biscuitsmama's Profile
 
 
 
Stat Summary
 
  • Average Rating:
    4.3
  • Helpful Votes:
    67,036
 
  • Reviews Submitted:
    1148
  • First Review:
    July 13, 2012
  • Most Recent Review:
    December 16, 2020
  • Featured reviews
    0
 
 
Status:
 
 
biscuitsmama's Review History
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While visiting your uncle, you stumble upon a curious case. Men are vanishing, reappearing dead days later. Who killed them?
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
46 of 52 found this review helpful
Follow Morgana Across the Deadly Sands
PostedSeptember 21, 2013
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
 
Current Favorite:
 
Fun Factor 
Good
4 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Good
4 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
After receiving an urgent message from your uncle imploring your help, you are off to the city of Transvaal. As you arrive, you are surrounded by a mysterious sandstorm and your plane crashes. Fortunately, your plane crashed very close to your uncle’s home so you don’t have far to go to find him. When you get to the house you think you see your uncle but he is acting very strange, in fact he doesn’t even acknowledge you. Is he really your uncle or are you having delusions after your plane crash? As the story develops you find that your uncle is on the trail of the evil black widow Morgana who he thought he had put an end to years previously. Have you arrived in time to save Sam and find out what is causing the strange deaths in Transvaal? Follow Morgana on a cat and mouse chase across deadly sands to solve the mystery in Web of Deceit 2.
Web of Deceit 2: Deadly Sands uses live actors as did the first game in the series but to me the acting as a bit over the top cheesy. IMHO, I think I would have preferred a game without the live actors since I really don’t think they add a lot to the game. The graphics are overall very good but not exceptional. Sometimes, particularly in the HOS, they seem slightly blurred, and most likely this is intentional to add more challenge to finding items in the junkpile rubble. There are voiceovers in the game and the sound quality is good. At least the actors speak a lot faster than they did in the first game and the dialogue is not agonizingly slow. I found that I liked the music and ambient sounds and felt they added to the game’s overall quality. I didn’t turn the music off (as I often do) so it wasn’t too intrusive.
As far as tools go, on the lower left you have a tape journal that contains important information to help you on your adventure. Besides containing the tapes that you acquire along the way, there is also a section that has all the collectible posters you find. Next to the journal you have a transporter type map that shows where there is something to do and where there will be something to do at a later time. Many times when I just wasn’t sure what needed to be done to move forward I found the map to be a great resource.
The HOS are interactive but, IMHO, some are junkpiles and I found it difficult to find many of the items. I’m not exactly sure why I had so much trouble with some of the early HOS but it appeared that many items were blurred or somehow not very clear. That being said, the HOS do improve in clarity later in the game. What I do like with the HOS in this game is that with the extra step items, the associations or steps required to find them are not always clear cut and that presented an extra challenge.
Where I think this game excels and offers a lot of challenge is with the puzzles or mini games. Some are typical (after all how many different new puzzles can the devs come up with for those of us who constantly play HOGs) but many of them are quite challenging and this always adds to my enjoyment of the game.
The bonus content is fairly standard and what we have come to expect. It seems that only a few devs give us really great extras in CEs these days. If you are like me however, having the SG integrated into a game usually makes it worth the CE price even though I rarely use it. I find it more convenient to have the SG readily at hand if I am really stuck. There are not a lot of extras included but we can earn achievements as well as search for 30 collectible posters that are scattered throughout the game. For some of you there may not be enough extra content to justify purchase of the CE but it was okay for me.
Because of the great puzzles and the storyline, I had to have this game and purchased it right away. As always, I recommend that you try it for yourself to see if you agree.
I recommend this game!
+40points
46of 52voted this as helpful.
 
It should have been a tremendous achievement, but the tunnel through the Ridge of Leviathan became the site of a great disaster. What really happened that day?
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
114 of 124 found this review helpful
Surface The Pantheon - Absolutely Gorgeous!!
PostedSeptember 19, 2013
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Marble Popper, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
The adventure begins as you are rushing to meet your husband and daughter for the inaugural trip of the Capital Express, a train that goes through the newly opened Leviathan Ridge Tunnel. You are delayed, miss the train and it disappears somewhere in the tunnel, and investigators have no clue as to how the train could possibly have vanished from sight. Now, your life has been changed and you have forever lost the two people you loved most. After a year of hopelessness you return to the tunnel to see if you can find out what happened. Will you be able to find your husband and daughter?
The graphics in Surface The Pantheon are absolutely gorgeous and top quality – just as we expect when we see the Elephant logo on a game. Although the graphics are beautiful and the game does have live actors, I once again have to mention my pet peeve of NO lip-syncing. We have actors standing around looking dumb while someone reads the dialogue. I don’t understand why a developer who can produce such top quality games cannot move to the extra level and add lip-syncing to their efforts.
During the game we find the standard list type HOPs but we sometimes need to use inventory items to complete the scenes. The puzzles are fairly typical but add a great deal of fun to the game with some of them being a bit more challenging than others.
On the lower left of your screen you have a transporter type map that shows areas where something needs to be done or where tasks are complete. The map also contains a video type journal so that you can replay the cutscenes.
The trend for CE games has lately been to offer the same meaningless items, wallpapers, music, screensavers, bonus chapter and SG. We do have the opportunity to earn achievements but that is about it. While there are no morphing objects to be found we do collect 81 flowers throughout the game and bonus chapter that will allow us to open “secrets to the pantheon” as we collect them. It is noted that some of the flowers, depending on color, count as multiple flowers. CEs have really become nothing more that first-release opportunities for those of us who can’t sem to wait a month for the SE game to be released, so for some of you the extras may not be enough to justify the price of the CE game.
Surface The Pantheon is a beautiful game that will provide hours of visual feast and entertainment. IMHO, this fourth game in the series is so much better than the three earlier Surface games perhaps because I am enjoying the storyline a bit more. All in all the game is excellent and definite buy for me – no hesitation. As always, I recommend you try the game for yourself to see if you agree.
I recommend this game!
+104points
114of 124voted this as helpful.
 
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.
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
99 of 109 found this review helpful
Flights of Fancy - A Whimsical and Magical Tale
PostedSeptember 12, 2013
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
“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 since 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.
You have a diary that is located on the lower right portion of the screen above the interactive map that allows you to transport quickly throughout the kingdom and indicates areas where there are objectives to complete. 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.
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.
The CE package is fairly standard with wallpapers, artwork, movies, etc. There are collectibles and achievements as well but nothing out of the ordinary.
Because Flights of Fancy is from my favorite developer and I knew I would be purchasing a quality game, I went for the buy immediately – no need for me to wait. From the 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.
I recommend this game!
+89points
99of 109voted this as helpful.
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
58 of 69 found this review helpful
Wow - An Incredible Wild Hunt
PostedSeptember 5, 2013
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
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.
As you progress through the story you have the opportunity to earn achievements and find collectible objects that go into your crystal ball. The CE package has lots of glitz but is fairly standard with cutscenes, artwork, music and other useless bits of fluff. However, we do have a secret room that is intriguing but I am not sure at this point what it contains.
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 it 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.
I recommend this game!
+47points
58of 69voted this as helpful.
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
85 of 93 found this review helpful
Maybe One of the Best Games of 2013
PostedAugust 31, 2013
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
Sea of Lies begins with a cutscene as a famous pirate is about to be hanged but before he departs this world he taunts the crowd with his treasure. His last act is to throw his pendant to the crowd telling them that it is a clue to his treasure. A young boy grabs the necklace and brings it to you, and this is where the adventure begins. You soon find out that the game’s bad guy (a wealthy baron) has kidnapped your young friend and you must now find the treasure in order to save him. Of course the story is one of love, jealousy, greed, and revenge – all of the things that make Sea of Lies a game you will want to play.
The game has great graphics with a mix of computer generated and the beautiful hand drawn artwork that I prefer in game. The overall sound package in Sea of Lies is excellent. The music is very lively and brings to mind the swashbuckling theme of the game. Many times I found myself tapping my feet in time to the rhythm and felt like I should be up dancing a jig. The voiceovers are very good, particularly those of the scoundrels in the game whose voices were so realistic and believable that sometimes I just wanted to reach out and smack the creeps.
The HOPs as they are designated in this game are very interactive and clever. They are a combination of silhouette and list and are sometimes HOPs within HOPs. I really like the way they are done in this game because it keeps everything very interesting and lots of fun.
Another thing I like about Sea of Lies is that some of the puzzles are not quite as common as those we regularly see in HOPA games and that just adds to the enjoyment and challenge. Although they are a bit different, I didn’t find any of them to be too difficult.
You have a journal that keeps track of your progress in the game and it has a separate tab for your objectives. There is also an interactive map that will indicate areas of interest. If you select the “Insane” mode of gameplay, these areas will not be indicated on the map.
Throughout the game you need to find forty-five papers, and you also have the opportunity to earn many achievements. The CE content is the standard package with wallpapers, video, artwork, strategy guide and a bonus game. IMHO, what makes this a great CE package is the opportunity to replay the puzzles and HOPs.
I think this is most likely one of the best games I have played this year. It had a good storyline, it was very entertaining and sometimes challenging – what a great adventure. Sea of Lies is from Eipix, a developer who we have seen several games from in recent months, and their games seem to be getting better all the time. IMHO, this is one of the best! Kudos on an excellent game: maybe a top contender for best game of 2013.
I recommend this game!
+77points
85of 93voted this as helpful.
 
 Sable Maze: Norwich Caves Collector's Edition
Sable Maze: Norwich Caves Collector's Edition
Your students have gone missing during an expedition under the university. Can you track them down before the water rises?
 
Overall rating 
It was OK.
3 / 5
24 of 36 found this review helpful
Ho-Hum Sequel
PostedAugust 29, 2013
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
Fun Factor 
OK
3 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
OK
3 / 5
Level of Challenge 
OK
3 / 5
Storyline 
OK
3 / 5
The story is fairly basic. A professor and four of his student have gone missing and you have been asked by the daughter of the professor to find him. Before long we find out we are dealing with a supernatural force and a mad professor who has no inclination to be found.
The graphics are okay but not spectacular. The artwork is a bit flat and seems to lack that “pop” that makes it come to life. The sound is either too loud or too quiet and it is difficult to get it just right.
The HOS are progressive list type where you find an object and use it to find something else until you finally find the one object you need. I found the HOS had too much interaction to make them enjoyable. The puzzles are very easy so there is not much challenge at all.
Throughout the game you will find collage items that relate to each of the missing students but aside from that we only have the basic CE content thrown in.
What can I say except that the story just didn’t come together for me. The first Sable Maze was very good but this one is rather flat and not nearly as good. Needless to say, I certainly don’t think this is a CE quality game and only might get it with a PCC if I am desperate to fill a punch card at the end of the month.
+12points
24of 36voted this as helpful.
 
Discover what connects the ship’s disappearance with Devil’s Island and a family’s unsolved murder!
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
38 of 41 found this review helpful
A Good Old-Fashioned Spooky Tale
PostedAugust 28, 2013
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Good
4 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
OK
3 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Good
4 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
The game begins as you receive a message from the mayor of Port Providence, asking for your help in solving the mystery of a cargo ship that was found off shore without its cargo or crew. The missing crew has the town’s residents very worried so the mystery needs to be solved as soon as possible. When you arrive, you meet with the grizzled old mayor who gives you a permit to board the ship and this is where your challenges begin.
The technical aspects of the game are fairly standard with not a lot of bells and whistles. The game does have voiceovers and some are fairly decent, however, the gravelly voiced mayor reminds me of someone who has had too many cigarettes.
Graphics are good but not spectacular a d at times they appear misty but maybe that is intentional. The one complaint I have with this game is that there are bright flashes of light that occur periodically in the HO scenes. Aside from that fact that we are on a ship during a storm and the flashes are related to lightening, I see no reason for them and they are extremely annoying. Not only are the flashes annoying they can be dangerous to those who have a seizure disorder. When I did the beta test for the game I mentioned this to the developer but I guess not enough people were bothered by the flashes for the developer to make programming changes.
The puzzles appear to be very easy and I didn’t encounter any that were too difficult or frustrating during the demo.
It is refreshing to have a great game released as a SE rather than a CE for a change. The story is a great mystery with a lot of intrigue and I had to buy the game to solve the mystery. Aside from my comment above on the flashes of light in the HOS, the game is very good and a bit spooky. If flashes of light don’t bother you, I would highly recommend that you try the game before purchasing. That being said, Artifex Mundi has recently evolved into a developer who is at the top of my list for creating games that I know I will love.
I recommend this game!
+35points
38of 41voted this as helpful.
 
You've come to Mexico to explore a mysterious mansion. But this is no vacation. Your cousin is missing, and the house is crawling with bizarre and deadly creatures!
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
60 of 67 found this review helpful
Love This "Strange Menagerie" - A Great Sequel!
PostedAugust 22, 2013
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Excellent
5 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
The story begins when we receive a phone call from Cousin Mary who has gone to Mexico to search for her missing boyfriend. It seems that Mary has now run into a bit of trouble and is being held captive by a Dr. Vince. After Mary’s call is suddenly disconnected what can we do but get on the first plane to Mexico to find her. What on earth has Mary gotten into now? It seems that our cousin has stumbled onto a mad scientist who is doing DNA experiments with humans and mutant critters. Gosh I sure hope that we can find and save Mary before all is lost.
Others have done a great job of listing the game’s technical aspects so I won’t go into those except to comment that ERS has added a custom mode of gameplay where we can set the hint recharge and puzzle skip times. I love the custom gameplay modes because we finally have the option to choose how WE want to play a game. Thank you ERS for adding the custom option to the gameplay modes.
The graphics in Strange Menagerie are very colorful and excellent as is to be expected from this top-notch artistic team. The voiceovers are very good and they sync perfectly with the character's lip movement. I know it is a small detail, but I truly appreciate it when a developer takes the time to actually make the character’s lips move when speaking because it adds that extra touch of realism to a game.
In Strange Menagerie we have various types of HOS. I don't know how many of you remember but ERS was the first developer to bring us the interactive HOS that have now become standard in HOPA games. As other developers have done, ERS has now given us the opportunity to switch to an alternate game rather than completing the HOS if we don’t want to search for items. of course we have many puzzles in the game that are fun and some are even a bit different than what we usually encounter. IMHO, none of the puzzles are overly difficult although some do offer a challenge
As far as CE content goes it is fairly standard fare with the wallpapers, concept art, strategy guide, and so forth. I always like the opportunity to replay the puzzles so that is an extra I actually like and use. Throughout the game we have the opportunity to earn approximately twenty achievements. We also need to find twenty bars of soap that will be used to help us purchase items for our pet helper as an enticement for his help. Yes, once again ERS has given us a cute critter as our helper, and this time he’s a cheeky little raccoon that is so much fun. Those who don’t like their animal helpers will probably think it is a bit over the top, but I rather like them and enjoy the light-hearted fun.
Overall there is so much to like and enjoy with this installment of Twilight Phenomenon. It is of course visually appealing, with lots to do and see. One of the things I enjoy most about ERS games is the total attention to visual and auditory details. I can always count on several hours of total immersion in the environments that ERS creates in their games and more often than not return to play them many times. Some gamers may find the game too cutesy or too easy but for me, everything is just right. Is the game easy? Probably for some, but there are some challenges in puzzles and the iHOS. Is it entertaining and fun? Definitely! So if you like games from ERS, you will most likely want to add this game to your collection. As always, I recommend you at least try the demo to see if you enjoy Strange Menagerie.
I recommend this game!
+53points
60of 67voted this as helpful.
 
The quaint mountain town of Hochwald hides a deadly secret. Defeat a mechanical mastermind and save your friend before another earthquake strikes!
 
Overall rating 
Liked it!
4 / 5
62 of 74 found this review helpful
Very Fun Steampunk Game
PostedAugust 10, 2013
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle, Mahjong
 
Current Favorite:
 
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Excellent
5 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Good
4 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
The story begins as Professor Ink calls on Evangeline, a special investigator, to help him find out what is causing earthquakes and mass destruction in the town of Hochwald. Evangeline thinks of Professor Ink as a father and the only family she has ever known, so of course she will do anything to help since he may be in great danger. Evangeline arrives in Hochwald in the middle of a snowstorm and soon after meeting with the professor while he is showing her his mechanical crow, the building partly collapses. As the professor disappears, he asks her to save Matthew. Evangeline awakens to find that Professor Ink is missing and that is where our journey begins.
The game offers three modes of play - casual, advanced, and expert. The graphics are wonderful being very crisp and colorful with wonderful artwork. The voices are quite good but with Evangeline constantly repeating the obvious some of you might find her annoying. The soundtrack is good but I had to keep the music volume low since I found it a bit intrusive at times. Quite frankly, a sound that really irritated me was the “squeaky” door hinge that almost has the same effect as running nails across a blackboard. I felt like I needed to find a can of oil somewhere.
Shortly into the game, once you repair Matthew, he becomes your “helper”. Matthew plays videos and he will help you retrieve objects that are out of reach. The steno pad on the lower left of your screen is where you access the strategy guide and the journal contains your objectives and map. The phone dial on the lower right is your hint
The iHO scenes are FROG and silhouette type where you have to find something and use it to do something else to complete the scene. The mini puzzles are fairly typical and not too difficult. If you play a lot of HOPA games, you have encountered the puzzles before and will find them familiar.
As far as the CE content goes, it is fairly standard with all the usual offerings such as wallpapers, artwork and music. There are achievements to be earned, and throughout the game we can find special collectible steambugs – 11 Hochwald steambugs, 8 castle steambugs, and 11 underground steambugs.
I happen to like steampunk type games and I find this offering from a top developer to be quite enjoyable and one of the best. As always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if you will enjoy the game as much as I do.
I recommend this game!
+50points
62of 74voted this as helpful.
 
The fate of the magical world is in your hands – free it from evil!
 
Overall rating 
Loved it!
5 / 5
64 of 68 found this review helpful
Step Through the Mirror to a World of Enchantment
PostedAugust 8, 2013
Customer avatar
biscuitsmama
fromSacramento, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor 
Excellent
5 / 5
Visual/Sound Quality 
Good
4 / 5
Level of Challenge 
Good
4 / 5
Storyline 
Excellent
5 / 5
The story begins as you are enjoying a beautiful day in the park with your parents when your mother suddenly collapses and dies. Your father leaves you to the care of your aunt who raises you, and when your aunt passes away, you receive a mysterious letter from her that leads you to return to your family home to solve the mystery of your father’s disappearance.
There is not too much to say about the technical stuff except to mention that the game did open automatically in widescreen. As another reviewer mentioned, the homepage video is so wonderful and immersive that it took a bit of willpower to actually hit the play button. Although the homepage video was in widescreen, the cutscenes in the game are in fullscreen with black bars on the side. I find this very distracting and annoying. I have no idea why the developer used this format for the cutscenes, which distracts from the overall continuity of the game. Fortunately, after each cutscene ends, the game reverts to widescreen presentation but to me it seems like sloppy programming and is why I gave the game four-stars instead of five.
The graphics in Nearwood are a delight, and I love the beautiful artwork that flows from the mind of the artist to come to life on my computer. Needless to say, Nearwood is a visual feast: a world of beauty that I will become immersed in for several hours as I move through the game. The soundtrack is lovely and adds to the overall ambience of the game.
Early in the game we are provided with a ‘fast jump” map that indicates where something is of interest or needs to be done; however, the map does take time to recharge and you cannot immediately jump to a different location. Nearwood is more of an adventure puzzle game with a few HOP scenes added to the mix. The puzzles are a bit different and none are overly difficult but you do have to think about how to solve them.
Throughout the game you will collect 111 little Snoop-See “critters” that will unlock pages in a secret encyclopedia as you progress. Aside from the Snoop-Sees, bonus chapter and SG we have very little in the way of CE content. Although there is nothing aside from the standard extras, given the beauty of Nearwood, this CE was an instant buy for me simply because I can’t wait until the SE is released.
Nearwood is a very beautiful and mystical game that, IMHO, is well worth the price of the CE. As always, please try the demo to see if this game is for you.
I recommend this game!
+60points
64of 68voted this as helpful.
 
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