A well known story - rats and the Pied Piper but with a twist. Some scenes are a little macabre but overall nice to look at.
The graphics are very nice and the storyline interesting. The characters can be a little intimidating and sounds are fine.
There are 6 chapters plus the bonus with three modes of play. The usual HOS scenes - a list including some items that need to be found by performing an action within the scene. Some may find the scenes a little cluttered and dark but this did not detract from the game - rather, it added to the atmosphere. Some items are difficult to see but with a little patience, completing the scenes is achievable. A disappointing thing is that all the scenes had a number of items that could be picked up to find another but they were not all used in once scene - nor were a lot of them used in any second visits to the scenes. This made it confusing knowing which item you needed to do what to find the listed item.
The puzzles are very nice to look at and fun but certainly not hard to do.
The first two chapters took about 40 minutes at an easy pace and there are about 4-5 HOS and 2-3 puzzles in a chapter.
There is an objective book and a map which shows where you need to achieve things but it is not interactive.
Also disappointing were the nuber of spelling mistakes and the incorrect names for some items. The strategy guide also missed some explanation re finding items which made it difficult to follow and work out what to do.
Also included are morphing objects which make the hint meter work more quickly when you find them.
The tutorial left a little to be desired, not explaining the morphing objects until you fell across one and they were difficult to find in some scenes.
Overall, in spite of the disappointments, the game is enjoyable with the journey being achievable for all. Not sure that it is worth a CE price but for those who love HO games, it is one for addition to the library.
Two game modes - casual and advanced. 5 Chapters and a bonus - but not very long at all.
The characters are okay and the voices seem to suit but the number of cut scenes, or things that happen as you move to a new scene and have to wait is too much. The music is a little monotonous. And the whispering can become annoying.
The storyline is ok but the whole thing leaves ones feeling a little dark and depressed. Bodies, wax? Real or not?
The graphics are not too bad - not at the level of recent games but there are interesting things to look at. The HOS are quite dark and will give a little challenge because of that. The usual list of items and also actions to find other items.
There is a journal - which fills too often and the sparkling gets a little annoying. I also found the hint button annoying in the times it takes to circle around the screen and get to the item - same for other mistakes such as using the wrong item as you travel around.
There is no map and although that usually does not bother me, this time I found it more tiring going back and forth - got quite dizzy.
The game is not hard to play in either mode - the HOS are easy if you accept the dark scenes and the puzzles can be completed fairly easily or with just a little patience.
For those looking for incredible graphics and challenging HOS and puzzles, this game will disappoint. Not sure it is worth a CE price.
But for those who do enjoy HO games and like to add reasonable games to their library, then this will probably be acceptable.
Don't expect anything new or spectacular and you may enjoy it. Having said that, I did quite enjoy it as the scenes have some interesting things in them, but it was little of a challenge.
Three modes of play and even on the hardest, the game is not hard to play. There are 8 chapters with a bonus one.
The graphics are really very good and there is so much to see in each scene. The storyline is good - lost souls really and the music is not intrusive.
The characters are scary and also fun. I loved the hint lobster - kept asking for hints just to see him dive into his shell!
The HOS are nothing new - a list, actions to find items in the list with a final item needed as part of the things you require on your journey. The scenes are not hard and for some may seem too cluttered. But I find the challenge in finding things in those types of scenes.
Finding items along the way to do things such as open doors, cook meals etc is quite easy and you are able to use items quickly so you do not have to travel back and forth trying to remember what goes where.
The puzzles are easy which may be a plus for those who just like to enjoy the journey through the story and finish the game themselves. There is little need to have to use the SG so that may attract some.
Make sure you look around and see what is going on the background - a dolphin and a koi are quite nice to see!
All in all, although not a game that really challenges, and with nothing new in terms of these types of games, the pleasure will be in the graphics, storyline and ability to complete for a lot of people.
Another in the series with incredible graphics, a good storyline and interesting characters.
The CE is 8 chapters plus a bonus game and the legnth of the entire game was reasonable.
There is a journal (notes) but no interactive map which doesn't matter as it is easy to move around.
There are 3 modes of play but the game is relatively easy, including the puzzles. The HOS have a lot of items which may detract for those who do not like clutter but I found them to be interesting with a lot to look at and a challenge to find things as they were blended in very well. There are also a couple of different modes in the HOS - silhouettes for example and the usual 'complete an action to find the object'.
The music is not overbearing but can be a little repetitive on occasion.
The level of challenge will not suit those looking for something a lot harder but there is enough here to make the game interesting and a challenge on some level.
Overall, worth playing for the beautiful graphics and weird creatures.
This has superb graphics and wonderful creatures. You will fall in love with the fairy mouse!
Three modes of play and 10 chapters plus the bonus play with a SG that opens where you left it. There is a notebook; no map, but this does not deter as the movement through the game is easy and the scenes are wonderful to look at.
The characters are good and the story is a fight between good and evil. Some of the voice-overs could have been better but this is minor when you immerse in the story and the graphics. The music is good also.
The HOS are very nice with a twist; there are those scenes with items to find by lists including actions to find items and for some these may be a little cluttered but I found them very enjoyable. Then there are are also scenes (HOP) with 5 objects you find by silhouette but you need to find them in order as they perfom an action to find the next one. These scenes are very clear and uncluttered. All the HOS and HOP are very easy.
There are a number of puzzles - some minor variations but they too are very easy to do and some may not find this challenging. But because of the beautiful graphics and characters, this doesn't really matter.
Items are collected along the way and go into an inventory for use on your journey; they are clearly visible and it is easy to know what to do with them.
Although not different in terms of HOS, and with easy puzzles, there are some nice twists, the graphics are stunning and the characters you meet along the way make it well worthwhile buying.
Another game with ghosts - the characters are good but the voice-overs did not really match the characters well. There were a lot of cut scenes as well.
The game was not very long - eight chapters and the bonus. Travelling slowly and enjoying the scenes only took about 4 hours. Two modes of play, both of which are easy. The hint button refills quickly and there is an option to skip puzzles although that won't be necessary regarding them being hard.
The map is interactive and there a lot of locations to wander through, completing HOS and finding objects to use throughout the journey. It is easy to find the objects and then to move to the scenes where you can use them.
The storyline was not new but did flow. The graphics are beautiful and there is a lot to look at in scenes.
The HOS scenes may be a little cluttered for some but did not detract for me as they are beautifully drawn. Items on a list may be found directly or by doing an action. Scenes did repeat and the objects already found earlier appear back in the scene next time around.
The puzzles are very easy and for those looking for a challenge, this will disappoint.
Another nice game from the developer that will not disappoint those who enjoy very good graphics, an interactive map and a lot of things to do and enjoy along the way.
One of the Hidden Mystery series with good graphics and smooth gameplay. The plot involves righting a wrong and is based loosley on English history. For those who like historical facts to be accurate, this story may frustrate you.
There is dialogue to read and the music is fairly subtle and does not detract from the game.
Again, it is about ghosts and the scenes are quite dark and creepy. The graphics are very nice to look at and there is a lot to interest you as you travel through the scenes. The HOS are not cluttered and are easy to work through. The puzzles are also easy although there is challenge in finding the objects to use sometimes.
There are two modes of play and neither are hard. The map was good - showed locked areas and where tasks needed to be completed, but it was not interactive. There was a lot of back and forth travel that may frustrate some.
The hint button recharges in a reasonable time and there is the option to skip puzzles.
The demo was very short and the full game itself took about 3 hours - not rushing, enjoying the scenes and following the story.
If you are looking for a long game with challenging HOS and puzzles then this game will disappoint. But if you enjoy good graphics, a reasonable story and easy HOS & puzzles with just some challenge, then you will have fun with this game.
This game has very good graphics, a nice storyline and interesting characters. After so many games in the cold, snow and ice I liked having fire! The voice-overs are good and I found the HOS good fun - the usual lists and actions to find objects. The scenes were not too cluttered and there was challenge in finding some objects.
The inventory items collected along the way also had a nice twist with some being puzzles.
The SG seems good but I did not like the fact that it always opened at the contents and not where you left off. However, that is only a minor criticism.
Three modes and although not really hard, there is challenge in working your way through and achieveing things.
I particularly liked the use of a flashlight in one HOS - really made you feel like you were there.
For those who like creepy ghost stories, this is a game for you. All in all, good fun, great graphics and once again you can immerse yourself in scenes; there is a lot to look at and a great mansion to wander through.
I recommend this game!
+138points
151of164voted this as helpful.
Rita James and the Race to Shangri La
Join the “More Brave than Brilliant” Rita James on another whirlwind adventure in search of the mythical paradise of Shangri-La!
The graphics are nice - not the depth of other stunning games but good enough to get you involved in the atmosphere.
The storyline is good and it is set in the cold once again!
This is more cartoon-like and the characters are fun and the dialoge amusing. The tutorial will help you with the game.
The HOS have different ways of finding items - including putting items together and there is some challenge here.
The puzzles are good and not too hard and if you persevere, you can work them out so for those looking for some challenge, this may be the game for you.
The map is interesting - it shows you the locations plus the tasks and is easy to work with.
Beautfiul graphics - the heroine is just stunning and the character in the faces of some of the people you meet is very realistic. The voice-overs are good and suit the game; the music is subtle.
There is a map with a difference, a journal and a task button. The hint re-charges quickly and can be used throughout the game, not just in HO scenes. There is a skip option in the puzzles.
The HO scenes are very good and the lovely surprise here is that there are different plays - usual items to find, actions to find an item and HOS within the HOS! And puzzles within the scene!
The puzzles differ a little from a lot of the usual ones and there are some nice changes.
The colours in some of the scenes are very bright and make you feel happy.
A great effort by the developer and a game worth playing. A lot of fun.