I look to be entertained by a game; that playing one not feel like doing 25 push-ups all at once! This one sang I'm there for your entertainment but I played with all sounds muted as always. And, yes, I do know what I got into to......thanks to a PCC.
- Lovely, watercolour-type, brilliant graphics (not comparable to those by L.E Pant (!) games but still great) - HOGs are repeated but w/ diff. objects; crisp, easy to find w/ no sun beam or bright, flickering light to blind my eyes - Interesting way to move the story line even if it's the same 'ol vampire bit my daughter theme. What can I say? After watching the movie Hotel T, I have more empathy for vampires. Awwww.... - Puzzles are not mind-benders - Inventory is not over-loaded - Map can be used to travel (phew!) - Hint fills up fairly quickly - No illogical steps (like using fireworks to take out a brick) - The settings (colours, light) are mysterious w/o being dark and dreary....I really like this detail. - Story and locations progress well w/ not too much back and forth (there is some but not at an irritating level like some other games) - The Devs have smartly avoided trying too hard to impress w/ no morphing objects or heavy-duty vampire gore. A K.I.S.S of life game.
Cons: - Map doesn't tell you of tasks remaining; so it's up to you to recall. - Hint doesn't tell you (in words) what's next...a big let down.
All in all, this is a superb SE.
With the frequent CE releases, there's not much left to choose from unless I queue up for a month's wait to play good games.
Lycan Beast is so much more than a Beauty who's out to defeat the Beast! :) I almost didn't download this because of the several negative reviews. Boy, am I glad I played the demo because I love it! It may not be to everyone's taste but I'm all for Devs. who try new approaches to the same 'ol stuff. Whoever came up w/ the sketches and background scenes did a brilliant job of capturing imaginary worlds and giving a twist to a familiar storyline.
Please know I'm not an avid player, so excuse the lack of techie terms and/or lack of reference to any past games (in case this game has been re-hashed). I only read reviews to find out about maps, how hints work, etc, because I have a cap on bandwidth usage and not that much time to download and try.
I bought it (using a PCC) after 15 mins of demo (casual mode) because of:
- Intuitive game play - HInt tells you what/where to do/go next. Recharges quickly but I've not used it since I got the hang of how to play. - Brilliant graphics even if on the darker (night time) side - Movement through game is easy even without an interactive map (it shows areas as "Quest" = tasks remaining). - No screwdrivers, saws, crowbars, magnets kind of inventory. Sure, some elements are familiar but in a diff. way. - Inventory is never overloaded - Puzzles are not mind-benders - That feeling of exploring diff. worlds/paths that's nothing like the real one (no city streets, typ. homes, etc) - A sense of humour...just LOVE the old lady's character! Brina - lol...salty 'ol lass w/ sass, eh? - Story kept my attention w/ a sense of mystery...not at all predictable. - Graphics sort of remind me of the Drawn series (magical world even though the theme draws from real characters + elements) - Travel back and forth from areas isn't too much + I liked that I could see the scenes in detail on my way back - It's easy to start playing where I left off even after a few days (this is how I tend to play; rarely finish at one sitting)
Only cons: No custom cursor + it seems to be a bit sluggish, darker graphics + those white arrows that point you to where next. Awesome game, zero regret!
Based on playing the trial: - Great storyline, sensible dialogues (bubbles are on top w/ each character's face in a dialogue), fantastic artwork; it's like watching a movie and interacting within it. The "film grain" effect really works, very neat. -Puzzles are different; not mind-benders but enjoyable. -Interactive HOS have few new twists and when played twice, there are no repeat objects. -Instant refill for Hint button outside HOS. Doesn't tell you what to do next but points w/ arrows. -A map to jump would've been great for all the back and forth but it shows areas of interest, what to do and follows live (on the bottom RHS) as you move. -Cannot comment on sounds or voice-overs since I mute all volume while playing.
Such a different way to incorporate the same 'ol elements (screwdrivers, keys, electrical tape, pipes, etc). The Devs. seems to be able to laugh at themselves - in one scene, you need to use a firecracker for something (you'd never do this in real life) and the character exclaims "That's a bit much!" LOL! :D
I haven't played the previous one. Truly enjoyed the trial & wanted to keep playing. For me, a definite buy when it's released as a SE. Hope the file size will be smaller.
Wow - such a change from the last few games. Beautiful, stunning graphics, pretty cool concept of statues coming to life instead of the usual ghosts/ spiders/ vermin/ lost souls/ brides/ family reunions.......you get the drift! Artwork + colours are stupendous. I didn't want to stop but the demo ended w/ 24 mins left in casual mode. What I loved - - Interactive map shows where you are, where you need to go and allows direct access to any area. - Hint (little fella named Rupert) works outside HOGs + details the next step well. - HOGs were clear w/ only a few objects a bit hard to spot. But, nothing that spoiled the quality in any way. - No endless clicking or overflowing inventory. - Stunning graphics + cut scenes to hold your interest.
Ok part (may improve later in the game?) were the puzzles - one was the usual paint areas w/o touching the same colours and another to match lines by rotating rings.
I wish I could get the CE but will have to wait for SE. I could go on and on but will sum it up in one word - fabulous!
Nightmares from the Deep: The Cursed Heart Collector's Edition
(237)
Fun Factor
4/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
3/ 5
Storyline
3/ 5
The visuals, cut-scenes made the game very unique IMO. Some of the artwork is very reminiscent of the Drawn series. I agree - the flickering light in the HOS is irritating. Overall, the game kept my interest going. SE - a definite buy (wonder why it's not released even as of today?).
I almost didn't try it given the reviews about it being demonic. In comparison to some violent movies (which I think are more demonic in the ways they affect young minds), this 'scary' demon just has teeth that desperately need to see a dentist. The dentist may faint but that's about as scary as it gets. ;)
Decent game - good combo of many likeable features, good story + graphics + clear HO scenes. Don't know about voice-overs. No map, hints point/flash to the next step + recharge quickly. The low rating is for all the sand thrown in my eyes for no rhyme or reason! A can opener to cut a rainwater pipe....huh?? A pipe dream, indeed! Try that in reality and you'll need a visit to the ER. Being vague when accuracy is reqd. - how many pieces of wood need to be found? Using the hint button too often to just make sense of the next step takes the fun + challenge out and makes me lose interest. Not nitpicking - it's a game, yeah, I get artistic freedom. But, by doing this, the Devs ended up actually reducing what could have been an excellent and refreshingly different game to a below-the-par one. I truly wanted to like it and buy it but am quite discouraged with what I've played (6 mins left on trial).
As always - do try it for yourself to decide & hope this helps.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Time Management, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
4/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
5/ 5
Loved every aspect of this game! I couldn’t stop playing (CE) and ended only when bonus chapter was done. Bonus- got it at the CE BOGO today. Entire game is solid play - very interesting and challenging puzzles, HOS are interactive in a very different way, inventory is never overloaded and always connected to scenes close by, so, no unnecessary back and forth. No map but SG helped when I was absolutely stuck (which was rare). Neat combo of diff. games styles so far. If I had to nitpick a little, some HO scenes were a bit grainy. Many hours of play. Can’t say enough about how cool this game was…kudos to the developers for raising the bar. I've never played a game from start to finish in one sitting but this one kept me glued. Enjoyed it!!!
Favorite Genre(s):Word, Adventure, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
5/ 5
Level of Challenge
4/ 5
Storyline
4/ 5
I’m not an avid or serious gamer and truly enjoyed everything about this game in the trial version - a definite buy as SE. - Brilliant, crisp graphics. Lots of attention to detail – loved the cherry blossom petals strewn around; so natural. - Sensible storyline and it flows well. Dialogues are not corny. I mute all sound, so, don’t know about the music, etc. - HO scenes are interactive; objects actually match descriptions and mostly related to the theme. Very few are out of place or unrealistic. - Map is interactive; clicking on it to go directly to the location. Phew! No going back and forth incessantly or feeling lost esp. when you continue the game after a break (in my case, a few days). - Inventory is not overloaded with objects at any time; used up consistently as it flows. - Puzzles are decent, none with endless clicking for no reason - 46 morphing objects to collect on the side. - Hint (Casual mode) fills quickly, no direction as to what's next but the map makes does the rest.
All-in-all, I found it to be as good as Family Secrets.