Kudos to the devs at Elephant Games. This 3rd installment of the Mystery Trackers series is as good as Raincliff and the Void. I completed the demo in 51 minutes. The storyline is somewhat reminiscent of Raincliff what with kidnappings and bad guys in hooded robes appearing in both. The HO scenes are not hard and I had no trouble with the puzzles during the demo. As with all of the MT offerings, there is a lot of running around to do. I did use MR. FROG frequently during the demo which is something I will not do after I buy the game and start the game from scratch. Since I never ever buy CE versions ( get with it people, they are not worth the extra $$$ if you really think about what you get at double the cost ) I can wait til the standard version is issued. Having said that, be you a fan of CE's or SE's, Black Isle is sure to please.
I have mixed feelings about this game. Stylistically, it is one of the best produced games in a long time. The graphics are superb, the HO scenes ( and there are lots of them ) are not really tough. Have yet to see any puzzles. I have only completed the demo. Lots of cut scenes and I wonder if there are too many. No voiceovers which is a bummer. The storyline starts with a scientist who is playing Frankenstein with plant genetics. There is an assistant initially helping him. Here is where part of the storyline gets a bit lame. The assistant ( that's us players ) find things to help the scientist .After the first segment is played, the boss is seen at the door to his lab. Then he locks out the helper. Devs, give me a break!! This is almost an insult to my intelligence. Later on the game shifts to a point in the future # I won't give away how this happens ) I made some progress and the hour trial ended. I guess at some point I might buy the game. I have been getting fussier about what I purchase because there is so much sameness to a lot of games. This one does give hints as being novel. I do recommend the game. As an SE version, it is a cut above most of what is new out there.
I'll start by saying I finished the demo with 18 minutes to spare. I like games wherein the storyline evolves while the game is being played and this is one of them. Too many games tell the whole story at the beginning. The graphics are nice and the HO scenes are not really hard. The same can be said of the puzzles in the demo. I have had a game credit for about 6 weeks and have been waiting for a game good enough to justify using it. Surface might be that game. Give it a try, I think you'll enjoy it.
The best element of this game is that the devs force us to think about what to do next. The worst element is turning the cursor into a hand when an item to be picked up is found, sometimes by accident. I finished the demo with 10 minutes to spare. I'm glad I had good walking shoes on since there is a lot of to and fro. The hint system recharges fairly fast. While I do not use hints often in games I own, I don't mind using them in a demo as the progress I make in the game helps me decide if I want to buy it. ( but never a CE version ) The story line develops slowly and in this game it is a plus not to be given too much info from the getgo. I also like the fact that this C HOG is much more suited for adults than the Treasure Seekers games which are of the same ilk. I certainly recommend this game as a SE. The only general downside to the circle games is the need to find the same things everytime in replay. I much prefer the HOGs that vary the found items during replay. At least do the demo to form your own opinion.
It has been quite awhile since one of the cartoonish games has lived up to expectations. This Scruffs game decidedly fits the bill. I'm glad it's not a game for kids, at least those not old enough to vote or drink. The game is not easy as some of the objects to be found are cleverly placed. The storyline is compelling. The voiceovers are terrific, the best since the 100 penguins game which is still the best of the cartoon games in my opinion. For those who relish a respite from the usual grim fare in the average HOG, this game is ideal. I recommend it. By the way, some other games of this ilk which are superb are the 2 Mishap games and Brunhilda.
Another disaster from our Russian friends. Why is it that they have not been able to make a human look human? The storyline could have been compelling but there are too many flaws in the game to make it enjoyable. I can hardly call this a HOG. More of an adventure game except the adventure part isn't here. I guess some folks might like this atrocity but I imagine most players will enthusiastically give this a thumbs down. I cannot at all endorse this game. Gobble Gobble !!
My review is based on the demo only which I completed in 50 minutes. I have opined repeatedly that CE's are a waste of money and that the devs keep on making them only because so many people just cannot wait to get their hands on a new game. Here are my problems with this CE. First and foremost, all games that command a higher cost MUST HAVE voiceovers. Secondly there must be better graphics than the average game. The HOs should be a bit harder to find. The puzzles should show some novelty. In this game, it's the same old same old. The storyline should be believable from the outset. A young kid is about to be executed for a crime, and me as the saviour needs to prove his innocence. Where the devs drop the ball here is in having the boy ready for his demise. Assuming the game takes a few hours to complete, would not the story be better if the accused were in a jail cell? I have not read any of the other reviews as I endeavor to form my own opinion without any preconceived notions. Based on what I experienced, this game is totally unworthy of CE status and cost. It remains to be seen wether it passes muster as a regular edition.
I lasted about 10 minutes of the demo and had to leave this turkey. A root canal is more appealing. Some games are truly sophomoric but this one has barely gotten out of kindergarten. The thing that got me to leave so quickly, besides exquisite boredom, was when the professor tells the girl that they should go from eastern USA to Egypt in his sailboat. I know these are games but come on devs. In a boat that size, it would take a year for such a crossing and we're supposed to believe that time is of the essence to save the day. Only February but Journey certainly will qualify as one of the 5 worst games of the year. Treat it like it is a disease and stay away
Bought this as the catch of the week without even doing the hour demo. Has a decent storyline and the graphics are well done. This is a lot less of a HOG than most players might suspect. I believe there were only 5 or 6 conventional hidden object screens. This game involved more picking up items strewn about the landscape and completing puzzles and most of those were not too challenging. There are 7 chapters with the final being very short indeed. It took me just under 5 hours to finish the game. There is a lot of to and fro in the game but unlike a lot of games, the rambling in Fairing Point is limited by chapter as each chapter stays in a specific location. This is not a game I'd buy at regular price but for $3 it's ok by me. As to a recommendation I would say fine at the lowest price but that's about it. I generally replay games I own, some more frequently than others. I probably will have Fairing on the far back burner for about a year.
Review is based on the demo which I completed in 51 minutes. From the getgo when the opening cutscene showed live actors, I got the feeling this game could be very special such as the MCF games. My feeling was proven correct as I progressed in the demo. The storyline doesn't beat the player over the head at the beginning which is nice. I never read other reviews of games before I try the game myself. Typical start, people go missing and it's my job to find them. The messages left in various places indicate hints of what is to occur. It's not until late in the demo that the player learns there is something otherworldly afoot, and for once I was glad it wasn't ghosts, devils, voodoo or the themes so prevalent in these IHOGs. My guess it's beings from another planet ( something novel as to who are the baddies. The graphics in Surface are terrific. The hidden scenes are easy so far and I completed all of the puzzles save one # the ball in the maze ) without a skip. I rarely use skips in a game I own with the exception being in a demo. The hints recharge quickly and I did use them a lot which is just a demo progression for me. As I have frequently mentioned in other reviews, IMO CE's are a waste of money and this one is no exception. Do the demo and then take a look at what the CE version gets you . Not a whole lotta bang for the buck once again. I will certainly purchase Surface later on when the SE is issued. This game appears to be headed for great success.