Spirits of Mystery: Song of the Phoenix
4.8
5
115
115
A LITTLE DIFFERENT
The HOGs are different, puzzles are not easy, there is a hint button, but does rely on you using your memory a bit, But overall quite challenging and good fun.
Would recommend for a few hours of good clean fun.
May 11, 2012
Curse of the free hour
I purchased this game (on one of the many offers kindly given to us by BFG) after playing the hour free trial. The trial was good and the game flowed thus the hour went by too quickly. I decided that as the game was at a discounted price that I would purchase it, unfortunately I feel that I have not got my monies worth (to the point where I may not even finish the game (which is unusual for me)), as I felt the game didn't have enough 'flow' and that I was stumbling around to try to work out what to do next. I was using the hints and strategy guide far more that I felt I should have done (certainly far more than on other games), and because of this I couldn't get 'into' the story as I seemingly playing 'staccato', because of this I had to abandon the game (I think I was around 3/4 through), but I just didn't have enough 'botheration' to finish this thus the bonus content had not been unlocked so can't comment on that.
The puzzles were good and twists on the 'tried and tested' there were some new ones which added variety, though even here some were so obscure that I had no choice but to skip (which again didn't add to the appeal of the game to me).
I think the reason for my feelings towards this game was because of a lack of map system. In some games the map system is just that an ability to 'jump' to the place that you want to be at. In others (such as Mystery Tracker games, it also gives you clues as to where you need to be and what you need to do (some may say this is boarding on cheating, I am in two minds)), in this though there is none and as such you need to remember where all the different rooms are, I was therefore (even with the guide) spending 10 minutes trying to find the correct room in order to stop the game going totally 'flat-line'. I therefore gave the game up as a bad job.
On a positive note the music and VO was good as were the graphics. But for me this was a 'fur coat - no knickers' kind of game (i.e. a game that looked ok on the outside but had no substance on the in)
Sorry for the long-winded review, but I thought I would make my feelings known. The reason for the 3 stars was because the 'free' hour was good as were visuals etc.
November 16, 2012
Good solid HOPA
Review on finished game on hardcore
Plot is tied up in main game and bonus is just side story.
I'll put two disclaimers as I know a lot of people disagree with me and I know this affects my enjoyment factor - I don't really like the graphics but then I rarely do with ERS - it's just OK for me and storylines with fantastical plots aren't my favourite but the plot was done well if you like that sort of thing. Although I never understand some animals in it and what they have got to do with the story.
I know people have been raving about this game since the release but I was a bit disappointed in it, never had the fun factor for me and I have preferred other ERS games over this one but it is good.
PROS
There were some nice interactions and a bit different and it was a good enough length - about 5 hrs main game
Puzzles although a lot where the same types and wasn't enjoying a fair amount of them, they weren't all easy and there were some nice ones in there.
HOS they tried to do different kinds
CONS
-I do wish they would do transporter maps because in places there was a fair bit of backtracking which is always a bit tedious for me.
- I played hardcore, which is supposed to give you no black bar hints or sparkles and yet there are sparkles on the HOS.
- Random click penalty on HOS
- Have to play each HOS twice
- Some items on HOS especially in the list type were a bit small and hard to make out but I always find this with ERS, I don't like their HOS at all because of the kind of graphics
- A lot of puzzles were the same kind or variation of it -swap tiles around
- A lot of interactions and some puzzles were in small boxes on scenes
HOS (hidden object scenes)
repeat all of them (play them twice), random click penalty on mode I played, some hard to make out
8 find hidden runes in scene with brooch you move area
10 silhouette then use the item you found - in the scene to uncover next one
6 list - mild to normal interactive
22 puzzles - easy to medium hardness
It's slightly different storyline and if love fantastical plots and graphics and don't mind there is no transporter map then I think you will enjoy it. Good enough length and good amount of new locations.
January 15, 2013
My Favourite Kind of Game
It has lots of puzzles, and they range from kind of easy to fairly challenging. There are two kinds of HOS, so I liked the variety and that the puzzles were frequent.
The story is simple but a little different. Art work is amazing. Voice work is polished.
May 12, 2012
Best Ever
I just saved the Prince, I am in love and this is the best game I have played in a while. I could not leave my seat, Storyline was great, every thing else was fantastic. Trust me, I dont usually comment on games, and I have alot of them. Buy this, you will not be disappointed.
May 16, 2012
One of the very best!
I absolutely loved this game, and have to say it was worth the wait (for SE) and every cent!
The HOS were varied between the usual "list" of items to finding silhouette items that interact with each other. I felt the game was a decent length and the puzzles were original and varied in difficulty. Graphics were gorgeous, the cutscenes brilliant and the sound wasnt too invasive.Even though the story line wasnt very original, the game was just too good to even matter. One of the best I have played in a long time. Way to go BF and ERS!
May 15, 2012
Loved it!
I really enjoyed this game. The graphics were amazing, the sound and music was awesome!! The puzzles were not very challenging, however they were entertaining. The storyline, and characters were engaging. It felt as if I stepped into a very good fantasy novel of which I had a part. Loved it!
May 17, 2012
The Spirit of Mystery
Woooow , I was blown away with this one. I've been playing for about a year and I found this to be one of the best game I've played. The graphics and color outstanding! The games were well done and the HOS were different. I thought the mini puzzles were just challenging enough without getting too frustrated.
I highly reccommend this game
May 26, 2012
A Great Game
I loved how the hidden object scenes had a twist to them that made it more interesting to play. The puzzles themselves were pretty simple but fun although some may be a bit time consuming.
The visuals and artwork was amazing and the game ran smoothly. The story was just a bit too cheesy for my taste and it felt a bit rushed towards the end. The beginning of the story created a picture of a world that had a lot of potential and i would have liked to see more of it. The music is good but becomes redundant after a while.
In short this is a great game, i love the hidden object scenes the most since they were unique and unlike any other game that ive played.
May 23, 2012
Great game
I don't usually like this kind of game - true love will save the world (violins, please.) This game was well-designed, though, with little interference from the story. The artwork is top-notch with good VO. The HOS are mostly interactive, which are not my favorite, but these were well done. The HINT button is slow to charge and gives minimal info during gameplay. There isn't a map, but one is not needed as there is no loooong back-and-forth as in some games. The puzzles vary between easy to difficult with a slow charging SKIP button. All-in-all, this is a very enjoyable game.
June 9, 2012