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 reviews0
Status:
Can you save your sister before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
75 of 88 found this review helpful
NEVER GET ON THE WRONG SIDE OF A WITCH
PostedJuly 10, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromI will face any challenge to save my little sister
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Midnight Calling Jeronimo is a great game and one that I happen to like. Okay, it is not for everyone but hey, I am a hopeless HOPA junkie and truly enjoy almost all of the games that come my way with only a few that I ever happen to dislike. Jeronimo is one of those games that you will either love or hate and I happen to fall into the love it group.
As the game begins Jeronimo a retired rascal and thief turned respected innkeeper is telling a story from his past to a traveler. We play the game as Jeronimo so we get to relive the tale as it is told. The tale Jeronimo relates is of a harrowing trip to the forest to find ingredients for a potion to heal his dying young sister. Of course the trip is full of danger because only the forest witch has the potion and now we must steal it. Play this fun game full of adventure and magical creatures to see if it is one you will enjoy.
The graphics are excellent but some scenes have a lot of blue. Most of the scenes though are excellent and I found the graphics to be quite crisp and clear. The game offers a custom setting with hints and skips that can be customized within a range of 10 – 90 seconds.
This is where the game will get iffy for some gamers because we do have animal helpers. I didn’t mind them because they fit well into the game's theme and they did prove useful. I found them easy to use and it only required a click or two of the mouse to get them off the interface to complete their tasks. In the CE version of the game we collect coins that can be used to purchase food items for our pets. There is an interactive map present right from the beginning of the game.
The HOPS include a variety of styles and while some items might be hard to spot because they are smallish, I had no trouble finding any of them. My least favorite style of HOP is finding items by silhouette and there are several of those but since the silhouettes are excellent they were easy to complete. The mini-games are plentiful and some are easy while some are a bit challenging. I guess the challenge level depends on how good you are at solving the minis. Some gamers will be better at them than others and I fall into the category of someone who loves the minis but sometimes finds them difficult. The ones I dislike the most are those manual dexterity ones that bore me. All in all, there is something for everyone in this game.
The CE version of the game includes finding several sets of tarot cards as well as the coins mentioned above. There are morphing objects to find and achievements to earn. The game includes a secret room that is a bonus I happen to enjoy, and then there is the store where we purchase food for our critters. The remaining extras are fairly standard with wallpapers, concept artwork, bonus chapter and the strategy guide.
As I mentioned above, this is one of those games that you will either love or hate. Over the years I have played so many HOPA games that I can’t even count them so it is no surprise to me that the stories are often carbon copies. Yes we have an evil witch to deal with but the developer has been very creative in the way the story is told. I found it entertaining and one that held my interest even though it got off to a slow start. As I played through the demo I began to enjoy the game more and by the end, I knew this is a game that would be perfect for me. As always, even though I love this game, please try the demo to see if it is a game you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
The head of the Maybard family has been murdered!
Overall rating
4
/
5
82 of 100 found this review helpful
A MURDER AND A GAME FULL OF GIMMICKS
PostedJuly 9, 2016
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Just like many others, I have been waiting for a good old-fashioned mystery but I am not sure about this one. As an investigator with special paranormal talents, you have been called to investigate the recent murder of Emmett Maybard. Not only was Emmett murdered but his sister has had an attempt on her life as well. Of course since it is a murder mystery it begins with blood spatter but fortunately it is mostly left to the imagination. As much as I love a good mystery game, IMHO, this game bogs down from the first moment when I had to use my special ability to search for clues. I absolutely hate this feature and when that was the first thing I had to do upon beginning the game, it was almost the last. Fortunately, I plodded onward and the game does become much better.
The graphics are excellent except that some of the characters seem comical, particularly the butler who sort of hops rather than walks when he answers the door. Aside from that the graphics seem excellent and crisp. The voiceovers are also extremely good. The game also offers a custom mode where the hints and skips can be set for 1 second, which I am sure will appeal to many.
You have an interactive map and then a gimmicky monocle to use that allows you to see auras. As I mentioned above, I hate this gimmick and almost didn’t continue in the game because I dislike it so much. Your other tool is an investigation kit that allows you to dust for fingerprints.
The first mini-HOP is searching for obscure clues when arriving at the Maybard Estate and I hated that particular opening scene. The next HOP was silhouette that had almost unidentifiable renderings of the objects to find. The silhouette type HOPS are my least favorite unless they are well-crafted and this one was not. Fortunately the HOPS are varied in style and some are excellent. The mini-games are very good and although most are easy there are a few that offer more challenge.
The CE version of the game is unremarkable with nothing much extra except for the replay of HOPS if you haven’t had enough of them by the time you finish the game. There are collectibles and the dreaded achievements but the remainder of the package is the standard fluff.
Cursed Cases Murder at the Maybard Estate is an excellent quality game that I am sure will appeal to many HOPA lovers but for me it felt tedious and rather boring. The use of the gimmicky monocle was an item that I believe bogged down the momentum of the game. Since I had a free game coupon I did get the game but it will probably sit in my GM until I have nothing else to play. Even though I didn’t care for the game I am sure many of you will love it and find that it is just the type of game you have been waiting to play. As always, I suggest you try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you save your uncle before it's too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
81 of 89 found this review helpful
STEP INTO A WORLD OF NIGHTMARES TO SAVE YOUR UNCLE
PostedJuly 8, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromAfter this I will be very careful about which books I choose to read!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
At last, in a departure from this developer’s worn out series it has taken a giant leap into this awesome new game The Keeper of Antiquities. I love games from this developer and have always found them to be well-crafted and long, offering great gameplay and, if you choose the CE, lots of extra goodies. The graphics are very much like those in the familiar Witches’ Legacy and Fear for Sale series where the artists are terrific at creating dark fantasy worlds.
You play the game as Alexandra who’s Uncle Paul has disappeared and you are on a mission to find him. When you arrive at your uncle’s shop you stumble upon a book and find your uncle trapped within its pages. As you work to free your uncle you discover a much deeper and sinister meaning to the mystery and the nightmarish book that soon will trap you and a friend as well. Now you must not only save your uncle but others as well as yourself.
Your tools include a terrific, interactive map that not only shows you where you have tasks to accomplish but also where you might have available extra goodies to find. Your other tool is a fire salamander that will help when a little flame is needed.
The HOPS include a lot of those familiar windowed mini-HOPS where we must find a specified number of parts scattered around the scene to complete the needed item. The full-blown HOPS are excellent but I did find some items difficult to find as the scenes were a bit dark. A great thing with the HOPS is that they are very puzzle-like and contain mini-games to find some needed items. The mini-games are excellent and some are tricky to complete. I found most of the minis quite enjoyable, but I love solving puzzles so Keeper of Antiquities is perfect for me.
The CE version of the game is chock full of extra goodies. There are puzzle pieces to find as well as different sets of collectibles and morphing objects. I had a hard time spotting some of the morps so I am thankful the map lets me know where something might have been missed in a scene. Yes, I love CEs and I admit that I am almost compulsive about finding all of the extra goodies in a game. Along with all of those extras to find we have the usual standard extras such as the bonus game and strategy guide. Keeper of Antiquities is what every developer should look at when it comes to formulating an excellent package that is CE worthy.
Congratulations to this development team for stepping outside the box and giving us an exciting new game that will keep us thinking and entertained for hours. A lot of thought and creativity has gone into Keeper of Antiquities and I am enjoying each step as I save others from an eternal nightmare. Of course the game was one that I loved, but please try the demo to see if Keeper of Antiquities is a game you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
It’s up to you to save the Swan Princess’s kingdom!
Overall rating
5
/
5
110 of 135 found this review helpful
CAN YOU FIND THE MAGIC SEED AND SAVE THE DIRE TREE
PostedJuly 7, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromUsing my detective skills to find the Magic Seed and revive the Goddess Flora so she can heal the Dire Kingdom
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
In this latest installment of the Dark Parables series you have been called in to investigate the theft of the magic seed that is the key to reviving the Goddess Flora who keeps the balance of nature. What is even worse and beyond imagination is that the suspected thief is a high-ranking member of the prestigious Swan Guard whose members are all pledged to protecting the Goddess. Travel on a journey through this magical land to meet with the princess and help her in her quest to find the missing Magic Seed.
Although the original developer of the series retains the name rights, there is nothing left of them in the recent games that have transitioned to another top BFG game developer. The graphics lack the depth and beauty of the original artistic team and now have that misty washed out appearance that is typical in games from the big E team. In many ways the graphics are comical and lackluster by comparison. Unfortunately, where the difference in style is most noticeable is in the FROG scenes that now are flat and lack the gorgeous style of the originals. I hate to say it but I struggled through the first FROG scene because most of the fragments needed were so muted that they disappeared within the scene, which is where the artistic difference is most apparent. IMHO, I believe the game deserves low five-star rating even with the change in graphics style.
With the Swan Princess and the Dire Tree being a Dark Parables game most of the HOS are the FROG type with a few traditional HOPA scenes thrown in for good measure. As I commented above the FROG scenes created by the new developer are not nearly as much fun as those in the original series. I hate to say it but the word tedious is most appropriate. For the most part the mini-games seem easy but there are a few that are more challenging.
The CE version of the game includes collectibles and morphing parable pieces to find. The collectible signs are very difficult to find but the parable pieces are a bit easier to locate. The remaining extra content is fairly standard but, at least for me, it is a decent CE package that justifies the extra cost of the game.
The CE version of the game includes collectibles and morphing parable pieces to find. The collectible signs are very difficult to find but the parable pieces are a bit easier to locate. The remaining extra content is fairly standard but, at least for me, it is a decent CE package that justifies the extra cost of the game.
Yes, the Swan Princess and the Dire Tree might not be as glorious as the original Dark Parables games but it still is a very good HOPA/FROG game. The storyline held my interest and, apart from the first tedious FROG, the gameplay was entertaining. I am an avid fan of the Dark Parables games and, even though the series is not quite the same, it retains enough of the original premise that it is one I will add to my collection. Even though I like this game, please try the demo to see if it is one that you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Dreampath: Curse of the Swamps
A mystical rain is turning everyone into frogs! It's up to you to find the cause of this wicked weather and save your loved ones.
Overall rating
5
/
5
62 of 68 found this review helpful
THE DREADED SWAMP FEVER HAS RETURNED
PostedJuly 4, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromAn absolutely terrific game that will provide hours of fun
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Leaping frogs, the whole kingdom has been over taken by an ancient disease, swamp fever, that is turning everyone into those croaky, green amphibians. The day starts out as any other except it is special because it’s Princess Daniela’s birthday. Among her gifts she finds a butterfly pendant but she is puzzled because she doesn’t know who gave her such an exquisite gift. No sooner does Daniella place the pendant on her neck than disaster strikes the kingdom as the fever begins. Just before her mother is disabled by the fever, she implores Daniela to find the healer who dwells in the swamp as he is their only hope.
The graphics are gorgeous and create a sometimes beautiful fantasy world that is bright and colorful and at other times they are dark and gloomy. There is a custom mode where the hints and skips reset 10 – 120 seconds.
Your tools include an interactive, transporter type map and a special amulet that is among your birthday gifts. There is a journal that contains notes as well as objectives.
The HOPs are very well-crafted and clever with some being different than those we normally see. There is a nice balance with 27 HOPS and 27 mini-games as you play. Some of the mini-games are different and a bit challenging at least for me because they are the toggle type where one action affects other items and I am not at all fond of those. Fortunately there are other types of mini-games so there will be something for everyone.
The HOPs are very well-crafted and clever with some being different than those we normally see. There is a nice balance with 27 HOPS and 27 mini-games as you play. Some of the mini-games are different and a bit challenging at least for me because they are the toggle type where one action affects other items and I am not at all fond of those. Fortunately there are other types of mini-games so there will be something for everyone.
I hate to admit it but I do enjoy fantasy games and this one is quite good. I love finding frogs scattered throughout the scenes then realizing that they were once human members of the realm who have been affected by the swamp fever. I guess this princess is just going to have to work quite hard not only to save the family but to restore all of the frogs to their original state and save the kingdom as well. I actually think the storyline is quite creative and the game is very well-designed. I am sure many of you will love the beautiful graphics as you move from scene to scene. By the time I finished this game, I knew it would be one of my all-time favorite games. It is a long game and has so much to do that it kept me busy and on my toes. Everything about this game is excellent. As always, I recommend that you try the demo to see if this is a game you will enjoy.
Set out across the globe to stop the end of the world!
Overall rating
5
/
5
57 of 69 found this review helpful
AN EXCELLENT HIDDEN EXPEDITION FULL OF TWISTS AND TURNS
PostedJuly 1, 2016
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Get ready for an exciting new Hidden Expedition as you discover the secret that Dr. Schumann fpomd24 years ago. As a top H.E.L.P. agent you will work with Sam to uncover the mystery of Dr. Schumann’s work. Things really get off to a bang in Midgard’s End as the bullets start flying and there is a theft at SAGA headquarters where Dr. Schumann’s daughter, Helen, is giving a lecture to a group of future H.E.L.P. agents. Trek across Europe and Scandinavia as you play this wonderful and exciting new Hidden Expedition that will at times leave you holding your breath and at others solving challenging puzzles and searching for hidden objects that will help you in your adventure.
Of course with the game coming to us from one of the best casual game developers you know the graphics, sound and other technical aspects will be top-notch. The game has a custom mode of that allows you to tinker with various options to set the gameplay just the way you want. Hints recharge in a range of 10 – 120 and mini-game skips in a range of 10 – 400 seconds.
You have an interactive map that is present at the beginning of the game. You also have the H.E.L.P. toolbox where you can find your objectives and store information.
The HOPS are excellent and at least one of them seems new in style. The HOPS are much better than in the past and I found them quite enjoyable. The mini-games are excellent and not as easy as they appear at first glance. Some of the mini-games are this devs favorites such as placing queens on a board so that they are safe from attack by other queens. I found some of the mini-games to be more difficult than usual so at least this dev has heard the call for more difficulty in their HOPA games. With great HOPS and terrific mini-games Midgard’s End is a worthy entry for the Hidden Expedition series.
IMHO, this is one of the best Hidden Expedition games and it is probably one of the best games I have played in several months. The game is exciting and gets of to a fast-paced beginning and holds the momentum as I played through the demo and beyond. After playing the game’s beta release, I have been waiting for it to hit the BFG market. I love this game and as I mentioned above think it is one of the best Hidden Expedition games ever. As always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
Haunted Legends: The Iron Mask Collector's Edition
Explore 17th-century France as you track down a masked killer.
Overall rating
5
/
5
62 of 83 found this review helpful
HAVE A SWASHBUCKLING GOOD TIME WHILE SOLVING THE MYSTERY OF THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK
PostedJune 30, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromWho doesn't dream of meeting the Musketeers and adventuring through the French Court of the Sun King
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
In this terrific new Haunted Legends game travel back to 17th century France and come face-to-face with those swashbuckling Musketeers and a host of other characters in the court of Louis XIV. You play the game as an agent of the secret service whom the Cardinal Richelieu has personally called upon to solve the recent murders where the victims all received the same letter accusing them of treason against the King and France. The Cardinal recently received the same letter and now that he is personally a target, it is more important than ever that the “Man in the Iron Mask” is apprehended.
What would a Haunted Legends game be without that signature mischievous little dwarf? Yes he is back and after a recent game that told his story, I have a bit more tolerance for his antics and troublemaking. The question is why is he so involved in chasing down the murderer? You can bet that Vox will be causing trouble and trying to thwart you at every turn. For good measure, throw in the attitudinal cat that is showing up in many recent games from this developer and we have a winner. Although I am not a “cat” person I can’t help but love this imperious and scruffy cat when he shows up in a game.
I am not going to detail all the HOPs and mini-games since most of them are fairly much the same as those we normally see in this type of game. I will comment that in this particular game they are excellent and well-designed. The mini-games have a bit more challenge than usual and even if they are not over-the-top difficult, I found them a lot of fun. Both the mini-games and HOPs fit well with the storyline and made the game better with all that I encountered in my adventure.
IMHO, the CE version of the game offers a decent extras package and it is one that might just entice you to spring for the CE rather than wait for the SE to be released. There are collectibles, achievements, a bonus chapter, strategy guide, replay of HOPs and mini-games, concept art, movies, music, concept art and wallpapers.
Haunted Legends Man in the Iron Mask is, at least for me, one of the best in the series. I have always loved the Haunted Legends games and even that little troublesome dwarf doesn’t keep me away from adding each new game in the series to my collection. This game has an engrossing storyline and I was so intrigued by the tangled web that I just had to keep going and find out what ultimately happens to solve the mystery of that “masked man.” The game has those excellent hand-drawn graphics that make this developer’s games memorable. The bunny team has always been at the top of my list for developers who provide top-notch games and I am happy to see that they are beginning to take a step up to what once made them the premier developer of casual games. You probably already have guessed that I love this game but, as always, please try the demo to see if it is a game you will enjoy as well.
Haunted Legends Man in the Iron Mask is, at least for me, one of the best in the series. I have always loved the Haunted Legends games and even that little troublesome dwarf doesn’t keep me away from adding each new game in the series to my collection. This game has an engrossing storyline and I was so intrigued by the tangled web that I just had to keep going and find out what ultimately happens to solve the mystery of that “masked man.” The game has those excellent hand-drawn graphics that make this developer’s games memorable. The bunny team has always been at the top of my list for developers who provide top-notch games and I am happy to see that they are beginning to take a step up to what once made them the premier developer of casual games. You probably already have guessed that I love this game but, as always, please try the demo to see if it is a game you will enjoy as well.
I recommend this game!
A magical egg is about to turn one girl's world upside-down.
Overall rating
5
/
5
94 of 102 found this review helpful
FIND OUT THE MYSTERY BEHIND THE MARK OF THE FIREBIRD
PostedJune 28, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromTraveling through the Fertile Lands with Uncle Colin in search of answers
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
You play the game as Alice, a young girl living an idyllic life with her father. All that changes quickly after you find a chest with a special egg that hatches into a firebird as soon as you touch it leaving you branded with a special mark on your arm. Not long after, your father is killed and you must find your only living relative, your uncle Colin. Together you and Colin set out on an adventure that will save you from dark forces.
IMHO, the graphics are excellent and include wonderful hand drawn scenes but some of them do seem a bit misty. I am guessing that this was done intentionally but the game’s dev to create a certain feel to the game and storyline. Your tools include an interactive, transporter type map. I happen to love games from this dev who also brought us the wonderful New York Mysteries and Lost Lands series.
The game has more puzzles than HOPS however; the HOPs are very puzzle like as well. The HOPS are interactive and items are found by silhouette during the demo. The HOPS are very well-crafted and integrate seamlessly into the gameplay so that one doesn’t get the feeling of stopping to find an item in a HOP and then continue on with the story. The puzzles or mini-games are quite good and even though none are really new I happen to like them and found them excellent. Some of the mini-games are a step up in challenge from those we generally see but none are over-the-top so difficult that they are frustrating.
This excellent Tuesday surprise CE game includes a plethora of collectibles that include 6 different sets of items to be collected – eggs, feathers, fish, bees, hour glasses, and skulls. If that isn’t enough, we will also find capsules throughout the game that provide information about the fertile lands. Top it all off with morphing objects and this game is a veritable treasure chest of extras to keep us occupied. The remaining CE contents is fairly standard with achievements, bonus game, strategy guide, wallpapers, concept art, videos, music, bonus puzzles, replay of mini-games and HOPs.
I love the storyline and the gameplay so I am giving the game 5 stars even though the graphics have a bit of mistiness. Given the HOPS and mini-games, and based on my previous experience with games from this dev, I have no doubt that Darkness and Flame Born of Fire will provide hours of entertainment and challenge. Even though I love this game, please try the demo to see if it is a game you will enjoy.
Can you stop a vengeful spirit before it's too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
43 of 58 found this review helpful
FLORRY IS CERTAINLY NOT A HAPPY SPIRIT
PostedJune 25, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromTrying my hand at mixology to keep my helper happy!!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Parapsychologist Brenda Gale is on the job once again after being called by retired Inspector Bolton who is now the owner of a pub inhabited by an unhappy spirit. Although Bob knew the pub was haunted, its resident ghost has always been peaceful until recently. Something changed and now Florry is on a rampage and Bob has lost almost all of his customers.
The graphics are beautiful and hand drawn but the voice overs are a bit iffy with some very American accents for a game that takes place in England. What I absolutely hate about this game is the very clunky user interface area that has ghostly hands and a blue vapor that surrounds the inventory. The interface seemed quite unfriendly and at times non-responsive as well as overly large and, as a result, quite annoying. If the game had not intrigued me I would have skipped this one simply because of the clunky interface. There is a custom mode of gameplay but it seems rather pointless because there are not many options available to “customize”.
Your tools include an interactive map and there is a journal of sorts where information is stored. Well in a change from animal helpers we now have a ghost who is somewhat of a boozer and at times hysterically funny. As one would expect, we will periodically need to ply him with various “spirits” before he will help.
The HOPS are very creative and well designed. Although the HOPS are nothing new they are quite clever and some require several steps in order to receive the item you will need to progress in the game. The puzzles are excellent and a bit different than those we normally see. I particularly enjoyed the one where we needed to purchase a bus ticket. Some puzzles are tricky but not so challenging that they proved frustrating. What I look for in puzzles is entertainment value rather than-over-the top challenge that drives me crazy.
The CE version of the game has collectibles to find and if you play the demo you will notice the “trick” to locating them. The remainder of the package is the standard fluff with nothing exceptional added. If you are new to playing HOPA games then the CE is always a good value because of the in-game strategy guide. I mostly opt for the CE version of a game because I am such a HOPA addict that I hate to wait for a month until the SE is released.
Aside from the very unfriendly user interface area I love the game. The storyline is excellent as we bring peace to this particular unhappy spirit. The HOPS and puzzles are what make the game quite fun and entertaining – at least for me. Although some think the game is short, it really depends on how fast you play. I tend to play slowly and take the time to gawk at all the scenery and special effects, which are wonderful in Spirit of Revenge Florry’s Well. Even though I love this game, please try the demo to see if it is a game you will enjoy.
I recommend this game!
Who broke the agreement between good and evil?
Overall rating
5
/
5
94 of 129 found this review helpful
ENCOUNTER SOME INFAMOUS CHARACTERS IN THIS NEW SERIES
PostedJune 23, 2016
biscuitsmama
fromI wonder if it will take 80 Days to complete this game!
Skill Level:Expert
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
From the most awesome development team associated with BFG there is finally a new series. YES, I know you can’t believe it either but after endless sequels we have a team who is firmly grasping the reins to create an incredible new game - Vermillion Watch: Moorgate Accord. Take a step back to late Victorian England in this fascinating steampunk game where you will meet some famous characters from literature. The year is 1895 and your uncle as been killed by a grotesque monster that might just be the renowned criminal Mr. Hyde. When you meet one of your uncle’s associates – Phileas Fogg, he wonders if possibly Dr. Hyde might somehow have survived the execution of Dr. Jekyll some 20 years earlier. As you talk with Phileas you learn about the Moorgate Accord and your uncle’s role in the organization. Could it be that the mantle has now fallen on your shoulders and you must now follow your uncle as a member of the Vermillion Watch?
Vermillion Watch has the excellent graphics this team is known for creating in their games. Sometimes a big dark but at other times with the richness associated with Victorian England. The game offers all of the technical quality I have come to expect from this development team. The voiceovers are excellent and do justice to the game’s locale. The game does offer the custom mode so you can set the gameplay to your specification.
The HOPS are very creative with some being multi-tiered. Although the HOPS are well-designed, there isn’t really anything new. I know that most of us who have been playing HOPA games for a very long time, seem to want something new and different all of the time but, realistically, there isn’t much that hasn’t been done in the past. The best part is that each developer puts their own spin on the scenes so some are much better than others in this particular genre. Yes, the HOPS do contain those oftentimes elusive morphing objects so keep your eyes open. The mini-games are standard with some being a bit tricky. Once again, there is nothing new or earth shaking but they fun with a touch of challenge.
The CE content is excellent considering that the original CEs only contained the extra Strategy Guide and a bonus chapter. In this game we have collectibles, morphing objects, achievements, replay of HOPS and puzzles, music, videos, wallpapers, concept artwork, and a Souvenir Room. All in all this is quite a good CE value.
The storyline is interesting but the game does get off to a slow start. At least we have a different type of storyline and some very interesting characters for a change from the evil witches bent on reincarnating and taking over the world. The game is one that I find intriguing and enjoyable without all of the violence in some recent games. Some of the scenes are a bit grubby and dark but those are offset by others depicting the richness of Victorian England. Even though Vermillion Watch is a game I love, as always, I recommend that you at least try the demo to see if this is a game you will like.
I recommend this game!