Fairy Tale Mysteries: The Beanstalk is a new twist on the classic Jack and The Beanstalk fairy tale. Jack was given the magic beans in trade for his family’s cow but that is only the beginning of the story. The world is in grave danger because the imprisoned giant is about to be released, and when that happens major devastation and chaos will occur. As a recent graduate of the Grimm Academy, it is your task to make sure that the giant remains in his cloud prison.
The graphics are a mixed bag of ultra-crisp and foggy or grainy. In spite of the misty or grainy appearance of some scenes, overall the game's graphics are exceptional and quite beautiful. There are voiceovers that are quite nice but I was a bit thrown off that Jack’s voice is obviously much older than the young boy he appears to be in the game.
We have a diary but I hardly used it. What I did find more helpful was the interactive map that indicates where there are tasks to be completed. Where I had difficulty with the game is that it is a FROG adventure (admittedly not my favorite type of game# and it required a lot of back and forth to find the items that I would need to complete an objective. Early on I found the game very slow and almost tedious but it did pick up a lot towards the end of the demo and I knew it would get better.
Even though the game is a FROG adventure, we do find traditional interactive list type HOS. I didn’t encounter very many puzzles or mini-games during the demo and the ones I did find were quite simple.
The CE content is standard fare with the array of useless fluff but I do like the wallpapers included in the bonus content for this game because some of them are really beautiful. Another little surprise because they are not mentioned anywhere in the SG, are the hidden collectibles that you will find. I stumbled upon the first one quite by accident and then found it a fun challenge to find the others. Based on the number of pages in the strategy guide #260), I think this will be a nice long game.
Even though A FROG is not my favorite type of game, I think Fairy Tale Mysteries: The Beanstalk deserves a solid five-star rating. With the excellent graphics and the developer’s interpretation of this beloved fairy tale, they have presented a game that will provide hours of entertainment that can be shared by all members in the family. I know many gamers will love The Beanstalk simply because they have been waiting for a great FROG adventure to come their way, and now they have one to enjoy. As always, I recommend you try the demo to see if you will like the game
Otherworld Shades of Fall is the third game in the series and although you don’t need to play the first two games, I would suggest that you do simply because they are beautiful and wonderful games. As Shades of Fall begins you and Fiona have gone to an ancient fay moor to find the Perpetual Prison that is hidden there. The Perpetual Prison is the only thing that will put an end to the Shade’s quest for an eternal winter that will destroy all life on earth.
The graphics are typical of those from BoomZap – colorful, crisp and beautiful. This developer has a knack for creating beautiful environments and is at its best when creating a fantasy type game. I love the Otherworld series and each game in the series builds on the story of Fiona and the Shade.
In Shades of Fall you will encounter Storm Cat who becomes your guide and hint button. You have an interactive map as well as a clues or notes inventory that is updated with pictures and as you travel on your adventure. There is no journal or diary.
As is the case with the other two games, Otherworld Shades of Fall is more of an adventure game than a standard HOPA, and for those of you who love adventure games; this one is definitely for you. Rather than encountering HOS after HOS, you will find areas where you may need to look for a specific number of items and only occasionally you will come across a standard list type HOS. As a story-centered adventure, I didn’t find as many puzzles as I like in a game. Some of the puzzles seem difficult since there is a lack of information or explanation of how the puzzle works. IMHO, the puzzles are the weak point in the game, which is unfortunate because solving puzzles adds tremendously to my enjoyment of a game.
Throughout the game you will find 60 hidden fay dragon collectibles and earn achievements. The CE content is the standard fare which includes the useless array of wallpapers, music, etc. The most valuable part of a CE for me is the SG, which I seldom use, although I do like the convenience of having it integrated in the game in the event I need to take a peek.
Initially Shades of Fall didn’t seem quite as good as the previous two games in the Otherworld series but it does get better as you move forward, and it is an enjoyable and entertaining adventure. I didn’t want to stop playing the game when the demo ended so I had to hit the buy button. If you enjoyed the first two games in the Otherworld series, I am sure you will like Shades of Fall. As always, I would recommend that you try the game to see if you like it.
Our story begins with our heroine sleeping and dreaming of a mirror and a beautiful castle. Our heroine inherited the mirror from her grandmother who was found adrift at sea, alone in her crib with only the mirror whose jewel embellishments had been removed. As the story unfolds, your friend Peter has urged you to go on a hot air balloon ride and insists that you bring the mirror along. Of course it is quite predictable, the balloon encounters a storm and you are tossed from the gondola and find yourself in a mysterious land where its residents have obviously been waiting for you. Now your adventure begins as you try to find Peter and fulfill the legacy that is awaiting you.
There are no voiceovers and the written dialogue is very unpolished. It seems like this is most likely a first attempt at a HOPA game from a developer I am unfamiliar with. Although the dialogue is rather choppy, the graphics are very crisp and colorful. I don’t have much to say about the music; it’s just there and at many times it doesn’t seem appropriate to the game. I think it was added without much thought and seems like it would be more appropriate to Gardenscapes.
We have a journal but no map unless one is to be acquired much later in the game. Early on we rescue a “helper” who becomes our hint button. As a note, the written story in the journal is far superior to the game’s written dialogue. I’m not sure why this didn’t carry over into the actual game dialogue but it didn’t and it is a shame.
The HOS are straight forward with only minor interaction required. I found some of the items to be quite small or faded into the background and they were difficult to find without using the hint. For the first time in a HOPA game, a developer has given us the ability to skip the HOS. We don’t need to switch to a match 3 or mahjong type game; we can choose to skip the HOS after some time has passed. I know many gamers will like this option. Although I love HOPA games, many times the HOS become tedious and I wish there was a way out and, finally, we have one. It seems like someone was listening to some of the comments from many gamers, so kudos to the developer for adding the skip option. The developer has given us a ton of puzzles although most of them are very simple. I believe I counted 48 puzzles in the extras section that can be replayed, and many of them have additional levels.
I’m not sure but it seems like this game may have been intended as a CE game since we have collectibles to find and achievements to earn. At some point it was probably decided that the game wasn’t CE quality since we don’t have the other fluff and extras that we normally find in CEs.
Although this is not a stellar game, I did use a free punch to purchase it because it seems like it has a lot of promise. I find that it is entertaining and holds a lot of promise to become better as the story develops. Since this is a new developer, I have a feeling that subsequent games will acquire a lot more polish and become something to look forward to. As always, I recommend that you try the game to see if you might like it.
+5points
10of15voted this as helpful.
The Torment of Mont Triste Collector's Edition
No one dares fall asleep in the village of Mont Triste... for when sleep arrives, so does the mysterious Lord of Nightmares.
It has finally happened; a scientist has created a device that will allow him to connect the real world with the dream world. Ah, but of course, something has gone terribly awry and the Lord of Nightmares has escaped into the real world and is determined to turn it into a nightmarish realm. As a detective, you have been asked to journey to Mont Triste to stop the Lord of Nightmares and put an end the havoc he has unleashed in the town. Will you be able to stop the Lord of Nightmares? With the aid of a special amulet, step into the nightmares of others and restore them to peaceful slumber.
The graphics are colorful but very simple and appear almost cartoonish. Sometimes the graphics have a misty or foggy appearance, while at other times they are quite crisp, which I think is intentional since the “appearance” changes between nightmare or reality scenes. There are voiceovers that are actually quite good but there is no lip-syncing.
The map is an interactive transporter type which I like because there is a lot of running back and forth required in the game. The map also indicates where there are available tasks so if you are stuck, I recommend using the map as a guide. I couldn’t find a journal or diary and unless it is acquired later in the game, I guess it isn’t necessary.
The HOS are what we have come to expect, look through junkpiles (although most are not overly cluttered) and complete extra steps to find some items. Where this game excels, IMHO, is in the number of mini-puzzles, some of them easy and some a bit more difficult. Since puzzles make a game so much more entertaining, “The Torment of Monte Triste” is definitely a game I had to have.
The CE content is fairly standard. We have collectibles and achievements and the other useless collection of extras. Recently developers have been giving us the option to replay the HOS and puzzles as part of the CE content and that is something I find worthwhile. I don’t so much care about going through the junkpiles again but I love the mini puzzles. Having an integrated SG and being able to replay the puzzles makes this game well worth the CE price.
Overall the game is entertaining and I found that I really liked it. I was surprised because initially I thought the game was just okay but as I moved on and became immersed in the various nightmares, puzzles and gameplay I didn’t want to stop. Given the number of puzzles in the game and the great two for one sale this weekend, the game was an instant buy for me. As always, I recommend you try the demo to see if this is a game you enjoy.
Someone has stolen two powerful magic doves from your kingdom, and the consequences could be disastrous. Embark on an extraordinary journey to stop the thief.
“Flights of Fancy” is definitely a fanciful tale full of wondrous sights to see in a beautiful, mystical world. Our adventure begins as you (the Countess) return home from the pre-wedding ball for King Eridan. You soon discover that your home has been broken into and ransacked while you were away and, yes, the worst has happened - the magical dove entrusted to your family’s care has been stolen. Now you must go to King Eridan to tell him the news and warn him that his dove and life are now in danger. Alas, it seems that you have not arrived in time for the king and his dove are both missing. It now looks like the realm is in terrible danger and you must do everything you can to save the king, reunite the doves and save the realm.
IMHO, no one does magical, mystical tales quite as wonderfully as ERS and Flights of Fancy is no exception. We travel through a beautiful land created by the artistry of the development team at ERS. The graphics are exceptional and depict a land of elves, fanciful creatures and evil gnomes. As always there are voiceovers with perfect lip-synch (kudos to a developer who knows how to give us the complete package), and a musical theme that adds to the overall enjoyment of the game.
Your diary is on the lower right portion of the screen and soon after you begin the game you will acquire a young elf helper who becomes your hint, and as you journey through the kingdom you will find golden arrows that increase the number of hints he has available to share with you. Early on you also acquire a pert little fairy that will help you after you imbue her with magical powers We have an interactive map that allows us to transport quickly throughout the kingdom and it also indicates areas where there are objectives to complete.
The HOPS are fairly standard to ERS games with some progressive silhouette type mixed in with scenes where you have to find certain numbers of objects. I imagine that later in the game we might even have the standard list type HOPS. The puzzles are fairly common as well but they are still fun. Some think that the puzzles in ERS games are too easy but I disagree because some of them are quite challenging.
Because Flights of Fancy is from my favorite developer and I knew I would be purchasing a quality game, I purchased the CE when it was released. From beginning scene I knew this would be a game that I would enjoy immensely and I do. “Flights of Fancy” is light-hearted entertainment that lets us experience the magic and whimsy we felt when we were young and believed in fairy tales, could there be a better way to spend the day? As always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if you agree.
As Haunted Hotel Eclipse opens, the stage is set with a cutscene that shows a battle between forces striving to take control of Earth. Shortly thereafter, you are called upon by your detective friend James to consult with him on a new case at the Final Journey hotel. When you arrive at the scene you find a terrified witness, a young hotel maid, who is too frightened to speak. After your witness is revived, she tells you that a war between monsters has taken place inside the hotel. As incredible as it sounds you soon discover that she was telling the truth – the hotel is now swarming with ghosts and other assorted ghoulish characters. Something quite mysterious is indeed taking place behind hotel doors. Will you and James be able to stop the forces that are battling to take control of your world?
Of course, with the game being developed by the Elephant team the graphics are top-notch, colorful and crisp. The game has very good voiceovers but, once again, we have a game with no lip-syncing. I just don’t get why this developer doesn’t take the next step and up its game. Obviously, the team at Elephant is quite skilled with creating wonderful games but maybe they just don’t care enough to add the final polish of realism to their characters. Aside from the voiceovers the other sound effects and music are excellent and add to the overall spookiness of the game.
The HOS are the standard list type but some items do require some interaction to be found. The items on the list are easy to find and it is not difficult to figure out what you need to use to complete the interactive objects. The puzzles are also quite easy and I found no challenge in any of them. For some seasoned gamers Haunted Hotel Eclipse may be a very easy game since it doesn’t seem to present more than a begnning level of challenge.
In Haunted Hotel Eclipse we have the standard tools. On the lower left of the screen is your compass, an interactive map, that lets you transport between locations. Your diary is attached to the inventory box and keeps track of pertinent information throughout the game. The strategy guide is on the lower right below your hint button.
The CE content seems fairly standard with nothing earth shaking included. In more recent games, Elephant has included a “secret room” that allows you to replay some of the HOS and puzzles. There are achievements as well as collectibles to be found. I found the collectibles interesting and they add some fun information to the game. Aside from the achievements and collectibles there does not seem to be much added CE content. I didn’t find any morphing objects during the trial of the game.
Overall, I liked the game but didn’t find it anything spectacular. It is a fun, entertaining game with a captivating storyline that will appeal to many gamers. In the end, although the game is good, I think it falls short of being great – not one of the best games from a developer who has astounded me in the past with some of the games they’ve presented. Yes, I purchased the game because I can’t help myself, but I recommend that you try the demo to see if this game is for you.
It seems that your niece, Emmy, has always been a bit different from other children and her mother Mary, a scientist, tried to help her but to no avail and somehow ended up in a coma (it is implied that she is somehow incapacitated) – trapped in Emmy’s consciousness. As the story begins, we see Mary in some sort of mental distress and since you share a genetic link, you will risk everything and try an experimental treatment to unlock the hidden secrets of Emmy’s mind and save your sister. This is where your adventure begins.
The graphics are rather creepy and coupled with the ambient sounds and music they set the stage for a good old-fashioned spooky game. There are voiceovers and yes, they are lip-synced and they are very good. My only issue with the sound is that it is loud and I had a difficult time modulating the volume so that I could get the lower music volume but still be able to hear the voiceovers. The game option controls were fairly basic in this game with only two modes of gameplay and two sound control-slilders. It would have been nice to have more options like we see with some of the more recent games.
Early on in the game you meet Barry who will serve as your guide and hint system. There is an interactive map that is located in the bracelet that you receive from Dr. Sullivan at the beginning of the game. The map is a transporter type and shows where there are tasks available as well as where tasks have been completed.
The HOS are interactive but fairly old school with the traditional junkpile searches and there is no alternative type of game available, so we are stuck searching through the rubble. The puzzles or mini-games are fairly standard and I did find the first one a bit tricky, but the others seem to fall in the category of “been there done that before.”
The CE content is just there and is nothing earth-shaking – just the standard fare, although there are two bonus chapters included.
The redeeming factor in this game is that the storyline is interesting and I want to see how it plays out. Even though the game is not over-the-top spectacular, it is still a good game and entertaining. Whether it is CE quality, is up to you to decide. As always, I recommend you try the demo to see if this is the game for you.
Riddles of Fate Wild Hunt begins with a cutscene where we find out that the human Child of Fate has been born and there are evil forces out to hunt her down and kill her. Before ending, the scene moves to a young man in a prison cell who swears that he will protect the child at all costs. Our job is to save the town from the devastation that is being caused by a legion of ghosts who serve the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse – the Wild Hunt. Are they searching for the Child of Fate who is predicted to bring an end to the rule of the Bone King and his apocalyptic Wild Hunt legion?
Even though the game has a bit of a dark theme the graphics are crisp with use of an intense color palette. The game does have voiceovers but once again, there is no lip-syncing. It continues to amaze me that a developer who brings us quality games does not see fit to add lip movements to their characters. Aside from that complaint the sound package for the game is very good. The musical score fits well with the creepy and often scary theme the game.
You do not have a journal but there is a task button that will let you know what you need to do and the interactive transporter map also tells you where you have an area of interest or a task to complete.
The HOS are the standard list type with some objects requiring an additional step. The puzzles are fairly standard with this developer and there is nothing new. That being said, the puzzles are still fun with some more difficult than others but they all add to the enjoyment of the game.
Over all this is a very enjoyable game of fantasy and ancient legends replete with ghosts, witches, and mythical beasts – all the ingredients of a wonderful game. Since I know that any game from the Elephant team is always excellent and sure to provide hours of entertainment the CE version was an instant purchase – no need to wait on this one. As always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if you agree that this game is one well worth adding to your game library.
After your harrowing escape from the Ship of Spirits, you and your partner Gregory, along with the rescued cabin boy find yourselves adrift in the ocean. Your boat is swamped by an enormous wave and it seems all might end at that moment but Gregory saves the day. You awaken to find that you are on the beach of a strange island and this is where the adventure begins.
When the first Mayan Prophecies was released it was a game that set the bar for what has now become fairly standard in most HOPA games by including a custom mode of gameplay where you can select exactly how you want to play the game – a feature I love. Unfortunately the demo of this game seems to indicate a game that falls short of that innovative, wonderful first Mayan Prophecies game. On first impression, the graphics do not seem nearly as crisp or as intense by comparison. The artwork is very colorful and given the location I think it promises quite a visual treat, but there is not a lot of consistency with the graphics as some of them seem grainy while others appear very clean and crisp. The sound package is quite nice and there are voiceovers which are lip-synced: something I appreciate in a game as it adds a bit more reality to the characters.
We have a diary that is located on the lower left of the screen along with the interactive map that you will receive shortly after beginning the game. With all the backtracking required in the game, the map is something you will use quite frequently.
The HOS are interactive but have lots of items to sort through to find what you need. What I really like is that we can play a game of mahjong rather than search through the clutter and, since I love mahjong, I found myself just choosing that option at the beginning of each HOS. The mini puzzles are similar to those found in Ship of Spirits and start out easy to solve but I am sure they will become more difficult as the game progresses.
The basic mechanics of the game are similar to those in Ship of Spirits and we, once again, have an artifact that helps us in difficult situations. We also have the other artifact that tells us the history of the island as we find its missing pieces. Another treat in this game is that we have morphing objects and hummingbirds that are hidden in different scenes in the game. The hummingbirds are a bit tricky to find but once you figure out how they are hidden it’s not too difficult to find them. The rest of the CE Content is standard fare with nothing earth shaking included.
Overall the game has a lot of promise. It comes to us from a developer whose games, although not frequent, are of excellent quality and provide hours of entertainment. Since I am a big fan of Elefun Games, this was an instant purchase for me and I am sure that it will live up to my expectations. As always, I recommend you try the demo to see if this game is for you.
“Enigmatis The Mists of Ravenwood” Is a game from, Artifex Mundi, a developer who has emerged in the past year as a force to be contended with in the casual game world. IMHO, every game from them over the past year has been excellent, and “Enigmatis the Mists of Ravenwood” is at the top of the list.
The story begins as you are following up on a lead to find the elusive and evil preacher who slipped out of your grasp at Maple Creek. While on the trail you come across a wrecked camper and that is where your adventure begins. As was the case with Maple Creek, you will build an evidence board as you advance through the game to help you figure out who the culprit is behind what is going on at Ravenwood. I don’t want to give anything away but at one point, even though I was expecting a surprise, I almost fell out of my chair. As you move forward, you will find that the mystery is much larger than you originally imagined, and solving that mystery is sure to provide some hours of fun and intrigue. Who is really behind what is happening in the mist at Ravenwood? Hmmm, could your old nemesis “The Preacher” possibly be back? If you are like me, you couldn't wait to buy the game and find out what is going on at Ravenwood.
As for the technical aspects, the game supports widescreen automatically. We are offered three modes of gameplay - casual, advanced and expert. The graphics are excellent and full of color. Even though this game has a sinister mystery to solve, the atmosphere is quite beautiful. There are voiceovers and they are really good: even the child’s voice is extremely well done. The game ran very smoothly on my Windows 8 laptop with the transition between scenes being seamless.
There are iHO scenes that are silhouette, list, and FROG types so there is something here for everyone. The mini puzzles, some of which may seem deceptively easy can be quite tricky. IMHO, it is apparent that the team at Artifex Mundi has been checking the forums and subsequently put a lot into this game based on feedback from BFG members.
As far as bonus content we have all the standard stuff with some extras, such as morphing object. During the game you need to find 30 illusive objects, some of them are easy to find and others not so much. This is definitely a game that qualifies as a true CE value!
In the end, Enigmatis The Mists of Ravenwood is an incredible game and an instant buy for me.