When this adventure began in 2014 I had high hopes for series. The Lost Lands saga continues with this latest sequel with Susan the warmaiden in an epic episode. Join Susan, Maaron the Mage, and Folkner the dwarf on her quest to find both of the TARSAS (stone giants created by the mages fro the order of madmen). Each TARSAS were created; one for frost and one for fire, balancing cold & heat in the Lost Lands. Help Susan on her journey to find the (2) two horns to wake the TARSAS. Certain sacrifices have to be made in order to do this and return to the museum in time to save the day. The 17 cut-scenes in Lost Lands are top-notch with awesome animations and actions accompanied by epic music and perfect voice overs. The artwork is nothing but stunning, the use of lightning and colors are very clever, thus, all the scenes look glorious! The storyline is incredible and casual gamers are in store for an emotional ending. All the other necessary features are there, 3 difficulties plus a custom mode even if the game does not say so, an interactive jump-map, achievements and various collectibles. For the Collector’s Edition, all the usual gallery items are included as well as re-playable Mini-Games and bonus jigsaw puzzles – the bonus chapter is up to the standard despite the fact that it is a tiny bit too short. Kudos to Five-BN and Bigfish for this stellar series!!!
The malicious dwarf, Saint Germain (SG), is back again with another Haunted Legends installment. Long ago, Sebastian’s father made a deal to allow Sebastian to communicate with the spirit world. Now that the father is dead, SG is intending to steal this boy’s ability that will grant him immortality. Can you save this innocent boy from the grasps of the tricky dwarf? After the 10th installment of the Haunted Legends sequel I did not have high expectations, but this edition was a surprise. The Cursed Gift is actually quite entertaining and worthy of Editors Choice. The storyline is nothing revolutionary, but it managed to grab my interests and I was engaged all the way through! The story development allows for moments of excitement as well as suspense, which is ideal for a horror-lite game like this. However, the game could have reduced the amount of readings and still remains effective. Haunted Legends: The Cursed Gift features stellar sights and sounds, as one would expect from this veteran developer. The scene designs are spectacularly-drawn and stunningly-painted, so are the special effects and the animations. The audio does not disappoint either; the background music provides great atmospheric support for the game and the majority of the voice-overs are on-point. If there is another installment, ERS/AMAX Interactive (whatever they are calling themselves these days) could try thinking outside-the-box and layering different styles of puzzles with their future releases. I have played all the Haunted Legends series and found it fascinating to learn that the inspiration for the Haunted Legends series came from the works of the famous Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin. He’s widely considered the father of modern Russian Literature, and wrote a number of poems, stories, and operas. Many of his works had elements of horror and fantasy, which fit well into a casual game. Each Haunted Legends title draws elements from these stories, though the games as a whole are largely original. I recommend all the editions of Haunted Legends. Cheers!
•Haunted Legends: The Queen of Spades (Dec. 2010). •Haunted Legends: The Bronze Horseman (Sept. 2011). •Haunted Legends: The Undertaker (November 2012). •Haunted Legends: The Curse of Vox (June 2013). •Haunted Legends: The Stone Guest (November 2014). •Haunted Legends: The Dark Wishes (May 2015). •Haunted Legends: The Secret of Life (November 2015). •Haunted Legends: The Iron Mask (July 2016). •Haunted Legends: Faulty Creatures (December 2016). •Haunted Legends: The Black Hawk (March 2017). •Haunted Legends: The Cursed Gift (August 2017).
They keep spinning out new sequels and producing series, all of which are excellent in quality and impossibly captivating. In this first Donna Brave game, the Golden Circle (an exclusive club in which your uncle is a part of) is under attack from the “Strangler”. The members of the Golden Circle are being murdered one by one, can you save your uncle Andrea before he reaches the same fate as his friends? It is worth noting that Donna Brave’s storytelling is impeccable. The game grabs your attention right away with its cinematic opening sequence and never lets go. The unraveling of the plot is done in such a sophisticated fashion that always makes you want to know more, the fast-paced nature of the storyline is extremely engaging, and the characters are distinctive and memorable. The art style of Donna Brave: And the Strangler of Paris perfectly captures the art deco era of 1920s Paris. Each location is packed with exquisite details and astonishing colors, not a single scene in this game is not wallpaper-worthy. The audio also plays an important part in this game. The beautifully-composed soundtracks are fitting for the theme of the game. Moreover, the voice-overs come with near-perfect lip-syncing and are appropriate for the characters. Donna Brave: And the Strangler of Paris even excels in the gameplay department. Nowadays, the market is cluttered with cookie-cutter adventures, it is refreshing to see a game that attempts to break the mold. Donna Brave does not exactly do anything revolutionary, but it is evident through its gameplay that a lot of brainstorming occurred during the development process. Donna Brave involves an unusually high amount of multi-level tasks and interactive inventory items. Thus, this is guaranteed to be a challenging game, even for advanced HOPA players. The hidden object scenes are equally creative and are all very entertaining. I feel like the puzzles could have been more unique, but I appreciate the integration into the storyline. Donna Brave: And the Strangler of Paris offers around four hours of fun in the main game, and the bonus chapter an hour. With all the praises given this game, the Collector’s Edition is definitely the way to go. It includes a bonus section with items like a strategy guide, wallpapers, a character gallery, concept art, soundtracks, a memory game, re-playable hidden objects scenes, achievements, collectibles, and morphing objects.
A serial killer known as The Guilty Man is going around the town hunting down his victims. Emily Meyer, an amateur police detective, is assigned to solve this chilling case. Can she catch the killer just in time before he claims his tenth body? Brave Giant Studios, the team behind such famous series like Queen’s Quest and Demon Hunter, is back with a brand-new series, and it is more thrilling than ever. Right from the start, you'll know your getting into a juicy murder mystery; one that involves paranormal spirits. The storyline here might not be all that different when compared to other HOPAs with similar “who-dun-it” type of storyline. However, the way that the story develops and unravels in this game is something special. The game managed to keep me on the edge of my seat all the way through. We also appreciate the inclusion of a special feature, the Lab, which allows for the examination of pieces of evidence and really gets you involved in the investigative process. Gameplay wise, Ghost Files: The Face of Guilt is extremely well-crafted. While the challenge level might not be high, the game is not primary-grade easy either. The hidden object scenes present some innovative ideas and the puzzles are all quite entertaining. Like any other recent releases from Brave Giant, Ghost Files: The Face of Guilt has a stunning production. The graphics are beautifully drawn and stunningly painted. Some scenes can look a little muddy, but that is appropriate for the suspenseful atmosphere of the game. Further, the orchestral soundtracks are always intriguing and not at all distracting. Brave Giant really impresses both with delivery and production. I look forward to more edition of this series in the future. Cheers!
This latest Myths of the World game from Eipix tackles the famous Greek mythology. Prometheus has stolen the power of fire from the Gods and given it to humans. As a result, Zeus has ordered Prometheus to be chained to a rock until the end of time and rendered his daughter, Lysandra, Goddess of the Eternal Frost, mortal. Can you help Lysandra deal with Zeus’ wrath and save her father? The Myths of the World series has always been a hit-or-miss for me, and this installment rests somewhere in the middle. On one hand, the game features a promising concept, one that is not seen very often in the HOPA field. On the other hand, the storyline somehow feels silly and pointless. Perhaps, that is because the game ventures a little too far away from the original myth or the lack of any real sense of urgency. The gameplay is definitely not substandard, although a stronger effort at innovation would have been appreciated. Myths of the World: Fire of Olympus plays like any other HOPA games, with few to no surprises. The hidden object scenes include large, easy-to-find objects and offer little variety. The puzzles are nothing groundbreaking either, since most of them are of medium difficulty and heavily based on well-known formats. If Myths of the World: Fire of Olympus has a strong point, that must be its production. Eipix rarely disappoints when it comes to sights and sounds, and Fire of Olympus continues that streak. The concept art is appropriately grand, the graphics are clean, and the cutscenes are of epic proportions. It takes approximately three and a half hours playing Myths of the World: Fire of Olympus which is a decent amount of game-play for an SE version. Cheers!
Aaron and Ophelia were just about to get married when Ophelia was suddenly struck by a deadly disease. Aaron has already tried to save his lover using any means necessary, all of which proved fruitless. He is now ready to take one step further into the dangerous world of dark magic. Now you must help Aaron as he explores the Underworld in search for the Blind Witch, who might be able to help bringing Ophelia back to life! Once again, the Love Chronicles series seamlessly integrates a romance story with a dark fantasy theme. There is no denying that this sort of storyline has been done a hundred times before. However, it is also worth noting that the one in this game is particularly well done. From the delivery to the dialogs – every part of the storyline is perfectly-tuned. Regarding the gameplay, there is nothing groundbreaking. The adventure is fairly traditional – no helpers or anything unexpected. There is one extra feature though, which is The Compass. It is not required to use very often, and usually consists of aligning parts of the scene to reveal hidden spaces. Similarly, the hidden object scenes and the puzzles are not the most innovative types. Still, one can potentially enjoy every one of them since they were all extremely well-crafted and of acceptable difficulty. No HOPA game is complete without a top-rate production. Love Chronicles: Death’s Embrace certainly does not disappoint with its sights and sounds. The visuals feature extravagant special effects and intricate details – all of which are stunning. Further, the audio delivers the same high quality. The voice-acting is on-point and appropriate for each character, while the soothing music gives the game a magical feel. Love Chronicles: Death’s Embrace has a typical length of around four hours, which is a decent amount of game-play time for the SE version of this popular series. This installment was not my favorite. I did however, enjoy playing Death's Embrace and it's worth checking out the previous editions of this series. Cheers!
•Love Chronicles: The Spell (May 2010). •Love Chronicles: The Sword and the Rose (June 2011). •Love Chronicles: Salvation (May 2013). •Love Chronicles: Winter’s Spell (January 2015). •Love Chronicles: Beyond the Shadows (April 2016). •Love Chronicles: Death’s Embrace (June 2017).
Mad Head Games delivers the second installment in the mystical series "Shadowplay". This is the follow up to Shadowplay: Darkness Incarnate released in 2016. This latest edition "Shadowplay 2: Whispers of the Past" will give players the opportunity to chat with Alicia Cole - historian, museum employee and happy mother of the charming girl Maya. Subsequently, it will help to find out that not all archeological finds can be safely and impeccably displayed for public viewing. Some things should not be scooped out of the depths of the earth and history, but, on the contrary, buried as deeply as possible, because then it would be possible to avoid a whole heap of problems. We discover about this one from the second part of the "Shadowplay" series. It will start with theft in the museum, kidnapping a person, and it where it will end is not known at all ... but if you play "Shadowplay 2: Whispers of the Past" in it's entirety you'll be able to find out the end of this crazy and fascinating story. The storyline really kicks in after demo-play. Step into the shadows and discover what they hide as the stakes get higher and higher in this frightening new addition to the horror series!!! Worthy of Editor's Choice and a must-buy for me. Cheers!
Amaranthine Voyage: The Burning Sky is the 8th edition in this fan favorite and it is also the last. I have enjoyed all the installments of this fast paced adventure series since the original game "The Tree of Life" launched in January of 2013. In this final journey you play the role of Eve Glover one last time. She may very well be looking for another career since Eipix has retired this series. I have always loved this series and all eight editions are definitely worth investigating. Amaranth Voyage: The Burning Sky involves a wide range of imaginative elements; from the characters to the landscapes and even time-traveling. Unfortunately, this compelling concept is ruined by a confusing storyline that is hard to follow. I can appreciate Eipix’s attempt to differentiate this game from other fantasy titles in the market, but sometimes a complicated storyline backfires. The visuals in Amaranthine Voyage: The Burning Sky are simply out of this world. The locations in this game are perhaps the best I have seen from Eipix so far. The level of detail in each scene is mind-blowing, and the soothing colors make the experience much more magical. Honestly, I paid the CE price just to witness the graphics in this game alone. The gameplay is nothing special, but professionally executed. The variations of hidden object scenes are decent, and so are the mini-games. Most of the time, they are well-integrated into the storyline and are of easy to medium difficulty. The main game is four hours long, and the bonus chapter is roughly an hour. Cheers!
•Amaranthine Voyage: The Tree of Life - January 2013 •Amaranthine Voyage: The Living Mountain - January 2014 •Amaranthine Voyage: The Shadow of Torment - July 2014 •Amaranthine Voyage: The Obsidian Book - April 2014 •Amaranthine Voyage: The Orb of Purity - Oct. 2015 •Amaranthine Voyage: Winter Neverending - April 2016 •Amaranthine Voyage: Legacy of the Guardians - Oct. 2016 •Amaranthine Voyage: The Burning Sky - July 2017
The Witches' Legacy continues the saga with it's tenth edition including exciting new characters, even though fans miss the original cast of characters from the previous editions. With ten games out, the family tree in the Witches’ Legacy has become very complicated. Regardless, this brand-new adventure with Jack is no less enjoyable than those in its predecessors. In this latest installment your quest takes you on a journey with Jack and his girlfriend Anabel. In Witches' Legacy: Covered by the Night, Jack must face the evil Sorcerer Felix and save Anabel. Unlike Merlin (friend to King Arthur of Camelot), Felix is a truly evil sorcerer who feeds on souls to sustain his powers originally bestowed upon him by the now deceased (Evil Witch Queen Morgana). Will you be able to save Anabel in time? The storyline in Witches’ Legacy: Covered by The Night is by no means original. Essentially, it is just another “find the relative” type of storyline. What makes it much more fascinating are the elements of witchcraft and the mind-blowing details in the environment. The Witches’ Legacy series has always been somewhat quirky when it comes to its delivery, and that glorious quirkiness is still present in this installment. Apart from the usual tasks you need to solve, each location also features a handful of fun interactions you can enjoy – these interactions do not necessarily progress the story, but they are great diversions and help make the game just a little more interesting. Arguably, the game is extremely well-made and new players will most likely find it very entertaining. Long-time fans of the genre, though, will find it pointlessly easy. Even the hidden object scenes and the puzzles, which are considerably more innovative than the adventure side, could have been made more complex. Elefun Games still successfully delivers a stellar production. The artwork is incredibly detailed, the graphics quality is remarkable, and the visual effects are simply epic. In general, the SFX audio of the game is pretty solid. The soundtracks convey the paranormal vibe of the game well, and the voice-overs are decent, if not a bit unrealistic. This edition took a little more than four hours to complete, and the bonus chapter took us another 50 minutes. The Collector’s Edition comes with all the standard features; a strategy guide, wallpapers, concept art, soundtracks, screensavers, achievements, collectibles (the usual bling). I remain a fan of this popular series and all the installments are worth playing. Cheers!
•Witches’ Legacy: The Charleston Curse - January 2012 •Witches’ Legacy: Lair of the Witch Queen - July 2013 •Witches’ Legacy: Hunter and the Hunted - January 2014 •Witches’ Legacy:The Ties That Bind - August 2014 •Witches’ Legacy: Slumbering Darkness - February 2015 •Witches’ Legacy:The Dark Throne – April 2015 •Witches’ Legacy: Awakening Darkness - December 2015 •Witches’ Legacy: Dark Days to Come – July 2016 •Witches’ Legacy: The City That Isn’t There – January 2017 •Witches’ Legacy:Covered By The Night – July 2017
The Journey continues as you are cast once again in the role of Sarah Pennington with a mission to locate the "Flower of Life" a flower which can cure all known diseases. As a member of the Secret Order founded by your father, you must travel to the Amazon and locate the cure-all flower, as well as your mother. She's been kidnapped by the Dragon Clan; a ruthless group who have the "Flower of Life" and an evil agenda. Will you be able to rescue your mother and save the "Flower of Life?" Time is running out fast (literally your curser is a timer) and it's up to you, Sarah to save the day! This is another great adventure in the popular series. While there is nothing cutting-edge about the storyline, it's worth mentioning that the plot does keep you completely interested throughout the entire game. I love The Secret Order game series! Each scene is still filled with intricate details and vibrant colors, but somehow the overall aesthetic of the graphics is somewhat cartoonish. I thought the sound effects and graphics were beautifully executed, but somewhat substandard to previous editions. In my subjective opinion, the gameplay is the game’s saving grace. For a game with such a cliché plot, the gameplay is surprisingly complex. Many objectives in the adventure portion of the game require several steps to complete; the challenge level is high and the entertainment value is definitely plenty. The hidden object scenes are definitely imaginative. Most of the puzzles are creative and fun – and the variety is something I certainly appreciated. This action mystery is a great addition to it's predecessors and one may choose to play each game in the order released. I highly recommend this unique series by release date. Cheers!
•The Secret Order : New Horizon (December 2011) •The Secret Order : Masked Intent (March 2013) •The Secret Order : Ancient Times (April 2014) •The Secret Order : Beyond Time (March 2015) •The Secret Order : The Buried Kingdom (May 2016) •The Secret Order : Bloodline (June 2017)