Age Of Oracles: Tara`s Journey
3.5
5
10
10
Easy and a bit redundant
I don't usually wish that a game would end. I found myself wishing that during Age of Oracles. This game is jammed packed with hidden object scenes so if you are into that and nothing else this game is for you. There are some other mini puzzles mixed in - all were very easy. There is a nice twist in that some scenes are all black and white and you have to place the object back where they belong. The main problem is that this same sequence of HOS repeats itself endlessly. You think there are 20+ different worlds but there are really much fewer and they just repeat themselves. Every time you re-visit an HOS there are a few new items to find each time but they also repeat MANY that you've found before on past visits. The graphics are also pretty low quality. I've seen some really beautifully drawn and animated games on BF - this wasn't one of them. In the end the repetitive nature of the many levels gets boring and monotonous - even for me and I'm generally a big fan of HOS. This is a good game if you just want to completely veg out with a very easy, predictable and mindless game. I enjoyed it on that level but am glad I did not pay full price.
March 22, 2012
Decent Game
This was a decent game. Good graphics, liked the music. Nice HOS, mini-games were fun, though not very challenging. Ok storyline, could have fleshed it out a bit more. All in all, not a bad game.
February 13, 2012
Big City Adventure with an esoteric Story
From the developer that gave us the Big City Adventure series. Review based upon completion of the game.
You get what you know from the BCA series. An introductory game (Puzzle, memory, mahjongg, alternating). New was a black and white scene in which you have to place back coloured versions of the item, and an IHOG variant after the standard two junk pile scenes in which you have to figure out the goal of the level. So we get: Intro game - black and white scene - 2 junk scenes - IHOG scene. Rinse and repeat 19 times for a total of 20 levels. All this is held together by tarot cards and a story of an "introduction" as Tara walks around the country guided by a peacock. To be honest, it did not make much sense to me.
Graphics were okay, objects were a tad bit blurry when playing in full screen mode on a 23'' screen. Wide screen mode was available, and objects were sharper, but in that mode there were VERY wide black bars to the left and right.
Bottom Line: The game was okay on its own. If you like games by that developer, get it during a sale. No recommendation for full price though given that it's 3 years old.
February 23, 2012
A Mystical Journey
I enjoyed this game. It was interesting and had a variety of things to do. There are hidden object scenes plus scenes where you place objects onto the scene. There are jigsaw puzzles and card-matching mini-games.
It is not a difficult game.
May 19, 2012
Relaxing Fun Afternoon Entertainment
Completed game of 22 chapters in a little over 2 hours. Only one mode of play. Very colorful game. Each chapter follows this pattern:
1. Colorize a scene (place several colored objects into a black and white scene)
2. 2 HOS; objects are vivid, good detail and easy to find. A few items go into inventory to be used at end of chapter.
3. Complete a special task, using the inventory.
4. Mini-game or two. The usual suspects; most common involve cards and jigsaw puzzles, but there is a smattering of other types. Nothing difficult and not seen before.
Map reflects your progress. Voice-overs are pleasant. Hint system is a peacock; very fast recharge.
A nice relaxing afternoon of an entertaining game.
July 26, 2012
Hated that it ended.
When the free trial ended (cuz grandma's gotta try everything) my reaction was "argh". I wanted more! It's not as hard or challenging as the majority of adventure of HOG games I like to play but it was a nice storyline (I happen to like the whole olden times/fantasy genre). During the trial I didn't get the impression that it was going to be a very long game but, you know what, they don't all have to be. On my short list of games to get!
April 17, 2013
Entertaining
Great game, storyline fine, challenging okay, grafic great, and the pasttimes and present idea works fine
November 15, 2011
just not into it
Too many HO's for me. Although some of them were a bit different from the norm which was cool.
April 3, 2013
Pick a Card....any card.
Playing this game is like stepping into an interactive and magical Pagan storybook. Enchanting music and voices. Colorful graphics. HOS galore and many visually orientated puzzles. Kind to young and old with a hint button that charges very fast, helpful hints and zero frustration factor. Huzzah!
April 23, 2013
Repetitive
The same pattern repeats itself
Place the object on a black and white picture.
2 Hidden object scenes which are OK.
1 card game
1 mini adventure game.
Over and over, and over... The first three times it is OK, then you wonder what's the point. The storyline is basci enough to keep going from one scene to the next, but no great shakes.
They should have learned that long games should build on difficulty. With all the nice variatios of HOGS, this one chooses to go on and on and on during the same things.
If you like HOGS, and want some mindless entertaniment for s few minutes, it is OK, Don't ask much, and you won't be disappointed.
April 24, 2013