Azada: Elementa Collector's Edition
3.2
5
98
98
Based on the demo for this game...
I'll give it three stars. Compared to Azada I, it doesn't even rate. They managed to take a franchise that appealed to adventure/puzzle fans and turn it into just another mediocre HOG franchise. Bleah.
Having said that, I suppose as a stand alone game it is just okay. I'm not a fan of ERS, though occasionally they get one right. But the Azada mystique, and even the really great music, are gone. And the challenging, thought-provoking puzzles are gone, replaced by typical ERS HO scenes.
I played on the hardest mode, and there were still sparkles on the HO scenes, though not much other help, thankfully. I don't use jump maps, and there is a lot of backtracking and find this to do that stuff. No real thinking required on the puzzles, though finding items isn't always easy. The minigames are really very easy. I don't like HO scenes in the first place, and these were way too hard on my eyes.
Graphics are decent, though I'm not overly fond of ERS graphics/art. The music is okay, but not memorable. The VOs are good, and in character.
What I do NOT like is the "sidekick". It is just annoying, not cute, and the voice is grating and made me want to banish it for good - even if it was a cat. Right up there with "Tinkerbell" in the Isabella games. And, really! Buying it outfits??? Is this a game for adult humans or silly 10-year-old girls? Please!
I also don't like the magic potion thingy. It's cumbersome. Can't address the SG, and only used hints in the HO scenes, so can't address that, either.
I'll buy this in time - probably when it is a DD, LOL. I'm not excited about it at all. I will, however, recommend it for people who like HOGs, those not looking for a real challenge, and fans of ERS. If you liked Azada I, and even Azada II, you will be sorely disappointed.
March 7, 2013
Great Game
This is a really fun game. It has all the bells and whistles. There is a really cute (squirrel?) that you can make it look any way you want. You can give it a name, find coins to add clothes and accessories. The puzzles and hidden object scenes are fun and challenging. I really think you'll like this one. Give it a try.
March 7, 2013
Nothing like the original........
Take 'Azada' out of the game and you have a nice, typically ERS game. Put 'Azada' back into the game and prepare to be disappointed.
Beautiful graphics, cut-scenes and voice-overs. All so very typical of this dev.
Hidden object games were marginally interactive and were mostly very easy, although a couple had very obscure items to find, even after being shown them. They also had annoying sparkles.
Puzzle games were very easy, and very standard rather than the typical Azada style.
No achievements to earn or bonus items to find, although you could collect coins along the way.
Storyline was...once again, very typical ERS. Existed but was predictable and not very riveting.
Game play was an okay length.
Bonus chapter followed on from main story but not essential to it. More of the same calibre of play as the main game. Was probably a bit of a waste of time, but still pleasant enough to play. To collect all the coins and complete the book that has all the animals in it, you need to also complete the bonus chapter.
This game is enjoyable if you expect to play a typical ERS game, but not if you are expecting Azada.
Still, I enjoyed it, and recommend the game.
March 9, 2013
Best Azada Game of Series
Wow, BFG and ERS have really "pulled it out of the hat" and given us such a beautiful game. Well done!!
IMHO, the developer has added so many extras and special touches to this game that it would be a shame to miss getting the CE.
As always, the graphics are great but we have even more imagination and color in Adaza Elemental. Not only do we have a furry helper, we get to name him and then find achievements throughout the game to build a wardrobe. How fun.
As a first for this developer, we have an interactive map. Kudos for this addition because it makes it so much easier to navigate.
I'm not going to go into all the details but will just say that I think this is truly a CE in all ways. Love the game and suggest that you at least try the demo and see if it is right for you.
March 7, 2013
This Azada is Getting a Bum Rap
This is the danger of being part of a series. Each is compared to the other, and complaints start usually at the third game.
I believe that the reason many of the people are being negative about this is that is didn't follow the same formula of the first two Azadas, which were similar. But, why should it? We've done that already. Don't we dog on developers when they offer the same, old formulaic games?
This was a wonderful game, worthy of the Azada series. It was the only game I've ever played at BFG where I paid any attention to the storyline, and that's because this was such a good one.
Azadas steal my heart for being true adventure games. In this one, there are several HOGs, but they are few in comparison with the great, innovative mini-games offered.
Every part of this Azada is challenging. I am an expert player and I play on the hardest levels offered in every game, yet I still go through them mindlessly. Don't check your brain at the door with this one; it was truly challenging and I loved that. I really had to think in this one, but it wasn't hard. There is a difference between being challenging and being hard.
There were a couple of things I thought were not the greatest here. As always, I opted to skip the tutorial, but I was still having to tell this game to skip the tutorial well into the Bonus Level and right up until the end of the game.
The HOGs were well done, and I hate HOGs. but a few were confusing because, for instance, in one it asked for a bird and there were a hand-drawn bird in flight, an owl, and an actual image of a bird in the scene. That's three birds. There were a few things like that. A minor annoyance, but it was there so I must mention it.
I enjoyed how the movement flowed. I always shake my head when I read reviews where people say, "I didn't like all the running around and going back and forth." Let's consider that for a moment: what else would you do in a game like these? You've got to move from place to place, so what's the problem?
If there is a world in which you move all around the world in the game, then people complain about the running around. However, the other side of that would be to always be going forward and never backtrack. Then out come the complaints that the game is too linear.
This game has one of those interactive maps that allow you to move to and fro and I love those. However, when people review games these days, they always mention the maps and heaven forbid if a developer offered no map or one that is not interactive.
You know, maps are a relatively new thing, and there is no requirement - spoken or unspoken - that a game has to have a map.
But, this game has it all and the some. The game ends satisfactorily, and the Bonus Level basically takes the story beyond the ending, setting up the next Azada.
And, if that Azada is not like this one or the first two, let's be objective and give the game a chance to stand on its own.
March 13, 2013
WOW!!! An Azada I Can Actually Enjoy!!!!
Review on demo only!! Have never been a fan of Azada games until now!! Much prefer this sort. Mini-games and puzzles seem to be different and HOG's are interactive. Find it a typical ERS game and enjoyed the demo. Love the little creature you get and all the other different animals throughout. These devs are sooooo good at these. There is an integral map but don't like being asked if I am sure I want to go to the place I have clicked on. A bit of handholding in the demo telling you what things are for although I could have missed cancelling the tutorial. ERS put plenty of games out there and a lot of work goes into all of them. Well done for another great game!!!!
March 7, 2013
Best game for ages
Azada games have always been good, this one has surpassed itself. For me the puzzles are just at the level where they are intriguing without becoming frustrating, the map is great. Artwork (Gaudi inspired?), is fabulously art nouveau - loved it.
March 7, 2013
Completely Misses the Mark
I enjoyed the first 3 Azada games, but can't say the same for this one. This is completely unlike any of them. The colors, the visual quality, the logic... all different and not in a good way.
The first HOS I encountered was a blurry jumble. I believe I asked for 2 hints which is uncommon for me. Some items were nearly impossible to see, and I have to agree with other reviews; the list was difficult to make out, too.
The puzzle to open a door (I think it was the first) was one I thought would be rather easy, but again, no logic to it and lots of frustration.
I only played 26 minutes and was so frustrated by the lack of logic in the game. I was lost from the get-go. I rarely have to ask for a hint on the first task but could not determine how to accomplish it!
The magic bottle was silly, as was the creature. I really had no interest in the creature, naming it, giving it an age and hometown, puleeeze! This felt more like a child's game than a grown-up's adventure.
There was a lot of distraction... the endless dialog and tutorial. I said I didn't want interactive help and got it anyway.
I am not hung up on who the developer is for any of the games offered, but if this is the best that can be done, I'd say it's time to give up the day job. What a ridiculous piece of nonsense! I most emphatically would not recommend this game!
March 7, 2013
Azada has morphed
I bought the first azada game years ago and really enjoyed it but over the last few games it has changed itself beyond all recognition . I did enjoy it , but I do miss the old style of the first 2 games and It is definately better than the last one .I have only played the demo and there was a lot of moving from one place to another so it was useful to have an interactive map in fact without it I would have lost interest . If you are new to the Azada games it is a parallel world to our own we are the chosen one and on this occasion we have to retrieve missing elements The magical theme has always been present in the games but we now have a cute animal I wasn't so sure about this it does make it similar to other games . But having said that I did enjoy the game I would buy it and I would also suggest anyone who hasn't played the first 2 games grab the chance and see how the game used to be
March 7, 2013
Relaxing game
This is an excellent game. The graphics and voice are very clear. For me this is a very relaxing and fun game after a day of hard work. I hope there will be many games like this to come.
March 13, 2013