sfr8rfan's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.4
- Helpful Votes:5,257
- Reviews Submitted:171
- First Review:July 20, 2012
- Most Recent Review:March 25, 2023
- Featured reviews0
Status:
The lighthouse fails and darkness invades Willow Ridge. Your husband runs into the forest for answers, unaware of the shadow hunting him.
Overall rating
5
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
Gold Medal Game
PostedMay 16, 2013
sfr8rfan
fromWalnut Creek, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Speaking of gold metal medals....if you like achievements as a measure of how you play, you'll love this: this game has three levels of achievement: gold, silver and bronze, each with 10 different accomplishments. This is not central to the progress of the game on its own, but it does give you something to work toward and is a measure of how you're doing in general.
For those who are concerned that my PERFECT score of this game belies a reviewer who loves everything, my average score is 3.9. So, while generally positive, not everything is a slam dunk for me. What is a slam dunk about this game?
a) Fun factor: there are so many different levels on which the game is played, so many little facets of the game, each of which contributes to the whole, that this game either rises or falls on these facets. And the facets are all Diamond. Because of the challenge, because of the beauty of the visual graphics (what I call "set design,") because of the basic but well-explored storyline, this game is uber-fun.
b) Visual/Sound Quality: honestly, each of the last several games I've reviewed I've referred to the exceptional visual quality. I think we're seeing a new standard of acceptable performance when it comes to visuals. This game is many cuts above the average. Many good games are, recently. This game is special, I think. The graphics-set design is spectacular. Characters and objects are drawn with such a level of visual acuity as to make this game seem much more live-action flick than animation.
The sound is good, but I don't think it's generations ahead of other good games and I don't consider it a central aspect of the game. One aspect that could be improved upon to make the sound devices as good as the rest of the game: the cut scene monologues are trying to match up lip movement with the words you hear (and read below) and this misses pretty dramatically. In the next version/upgrade of the game they could improve this. While it doesn't detract from the game, it would add to the game if it were done well. This isn't a big complaint: in a game that's nearly perfect, this is how you go from 9.95 to 10.0.
c) Level of Challenge: Here's where I include puzzles and HOGs and the general difficulty of playing, Mind you, hard to play, if high quality=good to me. Hard to play because the graphics suck or the progress makes no sense isn't quality. That's a game that's hard to play because it's poorly designed. This is not that. This game is hard. It's not a walk in the park. BUT I promise, you WILL enjoy the difficulty. You will be tested but you'll feel like you've accomplished something special when you've succeeded. The HOGs are puzzle-like: you don't just find things. You may find things and need to place them in appropriate places so they can be used later on. You may enter what you THINK is a cut-scene, only to find it's actually an HOG...but the most creative and different HOG you've ever played. Here's an example: One game begins as a cut scene, telling background on why we are where we are....and then the story turns into an HOG where you need to find missing objects that complete the "story boards" visually, which tell the story. There are many different types of HOGs and you're going to have a lot of fun discovering them.
The puzzles are the most creative I have ever seen. And what I especially love is that they aren't just good, but, it's not the same thing over and over. Like any great chef does, you leave wanting more. You're satisfied, but you want the next Rite of Passage game ASAP. Well, I know I do.
Level of Challenge/just playing the game: It's not hard for the sake of being hard. There's a purpose to every test and they're not all easy. Sure, there's some "clicking around" trying to find something, but, mainly, you're trying to accomplish things and you have to work for em.
Storyline: It's a simple, straightforward storyline and, as every good game does, all the aspects of the game contribute toward reaching your final goal.
I know I haven't given you many specifics. That's on purpose. I don't think the TOPIC is so important to be kept secret, but you need to wait for the different games/challenges until you play the game. I'm not going to ruin the surprises...and there are surprises aplenty.
Is there anything I'd like to improve? Nearly every game is from the perspective of a woman. I'm tired of that and think the developers should figure out a way to make the perspective choose-able.
I HIGHLY recommend this game. If you don't like it, you're looking for a wholly different type of game OR you're an HOS only player...all of which is fine. But, trust me, please. This game is exceptional.
I recommend this game!
Olivia has been kidnapped by the mysterious Lonely Hearts Killer who murders those suffering from a shattered love. Save her!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
So Much Good, So Much Bad
PostedMay 7, 2013
sfr8rfan
fromWalnut Creek, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
First, I played the demo and enjoyed it so much I purchased the full version. What excited me about the demo continued to as I played on: I have NEVER seen a game with better artwork and better voice overs. It is exceptional and nothing can take away from that.
Having said that, I'll mention a line from the script: the main character said "another locked door, another key to find." Well, if that ain't the truth. The whole game seemed to revolve around finding a lost key in order to open a door. Too much of that.
Fun Factor: Because of the above, the game went from being fun to being very repetitive and it lost the fun factor for me.
Visual/Sound Quality: Again, I think it's the best I've ever seen. Nothing compares to it. Congratulations to the artists. I do not regret buying this game because I so enjoyed the artistry. If the visual and sound quality had been less I'd have stopped playing the game.
Level of Challenge: There was a mixed bag. While the puzzles were as easy as they could possibly have been the HOS were much more difficult. One complaint about the HOG: I thought the items were SO SMALL that it wasn't a challenge to identify so much as it was to see the item. Also, this is one case where I though the visuals suffered: they seemed monochromatic.
Storyline: The storyline was superb and the game supported the story line.
Because of the overall visual superiority of this game, I'll recommend it.
I recommend this game!
When a young woman is found comatose by the side of the road with a bloody knife beside her, it's up to you to unravel her story!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
You can make this noise: Clap your hands! It's GOOD!!!
PostedMay 1, 2013
sfr8rfan
fromWalnut Creek, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I enjoyed this a lot. If you've read my reviews before you know I like scary entries. This is not scary, it's mysterious and deep. It's a multi-layered, serious storyline about a girl suffering from a breakdown complicated by a dual personality.
Fun Factor: There is a bit of back and forth but I don't find it a distraction or an annoyance. This game is not just fun, it's interesting. I wanted to continue and didn't want to take breaks from playing.
Visual/Sound quality: The "set design" is beautiful. There is one scene featuring af moored boat. From the deck you can see sea water smashing against the hull. I watched it for over a minute, just taking in the stunning visuals and thinking that it must have taken a ton of effort to make this so beautiful. The whole game is like this. As for the sound...well, it's not standing out in my mind. It's not irritating. I didn't turn the volume down as sometimes I do if there is a repetitive annoying track. So, sound is a push: not great, not bad.
Level of Challenge: While I'm not using the strategy guide, I am using the hint button (which doesn't take long to recharge). I think the game is challenging. The puzzles in the game are great and different from the usual. They are not overly difficult but they also don't insult your intelligence. You have to work to complete them and there's a lot of satisfaction doing it. The HOG scenes: I don't like a lot of HOG and there aren't too many in this. It's a good mix of regular action, puzzles and HOGs. The HOGs also take some work. They aren't jumbled messes. The descriptions are apt.
Storyline: Our goal is to save a girl who's mental problems are affecting her physical well-being psychosomatically. We are the eyes and ears and hands of a psychic who's trying to delve into the mind of the afflicted girl. Another character is the narrator who guides the theme by letting us know what the psychic is trying to do. Finally, there are cut scenes from a hospital where the nurse in charge lets us know what physical maladies are putting the girl in imminent danger of death at any given time.
I WISH I HAD PURCHASED THE CE SO I HAD AT LEAST ONE MORE CHAPTER TO PLAY. I haven't played other entries from Surface yet (I don't think) so I can't compare. I will be playing one shortly. If it's even close to The Noise She Couldn't Make I'll be happy!
I don'f think you could possibly be disappointed with this. I strongly recommend buying it. The way BFG is working these days, I'm sure the CE will be on sale soon, so unless you have to get a game NOW, I'd probably wait for the inevitable sale price. BUT, if you're jonesing for something that is a slam-dunk winner, go ahead and get it now. And get the CE. I only bought the regular edition because I had an expiring coupon and didn't want to waste it.
I recommend this game!
A murderous figure in a red mask haunts the streets of a small French town, and the mayor needs your help to track him down. But you soon discover that the mysterious Red Masque might not be the real criminal…
Overall rating
3
/
5
30 of 37 found this review helpful
At Least it's Better than the Gold Bug
PostedApril 26, 2013
sfr8rfan
fromWalnut Creek, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
I was really looking forward to this...but I often am thinking something's coming that's gonna be great. This is a great game for many people. It's just not great for me. The problem is that I do like dark, scary games rather than lighter games. Despite this, there are parts of this game which were fun for me and i will certainly recommend it: just because I don't like something doesn't mean that others won't.
So here's the skinny on the game:
a. If you enjoy HOG you will enjoy this. And if you like variety in the type of HOG you will especially enjoy this. There is the standard HOG where you find the described item and then the type where you find and item based on the silhouette you're shown. This game has both. The HOGs are well constructed and clear, but they are not EASY like many. They aren't the most difficult but you have to work to find the item. The items are properly named.
b. Puzzles: The puzzles were not at all puzzling. These require no imagination to solve and that's fair because they required absolutely no imagination for the designers to create. There are a couple of times you have to "assemble" something and this takes only a small modicum of ability. It's really a matter of paying attention more than anything else.
c. Collectibles: There were no collectibles, per se. There is an accomplishment which consists of taking pictures of every scene, every person, etc. The only challenge associated with this is remembering to do it. It has nothing to do with the storyline, it doesn't further the story and I'm not quite sure why it's even part of the game.
d. Achievements: There is an achievements section (even though you won't immediately be aware that it exists, it does). Just by completing the game you'll "achieve." There's nothing special about this though.
e. Music: I thought the music throughout the story was great. It wasn't scary, but the story wasn't scary.
f. VOs: The actors providing the voice overs did a good job and they have appropriate and distinct voices.
I bought the CE version. There is a value to it: the strategy guide. It's not integrated but it's easy to use and I found it very necessary. I don't typically follow the path the designers had in mind. Not on purpose...it's just i really try to complete the game myself and sometimes I end up in a pretty circuitous adventure. There is a LOT of back and forth in the game and without the SG I'd have been completely lost. I do wish it were integrated.
So there it is. If you like basic HOGs you will like this. It's well done and it's pleasant. You will enjoy it. If you prefer adventure and like a "scary" motif, you will not think this is the greatest. In either case you will NOT DISLIKE IT. It's a very OK game which I recommend.
I recommend this game!
Atlantis: Pearls of the Deep
Find all of the Power Crystals and save the people of Atlantis in this innovative physics-based marble dropper!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
This was fun....for a while
PostedApril 23, 2013
sfr8rfan
fromWalnut Creek, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I'm not sure how I happened to buy this...but after playing the one hour of demo time I HAD TO HAVE IT.
It's not a hidden object game, not adventure, not puzzle, but I really had fun. It's just a number of different exercises trying to eliminate "pearls" or marbles from the screen. It's a mix between target practice and a pinball game.
The background music is soothing. The game is relaxing. It's crazy fun! Certainly atypical for me but I strongly recommend it. You can't not have a good time.
NOW, I'm ready to go back to adventure/puzzle/hidden object. This was the break I needed.
Push your detective skills to the limit in a fantastical faraway land and find a prince's lost love.
Overall rating
2
/
5
2 of 3 found this review helpful
This Slipper Doesn't Fit Me.
PostedApril 23, 2013
sfr8rfan
fromWalnut Creek, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
Just because I didn't like this game, it doesn't mean you won't. This is a gentle game and the "bad guys" aren't scary at all. Your mode of transport is a UNICORN. That should tell you what you need to know.
Here is the lowdown on the technical features of the game:
a. The Voice Overs are OK.
b. The cinematography and "set design," as I like to call it, were more than OK. Some would say it's beautiful: Bright and clear, inviting and enjoyable to look at.
c. Puzzle not challenging.
d. HOGs were easy (too easy for them to be considered challenging). They were very clear and do have a twist: you are given a selection of items and need to place them where they belong in the scene. Other takes on this style show silhouettes and you must find the item and then use it to help find the next item. This is not even that difficult. You are given an actual picture of the item, and only need to place it. It isn't required in order to progress to the next step.
e. To Do's/accomplishments: The accomplishment is to take a picture of some of the exotic "fairy-tale" creatures you encounter. It's not much of a challenge: your cursor changes to a camera when you're supposed to take a picture. Once you've accomplished this you're done. There's nothing else to it. And, if you miss your chance, you can't go back.
f. There are no achievements, something I always enjoy, like, not skipping a puzzle, or finding three items in three seconds. Of course that's not possible with the style of HOG in this game. That brings up another point: while the difference is enjoyable, its too much of a good thing. Maybe a few of this new style of HOG would be good, interspersed with the old, more familiar style. This is ALL of the one, new type and it gets old quickly.
a. The Voice Overs are OK.
b. The cinematography and "set design," as I like to call it, were more than OK. Some would say it's beautiful: Bright and clear, inviting and enjoyable to look at.
c. Puzzle not challenging.
d. HOGs were easy (too easy for them to be considered challenging). They were very clear and do have a twist: you are given a selection of items and need to place them where they belong in the scene. Other takes on this style show silhouettes and you must find the item and then use it to help find the next item. This is not even that difficult. You are given an actual picture of the item, and only need to place it. It isn't required in order to progress to the next step.
e. To Do's/accomplishments: The accomplishment is to take a picture of some of the exotic "fairy-tale" creatures you encounter. It's not much of a challenge: your cursor changes to a camera when you're supposed to take a picture. Once you've accomplished this you're done. There's nothing else to it. And, if you miss your chance, you can't go back.
f. There are no achievements, something I always enjoy, like, not skipping a puzzle, or finding three items in three seconds. Of course that's not possible with the style of HOG in this game. That brings up another point: while the difference is enjoyable, its too much of a good thing. Maybe a few of this new style of HOG would be good, interspersed with the old, more familiar style. This is ALL of the one, new type and it gets old quickly.
There was not sense of urgency, nor any sense of accomplishment. I played a CE and the difference, from what I can tell, is a bonus chapter along with the typical wallpapers, etc.
AGAIN, MANY WILL LOVE THIS GAME as attested to by the very high ratings for it. I didn't want you to discount my review as biased because I think I have made fair and objective points about the standard parts of the game. Consequently, I will say only now that YES, I prefer darker, scarier, entries in the HO, Adventure, Puzzle world of gameplay and this isn't that. As another reviewer put it, "this is about a damsel in distress." That's just not my thing.
I can't recommend this. Not because it's not "my thing," but because it really presents no challenge. It's not a stretch. And, yeah, it's unicorns and puppy dogs and it's a Julie Andrews' song.
I don't recommend this game.
Be the detective: Catch the killer in the present and the past!
Overall rating
4
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
You WANT to get caught!!
PostedApril 22, 2013
sfr8rfan
fromWalnut Creek, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
When I played Catch Me When You Can it was a revelation. It was the first, and to date, only game I've played which incorporated two different time lines, and, in what I consider a bonus, two different cities, with remarkable parallels drawn between the two.
Half the game was played in London of the late 19th century and half in present-day Chicago. The protagonist, Angelica Weaver is able to "mind-port" from one time and place to the other.
One of the things I most liked about this game was the presence of Angelica Weaver herself. Rather than a game where you get to pretend to be the detective, this game features a detective. This may not be rocket science, but I also really like that Angelica had a very discernible midwest accent. It added to the feel of the story.
OK: it's not believable, but it's fun. Where time travel is involved you kinda know that you're in a total fantasy. This was treated as realistically as possible. As a result, the game is believable and so, the story line is SUPERB: especially as it juggles the different time and place settings. I don't want to ruin the story so I'll just say what becomes obvious early on: there's a killer who has plied his trade in both times and places. OR, is it a copycat???? The game faithfully follows the storyline.
The game features HOGs, Puzzles and something I can only describe as "challenges," adventures that are not puzzles but require accomplishment. Already this game is better than most because of the breadth and depth of challenge. One particular challenge took me at least 30 minutes to accomplish. DON'T LET THAT DISSUADE YOU: I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. Yeah, it was hard. Yeah, it was frustrating. The longer I tried to "do it" the more resolute I was to do it. I don't regret a minute spent on it. So, the HOGs were as good as, if not better than others which I've seen. The puzzles were better than most I've played. The "Other" category is something I've never seen before and it is special.
Finally, in the "to do" category, there are "collectibles." Not unlike others you've seen before, but, really well done.
As for the "feel" of the game: the "set design" as I like to call it, was superb. I felt like I was in a Chicago neighborhood and I felt like I was in last-century London. Every aspect of the game supported it. As a testament to how great the game is, the puzzles were "time-space" appropriate: you had to do things and solve puzzles which made sense for the era you were in at the time.
I'm finding it's hard to do this review without revealing anything....so this seems a little spacey, I know...but the game is SO FUN and SO EXCITING that I don't want to take away a minute of the pleasure. Sorry. JUST TRUST ME. YOU WANT THIS GAME. Having bought the CE, I can't tell you if it's "worth it." I always prefer to get a CE, though I think the extra cost is ridiculous for music, screensavers, etc. At least there is a bonus chapter here. It's not long. It's a surprise. I don't know if it really adds to the game.
The only negative I can say about this is that I had multiple hiccoughs and had to uninstall and reinstall about 10 times before I was able to get through the whole game. I'm still not sure if it was my computer or a glitch in the game. After about 3 re-installs I was informed that the file had been corrupted and I had to start at the very beginning again. Usually I'd have just chucked it, complained to BFG and moved on. This was different. The quality of the game itself was so high that I couldn't just "move on." I kept hoping it would finally work and it finally did and boy was I happy.
Other games have come along that I like and love...but this one will always stand out, especially because of the first person narrative of the the protagonist. Without reservation I urge you to get it. You will have loads of fun.
I WANT TO GIVE THIS A 5 BUT I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN DOING THAT TOO MUCH LATELY. BUT JUST BETWEEN YOU AND ME....IT'S A 5 STAR GAME.
I recommend this game!
Someone in the Order has turned traitor, murdering one of the Secret Five! Only Sarah can prevent the Order’s destruction!
Overall rating
5
/
5
45 of 53 found this review helpful
BRILLIANT
PostedApril 22, 2013
sfr8rfan
fromWalnut Creek, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
If you're tired of the same ol' stuff and want something that is truly state of the art, this is it. I'm in the midst of playing The Gold Bug Collection and couldn't do it for one more minute. I needed something that would stretch my imagination. How lucky I found this.
This is an adventure game, first and foremost. The story line is spooky and the elements of the game support this: The Music alone keeps you on the edge of your seat; the lighting/set direction is done by a master of his art as the feel of the game is scary and finger-nail-biting good. The voice-overs are done by excellent voice actors who are are REALLY acting.
I think the games are well constructed and a challenge. They are essential to the progress of the story, moving it forward, as opposed to being time-wasters.
You've not played anything like this so it's very hard to compare it to another game. Please suffice it to say that I was hooked in the first 10 minutes. First it was the quality of the game, as I described above, that got me. Then it was the story line that took over. This game bombards your senses and I strongly urge you to treat yourself to, what I hope is, the start of a new generation of Hidden Object/Puzzle/Adventure game.
I recommend this game!
When the entire audience disappears from a film screening at an old theater, you must go behind the scenes to find out who is running the mysterious Nightmare Cinema.
Overall rating
5
/
5
4 of 6 found this review helpful
Well-conceived. Brilliantly executed.
PostedApril 17, 2013
sfr8rfan
fromWalnut Creek, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Time Management, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I look at my past reviews and see this trend toward hyperbole. "Greatest," "Best I've played," Unsurpassed." I think I've run out of words, because I'd like to employ one now and I can't think of anything new.
There's nothing about Nightmare Cinema which is OLD FASHIONED. Still, it reminds me of why I got excited about hidden object/adventure/puzzle games to begin with.
What of the game?
What you'll notice first is that it's visually stunning. Clearly, a lot of effort went into making this game a cut above. I think it's artistic.
It's a great blend of adventure and hidden object: The items you'll find in the HOG propel the adventure forward. The HOGs are interesting without being overwhelming. They are fun and not tedious AND there is not one after another. The spacing between HOGs is good. The adventure is exciting. If there's anything which is at all lacking, it's the complexity of the puzzles. They are not particularly exciting and they are not compelling. They don't detract from the overall quality of the game, but they don't add much either. I'd have preferred a little more thought gone into this aspect of the game.
If you like "achievements" and "collectibles" this game has you covered there as well...and not in a small way: there are roughly 10 sets of 5 items each to be collected. And as if that weren't enough...there are also morphing items (66 of them, I think) scattered throughout the game.
Overview: there is nothing about this game I didn't like. And I heartily recommend its purchase. You'll have a LOT of fun.
I recommend this game!
Dreamscapes: The Sandman
Be the one to save Laura from her nightmares
Overall rating
2
/
5
17 of 21 found this review helpful
I Couldn't Wait for this to End
PostedApril 10, 2013
sfr8rfan
fromWalnut Creek, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I complained about the reviewers of Theater of the Absurd because I thought they "drank the Kool-aid" and jumped on a negative bandwagon and went waaay too far in their criticism. I'm afraid I feel the same way about the critiques of this game by reviewers who, once again, "drank the Kool-aid."
I have seldom anticipated a game so much....I couldn't wait to get started. This was gonna be a NEW TYPE OF HOG: NO HOGs, a perfect blending of adventure with HOG I believe one reviewer called it. So I did not walk, I RAN to get this game installed on my computer.
It IS LAME. I gave the storyline a 4 (good) because it was faithful to the storyline and everything about the progression of the game was geared toward the storyline. I will say this, there were no wasted actions (after the biggest waste of all, just buying the game).
The fun factor was poor: it was so simple and so uneventful I can't imagine a 10 year old finding it fun. The designers tried to manufacture excitement: "Gee this is scary, I hope someone doesn't attack me," was one of the lines. Well, if it's scary, you don't need to put the words in my mouth, I'll figure it out. They had to do this though, to create a mystique of excitement and creepiness and scariness that wasn't there.
The visual quality was great, I will give it that. The colors were vivid and jumped. I appreciate that. But there was nothing else to go along with it.
The SAME thing happened over and over again...the description of the game is "Be the one to save Laura from her nightmares." As you can imagine, what you got was a series of nightmares which you had to intervene to stop and release Laura from. Once this task was completed several times, the game was over. BUT WAIT....it WARNED us that this is only part one....there's a part two to come. Oh Boy.
As for challenge...well there is absolutely zero challenge. This is an instance where it would have been good to have HOGs. At least that might have presented a challenge. The only thing you had to FIND were what are referred to as "beholders." This is like identifying morphing objects, or any other "collectible." It had absolutely nothing to do with the story line, it was not a challenge and was a contrived addition to this game in a failed attempt to give it some meat. Additionally, there is an achievements section...get this: one of the achievements is to use the hint button 10 times. I don't know about you but I consider it an achievement to get through a whole game without using a hint button.
There were times when you'd return to a particular spot and miraculously an item would be there upon your return. It wasn't there when you left. How did it get there? Did the bad guy put it there so you could catch him? I'm sorry....this is just not a good game and as a consequence of the rave reviews I feel really cheated because I was so looking forward to it.
You have been warned.
Now, crazily, I'm going to recommend the game but with the caveat that you must be really into scenic excellence without caring about the plot or execution. Again, visually, this is a beautiful game...without the slightest hint of excitement. If there was anything compelling about it, it was only to finish it as quickly as possible because it was such a bore and I just won't let myself quit on a game without finishing it.
Trust me, I have not revealed anything that will spoil the games plot...the description of the game already tells you what the plot is.
Sorry to be so negative but, according to BFG, a helpful review is one that shares one's real opinion; that I have done.
Caveat Emptor.
I recommend this game!