Without having the best artwork there is, or any special music, this game hooks you. It's very atmospheric and I personally forgot, after a while, that I was playing. I kinda stepped into the game. Wow! So, basically, without -at first glance- being anything special, this HOG is really interesting and it keeps your gaming interest! Bravo!
I haven't gotten past the demo, and not even that, completely. The graphics were just horrible and I don't have time to loose. Especially when there are beautiful crafted games, out there... Sorry team.
Through the portals and into nightmares, dark magic and ancient Peruvian stories about the goddess of Moon. What a nice surprise that 1st scene was. Like an old, true adventure game, where everything is depicted smaller and so, more things and mostly detail can fit into the layout. The absolute only negative: At times the music was nerve-wrackingly monotonous and that's a huge dealbraker for me. Again, what a pleasant idea to play for a very short time a game within the pages of a book! Let's look for that 4 crystals that fit the 1 medallion in 4 different nightmares... Bravo!
The mini HOG scenes, not a fan. The music, also not a big fan. I don't know. The game unfolds in a really static way, especially as far as the mansion-summer boarding house is concerned. It seemed that I was stuck in time and couldn't get past that 2nd, 3rd sceene and move on already. And after that, the pace could really pick-up, which... it didn't. So, some mixed feelings here. And some bad puzzles. And also, why can't you guys (the design team) make games for those who doesn't have a wide screen?! I couldn't really finish nearly all the mini HOGs, since some objects were "hidden" in the corners and in my case -"square" screen here- outside the visible screen! Major disappointment. Approaching the end and while in the bonus round, the game play got smoother and more enjoyable.
It was not so long ago, that I played the previous title, so I'm guessing the production team must work overtime! And that is good for us, the players! Not crazy about the "visual riddles" or the interactive HOGs... For me, this title was always based more on the intriguing, adventurous story and action (gameplay) and much less on the artwork. The game starts off rough, artwork-wise but after a long while smooths out. Plus, the wallpapers, which I always notice and download, are pretty bad. But, the scenario is one of the best I've played so far and the gameplay is intense!
Gather extra objects, such as crystals, busts, and artifacts, indicated by the 3 frames to the right of your in-game inventory bar. Oh and yeah, eat the cupcakes! Either you'll get fat or -even better- rewarded with blue collectable gems or points! Hooray. You also get to prepare magic potions by figuring out which component goes where, which is somewhat fun after you get the hang of it! So, minus points: What is it with Erephia's body? I mean, did somebody really draw her shoulders and arms like that?! With bones sticking out?? Anorexic! Ugh. Another thing:The sound quality is really bad and the music itself, is nothing too inspired in the majority. In the bonus round, there is a map in which you have to navigate to the exit, avoiding some moving obstacles. I have a square screen and it's a pity I can't really see the outline and exit of the map, correctly. A great positive: A very-very good balance of tasks, scenario, and many scenes to discover! Wow and plus points for the good game-length!
Danse Macabre was never that bad, artistically. I mean, it was a shocker quite honestly: what happened? And if it was intended to release such a mediocre game -given its past-, why do it? Two very quick specific remarks: I think I saw a broken finger nail, while in the barrel! Oh Je! The last part of the main game, with the ducking and aiming, is just pointless and of poor concept/execution. Even the wallpapers in the "extras" section is of bad choice. Veeery disappointed.
Shapeshifters? Another creatures wanting to be humans? What if you could be whatever you wanted? A very unique game, in its own design, concept and story, with a new-thought storyline and good dynamics. Is comes in two parts, plus a third one, which in not really a meta-bonus game; more of a short HOG scene, just because! Really enjoyed it!
A much anticipated title, only to find out that the team has changed it so much and not for the better... I don't particularly like this "new" concept of the the mini HOG scenes where you need to find items based on outlays... Another thing and this is a weakness that I meet in many HOG games: Although you choose to be notified of the "special features" only, if there is a morphing item to be found, its never introduced. Another problem: There are items or areas where you can do something, but the mouse cursor doesn't change. On that note, it took me like 3 minutes to understand how to snuff out the candles... And yet another change: The dwarf's voice is too weird and almost robotic. The game progress is a bit slow. It's also a major disappointment, that the map doesn't really indicate where to go next, instead you see the available places you can visit. Most morphing objects are just... invisible, so good luck with that. The artwork doesn't cope well with the storyline. From the middle forward I got the feeling that now it's time to end the game and step into the bonus round. Scenario and artwork felt unlinked. Overall, this title feels rushed and not smooth at all. Pity really.
What a complete flop! Not only is this episode boring, static, even amateurish, but also the music is really-really bad and the artwork so from another decade. The puzzles are kinda simplistic and the worse part? Every time you finish a mini HOG scene, you must wait for your 6 achievements to be calculated. Every single time! And you cannot skip this process. I mean , man, this is bad! I'm not crazy about this whole 50's era, flair... And did I mention that the music is ugly and annoying?! It even overlaps the games' sounds. And that hacksaw sound... Terrible. Honestly, this was painful to finish and I really struggled to not quit. Even from the game play perspective, the bonus round was of more interest than the game itself... Still, this for sure is the worse critique I've ever written in here and this episode is by far the ugliest (Cadenza) title to date.