spythere's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.8
- Helpful Votes:718
- Reviews Submitted:67
- First Review:December 4, 2014
- Most Recent Review:October 22, 2018
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Travel through alternate realities to restore the fabric of the universe!
Overall rating
3
/
5
17 of 25 found this review helpful
A Bad Dream of Shadows and Neon Signs
PostedMarch 18, 2018
spythere
fromUntil the invisible orchestras have subsided, I will hang out at the Troll's and play Snooker with the dwarf.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Nobody wants to vanish into bottomless oblivion, least of all a folklore professor - thus Alice quickly parries with her Guardian's Bracelet, the magical gadget which holds the Shadows of Oblivion at bay. Yet.
Although we see some unnecessary videos, e.g. Alice who steps into the portal, and in spite of much dialogue with repeated information, we generally may rejoice: the colours are back! also the squeaky voices and other little jokes. For example, we can win a witches' beauty contest with the most abominable pic.
Hidden objects, too, are colourful and inventive as they used to be in good times - well, some of them. Many feature the storybook style and resemble more a mini game to put misplaced objects back. There is as always much background information to gain from notes (and voices) in HOPs.
Although we see some unnecessary videos, e.g. Alice who steps into the portal, and in spite of much dialogue with repeated information, we generally may rejoice: the colours are back! also the squeaky voices and other little jokes. For example, we can win a witches' beauty contest with the most abominable pic.
Hidden objects, too, are colourful and inventive as they used to be in good times - well, some of them. Many feature the storybook style and resemble more a mini game to put misplaced objects back. There is as always much background information to gain from notes (and voices) in HOPs.
The story is an amusing, slightly muddled hotchpotch with figures from various tales; we meet a snobbish Yoda, a centaur, golems, fairies, of course a dragon and, most important, one of the Parcae, Norns or Sisters of Fate. Usually they appear threesome, but here we have one single Queen of Creation who weaves the canvases of time and history ... and she is blind. Oddly, she seems to partake in the same Mannequin Challenge as Queen Bella and doesn't alter the stiff pose of her outstreched arm once.
The baddie Solas - fortunately for once not a muscleman with rams horns - looks like the shady manager of a slot machine hall with a secretive side business in drugs and women. “A solas” means all alone in Spanish – but Solas is not alone, he is possessed by his evil ancestor who can ignite little fires in his eye sockets. Solas has to use a lot of perfume to cover the ancestor's bad smell :D But the new order or “New Reality” he intends to create is quite an exciting sight: a snowy, gothic city with cool, bluish and greenish neon signs everywhere. Don't forget to click on them!
This could have been a good game. The graphics convey darkness without being dark and depressing. It's humorous and quite fun to play, albeit the puzzles being too easy. But alas, the music ;_;
I wrote at length in the CE critique why it is not a good idea to pour background sound over every scene, especially not the music of my favourite composer. I hope Alice will be able to exorcise this Tyrant of Bad Taste who seemingly now possesses Elefun. For now I deducted one star for the constant acoustic irradiation and another one for the unnecessary shooting of a living crow.
I wrote at length in the CE critique why it is not a good idea to pour background sound over every scene, especially not the music of my favourite composer. I hope Alice will be able to exorcise this Tyrant of Bad Taste who seemingly now possesses Elefun. For now I deducted one star for the constant acoustic irradiation and another one for the unnecessary shooting of a living crow.
Also annoying is the fact that we still cannot read the credits due a lacking stop button. Elefun obviously thinks that's not important. But I want to know who played the dwarf! It's my right as customer to be able to read the credits. Oh dear - they're additionally possessed by the Ifrit of Idle Indifference! Elefun must be quite a romping ground for spirits of all kind ...
I recommend this game!
Travel through alternate realities to restore the fabric of the universe!
Overall rating
3
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Bad Dream of Shadows and Neon Signs – Extras and Bonus
PostedFebruary 26, 2018
spythere
fromUntil the invisible orchestras have subsided, I will hang out at the Troll's Pub, play Snooker with the dwarf.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Nobody wants to vanish into bottomless oblivion, least of all a folklore professor - thus Alice quickly parries with her Guardian's Bracelet, the magical gadget which holds the Shadows of Oblivion at bay. Yet.
We see many unnecessary videos, e.g. Alice who steps into the portal, the queen who tells us to hurry. Also, we hear a bit much dialogue with repeated information. But generally we may rejoyce: the colours are back, also the squeaky voices and other little jokes.
Hidden objects, too, are colourful and inventive as they used to be in good times - well, some of them. Others have still the gloomy mediocrity of HOPs of recent games, were probably made by different teams. There is as always much information to gain from notes (and voices) in HOPs.
We see many unnecessary videos, e.g. Alice who steps into the portal, the queen who tells us to hurry. Also, we hear a bit much dialogue with repeated information. But generally we may rejoyce: the colours are back, also the squeaky voices and other little jokes.
Hidden objects, too, are colourful and inventive as they used to be in good times - well, some of them. Others have still the gloomy mediocrity of HOPs of recent games, were probably made by different teams. There is as always much information to gain from notes (and voices) in HOPs.
The story is an amusing, slightly muddled hotchpotch with figures from various tales; we meet a snobbish Yoda, a centaur, golems, fairies, of course a dragon and, most important, one of the Parcae, Norns or Sisters of Fate. Usually they appear threesome, but here we have one single Queen of Creation who weaves the canvases of time and history ... and she is blind. Oddly, she seems to partake in the same Mannequin Challenge as Queen Bella and doesn't alter the stiff pose of her outstreched arm once.
The baddie Solas - fortunately for once not a muscleman with rams horns - looks like the shady manager of a slot machine hall with a secretive side business in drugs and women. “A solas” means all alone in Spanish – but Solas is not alone, he is possesed by his evil ancestor who can ignite little fires in his eye sockets. Solas has to use a lot of perfume to cover the ancestor's bad smell, lol. The new order or “New Reality” he intends to create is quite an exciting sight: a snowy, gothic city with cool, bluish neon signs everywhere. Don't forget to click them.
This could have been a good game. The graphics convey darkness without being dark and depressing. It's humorous and quite fun to play, albeit the puzzles being too easy. But alas, the music ...
As you know, I buy Elefun games especially for the soundtracks, as they have the most talented sound designer. In this game however, I had to turn the music off. The wonderful tunes are used as background sound all over the scenes; everywhere invisible orchestras play on and on. Not only it destroys the mood of the scenery – all eeriness of the art work is gone, when it's accompaigned by a soothing melody – it also degrades the music into intolerable muzak. Not even the most perfect 2-minutes track survives a constant repetition over half an hour.
Who ever did this to my favourite composer should be severly punished, for example be forced to wear head phones for one month and hear the Song of Eternity in an endless loop. And if it turns out that it's actually the Big Sharks who violate the developers' artistic freedom and instruct them how they have to create HOPAs, I will stop altogether to play BF games.
I deducted one star for the constant acoustic irradiation and another one for the unnecessary shooting of a living crow.
EXTRAS:
- 3 screensavers, 9 wallpapers, the Art Gallery with 11 black-white sketches.
- 35 (!) soundtracks, which is over one and half hours of music. I'd recommend to download it and listen independently of the game. Big variety and lots of creepy tunes. I was particularly impressed by a symphony of clocks and a choir work called Destiny. Although the latter appears a bit like a diamond in a box of glass beads and fits not really into a HO game ;)
- 5 achievments, 14 mock rewards for playing the game (and yes, they do pop banners into the screen every time). When will Elefun give us more real achievements, I wonder. Such as playing a HOP without mis-click, for example.
- Collect 16 easy to spot, mythical creatures to fill the bestiary - which is rather disappointing. The beasts in the size of stamps cannot be enlarged and don't even have names.
- Find 6 well hidden feathers to reveal a kind of diary, a summary of your adventure.
- Collect 20 crystals of light to open four easy puzzles in the history room. They reveal background information which we probably already know if we have paid attention. The history room is a nice feature but could still be developed, e.g. with more funny things like the embroidery machine.
The BONUS CHAPTER is a prequel and has 9 scenes, four of them new. We play as Queen Bella who must search the Queen of Creation to fetch the replacement Lamp of Life for Alice. As it often is with prequels, they are unnecessary, since we know already the outcome. This one is no exception and doesn't add anything essential to the story - thus you might want to wait for the SE.
As you know, I buy Elefun games especially for the soundtracks, as they have the most talented sound designer. In this game however, I had to turn the music off. The wonderful tunes are used as background sound all over the scenes; everywhere invisible orchestras play on and on. Not only it destroys the mood of the scenery – all eeriness of the art work is gone, when it's accompaigned by a soothing melody – it also degrades the music into intolerable muzak. Not even the most perfect 2-minutes track survives a constant repetition over half an hour.
Who ever did this to my favourite composer should be severly punished, for example be forced to wear head phones for one month and hear the Song of Eternity in an endless loop. And if it turns out that it's actually the Big Sharks who violate the developers' artistic freedom and instruct them how they have to create HOPAs, I will stop altogether to play BF games.
I deducted one star for the constant acoustic irradiation and another one for the unnecessary shooting of a living crow.
EXTRAS:
- 3 screensavers, 9 wallpapers, the Art Gallery with 11 black-white sketches.
- 35 (!) soundtracks, which is over one and half hours of music. I'd recommend to download it and listen independently of the game. Big variety and lots of creepy tunes. I was particularly impressed by a symphony of clocks and a choir work called Destiny. Although the latter appears a bit like a diamond in a box of glass beads and fits not really into a HO game ;)
- 5 achievments, 14 mock rewards for playing the game (and yes, they do pop banners into the screen every time). When will Elefun give us more real achievements, I wonder. Such as playing a HOP without mis-click, for example.
- Collect 16 easy to spot, mythical creatures to fill the bestiary - which is rather disappointing. The beasts in the size of stamps cannot be enlarged and don't even have names.
- Find 6 well hidden feathers to reveal a kind of diary, a summary of your adventure.
- Collect 20 crystals of light to open four easy puzzles in the history room. They reveal background information which we probably already know if we have paid attention. The history room is a nice feature but could still be developed, e.g. with more funny things like the embroidery machine.
The BONUS CHAPTER is a prequel and has 9 scenes, four of them new. We play as Queen Bella who must search the Queen of Creation to fetch the replacement Lamp of Life for Alice. As it often is with prequels, they are unnecessary, since we know already the outcome. This one is no exception and doesn't add anything essential to the story - thus you might want to wait for the SE.
I recommend this game!
Awakened from centuries of slumber, you must save the future!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 10 found this review helpful
Elefun is now Elegloom – Extras and Bonus
PostedFebruary 9, 2018
spythere
fromIf Elefun is now heading down the path of darkish mediocrity, I probably will stay at home and play their older games
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
We are so old that we don't even have a name and are simply called the Ancient One. At first I was thrilled by not having to play as sleeping pill Jack. But soon I discovered that this game is much more depressing than the Jack figure. No humour, zilch, it is completely free of playfulness. Merely a shadow of Elefun's former hilarity, and literally a shadow: dark, darker, darkest. I had to force myself to play it a second time in order to write this review. It's probably the most bland game ever from this dev. Stripped from all surprises, from poetic allusions, from colours, from anything funny, it's just a mirthless drag through admittedly beautiful but dreary scenery under a veil of darkness. Elefun should re-name themselves Elegloom.
But wait, the fun-censors overlooked two reanimated skeletons, a jumping fish, a fang (in a HOP) which hangs at a location where chaste girls don't take a look, and the one or other amusing sound effect. Maybe not everything is lost yet ;)
They slightly upgraded the puzzles, not all are insultingly easy anymore. Some HOPs open only after we solved a mini game, nice idea. HOPs are, albeit gloomy, eclecticly and interestingly created with voices and interactions.
But we still have to endure the loading pic - that is, now three different pics: a footprint in snow, a stone medallion and a glowing book. A bit variety, but still an irritating interruption.
I also wonder why Ezar must look like a peeled alligator, a lump of raw flesh whose ugliness can hardly be excelled. Somebody presumably mistook disgust for dread.
But wait, the fun-censors overlooked two reanimated skeletons, a jumping fish, a fang (in a HOP) which hangs at a location where chaste girls don't take a look, and the one or other amusing sound effect. Maybe not everything is lost yet ;)
They slightly upgraded the puzzles, not all are insultingly easy anymore. Some HOPs open only after we solved a mini game, nice idea. HOPs are, albeit gloomy, eclecticly and interestingly created with voices and interactions.
But we still have to endure the loading pic - that is, now three different pics: a footprint in snow, a stone medallion and a glowing book. A bit variety, but still an irritating interruption.
I also wonder why Ezar must look like a peeled alligator, a lump of raw flesh whose ugliness can hardly be excelled. Somebody presumably mistook disgust for dread.
The bonus chapter is not necessary for the story - although it's interestingly not a sequel, but tells what happens with Jack and Anabel, whilst the Ancient One fights Ezar. If you want to know the details, read my review of the CE.
I would recommend other games of this series, like Slumbering Darkness, Awakening Darkness, Dark Days to Come. Especially the latter is exceedingly fun.
I would recommend other games of this series, like Slumbering Darkness, Awakening Darkness, Dark Days to Come. Especially the latter is exceedingly fun.
I don't recommend this game.
Awakened from centuries of slumber, you must save the future!
Overall rating
3
/
5
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Elefun is now Elegloom – Extras and Bonus
PostedFebruary 4, 2018
spythere
fromIf Elefun is now heading down the path of dark mediocrity, I will stay at home and have some fun.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
We are so old that we don't even have a name and are simply called the Ancient One. At first I was thrilled by not having to play as sleeping pill Jack. But soon I discovered that this game is much more depressing than the Jack figure. No humour, zilch, it is completely free of playfulness. Merely a shadow of Elefun's former hilarity, and literally a shadow: dark, darker, darkest. I had to force myself to play it a second time in order to write this review. It's probably the most bland game ever from this dev. Stripped from all surprises, from poetic allusions, from colours, from anything funny, it's just a mirthless drag through admittedly beautiful but dreary scenery under a veil of darkness. Elefun should re-name themselves Elegloom.
But wait, the fun-censors overlooked two reanimated skeletons, a jumping fish, a fang (in a HOP) which hangs at a location where chaste girls don't take a look, and the one or other amusing sound effect. Maybe not everything is lost yet ;)
They slightly upgraded the puzzles, not all are insultingly easy anymore. Some HOPs open only after we solved a mini game, nice idea. HOPs are, albeit gloomy, eclecticly and interestingly created with voices and interactions.
But we still have to endure the loading pic - that is, now three different pics: a footprint in snow, a stone medallion and a glowing book. A bit variety, but still an irritating interruption.
I also wonder why Ezar must look like a peeled alligator, a lump of raw flesh whose ugliness can hardly be excelled. Somebody presumably mistook disgust for dread.
But wait, the fun-censors overlooked two reanimated skeletons, a jumping fish, a fang (in a HOP) which hangs at a location where chaste girls don't take a look, and the one or other amusing sound effect. Maybe not everything is lost yet ;)
They slightly upgraded the puzzles, not all are insultingly easy anymore. Some HOPs open only after we solved a mini game, nice idea. HOPs are, albeit gloomy, eclecticly and interestingly created with voices and interactions.
But we still have to endure the loading pic - that is, now three different pics: a footprint in snow, a stone medallion and a glowing book. A bit variety, but still an irritating interruption.
I also wonder why Ezar must look like a peeled alligator, a lump of raw flesh whose ugliness can hardly be excelled. Somebody presumably mistook disgust for dread.
EXTRAS:
- 3 screensavers, 9 wallpapers and an Art Gallery with 11 dreary black and grey sketches.
- 4 achievements, 8 bogus rewards for playing the game
- 32(!) Soundtracks by Aleksey Arkhipov. They are actually the only reason to buy the game. Their sheer number is stunning. As far as I know, this is a record at Big Fish. Over one hour music ... and what an exciting collection! Bestow this composer a medal.
- Collect 32 footprints ... and play 8 easy-peasy puzzles, revealing a picture and a bit of information about dragons, the hydra, basilisks, the Shadow Guard, elementals, Ezar, the Eldritch Hound and Trickster.
- Find 31 morphing objects, one per scene, for an achievement.
We still cannot play neither HOPs nor puzzles again - which makes this game quite a meagre offering for a CE.
- 3 screensavers, 9 wallpapers and an Art Gallery with 11 dreary black and grey sketches.
- 4 achievements, 8 bogus rewards for playing the game
- 32(!) Soundtracks by Aleksey Arkhipov. They are actually the only reason to buy the game. Their sheer number is stunning. As far as I know, this is a record at Big Fish. Over one hour music ... and what an exciting collection! Bestow this composer a medal.
- Collect 32 footprints ... and play 8 easy-peasy puzzles, revealing a picture and a bit of information about dragons, the hydra, basilisks, the Shadow Guard, elementals, Ezar, the Eldritch Hound and Trickster.
- Find 31 morphing objects, one per scene, for an achievement.
We still cannot play neither HOPs nor puzzles again - which makes this game quite a meagre offering for a CE.
The BONUS CHAPTER takes place in 9 scenes and lasts around one hour. It tells what happens in the real world whilst the Ancient One is fighting Ezar. We (as Jack) get an urgent call for help from Bertha: The university of witchcraft is under attack by Trickster, one of Ezar's minions. So we set off to fight Trickster, and we virtually act simultanously to the main story. I find this an interesting idea. Maybe a bit unclearly transmitted, at first I thought it is merely a sequel.
Can you stop history from repeating itself?
Overall rating
4
/
5
22 of 22 found this review helpful
Gold Rush, Love and Murder
PostedNovember 5, 2017
spythere
fromWe always knew that Emma can pacify restless spirits. But now she resurrects dead people and takes them along over a 105 years time gap! This gets all a bit uncanny, Emma :o
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Woot! we got a brand new layout, new cursor, new fonts for the menu - only the “Fear for Sale” lettering remains the same. Looks clear and fashionable, I like it.
The loading pic is a novelty too, but quite a hapless one. Every time a scene loads, or every time we zoom into a HOP or puzzle, we see the vignette of a path in the woods. It's a constant interruption of the game flow. I wish they simply would shorten the loading time and spare us this ever same, redundant picture.
The loading pic is a novelty too, but quite a hapless one. Every time a scene loads, or every time we zoom into a HOP or puzzle, we see the vignette of a path in the woods. It's a constant interruption of the game flow. I wish they simply would shorten the loading time and spare us this ever same, redundant picture.
STORY:
The manager of a building project in Alaska calls for help. His workers quit their jobs due ghostly appearances, and the company is losing money by the hour. Oh well, the north isn't my favourite destination - however, what can we do but follow Emma on her freezing investigation? Luckily, the snow covers only the first scene. When we travel to the haunted building site, we manage to fall 105 years back in time - and it's suddenly summer 1912.
Back then, Alaska wasn't even an U.S. State, just a territory, swarmed by gold hunters. The Klondike gold rush attracted around 100'000 people, even from Australia or England. One marvels at the luxury which they brought to the end of the world: oak panels, intricate Louis XV furniture, even electricity. But with the gold business came competition, corruption and a certain lawlessness. So we consequently witness a mob which accuses an innocently looking young man of murder. Of course we have to interfere. Also, because we are stuck in the time trap of Whitefall and cannot escape before we set things right again …
The manager of a building project in Alaska calls for help. His workers quit their jobs due ghostly appearances, and the company is losing money by the hour. Oh well, the north isn't my favourite destination - however, what can we do but follow Emma on her freezing investigation? Luckily, the snow covers only the first scene. When we travel to the haunted building site, we manage to fall 105 years back in time - and it's suddenly summer 1912.
Back then, Alaska wasn't even an U.S. State, just a territory, swarmed by gold hunters. The Klondike gold rush attracted around 100'000 people, even from Australia or England. One marvels at the luxury which they brought to the end of the world: oak panels, intricate Louis XV furniture, even electricity. But with the gold business came competition, corruption and a certain lawlessness. So we consequently witness a mob which accuses an innocently looking young man of murder. Of course we have to interfere. Also, because we are stuck in the time trap of Whitefall and cannot escape before we set things right again …
The story tells about a secret love, of corruption and injustice; it's an intricate and thrilling whodonit which kept me on my toes. Only the end is a bit a disappointment, since it engages again one of these ho-hum "ancient spirits". As if humans would not be responsible for their acts; it must always be “the evil” which tricks them into badness.
Naturally ancient forces cannot be depicted. Not convincingly anyway. Ancient forces are Gods, intangible, inconceivable, beyond good, evil or imagination ... and they whisper: “Thou shalt not make idols.” Exactly. Every picture of a god or a devil can only be untrue. Or ridiculous like this skeleton in its tattered dress.
Naturally ancient forces cannot be depicted. Not convincingly anyway. Ancient forces are Gods, intangible, inconceivable, beyond good, evil or imagination ... and they whisper: “Thou shalt not make idols.” Exactly. Every picture of a god or a devil can only be untrue. Or ridiculous like this skeleton in its tattered dress.
The Standard Edition plays in 24 scenes, contains 15 HOPs, 21 puzzles, and occupies 40 pages in the Guide. Read my review of the Collector's Edition for more information about Extras and Bonus. Music lovers might consider to buy the CE for the wonderfully spooky soundtracks with ghosts' choirs. I wonder where the crafty composer found those. Probably in Emma's evidence :)
I recommend this game!
Can you stop history from repeating itself?
Overall rating
4
/
5
4 of 5 found this review helpful
Gold Rush, Love and Murder – Extras and Bonus Chapter
PostedOctober 25, 2017
spythere
fromWe always knew that Emma can pacify restless spirits. But now she resurrects dead people and takes them along over a 105 years time gap! This gets all a bit uncanny, Emma :o
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Hidden Object, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Wow! we got a brand new layout, new cursor, new fonts for the menu - only the “Fear for Sale” lettering remains the same. Looks clear and fashionable, I like it.
They have alas also done away with the journalist ranking which was actually a witty feature. It was a bit dull because it was always the same. They could have put variety in it, invent some funny ranks and titles, customize them to the specific game, like “Klondike Star” or some such. Now Emma doesn't have a career anymore and must promote herself. But she is anyhow already the best ;)
They have alas also done away with the journalist ranking which was actually a witty feature. It was a bit dull because it was always the same. They could have put variety in it, invent some funny ranks and titles, customize them to the specific game, like “Klondike Star” or some such. Now Emma doesn't have a career anymore and must promote herself. But she is anyhow already the best ;)
The loading pic is a novelty too, but quite a hapless one. Every time a scene loads and every time we zoom into a HOP or puzzle, we see the vignette of a path in the woods. It's a constant interruption of the game flow. I wish they simply would shorten the loading time and spare us this ever same, redundant picture.
STORY:
The manager of a building project calls for help, since his workers quit their jobs due ghost appearances. The company is losing money by the hour. Well, Alaska isn't my favourite destination - however, what can we do but follow Emma on her freezing investigation? Fortunately, the snow covers only the first scene. When we travel by cable car to the cursed building site, we manage to fall 105 years back in time - and it's suddenly summer 1912.
Back then, Alaska wasn't even an U.S. State, just a territory which was swarmed by gold hunters. The Klondike gold rush attracted around 100'000 people, even from Australia or England. With the gold hunters came competition, corruption and a certain lawlessness. So we consequently witness a mob which accuses an innocently looking young man of murder. Of course we have to interfere. Also, because we are stuck in the time trap of Whitefall and cannot escape before we set things right again ...
The manager of a building project calls for help, since his workers quit their jobs due ghost appearances. The company is losing money by the hour. Well, Alaska isn't my favourite destination - however, what can we do but follow Emma on her freezing investigation? Fortunately, the snow covers only the first scene. When we travel by cable car to the cursed building site, we manage to fall 105 years back in time - and it's suddenly summer 1912.
Back then, Alaska wasn't even an U.S. State, just a territory which was swarmed by gold hunters. The Klondike gold rush attracted around 100'000 people, even from Australia or England. With the gold hunters came competition, corruption and a certain lawlessness. So we consequently witness a mob which accuses an innocently looking young man of murder. Of course we have to interfere. Also, because we are stuck in the time trap of Whitefall and cannot escape before we set things right again ...
It's about a secret love, corruption and injustice, an intricate and thrilling whodonit which kept me on my toes. Only the end was a bit a disappointment, since it engaged again one of these ho-hum "ancient spirits". As if humans wouldn't be responsible for their acting; it must always be “the evil” which tricked them.
As it is custom with ancient forces: they cannot be depicted. Not convincingly anyway. Ancient forces are Gods, intangible, inconceivable, beyond good, evil or imagination ... and they mumble: “Thou shalt not make idols.” Exactly. Every picture of a god or a devil can only be untrue. Or ridiculous like this skeleton in its tattered dress.
As it is custom with ancient forces: they cannot be depicted. Not convincingly anyway. Ancient forces are Gods, intangible, inconceivable, beyond good, evil or imagination ... and they mumble: “Thou shalt not make idols.” Exactly. Every picture of a god or a devil can only be untrue. Or ridiculous like this skeleton in its tattered dress.
EXTRAS:
- Guide with 53 pages, 40 for the main game, 13 for the bonus chapter.
- 9 Wallpapers, 3 Screensavers, Concept Art, containing 11 drab, black-and-grey drawings.
- 4 Achievements and 8 fake awards (for playing the game)
- 10 Music tracks. They are kind of orchestral, spooky adagios, artfully distorted with much ghostly howls and sighs. Hauntingly beautiful and eerie, true goosebump music.
- Find 33 Morphing Objects, one per scene in main game and bonus.
- Colllect 20 eyes thoroughout the game. Watch out for those: they are hidden in letters, notes, diaries and easy to miss. Each eye unlocks two puzzle pieces to assemble five pictures: Olivia's ghost, Sheriff Rice, Norm Grady, Joanna Chaney and Peter Chaney. It's kind of a case file, a summary of evidences and the steps which Emma took to solve the mystery.
We still cannot play again HOPs or Puzzles in the Extras, and I deducted one star for it. For that and for the unnerving loading picture at every turn.
- Guide with 53 pages, 40 for the main game, 13 for the bonus chapter.
- 9 Wallpapers, 3 Screensavers, Concept Art, containing 11 drab, black-and-grey drawings.
- 4 Achievements and 8 fake awards (for playing the game)
- 10 Music tracks. They are kind of orchestral, spooky adagios, artfully distorted with much ghostly howls and sighs. Hauntingly beautiful and eerie, true goosebump music.
- Find 33 Morphing Objects, one per scene in main game and bonus.
- Colllect 20 eyes thoroughout the game. Watch out for those: they are hidden in letters, notes, diaries and easy to miss. Each eye unlocks two puzzle pieces to assemble five pictures: Olivia's ghost, Sheriff Rice, Norm Grady, Joanna Chaney and Peter Chaney. It's kind of a case file, a summary of evidences and the steps which Emma took to solve the mystery.
We still cannot play again HOPs or Puzzles in the Extras, and I deducted one star for it. For that and for the unnerving loading picture at every turn.
The BONUS CHAPTER begins 6 months later, but is actually a prequel. It plays in 9 scenes, contains 7 HOPs, 7 puzzles and tells the story of Peter, the disappeared son of the Chaney family.
Emma somehow managed to transfer the whole staff from the main chapter into the present, and they don't look one wrinkle older than in 1912. So, we are invited to Norm and Olivia's wedding. But Joanna (still wearing her old 1912 garb) found a strange diary at the lake which seemingly contains information about her missing son.
Thus we plunge into this diary and play as its author Archibald Grady, who went 1892 to Whitefall to investigate the disappearance of three miners ...
Emma somehow managed to transfer the whole staff from the main chapter into the present, and they don't look one wrinkle older than in 1912. So, we are invited to Norm and Olivia's wedding. But Joanna (still wearing her old 1912 garb) found a strange diary at the lake which seemingly contains information about her missing son.
Thus we plunge into this diary and play as its author Archibald Grady, who went 1892 to Whitefall to investigate the disappearance of three miners ...
Again Elefun provides in addition to the happy end of the main chapter a super happy end in the bonus. This worked brilliantly in Keeper of Antiques, The Last Will. Here, the plot seems a bit hurriedly stitched together and has gaps. I wonder for example why a seven-years-old wouldn't be able to remember his address and instead ends up in an orphanage. Why the miner is so afraid of the boy remains also obscure. A lot is only hinted; the story would probably have become much longer if properly fleshed out. But it lasts already pretty long: around one and half an hour. Therefore let's proceed with the super happy wedding.
I recommend this game!
Can you save Netville from a dangerous artifact before it’s too late?
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 16 found this review helpful
This Lovely House is Yours Forever – Bonus Chapter and Extras
PostedOctober 2, 2017
spythere
fromWhen I tried the last time to inflate a car tyre with a bicycle pump, I couldn't even fit the valve :o
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Make sure to take your umbrella and rubber boots along, because it rains and rains and rains; the beautiful scenery is soaked and everything drips. The Keeper got an urgent call from Netville; it seems the whole town has been affected by disturbing, paranormal forces. Alexandra is sent immediately to investigate.
I never really warmed up to this figure; for me she looks too young, too timid and bland. Fortunately, uncle Paul is still around, to see after the matter. We also enjoy, alas just for a short appearance, our cherished Marquis de Laplace with his weird hairdo.
I never really warmed up to this figure; for me she looks too young, too timid and bland. Fortunately, uncle Paul is still around, to see after the matter. We also enjoy, alas just for a short appearance, our cherished Marquis de Laplace with his weird hairdo.
The trail leads to the handsome bikers Ashton and Michael Lee with his girlfriend Lily, who rented the old house of a famous photographer, the deceased Richard Moore. Michael is rapt with this place - no, obsessed after a short time. He knows only one thing: he never wants to leave this lovely house anymore …
We have played similar games of bewitched houses, many times already. But we never got such a thoroughly detailed explanation for the anomalous behavior of the “dangerous artefact”. Please, do read all the notes, diaries, letters which appear in HOPs or are scattered in scenes; they give a perfectly reasonable background for all the strange things going on. Even if nothing new, this is a well constructed, clever story with a logical flow and a surprising twist.
HOPs and soundtracks are Elefun's core skills. Some of the hidden object scenes are ingeniously integrated as part of the story. Many are superb, varied and entertaining, a few even animated. A deck of cards flutters through the air and builds a pyramide, before disappearing. We see wonderfully crafted items, e.g. a silver cigarette case with an engraved dedication: “Dear Bertrand Moore, may the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty”.
Puzzles are, although still on the easy side, created with similar care. We see for example 30 unique, antique coins, a wild mix of Greek, Roman, Celtic money, either extremely well made ... or cleverly collected pics of actually existing coins.
Puzzles are, although still on the easy side, created with similar care. We see for example 30 unique, antique coins, a wild mix of Greek, Roman, Celtic money, either extremely well made ... or cleverly collected pics of actually existing coins.
The end has a romantic touch. Alexandra and Ashton - wouldn't it have been nice? But Alexandra is prim and aloof as always. Or is it timid? I never know whether I should believe her voice or her appearance.
EXTRAS:
- 9 wallpapers, 3 Screensavers, the Art Gallery with 11 black/white, no, actually grey versions of locations. Not really appealing, I wonder if anybody looks at those.
- 15 soundtracks. As kerith90angel mentioned, the music is remarkable. It's the most magical and addictiv sound at Big Fish … and the actual reason I buy every Elefun CE :) Oddly, six of the new tracks are heard exclusively in the bonus chapter.
- Gain 5 achievements and 7 pseudo rewards (for playing the game).
- Find 33 morphing objects in main game and bonus chapter.
- Collect 36 puzzle pieces. They often blend well into the background and are not always easy to see. The four puzzles reveal 4 pictures and include background information about: Alexandra Anderson and uncle Paul / the bikers Ashton and Michael Lee, his girlfriend Lily / the heirless house owner Richard Moore / Moore's big love Katherine and their daughter Anna.
- Find 33 collectibles in main and bonus game. In the Collectible Room, we can play with a few items, five to be exact - but else, this collection is pretty boring. We may click for a close-up of the brass plaquettes, but not of the items themselves. A bit disappointing, there never was so few interaction.
- 9 wallpapers, 3 Screensavers, the Art Gallery with 11 black/white, no, actually grey versions of locations. Not really appealing, I wonder if anybody looks at those.
- 15 soundtracks. As kerith90angel mentioned, the music is remarkable. It's the most magical and addictiv sound at Big Fish … and the actual reason I buy every Elefun CE :) Oddly, six of the new tracks are heard exclusively in the bonus chapter.
- Gain 5 achievements and 7 pseudo rewards (for playing the game).
- Find 33 morphing objects in main game and bonus chapter.
- Collect 36 puzzle pieces. They often blend well into the background and are not always easy to see. The four puzzles reveal 4 pictures and include background information about: Alexandra Anderson and uncle Paul / the bikers Ashton and Michael Lee, his girlfriend Lily / the heirless house owner Richard Moore / Moore's big love Katherine and their daughter Anna.
- Find 33 collectibles in main and bonus game. In the Collectible Room, we can play with a few items, five to be exact - but else, this collection is pretty boring. We may click for a close-up of the brass plaquettes, but not of the items themselves. A bit disappointing, there never was so few interaction.
Elefun is by now the only dev who has no replayable HOPs or puzzles in the Extras. I still wonder why not.
The BONUS CHAPTER plays in 9 scenes, 5 of them new, 4 old, but revised. It contains 8 HOPs, 6 puzzles and 4 mini games, is a sequel to the main game and lasted around one hour and ten minutes for me.
As always, the artefact wasn't thoroughly neutralised, and Alexandra has haunting dreams where she walks through Moore's house and solves HOPs and puzzles. Or is she awake? Somehow she doesn't succeed to wake up from this nightmare … is it real after all?
We will encounter Michael Lee again, learn the heartbreaking story of Roger Moore's star-crossed love, and eventually witness a very satisfying happy end. The bonus chapter adds a great deal to the story and wraps it up nicely.
As always, the artefact wasn't thoroughly neutralised, and Alexandra has haunting dreams where she walks through Moore's house and solves HOPs and puzzles. Or is she awake? Somehow she doesn't succeed to wake up from this nightmare … is it real after all?
We will encounter Michael Lee again, learn the heartbreaking story of Roger Moore's star-crossed love, and eventually witness a very satisfying happy end. The bonus chapter adds a great deal to the story and wraps it up nicely.
I recommend this game!
Can you save Netville from a dangerous artifact before it’s too late?
Overall rating
4
/
5
12 of 12 found this review helpful
This Lovely House is Yours to Dwell
PostedOctober 1, 2017
spythere
fromWe congratulate kerith90angel to his/her musical ears =^,^=
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Make sure to take your umbrella and rubber boots along, because it rains and rains and rains; the beautiful scenery is soaked and everything drips. The Keeper got an urgent call from Netville; it seems the whole town has been affected by disturbing, paranormal forces. Alexandra is sent immediately to investigate.
I never really warmed up to this character; for me, she looks too young, too timid and bland. Fortunately, uncle Paul is still around, to see after the matter. We also encounter, alas just for a short appearance, our cherished Marquis de Laplace with his weird hairdo.
The trail leads to Michael Lee, his girlfriend Lily and his brother Ashton, who rent the old house of deceased Mr Moore, a famous photographer. Michael is rapt with this place, no, obsessed after a short time. He feels he is himself Mr Moore; he never wants to leave this lovely house anymore ...
I never really warmed up to this character; for me, she looks too young, too timid and bland. Fortunately, uncle Paul is still around, to see after the matter. We also encounter, alas just for a short appearance, our cherished Marquis de Laplace with his weird hairdo.
The trail leads to Michael Lee, his girlfriend Lily and his brother Ashton, who rent the old house of deceased Mr Moore, a famous photographer. Michael is rapt with this place, no, obsessed after a short time. He feels he is himself Mr Moore; he never wants to leave this lovely house anymore ...
We have played similar games of bewitched houses, many times already. But we never got such a particularized, detailed explanation for the anormal behaving of the “dangerous artefact”. Please, do read all the notes, diaries, letters which appear in HOPs or are scattered in scenes; they give a perfectly reasonable background for all the strange things going on. Even if nothing new, this is a well constructed, clever story with a logical flow and a surprising twist.
HOPs and soundtracks are Elefun's core skills. Some of the hidden object scenes are ingeniously integrated as part of the story. Most are superb, varied and entertaining, a few even animated. A deck of cards flutters through the air and builds a pyramide, before disappearing. We see wonderfully crafted items, e.g. a silver cigarette case with an engraved dedication: “Dear Bertrand Moore, may the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty”.
Puzzles are, although still on the easy side, created with similar care. We see for example 30 unique, antique coins, a wild mix of Greek, Roman, Celtic money, either extremely well crafted ... or cleverly collected pics of existing coins.
Puzzles are, although still on the easy side, created with similar care. We see for example 30 unique, antique coins, a wild mix of Greek, Roman, Celtic money, either extremely well crafted ... or cleverly collected pics of existing coins.
The end has a romantic touch. Alexandra and Ashton - wouldn't it have been nice? But Alexandra is prim and aloof as always. Or is it timid? I never know whether I should believe her voice or her appearance.
The Standard Edition contains 24 locations, 18 HOPs, 23 puzzles and mini games. I would recommend the CE version. The bonus game provides a truly satisfying happy end, and six of the exciting new soundtracks are only heard in the CE. Read my review of the CE if you want to know more.
I recommend this game!
Someone’s attacking the Witches’ University!
Overall rating
4
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
Tricks and Treats under the Bloody Moon – Extras and Bonus
PostedSeptember 2, 2017
spythere
fromWhy do most devs believe that dragons are related to bovines and must have horns, too?
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Elefun attempts now to outrun time and released already the first Halloween game! We have autumn scenery in browns and orange, pumpkins in HOPs, pumpkins and gingerbread men everywhere. However Halloween is essential for this adventure: The incarcerated sorcerer, says the prophecy, has the only chance to free himself when the umbra shadow eclipse of the moon meets Halloween.
The sorcerer's name is Felix, which means the happy one. But Felix doesn't look very happy, probably because he has to wear a feather cape which permanently reminds him of Lucy's black feather boa (Lucy from “Juicy 'n' Boozy”). The mighty sorcerer appears a bit absent and bored. I wonder why they didn't clad him in a long, black coat and gave him long, black hair, like the “Felix Figurine” which is a perfect prototype for a dark, sinister mage. Hair is a powerful fetish. No sorcerer I know would ever cut it short like a slave. A pity that this important main character is not truly convincing.
The story is nothing new: catch the baddy, save Anabel and the world ... the usual stuff. But the views are captivating. Fantastic sceneries, beautiful, surreal artwoork that reminds me of Dali sometimes. Although it's mostly grey in grey, in hueless, dulled blues and greens, drab and darkly veiled. That is, except the Halloween decorations and the red moon.
As we spoiled gamers already expect from Elefun, we find many clickable details. Prod the figure in the main screen to make him unfurl his wings. Click on the four owls in Felix' Castle: each will respond with a different screech, we can play a little melody.
We encounter hissing pumpkins, fluttering chairs, a three-headed, mangy fox who claims to be Cerberus, a grotesque thingy with oversized claws which looks like the insect king but is a dispirited air spirit. Magical portals open with the help of gadgets: speed boots and a compass, a dreamcatcher, a mirror. Once we place a map of the earth on a pedestal, consisting of four elephants which stand on the back of a big turtle. Somebody obviously has a fondness for Pratchett :D
We also have the famous Elefun hidden object surprises; books which open to a pop-up scenery, a candy box revealing a whole gingerbread house, including witches and pumpkins. Read all notes and texts you find in HOPs, they contain clues or background information.
We encounter hissing pumpkins, fluttering chairs, a three-headed, mangy fox who claims to be Cerberus, a grotesque thingy with oversized claws which looks like the insect king but is a dispirited air spirit. Magical portals open with the help of gadgets: speed boots and a compass, a dreamcatcher, a mirror. Once we place a map of the earth on a pedestal, consisting of four elephants which stand on the back of a big turtle. Somebody obviously has a fondness for Pratchett :D
We also have the famous Elefun hidden object surprises; books which open to a pop-up scenery, a candy box revealing a whole gingerbread house, including witches and pumpkins. Read all notes and texts you find in HOPs, they contain clues or background information.
My favourite scene is the Mice Laboratory, located in a big, hollow loaf of cheese. The mice look as if they'd all wear lab coats, but on a second glance, they don't. Simply white lab mice, one of them wears tiny glasses, and they are dead serious about their sophisticated lab work. I was just a little disappointed that they don't keep caged homunculuses to carry out human subject research :D
The mice are alas already the highlight. This is a solid, entertaining game, but not one of Elefun's master pieces. I miss generally a bit lightness and exuberant fun that always was a feature of this series. The whimsical wackiness, the squeaking fur balls, dancing skeletons and so forth. I wish, Elefun would stop to make games “darker” by means of darkish, depressing sceneries and by the omitting of that fantastic, droll humour of theirs.
I also wish they hadn't overused that bloody moon vignette - pretty boringly drawn, if you ask me. It is constantly imposed on us, not only between scenes, but also when we zoom into a HOP or a puzzles. This game will be remembered as the Witches' Legacy with the hapless blood moon that chops the gameplay to pieces.
EXTRAS:
The Strategy Guide contains 46 pages.
9 Wallpapers, 3 Screensavers, the Art Gallery with 9 black and white drawings. Well, rather black and grey.
The Strategy Guide contains 46 pages.
9 Wallpapers, 3 Screensavers, the Art Gallery with 9 black and white drawings. Well, rather black and grey.
15 achievements, but 11 are for playing the game; hence it's actually only four. Will Elefun ever offer real achievements? Like playing a HOP without mistakes, finding five objects in 5 seconds and such?
34 morphing objects in main game and bonus chapter, one per scene. Find all of them for an achievement.
Collect 36 puzzle pieces in main game and bonus chapter, to obtain four puzzles with 9 tiles each. We cannot go back to pick up forgotten tiles; thus be hawk-eyed during the game! The puzzles reveal a bit of background information about:
- Hawk, the keeper of the 12 portals
- Air Spirit who was forced by Morgana to be her messenger
- Cerberus, guardian of the underworld, who serves Hawk
- Old Wyrm, Morgana's clairvoyant, muted by her due a less golden prophecy
- Hawk, the keeper of the 12 portals
- Air Spirit who was forced by Morgana to be her messenger
- Cerberus, guardian of the underworld, who serves Hawk
- Old Wyrm, Morgana's clairvoyant, muted by her due a less golden prophecy
12 music tracks from my favourite BF composer. As always, we get an astounding variety; from wistful howling in a minor key, mysterious interferences, wailing synths, a foreboding piano to happy pop or dance tracks for fairies. Within the game they are, due the shortness of certain puzzles, only partly audible. Luckily we can download them and hear properly.
We still can't play HOPs or puzzles again, and I wonder why not. Should be a simple thing to add them to the Extras. What's keeping Elefun?
The BONUS CHAPTER plays in winter after the merorable Halloween. It has 9 scenes: six new ones, three are from the main game, but slightly altered. I came upon 6 puzzles, 7 HOPs and 2 mini-games, if I counted right.
When Jack rescued Anabel, he accidently touched a dangerous vessel and is now possessed by an evil spirit. We play as Anabel and set out, together with trusty Bertha, to bring back the obsessed Jack. The adventure is quite long, was around one and half an hour for me.
The most remarkable bit of the story is the end. Jack obviously planned it from the outset and carried along a ring (and didn't lose it in spite of all turmoil). As soon as the demon is defeated, in midst of the dark, grimy cellar, he falls to his knees and proposes to Anabel. The sudden surge of romance must have a reason. Perhaps a sequel with a wedding, thwarted by another of Morgana's minions?
When Jack rescued Anabel, he accidently touched a dangerous vessel and is now possessed by an evil spirit. We play as Anabel and set out, together with trusty Bertha, to bring back the obsessed Jack. The adventure is quite long, was around one and half an hour for me.
The most remarkable bit of the story is the end. Jack obviously planned it from the outset and carried along a ring (and didn't lose it in spite of all turmoil). As soon as the demon is defeated, in midst of the dark, grimy cellar, he falls to his knees and proposes to Anabel. The sudden surge of romance must have a reason. Perhaps a sequel with a wedding, thwarted by another of Morgana's minions?
Don't miss the credits! They have one of the best soundtracks.
I recommend this game!
Someone’s attacking the Witches’ University!
Overall rating
4
/
5
11 of 13 found this review helpful
Tricks and Treats under the Umbra Shadow Moon
PostedSeptember 1, 2017
spythere
fromIf Jack wouldn't be such a tame sleeping pill, I'd surely trudge along with more enthusiasm.
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Apparently in an attempt to outrun time, Elefun released already the first Halloween game. We have autumn scenery in browns and orange, pumpkins in HOPs, pumpkins and gingerbread men everywhere. However Halloween is essential for this adventure: The incarcerated sorcerer, says the prophecy, has the only chance to free himself when the umbra shadow eclipse of the moon meets Halloween.
The sorcerer's name is Felix, which means the happy one. But Felix doesn't look very happy, probably because he has to wear a feather cape which permanently reminds him of Lucy's black feather boa (Lucy from “Juicy 'n' Boozy”). The mighty sorcerer appears a bit absent and bored. I wonder why they didn't clad him in a long, black coat and gave him long, black hair, like the “Felix Figurine” which is a perfect prototype for a dark, sinister mage. Hair is a powerful fetish. No sorcerer I know would ever cut it short like a slave. A pity that this important main character is not truly convincing.
The story is nothing new: catch the baddy, save Anabel and the world ... the usual stuff. But the views are captivating. Fantastic sceneries, beautiful, surreal artwoork that reminds me of Dali sometimes. Although it's mostly grey in grey, in hueless, dulled blues and greens, drab and darkly veiled. That is, except the Halloween decorations and the red moon.
As we spoiled gamers already expect from Elefun, we find many clickable details. Prod the figure in the main screen to make him unfurl his wings. Click on the four owls in Felix' Castle: each will respond with a different screech, we can play a little melody.
We encounter hissing pumpkins, fluttering chairs, a three-headed, mangy fox who claims to be Cerberus, a grotesque thingy with oversized claws which looks like the insect king but is a dispirited air spirit. Magical portals open with the help of gadgets: speed boots and a compass, a dreamcatcher, a mirror. Once we place a map of the earth on a pedestal, consisting of four elephants which stand on the back of a big turtle. Somebody obviously has a fondness for Pratchett :)
We also have the famous Elefun hidden object surprises; books which open to a pop-up scenery, a candy box revealing a whole gingerbread house, including witches and pumpkins. Read all notes and texts you find in HOPs, they contain clues or background information.
We encounter hissing pumpkins, fluttering chairs, a three-headed, mangy fox who claims to be Cerberus, a grotesque thingy with oversized claws which looks like the insect king but is a dispirited air spirit. Magical portals open with the help of gadgets: speed boots and a compass, a dreamcatcher, a mirror. Once we place a map of the earth on a pedestal, consisting of four elephants which stand on the back of a big turtle. Somebody obviously has a fondness for Pratchett :)
We also have the famous Elefun hidden object surprises; books which open to a pop-up scenery, a candy box revealing a whole gingerbread house, including witches and pumpkins. Read all notes and texts you find in HOPs, they contain clues or background information.
My favourite scene is the Mice Laboratory, located in a big, hollow loaf of cheese. The mice look as if they'd all wear lab coats, but on a second glance, they don't. Simply white lab mice, one of them wears tiny glasses, and they are dead serious about their sophisticated lab work. I was just a little disappointed that they don't keep caged homunculuses to carry out human subject research :D
The mice are alas already the highlight. This is a solid, entertaining game, but not one of Elefun's master pieces. I miss generally a bit lightness and exuberant fun that always was a feature of this series. The whimsical wackiness, the squeaking fur balls, dancing skeletons and so forth. I wish, Elefun would stop to make games “darker” by means of darkish, depressing sceneries and by the omitting of that fantastic, droll humour of theirs.
I also wish they hadn't overused that bloody moon vignette - pretty boringly drawn, if you ask me. It is constantly imposed on us, not only between scenes, but also when we zoom into a HOP or a puzzles. This game will be remembered as the Witches' Legacy with the hapless blood moon that chops the game's flow to pieces.
This SE ends coherent with the usual final "fight" and videos, showing the happy end. If you want to know more about Extras and bonus chapter, read my review of the CE. And don't miss the credits! They have one of the best soundtracks.
I recommend this game!