All story characters appear in different stories so the extras are worth it. The last one leaves abrupt, I can only presume there will be a sequel to this.
Most of these hidden object games are in the 3._ range. Word was this casual gaming genre came to its end. But this one was well worth it. It's like playing your detective television shows.
Not sure if this was released in March of last year and I'm not going use the word "feminist", but this Women's Rights movement makes this a very supportive game. The suspense starts from the beginning and is a series of supportive and strong ladies. The end shows strong women and a theme of showing what women fight for.
The collector's edition bonus story introduces a new woman and reunited with one from the first adventure.
I don't play every adventure here, but what inspired me to write this is that this adventure is so complete that it's integrity matches that of Dark Parables Snow Queen: https://www.bigfishgames.com/us/en/games/6894/dark-parables-rise-of-the-snow-queen/?pc&lang=en Nothing I've played since has had this level of quality. I've seen reviews about COVID was the cause of churning out these hidden object adventures at a mundane repetitive rate, but this is not true with this one. I can see why this won a Big Fish 2023 Hall of Fame award and well deserved.
This indicates there is much to do: besides the regular time management gameplay, which advances the story line, there are side quests
pet purchases, caring for them, and upgrading their room, and many bonus levels where you can earn extra diamonds to make those purchases.
This is the first game where choices are made, and they are made by multiple characters. In some stages, you play as a difference character than before.
There are awards, and in order to get all of them, you must make all the right decisions.
This series, spiraling from the Delicious Emily games, is the most advanced to date.
This won't last an evening. You have to rest your brain throughout level, in order to think clearly. Once you master the single element levels, you have to work through mixed levels, which contain all the elements in one level. I got stuck to the point where I even needed to watch videos in order to pass the final levels. You will get your money's worth, as far as time is concerned, so you won't have to purchase another game right away.
The main story has a sad ending, but it's bonus makes the world a happier place. I could never buy the standard edition. This is actually a tournament that's fresh and innovative from the other game challenge stories, which have been rehashed.
Reviews are similar to me: hard fragment object scenes with tiny fragments. But the sound, story, and graphics make up for that! Reminds me of Clive Barker's "Undying": http://clivebarker.info/undying.html You visit the same part of the mansion many times in order to get to another part of it. There are many more scenes than in even a collector's edition! Took me a long time to complete it. A standard edition doesn't mean it's short. Inventory reminds me of Twilight Phenomena: https://www.bigfishgames.com/games/7388/twilight-phenomena-the-lodgers-of-house-13-ce/?mac There are fragmented object scenes, but most inventory are keys used to unlock another place... meaning you don't have multiple items in your inventory. The mapped layout is incredible. There is also some arcade action in battling the ghosts. It's not a game for those who like "relaxed modes", but it is a thriller.
WARNING: This Big Fish user reported the game in order for Big Fish to announce warnings on it. In this Big Fish user's mind: adventure contains profanity (which is spoken dialogue), blood to the level of "light gore". disturbing themes with images that go along with them, unethical behavior, if acted on in real life. Content Rating: MATURE
As some have reviewed, there is no story or goal to this solitaire. It's just showcasing scenes from Edgar Allen Poe. By all means, if you want stories regarding Poe, focus on the Dark Tales series, https://www.bigfishgames.com/games/search/?search=poe&type=mac . Other than that, the art and music are great, it's just that there's no story.
Perhaps it's the "Beauty and the Beast" them that contributes to its popularity, but this Collector's Edition should be bought for the bonus story... things come full circle. A standard edition shouldn't be released because of that alone.