Review: Reversion Chapter 2: The Meeting

game format: classic point-and-click adventure | episode 2 of 6

puzzles: inventory | logic

playtime: 1.5 hours | difficulty: easy | size: 310 MB

developer: 3f Interactive | links: official site | buy this game | trailer (youtube)

walkthroughs: Chapter 1: The Escape | Chapter 2: The Meeting

game brief: After escaping from a Buenos Aires hospital in year the year 2035, your new friend Victoria is helping you find the person in a photo you possess, which you hope will provide the key to recovering your memories and understanding who you are and why you are here. (AG overview)

review: Read my review @ Adventure Gamers® | rating: 2.5/5

summary: The first commercial follow-up to the free series debut shows plenty of promise, but hasn't yet overthrown its shallow introductory nature.

This is an original review written by me and owned by Adventure Gamers®. Please do not distribute / adapt the text and images in any way without written consent from Jack Allin, Editor-In-Chief, AG.

Walkthrough: Reversion Chapter 2: The Meeting

Walkthrough: Reversion Chapter 1: The Escape

game format: classic point-and-click adventure | episode 1 of 6

puzzles: inventory | logic

playtime: 1 hour | difficulty: easy | size: 311 MB

developer: 3f Interactive | links: official site | download game (FREE!) | gameplay (youtube)

gamrgrl rating: 2/5

game brief: You wake up in a hospital with no memories. You are in Buenos Aires in year 2035 and the city is under the control of a military organization. Suddenly, you realize that your life is in danger and that you need to escape as fast as possible. What would you do faced with such a situation? (alternate download site)

mini-review: As a prologue to a multi-part adventure, Reversion Chapter 1: The Escape does its job – to introduce the scenario and the primary cast - effectively enough. However, despite the admirable production quality, it is a very short and easy game, and it’s arguable whether it evokes sufficient interest in its plot and characters, or ends on enough of a cliffhanger to make you clamour for the next part. But the irresistible offer of the PC version being available as a free download makes it worth the hour to test if the series is for you.

Review: Nightmares From The Deep: The Cursed Heart CE

game format: casual hidden object adventure

puzzles: inventory | logic | hidden object

playtime: 4-5 hours | difficulty: easy | size: 1.4 GB

developer: Artifex Mundi | links: official site | trailer (youtube)

gamrgrl rating: 4/5

game brief: You are a museum owner pursuing an undead pirate who kidnapped your daughter. You realize that the villain is entangled in a tragic, centuries-old love story, and wants to resurrect his mistress with the girl’s life force. You feel sorry for the pirate, but you have to stop him before it is too late for your daughter. (official site)

I recently upgraded to Windows 8, and among the ‘free’ games at the App Store is Artifex Mundi’s Nightmares of the Deep: The Cursed Heart CE. This claim is misleading because the game is NOT free: only a brief, playable demo is, but as a consolation of sorts, at $6.99, it’s heavily discounted from the retail price of $16.99. Having previously reviewed two remarkable games of the studio for Adventure Gamers - Enigmatis: The Ghosts of Maple Creek and Times Mysteries: The Ancient Spectres, I was excited about their latest offering, and as the game progressed, that anticipation turned into delight. Built on a poignant supernatural story spanning centuries and driven by practical inventory-based quests, interesting puzzles, fabulously atmospheric art, and an empathetic, competent heroine, this engrossing, entertaining casual adventure is well worth the investment.

An animated prologue introduces us to the brutal pirate Remington, who terrorised merchant ships in the Caribbean in the 18th century till he was apprehended by the authorities and sentenced to death for his crimes. Shoved ingloriously overboard, Remington languishes at the bottom of the ocean, kept alive by a pact of immortality he made with Davy Jones, till a modern day research ship retrieves his body and sends it to a museum for their upcoming exhibition. Curator Sarah Black inadvertently rejuvenates the mummified body while outfitting it for the show, and is plunged into a waking nightmare as Remington kidnaps her daughter and takes off in his ghost ship for his lair, Skull Island. Determined to save her daughter, Sarah jumps aboard, but has her task cut out for her as the pirate proactively thwarts her efforts while he tries to revive the spirit of his long-lost love, Mary, using the young girl’s life force.

Playing as Sarah, you spend the initial part of the five-odd hour game on board the centuries-old, ghost-infested pirate ship, and the rest of it at the literally-named Skull Island. These, along with the museum, add up to about thirty unique screens. The eerily-glowing, rotting ship is equipped with crew quarters, a galley, a supply hold, an ammo dump, and the Captain’s cabin, while the island comprises three sections: the outskirts, which features Mary’s crypt, a rambling stairway and a bat-cave; Remington’s crumbling castle and its assortment of rooms and catacombs; and a beach and lighthouse on the far side. Most areas of the ship and the island are always available to explore, but Sarah is kept on track by a couple of maps which mark her current location, and more importantly, places where she has things to do. There is still a bit of walking around, particularly to-and-from Mary’s crypt to other places, but that’s acceptable as progress is linear and straightforward. If you need an occasional nudge, you can refer Sarah’s diary for her objectives.

At the outset, you must choose between two difficulty levels, the key differences being that in the tough mode, active areas do not sparkle, and there is a penalty for wrong clicks on hidden object scenes. An interactive tutorial introduces the gameplay mechanism: left-clicking the mouse allows interaction with onscreen hotspots, other characters or inventory objects, as well as navigation between the slideshow-style screens. Tasks are easy but interesting: Sarah has to collect useful items, either directly off the scenes or from hidden object screens, and use them to get past obstacles like closed doors, solve puzzles, and do favours for various ethereal entities. Many activities have to be done manually, like removing swords individually or chopping wood a plank at a time, which adds a touch of realism. A host of descriptions and instructions, given by Sarah or provided via notes and books, keeps progress intuitive.

The challenges include inventory-based quests, standalone puzzles, and hidden object searches, and the latter can be swapped with games of pirate-themed Mahjong. Several quests stretch over hours, like gathering a dozen doubloons for a creepy magical chest to eke out Remington’s history, while other quests involve collecting things and using them according to instructions in chemistry experiments or to conjure up voodoo spells. Practical items like crowbars and knives are reused, and the inventory is instantly cleared of used objects. Similarly, hotspots are disabled once exhausted, keeping the game world clutter-free.

The dozen-plus hidden object scenes are well-embedded into their locations, and are stocked with items that fit the setting as well as the era, like old-fashioned, rusting pots and pans in the galley. Some of the objects require minor interactivity to uncover, such as loading a gun with bullets before you have a ‘loaded gun’. Each scene is revisited at least twice, and sometimes even thrice, but objects already found are removed from the stash for later searches. Each search yields one useful item. Besides these full-fledged screens, there are mini hidden object pop-ups containing scattered pieces of useful objects.

The fifteen or so standalone puzzles are tightly integrated with the story in logic and visual design, be it sorting pirate gear into hay-lined crates, organising burial urns in a catacomb, or guiding a fish through a mazelike fountain. The collection of jigsaws, mazes, colour and pattern matches, gear sets, sliders and rotators mostly open locked doors and containers, but some also yield quest items and information. Puzzles can be skipped after a while, but are not difficult and do not really warrant the exit option. You also get a bunch of accolades for your efficiency, such as recognitions for wrapping up puzzles under a minute, or finding three hidden objects in less three seconds or less.

The games boasts detailed, realistic looking screens that scale perfectly even to high resolutions like 1920x1200, though the cinematics become a little pixellated at larger sizes. The creepy, maudlin atmosphere of the ghost ship, lit by the bluish-green glow of bioluminescent algae is spot on, as are the decrepit remains of the once-proud structures of Skull Island, artfully decorated with rotting upholstery and shattered artifacts. A lot of effort has gone into maintaining visual continuity: puzzles and hidden object scenes are designed to match their settings, while the action-packed cutscenes blend almost seamlessly with the game screens. Interactive items are zoomed in via pop-ups, and changes made to these objects, like if a door is opened, reflect in-game once the pop-up closes. Screens are enlivened with flickering lights, wavering shadows, scurrying critters, and gently lapping waves, and some of the cutscenes are outstanding, like the way Remington’s ship barges into a building, or the undead guardian that collects doubloons with his decaying fingers. However, while the characters are animated to ‘talk’, there is no lip-syncing with their dialogues, which creates an awkward fish-like open-shut mouth movement.

The orchestral background score varies from gravely menacing to pleasantly wistful from screen to screen, and changes constantly if you flit quickly between locations. Dialogues are crisp and easy to understand, and voiceovers are well-suited to the characters, be it Sarah, her daughter, Remington, or even the ghost pirates. Activities and events have apt sound effects, extending to the clacking of the skeletons’ teeth when they speak. A cool touch is Sarah’s radio, which has four music channels.

The bonus play of the Collector's Edition takes about thirty minutes to address a practical issue – Sarah’s return to the mainland from Skull Island. A message in a bottle from a distressed ship leads her to a century-old shipwreck. Onboard lingers the undead corpse of its captain, and she must devise a way to free his soul in exchange for a map of the area. Five new hidden object scenes and a handful of puzzles embellish this brief but well-crafted segment, which loyally follows the inventory-based route of the main game while carrying forth the idea of salvation from mistakes of the past.

Nightmares of the Deep: The Cursed Heart CE is a beautifully illustrated and creatively designed game that expertly steers a story, which starts off as the vicious reincarnation of an unsympathetic pirate with the diabolical agenda of resurrecting his dead lover, into a bittersweet tale of prejudice, betrayal, loss, and finally, redemption. Intelligent and practical Sarah holds her own against the willful Remington, her resolve to rescue her daughter far greater than her fear of chasing ghosts into the unknown. And though the game isn’t terrifying as a ghost story, primarily due to the plot being grounded in a doomed romance rather than direct malevolence, a handful of startling moments do get your pulse racing. But cheap thrills aren’t the reason to invest in this game – its solid story, interesting quests and puzzles, and fabulous art and animation are. The extension, though well-made, is on the shorter side, but all things considered, a trip to Skull Island is a definite recommendation for fans of the genre.




This is an original review written by me. Please do not distribute the text and images without my written consent.

Review: The Critter Chronicles

game format: classic point-and-click adventure

puzzles: inventory | logic

playtime: 10 - 12 hours | difficulty: moderate | size: 6 GB

developer: KING Art Games | publisher: Nordic Games | links: official site | buy this game

game brief: The Critter Chronicles tell the story of how adventurer Nate Bonnett and Critter, his hairy sidekick, first met, all set before their appearance in Wilbur’s and Ivo’s adventure in The Book of Unwritten Tales. Enjoy a thrilling and hilarious point-and-click adventure in the fantasy world of Aventasia. Travel from the Northlands to the Mage’s Tower of Seastone and experience a story that offers tremendous fun for seasoned players and newcomers alike. (Official website)

review: Read my review @ Adventure Gamers® | rating: 3.5/5

summary: The Critter Chronicles adopts enough of the positive qualities of its predecessor to deliver another enjoyable adventure, but skids on some crucial issues to land somewhat short of true excellence.

Read my The Book of Unwritten Tales review, published in October 2011.


This is an original review written by me and owned by Adventure Gamers®. Please do not distribute / adapt the text and images in any way without written consent from Jack Allin, Editor-In-Chief, AG.

Review: Lost Chronicles of Zerzura

game format: classic point-and-click adventure

puzzles: inventory | logic

playtime: 10 - 12 hours | difficulty: easy | size: 3.2 GB

developer: Cranberry Production | publisher: dtp entertainment AG | links: official site | buy this game

game brief: A young inventor named Feodor is building a flying machine with his brother in Barcelona. But his brother is soon snatched away by the Inquisition, and Feodor is left alone to travel through several countries and experience diverse cultures in order to answer the question of what unfathomable mysteries are hidden in Zerzura. (Official website)

review: Read my review @ Adventure Gamers® | rating: 4/5

summary: Though it doesn’t chart new territory with its premise, Lost Chronicles of Zerzura combines all the right elements to create a thoroughly enjoyable old-school adventure.


This is an original review written by me and owned by Adventure Gamers®. Please do not distribute / adapt the text and images in any way without written consent from Jack Allin, Editor-In-Chief, AG.

Review: The Odyssey HD

game format: classic point-and-click adventure

puzzles: inventory | logic | arcade

playtime: 5 hours | difficulty: moderate | size: 250 MB

developer: CrazySoft | links: official site / buy this game

walkthrough: here

game brief: Step into the shoes of Odysseus (Ulysses) on his legendary journey home after the fall of Troy. But beware, this is no simple task. You will have to escape from the goddess Calypso, blind the Cyclops Polyphemus, face the witch-goddess Circe, visit the land of the dead and find an oracle, avoid the Siren mermaids, pass between the six-headed monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis, visit the Sun god’s island and finally unite your family.(Official website)

review: Read my review @ Adventure Gamers® | rating: 3/5

summary: Despite its drawbacks in puzzle clarity and localisation, The Odyssey HD stays on course with its story, quests, characters and art, offering about five hours of entertaining, old-school adventuring.


This is an original review written by me and owned by Adventure Gamers®. Please do not distribute / adapt the text and images in any way without written consent from Jack Allin, Editor-In-Chief, AG.

Review: Secret Files 3

game format: classic point-and-click adventure

puzzles: inventory | logic

playtime: 5 hours | difficulty: easy | size: 2 GB

developer: Animation Arts | publisher: Deep Silver | links: official site | buy this game

game brief: It should be the happiest day of her life, but Nina’s anticipation of the upcoming marriage with Max is being clouded by terrible nightmares of an apocalypse. Could this be related to the events that took place in Tunguska? As further incidents transpire and Nina comes across some major secrets, she realizes that she has just stumbled onto a new epic adventure. (Official site)

review: Read my review @ Adventure Gamers® | rating: 2.5/5

summary: Secret Files 3 replaces romance with rocket science, but its convoluted premise, simplistic puzzles, and slapdash resolutions make it the weakest link of the trilogy.


Read my Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis review, published in August 2009.

This is an original review written by me and owned by Adventure Gamers®. Please do not distribute / adapt the text and images in any way without written consent from Jack Allin, Editor-In-Chief, AG.

Review: May's Mysteries: The Secret of Dragonville

game format: casual point-and-click adventure

puzzles: logic | arcade

playtime: 20 hours | difficulty: challenging | size: 291 MB

developer: V5 Play Studio | links: official site / buy this game

game brief: In May’s Mysteries: The Secret of Dragonville (PC, Nintendo DS), young May embarks on a thrilling and charming adventure to find her missing brother, but to do so she'll need to tackle over 270 puzzles and minigames as she ventures through 80 mysterious locations, meeting about 50 intriguing characters spread across four worlds. (AG Game Brief)

review: Read my review @ Adventure Gamers® | rating: 2.5/5

summary: May’s Mysteries is a substantial puzzler that is sure to satisfy fans of logical and mathematical brainteasers, but offers little of interest for those seeking more.


This is an original review written by me and owned by Adventure Gamers®. Please do not distribute / adapt the text and images in any way without written consent from Jack Allin, Editor-In-Chief, AG.

Review: Botanicula

game format: classic point-and-click adventure

puzzles: inventory | logic | arcade

playtime: 4 hours | difficulty: challenging | size: 600 MB

developer: Amanita Design | publisher: Daedalic Entertainment | links: official site | buy this game

game brief: Botanicula is point'n'click exploration game created by Jára Plachý and Amanita Design. It's about five friends - little tree creatures who set out for a journey to save the last seed from their home tree which is infested by evil parasites. The original soundtrack and sound effects are by Czech alternative band DVA. (Official website)

review: Read my review @ Adventure Gamers® | rating: 4.5/5

summary: The seed of delight is planted early in Amanita's creative new adventure, and its abundant charm and surreal game world never stop growing on you.


This is an original review written by me and owned by Adventure Gamers®. Please do not distribute / adapt the text and images in any way without written consent from Jack Allin, Editor-In-Chief, AG.

Review: Yesterday

game format: classic point-and-click adventure

puzzles: inventory | logic

playtime: 8 hours | difficulty: easy - moderate | size: 4 GB

developer: Pendulo Studios | publisher: Focus Interactive | links: official site | buy this game

game brief: In New York City, homeless people are being burned alive, while a mysterious scar shaped like the letter 'Y' forms on the hands of seemingly disconnected people. Amnesiac John Yesterday has had his memory wiped, but now finds himself at the center of a worldwide conspiracy, and the fate of mankind may just depend on this unlikeliest of heroes.

review: Read my review @ Adventure Gamers® | rating: 4/5

summary: Sleekly packaged and eminently playable, Yesterday conceals the darkness of the human mind within a beautiful artistic canvas; drawing you in with glimpses of dreadful secrets and leaving you shocked, yet satisfied, with its twisted narrative.


This is an original review written by me and owned by Adventure Gamers®. Please do not distribute / adapt the text and images in any way without written consent from Jack Allin, Editor-In-Chief, AG.

Walkthrough: Yesterday

Review: Shadows On The Vatican: Act I: Greed

game format: classic point-and-click adventure

puzzles: inventory | logic

playtime: 5 hours | difficulty: easy | size: 2 GB

developers: Adventure Productions | 10th Art Studio | links: official site | buy this game

game brief: A blood-red sky surrounds the city of Rome in a surreal, neverending twilight. Under the shadow of St. Peter, an American ex-priest investigates a series of events that exposes a deeper, more complex web of political and religious intrigue than he ever could have imagined.

review: Read my review @ Adventure Gamers® | rating: 3/5

summary: The debut episode of the four-part Shadows On The Vatican sets great expectations, but Act I: Greed serves mainly as a prelude to the real deal, saving the action for the sequels.



This is an original review written by me and owned by Adventure Gamers®. Please do not distribute / adapt the text and images in any way without written consent from Jack Allin, Editor-In-Chief, AG.

Walkthrough: Shadows On The Vatican: Act I: Greed

Review: The Jolly Gang's Spooky Adventure & The Jolly Gang's Misadventures in Africa

game format: casual point-and-click adventure

puzzles: inventory | logic | arcade

playtime: 2 hours each game | difficulty: easy

developer & publisher: Alawar Games

links: Spooky Adventure | Misadventures In Africa

game brief: (1) Investigate eerie hijinks and uncover a mystery with Moxxie and her pals. Get the scoop on the next huge tabloid story by solving puzzles and chatting with a colorful cast of characters. (2) Join the Jolly Gang as it heads to Africa in search of treasure! Once there, embark on a madcap adventure through the African outback in search of a missing professor, his gems, and a way to give the pesky customs officials the slip!

review: Read my reviews @ Adventure Gamers®

The Jolly Gang's Spooky Adventure | rating: 1.5/5

The Jolly Gang's Misadventures in Africa | rating: 2/5

summary: The Jolly Gang's Spooky Adventure focuses neither on the gang nor on the spooks, and offers at best a couple hours of lighthearted but linear, generic casual adventuring.

The Jolly Gang's Misadventures in Africa fixes some of its predecessor's design flaws and considerably improves the puzzles, but still disappoints with its often-ambiguous gameplay and subpar production quality.


This is an original review written by me and owned by Adventure Gamers®. Please do not distribute / adapt the text and images in any way without written consent from Jack Allin, Editor-In-Chief, AG.