Posts Tagged ‘hidden objects’

Shutter Island Review

Hidden Object/I Spy, Puzzle, Seek and Find | Posted by Zeke
Mar 09 2010


Shutter Island is a well publicized new chilling psychological thriller movie made by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio based on a 1950’s story written by Dennis Lehane about paranoia, delusion, grief and denial. It is set in a New England asylum for the criminally insane where one of their dangerous patients is missing. Two federal marshals are called in to investigate this disappearance. Shutter Island, the Mac hidden object game of the same name, follows the movie script (follows the novel) very closely.

It is summer of 1954. Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) and Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) arrive in Boston’s outer harbor to capture a violent female escapee, Rachel Solando. At Ashecliffe Hospital you search through cemeteries, doctors’ offices and the many rooms within and outside of the asylum to solve this mystery. You also will talk to patients, guards and doctors to get more information. You are Teddy so you never see DiCaprio but you will see many familiar actors like Ben Kingsley as Dr. Cawley. These encounters will give you clues and move the tale along with the hidden object scenes. The many mini puzzles and games are all intertwined in the story line, but can be skipped if you do not wish to play them. Patient files and paranormal appearances will also give you information needed in the story.

All this is done well in Shutter Island the Mac game. The artwork stays close to the movie scenes especially the dining room set. In the promo for the movie they show this scene and the game’s room is very similar. I don’t know if I’ll go see this movie since it got mixed reviews, but the Mac game is so engaging with its many hidden object/seek and find scenes and mini games, you want to keep going to find out what’s really happening on this strange island full of hidden secrets and personal demons. I thought the game captured the feeling of the movie and did a great job conveying it through the game. The sound effects and music were also dramatic and helped increase your involvement in the story. You can get into this hidden object game and find out the gripping twist to this story.

Features of Shutter Island:
-Based on the Movie
-Great Visuals
-Immersive Game Play

Rating: ★★★★☆

The Tudors Review

Adventure, Hidden Object/I Spy, Puzzle, Seek and Find | Posted by Meg
Mar 03 2010


“The Tudors,” a fictional, historic Mac hidden object/seek and find game, is based on the popular TV show of the same title starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII. The game represents the show well with its lies and political intrigue. It begins after the beheading of Anne Boleyn, second wife to the king and marriage to his new wife, Jane Seymour, 10 days later.

The main play is a hidden object game within the castle and other locations in England and Europe. You are Elena Sedgrave, daughter of William Sedgrave, a diplomat to the king. Elena approached by the king after saving a life of Charles Willoughby, a loyal assistant to Thomas Cromwell, is recruited to spy on enemies to protect England and the king. She travels with her father to foreign lands in search of information and clues. She searches monasteries, castles and other locations appropriate to the time period. Not only is she creative and intelligent, she uses disguises to blend in in the rooms she is searching. The many objects you need to find may be placed in your inventory to use to progress your play. There will be times when you need to enter locked doors and you will need to find a key or an object to break the lock. In addition, you may need to go from one room to another and back again to find what you need. You will encounter royalty, religious figures and other spies. You cannot trust anyone.

There are many interesting scenes in this game. However, the indoor scenes are often dark and hard to view the objects, but there is a hint button to help you along. Mini games are throughout this game. One is to find the queen’s jewels thrown out the window. Another is to make potions where you will mix different color potions to create a new color. There are many puzzles to play in between the seek and find plays.

However, the main draw to this game is not the hidden object/seek, and find (although good), mini games or its puzzles, it is the historic and dramatic story of King Henry VIII’s court , its many political enemies, the many conspiracies, assassination attempts and the threats against the king and England. Also a big plus is the characters in the game are the stars from the television show and not the people depicted in art pieces in museums. In other words, Jonathan Rhys Meyer is a lot better looking than King Henry. I definitely recommend this game to try out especially if you are a history buff, a TV fan and a hidden object player. Why is Thomas Cromwell so suspicious and nervous?

Features of The Tudors:
-From the TV Series
-Hidden Objects and Mini Games
-History of King Henry VIII

Rating: ★★★★☆

National Geographic Games: Mystery of Cleopatra Review

Adventure, Hidden Object/I Spy, Puzzle, Seek and Find | Posted by Zeke
Feb 28 2010


Any tale about Cleopatra whether fiction or non has been popular for hundreds of years since her attempts to reverse the decline of Ptolemaic Egypt. Her relationships with Caesar and Marc Anthony have peaked interests of many historians. National Geographic Games: Mystery of Cleopatra in their hidden object, seek and find method tells the story of an intruding Roman soldier’s murder on the docks from the advisor to the queen’s viewpoint.

You are the advisor and you are to serve the queen by investigating the murder of this soldier in this Mac game by searching for objects and using the items in tasks to uncover this mystery. You can choose from the Casual mode where found objects will automatically be placed for you, but in the Advanced mode you must place the object on their corresponding spot. As the advisor to Cleopatra, you have access to many areas others cannot view. You leave from your personal room with your necessities throughout the city of Alexandria looking for clues. In each scene you will search for objects, and you may need to investigate deeper in some areas of the screen when you see sparkling dots. By clicking on these regions you will zoom in and find more things to discover.

There are many mini games to conquer and complete from the usual find 6 similar items to logic puzzles. When the skip button charges, you can skip the games if you wish to continue on with this story and the seek and find plays.

Following National Geographic’s last 2 hidden object games, Herod’s Lost Tomb and The Lost City of Z, Mystery of Cleopatra is less like those 2 plays and more like the Dream Chronicles and G.H.O.S.T. Chronicles: Phantom of the Renaissance Faire. I found Mystery of Cleopatra heavy on the task portion, mini puzzles and historic facts, and not enough hidden object play which I prefer. I was surprised to find that these factors slowed down the play and made the story drag on. You would think the political intrigue and the personal vendettas would keep you on the edge of your seat but the extra readings of the people, historic interests labored the play a little. Maybe condensing the write-ups would keep the mystery tale more interesting but this version did not do it for me.

Features of Mystery of Cleopatra:
-Explore Alexandria
-Mini Games
-Historic Features
-A Roman Soldier’s Murder

Rating: ★★★☆☆

The Conjurer Review

Adventure, Hidden Object/I Spy, Puzzle, Seek and Find | Posted by Zeke
Feb 14 2010

Conjurer 10
download The Conjurerdownload The Conjurer

Nothing is as it seems in Mac hidden object game The Conjurer. The great Conjurer, the greatest magician in the world, has suffered 3 serious accidents during his magic acts. Why? This amazing performer will be retiring and has invited several worthy magicians to his spacious medieval castle to demonstrate their greatest skill, cunning and artistry. The Conjurer is willing to give the winner of this competition access to the Hall of Secrets. With this knowledge, they too will become the world’s greatest magician.

You find in the course of the play that the great Conjurer is suspicious of all his invited guests. For each visiting magician there are several locations you must search for clues and objects. The hidden object play is similar to other games, but there is one exception. There is a Conjurer 8stage to search and find different items, then you must set up the magician’s props and finally the magician will perform their magic act. This is an interesting and different part of the usual hidden object plays. Other locations may be the bedroom, bathroom or any other room they may have entered in the castle. If you cannot find the object listed, you can click on the crystal ball for assistance. There are unlimited hints through the use of the ball, but you may have to wait a few moments after you click on it. For each magician there is 1 super hint to use where it will give you the exact location of an object.

The tale of the Conjurer is complex with the involvement of Adelaide a love interest for more than 1 magician. In addition, the “accidents” Conjurer 4may have been planned to injure and get rid of the master. He also keeps a journal written in invisible ink to help you in your search for clues. Are the intentions of the Conjurer as it seems or does he have other motives?

This game is intense with a Victorian feel with appropriate outfits and items throughout the castle. Not only did I like the hidden object play, I also enjoyed the incredible magic acts of each magician.

Features of The Conjurer:
-Victorian Era
-Amazing Magic
-Ten Master Illusionists
-Nothing is as it seems

Rating: ★★★★☆

Valerie Porter and The Scarlet Scandal Review

Adventure, Hidden Object/I Spy, Puzzle, Seek and Find | Posted by Meg
Feb 11 2010


Some hidden object games feel like you are in a sitcom and others read like a well written novel. Valerie Porter and The Scarlet Scandal is like the latter with 11 chapters in this Mac game.

The period is the 1920’s where a scrappy cub reporter, Valerie Porter, is trying to break into the newspaper business. She is hired by Gerald Hart, publisher of the city’s newspaper. Unfortunately, she does not realize that Mr. Hart only employed her as a secretary. In the early 1920’s everything is run by men. Luckily, there is a star reporter who by chance happens to be a female, and she is willing to give Valerie her chance at writing news articles.

Valerie is sent on various minor assignments featuring the woman’s point of view, but these stories will lead to the main reason why Scarlet Velour, a celebrity in her era, was murdered. The only person seen fleeing the scene of the crime is Johnny Jackson, a prizefighter and boyfriend of Miss Velour, making him the prime suspect in this murder mystery.

You will go to various locations in the city investigating and gathering information on this story. Finding some items may take a task to complete the level. There are different hints you must search for in each scene. 2 batteries will be in each location and there are light bulbs to help you along in the game.

In addition, there are many mini puzzles to solve throughout the game. One such game is to link all the same items in a subway train. Another is to choose the correct answer to a statement. Also you need to put found items in the right location. In order to do so, you will see an exclamation mark appear to help you with your task.

1920’s journalism was a little different from today’s age of instant reporting through YouTube, Twitter and other means of transmission, and this Mac game reveals the footwork journalists had to do in order to get a good story. Valerie Porter and The Scarlet Scandal gives you the feel of the time and does a good job with the many different environments to search for hidden objects.

Features of Valerie Porter and The Scarlet Scandal:
-11 Chapters
-48 Search Scenes
-8 Mini Games
-21 Locations

Rating: ★★★½☆