catbag8717's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.3
- Helpful Votes:8,793
- Reviews Submitted:584
- First Review:April 27, 2012
- Most Recent Review:September 23, 2020
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Diva's dark talent claims another victim – can you stop her before the curtain falls?
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 11 found this review helpful
Oh, Challenge, Where Have You Gone?
PostedSeptember 14, 2014
catbag8717
fromTasmania, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Ominous Objects: Family Portrait
(30)Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
Out of all game series, Maestro is probably my least favourite. Because of that, I had low expectations While this game was half-decent, it's certainly not memorable. I enjoyed my demo, but will not be purchasing.
The story had an interesting concept and was executed well. The story had some interesting plot points, and some great twists. The main story is to do with a Diva being resurrected, who quickly goes after your friend, Kate. This story has been done a few times, but is done well here. I never lost interest, and had it not been for the lackluster gameplay, I would have considered purchasing.
Even though the story was enjoyable, it was not perfect. Some things happened that I considered unrealistic. For example, when the Knowing One injured his neck and we bandaged it, he turned his head sharply and quickly. In real life, he would not have been able to this without some form of pain, but there was no painful expression, or evidence of pain noted in his voice. This took away the semi-real feel of the game, which was disappointing.
I also did not like the characters very much. I felt they were very standard, with no personality whatsoever. I like it when the characters have personalities, so was disappointed here.
Overall, though, a decent story.
Even though the story was enjoyable, it was not perfect. Some things happened that I considered unrealistic. For example, when the Knowing One injured his neck and we bandaged it, he turned his head sharply and quickly. In real life, he would not have been able to this without some form of pain, but there was no painful expression, or evidence of pain noted in his voice. This took away the semi-real feel of the game, which was disappointing.
I also did not like the characters very much. I felt they were very standard, with no personality whatsoever. I like it when the characters have personalities, so was disappointed here.
Overall, though, a decent story.
Where this game fails for me is the gameplay, due to its complete lack of challenge. The HOS, for instance, were nice to play, but incredibly easy. They were a mix of progressive silhouette and junkpile. The scenes had extra step objects, but that did little to add to the challenge. For their next game, I would like to see ERS make more of an effort with HOS.
As far as quantity goes, however, ERS have done well. There were 3 HOS in the demo, and they were evenly spaced out. This indicates to me that there will be a good number in the game.
I found the puzzles to be quite easy also. They were nothing I haven't seen before, and I was able to solve them quite quickly. To their credit, the puzzles had good instructions, so I was never unsure as to what to do. Similar to the HOS, there was a good number of puzzles in the game, and they were spaced out well. They could have been great, if more challenging.
As far as quantity goes, however, ERS have done well. There were 3 HOS in the demo, and they were evenly spaced out. This indicates to me that there will be a good number in the game.
I found the puzzles to be quite easy also. They were nothing I haven't seen before, and I was able to solve them quite quickly. To their credit, the puzzles had good instructions, so I was never unsure as to what to do. Similar to the HOS, there was a good number of puzzles in the game, and they were spaced out well. They could have been great, if more challenging.
ERS has added two extra gameplay features here. One of these is + objects, which are items you need to interact with to complete. This feature is standard now, but is still a good one. The + objects are indicated by small gears above the item. Unfortunately, however, there is no indication of when the object can be used. The good thing about this feature was that it wasn't used too often, but was also used enough to add to the gameplay experience.
The second feature was the medallion, which was used to fight off ghosts. However, it wasn't just a thing you could pick up and use; you actually had to find the gems to put in it. I liked this feature. Finding the gems myself and adding them in made the gameplay experience made it much more fun than just picking the medallion up and using it. This was a great feature, and I hope it returns soon. It was used quite a lot too.
Despite some decent gameplay features, ERS really falls back when it comes to the basic stuff. There is no custom difficulty, and no diary. I find that a diary is really important when it comes to HOPA games, as it helps me remember details of the story I might otherwise forget. Please bring back the diary, ERS!
But the basic flaws don't end here, because the map is really bad. It is set out poorly, and sometimes wouldn't show active objectives, even on Casual. I found it frustrating trying to find my way around using the map, so had to fully rely on the hint.
Overall, a very poor effort from the gameplay side of things. The basics were flawed, the HOS flawed, the puzzles flawed, almost everything was wrong. ERS, pick up your game.
But the basic flaws don't end here, because the map is really bad. It is set out poorly, and sometimes wouldn't show active objectives, even on Casual. I found it frustrating trying to find my way around using the map, so had to fully rely on the hint.
Overall, a very poor effort from the gameplay side of things. The basics were flawed, the HOS flawed, the puzzles flawed, almost everything was wrong. ERS, pick up your game.
The graphics are good. They are the typical ERS style; hand drawn with quite a bit of detail and some realistic character designs. The scenes are also quite clear and the colours are nice. However, I was disappointed to find there was no lip-synch. There hasn't been any lip-synch in their games for a while now, and I've got no idea why. Is it laziness, or is it the pressure of the game industry? Anyway, I really hope ERS brings back lip-synch.
The voice-overs are standard. I have no comment.
The voice-overs are standard. I have no comment.
FEATURES
3 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Hard. I played Casual. Differences in the other difficulties are standard.
Hint/Skip- Both recharged at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected. Hint is useful outside HOS.
Map- The map is useless and set out really poorly.
+ objects- Quite a few in the game. However, I wish there had been an indication of when they could be used.
Medallion- Very fun. You have to find the gems yourself, which adds to the experience.
3 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Hard. I played Casual. Differences in the other difficulties are standard.
Hint/Skip- Both recharged at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected. Hint is useful outside HOS.
Map- The map is useless and set out really poorly.
+ objects- Quite a few in the game. However, I wish there had been an indication of when they could be used.
Medallion- Very fun. You have to find the gems yourself, which adds to the experience.
CE EXCLUSIVES
Bonus Chapter- unsure if needed
Built-in Strategy Guide- does not show shots of HOS.
Collectibles- The objects are unrelated, so finding out what is actually a collectible is a challenge. This made the game a bit more fun.
Achievements
Concept Art
Music
Wallpapers (6)
Replay HOS & Puzzles
Screensavers
Replay movies
Bonus Chapter- unsure if needed
Built-in Strategy Guide- does not show shots of HOS.
Collectibles- The objects are unrelated, so finding out what is actually a collectible is a challenge. This made the game a bit more fun.
Achievements
Concept Art
Music
Wallpapers (6)
Replay HOS & Puzzles
Screensavers
Replay movies
WHICH IS THE BETTER BUY?
Definitely the SE. The CE has minimal CE Extras and is really of no value whatsoever.
Definitely the SE. The CE has minimal CE Extras and is really of no value whatsoever.
Overall, this game was just okay. It had the potential to be so much more, but was really just ruined by the poor gameplay. I hope ERS learn from their mistakes and come back with a much better game.
I don't recommend this game.
Was Veronica West's death an accident... or a cold-blooded murder?
Overall rating
4
/
5
7 of 9 found this review helpful
A Murder Mystery At Its Finest
PostedSeptember 13, 2014
catbag8717
fromTasmania, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Ominous Objects: Family Portrait
(30)Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED COLLECTOR'S EDITION GAME- BONUS CONTENT REVIEW AT THE BOTTOM
The latest addition to the Eipix collection combines two things that I love: murder mysteries and Eipix! After playing the demo, I decided I would buy the SE, but I won the CE in a contest, so I played that one. This is not the best Eipix game in the world, but I still enjoyed my gameplay very much. (Bonus Content review at the bottom)
The story was fantastic. It was everything a murder mystery should be: different suspects with every one of them connected to the victim, multiple suspects, people trying to sabotage us, and best of all... multiple twists! From a technical point of view, the story is done perfectly. Eipix have done their homework here. Everything about this screamed murder mystery.
Content wise, the story is really great. It had a great beginning, which coasted along nicely and had a couple of great twists. The demo ended wonderfully, so of course, I had to play on.
Now, after the demo, stories tend to wind down a bit, and build us up to the end, but this one did anything BUT that! The twists kept coming, all throughout the game. But the best part was, they weren't just one after the other, they were spaced out, and perfectly spaced out too. Just when my interest would waver ever so slightly, a new twist would come and shock me! This made the story so much more exciting.
So, after all that, I was hoping for a fantastic end, and I wasn't disappointed! In the last 10 minutes or so, we were certain it was one person, then a huge twist at the end revealed it was an entirely different person altogether! This ending was brilliant, to go well with a brilliant story.
Overall, the story was amazing. I could not find a single fault in it. It was probably the best story we've had all year.
Content wise, the story is really great. It had a great beginning, which coasted along nicely and had a couple of great twists. The demo ended wonderfully, so of course, I had to play on.
Now, after the demo, stories tend to wind down a bit, and build us up to the end, but this one did anything BUT that! The twists kept coming, all throughout the game. But the best part was, they weren't just one after the other, they were spaced out, and perfectly spaced out too. Just when my interest would waver ever so slightly, a new twist would come and shock me! This made the story so much more exciting.
So, after all that, I was hoping for a fantastic end, and I wasn't disappointed! In the last 10 minutes or so, we were certain it was one person, then a huge twist at the end revealed it was an entirely different person altogether! This ending was brilliant, to go well with a brilliant story.
Overall, the story was amazing. I could not find a single fault in it. It was probably the best story we've had all year.
I have mixed feelings about the gameplay, with my main gripe being the HOS. Don't get me wrong, for the most part, I really enjoyed them, but I just felt that some were way too long. I thought Eipix really should have focused on quality and not quantity, and shortened them a bit. That isn't saying that I didn't like the HOS, because I did. I appreciated their variety (a mix of junkpile and silhouette) and the different lengths of challenge. I also liked how Eipix didn't go so over the top with their HOS, and they were just stripped back and made a little easier. There is a great number of HOS too. They are well spaced out, which made them more enjoyable.
I also quite liked the puzzles. Most of them were very good, and were fun to attempt. A few were new, a few were not. Similar to the HOS, the puzzles were a bit stripped back, varied in difficulty and appeared frequently throughout the game. I really enjoyed the puzzles, because they were not overly challenging, but weren't a cinch either. Eipix have done a good job here.
As far as extra features go, there aren't many compared to previous Eipix games, but the ones that are there are good ones. One of them was + objects, which are sort of becoming standard these days. The + objects are pretty similar to others, in the fact that they work in the same way. They require additional objects to complete, some more than one, and there is an indication of when you can use them. I liked this feature because it was fun and wasn't overused.
The second feature is one of my most favourite gameplay additions of all time... the interrogation scenes! I loved this feature so much because it made me feel like an actual detective, and made me feel a lot more involved.
In the interrogation scenes, you confront certain characters and make observations based on what they've told you, and you decipher whether it is the truth or a lie. It's not just a massive cutscene though, sometimes you have to piece the item together before you can ask them about it. This is definitely one of the best features to ever be put in to a HOPA game. The best part is, there are a lot of them. It made the game so much more fun than if it were just a cutscene. Brilliant job, Eipix. I hope to see this feature return very soon.
In the interrogation scenes, you confront certain characters and make observations based on what they've told you, and you decipher whether it is the truth or a lie. It's not just a massive cutscene though, sometimes you have to piece the item together before you can ask them about it. This is definitely one of the best features to ever be put in to a HOPA game. The best part is, there are a lot of them. It made the game so much more fun than if it were just a cutscene. Brilliant job, Eipix. I hope to see this feature return very soon.
Other than that, this is your normal HOPA. The basic features are done well. There are 4 modes of difficulty, as well as a map. The map works quite well. To fit with the investigation theme, we have an evidence board, which is a replacement for the diary. There are separate tabs for notes and evidence. I liked this evidence board and felt it was set out well. However, I would have liked to still see a diary, as I found it hard to remember early scenes of the story when writing this review.
Overall, some pretty good gameplay to support the story.
Overall, some pretty good gameplay to support the story.
As usual, the graphics are great. They are drawn well, with a lot of detail. The scenes are clear and look realistic. The colours match the scenes well. The character designs are quite good due to their realism.
Voice-overs are standard. I have no comment.
Voice-overs are standard. I have no comment.
FEATURES
4 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Haed and Custom. Custom lets you set the game the way you like; differences in others are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- both recharged a bit fast, even for Casual. Fast recharge allows for hand holding. Would have preferred if it had charged a bit slower.
Map- The map is interactive and works well. It lets you know where there are active tasks to perform.
Evidence Board- The evidence board is done nicely. There is a separate tab for suspects and evidence.
+ Objects- Requires some interaction to complete. A blue + appears when the item can be used.
4 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Haed and Custom. Custom lets you set the game the way you like; differences in others are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- both recharged a bit fast, even for Casual. Fast recharge allows for hand holding. Would have preferred if it had charged a bit slower.
Map- The map is interactive and works well. It lets you know where there are active tasks to perform.
Evidence Board- The evidence board is done nicely. There is a separate tab for suspects and evidence.
+ Objects- Requires some interaction to complete. A blue + appears when the item can be used.
WHICH IS THE BETTER BUY?
I bought the CE, and despite some good bonus content , I wish I had bought the SE, even though I got the SE for free. I didn't like the bonus chapter at all, and after the collectibles were collected, there was really nothing worthwhile.
I bought the CE, and despite some good bonus content , I wish I had bought the SE, even though I got the SE for free. I didn't like the bonus chapter at all, and after the collectibles were collected, there was really nothing worthwhile.
BONUS CONTENT REVIEW
BONUS CHAPTER
Really bad. This was an epilogue of the main story, so it wasn't needed. I was really confused as to what was going on when the chapter began, and overall, it was a poor production.
Really bad. This was an epilogue of the main story, so it wasn't needed. I was really confused as to what was going on when the chapter began, and overall, it was a poor production.
STRATEGY GUIDE
This was produced terribly. It does not show screenshots of HOS. It shows locations of collectibles, but the scenes aren't named, so sometimes it was hard to tell where I was up to when I used the strategy guide.
This was produced terribly. It does not show screenshots of HOS. It shows locations of collectibles, but the scenes aren't named, so sometimes it was hard to tell where I was up to when I used the strategy guide.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Mostly gameplay based, but a couple story based.
Mostly gameplay based, but a couple story based.
COLLECTIBLE STARS
This was the best bonus feature. There are 44 stars, which means one in every scene. Better yet, Eipix seems to have taken my criticism on board, because there are collectibles in the bonus chapter! There is an indicator of whether or not you have found the star yet, too. If you do not find all 44 stars, you can go back through and find them all in the bonus content.
This was the best bonus feature. There are 44 stars, which means one in every scene. Better yet, Eipix seems to have taken my criticism on board, because there are collectibles in the bonus chapter! There is an indicator of whether or not you have found the star yet, too. If you do not find all 44 stars, you can go back through and find them all in the bonus content.
SOUVENIR ROOM
This is basically one giant HOS. You go through each scene and have to find one souvenir. They are hidden well and require some interaction to find. This was a very good bonus feature.
This is basically one giant HOS. You go through each scene and have to find one souvenir. They are hidden well and require some interaction to find. This was a very good bonus feature.
MORPHING OBJECTS
There is one in every HOS, even in the bonus chapter. I found 14 of 15, but found all by accident. You can go back to the HOS in the bonus content and try to find them all if you wish.
There is one in every HOS, even in the bonus chapter. I found 14 of 15, but found all by accident. You can go back to the HOS in the bonus content and try to find them all if you wish.
MAKING OF
This is a fun little video, which gives some insight in to the developers' experience of developing the game. Gives some fun facts about the game development.
This is a fun little video, which gives some insight in to the developers' experience of developing the game. Gives some fun facts about the game development.
BUBBLESHOOTER
Didn't enjoy this. Totally un-necessary.
Didn't enjoy this. Totally un-necessary.
REPLAY HOS, PUZZLES & MOVIES
Can replay every HOS, and also find the morphing objects if you haven't already done so. Every movie can be replayed, as can MOST puzzles. I was devastated to find that the interrogation scenes could not be replayed!
Can replay every HOS, and also find the morphing objects if you haven't already done so. Every movie can be replayed, as can MOST puzzles. I was devastated to find that the interrogation scenes could not be replayed!
THE USUAL...
There were 12 wallpapers in the game, none of which looked very nice. There were also 14 music tracks, but no concept art.
There were 12 wallpapers in the game, none of which looked very nice. There were also 14 music tracks, but no concept art.
Overall, this was quite a good game. It earns a solid four from me. The only reason this isn't getting a 5 is due to the HOS being too long, thus, driving down the fun factor.
I recommend this game!
Can you escape from the grasp of a lovestruck ghost?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
Boomzap, Where Have You Been All This Time?
PostedSeptember 6, 2014
catbag8717
fromTasmania, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Ominous Objects: Family Portrait
(30)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
Boomzap are hands down my least favourite developer. I have trialed nearly all their games, liked a grand total of 2, and have not bought a single one. That's all about to change because, quite surprisingly, this was a very good game!
The story is quite interesting. It has a nice concept and is executed well. Basically, it's a romance/ghost story, which is not usually my thing, but it's been done nicely. The basic storyline is you get trapped in a hotel and start getting stalked by some ghost who thinks you are his wife. Quite silly, but was entertaining.
As far as content goes, there weren't many twists in the demo (there were 2 in total), but they were pretty good ones. They were all ones I in particular was not expecting. They kept me engaged in the story, and excited to find out what was happening next.
As far as content goes, there weren't many twists in the demo (there were 2 in total), but they were pretty good ones. They were all ones I in particular was not expecting. They kept me engaged in the story, and excited to find out what was happening next.
There was also a backstory, which was equally as exciting. It was told through little memory HOS/puzzles, which were a great feature. The backstory was intriguing, because it began to explain the events of the past, which allowed me to begin to understand what was happening.
Overall, a good story which was well-supportive of the gameplay.
But while the story was good, what really swung me towards this game was the gameplay. The HOS were good; coming in many different varieties and being very fun to play. The types were:
progressive silhouette
junkpile
A mix of replace the item and junkpile
Memory scenes (HOS/Puzzles)
Because of their variety, each HOS had different levels of challenge. In saying that, I found each one to be quite easy, with no thinking involved. All HOS were interactive.
There are quite a large number of HOS in the demo. If the memory scenes are counted towards the HOS, there are a total of 6 in the demo, which is bordering on too much, even if they are fun.
progressive silhouette
junkpile
A mix of replace the item and junkpile
Memory scenes (HOS/Puzzles)
Because of their variety, each HOS had different levels of challenge. In saying that, I found each one to be quite easy, with no thinking involved. All HOS were interactive.
There are quite a large number of HOS in the demo. If the memory scenes are counted towards the HOS, there are a total of 6 in the demo, which is bordering on too much, even if they are fun.
I also quite liked the puzzles. Even though they were quite easy, and (for the most part) nothing I hadn't seen before, they were still very fun to play. I could solve all of them with the exception of one. What I really liked about them, though, was that there were PUZZLE HINTS! WOOOOO! I've been asking for these for so long, and to see them finally here was amazing. I'm so tired of having to skip the puzzle when all we need is a nudge in the right direction, so I was very glad the developers took notice of this problem.
Like the HOS, there are quite a large number of puzzles in the game. Counting the memory scenes as HOS and not puzzles, I counted 7 puzzles in the demo. Again, this is a bit much, but the puzzles are spaced out a little.
Like the HOS, there are quite a large number of puzzles in the game. Counting the memory scenes as HOS and not puzzles, I counted 7 puzzles in the demo. Again, this is a bit much, but the puzzles are spaced out a little.
There are two additional gameplay features here. One of these features is + objects, which are items you need to interact with to complete. + items are indicated by a small magnifying glass next to the item. There is no indication of when the item is ready to be toyed with, which was a little annoying. In terms of their quantity, there was a decent number of + objects. There weren't heaps, but there weren't a small amount either. I quite liked this feature.
The other feature is an animal helper, which comes in the form of a ghostly dog named Bandit. It kind of confused me how we knew this dog's name, but I guess I just had to roll with it. Bandit works in the same was as every other animal helper, helping us retrieve objects otherwise unreachable. The dog helper was used quite a few times, and there is an indicator of when it can be used. I really enjoyed this feature, unlike many others.
The other feature is an animal helper, which comes in the form of a ghostly dog named Bandit. It kind of confused me how we knew this dog's name, but I guess I just had to roll with it. Bandit works in the same was as every other animal helper, helping us retrieve objects otherwise unreachable. The dog helper was used quite a few times, and there is an indicator of when it can be used. I really enjoyed this feature, unlike many others.
What I absolutely loved about this game was its creativity. I applaud the developers for thinking outside the box. They took all possible space for creativity and they filled it. For example, there was clicking on parts of an object to build it (like the stone moon & the bowl) and finding parts of the stone knocker in the teacup box. I also liked how there was a minigame for building the column, instead of just climbing up it when we found the parts. Great job here, developers!
But the best bit about this game was the memory HOS/Puzzles. I found these to be incredibly fun and very innovative. I enjoyed them immensely. I especially liked how there was more than one, as nothing frustrates me more than having a creative element of gameplay and only using it once. The memory scenes were basically a mix of HOS and puzzles, as sometimes we would have to find objects, and sometimes we'd have to do a puzzle.
But the best bit about this game was the memory HOS/Puzzles. I found these to be incredibly fun and very innovative. I enjoyed them immensely. I especially liked how there was more than one, as nothing frustrates me more than having a creative element of gameplay and only using it once. The memory scenes were basically a mix of HOS and puzzles, as sometimes we would have to find objects, and sometimes we'd have to do a puzzle.
But the creativity and fun does not draw me away from the fact that this is a very easy game. I rarely had trouble figuring out what to do next. In addition to this, the adventure component of this game is very light, so it is more like a HOP game than a HOPA. I felt that most of the game's focus was on HOS and Puzzles. For their next game, I would like to see more of an adventure component and more challenge. This was mainly what stopped this from being a five star game.
The basic gameplay stuff has been done quite well. There are three difficulty modes, an extremely helpful hint and a map, but NO DIARY! I don't know how many times I'm going to have to say this before the developers listen, but the diary is one of the most important features a HOPA game can have. It helps me remember early details of the story I might otherwise forget. Please, developers, bring back the diary!
The graphics are done quite well, and have some nice detail in them. The cutscenes are done well, as are the rest of the scenes, which are clear and have some nice details in them. The character designs are done well.
The voice-overs are standard. I have no issue.
The voice-overs are standard. I have no issue.
FEATURES
3 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced and Hard. Differences are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- Both recharge at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected and the hint works quite well outside HOS, as it acts as a telporter.
Map- The map is helpful. It lets you know where you have tasks to perform.
+ objects- These are items you need to interact with to complete. They are indicated by a small magnifying glass. No indicator of when they are ready to be used.
Animal Helper- comes in the form of Bandit, a ghostly dog. Used multiple times. There is an indicator of when in can be used.
3 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced and Hard. Differences are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- Both recharge at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected and the hint works quite well outside HOS, as it acts as a telporter.
Map- The map is helpful. It lets you know where you have tasks to perform.
+ objects- These are items you need to interact with to complete. They are indicated by a small magnifying glass. No indicator of when they are ready to be used.
Animal Helper- comes in the form of Bandit, a ghostly dog. Used multiple times. There is an indicator of when in can be used.
CE EXCLUISIVES
The bonus content is locked, so I can't give an extensive analysis. This is based on reading others' reviews:
Bonus Chapter- unsure if needed
Built-in Strategy Guide- does not show screenshots of HOS.
Wallpapers
Achievements
Screensavers
Music
Concept Art
Replay cutscenes
The bonus content is locked, so I can't give an extensive analysis. This is based on reading others' reviews:
Bonus Chapter- unsure if needed
Built-in Strategy Guide- does not show screenshots of HOS.
Wallpapers
Achievements
Screensavers
Music
Concept Art
Replay cutscenes
WHICH IS THE BETTER BUY?
Based on the fact that there are no collectibles, you're unable to replay HOS and puzzles (the best bits of the game) and there's minimal CE Extras, I'd have to say the SE version.
Based on the fact that there are no collectibles, you're unable to replay HOS and puzzles (the best bits of the game) and there's minimal CE Extras, I'd have to say the SE version.
MY PROGRESS
I took 41 minutes to complete the demo. There are 6 chapters in the main game, and I had completed 2 of the chapters. This equates to the standard HOPA length of about 2.5 hours for me, which is great.
I took 41 minutes to complete the demo. There are 6 chapters in the main game, and I had completed 2 of the chapters. This equates to the standard HOPA length of about 2.5 hours for me, which is great.
Overall, this is definitely the best Boomzap game to come out. I thoroughly enjoyed the demo and will be purchasing a game by this developer for the first time. I give this a well deserved four star rating, with the only reason this game misses out on a five being minimal adventure component and overall easiness of the game.
Others have called this the worst in the series, but I beg to differ. Take it from someone who does not like Boomzap one bit... you're going to LOVE this game!
Others have called this the worst in the series, but I beg to differ. Take it from someone who does not like Boomzap one bit... you're going to LOVE this game!
I recommend this game!
Save your cats and investigate a series of leopard attacks.
Overall rating
3
/
5
13 of 18 found this review helpful
Good Game, Just Too Basic
PostedSeptember 5, 2014
catbag8717
fromTasmania, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Ominous Objects: Family Portrait
(30)Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
In my last review of a game by this developer, I was very critical of the gameplay, which was way too simplistic and boring. It seems Blam have responded to my criticism, but only to a degree. While the gameplay has improved, it's been only a slight change.
The story was good, but that's not really enough to make me consider buying the game. It had an interesting concept and was executed well. It had a nice beginning which drew me in right away. As far as twists go, there were a couple in the demo, and they were good ones. From a technical point, I liked how more involved our main character was. In previous games from this developer, we seemed to just coast by why hardly anything dangerous happened to us. Not this time. In the demo, I got a little scared, as I felt our character's life may have been in danger! This is a great move, as it got me more excited for what was going to happen next. Technical and twists aside, the story was very exciting. When the demo ended, I found myself wondering what was going to happen next.
Overall, a very well-done story.
Overall, a very well-done story.
Once again, the let down for me was the gameplay. I found it fun, alright, but it was also quite easy and simple. But let me start with something positive: I really enjoyed the HOS. They have been jazzed up a bit since the last game, and now include a couple of varieties, both of which were very enjoyable. Of the 2 HOS I played, there was one silhouette junkpile and one “replace the item” HOS. If I had one negative thing to say, it would be that the HOS were quite easy.
I played 2 during the demo, so that indicates to me that they are well spaced out; not too close, but not too far apart either. There was also a good number in the demo. I found the HOS were probably the best part of the game.
I played 2 during the demo, so that indicates to me that they are well spaced out; not too close, but not too far apart either. There was also a good number in the demo. I found the HOS were probably the best part of the game.
The puzzles were decent too. There was only one more puzzle than HOS; I had to skip one of the three. I did like the puzzles, especially the one where you had to place objects back in the scene in order to move on to the next scene. I liked how the puzzles varied in difficulty, which proves that the developers are catering for all types of puzzle players. I must commend them for that. They were well spaced out, which was a great move, because too many puzzles all at once is really bad. There is also a good number in there for the puzzle lovers
There is an additional gameplay feature here, but only the one. That feature is + objects, which are sort of becoming standard these days. I liked this feature because there weren't too many of them. Nothing drives me more mental than too many + objects. The way the + objects are used is logical, and there is an indicator of when you can use them.
Other than that, this is your normal HOPA, which proves to be a let down. As I played, I continuously saw opportunities for innovation, for the developers to step out of the box. The game centred around cats; there could have been an animal helper. When we went in to town with the snowshoes, there could have been a minigame, which would have been much more fun than a cutscene. There could have been a minigame when we slid down on the rope, but no. The developers did not take these chances and thus, I found the game to be quite easy, and the fun factor limited. In their next game, I hope to see a lot more innovation from Blam. I want them to try new things, add extra features, make the game more fun! We have reached the time in the HOPA industry where just HOS and Puzzles really doesn't cut it anymore, no matter how good the story is. I hope Blam take lessons from this game, and come back much better next time.
In terms of the basic stuff, it is done quite well, but I have a couple of issues. Firstly, I did not find the map to be helpful. Sometimes, I would find the map would tell me there was nothing to do anywhere, and then I would use a hint and it would direct me to the place I needed to be. The hint also acts as a teleporter, which is a step up from previous games. I was disappointed, however, to find there was no diary. I've stated time and time again, I believe a diary is an essential part of a HOPA game, as it helps me to remember early parts of the story when I'm almost at the end of the game. I'm tired of developers omitting it. Bring back the diary!
The graphics are good, but to be honest, I've seen better. Don't get me wrong, the scenes are clear, but they are not as detailed as I would have liked. What I did like, though, was that the colours fit realistically with the game, and the character desings were lifelike.
The voice-overs are standard. I have no issue with them. Sound-wise, the only issue I have is that the constant meowing at the beginning of the game (in the main character's house) nearly drove me mental. I found myself rushing to get out of the house as quickly as I could.
The voice-overs are standard. I have no issue with them. Sound-wise, the only issue I have is that the constant meowing at the beginning of the game (in the main character's house) nearly drove me mental. I found myself rushing to get out of the house as quickly as I could.
FEATURES
4 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Hard and Custom. Custom lets you set the game the way you like. Differences in others are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- Both recharge at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected. Hint is very helpful outside HOS and acts as a teleporter.
Map- I did not find the map to be helpful. It was interactive, but sometimes, it would not show active tasks. I think the active tasks part needs to be more clear.
+ objects- These are items you need to interact with to complete.They are indicated by a small circle near the item. A + sign appears when the item can be interacted with.
4 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Hard and Custom. Custom lets you set the game the way you like. Differences in others are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- Both recharge at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected. Hint is very helpful outside HOS and acts as a teleporter.
Map- I did not find the map to be helpful. It was interactive, but sometimes, it would not show active tasks. I think the active tasks part needs to be more clear.
+ objects- These are items you need to interact with to complete.They are indicated by a small circle near the item. A + sign appears when the item can be interacted with.
CE EXCLUSIVES
Bonus Chapter- unsure if needed
Built-in Strategy Guide- does not show screenshots of HOS.
Achievements (15)- sorted in to bronze, silver and gold.
Collectible sketches (25)
Wallpapers
Concept Art
Replay music
Videos- guessing this is replay cutscenes.
Bonus Chapter- unsure if needed
Built-in Strategy Guide- does not show screenshots of HOS.
Achievements (15)- sorted in to bronze, silver and gold.
Collectible sketches (25)
Wallpapers
Concept Art
Replay music
Videos- guessing this is replay cutscenes.
WHICH IS THE BETTER BUY?
Due to minimal CE Extras, I honestly cannot recommend the CE. I think you will be much happier playing the SE of this game.
Due to minimal CE Extras, I honestly cannot recommend the CE. I think you will be much happier playing the SE of this game.
MY PROGRESS
Played the entire first chapter in the demo. The demo lasted me 25 minutes. Not sure how many chapters there are, but this game is shaping up to be standard length.
Played the entire first chapter in the demo. The demo lasted me 25 minutes. Not sure how many chapters there are, but this game is shaping up to be standard length.
Overall, the best I can do is three stars. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this game quite a lot, but lack of innovation and challenge was the killer for me. I hope Blam read these reviews so they can go away and come back with a masterpiece sometime soon.
I recommend this game!
Ominous Objects: Family Portrait
A father returns home to find his children missing - all but one, who refuses to say a word...
Overall rating
5
/
5
29 of 30 found this review helpful
The Most Fun I've Had In A Long Time!
PostedAugust 31, 2014
catbag8717
fromTasmania, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Current Favorite:
Ominous Objects: Family Portrait
(30)Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON COMPLETED STANDARD EDITION GAME
WOW!
I'm absolutely blown away. This is Daily Magic's best yet. It is one of the best games this year, and even one of the best of all time. I struggled to find anything bad about it. The story was brilliant, the gameplay was brilliant, almost everything about this game was brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed myself from beginning to end.
I'm absolutely blown away. This is Daily Magic's best yet. It is one of the best games this year, and even one of the best of all time. I struggled to find anything bad about it. The story was brilliant, the gameplay was brilliant, almost everything about this game was brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed myself from beginning to end.
The story was very good. Its concept was very exciting and it was well executed. The main story revolves around you, the main character, returning home to your new house after a trip. You come home to find that all is not as it seems... paintings have come to life and are terrorising your family!
The story was very engaging from the moment it began. I loved each time something came out of one of the paintings, and I loved the creative ways of dealing with them. It was very creative and enjoyable. The game had twists at just the right moment, and they were logical and flowed well with the story. The demo ended on a very exciting note, and I had to continue.
The story was very engaging from the moment it began. I loved each time something came out of one of the paintings, and I loved the creative ways of dealing with them. It was very creative and enjoyable. The game had twists at just the right moment, and they were logical and flowed well with the story. The demo ended on a very exciting note, and I had to continue.
After the demo, stories tend to flatten a bit, but not this one! This game kept its grip on me and did not let go. As I entered each new world and dug deeper in to the story, I just got more and more excited. There were more twists, things started to unravel, and we discovered more about the villain. After I got out of the paintings, I got the feeling I was in for a great ending, and I was not disappointed. I loved how the animal helper was actually involved in the story, instead of just being there to reach things for you! The ending was 100% conclusive, with absolutely no need for the bonus chapter.
This game also had a backstory, which I enjoyed. It told the story of the villain. I liked how it wasn't all done in the first forty minutes, and how some key twists in the game related to the backstory.
Overall, a great story. I just have two criticisms:
1. The backstory did not have enough detail. I felt it did not reach a conclusion, and it was never fully explained why the villain was doing what he was doing. I felt it could have been done a lot better, and Daily Magic should have worked on it more.
2. There was not enough time spent in each painting. I had just gotten in and I was sent back out again. In every painting, I spent about five minutes tops. I would have preferred having a bit more to do in the painting worlds.
1. The backstory did not have enough detail. I felt it did not reach a conclusion, and it was never fully explained why the villain was doing what he was doing. I felt it could have been done a lot better, and Daily Magic should have worked on it more.
2. There was not enough time spent in each painting. I had just gotten in and I was sent back out again. In every painting, I spent about five minutes tops. I would have preferred having a bit more to do in the painting worlds.
The gameplay was brilliant. It was the best gameplay I have ever scenes. I loved the HOS, due to their interactivity, variety and challenge. The HOS were definitely the best part of this game. There were many different varieties: assemble the item junkpile, progressive silhouette, progressive junkpile and story-HOS (although there was only one). Each HOS was incredibly fun and varied in challenge. My personal favourite was the assemble the item junkpile. There was a great number of HOS in the game, all spaced out fairly evenly. Personally, I wouldn't have minded a few more, but that's just me loving them so much. I would have liked to have seen a couple more of the story-HOS too. I also didn't like how some HOS included puzzles. In my opinion, puzzles and HOS should always be separated.
I enjoyed the puzzles, though not as much as the HOS.I enjoyed attempting them, and some I could solve, but others were too confusing or challenging for my tastes. They weren't really anything new. Similar to the HOS, there was a decent number of them in the game, and they are spaced out evenly.
This game has only one additional gameplay feature, but it is a good one. The additional feature was an animal helper. Mr. Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins is the family's pet cat. Mr. Jenkins was used realistically, and fairly often. The animal helper even had an involvement in the storyline, which was wonderful. I hope animal helpers continue to make a presence in this developer's games. Having the helper added significantly to the fun factor.
The basic gameplay has been done quite well. The interactivity continues, because there is sometimes a progress bar, especially if wiping a mirror. This was a nice move, as it made the game more realistic and fun.
Aside from that, most of the basic features appeared. There was a helpful map, a working hint, and three modes of difficulty. However, I found that the diary was missing. This was disappointing for me. A diary is a great tool for keeping track of events, especially for me, as sometimes I find it hard to remember early parts of the story. I wish it had been there.
Aside from that, most of the basic features appeared. There was a helpful map, a working hint, and three modes of difficulty. However, I found that the diary was missing. This was disappointing for me. A diary is a great tool for keeping track of events, especially for me, as sometimes I find it hard to remember early parts of the story. I wish it had been there.
Overall, brilliant gameplay and the most fun I have had in a game ever. I do have one problem, however:
towards the end of the game, in the final chapter, I got so ridiculously stuck. The map did not show any active places, and the hint did not work; only telling me there was nothing to do in the area. I could not figure out what I had done wrong, and in the end, had to write to the developers personally to ask for help. I ended up proceeding by pure luck, accidentally clicking on something I didn't know needed to be clicked on. Although brief, this period was very frustrating and confusing, which almost made me quit the game. It would have been a real shame, because up until then, the game was perfect. However, I did proceed, and thus, this will not affect my rating.
towards the end of the game, in the final chapter, I got so ridiculously stuck. The map did not show any active places, and the hint did not work; only telling me there was nothing to do in the area. I could not figure out what I had done wrong, and in the end, had to write to the developers personally to ask for help. I ended up proceeding by pure luck, accidentally clicking on something I didn't know needed to be clicked on. Although brief, this period was very frustrating and confusing, which almost made me quit the game. It would have been a real shame, because up until then, the game was perfect. However, I did proceed, and thus, this will not affect my rating.
The graphics were perfect. There's no other way to describe them. They are done with so much detail; every scene is crystal clear and objects looked so realistic I felt I could almost touch them. The colours used are brilliant, and match the games' atmosphere well. There was not one moment where the graphics were fuzzy; everything is so wonderfully done. A huge kudos to the developers for this. These are probably the best graphics I have ever seen in a HOPA game.
Unfortunately, the high standard set by the graphics could not be matched by the voice-overs. I felt that the voice-overs were really underacted. The voice of the main character was especially annoying. I felt that the developers added unnecessary voice-overs for the main character. I do not want to hear “I don't think this is a good idea,” or “Oh! Give me a new clue!” every time I place an item incorrectly. This drove me mental, especially since I had to hear it so often during the period where I was stuck. I was lucky enough to BETA this game, and that was the one thing I suggested be changed. To see it not be changed was a shame. I hope the developer's learn from this mistake, because it was the only downer for an otherwise perfect game.
Unfortunately, the high standard set by the graphics could not be matched by the voice-overs. I felt that the voice-overs were really underacted. The voice of the main character was especially annoying. I felt that the developers added unnecessary voice-overs for the main character. I do not want to hear “I don't think this is a good idea,” or “Oh! Give me a new clue!” every time I place an item incorrectly. This drove me mental, especially since I had to hear it so often during the period where I was stuck. I was lucky enough to BETA this game, and that was the one thing I suggested be changed. To see it not be changed was a shame. I hope the developer's learn from this mistake, because it was the only downer for an otherwise perfect game.
FEATURES
3 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced and Hard. Differences are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- Both recharged at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected. Hint works well outside HOS.
Map- The map is interactive and is very helpful. It lets you know where you have tasks to perform.
Mr. Jenkins- this is your animal helper. Mr. Jenkins was used often and realistically.
3 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced and Hard. Differences are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- Both recharged at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected. Hint works well outside HOS.
Map- The map is interactive and is very helpful. It lets you know where you have tasks to perform.
Mr. Jenkins- this is your animal helper. Mr. Jenkins was used often and realistically.
CE EXCLUSIVES
Bonus Chapter- absolutely not needed. The main game ends conclusively.
Built-in Strategy Guide- The only time I would have needed it was for the time where I got stuck.
Achievements
Kitty Playroom- this was a shop where you could buy things for Mr. Jenkins. There are collectible coins in the game.
Match 3 Levels
Developer Diary- 19 videos
Concept Art
Wallpapers (6)
Music
Bonus Chapter- absolutely not needed. The main game ends conclusively.
Built-in Strategy Guide- The only time I would have needed it was for the time where I got stuck.
Achievements
Kitty Playroom- this was a shop where you could buy things for Mr. Jenkins. There are collectible coins in the game.
Match 3 Levels
Developer Diary- 19 videos
Concept Art
Wallpapers (6)
Music
WHICH IS THE BETTER BUY?
Definitely the SE, hands down. There weren't many CE Extras, and the only one I was really attracted to was the Kitty Playroom. That's not enough to make me buy the CE. Plus, with a conclusive ending, I have zero need for the Bonus Chapter.
Definitely the SE, hands down. There weren't many CE Extras, and the only one I was really attracted to was the Kitty Playroom. That's not enough to make me buy the CE. Plus, with a conclusive ending, I have zero need for the Bonus Chapter.
ON THE GAME LENGTH
I found the game to be quite lengthy. Maybe 3 to 3 ½ hours on Casual mode, which is a great length.
I found the game to be quite lengthy. Maybe 3 to 3 ½ hours on Casual mode, which is a great length.
Overall, this is a brilliant game and will definitely go in to contention for my game of the year awards. Daily Magic have hit the nail on the head here and have raised the bar for all their future games. I had a blast playing this and can see no reason not to award this game a five star rating.
I recommend this game!
You’re about to uncover the secret that’s been haunting Blackrow!
Overall rating
4
/
5
13 of 15 found this review helpful
If ONLY the Gameplay Was Better!
PostedAugust 30, 2014
catbag8717
fromTasmania, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
With the exception of the previous game, Mystery Trackers is the one series that has never disappointed me. Thus, I had high expectations for the seventh installment. While this is far from the best game in the series, I still enjoyed
my demo time.
my demo time.
I quite enjoyed the story; it sucked me in straight away and did not let my interest waiver. I liked that Elf was actually involved in the story, even if it was just for a little bit. The story's concept is interesting and is executed well. Even though there are not many plot twists, the ones the demo had were quite good. The one comment I would make about this story is the two second cutscenes where the guy just ran with Norma were a bit annoying, but that's just my personal preference.
This game also had a backstory, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The story is told from different viewpoints (Albert and Abigail) and is told over several cutscenes. To access each cutscene, you must use the Device (which I'll talk about in the gameplay section) first, however. I thought the backstory added extra mystery and excitement to the game.
From a technical point of view, the story was good. It progressed smoothly and wasn't confusing, unlike some stories these days. I also liked how it wasn't “in your face” all the time, which allowed events to sink in better.
Overall, a great job on the story.
Overall, a great job on the story.
I enjoyed the gameplay. It was a bit more laid back than other games, which is a welcome change. There are no fancy HOS here: they are all standard junkpile with a couple of extra-step objects. Some extra-step objects required more than one action to complete. I appreciated the change from the different HOS, but others may not. Because of the simplicity of them, the HOS are also very easy. I didn't mind this, but again, others might. The HOS are spaced out well; there are three in the demo. This indicates to me there will be a decent number in the game.
I have mixed feelings about the puzzles. I enjoyed attempting them, and they were relatively easy to solve (I had to skip one only). They had clear instructions, so I was never lost as to what to do. However, even during the demo, there is a puzzle that repeats. This annoyed me, as I prefer when developers have a different puzzle each time. Like the HOS, the puzzles are spaced out evenly and there are a good number of them. There are 6 puzzles in the demo, which means a 2:1 puzzle:HOS ratio. This is a good balance for HOS & Puzzles.
I have mixed feelings about the puzzles. I enjoyed attempting them, and they were relatively easy to solve (I had to skip one only). They had clear instructions, so I was never lost as to what to do. However, even during the demo, there is a puzzle that repeats. This annoyed me, as I prefer when developers have a different puzzle each time. Like the HOS, the puzzles are spaced out evenly and there are a good number of them. There are 6 puzzles in the demo, which means a 2:1 puzzle:HOS ratio. This is a good balance for HOS & Puzzles.
As far as extra gameplay features go, Elephant are hit and miss; the hit is the animal helper, the misses are the plus objects and the Device.
I really did not like the + objects. They were poorly done, and there were too many of them. They were all at the beginning of the demo, and there were about 7 of them. It seemed that every second item was a + object. Some + objects required multiple inventory items to complete, sometimes up to four, which was quite annoying and time consuming. I would have preferred it if each + object required only one or two additional items. The one thing I liked about the + objects was that there was an indicator of when they could be used. The + in the circle became brighter when you could use the object.
I really did not like the + objects. They were poorly done, and there were too many of them. They were all at the beginning of the demo, and there were about 7 of them. It seemed that every second item was a + object. Some + objects required multiple inventory items to complete, sometimes up to four, which was quite annoying and time consuming. I would have preferred it if each + object required only one or two additional items. The one thing I liked about the + objects was that there was an indicator of when they could be used. The + in the circle became brighter when you could use the object.
The second additional feature I did not like was the Device. I found it extremely frustrating that you had to add a new battery every time you used it. Every three times maybe, but every single time? Not only is this incredibly time consuming, but also very, very annoying. It dragged the fun factor down for me. The Device is also used to find some collectibles, but thankfully, this does not drain the battery. If it had, I would have pulled the pin straightaway.
The hit for me was the animal helper, which, of course, came in the form of Elf, your loyal companion since the third Mystery Trackers game. As I stated before, Elf was actually used in the story, which was nice. I also liked the fact that he was used quite often; a fair bit more than in previous games. Elf was used 4 times in the demo, which is a really good number. I hope that Elf will be used a lot more as the game goes on.
Apart from those three features, this is basically your normal HOPA. The basic gameplay features have been done quite well; the map is quite helpful, there are 4 difficulty modes (not custom) and the hint works well outside HOS. My one complaint is that the diary is hidden inside the map, and had I not used the map, I would not have found it. I would have preferred it to be in plain sight.
As far as challenge goes, I'd say this game is quite easy. It is easy to figure out what to do, and puzzles/HOS are easy to solve. Those wanting to challenge themselves ought to try the Extra Hard mode (known as Black Tie).
Graphically, the game is good, but I have seen far better graphics from Elephant in the past. They were clear, but the colours weren't very good. The game also uses animated characters instead of real ones. I didn't like this, as real characters have been used in all previous Mystery Trackers games. If it's not broken, don't fix it! I did like the character designs though, as Elephant tried to make them as lifelike as possible.
The voice-overs are standard. I have no issue, aside from the fact that a supposedly mute character had a voice-over. It was in Albert's cutscene. Albert said that he was mute. In my opinion, it would have been much more effective if there was no voice.
The voice-overs are standard. I have no issue, aside from the fact that a supposedly mute character had a voice-over. It was in Albert's cutscene. Albert said that he was mute. In my opinion, it would have been much more effective if there was no voice.
FEATURES
4 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Hard and Extra Hard. The differences are standard. Extra Hard gives you absolutely no help whatsoever by removing the black bar tips. This is a great option for expert players. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- both recharged at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected. Hint is useful outside HOS.
Diary- Good for keeping track of events, but hidden inside the map compartment, which was annoying.
Map- The map is quite helpful. It lets you know where there are active tasks to perform.
Elf- This is our animal helper. Used quite often, which was nice.
+ objects- Poorly executed. Too many of them and too long to complete.
The Device- Poorly executed. Really did not enjoy having to change the batteries after each use. This dragged down the fun factor.
4 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Hard and Extra Hard. The differences are standard. Extra Hard gives you absolutely no help whatsoever by removing the black bar tips. This is a great option for expert players. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- both recharged at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected. Hint is useful outside HOS.
Diary- Good for keeping track of events, but hidden inside the map compartment, which was annoying.
Map- The map is quite helpful. It lets you know where there are active tasks to perform.
Elf- This is our animal helper. Used quite often, which was nice.
+ objects- Poorly executed. Too many of them and too long to complete.
The Device- Poorly executed. Really did not enjoy having to change the batteries after each use. This dragged down the fun factor.
CE EXCLUSIVES
Bonus Chapter- unsure if needed, but I highly doubt it. This is based on the purchase of many previous Elephant games.
Built-in Strategy Guide- shows location of collectibles and gives exact solutions for puzzles, but does not show HOS screenshots.
Achievements
Collectible spirits (16)- Requires The Device to be found. They are not in every scene, so it is hard to find them all, unless you scan each scene upon arrival.
Collectible stained glass pieces (25)- There is one in each scene.
Wallpapers (8)
Concept Art (8)
Secret Room- This featured in another MT game, and was basically just replaying HOS & Puzzles, but it may be different this time.
Bonus Chapter- unsure if needed, but I highly doubt it. This is based on the purchase of many previous Elephant games.
Built-in Strategy Guide- shows location of collectibles and gives exact solutions for puzzles, but does not show HOS screenshots.
Achievements
Collectible spirits (16)- Requires The Device to be found. They are not in every scene, so it is hard to find them all, unless you scan each scene upon arrival.
Collectible stained glass pieces (25)- There is one in each scene.
Wallpapers (8)
Concept Art (8)
Secret Room- This featured in another MT game, and was basically just replaying HOS & Puzzles, but it may be different this time.
WHICH IS THE BETTER BUY?
There are lots of collectibles and some nice achievements, so I'd say the CE is good value.
There are lots of collectibles and some nice achievements, so I'd say the CE is good value.
MY PROGRESS
When I had finished the demo, I had 45 minutes left on the free trial. During the free trial, I had completed two chapters. There are eight chapters in the main game, plus one bonus chapter. Based on the time it took me to complete two chapters, I'd say you're looking at a 3 hour main game.
When I had finished the demo, I had 45 minutes left on the free trial. During the free trial, I had completed two chapters. There are eight chapters in the main game, plus one bonus chapter. Based on the time it took me to complete two chapters, I'd say you're looking at a 3 hour main game.
This is definitely not the best effort from Elephant, but was a good time passer. Due to the fact that I have seen much better, I will skip this game. This game earns a four star rating from me. The reason it does not earn a five is due to the poorly executed additional gameplay features, which is mainly what prevented me from buying the game. Overall, though, a nice addition to the Mystery Trackers series.
I recommend this game!
Lynn’s wedding is interrupted by a ghost from Edward’s past.
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 10 found this review helpful
Would Have Been Great, If Not for the Lackluster Story
PostedAugust 29, 2014
catbag8717
fromTasmania, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
Well, I'm going to be honest here and say I was hesitant in trying this game because I really didn't like the series. I hated the first, didn't like the second, didn't even play the third, and now we're up to the fourth. This game has not changed my opinion of the series one bit. It was a decent game gameplay wise, but everything else lacked.
The story did not interest me one bit. It had a poor start and just did not pick up at all. The storyline goes that Lynn's fiance, Edward, has “disappeared” in the days before their wedding. I say disappeared in quotation marks, because he left voluntarily after receiving a note. This was where things started to get confusing. Firstly, why would he do that so close to their wedding? Secondly, Lynn says he knew it was a trap. So why did he go? And if she knew about it, why didn't she follow? I did not understand that sequence of events.
After another confusing event (Lynn having a medallion for some unexplained reason), we got in to the main part of the demo.
From here, the story didn't really improve much. Every supposed twist was just what I was expecting, and there was a little bit more confusing stuff. For about 10 minutes, the game said “oh, they're the villain... wait, no they aren't... actually, they are”. I don't like it when this happens. I don't like games just throwing me around like I'm a basketball. There's a twist and then there's confusion... and that was confusion.
The one positive I'll say about the story's content is the backstory was quite impressive. It was the only interesting thing about the game for me.
From a technical point, I was quite impressed with the fact that this game followed the story of the original characters. Every main character from the previous games is there, which is a great move. Even the imp returned. The imp was my favourite part of Witch Hunters!
Overall, however, a very disappointing story.
After another confusing event (Lynn having a medallion for some unexplained reason), we got in to the main part of the demo.
From here, the story didn't really improve much. Every supposed twist was just what I was expecting, and there was a little bit more confusing stuff. For about 10 minutes, the game said “oh, they're the villain... wait, no they aren't... actually, they are”. I don't like it when this happens. I don't like games just throwing me around like I'm a basketball. There's a twist and then there's confusion... and that was confusion.
The one positive I'll say about the story's content is the backstory was quite impressive. It was the only interesting thing about the game for me.
From a technical point, I was quite impressed with the fact that this game followed the story of the original characters. Every main character from the previous games is there, which is a great move. Even the imp returned. The imp was my favourite part of Witch Hunters!
Overall, however, a very disappointing story.
The gameplay was decent and was really what kept me going to the end of the demo. I liked all of the HOS with the exception of the first one. I felt that brushing leaves away to reveal a HOS was just annoying and a waste of time.
Other than that, though, the HOS were quite fun, even though they were easy. The HOS were all junkpile, with the exception of one, which was silhouette. In the next game, I would like to see a bit more variety and challenge in the HOS. Elefun didn't go wrong with the quantity, though. There was a great number of HOS in the demo and they were spaced out evenly.
I didn't mind the puzzles, but I didn't exactly love them either. A couple of them were a bit confusing, but the rest were solvable. I would have appreciated better instructions in the Imp puzzle. Despite the confusion and simplicity, I did enjoy attempting the puzzles. Like the HOS, they were spaced out evenly and there were a decent number in the demo.
Other than that, though, the HOS were quite fun, even though they were easy. The HOS were all junkpile, with the exception of one, which was silhouette. In the next game, I would like to see a bit more variety and challenge in the HOS. Elefun didn't go wrong with the quantity, though. There was a great number of HOS in the demo and they were spaced out evenly.
I didn't mind the puzzles, but I didn't exactly love them either. A couple of them were a bit confusing, but the rest were solvable. I would have appreciated better instructions in the Imp puzzle. Despite the confusion and simplicity, I did enjoy attempting the puzzles. Like the HOS, they were spaced out evenly and there were a decent number in the demo.
As far as additional gameplay features go, Elefun have done a good job. There are two additional gameplay features: one of these is + objects, which are items you need to interact with to complete. They are marked with a small green circle above the item, which changes to a circle and a + sign when the item can be used. These are becoming a standard feature nowadays, but I liked them because there weren't many there. In some games, there are so many + objects, I just want to flip a table. Good job to the developers for not doing that.
The other feature was the Imp, which serves as our helper. You can tell when it can be used by moving your mouse on an item. If a circle with the Imp's face appears, it can be used. Based on the achievement, the Imp is used 14 times in the game. I used it 4 times. This is a great feature and will be used just enough times. I liked how the developers put a little bit of extra work in to the helper, making me dress it in a little raincoat so it didn't have to go out in the rain!
The other feature was the Imp, which serves as our helper. You can tell when it can be used by moving your mouse on an item. If a circle with the Imp's face appears, it can be used. Based on the achievement, the Imp is used 14 times in the game. I used it 4 times. This is a great feature and will be used just enough times. I liked how the developers put a little bit of extra work in to the helper, making me dress it in a little raincoat so it didn't have to go out in the rain!
Other than that, this is basically just your normal HOPA. The basic gameplay features have been done well. There are 4 modes of difficulty (custom included), a diary (praise the gaming gods!) and an interactive map. The one thing I will comment on is that I didn't like when the game paused just for the Imp to roll out a sheet of paper to tell me what my task was. It was just slow and dreadfully annoying.
Challenge wise, I found the game to be quite easy. HOS easy, puzzles easy and easy navigation. This will frustrate expert players. Next time, the developers should work on making harder games.
Graphics wise, this game is good. The game has some nice detail, and the scenes are quite clear. The character designs are also lifelike, with real actors used in some cutscenes. The scenes were drawn to suit the game's atmosphere, which I really liked.
I have one complaint with the voice-overs. Edward's voice was terribly under-acted and just caused his cutscene to be boring. I could have done a better job of that, and I have not taken a single acting class in my life. Other than that, the voice-overs were good.
I have one complaint with the voice-overs. Edward's voice was terribly under-acted and just caused his cutscene to be boring. I could have done a better job of that, and I have not taken a single acting class in my life. Other than that, the voice-overs were good.
FEATURES
4 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Hard and Custom. Custom lets you set the game the way you like; differences in others are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- both recharged at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected. Hint is useful outside HOS.
Diary- Good for keeping track of events.
Map- The map is interactive and quite helpful. In the CE, it will let you know if there is a collectible you have missed.
+ objects- These are items you need to interact with to complete. There weren't many there, which was nice.
Imp- this is your animal helper. Used often. Great feature.
4 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Hard and Custom. Custom lets you set the game the way you like; differences in others are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- both recharged at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected. Hint is useful outside HOS.
Diary- Good for keeping track of events.
Map- The map is interactive and quite helpful. In the CE, it will let you know if there is a collectible you have missed.
+ objects- These are items you need to interact with to complete. There weren't many there, which was nice.
Imp- this is your animal helper. Used often. Great feature.
CE EXCLUSIVES
Bonus Chapter- unsure if needed
Built-in Strategy Guide- Useful for puzzles
Wallpapers (9)- one has to be unlocked by collecting all puzzle pieces.
Collectible puzzle pieces (35)
Collectible Imp toys (15?)
Achievements- some story based, some gameplay based.
Music
Screensavers
Concept Art
Bonus Chapter- unsure if needed
Built-in Strategy Guide- Useful for puzzles
Wallpapers (9)- one has to be unlocked by collecting all puzzle pieces.
Collectible puzzle pieces (35)
Collectible Imp toys (15?)
Achievements- some story based, some gameplay based.
Music
Screensavers
Concept Art
WHICH IS THE BETTER BUY?
Definitely go with the SE. Even though the CE has lots of collectibles, the other extras lack excitement. The developers must be commended on the effort, though.
Definitely go with the SE. Even though the CE has lots of collectibles, the other extras lack excitement. The developers must be commended on the effort, though.
Overall, I can't do any better than three stars. This game good gameplay, but a bad story. Certainly not the developer's finest hour, but those who enjoy this series should give it a crack.
I recommend this game!
PuppetShow: Lightning Strikes Collector's Edition
The women of Paris are being turned into puppets! Can you find out who's pulling the strings?
Overall rating
2
/
5
14 of 22 found this review helpful
ERS... What Were You THINKING?
PostedAugust 23, 2014
catbag8717
fromTasmania, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
No stranger to controversy, ERS has sure created that with this game. All in all, this is quite a decent game... decent story, decent HOS, decent puzzles... but there was honestly the WORST gameplay feature I have ever seen in my life! If that feature had not been there, I would have bought this game, no questions asked!
I'll start with the story, and I will admit that it is not perfect. It does take quite a while to get in to. I thought the opening cutscene was done really poorly. It left me feeling a bit confused, something I don't like in a story.
After that, things progressed quite slowly, due to the amount of dialogue. It seemed we'd have a new character to speak to in every scene. I like to make my way through the game without having to talk to 600 people, thanks.
However, once I got in to the story, it started getting better and better. There were a couple of really good twists in there that I really enjoyed. I liked the creep factor this game presented, too. It was creepier than most games I've seen lately. I think the creep factor was well maintained by some great dialogue by the villain.
After that, things progressed quite slowly, due to the amount of dialogue. It seemed we'd have a new character to speak to in every scene. I like to make my way through the game without having to talk to 600 people, thanks.
However, once I got in to the story, it started getting better and better. There were a couple of really good twists in there that I really enjoyed. I liked the creep factor this game presented, too. It was creepier than most games I've seen lately. I think the creep factor was well maintained by some great dialogue by the villain.
However, the motive of the villain really annoyed me. Once again, love was the motive. Love is ALWAYS the motive, and it's just starting to get annoying now. Can't these guys think of a different motive?
Even though the story was quite good, it did still have some idiotic elements to it. One of these was a bear in a tutu. A bear. In a tutu. Seriously? I hate it when little “cute” elements are added in to spooky games.
The second was the element of confusion when we met Shanta in the park. First she was there, then she was saying she wasn't? Is she, or isn't she? As I've said before, I don't like to be confused in a story, so this annoyed me.
The second was the element of confusion when we met Shanta in the park. First she was there, then she was saying she wasn't? Is she, or isn't she? As I've said before, I don't like to be confused in a story, so this annoyed me.
Overall, the story had a great concept and was executed quite well.
I really liked the HOS. I liked their variety and interactivity. I especially liked the story HOS, which was at the paper puppet theatre. There were four different HOS, and each was a different type. One was just a standard junkpile, another was an interactive junkpile (you had to click on the flowers to open them), one was an information HOS (find objects based on a statement) and one was a story HOS. I enjoyed them all immensely. However, even though I loved them, they were incredibly easy. In the first HOS, I managed to grab three achievements (Finish one HOS in less than 12 sec, finish a HOS with no hints & find three objects in two seconds)! I should not have been able to earn the achievements that easily. I believe the HOS were so easy because there were very few objects to find. Had they added more objects, it may have been a bit harder. I found that the HOS were spaced out evenly, and there were a decent number in the demo.
I didn't mind the puzzles. There were actually some new ones for a change! I loved that puzzle with the two puppets on the rollercoaster! I was glad that ERS had made some effort with the puzzles instead of using the same old, same old. Like the HOS, the puzzles were spaced out evenly and there were a decent number in the game.
I didn't mind the puzzles. There were actually some new ones for a change! I loved that puzzle with the two puppets on the rollercoaster! I was glad that ERS had made some effort with the puzzles instead of using the same old, same old. Like the HOS, the puzzles were spaced out evenly and there were a decent number in the game.
ERS has added some extra gameplay features. There are three here. One of these were + objects, which were items you had to interact with to complete. They were indicated by a green magnifying glass above the item. There were a good number of them in the demo. This was a good feature.
Another feature is the evidence board, which is set out a lot better than the one from Ghosts of the Past. It has separate places for things relating to different parts of the case. This seemed like a real evidence board. Very well set out and done well.
Another feature is the evidence board, which is set out a lot better than the one from Ghosts of the Past. It has separate places for things relating to different parts of the case. This seemed like a real evidence board. Very well set out and done well.
My major problem with the gameplay is the FIND bar. This is definitely the worst feature ever, and there is no way to turn it off! In a scene, the find bar will appear and tell you what you need to find, taking away all challenge from the game. Even if an object was right in front of me, and it was obvious I needed to pick it up, the game would still tell me I needed to pick it up. This made it seemed that the developers thought we were all idiots. Um, excuse me, but if an object is right in front of me, I think I KNOW I need to pick it up...?
This feature should have definitely been removed from the game. Having it is like a slap in the face to all HOPA players. I've heard of hand holding, but this is absolutely ridiculous. My 6 year old cousin, who has probably never even heard of a HOPA game, would be able to play his way through with absolutely no trouble. The addition of this find bar means the game is child’s play, and I do not want to pay money for a game if I am not going to be challenged by it. This feature has ruined the entire game for me, and if I never see it again, it will be too soon.
This feature should have definitely been removed from the game. Having it is like a slap in the face to all HOPA players. I've heard of hand holding, but this is absolutely ridiculous. My 6 year old cousin, who has probably never even heard of a HOPA game, would be able to play his way through with absolutely no trouble. The addition of this find bar means the game is child’s play, and I do not want to pay money for a game if I am not going to be challenged by it. This feature has ruined the entire game for me, and if I never see it again, it will be too soon.
The basic gameplay features have been done quite well. There are three modes of difficulty, a diary and a working map. Because of this, I had no trouble navigating through the game.
The graphics are the standard ERS; hand drawn with lots of detail. I thought the graphics were especially good here. Those puppets seemed eerily life-like, and I felt as if I was actually seeing them. Talk about creepy! Each scene was very clear and the characters were all lifelike. I felt the colours really suited the darkness of the game's atmosphere. Unfortunately, there is no lip-synch here, which disappointed me. I thought the lip-synch stuff was back, but apparently, I was wrong.
I have quite a big problem with the voice-overs. I found the voices of the airship pilot (forgotten his name) and Shanta to be dreadfully slow, over-done and boring. Listening to Shanta especially, nearly made me fall asleep. I liked the voice of Jean, but it sounded almost exactly like the voice of the newspaper boy from Grim Facade: A Wealth of Betrayal. Why are ERS using the same voices? Do they think we won't notice? This was annoying. Overall, a poor effort from ERS with the voice-overs.
I have quite a big problem with the voice-overs. I found the voices of the airship pilot (forgotten his name) and Shanta to be dreadfully slow, over-done and boring. Listening to Shanta especially, nearly made me fall asleep. I liked the voice of Jean, but it sounded almost exactly like the voice of the newspaper boy from Grim Facade: A Wealth of Betrayal. Why are ERS using the same voices? Do they think we won't notice? This was annoying. Overall, a poor effort from ERS with the voice-overs.
FEATURES
3 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced and Hard. Differences are standard. I played Casual, but was disappointed to not see a Custom difficulty.
Hint/Skip- at 40 seconds, the hint recharged at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected. The hint works well outside HOS.
Diary- keeps track of events and case findings.
Map- The map works well, showing you where there is an active task to complete.
+ objects- These are items you need to interact with to complete. A very good feature; there were quite a few in the demo.
Evidence Board- Very well set out. There are different sections for each part of the case.
FIND bar- This was the worst feature I have ever come across. It took away all challenge from the game. Whoever thought of it needs to be given a very stern lecture.
3 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced and Hard. Differences are standard. I played Casual, but was disappointed to not see a Custom difficulty.
Hint/Skip- at 40 seconds, the hint recharged at a decent speed for the difficulty I selected. The hint works well outside HOS.
Diary- keeps track of events and case findings.
Map- The map works well, showing you where there is an active task to complete.
+ objects- These are items you need to interact with to complete. A very good feature; there were quite a few in the demo.
Evidence Board- Very well set out. There are different sections for each part of the case.
FIND bar- This was the worst feature I have ever come across. It took away all challenge from the game. Whoever thought of it needs to be given a very stern lecture.
CE EXCLUSIVES
Bonus Chapter- unsure if needed.
Built-in Strategy Guide- good for solving puzzles; shows location of collectibles.
Achievements- I was impressed with how many there were. This was a huge improvement from previous games.
Collectible coins- these are for a little game where you fix up world monuments. Quite unnecessary. I did not care for it.
Concept Art (16)
Wallpapers (6)
Screensavers (3)
Music
Replay cutscenes
Replay HOS & Puzzles
Bonus Chapter- unsure if needed.
Built-in Strategy Guide- good for solving puzzles; shows location of collectibles.
Achievements- I was impressed with how many there were. This was a huge improvement from previous games.
Collectible coins- these are for a little game where you fix up world monuments. Quite unnecessary. I did not care for it.
Concept Art (16)
Wallpapers (6)
Screensavers (3)
Music
Replay cutscenes
Replay HOS & Puzzles
WHICH IS THE BETTER BUY?
The SE, hands down. There is absolutely nothing in the CE that is worth spending the extra money, even on sale. ERS really needs to work on their bonus content.
The SE, hands down. There is absolutely nothing in the CE that is worth spending the extra money, even on sale. ERS really needs to work on their bonus content.
Regretfully, the addition of the FIND bar turns what probably would have been in a five star game in to a two star game. I loved everything else about this game, but the find bar ruined it for me. I seriously hope ERS learns from this fatal mistake.
I don't recommend this game.
There's a new sheriff in Meadows Town – and it's you! Can you stop a vengeful Viking spirit before she strikes again?
Overall rating
1
/
5
24 of 33 found this review helpful
I Think We May Have A Winner For Worst HOPA of 2014!
PostedAugust 22, 2014
catbag8717
fromTasmania, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
Wow...
Wow...
Wow...
When you're a developer like ERS, and you keep bringing out game after game after game, you're eventually going to get a bad one. And that bad one is THIS! Holy moly, this game was absolutely terrible! I was so thrilled when the demo ended, I actually let out a squeal of delight.
Wow...
Wow...
When you're a developer like ERS, and you keep bringing out game after game after game, you're eventually going to get a bad one. And that bad one is THIS! Holy moly, this game was absolutely terrible! I was so thrilled when the demo ended, I actually let out a squeal of delight.
The story is just, for lack of kinder words, moronic. It seemed to be very unorganised and just had stupid, unexplained things in it. Vikings founding a North American town? Evil spirit killing people? The entire town believing bad weather is caused by an evil spirit? No. No.
The entire story seemed like something a ten year old would think up of. It also had lots of unbelievable things in it. The coroner died... so why does the coroner have his own death report? The coroner doing a death report on the coroner? Did the killer revive him for about 2 seconds to let him write his own death report? That just drove me mental. There is honestly nothing worse than a story set in a realistic location having unrealistic things happen in it. Ugh...
Content wise, the story was just a shocker. The opening was just stupid, and it didn't get better from there. Every supposedly “shocking” moment did not surprise me at all, and ended up looking more stupid. Some guy just randomly pushing over a tree? Balloons appearing out of nowhere? Don't even get me started. There's nothing positive to say about this story. It borders on ridiculous.
The entire story seemed like something a ten year old would think up of. It also had lots of unbelievable things in it. The coroner died... so why does the coroner have his own death report? The coroner doing a death report on the coroner? Did the killer revive him for about 2 seconds to let him write his own death report? That just drove me mental. There is honestly nothing worse than a story set in a realistic location having unrealistic things happen in it. Ugh...
Content wise, the story was just a shocker. The opening was just stupid, and it didn't get better from there. Every supposedly “shocking” moment did not surprise me at all, and ended up looking more stupid. Some guy just randomly pushing over a tree? Balloons appearing out of nowhere? Don't even get me started. There's nothing positive to say about this story. It borders on ridiculous.
Even the background story is annoying. Background stories are usually good, but not this time. I am sick to death of the “lover scorned turns in to vengeful spirit” thing. It has been done over and over, and is quite frankly not even of any interest to me. It's time developers in general focused on a new background story for the villain.
If there is one positive thing about this game, it is that the HOS are good, even though there was a lack of them. There were two in the demo, which lasted (for me) 45 minutes. The HOS had two different varieties; one was pairing HOS and the other was a “replace the item” HOS. Both were good, which made me wish for more of them. I think there should have been maybe one more in the demo.
Despite that, I did think the HOS were spaced out pretty well.
Despite that, I did think the HOS were spaced out pretty well.
I didn't mind the puzzles. They weren't overly challenging, but they weren't too easy either. I had to skip a couple, but I did enjoy attempting them. There was one new puzzle that I can remember, but the rest were all the same we've seen before. Similar to the HOS, the puzzles are spaced out well. There are definitely more puzzles than HOS, which will probably annoy HOS lovers.
There are two additional gameplay features here. One of these is the evidence board, which kind of acts in place of a diary. It is where you can store all your evidence and make conclusions and stuff. There is a separate line for evidence. I liked the evidence board, but felt it could have been done a little better.
The other gameplay feature is the Spirit Detector, and WOW, was that ANNOYING! It was one of the worst gameplay features I have ever seen, and significantly dragged down the fun factor. Basically, whenever you entered a room haunted by a spirit, the detector would flash. Then you would have to find 5 orbs before the detector was charged enough to get rid of the spirit. What I hated about this feature was that you could not use a hint if you couldn't find the orbs, and you couldn't skip it either. So, I had to get out of the minigame, look at the strategy guide, and go back in. Using the strategy guide makes me feel dumb, and I don't like being made to feel dumb, so this was just a major annoyance for me. This feature could have been executed so much better and actually made this in to a half-decent game, but alas, it was not.
The other gameplay feature is the Spirit Detector, and WOW, was that ANNOYING! It was one of the worst gameplay features I have ever seen, and significantly dragged down the fun factor. Basically, whenever you entered a room haunted by a spirit, the detector would flash. Then you would have to find 5 orbs before the detector was charged enough to get rid of the spirit. What I hated about this feature was that you could not use a hint if you couldn't find the orbs, and you couldn't skip it either. So, I had to get out of the minigame, look at the strategy guide, and go back in. Using the strategy guide makes me feel dumb, and I don't like being made to feel dumb, so this was just a major annoyance for me. This feature could have been executed so much better and actually made this in to a half-decent game, but alas, it was not.
The basic gameplay features have been done well for the most part. We have 4 modes of difficulty, as well as a decent map (which is a GPS). But there is NO DIARY! I seem to be saying this a lot lately, but a diary is an essential feature for me, and to not have that, especially from a developer who always gives us a diary, is a huge let-down. Other than that, though, the basic stuff was good.
Overall, the gameplay would have been good, had it not been for that annoying additional gameplay feature.
The graphics are good. They are the classic ERS; hand drawn with some nice detail. All the scenes are clear and the character designs are quite lifelike. I was impressed to see that lip-synch is back. It appears that ERS have learned from their mistakes, which is nice.
The voice-overs are standard. I have no issue. I was glad to see that the main character was a male for once!
The voice-overs are standard. I have no issue. I was glad to see that the main character was a male for once!
FEATURES
4 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Hard and Custom. Custom lets you set the game the way you like; differences in others are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- At 40 seconds, this was a good recharge time for Casual mode. Hint was helpful outside HOS.
Map- The map was a GPS one this time, and was helpful. It let you know where there were tasks to perform.
Evidence Board- The evidence board was where you stored all your evidence. You could move some of the stuff, but not all of it. There was the ability to click on your badge to transport yourself directly to the board, which was nice.
Spirit Detector- I absolutely HATED this feature. That minigame was annoying, especially since there was no option to use a hint.
4 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, Hard and Custom. Custom lets you set the game the way you like; differences in others are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- At 40 seconds, this was a good recharge time for Casual mode. Hint was helpful outside HOS.
Map- The map was a GPS one this time, and was helpful. It let you know where there were tasks to perform.
Evidence Board- The evidence board was where you stored all your evidence. You could move some of the stuff, but not all of it. There was the ability to click on your badge to transport yourself directly to the board, which was nice.
Spirit Detector- I absolutely HATED this feature. That minigame was annoying, especially since there was no option to use a hint.
CE EXCLUSIVES
Bonus Chapter- Unsure if needed
Built-in Strategy Guide- Gives solutions to puzzles and shows collectibles.
Collectible runes- I honestly did not understand the point of these at all. They popped up everywhere, and they had their own little scene where you had to do something... but what that was exactly was beyond me. Never in my life have I been more confused by a CE Extra.
Wallpapers (9)
Screensavers (7)
Concept Art
Music
Replay Movies
Replay HOS & Puzzles
Workshop- pictures of the development team
Bonus Chapter- Unsure if needed
Built-in Strategy Guide- Gives solutions to puzzles and shows collectibles.
Collectible runes- I honestly did not understand the point of these at all. They popped up everywhere, and they had their own little scene where you had to do something... but what that was exactly was beyond me. Never in my life have I been more confused by a CE Extra.
Wallpapers (9)
Screensavers (7)
Concept Art
Music
Replay Movies
Replay HOS & Puzzles
Workshop- pictures of the development team
WHICH IS THE BETTER BUY?
I would not buy this game if someone paid me, but if anyone is considering it, I would recommend the SE. The CE has very weak Bonus Content, and with lack of achievements, you're looking at next to nothing.
I would not buy this game if someone paid me, but if anyone is considering it, I would recommend the SE. The CE has very weak Bonus Content, and with lack of achievements, you're looking at next to nothing.
So, with a ridiculous, mind-numbingly boring story and sub-par gameplay, I give this game a well-deserved one star rating. The most exciting part of the game for me was deleting it from my computer. This is definitely the worst game this developer has ever made.
I don't recommend this game.
Solve the mystery that spooked a young girl into silence!
Overall rating
2
/
5
11 of 15 found this review helpful
The Cursed Castle Has Cursed Me... With Boredom!
PostedAugust 21, 2014
catbag8717
fromTasmania, Australia
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
BASED ON DEMO
Vendel Games... ah, the memories are coming flowing back. Every previous game I have played from this developer has been bad. While this one was better, it still wasn't a very exciting game. It's safe to say, I will not be purchasing this game.
The story really wasn't interesting. It had a good concept, but was executed poorly. I felt the story was very unorganized and clunky in some places. Sometimes it seemed things were just there for shock value and not really necessary to the story at all (for example, all those times that fire thing passed). I felt that the cutscenes were done very poorly and could have been a lot more exciting. In addition, the factor of the ghost was not exciting at all; it would just pop up and say one sentence, then disappear again.
I was struggling to find anything positive to say about this story at all, until the backstory began. That was, for me, the best part of the story. I was drawn in to it and immediately wanted to know more. This is good and bad; I was slightly tempted to buy this game so I could see how the backstory ended, but then I decided no; because it's just sad when the backstory is better than the main one.
However, the demo did end well, considering the mediocrity of this story. We had just met the villain for real instead of watching them pass all the time. That was probably the only exciting but of the main story.
Overall, the story was poor. Save for the backstory, there's nothing positive to say.
I was struggling to find anything positive to say about this story at all, until the backstory began. That was, for me, the best part of the story. I was drawn in to it and immediately wanted to know more. This is good and bad; I was slightly tempted to buy this game so I could see how the backstory ended, but then I decided no; because it's just sad when the backstory is better than the main one.
However, the demo did end well, considering the mediocrity of this story. We had just met the villain for real instead of watching them pass all the time. That was probably the only exciting but of the main story.
Overall, the story was poor. Save for the backstory, there's nothing positive to say.
I have mixed feelings about the gameplay; it was fun in some areas, but there were a lot of problems. I'll start with the HOS, because this is my first problem. I played about 4 in the first 20 minutes, and there were even 2 in the same scene. That's too many for that period of time! It seemed like every second scene there would be a HOS, and this dragged the fun factor down significantly. What was more annoying was that, after that period, I did not play another one for the rest of the demo period. The HOS were spaced out really poorly, all clumped together in that one burst. Again, this takes away from the fun factor, and indicates to me that it will stay that way, providing little enjoyment if I were to continue.
Another thing I didn't like HOS wise was that things happened during them. For example, a doll you had just uncovered would glare at you, or a supposedly toy dog would growl at you. This was distracting from the task of finding the objects and just became annoying.
Problems aside, I actually did enjoy playing the HOS. There were many different varieties and all were fun to play. One was silhouette items, one was standard junkpile, one was a “replace the misplaced item” scene, and one was an “assemble the item” scene. I was very impressed with the effort Vendel put in to their HOS. This made them more fun, as there was also a variety of challenge. This was probably the best part of the game for me.
Another thing I didn't like HOS wise was that things happened during them. For example, a doll you had just uncovered would glare at you, or a supposedly toy dog would growl at you. This was distracting from the task of finding the objects and just became annoying.
Problems aside, I actually did enjoy playing the HOS. There were many different varieties and all were fun to play. One was silhouette items, one was standard junkpile, one was a “replace the misplaced item” scene, and one was an “assemble the item” scene. I was very impressed with the effort Vendel put in to their HOS. This made them more fun, as there was also a variety of challenge. This was probably the best part of the game for me.
Unfortunately, I really did not like the puzzles. They were either confusing, annoying, or too easy. The confusing element occurred during the first puzzle, which had really poor instructions and poor controls, causing me to get confused and, eventually, frustrated, until I figured out how to solve.
The annoying part came with the “by torch” puzzle. By this, I mean a puzzle that requires you to move a torch around to see everything. I loathe these types of puzzles, and absolutely refused to play it. This meant I had to wait for the skip to charge, and it dragged down the fun factor. Surely I cannot be the only one who hates these? “By torch” puzzles are hands down the most annoying puzzles ever created.
Some puzzles were also insanely easy. I found three that I was able to solve with absolutely no trouble or thinking whatsoever. The first was changing the code to the correct one, which I could do in about 10 seconds, as this puzzle did not have the “changing one affects others” thing. The second was the family tree puzzle, which had portraits lock in place once they were in the right spot. The third was the box puzzle in that little hut. All I had to do was look at the pieces and I instantly knew where they had to go.
Some puzzles were also insanely easy. I found three that I was able to solve with absolutely no trouble or thinking whatsoever. The first was changing the code to the correct one, which I could do in about 10 seconds, as this puzzle did not have the “changing one affects others” thing. The second was the family tree puzzle, which had portraits lock in place once they were in the right spot. The third was the box puzzle in that little hut. All I had to do was look at the pieces and I instantly knew where they had to go.
I'll say it again; I did not like these puzzles one bit. I like puzzles to have clear instructions and provide me with at least some challenge without being too difficult, and this game failed in every aspect of that. These were definitely the worst puzzles I have ever come across all year. I seriously hope the developers learn from their mistakes and make the next set of puzzles more challenging.
And it gets even worse, because that's just it. There are no additional gameplay features whatsoever. There are no + objects, animal helpers, nothing. Just plain old HOS & Puzzles. In 2012 that would be fine, but not 2014. 2014 is the year of innovation; the year when simply HOS & Puzzles no longer impress, and I was disappointed to see that this developer had not caught on to that.
The graphics were quite good. They were drawn with some good detail and every scene is clear. Character designs are done well, and there is lip-synch. However, I was bugged by the fact that a game supposedly set in the UK had some Americanisms in it. For example: flashlight instead of torch, and American voice-overs. The cop being American, I can understand, but the little girl? No. She is the daughter of a British man and lives in Britain... she should have a British accent! It just irritates me when games do this. If you're going to set a game in another country, at least do some research and make it seem like it's from another country!
FEATURES
3 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, and Hard. Differences are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- hint took a little longer than usual to recharge, but I don't mind. It meant less hand holding.
Diary- the diary is good for keeping track of events. However, it annoyed me that the diary flashed when there was a new entry, and wouldn't stop until you opened it.
Map- The map was extremely helpful. It let you know where there was an active task to perform. I liked how there were different maps for different parts of the castle, too.
3 modes of difficulty: Casual, Advanced, and Hard. Differences are standard. I played Casual.
Hint/Skip- hint took a little longer than usual to recharge, but I don't mind. It meant less hand holding.
Diary- the diary is good for keeping track of events. However, it annoyed me that the diary flashed when there was a new entry, and wouldn't stop until you opened it.
Map- The map was extremely helpful. It let you know where there was an active task to perform. I liked how there were different maps for different parts of the castle, too.
CE EXCLUSIVES
Bonus Chapter- can only be unlocked after assembling all portraits.
Built-in Strategy Guide- gives step by step puzzle solutions, but does not show HOS screenshots.
Collectible puzzle pieces- needed to assemble each portrait in order to unlock the bonus game. This was a fantastic move.
Wallpapers
Concept Art
Replay puzzles
Development team- this was cartoon drawings of the creators of the game. A nice touch.
Music
Bonus Chapter- can only be unlocked after assembling all portraits.
Built-in Strategy Guide- gives step by step puzzle solutions, but does not show HOS screenshots.
Collectible puzzle pieces- needed to assemble each portrait in order to unlock the bonus game. This was a fantastic move.
Wallpapers
Concept Art
Replay puzzles
Development team- this was cartoon drawings of the creators of the game. A nice touch.
Music
WHICH IS THE BETTER BUY?
Due to lack of achievements and incredibly weak Bonus Content, I would advise anyone looking to purchase this game to purchase the SE. It's simply not worth wasting the money.
Due to lack of achievements and incredibly weak Bonus Content, I would advise anyone looking to purchase this game to purchase the SE. It's simply not worth wasting the money.
Overall, this was a very poor game with very few positives. It was better than previous games by this developer, but given that all previous games were bad as well, that's not really much to say. The best I can do for this game is 2 stars. I hope this developer drastically improves next time.
I don't recommend this game.