Enigmatis: The Ghosts of Maple Creek
4.5
5
42
42
a bit different HOPA (hidden object puzzle adventure) game
A HOPA game that is trying to bring something new to the table. The evidence wall. I found that refreshing as you really did have to follow what you picked up and the storyline. (Of course I only found out half way through the game that I didn't need to go back to the hotel room to access the wall but I just needed to hit the evidence button )
The graphics actually had some colour to them, and not that 'wash' a lot of game graphics have. The only minor irritation I had was the noise of that bell every time you went near the church.
It does have a map which helps but it's not a transporter map.
The end I didn't really like, I like everything to be tied up and not set up for sequels.
Really enjoyable B+ (lack of interactive map ie to move around and junk pile hidden object scenes bring the score down a bit for me).
November 19, 2011
Be a Detective in a Ghost Town!
A game that does not let you stop until you reach the end .
-Fascinating story!
-Realistic characters!
-Background music is perfect!
-Amazing atmosphere!
-Great puzzles! (some of them brand new)
-Interactive HOS - possible to finish without using hints!
-Good level of challenging!
-Cutscenes worth to watch, which does not happen in all games!
And something useful and different: a board for evidences, that will help you solving cases.
Very good entertainment!
January 13, 2012
Brilliantly dark
If I could, I'd rate this at 4.5 stars.
The story was excellent, possibly the best I've played so far. There were a couple of scenes that were pleasantly dark, creepy and unexpected. I'd love to see even edgier content from this developer, as the atmosphere was fantastic.
The controls were smooth - almost unnoticeable, actually. Room exits were well marked. Game was nice and long. The voice actors were good, as were most of the sounds. (The bell got on my nerves, but then it was probably supposed to.)
Downsides: Having to replay the Hidden Object scenes multiple times. They were pretty easy, but the repetition didn't add to the fun of playing - it was a distraction.
There was just a little too much running around. Sometimes, it made sense and was fun, but other times it felt like I was just going where the map told me to for no particular reason.
Overall, a great game, and I'm looking forward to the sequel!
November 22, 2011
Purely brilliant
This game grabbed me from the very start. You play a detective left with a mild case of amnesia after a car accident, and she must retrace her steps to remember why she's in the quaint hamlet of Maple Creek, what progress she's made on the case she's investigating, and what she found that terrified her so badly.
I found it to be a genuinely creepy game, at times full-on scary. It's expertly animated and the puzzles were the perfect level of challenging for me. The more I played, the more I wanted to know the resolution. I found myself fervently hoping that the missing girl would be discovered alive - and not entirely convinced that the detective would get out of Maple Creek!
The best thing, of course, is that the ending strongly implies the eventual release of a sequel. I can't wait. If the second "Enigmatis" game is as good as the first, I might grab the Collector's Edition.
November 26, 2011
Best Game EVER!!!
I am so sad that I am done playing this game as it was one of the most originally done games I have played in a longgggg time. The most unique thing about it was that it had an evidence board that you, the detective, put together yourself so usually when I play games I have no use for the journal but when you find new clues or pictures in this game, you have to put them together into your very own evidence board/journal and the narrator (you) writes out and speaks what she is thinking about who it could of been or where it was committed. It felt like I was watching a criminal tv show and because I was an active participant I was throughly engaged in this game. I LOVE this game. The graphics were superb, the level of difficulty was just right as I was in advanced mode and got lost a lot but not too much that I was frustrated. There were lots of locations, more than I thought originally and the story line is wonderful and the best part is, there will be another one. I've been enjoying this developer a lot lately~!! Cheers to a developer who can think out of the box!! I've played A LOT of games and Id put this one in my top 5 of all time =)
January 21, 2012
Very good game!
Yes, this was one of those games to play, feeling happy that there is so much to do yet (i.e.: it's not too short) and so many places to go back to because there's still something to solve there. And then feeling sorry to have ended it. The challenge is really good enough. The story is exciting. The people you meet feel natural and real. Great game!
November 15, 2011
Worth Every Penny
What a great game! I was immediately sucked in by the opening scene, which sets the stage well -- spooky thriller in a mysterious town. You play a detective who is trying to find a missing woman, which is the starting point for a story that progresses and unfolds in an interesting way. There are many hidden object scenes, filled with some unique objects, and some nice puzzles that are just tricky enough to be challenging but not frustrating. Best of all, the game is long...it kept me busy for many hours over several days. Every time you think it must be getting ready to end, the story takes another twist and a new area opens up on the map.
Because there are so many different areas, it is important to use the map to locate where to go. Otherwise you'll spend a lot of time wandering. It would have been nice if the map could be used to relocate (click and go there), but there were a few times that getting from one place to another led to important cutscenes or surprises.
I liked using the wall of clues -- contributed to a sense that my character was solving a crime, not just caught up in things beyond my control.
There is a fulfilling ending, but I was happy that it also set things up for a part 2. Yay!
January 17, 2012
A longish hidden object, puzzle, adventure game
This game would have been easier if Ihad read the help pages before I started rather than when I had finished it eg information about the map and evidence wall. However, those playing in expert mode may prefer to work it all out for themselves.
There is a lot of walking around and some hidden object scenes are played more than once. There are a number of innovative puzzles and I liked "talking" to the characters to get helpful info. The hint button charges in about 30 seconds in normal mode and stays charged if it is just giving you directions to the next action screen,
November 23, 2011
Seriously Entertaining!!!
Very good storyline. Graphics, sound, and video rendered nicely. A little backtracking, but clickthrough to various scenes very rapid. The only knocks are the use of some items in HO scenes that are not in commonplace usage by Americans, forcing one to Google to figure out just exactly what you are supposed to find. Many of these game developers are in European countries and what may be a normal item to them is a "wassat" to us. Length of game was fairly long. Only other issue was the evidence board. Didn't really like it, but that was where some of the clues were shown. While not a true 5 star game, it is definitely a 4.5.
December 20, 2011
Long gameplay with intriguing story
Enigmatis is an Interactive Hidden Object (IH0G) from Artifax Mundi (they also developed Time Mysteries Inheritance). The game has voiceovers of which I am normally a fan but in this case they were not well done, no attempt was made to match them to the mouth of the characters when in shot. The music was average but l liked the background sounds, they suited the spooky atmosphere.
The story is intriguing; you wake up in a town not knowing why you are there & you slowly piece together clues.
The graphics were not very impressive; quite dreary & not as crisp as I like, IMO the artwork was pretty mediocre also. It nicely filled my widescreen & has two modes of play, easy with sparkles & a map showing locations where action required, 30 second hint recharge; expert where only the H0 scenes sparkle & the map does not show where actions required, hint recharge 1 minute
The map is not interactive so you will have to walk around the town a lot. There is a journal in which the map, notes & a list of objectives are given. The H0 scenes are often junkpiles & there is a horrible ?boom? noise when you click on an object; in addition some of the items can be extremely small & difficult to find. The mini games are unusual & enjoyable.
This is a very long gameplay - it took me about 6 hours & I highly enjoyed the story & it left room for a sequel.
December 17, 2011