seriously...I just wanted to rough him up and slap him around a bit.
This was a very impressive game. These guys never disappoint me. I own a few. :P
I always find the assistants and animal companions amusing. Collecting coins to spend on needed items and collecting fan pieces for hints was new to me. I liked the design of the notebook...list of suspects feature especially. There is also a decent amount of extras which include being able to replay HOS and mini games and some trophies thrown in for good measure. I found the "coloring book" fascinating. Another HIT for my wish list.
The HOS that I encountered were challenging...lots of things to put together and manipulate in some way. The map was helpful with notations for Hidden Objects - You Are Here and Action Available. I also appreciated the pop-up task message and check mark that appeared.
I was not, however, impressed with the HINT button. I got stuck and could not for the life of me figure out what to do next. Pushing HINT merely indicated both available exits(where there were NO tasks available) and a handprint over an object that I was supposed to be opening,but lacked the tool. When I have to use HINT, I prefer for it to be pretty straightforward.
This game is so awesome that it blew my mind. Please excuse me while I dork out and gush.
The setting is picturesque Sevilla, Spain....dreamy and romantic with a touch of the ancient and macabre. A man has been murdered...torn to pieces....scrawled notes from the dying man that read KEEPER and from the coroner about canine jaws...in a museum of all places to explore...leaving a woman alone with a mysterious box...which seems to be of great importance....a solar eclipse event looming....the Big Dipper in the sky...the reasons behind historical actions being rewritten....and mention of a prophecy. Become a matador!!
- Stunning graphics - beautiful faces - very realistic in expression and true to voice - best cut scenes that I've seen yet
Many Achievements...Davinci....Inventions.. and a morphing objects collection
Impressive themed HOS - the one in the Iron Maiden with the torture devices is my favorite EVER! It reminded me of GCEZ and getting my Oak Walker stuck in there...yea that's right people..I don't ONLY play casual games.
3 Modes - Journal - Map - Strategy Guide - Skull Hint Button - Disembodied Skeletal Hand Pointer
I enjoyed the creepy music and sound effects. The objectives tab and messages about new objectives and completion were very helpful to me. I'm a HOS fan and this had enough to keep me happy. The hidden teddy bears were an added bonus in the HOS. The voice overs were pleasant and I was indeed compelled to finish the game and see how it all turns out.
I would have liked the skip button to charge a bit quicker. Sometimes I just can't wrap my brain around a particular puzzle. A map indicating areas of interest and HOS would have been helpful especially when an area is used twice.
I have a collection of games from this developer and they just keep getting better. There are skulls and skeletons running amuck. They grunt and groan and make the most unpleasant noises. There are disembodied heads,graveyards, goblins to collect and a talking raven companion with an attitude problem...and that's just the first hour.
I always enjoy the live talent in these games. This version is full of achievements and bling for the computer. The graphics are gorgeous. As usual, there is a good balance between adventuring,HOS and puzzles. I split my time between remarks of "OMG that's so creepy" and "look at the cute skeleton!"
This isn't a game that I'd recommend or purchase. I agree with previous reviews that it is very easy to complete the levels but nearly impossible to achieve expert level without purchasing upgrades and repeating levels later. I also agree that the pets being nearly identical causes problems. There's also an annoying delay between clicking something and having the action actually happen, especially with picking up the money and that's IF it even registers that you've clicked on something, like the pets that the customers are holding. In order for me to appreciate a time management game, there has to be alot of variety and potential to use different strategies to achieve a favorable end result. That just isn't happening here.
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Time Management
Fun Factor
5/ 5
Visual/Sound Quality
3/ 5
Level of Challenge
5/ 5
Storyline
3/ 5
This was a cute and potentially addictive game. It was great fun and I'd recommend it for the younger folks as well as anybody who just wants to forget themselves for awhile.
....the boyfriend!! For outstanding stupidity in reading random Latin passages from a book of spells. Congratulations!
:P
This game was exquisite with near perfection in every category. I definitely had a "Nooooooo!" moment when my trial ran out. It has been added to my "Most Wanted" list and comes highly recommended.