Story-wise this is better than the previous games in the series. There is a cool twist on the "evil spirit" trope, and the villain of the story isn't who you'd expect from the start. I like the theme of letting go at the end.
The gameplay however is a bit limiting, because the game tends to rush you from one place to another with scripted events, which restricts exploration. I would like to explore the maps on my own instead of being constantly rushed.
I played the previous two games. Even so the premise here is very vague. Your father was in trouble, threatened by unknown forces, and nothing was explained from there. The villain made a few shadowy appearances throughout the game, but did nothing memorable. Basically, the plot had nothing to propel it along.
The game play is fairly standard. Graphic quality is okay. The biggest problem is just no interesting story.
I've played all three Rite of Passage games so far. One thing that's consistent about the series is how much it pushes the envelope in being innovative. New depth is being added to the game mechanics with each entry.
Many of the inventory items are interactive, which I enjoy. The hidden object scenes are also beyond standard, with morphing items. Generally, items you need to find are big and easily distinguishable, so playing this game wasn't an eye strain as with some other games. Add to that a pleasant piano soundtrack, this is a game you can relax with, progress at your own pace.
I like the nonlinear storyline. You have to solve multiple crises, as each new door presents a new challenge. However, the implementation could use some improvement. Some puzzles have incredibly small acceptance area. The couple of log puzzles (stacking logs, splitting logs) are exercise in frustration.
I loved exploring different scenes in this game. Beautiful, intricate artwork and relaxing ambient sounds make exploration an enjoyable experience. I can take the time and appreciate all the elaborate construction. The puzzles are innovative, not the standard hidden object fare. Some are like mini storybooks.
Not your typical hidden object game. There is so much creativity on display in the puzzles. All the puzzles are entertaining, and nothing seems like a chore. I would definitely buy the next game in the series.
I loved the first Secret Order game, and had high expectation for this one. It doesn't disappoint. The production values are top notch. I like the atmospheric, and yet non-intrusive music. I also like that instead of doing hidden object search, you can play a mahjong game.
This game is so much fun. At first glance, the graphics look dated, and the storyline isn't groundbreaking. But there is something about this game that just hits all the right spot. It's relaxing, the puzzles are not too hard, and there are some very creative details that pop out. It's the rare game that gives you a warm, cozy feeling.
The environment is very nice, with gorgeous scenes and sharp color scheme. The music is soothing and atmospheric, just the right music to set the mood.
However, game play is somewhat tedious. There are only so many times you can repeat "find a round object for this inset" before it becomes unimaginative. Moreover, you carry around a huge inventory, many of which seem unnecessary. For example, a shovel can only be used once. When you need it again, you have to find another one. Also, at one time you need to find four items to open a single gate.
The storyline is also kind of thin. There are background information you can read from your journal. However, the main point is to find out what happened to the character's parents. To that end, there is very little information throughout the game.
:The game does an excellent job with the theme of a mechanical house. The scenes have a distinctive, steampunk feel. I like that the hidden object scenes are unusual. Instead of finding a bunch of useless items, you are asked to spot objects of the same type.
The story is also interesting. You start out just exploring a mechanical house in need of repair. But then a sinister plot twist kicks in. Looking back, I can see some hints about the twist, but it is still a good surprise.