My Review
Be
forewarned: this review contains a few spoilers about the game.
First,
let me say that I wasn't sure if I would include this game in my
catalog or not. I had not reviewed it, because it looked like any
other hidden object game on the market, and I'm trying to be more
selective these days. Several new games come out every day, so I'm
trying to pick titles that are original or are exceptionally good.
But sometimes I feel compelled to include a game just so parents
can be forewarned about content that they otherwise would not know
about. That is the case with this game.
The
game itself is exceptionally well done. It has a compelling story,
and while the hidden object gameplay is nothing original, the
developer has added some fun twists. As you play, you earn points
that help you unlock bonuses that help you find objects, like the
thermometer tool that turns your cursor into a thermometer that
tells you when you're hot (close to an item) or cold (far away).
There's also an Unlimited Mode you can unlock, and a Trophy Room
with over 35 unique challenges to beat. This adds a lot of replay
value to the game, which is a good thing because the game feels a
bit short (partly due to the cliffhanger-like ending that leaves
you with a lot of unanswered questions and the impression that
there's probably a sequel coming).
And
that brings me to the game's potentially objectionable content. As
you get deeper into the game and the plot thickens, you learn
about a secret society that appears to conduct rituals involving
human sacrifice. There's at least one satanic symbol depicted: a
pentagram. And there's a comic-book panel that shows a hand
holding a knife raised above the victim, with some blood. You can
see this for yourself if you watch the game's video trailer.
Unfortunately, most game sites aren't linking to the trailer, and
there is no reference to this in the game's description or
screenshots. Nor has this game been rated by the ESRB. This is why
I decided to include this game in my catalog - so parents can be
informed.
If
the trailer doesn't bother you, then you'll probably enjoy this
game. However, parents may find this game inappropriate for kids.
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