I don’t like when people review a game based on only playing the demo……but, I really have to warn you.
What starts out as a fascinating story quickly descends into a low budget HOG. This game should never appear in Adventure games with HOS. After less than 5 minutes of an intro story and a few scenes the game quickly turns into a HO hunt. I had 3 HO scenes in a row, and I had another one in front of me but I refused to go to it instead I went hunting for something else to do instead. After the 3rd HO scene I caught myself trying to remember what the story was and what I was supposed to do!
This game had the potential to be good. I really appreciate the work that must go into making a pc game, but story writing is definitely not their forte in this game. Instead of providing us with the opportunity to find objects along our travels/investigation a HO scene is thrown in. And they are a mess. Ever remember your mother saying, “Clean up this mess you can’t find anything in here”, well there ya go.
No map, you don’t need one, music (when there is some) is rather good and appropriate. Sometimes there is no sound what so ever, what’s with that? Lots of to and fro.
If you love to hunt for HO, this is your game. If you like to think about where to go and what to do next, it’s not.
Review is based upon purchase and completion of game (getting to be rare!).
Purchased as a FB special, worth the price. There is no map, you don’t need one you work in a limited amount of scenes per chapter hence, there is very limited to and fro. There were approx. 4 chapters I believe. Graphics were ok, not great. Background scenes were done well while characters were one dimensional. There were no voice overs just bubble text. Music was non-descript. There were times I checked my volume as there was no sound at all.
I am not a fan of HOS. However, this was done rather unusual. If you like to take a break from your usual point and click I suggest you try this. Because it was done differently it was not as unpleasant for me. There is no click penalty (bonus). There is some interaction, some fragment, you can even go from a normal HOS by clicking on a pair of goggles at the top of the screen and you basically float the “puzzle” piece over an area and it will expose the HO, different and a refreshing change.
Story line is weird, (best I can use to describe it) but it moved along at a good pace. Overall, not great fanfare, but on a slow day it was entertaining and the HOS were refreshingly different. That said, I can't really recommend it...there are better games out there.
I love the complexity of large file games. I love the lack of HOG. I love to be able to explore and investigate. I also like to be able to figure out what to do on my own.
There have been other games where I have (on more than one occasion) had to refer to walkthroughs. However, this is one where the walkthrough was left open and I had to switch back and forth between the game and it via my window button. I hated doing it, but it was the only way I was going to finish this game.
I have played many a large file game, some extremely challenging; however this one particular ND seemed unplayable without the walkthrough. I don’t see how anyone could possibly find their way through the last chapter (no spoiler) on their own. It was as though the dev. didn’t want anyone to be able to complete it. I found that totally disenchanting.
I had planned to play another ND, now I’m not so sure. The last one I played was enjoyable, challenging but do able. This one was not do able on my own, I’m leary what the next one may hold.
In conclusion, I always encourage players to step out of their comfort zone and try these types of games (without HOG); however, this is definitely not one for a beginner. I am an experienced player with this genre and I found this game unplayable on my own without the assistance of a walkthrough. The play went from fun and exciting to difficult, tedious and “just get it over with”.
To the point, short and sweet: if you love HOS this is your game. No adventure game. Yes, it is true to the novel, but best to read the book. Nothing more to say, this says it all.
The voice over is the best I have ever heard in a pc game! Think Sir Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lector. I expected him to call out “Clarice” any minute! You simply must play this game with the sound on!
Very lengthy game play 6 hours (if you don’t skip puzzles). CE bonus lasted approx. 1 hour, total game play approx. 7 hours…..definitely get your monies worth here. This is definitely more of an adventure game with very few HO scenes. There is no click penalty (bonus if you don’t like HO). They are not junk pile, clear with a few IHO. The music is toned down, definitely background. Sound effects are good, sounds like your character has asthma at times. There is no map. That is the only thing that I can say is disappointing about this game. There are so many rooms and other areas to search/investigate that it would have been very beneficial to the player. There were many times that I literally got lost trying to get from one area to another by taking a wrong turn. Hence, there is considerable to and fro.
Subject matter may be disconcerting to some. Let’s just say there are some bodies, though you never see the actual act of violence and there is no blood or bruising.
It will definitely keep you on the edge of your sit. I have heard of, but never experienced a game that was reviewed as scary…….this may just be that one. You will on occasion jump. Devilishly entertaining!
Among the many categories provide us there is Adventure HOG, there should also be a category of plain HOG. These types of games should be in a category like word games, or match 3. I found no adventure in this game. There is a storyline although there is no need for one as it is all about the HOG which appear every 2-3 steps. .
There are some rather nice, if not beautiful scenes as well as dingy gloomy (for the asylum, very appropriate). The HOG scenes are full, not junk pile they are rather well done and not very difficult. There is no map; you don’t need one your limited to a small area. There is considerable to & fro. The music is appropriate, sometimes spooky. I counted two chapters of “reincarnations”. It is a very short game approximately 2 hours without skipping puzzles, which are not difficult (I played in the challenge mode).
It would be best to just call it an HOG and don’t confuse with calling it an adventure HOG. Some are looking for an adventure game, and we will put up with a few HOG scenes (only because it seems we have to).
As for recommendation, yes for HOG fans, no for adventure fans.
It is quite an original story, refreshing change from the usual ghouls, witches, vampires etc. (although I have enjoyed those as well). I had seen this game offered before but it didn’t really interest me until it was offered as a bonus purchase. Based upon the reviews it had at the time (17 five stars and 3 four stars with 100% recommending, impressive) I then decided to purchase. It appears this is one of several in a series, although it did not require playing the previous one(s) to understand what was happening.
While the scenes can be a little surprising with the visual content (no spoiler), the dev.’s have tried to balance the shock value with rather pretty details on the borders of the close-ups (when magnifier appears), and your tool “holder”. Don’t get me wrong, there is no real gore or disgusting things, just some things that made me go, “oh creepers!” And if you don’t like bugs fear not, you get pesticide!
The graphics are very good. I was immediately impressed when I could see tears in the eyes of several characters. Starts out with voice over, which disappears when the story continues. The music is subliminal and not obtrusive or annoying. There is no map or diary (miss the diary, helps to remember what you were going to do when you return from a break). There is considerable to and fro.
I played in expert mode, which has no hint button except in the HOG’s. There is no click penalty, and while they are cluttered they are not what I would call a junk pile. Items are not that difficult to find, although you always have that evasive one. At first it appears there are not many HOG’s, and then you get one after another after another, sometimes three in a row (seriously). And yes, there is a crowbar….I personally like the crowbar, I find it a very useful tool. :)
That said, this is a good game for HOG lovers, if you’re looking for straight adventure not so much. Just when your getting into the story and searching/investigating another HOG pops up, and like I said sometimes it goes on 3 times in a row. After that 3rd HOG your left wondering what was it you were supposed to do. I would rate this a 5 if it had no HOG’s, but (in my opinion) they obscure the flow of the game, I give it a 2.5
Conclusion: Good story, nice graphics, entertaining. I will recommend for fans of HOG’s for those reasons. Not recommended if you want straight adventure.
Love IT!! I have only purchase one other CE in my life. I feel that the extra cost does not justify the concept art, wall paper or music; I do not use any of those so it is a waste of money for me. I do enjoy the extra game play. But after playing the demo I just HAD to have this game NOW.
Graphics are gorgeous (you can see the whiskers on the panther!); voice overs are very well done. There is no click penalty. I am not a fan of HOG; however the way they did this may just change my mind. It is better than any other IHOG’s that I have experienced; you actually use every item that you have to find. It adds a totally different dimension to the HOG’s. I may actually change my mind about HO if all dev. would use this method. .
I have been waiting and wanting for a long time something different than the run of the mill spit ‘em out as fast as we can same ole same ole. Finally it is here! So, after 30 minutes of the demo I’m buying it! I plan to savory every gorgeous glorious moment of this game! The quality of this game does not come along very often.
Thank you BFG for finally giving us true adventure lovers an opportunity for having a non-HOG for a DD, it’s been a long time coming!
First, if you want HOG, sparkles, maps, diaries, or hints this game is NOT for you. If you like to use your imagination, be independent, solve mysteries, investigate your surroundings and not be told what to do or how to do it then this is your game.
In regards to lack of instruction, these games require you to explore. Less than 2 minutes into the game I found the right mouse button brings up your inventory as well as historical facts and information. Some you can click on and get further information, some are unresponsive. The esc button brings up your main menu to save and exit. If you get stuck on how to do something check the top of your screen when looking at inventory, they do give you some ideas.
Made by Khoeps and the Adventure Company, one of the first in the genre of true adventure games and IMHO, the best (was so sorry to learn the Adventure Company is no longer with us). I wish more dev.’s would venture into this genre, yes you do have fans/customers out there unfortunately I think we are the silent minority.
None of these types of adventure games are easy. First thing to do is find a walkthrough “just in case”. Savor the experience, explore, and investigate. Some will find this relaxing, others frustrating (if your dependent on sparkles, maps and hints). I hope you will give it a try, for $2.99 you may be surprised to find that you may actually like this type of game on occasion. Take advantage of the sale to give it a go, these types of large file games do not appear often.
The sequel to House of 1000 doors: Family Secrets. With the same familiar characters. The graphics are very good, music eerie but not annoying or obtrusive. The text is awful small. Very hard to read unless you lean into your computer.
There is a map that lets you “beam/transport” yourself to different areas, eliminates the to & fro. It also indicates if an action is available to perform. Makes it easy to find something to do if you get lost, it also is a deterrent to figuring out stuff on your own. Options for screen size and casual or advanced mode. There is no penalty click for HOG.
Having played the predecessor I was excited to see this game come out. After reviewing the demo this is a no purchase for me. The story is basically the same. There are a lot of HOG’s. I am so tired of adventure HOG. This is the second demo I played today, the other being Sprits of Mystery Song of the Phoenix CE, it cannot compare. The HOG’s there are much more interactive, not just a point and click. While I am not fond of HOG, the way they are used there may just change my mind. My money will be better spent there.