game!
A peaceful island town erupts into a violent witch hunt and your friend’s daughter is the target! Can you protect her from the townspeople?
Overall rating
3
/
5
44 of 49 found this review helpful
Okay, This Is Officially Creepy
PostedSeptember 30, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Nice to see a stand-alone standard edition with a walkthrough and strategy guide, so first impressions are positive before it’s even downloaded. The intro is dramatically done, with okay cut scenes and very good voiceover. The main menu page shows some good graphics, but unfortunately the visuals don’t follow through.
Nice to see a stand-alone standard edition with a walkthrough and strategy guide, so first impressions are positive before it’s even downloaded. The intro is dramatically done, with okay cut scenes and very good voiceover. The main menu page shows some good graphics, but unfortunately the visuals don’t follow through.
This game feels like an adventure game. There is a lot of dialogue, lots of characters and we are presented with quests by them. But it is not an adventurer’s game. The bulk of the gameplay is HOPs with some easy other puzzles every now and then.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
The graphics are, unfortunately, not much good. Very dark, grainy, and the later cut scenes are quite pixelated . The characters are weird, ugly, just plain strange, and I wonder if the graphics are a deliberate part of that atmosphere. The graphics are not so bad that you can’t see what’s going on, or have any problems finding objects, but I didn’t adjust to them. They still irritated me at the end of the (30 min) demo. Sounds are great. The voiceovers are very well done and the background noises suitably icky.
The graphics are, unfortunately, not much good. Very dark, grainy, and the later cut scenes are quite pixelated . The characters are weird, ugly, just plain strange, and I wonder if the graphics are a deliberate part of that atmosphere. The graphics are not so bad that you can’t see what’s going on, or have any problems finding objects, but I didn’t adjust to them. They still irritated me at the end of the (30 min) demo. Sounds are great. The voiceovers are very well done and the background noises suitably icky.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Okay, now admittedly witch hunts always creep me out, but this is one game where the atmosphere really suits the mood of the tale. You are too late to save your friend, Bloom, when she is executed for witchcraft, but you are set upon saving her daughter, Lily. There is definitely something evil going on, and no doubt you’ll have to face it before the game concludes, but first you have to survive the villagers.
Okay, now admittedly witch hunts always creep me out, but this is one game where the atmosphere really suits the mood of the tale. You are too late to save your friend, Bloom, when she is executed for witchcraft, but you are set upon saving her daughter, Lily. There is definitely something evil going on, and no doubt you’ll have to face it before the game concludes, but first you have to survive the villagers.
Some characters you come across, just like in an adventure game, are not at all interested or involved in your story. Others give you quests to perform in order to get their help. All of them are scared silly. That’s all you really know at the end of the demo.
MAKING PROGRESS
This is really, ultimately, a HOG. There are two types of HOPs. A straight list (no interaction) and fragmented objects. At this stage, you haven’t returned to any of them. The puzzles are very easy, and there are not many of them.
This is really, ultimately, a HOG. There are two types of HOPs. A straight list (no interaction) and fragmented objects. At this stage, you haven’t returned to any of them. The puzzles are very easy, and there are not many of them.
In terms of the adventure gameplay, each character gives you a set of 3 quests. Items needed for completing it are all used up at the end and you receive an item from the character that lets you progress. There is a map, for which there is little need, but it is a jump map (no interactivity). There’s also a journal and a hint that gives you hints.
This game is not much really, poor graphics, simplistic gameplay, and yet I find myself oddly compelled by the story - witch hunts, evil lurking invisible nearby, corrupted ignorant villagers.
While I can only give it 3 stars, I know I’ll be buying it. I’m just not sure why. *cheeky grin*
I recommend this game!
What happens when the heart turns against itself?
Overall rating
5
/
5
51 of 56 found this review helpful
Adventure On The High Seas
PostedSeptember 29, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED CE GAME
GAME SUMMARY
Loads to like about this game. Looks good, sounds good. Fun gameplay with lots HOPs and puzzles. Useful hint and map. Choice of difficulty. A story based on historical facts, that at times seems confused but is definitely intriguing. Pirate’s treasure, evil baron, a little romance, and of course, adventure on the high seas. You gotta love it. A couple of things I noted:
Loads to like about this game. Looks good, sounds good. Fun gameplay with lots HOPs and puzzles. Useful hint and map. Choice of difficulty. A story based on historical facts, that at times seems confused but is definitely intriguing. Pirate’s treasure, evil baron, a little romance, and of course, adventure on the high seas. You gotta love it. A couple of things I noted:
• VOs were synched to a portrait image of individual, while the person in the scene remained still.
• There were items which could be combined in inventory.
• It’s always nice to see a change in the weather.
• Each HOP had a mini-HOP with object outlines within it.
• The scroll holding the collectible pages stayed unravelled until you found the page in that scene.(CE only)
• There were items which could be combined in inventory.
• It’s always nice to see a change in the weather.
• Each HOP had a mini-HOP with object outlines within it.
• The scroll holding the collectible pages stayed unravelled until you found the page in that scene.(CE only)
(Please look in the CE thread for my full review of this game.)
****BONUS CONTENT REVIEW****
In total, I must say I don’t think the bonus content lives up to the main game’s standards.
In total, I must say I don’t think the bonus content lives up to the main game’s standards.
The main game finishes well enough, and if you didn’t know there might be more to the story in the exclusive chapter, I don’t think its ending would frustrate you. Yes, we go one step further, but the information isn’t vital. The bonus chapter lasted only 50 mins for me, which is less than my usual time.
The game area uses a couple of old scenes with minor changes and about 7 new ones. Likewise, there are some new HOPs using interactive list, and some old ones with object outlines only. The puzzles (about 4) were all new, but were considerably easier than the ones in the main game.
There are collectible pages of a code, which get entered into a book found in the achievements room, and at each stage of the alphabet a section of interesting trivia about this pirate’s true career is decoded. This was definitely fun.
The achievements are not too interesting, almost all being fairly predictable.
The gallery includes: game wallpapers and pictures of the developer’s team having fun (which they seem very good at), movies, music, a ‘making of’ home movie (funny), and replayable HOPs and puzzles.
There is, of course, also a built-in Strategy Guide.
Would I buy the CE again? Probably not, because the bonus chapter was somewhat disappointing. As an SE, this is an incredibly good game and worth every cent!
I recommend this game!
One night the ghost of President Lincoln appears, asking for your help. Can you find the hidden Confederate treasure?
Overall rating
5
/
5
80 of 101 found this review helpful
Worthy Successor To Some Of The Best Games Ever!
PostedSeptember 28, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Absolutely one of the best series ever, I cannot count the number of times I have played the other 4 Midnight Mysteries games. They have their own unique beauty and character, and this one has it too, despite being put together by (I think, don’t quote me) a different developer.
Absolutely one of the best series ever, I cannot count the number of times I have played the other 4 Midnight Mysteries games. They have their own unique beauty and character, and this one has it too, despite being put together by (I think, don’t quote me) a different developer.
This game shows much that is new as well as the trademark elements of the series. Together, the result takes a few minutes to get used to, but that’s all you’ll need to get hooked on yet another compelling Midnight Mystery story.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
The graphics are a bit unlike the previous games, and although they are clear and very detailed somehow fail to impress. It’s as if there is too much detail to be beautiful. Again, it’s easy to get used to. The scenes also seem a little dark, but visibility is high.
The graphics are a bit unlike the previous games, and although they are clear and very detailed somehow fail to impress. It’s as if there is too much detail to be beautiful. Again, it’s easy to get used to. The scenes also seem a little dark, but visibility is high.
There is far more melodrama here than in the rest of the series, with both the sounds and images being designed to startle and the game is quite creepy in parts. The voiceovers are excellent, the English perfect and background noise intense. And the trademark tunes and cut scenes are still there.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Our role as assistant to ghosts with unfinished business sees us visited this time by Abraham Lincoln. He wants us to track down a secret society and their treasure. It all has to do with the civil war, but then there’s Jesse James mixed in there too, and that's gotta be fun! (His character looks spectacular.) This story is much more threatening and supernaturally oriented, even though we’ve always dealt with ghosts. Before they were mostly harmless. These ones seem to include beings of a far more demonic nature. The story is compelling, and I was hooked almost immediately.
Our role as assistant to ghosts with unfinished business sees us visited this time by Abraham Lincoln. He wants us to track down a secret society and their treasure. It all has to do with the civil war, but then there’s Jesse James mixed in there too, and that's gotta be fun! (His character looks spectacular.) This story is much more threatening and supernaturally oriented, even though we’ve always dealt with ghosts. Before they were mostly harmless. These ones seem to include beings of a far more demonic nature. The story is compelling, and I was hooked almost immediately.
MAKING PROGRESS
This game is a good mix of puzzles and HOPs, following the previous games’ formula. The puzzles are not difficult, and the HOPs are all interactive lists. Some elements that I particularly like about the HOPs is that you can click on a word in the list to see a silhouette of it. As well, there is a final item which is the one you keep. Hints are collected by finding ravens, of which there are many, but if we run out, a new one will be generated over time.
This game is a good mix of puzzles and HOPs, following the previous games’ formula. The puzzles are not difficult, and the HOPs are all interactive lists. Some elements that I particularly like about the HOPs is that you can click on a word in the list to see a silhouette of it. As well, there is a final item which is the one you keep. Hints are collected by finding ravens, of which there are many, but if we run out, a new one will be generated over time.
There is a journal which also gives us an objectives list and a map which gives you current location and active tasks.
The SG can only be accessed through the main menu. Perhaps that’s best: I almost didn’t find the answer on my own to how to keep the cat inside – in the very first HO scene in our office!
BLING!
The usual gallery items, including two screensavers, as well as achievements, including finding 40 collectible clovers. A game called “Before & After”, and a book of Characters. SG was locked until after purchase, but we are talking about 15 each of the unlockable HOPs and puzzles, so I’m guessing a fairly good length. The demo took me 50 mins.
The usual gallery items, including two screensavers, as well as achievements, including finding 40 collectible clovers. A game called “Before & After”, and a book of Characters. SG was locked until after purchase, but we are talking about 15 each of the unlockable HOPs and puzzles, so I’m guessing a fairly good length. The demo took me 50 mins.
I am tempted to buy the CE just for the wallpaper of Jesse James and the raven screensaver, but I’m like that. Collectible clovers and ravens are part of the tradition of this series, so I doubt they will be exclusive to the CE.
I recommend this game!
Sable Maze: Norwich Caves
Your students have gone missing during an expedition under the university. Can you track them down before the water rises?
Overall rating
4
/
5
62 of 69 found this review helpful
Extracurricular Activities Under The Campus
PostedSeptember 27, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I liked this game immediately. It doesn’t start with the hype of many other quality games, but it has an intriguing story that promises some chills and spills. Everything about the game seems to be good, not great, but there’s nothing wrong with good!
I liked this game immediately. It doesn’t start with the hype of many other quality games, but it has an intriguing story that promises some chills and spills. Everything about the game seems to be good, not great, but there’s nothing wrong with good!
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
The graphics are excellent, I enjoyed their style and they are very clear and detailed. The cut scenes are really good. I was particularly impressed with the way they used of water and animations thereof. The sound track was nothing special, and very quiet compared to most games. But I did like the way it would suddenly change.
The graphics are excellent, I enjoyed their style and they are very clear and detailed. The cut scenes are really good. I was particularly impressed with the way they used of water and animations thereof. The sound track was nothing special, and very quiet compared to most games. But I did like the way it would suddenly change.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
A nutty professor (what other kind are there?), a bunch of resourceful but innocent students, and us left to find them all in the maze under the university. I appreciate the change of pace with this one, and the thought-provoking difficulties presented by the connections between the history of the university, the subjects the students are studying and the strange unnatural deluge of water that threatens everyone. This story definitely has me wanting to know what’s going on.
A nutty professor (what other kind are there?), a bunch of resourceful but innocent students, and us left to find them all in the maze under the university. I appreciate the change of pace with this one, and the thought-provoking difficulties presented by the connections between the history of the university, the subjects the students are studying and the strange unnatural deluge of water that threatens everyone. This story definitely has me wanting to know what’s going on.
MAKING PROGRESS
The gameplay is evenly divided between mostly original puzzles/mini-games and HOPs that are a variation of the progressive silhouette – these are still a list, but of the ‘find and use’ type. I found the instructions to some of the puzzles are bit confusing.
The gameplay is evenly divided between mostly original puzzles/mini-games and HOPs that are a variation of the progressive silhouette – these are still a list, but of the ‘find and use’ type. I found the instructions to some of the puzzles are bit confusing.
Adventure gameplay is a bit tricky, I found myself needing help more than usual. There is an interactive jump map, which is good. There is no journal, which is bad. I could have used one. There is a directional hint and skip doesn’t take too long. I did need to skip a couple of puzzles in the demo.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
I think this is a good SE game. It has the production qualities, a good story, interesting gameplay. The CE has all the usuals (including very interesting collectibles and trophies), but I was not tempted to buy it. I think the value is in this version.
I think this is a good SE game. It has the production qualities, a good story, interesting gameplay. The CE has all the usuals (including very interesting collectibles and trophies), but I was not tempted to buy it. I think the value is in this version.
I recommend this game!