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:
It should have been a tremendous achievement, but the tunnel through the Ridge of Leviathan became the site of a great disaster. What really happened that day?
Overall rating
5
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
*****BONUS CONTENT REVIEW*****
PostedSeptember 26, 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
BRILLIANT BONUS GAME
Delightful game, as many others have said before me! So I thought I’d just give the low down on the bonus content.
BONUS CHAPTER
It is one step further into the story, not at all necessary for a satisfactory conclusion, but there is a bit of a teaser at the end of the main game. It offered all new locations, puzzles and HOPs, and took me a little over an hour to play, with a couple of skips. Collectibles continue in the bonus chapter.
It is one step further into the story, not at all necessary for a satisfactory conclusion, but there is a bit of a teaser at the end of the main game. It offered all new locations, puzzles and HOPs, and took me a little over an hour to play, with a couple of skips. Collectibles continue in the bonus chapter.
GALLERY
The wallpapers are very good, as far as wallpapers go. I’ll use mine until I’m bored. The concept art can be saved. The music – which is wonderful – can be saved as well. There is a screensaver, and replayable videos.
The wallpapers are very good, as far as wallpapers go. I’ll use mine until I’m bored. The concept art can be saved. The music – which is wonderful – can be saved as well. There is a screensaver, and replayable videos.
STRATEGY GUIDE
It does what these things do. Is well laid out and useful. Easily accessed and read.
It does what these things do. Is well laid out and useful. Easily accessed and read.
ACHIEVEMENTS
These are pretty much what you’d expect. They are related to HOPs, mini-games and collectibles. They are displayed imaginatively in a great office location.
These are pretty much what you’d expect. They are related to HOPs, mini-games and collectibles. They are displayed imaginatively in a great office location.
THE PANTHEON - !!POSSIBLE SPOILER!!
THE absolutely best thing about this game. I have only ever seen this kind of thing done once before, and I suspect that was an Elephant game as well. As with many other CE games today, this one gives you unlockable, replayable HOPs and mini-games. It’s the way it is presented that’s so special.
THE absolutely best thing about this game. I have only ever seen this kind of thing done once before, and I suspect that was an Elephant game as well. As with many other CE games today, this one gives you unlockable, replayable HOPs and mini-games. It’s the way it is presented that’s so special.
The pantheon is a separate location where these puzzles are displayed. They actually look like another achievements room and in a way they are. In order to play these games you must first collect enough of the collectible flowers. This gives you access to a non-skippable puzzle. The answer is of course in the SG if you really need it.
Having been through that gauntlet, you can play the first 3 puzzles from the game, and get one piece of backstory. Complete them and you get access to more and so on... flowers, new puzzle, more puzzles from the game. You can play them whilst in the main game or at the end.
I love it! Don’t feel up to playing the full on game, but want there to be some purpose to the wandering puzzle to puzzle? The pantheon gives you a drastically condensed version of the story that some HO fans might even prefer to the main game.
I recommend this game!
Enter Ravenwood Park and discover the secrets hidden in the mists...
Overall rating
5
/
5
110 of 125 found this review helpful
Very Impressive & Immersive
PostedSeptember 26, 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
It’s 2 years since the release of the first Enigmatis game (Ghosts Of Maple Creek). It was a superior HOPA in its time, and though our expectations have changed a lot since then, it is still a unique game. This game reflects those changes in production standards, while still keeping the very best of that earlier game. This is a sequel to it, but the other story is not needed, just recommended.
There is so much to say I’m afraid I’ll have to mention only the noteworthy points. Concerning graphics, sound and videos, maps, hints and skip, others can tell you all these range from good to great. The most important part of this game is the solving of the mystery.
These are the things I noticed:
• The intro and early part are repeatedly so exciting you may want to check your pacemaker
• There are 12 HO scenes in at least 3 styles – find & use objects outlined, fragmented objects that require some interaction, interactive lists. They are all a bit trickier than usual
• You can choose a challenging matching pairs game instead of the list HOPs
• There are 18 mini-games, all I saw were easy
• You must collect 26 pieces of evidence, which you will use in a game of deduction, in order to solve the mystery
• Your assistant in this game is a very long way from cute, or even trustworthy
• There are real dialogues (a lot of them, but all interesting and voiceovers are good)
• The demo was 2 out of 7 chapters. I ran out of time about ¾ of the way in.
• There are 12 HO scenes in at least 3 styles – find & use objects outlined, fragmented objects that require some interaction, interactive lists. They are all a bit trickier than usual
• You can choose a challenging matching pairs game instead of the list HOPs
• There are 18 mini-games, all I saw were easy
• You must collect 26 pieces of evidence, which you will use in a game of deduction, in order to solve the mystery
• Your assistant in this game is a very long way from cute, or even trustworthy
• There are real dialogues (a lot of them, but all interesting and voiceovers are good)
• The demo was 2 out of 7 chapters. I ran out of time about ¾ of the way in.
The next are items I believe will only be available in the Collector’s Edition:
• Collectible butterflies (30) – hard to find
• Collectible ‘elusive’ (morphing) objects (30) – harder to find
• 19 backstory objects
• Achievements relating to all these plus the gameplay and the story, and the pieces of evidence
• Redwood Encyclopaedia
• Usual gallery items
• Excellent Strategy Guide
• Bonus Chapter
• Collectible ‘elusive’ (morphing) objects (30) – harder to find
• 19 backstory objects
• Achievements relating to all these plus the gameplay and the story, and the pieces of evidence
• Redwood Encyclopaedia
• Usual gallery items
• Excellent Strategy Guide
• Bonus Chapter
It is all so compelling that I am about to break my own rule and buy this CE immediately. I do not want to stop!
A genuinely thrilling game and no schmalz!
I recommend this game!
With a perfectly chilling atmosphere and beautifully crafted scenes, Into the Haze will provide a fantastic, horror-filled experience that you'll never forget!
Overall rating
3
/
5
53 of 62 found this review helpful
Nice Little HOGlet
PostedSeptember 25, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
BASED ON HALF HOUR DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
There is a no-nonsense attitude to this game. The intro consists of developer credits, then it is straight to the main menu. You get a little information on the story, then you are into your first HO scene.
There is a no-nonsense attitude to this game. The intro consists of developer credits, then it is straight to the main menu. You get a little information on the story, then you are into your first HO scene.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
The graphics are okay. Nothing flashy or exciting, but clear and detailed and well lit. However, there is not much animation anywhere in the game. There are 30 locations, and you soon find yourself collecting inventory all over the place – unfortunately I didn’t think to count how many were in the demo, but quite a few. I think you can bet on this being a fairly short game.
The graphics are okay. Nothing flashy or exciting, but clear and detailed and well lit. However, there is not much animation anywhere in the game. There are 30 locations, and you soon find yourself collecting inventory all over the place – unfortunately I didn’t think to count how many were in the demo, but quite a few. I think you can bet on this being a fairly short game.
There is very little in the way of cut scenes, and less still of dialogue. Opening remarks are dubbed, but from there on mostly no voiceovers. The voices are reasonably believable. Music is nice but forgettable, ambient sounds are okay.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Unlike the blurb’s assertion, it is your niece, not your daughter, that you set out to rescue. They got the evil (?) sister-in-law right. Not that it really matters, because the story is sketchy at best. You really don’t have the feeling of being involved in a specific quest at all. It is the game’s weakest aspect.
Unlike the blurb’s assertion, it is your niece, not your daughter, that you set out to rescue. They got the evil (?) sister-in-law right. Not that it really matters, because the story is sketchy at best. You really don’t have the feeling of being involved in a specific quest at all. It is the game’s weakest aspect.
MAKING PROGRESS
As I said, this is a nice little HOG. There are puzzles & mini-games (12 according to the demo ending remarks), but what I saw of them were all very very simple and familiar. Which is not to say they weren’t fun.
As I said, this is a nice little HOG. There are puzzles & mini-games (12 according to the demo ending remarks), but what I saw of them were all very very simple and familiar. Which is not to say they weren’t fun.
The HO scenes (10 only, but felt like more because you visit them twice) were very nicely done. the hidden objects were clearly visible, and a decent size. The lists were not interactive.
Adventure gameplay was very simple and kept up a steady pace. There was no map, and the journal only gave you a summary of story after the event. There is a directional hint, which is all you'll need. Two difficulty levels, but just different times for hint and skip.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
Well, for a stand-alone SE, this is pretty good. I would definitely be buying it. For light entertainment, or for beginners on the adventure or puzzle side of things, this game is a must.
Well, for a stand-alone SE, this is pretty good. I would definitely be buying it. For light entertainment, or for beginners on the adventure or puzzle side of things, this game is a must.
Just a very pleasant experience.
I recommend this game!
While visiting your uncle, you stumble upon a curious case. Men are vanishing, reappearing dead days later. Who killed them?
Overall rating
4
/
5
18 of 22 found this review helpful
Very Well Done Sequel
PostedSeptember 23, 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
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
A very good intro to this one. The video of the plane crash is wonderful, the voiceover is good, and the commentary well written. The live actors did alright. You get a good sense of the game from those opening minutes.
A very good intro to this one. The video of the plane crash is wonderful, the voiceover is good, and the commentary well written. The live actors did alright. You get a good sense of the game from those opening minutes.
We arrive at a really really sandy place called Transvaal, looking for Uncle Sam, who is investigating Morgana, a woman we are painfully aware of from our previous adventure (as Sam) in the original Web Of Deceit” game. Nicknamed the Black Widow, Morgana controls an army of robotic deadly venomous spiders. Now a woman who looks suspiciously like her is glimpsed at the scene of a spider-murder. Is it her?
Well, the first thing I noticed was that there were definitely fewer spiders so far. And many more puzzles. Although I didn’t come across any puzzles I thought were totally new, I did like the way they’d been adapted to the different location.
There were also fewer HO puzzles, which were interactive lists, with some whacky ideas for interaction. For example, find the knife to cut the pouch that is hanging above the fire, which allows the toy fireman to use his extinguisher on the fire that has engulfed the item you’re actually looking for – the tin knight.
There was an interactive jump map, with a on/off toggle so you can choose what is flagged, active areas, where you need to go back to later, etc. As well as a directional hint. I particularly liked the different ways the backstory videos were activated within the game. Not just the same method each time. And the back story gives anyone who didn’t play the first game all they need to know.
BLING!
Collectible posters, plus the usual gallery items, SG, bonus chapter, and achievements. Fairly standard fare.
Collectible posters, plus the usual gallery items, SG, bonus chapter, and achievements. Fairly standard fare.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
I wasn’t overly impressed with the first “Web Of Deceit” game. Though it was quite enjoyable, it just didn’t wow me. I found myself unable to really get into it. I like what I’ve seen of this sequel much more, and I lost track of time in the demo (always a good sign), but it is still not going to make it to my favourites list. It just doesn’t have pizzazz.
I wasn’t overly impressed with the first “Web Of Deceit” game. Though it was quite enjoyable, it just didn’t wow me. I found myself unable to really get into it. I like what I’ve seen of this sequel much more, and I lost track of time in the demo (always a good sign), but it is still not going to make it to my favourites list. It just doesn’t have pizzazz.
I recommend this game!
Defeat the Chaos God and escape from his mysterious orb!
Overall rating
3
/
5
66 of 79 found this review helpful
Simplistic, But Not Bad
PostedSeptember 23, 2013
JustTheFacts
fromRural Western Australia
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
This is a simple little HO game, and I wouldn’t even consider buying it at full price, but on sale or as a Punchcard filler it has much to recommend it.
The graphics are fair, no wide screen settings, but not so poor a quality as to make the game unplayable. The music is lovely, but unfortunately there just isn’t enough of it to prevent it from becoming tedious, even in the demo.
Some of the things we expect in games today are not to be found here. There is no voiceover, no introductory video piece, just a series of stills with text to bring us up to date with the story so far (this is the third game in the Mystery Age series). There is also an assumption in the intro that you have played the other games and know the backstory. However, I did not find it a problem. Story isn’t really that important here.
Which isn’t to say that there isn’t one. Our ancient enemy the Chaos God is once again causing troubles, capturing souls in a black crystal ball. Soon, you too find yourself trapped in there, and must help the other trapped souls to break the spell. It is nothing inspired and could have been told better, but it was intriguing anyway. It was a delight to see a story set in the desert lands of the Middle East. I don’t think I’ve come across Bedouins before!
The gameplay, like the graphics, is fairly simplistic. But there is variety. There are non interactive list HO scenes with little or no animation, but the same scenes are also used for progressive fragmented objects scene. Similar to the progressive silhouette, you must first piece together one object to be used in the scene to find others. There are also a few scattered puzzles, nothing so far that we don’t already know, but tricky nonetheless. Adventure gameplay is the least attractive aspect of this game. Found and inventory items are used almost immediately, as a rule, and the next step is generally fairly obvious and not at all imaginative.
The interactive map cannot transport, but does tell you when you have a ‘scene’ puzzle and/or a ‘close-up’ puzzle or a HO scene in a location. It can be found in the journal, which also has a task list.
I do have a couple of beefs with this game. First, the cursor pick up is exceedingly fickle, sometimes requiring many tries before you can get and use your item. And the speech balloons and story text does not close automatically when finished, you must press ‘skip’ to get rid of it.
I am sure I will buy and enjoy playing this game, but I’m not in any rush – it is not a game that screams ‘buy me’, nevertheless...
I recommend this game!
You've come to Mexico to explore a mysterious mansion. But this is no vacation. Your cousin is missing, and the house is crawling with bizarre and deadly creatures!
Overall rating
4
/
5
17 of 18 found this review helpful
Engaging & Fun
PostedSeptember 23, 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
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON FULL DEMO
I loved “Calavera: Day Of The Dead”, did you? If the answer is yes, you are sure to like this one. It has that same offbeat style, and Central American locales and theme, done as only ERS can do. If, however, you are a great fan of the first “Twilight Phenomena”, you may not be so excited about finding HO scenes in this one. But they’re colourful and varied, with the option to play an interesting and challenging mini-game instead, and well-integrated into the game world.
The other puzzles are also varied and enjoyable, and I didn’t find any of them either too difficult or too easy, there is a nice mix. The adventure gameplay can be a bit odd at times, but there is a directional hint, and an interactive jump map, plus the journal. We also have an assistant (yes, he’s cute, and funny, and in the CE version, you can dress him up in costumes). He is not helpful, though, unless you feed him!
The game also has many options for you to customise the difficulty level regarding sparkles, black bar help, hint and skip.
The game starts with a character breathlessly telling us of the trouble she has found herself in – which turns out to be becoming an willing part of an experiment using the DNA of animals in humans.
For once, we arrive at the scene without having crash landed something, with a simple page of paper outside the front of the house our friend is, presumably, in. Our arrival is a bit daunting anyway though, as the occupant of the house shoots a tranquiliser dart at us!
I am still of two minds about whether the CE or SE is the better game. I guess in the end it comes down to how much you enjoy the bells and whistles of achievements and collectibles and dressing up the raccoon.
I recommend this game!
Who is responsible for your children's disappearance? Follow the trail!
Overall rating
3
/
5
22 of 26 found this review helpful
Quirky Fairy Tale That’s Just For Fun
PostedSeptember 23, 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
Storyline
3
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
I love this game’s quirky sense of humour. Yes, it’s a fairy tale, but it’s not a cutesy, play-only-with-the-kids kind of story. It seems to me that it makes fun of itself all the way through, from the jaunty nautical music to the surreal but cartoonlike graphics, to the crazy characters. This is just not a game to take seriously.
For all that, though, the developers have taken their mission to entertain very much to heart and have displayed considerable versatility in producing such an unusual game. The graphics are superbly done, in a cartoon style that allows for a lot of creativity in the depiction of locations and characters. The voice of the little gingerbread helper (yes, okay, he’s sorta cute, but his friends aren’t!) is bound to drive us all nuts, but all other aspects of the soundtracks are delightfully upbeat. The narrator’s voiceover is excellent.
One thing I loved, which perhaps gives you an idea of the style of the game, is the way the narration is done in rhyming couplets (no, not Shakespeare, think nursery rhymes). It gives the whole game a flavour of ‘sugar and spice and all things nice’.
Despite its name, this is not really the fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel. It enjoys some elements in common, but is truly its own story, with elements from other tales woven in.
This is a HO game rather than a puzzle adventure, although a total of only 11 HO scenes suggests a fairly short game, as other reviewers have mentioned. That alone makes me glad I chose to wait for the SE, despite some endearing CE features, such as collectible cupcakes.
The HO puzzles are interactive lists, and are visited more than once. The other puzzles are also nothing astonishingly new, but fun. Again, the quality of the gameplay is as good as any other of this developer’s (extremely high quality) games, but don’t expect the same degree of seriousness or difficulty. This is, above all else, a light-hearted game.
If you come to this game with the expectation of compelling story and a challenging design, you will be disappointed. It is simply not that sort of game. But as light hearted romp through the surreal landscape of fairy tales and magic, this game is all about the fun.
I recommend this game!
The quaint mountain town of Hochwald hides a deadly secret. Defeat a mechanical mastermind and save your friend before another earthquake strikes!
Overall rating
4
/
5
68 of 73 found this review helpful
Steam Punk Lite!
PostedSeptember 18, 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
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
This game is definitely about the fun. Pure fantasy and light hearted in even the most dire of circumstances, it’s a game to bring a smile to your face one way or another. Mind you, if you’ve got a thing against bugs, you might want to give it a miss.
This game is definitely about the fun. Pure fantasy and light hearted in even the most dire of circumstances, it’s a game to bring a smile to your face one way or another. Mind you, if you’ve got a thing against bugs, you might want to give it a miss.
This appealing combination of steam punk and spy game is beset with robots and zeppelins and a great mix of appealing characters. Including the ever-present cat, who isn’t interested in helping you, because, well, “it’s a cat”. And that light touch of humour sets the tone for the whole game.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
The game looks excellent. Graphics are top quality, in the locations we have a nicely ‘hand drawn’ snowy landscape with a touch of the cartoon about it. The “HO” scenes are more precise and realistic and are beautifully lit. Music is light, and there’s a lot of earthshaking ambient noise. Voiceovers are a total blast, I love all of them.
The game looks excellent. Graphics are top quality, in the locations we have a nicely ‘hand drawn’ snowy landscape with a touch of the cartoon about it. The “HO” scenes are more precise and realistic and are beautifully lit. Music is light, and there’s a lot of earthshaking ambient noise. Voiceovers are a total blast, I love all of them.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
You (Evangeline Glass) are a spy – hey, cool! Nice change from the usual detective work. Our mentor is a befuddled professor type called Prof. Ink. He is investigating distressing events (unnatural earthquakes) in a remote village, and we get there just in time to see him carried off to a fortress castle by a giant robot. Our investigations start with the local villagers, and how nice it is to see a populated town! Every person in the inn has his own story to tell, and his own contribution to make in your investigations.
You (Evangeline Glass) are a spy – hey, cool! Nice change from the usual detective work. Our mentor is a befuddled professor type called Prof. Ink. He is investigating distressing events (unnatural earthquakes) in a remote village, and we get there just in time to see him carried off to a fortress castle by a giant robot. Our investigations start with the local villagers, and how nice it is to see a populated town! Every person in the inn has his own story to tell, and his own contribution to make in your investigations.
MAKING PROGRESS
This is not strictly an HOP really, but there are puzzles that are basically a HOP. We have progressive (find & use) silhouettes, and fragmented objects, and a puzzle board that has you searching for specific items in a dollhouse.
This is not strictly an HOP really, but there are puzzles that are basically a HOP. We have progressive (find & use) silhouettes, and fragmented objects, and a puzzle board that has you searching for specific items in a dollhouse.
Other puzzles are for the most part familiar, but there isn’t a lot of them. Adventure tasks are straightforward, although not always obvious. The hint is directional and there is an interactive jump map. The emphasis is on light hearted fun, not challenge.
BLING!
We have an offsider, now don’t leave yet – he’s not overly cute! He’s a robot crow who can replay videos the prof has made, as well as fetching things.
We have an offsider, now don’t leave yet – he’s not overly cute! He’s a robot crow who can replay videos the prof has made, as well as fetching things.
The CE has a bunch of good stuff – achievements, as well as the usual gallery items, replayable puzzles and really cool collectibles. They are mechanical bugs that move around on the screen, so you have to catch them.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
If you’re into the bling! the CE is probably the better buy, but for me, this time around I’m sticking with this SE.
If you’re into the bling! the CE is probably the better buy, but for me, this time around I’m sticking with this SE.
I recommend this game!
Scale the heights of Sunhook Spire, rescue the Enchantress and uncover the tower's mysteries as Queen Sophia's journey continues!
Overall rating
4
/
5
52 of 60 found this review helpful
Shock To The System
PostedSeptember 15, 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
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
Many players have reached the maximum of their cute tolerance, so this game, the latest in a series that has specialised in cute for years, will no doubt suffer from the overload of sweet companions and magical offsiders and baby animals that need rescuing. Which is a shame, because they really do it really well, whilst maintaining a high level of ‘gameplay IQ' and design.
So perhaps some of you who are bothered by the sickly sweet (not me, I love it), will forgive this game and enjoy it, if I tell you a little of the challenge and imagination that can be found in the HOs and puzzles, and the general adventure tasks.
In fact, a quick glance through the reviews of the CE will show something you rarely see – almost everyone, whether they liked the game or not, said the puzzles were hard! I think that’s a first.
The new style of HOP is the first new thing you encounter. It is interesting and a little challenging to start with. The scene is lit by 4 different colours, and each (silhouetted) item is connected to a particular colour. You must switch the lighting to find all the items.
Other HOPs are the usual interactive list, but there are several other kinds of visual puzzles as well. Including multiples of, matching pairs and other pictorial puzzles. All of these are more difficult any of the previous Awakening games.
The other puzzles and mini-games are beautifully woven into the story of the game, and have varying degrees of difficulty (from hard to hardest according to the reviews), and I found some of them quite difficult, had to skip a couple. The SG wasn’t much help.
The map, even though it was a jump map, was also no use as it didn’t contain any helpful information, like active areas, but there was a very helpful hint system in the person of a wise and knowledgeable owl.
And yes, there is a pocket dragon as well, and various other cute creatures who help out.
As I chose not to buy the CE of this one, I can’t tell you what the extras would be, except there are morphing objects and achievements plus the usual items. There are at least one other, not mentioned, item: something called “Glass House”.
Based on the fact that no one mentioned it in the reviews, I have to assume it’s not something all that exciting. I am still of 2 minds whether to buy it or the CE. Either way, I think it’s a good play, if you can overlook all that beauty – if you need to.
I recommend this game!
Your father was murdered while he was investigating a crime. Travel back through time to save him!
Overall rating
4
/
5
96 of 105 found this review helpful
Original & Well Designed
PostedSeptember 14, 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
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
This game looks good from the start. Not spectacular, not gorgeous, just very well done cut scenes, good voiceovers, and an exciting crash of music at the scary bits.
This game looks good from the start. Not spectacular, not gorgeous, just very well done cut scenes, good voiceovers, and an exciting crash of music at the scary bits.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
The graphics are very good hand drawn, lots of detail and very clear. Not too dark, but still a bit spooky. HOs are easy to find. The music is fairly unnoticeable until it suddenly rips you out of your complacency. The voiceovers are a little stilted at times, but no real problem. This is not one of those games that relies heavily on cute or beautiful. It does real very well, and avoids those awful fly and rust fests many developers go for as an alternative to cute.
The graphics are very good hand drawn, lots of detail and very clear. Not too dark, but still a bit spooky. HOs are easy to find. The music is fairly unnoticeable until it suddenly rips you out of your complacency. The voiceovers are a little stilted at times, but no real problem. This is not one of those games that relies heavily on cute or beautiful. It does real very well, and avoids those awful fly and rust fests many developers go for as an alternative to cute.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
You dreamed of your dad (a cop) dying on the job, and he did. Looking through his personal belongings, your tears activate an amulet said to protect your family, and you are hurtled back in time to 2 hours before his death. Now both of you must solve the mystery and survive.
You dreamed of your dad (a cop) dying on the job, and he did. Looking through his personal belongings, your tears activate an amulet said to protect your family, and you are hurtled back in time to 2 hours before his death. Now both of you must solve the mystery and survive.
MAKING PROGRESS
The gameplay is the appeal in this one. A unique style of HOPs that are an interactive list, plus a couple of silhouetted items that must be found to be used in the scene. It’s really great fun, combining the two favoured types into one. The list is very long, so all the items are not listed upfront, and others will appear as you go along. I like that because it makes the list more spontaneous.
The gameplay is the appeal in this one. A unique style of HOPs that are an interactive list, plus a couple of silhouetted items that must be found to be used in the scene. It’s really great fun, combining the two favoured types into one. The list is very long, so all the items are not listed upfront, and others will appear as you go along. I like that because it makes the list more spontaneous.
There are also some great new puzzles too. Some taking an old idea and revamping it, but always into something that’s totally new. They weren’t very hard, but the instructions on at least one were too vague to understand, I had to check the SG to get it. There is an interactive jump map, which shows completed locations as well as active tasks, a directional hint, a journal, and task list.
This should appeal to our hard core element. Even on the lowest level of difficulty, the sparkles are rare and discreet, just the HOPs really, and black bar hints are not automatically dished out, you must click on something a couple of times to get not much more info.
BLING!
CE extras are the staples only. Gallery items, bonus chapter, SG.
CE extras are the staples only. Gallery items, bonus chapter, SG.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
I think I’ll wait for the SE myself – I’m on a budget. But a really good recommendable game.
I think I’ll wait for the SE myself – I’m on a budget. But a really good recommendable game.
I recommend this game!