Mystery Legends: The Phantom of the Opera Collector's Edition
4.5
5
50
50
My favourite hidden object puzzle adventure game of all time
OVERVIEW - It's time to start comparing the gold standard of adventure games - dire grove - to this game rather than the other way around. If this game came out before dire grove I think most would.
It's an excellent mostly adventure game with some hidden object scenes, playing different rooms and some outside of an opera house.
the good -
-well thought out 'pick up and what do I do with it' items
intelligent, logical pick up items ie - *spoiler * skull item went on mannequin hand acting out 'to be or not to be'.
-great graphics, excellent atmosphere
-excellent, well thought out and executed, not too difficult mini puzzles. But skip button available if needed.
-contained areas, which I easily did remember the order of rooms
-the guide wasn't a walkthrough but gave you good hints
-length of game - really good, it took me 5hrs (I would have thought I played it longer due to different areas and puzzles but that was the official time)
-not time controlled puzzles but let you know how long it took you so you can beat your own time
the not so good
-I did think it was the 'official' game so thought the music would be the same as musical.
-I thought it would be the same story as the musical
-The guide could have given you an even more detailed option - photo, walkthrough for puzzles.
-the bonus game only took me about 30mins for CE could have had better extras and longer bonus game
-the bonus game area, was very condensed, multi play area and really easy after the normal game
November 19, 2011
Fun, but the plot was meh
Plot spoiler warning.
I loved the gameplay to bits. I like the artwork, I like the atmosphere, and the tasks are in the right level of difficulty.
You get to explore around the Opera House, find the objects you need, and appease the Phantom by bringing him black roses. The abandoned opera house is appropriately gloomy and eerie, but it still looks nice. The art is beautiful, and I like how the place does not look like something out of a horror movie. There were some games who do that, in an attempt to create a dark/scary atmosphere, but it only made the scenery unpleasant to look at. This game did not do that.
I find it inconvenient that you have to backtrack through places, but it's a minor complaint. I also love the fact that you can hear the Phantom saying things in the background as you explore.
The problem that I had was the plot. I like my adventure games to have a good plot and this game disappointed me in that aspect.
For example, why on earth does the Phantom need the black roses? What would he need them for? The first quest says that our mission is to find a way out, and at the end of the game, there was none! I played the regular edition first, and I thought the ending was a bad cliffhanger because the main character got kidnapped by the Phantom! Oh noes! Added with the note saying that I'll have to get the Collector's Edition to see what happens next, it made me upset. I still bought the CE anyway because I wanted to know what happens next.
The ending of the bonus chapter did not resolve ANYTHING. You are still trapped. Worse yet, now you're trapped in the Phantom's lair, not just the Opera House. The only indication that this ending may be not so bad after all is this weird psychic message from Christine saying... something about the Phantom's feeling or whatever. I'm still not happy. Especially the fact that the main character is Christine's daughter, who is the spitting image of her mother. That was why the Phantom trapped her in the first place, because he thinks she is Christine. It just makes it all the more like one of those weird fanfiction. I would have liked it better had the story's main character Christine herself. Or, heck it, someone completely unrelated to the original story.
The only reason I didn't hate it that much is because the gameplay was excellent. If I ignore the annoying plot, it's a fantastic game.
January 9, 2012
Darn that ending...
This is an interesting game especially if you love The Phantom of the Opera like I do. The graphics and score were wonderful and the voice overs were equally as good but the over abundance of HOS, extremely slow hint and skip load times, the endings of both the main game and extra chapter, and the overall lagging gameplay experience made me give this about a 3.5 rounded to 4. Though since you have the SG, which I found very helpful, the hint button is only needed in the HOS if you are having extreme trouble finding an item. Now the downsides I mentioned might sound worse than they are but the biggest disappointment I had was the two endings. I expected after the ending of the main game the bonus chapter to be a decent length and would rap up the story. Nope it was short and disheartening. Overall it was fun just not as much as I hoped it would be.
September 7, 2012
Twist on My Favorite Story!!!
I loved this game to the extreme! The art and music was amazing. It was creepy and fun and I felt I was really there. The Phantom was beautifuly designed and story fantastic! There were parts that made me scream and jump and it always kept me on my toes. The ending was a little disappointing, but I hope they left it at a loose end so they could extend it with a sequel. If they do, I am spending good money on it! The bonus chapter was fun and I am glad I bought the collectors edition!
December 28, 2011
#1 in my book so far!!!
I like to try to be balanced with some pros and cons, but this game was truly outstanding. If you're a speed player, this game is not for you. I found myself going back into certain rooms just to look at the astounding graphics. The absolute best I have ever seen in an online game. The CE is a must...sorry to say, but worth every penny. I like the silhouette hints for the HOS as they are excellent, but a bit challenging.
The map in the journal mad the trips back and forth easier.....and after a couple of trips, I was not dreading the scenery....everything to captivating detail and time period were simply fascinating.
This is a great game for those that like to play an hour or so at a time. I really played this one slow and it took me 7 intriguing hours over a week. I couldn't wait to have "me" time and get to the next challenge.
After all that .....I did have one thing that was a minor annoyance. There was a disconnect with the Phantom's voice over as if Evelina wasn't hearing it. It was repetitive and I finally turned it off. Evelina said very few things pertinent to the game, so listening to some nice dark classical music went well for me. The game music was well placed and not overly dramatic if you don't mind that VOICE. It wasn't scary....just harsh.
Really treat yourself to this one ! Absolutely worth every penny!
I just realized this is the first game I gave five stars in all aspects. This is the new gold standard in online games!
June 16, 2012
Best Game
This game is the best game I've played so far & I own 40 & play all of the 60 minute trials. Very impressed with game in every category. Seems to go on forever. A good 5 hr straight play. Definitely worth it. P.S. This is the first time I've been moved to write a review
November 27, 2011
PHANTOM BLACK ROSE
I loved it, it was a blast there better be a sequal to it becase at the end it leaves a cliff hanger like what happens to the girl and the phantom.
March 8, 2012
awesome game!!!
The game is incredible!!great plot epic graphics and music...I was was a little disappointed by the end though...i hope that they ended it like this because there's gonne be a sequel!!
January 18, 2012
Enjoyable 'What If' for after the novel
Based solely on the Leroux novel, the game is a 'what if' scenario after Christine leaves with Raoul. The graphics are stunningly beautiful, the music haunting, and Erik's voice overs are suitably creepy and true to character. If I had a complaint, it would only be that the sequel isn't completed yet.
December 20, 2011
nice game
One of my favorites. The story line pulls you in and the levels are beautifully done. It can be a little confusing having to go back and forth all the time to find items. I was also a little disappointed with the end (including the bonus level). A must-buy for fans, but still fun for everyone else.
November 22, 2011