The Secret Order is undoubtedly a Fan Favorite and the fact that "Return to The Buried Kingdom" is the 7th addition to the series is proof. Playing the role of Sarah Pennington on her latest quest in this follow up to “The Buried Kingdom 2016” is another engaging adventure. Just as enjoyable as previous editions in the series of The Secret Order (a secret society sworn to protect against the Dragon clan). Sarah is once again reunited with her sister Julie in the buried Kingdom beneath the sea, but the Kingdom is in danger again now that Mother Dragon has passed away. Both of you, Julie and Droi the dragon must journey thru countless obstacles in search of the precious egg Mother Dragon has devoted her life to protecting, but a menacing villain may be your biggest threat or could it be something far more sinister? Be prepared for the unexpected in this edition and trust no one!!!
In my opinion, the quality of the Secret Order series is somewhat inconsistent with each release, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that this latest installment is one of the better The Secret Order games. The plot in The Secret Order: Return to The Buried Kingdom is nothing new, but at least the delivery is creative and innovative. The Secret Order series games are developed by Sunward Games and published by Artifex Mundi and together this team uses many creative tools to help present the storyline; from the gorgeous cutscenes to clever interactive puzzles. I love all the editions in this series, so this was a definite purchase for me. The main game is a solid four to five hours of great fun and wonder, and the bonus chapter is certainly worth playing.
It’s great to see another clever edition of The Secret Order series especially since they decided to take us back to the adventure that proceeded “Blood Line” and “Shadow Breach”. I wonder if fans will remember this? Cheers!
In this series: •The Secret Order: New Horizon •The Secret Order: Masked Intent •The Secret Order: Ancient Times •The Secret Order: Beyond Time •The Secret Order: The Buried Kingdom •The Secret Order: Bloodline •The Secret Order: Return to The Buried Kingdom
In the world built on the shoulders of sleeping giants, join your sister Adrianne to prevent a terrifying annihilation that may irreversibly change the world. Explore the history of a forgotten civilisation to save the citizens of Skyland and subsequently reveal the truth surrounding the mystery that lead to the death of your father.
In an outlandish steampunk world the surface of the planet has withered and died below the toxic fumes. Survivors fled and settled atop the sleeping giants. Those relics of a forgone age proved to be a source of endless energy that allowed an entire civilization to flourish again. However, something sinister looms over the Skyland. People are disappearing without trace and it seems it might be connected to your father’s tragic death. It’s up to you and your trusty crew of airship Nightingale to uncover the truth behind it. Team up with your sister Adrianne and together you will solve the mystery behind your father’s passing and see a glimpse of an ancient civilization that shaped this world. In your journey you will confront a mysterious villain; Bal the Sole and possibly face questions about the nature of life itself. Wherever your quest will lead you, Skyland will never be the same...
From Artifex Mundi; the creative developers behind hidden gems like (Kingmaker: Rise to the Throne) and (Path of Sin: Greed), comes a new out-of-this-world adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed! Skyland: Heart of the Mountain reminds me of two other Artifex Mundi games; the (Kingdom of Aurelia) and (Modern Tales), as the new wave of casual steampunk adventures comes to BFG.
I'm an avid fan of steam punk themed games and my hope is that more of these kinds of HOP adventures will be offered to game club members in the future. I thought Skyland: Heart of the Mountain had a lot of redeeming qualities... Firstly, as “standard” as its game mechanics are, the game is inarguably well-built and offers an extremely smooth and consistent experience the whole way through. In addition, the production aspects are really on-point and the sharp graphics, breathtaking animations, and effective soundtracks are essential in maintaining the momentum of the game.
That said, some players may find an emotional distance feeling throughout the game, particularly since the gameplay is somewhat predictable. The hidden object scenes and the puzzles are not all that innovative and the special gauntlet gadget doesn't leave much of an impression. Overall these were minor flaws in the game for me because I love steam punk. So if you're looking for a casual game within this genre, I encourage folks to give this one a demo. In terms of length of gameplay...it took me around 3 to 4 hours to blast through to the conclusion. You may also consider using a free "game coupon" for this one too. Cheers!
In this 18th episode of Hidden Expedition you play the role of Dr. Ann Walters, a decorated archeologist and member of H.E.L.P. who has been called by the research team situated in Pompeii for assistance with a potential catastrophe. The famous Vesuvius volcano is unstable at the moment and experts all over the world are brainstorming to minimize the damage that the eruption can cause. With the aid of Neptune's Trident on this multi-location journey; solving this adventure is quite easy even for beginner's who may not be familiar with this series....
It's fair to say that overall consistency has never been the Hidden Expedition series’ strong suit. Some installments are terrific, while others are disappointing. Looking back I think some sequels were very historical, while others ventured too far into the fantasy territory. This latest game is more history-based than I expected, with interesting history facts thrown in here and there (which is an attribute to this series IMHO). The game starts off rather slow, but quickly picks up the pace a chapter or two in. Although this is definitely not the most action-packed Hidden Expedition game ever, the storyline kept me intrigued from start to finish.
Until this latest installment I was practically burned-out on this never ending series, but the story line proved to be worthy of playing this one. I chose to play the CE version because it was a BOGO offer. Gamers gave the CE a 4 star average rating and comparatively speaking it does meet the criteria for a 3-4 star adventure. If you have a 'free game coupon' you might want to use it on this one. This adventure also offers longer game playing time than the past few editions too. I finished both the main game and the bonus chapter in roughly 6 hours.
The sights and sounds in Hidden Expedition: Neptune's Gift are really spot-on. The game sets in a variety of locations around the world and Eipix made some great improvements with portraying the exotic landscapes of those locations. The artwork is very detailed with just the right colors and effects to make them come alive. The background music wasn't repetitious and the voice-overs are perfect (as usual) and really helps keep the momentum of the game going. So, I'm glad I gave this series another go...maybe this series will start to trend again??? It's possible if Eipix decides to incorporate interesting history facts with unique storylines and make HOS and puzzles more innovative too. Cheers!
Laura James, a fearless reporter with the 'Daily News', returns in the fourth chapter of the cold-blooded saga which transports us to New York City during the late 1960s. It's become extremely dangerous in the city with a recent outbreak of a mysterious bacterial contagion and it’s up to Laura to investigate who is responsible for this atrocity and stop it from spreading. The brilliant minds at Five-BN games have created an award worthy adventure that may prove to be one of this year’s best releases to date.
It’s been three (3) years since the last edition of New York Mysteries, so I was really hyped to play this release...it was an easy must purchase for me. Fans of Five-BN Games are really going to enjoy this installment just as much as the previous ones. For me, New York Mysteries: The Outbreak has one of the best detective storylines I have seen in a HOPA in quite some time. The story was intriguing and captivating and kept me on the edge of my seat right from the beginning to the end. It’s also worth mentioning the fantastic plot is accompanied by some truly amazing features, flawless character animations and solid voice-overs. The graphics/SFX are modern and sharp and have some of the best cutscenes in the industry, kudos to the visuals team!
Immerse yourself in an exciting HOPA that delivers an extraordinary and exciting crime story containing lots of unexpected twists and turns and offers more than six (6) hours of gameplay. The Collector’s Edition includes a nice array of achievements, several interesting sets of collectibles, an above-average bonus chapter and other gallery items. What a surprise it was to see another episode of this popular series and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment!!! I also highly recommend this game to players of every level. Cheers!
In this series:
• New York Mysteries: Secrets of the Mafia • New York Mysteries: High Voltage • New York Mysteries: The Lantern of Souls
THE CABINETS OF DOCTOR ARCANA IS A PERPLEXING MIND BENDER!!!
PostedApril 5, 2019
skullfun
fromMonolith Graphics did a super job creating this experience for everyone but diehard puzzle fanatics eager for their next brainteasing fix will love this the most!!!
The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana can provide some solid gothic puzzling fun for several hours, especially if you enjoy brain teasing puzzles! Steeped in a lovely gothic atmosphere, this adventure is loaded with tried-and-true puzzle archetypes enthusiasts of this genre are certainly going to enjoy. From swapping tiles to navigating-the-maze, all the classics are represented here in abundance, often multiple times. It also provides a bit of flair and a handful of challenging moments during the entire puzzle parade.
There’s a bit of a backstory established during the opening moments. Doctor Arcana was a renowned magician who mysteriously vanished years ago, leaving behind a hulking estate that has sat abandoned ever since. Now, as the nameless protagonist, you find yourself in front of the mansion’s foreboding gates, drawn by some unknown power to enter despite your better judgment. The inspiration the developers convey is an obvious entrapment for players to “be locked in a house with puzzles.” After a couple of token introductory obstacles, you gain entry and the doors seal themselves behind you, cutting off your escape. Your only choice, as a masked vision of the good doctor informs you, is to make your way into the mansion’s innermost sanctum and unearth the secrets lying there if you wish to live thru the night.
Naturally, no inner sanctum is ever easily accessible (but check out THE MAP in Arcana's office), and this particular one requires collecting thirteen special keys. This aspect brings with it the first blow to the overall sense of fun. Each of the thirteen keys is hidden in a different room, each of which is itself locked by identical pairs of puzzles: assembling an arcane glyph representing one of a number of gothic creatures, and spelling out the creature’s name translated into cryptic symbols. All thirteen doors follow this exact pattern, though with increased difficulty for some of the later ones – every…single…one!
Clues revealing the glyphs and creature names can be found by inspecting the large portraits hanging all around the manor, but there’s no challenge involved here, as a portrait will include both the name and glyph together, with no wits required to match pairs. A colored gem – unique for each door – must also be found hidden somewhere in the mansion before it can finally be opened. A good quarter or even third of the game’s entire four-hour running time will be spent solving and resolving this sequence of puzzles thirteen times over.
In addition to sprucing up the puzzles with some atmospheric aesthetics, the presentation on the whole does a great job of lending the experience an occult air, helping it stand out a bit more as its own entity. The game is certainly no graphical powerhouse, but it is evident that care and effort was poured into polishing what is on display. The visuals, while mostly static screens with perhaps an effect or two sprinkled in, are nicely detailed. Of special note are the aforementioned portraits adorning the mansion, showing custom hand-drawn renderings featuring an array of gothic and occult images of various creatures and deities. There isn’t much in the way of animation throughout, with the exception of a handful of cinematics showing Arcana’s mask when he berates your intelligence even as he goads you ever on. (LOL)!!!
The score also fits the mood perfectly, though not in the whistle-along-at-work way. It’s the kind of music one might expect to hear while in line at a haunted house attraction – cheesy, fun, party-store Halloween music, suitable for the setting and vibe the game is trying to achieve. A bit of voicework for Doctor Arcana is even included, rounding out a production that won’t leave anybody starving for spooky ambience, even though there’s no real danger involved...
So, that's my take on this clever and thought provoking gem. It's going to take me hours upon hours for me to complete this adventure and I can't wait to see what happens next and I promised myself NO CHEATING (rolling my eyes at that remark and giggling). Hope everyone enjoys this unique SE, I highly recommend it. Cheers!
The Andersen Accounts is back for another round of thrills and the tensions in Bay City are rising as the conflicts between Marked and Unmarked people start to grow. Detective Chris Andersen is on his way for a pleasant evening out with his girlfriend when he is approached by a stranger that has transformed his body parts into wood. Can you help him stop this gang of criminals before time runs out? The Andersen Accounts 2: The Price of a Life is the latest creation from the creative minds at Eipix Entertainment!
Like the first game, The Andersen Accounts: The Price of a Life is an excellent hybrid between the true-crime and the dystopian genres. The storyline in this edition may not be the most fast-paced nor the most action-packed, but it is consistently paced and the delivery is definitely impeccable IMHO. The storyline development and the buildup to the revelation leave enough room for suspense, which makes for an incredibly captivating game through and through. Eipix did an amazing job with the intricate artwork and epic visuals, along with the breathtaking musical score.
I thought the gameplay was sophisticated enough to maintain the excitement from start to finish. The hidden object scenes are creative and highly interactive, while the puzzles are fun and clever. The protagonist’s supernatural ability is put to great use and feels like a device to get the player more engaged in the game rather than just another silly gimmick. I really loved this sequel which took me about four hours to complete and it was a thrill ride all the way through. I hope Eipix continues with this series and perhaps go so far as to create another new HOPA series in this same genre. Cheers!
Enter Drowsy Valley, a small remote tourist town located in the Alps of Austria. A place which bustles with life during summer and depopulates during winter. However, this ordinary and sometimes gloomy city harbours a secret. The people of Drowsy Valley suffer from severe sleep disorders and vivid nightmares. The local physicians are powerless against this ailment and when a young girl named Sandra, the daughter of city’s mayor, falls into a coma the head of the city decides to enlist the aid of a special psychiatrist. You play the role of the psychiatrist who possess a unique ability to enter and traverse people’s subconscious minds – a Dreamwalker. Step into the shoes of the paranormal psychiatrist and immerse yourself in the paranormal detective mystery of Drowsy Valley. Enter the subconscious of your patients, become the detective of the psyche and separate that which is real from imaginary, unravel the mystery behind the mysterious circumstances of the Mayor’s daughter and Drowsy Valley citizen’s inexplicable condition. Dark secrets loom in the hidden corners of a human mind, will you dare to find them?
This is an engaging SE that delivers a compelling storyline which entices gamers of every level to emerge themselves in an incredible mystery that will captivate your interest from the moment you begin playing until the very end of the investigation. This is unique considering the fact that this is a Standard game (SE) but comes very close to being a Collector's Edition game (CE) which isn't offered often enough on BFG. Usually within a month CE games are re-released as SE versions for members, but rarely do you see a stand alone SE like this one being released on a regular basis. I commend Artifex Mundi and House of Fables for their efforts to change this trend...more developer's should be doing this too!
It may not be ground breaking or extraordinarily innovative but I really enjoyed this game. It took me close to 4 hours to finish and I'm glad I purchased this jewel. Cheers!
The Andersen Accounts is back for another round of thrills and the tensions in Bay City are rising as the conflicts between Marked and Unmarked people start to grow. Detective Chris Andersen is on his way for a pleasant evening out with his girlfriend when he is approached by a stranger that has transformed his body parts into wood. Can you help him stop this gang of criminals before time runs out? The Andersen Accounts 2: The Price of a Life is the latest creation from the creative minds at Eipix Entertainment!
Like the first game, The Andersen Accounts: The Price of a Life is an excellent hybrid between the true-crime and the dystopian genres. The storyline in this edition may not be the most fast-paced nor the most action-packed, but it is consistently paced and the delivery is definitely impeccable. The storyline development and the buildup to the revelation leave enough room for suspense, which makes for an incredibly captivating game through and through. Eipix did an amazing job with the intricate artwork and epic visuals, along with the breathtaking musical score.
I thought the gameplay was sophisticated enough to maintain the excitement from start to finish. The hidden object scenes are creative and highly interactive, while the puzzles are fun and clever. The protagonist’s supernatural ability is put to great use and feels like a device to get the player more engaged in the game rather than just another silly gimmick. I really loved this sequel which took me about four hours to complete and it was a thrill ride all the way through. I hope Eipix continues with this series and perhaps go so far as to create another new HOPA series in this same genre. Cheers!
Domino Games have created a stellar addition to their 9th installment of their popular series Labyrinths of the World. It doesn't surprise me that this release would receive the Editor's game choice too.
The Earth’s crust has developed a crack, which leads to a series of disastrous cataclysmic events all around the world. This also coincides with the strange disappearance of your brother, a member of the Seekers! With stakes rising and time running out, you are sent on the Seekers mission of a lifetime in Labyrinths of the World 9: Lost Island! Dietrich, the villain in the story has orchestrated a plan to travel throughout the universe reeking devastation along the way with intentions of annihilating Earth and it's up to you Margaret to stop him!
Based on the synopsis, Labyrinths of the World: Lost Island might sound just another typical “save the world” fantasy-themed game but this isn't the scenario for this game. Domini Games’ science fiction and fantasy hybrid spin on this seemingly-cliché storyline is actually incredibly effective and engaging. The unfolding of the storyline in Lost Island is unpredictable and the excellent and consistent pacing of the game helps captivate player's of every level from beginning to end.
A strong storyline alone would not have sufficed if the gameplay was lackluster. Fortunately, Labyrinths of the World: Lost Island’s gameplay is equally solid. The creativity showcased in the gameplay is undeniable. Yes, there is still an abundance of weirdly-shaped locks, magical potions and whatnot, but there is plenty of less conventional tasks to complete as well. The hidden object scenes and the puzzles are fun and imaginative, which is what I have come to expect from this unique series.
I am definitely a fan of Domini Games and to my surprise, the developer has really raised the bar with Labyrinths of the World: Lost Island. The visual quality is simply breathtaking and the bright fluorescent colors play as a strength for the game rather than a distraction – the Labyrinths of the World franchise has never looked more stunning IMHO. Labyrinths of the World: Lost Island is a relatively long game too. The main game took me five and a half hours to complete and the bonus chapter added another hour (more gameplay time for your money)!!! So I decided to go with the Collector’s Edition, which is packed with extras as usual; a strategy guide, wallpapers, concept art, soundtracks, videos, repayable hidden object scenes, re-playable puzzles, achievements, collectibles, morphing objects, and zoo creatures to purchase. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of gameplay in the latest edition to the series. I hope fans of this series feel the same way as I do and I highly recommend this one. Cheers!
In this wonderful series: •Labyrinths of the World: Shattered Soul •Labyrinths of the World: Forbidden Muse •Labyrinths of the World: Changing the Past •Labyrinths of the World: Stonehenge Legend •Labyrinths of the World: Secrets of Easter Island •Labyrinths of the World: The Devil's Tower •Labyrinths of the World: A Dangerous Game •Labyrinths of the World: When Worlds Collide •Labyrinths of the World: Lost Island
Dreadful Tales: The Space Between is an example of what Eipix is capable of when they really put their minds to it. This is a thoughtfully-constructed horror adventure that will surely go down as one of the year's best.
Mark and Martha Spencer just bought themselves a new country mansion for an oddly cheap price, hoping to flip it for profits in the near future. Odd thing about it was that the property was priced low for a reason, and a sinister one at that. Help the Spencer's survive throughout the night until dawn as they discover the dark history of their new (haunted) house!
What a fantastic way to begin the new year! Dreadful Tales: The Space Between is an extremely promising start to Eipix’s new series, it effectively and seamlessly combines the horror genre with the psychological thriller genre. While the outline execution of the storyline is not the most original concept, the delivery is incredibly engaging. The slow-paced storyline is also offset by the suspenseful and creepy atmosphere that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish!!! The horror elements in Dreadful Tales: The Space Between are as successful as they are thanks to the game’s production team (they did an excellent job). The chilling environment is also perfectly presented through the game’s bleak visuals and haunting music. Although the visuals can be seen as a little rough at times, I think they might be intentionally done in that fashion in order to evoke the horror feel. Lately, Eipix’s games are often uninspired and predictable especially when it concerns their gameplay and honestly, I am not a huge fan of their games. To my delight, Dreadful Tales: The Space Between’s gameplay is pretty complex and creative. The adventure part is non-linear and involves a surprising amount of unconventional problem-solving. I also thought that the hidden object scenes and the puzzles were well-crafted, considerably challenging, and cleverly tied into the storyline.
In my opinion this is Eipix 's best work so far and fans of this genre will most definitely appreciate how intricate and engaging this HOPA plays out. Dreadful Tales: The Space Between took me five and a half hours to complete and the prequel bonus chapter took me an additional hour or so – and I am definitely hungry for more!!!!! I chose the Collector’s Edition over this Standard Edition because it contains all the standard bonus bling; a strategy guide, wallpapers, concept art, soundtracks, videos, achievements, collectibles, morphing objects, repayable hidden object scenes, replayable puzzles and a souvenir room. Kudo's to Eipix on their latest release and raising the bar to deliver an innovative new series that it destined to be an incredible series if the developers continue on this path. Cheers!