Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Arcade & Action, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
3/ 5
Storyline
3/ 5
It's in the title yet nowhere to be found in this game! The whole reason I like this series is that there's usually some kind of romance which is hard to find in HOAs nowadays (YOU HEAR THAT DEVS - MORE ROMANCE PLEASE!!).
The story is redundant, the setting is redundant, and the game play is what you'd expect. I actually like the way these games play because they flow and run faster on my computer for some reason. The art style makes hidden objects games easy on the eyes which I appreciate. And the voice acting was good! Thank you for hiring decent actors (and if these are the same actors as earlier games, they've improved!).
Finally - the game is short. In general it seems like HOAs are getting shorter and shorter and yet the prices remain the same hmm... Overall if you like dark fantasy, art that's easy on the eyes, and fairly simplistic play, this is the game for you.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Arcade & Action, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Marble Popper, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
2/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
2/ 5
Storyline
2/ 5
Oh my gosh if I have to solve one more translation puzzle...! There are so many puzzles it borders on ridiculous. I like games with balance but if you're a puzzle fanatic then you might like this one a lot. And I had a hard time finding objects to pickup in scenes related to story progression - I missed final items many times and it got frustrating. The story is weak, tedious, and nothing new. While overall the game looks great, there are inconsistencies with facial art at times, but the voice acting is pretty good. Finally - CAN WE PLEASE SKIP CUT SCENES??? The first time I play the game that's fine, but when I go back I'd like to move it along a bit more. The only thing I could skip was dialogue.
I love this developer - they really know how to make match 3 games interesting and vary the gameplay from game to game! In Spelunking, you're given "mining" levels that you have to traverse thru to find gems, items, transitional tools, and artifacts to complete the level. Each level takes almost an hour to complete if you want to be thorough and you have the added objective of keeping your lantern lit before it narrows your field of vision. As usual there are items and "abilities" that need upgrading and a town of fun shopkeepers to work with. I also love that there's a little voice acting. It's a nice detail. Great match 3 - definitely a must buy!
Same dark style - same type of supernatural plot - same twist. Honestly, I think it's time to end this series, they haven't done anything new with it in years.
Plus the game is short. I beat it in under and hour. If you can get it for free and you really like these Victorian ghost stories then get it, but otherwise, steer clear.
Yet another "save the world" HOA with the same pacing, puzzles, and patterns. The world was pointless - you could have put this plot in any setting and it would've felt the same - and the characters were lame. Also - the "twist" was so obvious and then it was just going thru the motions afterwards. It was boring to play and I definitely wouldn't recommend paying for the CE. The bonus chapter was maybe 15-20 minutes long; if you play it on hard then perhaps 30-40. That along with wallpaper and concept art does not constitute DOUBLE the price. And by the way - I beat the entire game & bonus within the hour demo time.
Perhaps we as consumers should start demanding more from developers. Stop buying these games day one - even if you get a sale price - and TEST the game! Find out that it's not worth the price tag and don't pay for it! Then perhaps developers will start being more original and make a game with some meat on its bones.
Quite the enjoyable game! If you love a great HOA vampire game with a smattering of romance intermingled with action and brushed lightly with tragedy then this is definitely a game for you!
Visuals and Sound are excellent, befitting of the style and quality. The age old story of Vampires vs Werewolves is told in a completely unique way and nothing is quite what you'd expect. There's even a couple surprises. Plus the game creators took the time to develop the characters: you learn a bit about all of them. The game has the typical balance of HO puzzles and regular puzzles, as well as find the object that goes into the thing to get you to the next step... etc etc.
Worth it to get the CE with another bonus chapter, as well as collectibles, art... all the usual bells and whistles. I always recommend trying the demo first if you're new to the series but definitely a great game.
P.S. Anyone else think Alex is way cuter than Travis???
First let me give kudos to a game story that's based in historical fiction rather than fantasy, ghosts, or serial killers. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy games in those genres but lately it seems those are the only story settings for HOAs. In this case, Regicide is based in historical reality therefore making the steps you take more logical (like KEEPING the dagger you acquire and reusing it, rather than throwing it away after one use and then needing a cutting tool five minutes later - can we stop doing this, developers?!).
Visuals and Sound were ok - not overly polished but that aesthetic choice seemed to fit with the game's gray, solemn tone.
Plot: Predictable and lacking imagination. It's your run of the mill "someone wants to take over the kingdom and must be stopped" storyline with no characterization or twists. Yet, the voice acting was surprisingly better quality than these games typically have.
Finally, my biggest issue of the game: it's short. AND the bonus chapter is even shorter and more boring. It's NOT WORTH THE CE price tag... even on sale. The bonus chapter MIGHT be an extra hour of gameplay if the puzzles take you a while.... and that's probably a stretch. It's criminal they have the nerve to charge an extra $10 for such a short chapter and a few collectibles. Ugh. Love the concept, hate the execution.
While the story is base and overdone - someone is trying to resurrect a demon that will destroy the world and only YOU have the power to stop him blah blah blah - it's still entertaining.
The visuals and effects are of a higher quality than a lot of stand alone SEs, and there were even Collector's Edition features like achievements and finding hidden mistletoe and mosaic pieces in each scene. Do they amount to anything extra or significant - no. But I like that element of extra challenge for the heck of it.
The mini-games were plentiful and probably of medium difficulty. Experts at HOAs might scoff, but I felt significantly challenged without the frustration of feeling like a complete dunce.
My one warning: there is A LOT of back and forth through the scenes and while there is a fast travel map, there are no objective or available action indicators. So I added playtime simply by trying to remember where the heck I needed to go. Definitely an SE worth buying ON SALE.
Delicious: Emily's Message in a Bottle Collector's Edition is a heartwarming stroll through Emily's past as the family seeks the perfect recipe for happiness.
I LOVE the Delicious series - following the story of Emily and her family & friends has been a joy. Once I start a game I don't want to stop (which kills my carpal tunnel but whatevs) and I keep thinking about the story when I'm not playing!
The levels are always fun and challenging and the CE is great because of side levels and collectibles, not to mention a bonus game with 10 more levels and a bit more story! Honestly, if you like Time Management or want to try it - BUY THIS GAME!!!!
These games are always enjoyable and I love the variation and challenge of each level. I also like the game being broken up with Find the difference puzzles. Not sure if you want to pay $10, but if there's a sale you should definitely snag a few of these!