User Reviews: Dawn of Hope

Top reviews

  • Too glitchy

    I can’t give it a proper review till they patch it up a bit. Waaay too glitchy. Played a hidden object scene and was supposed to receive the machine key but didn’t. Completely stuck.
  • Dawn of Hope: Skyline Adventure by LynxMinx

    Note to KimTwilight: Thank you so much! I thought Kaylen was really cute too!

    Once again, MadHead took us on an amazing adventure. You could customize settings. The storyline wasn’t totally unique, but the interesting twists and turns and the unusual gameplay were enough to keep me entertained. The game was a decent length with the bonus adventure. The graphics and cut-scenes were excellent and well-executed. There was a journal of sorts with notes and objectives, as well as a marked teleport map to transport you instantaneously between locations. At each location you must find a fairy symbol. Inventory was labeled and interactive and there were complex items to assemble. Mad Head allows you to manipulate objects and items by turning them around in order to progress through the game, and tasks were fun to complete. The HO scenes had enough variation for them to be enjoyable, as well as morphing objects to further challenge oneself. I agree that some of the puzzles might have been a bit simplistic, but there was a nice variety and I didn’t feel that it made the game less challenging, because Mad Head challenges your perspective every step of the way. I cannot say I loved the hook. I didn’t mind upgrading and utilizing it but after a while I was bored by the mini-game associated with it. Gameplay was smooth and glitch-free.
    However, I am deducting a star because the notes, objectives and map could only be accessed through the menu, and I dislike having to exit the game every time I need to check one of the aforementioned. You would think we have complained about it enough by now that Mad Head would give us in-game tabs, but such is not the case. Another minor quibble I have is that gear signs do not appear over the exact area where you need to apply inventory, and if you don’t use the inventory item in the exact spot it might not work and would make the game seem glitchy when it wasn’t at all. In addition, I was somewhat irked by the “hm, what do I do here?” line in the black bar tips, over and over again.
    My final review will stand at 4 stars. I still felt it was a terrific game.
  • Needs a Faster Refresh Rate

    Please rev up the refresh speed to 5 seconds, as other developers are doing.

    Also, when tapping on the screen, the text at the top is meant for Very slow readers! Very time-consuming!

    Otherwise, I enjoyed the HOPs and most puzzles!
  • Not my cup of tea..

    Graphics are so-so and game play is elementary. Deleted after playing 5 minutes of demo.
  • Original and compelling

    A plot you haven’t seen before, widely varied minigames, great visuals, and a happy ending. More, please.
  • Not up to par

    I love Mad Head games, and will buy anything that they put out. However, I find myself very disappointed in this game. The storyline is kind of uninteresting because they give very little backstory. It’s hard to feel invested in getting to the end of the game. The text used for dialogue is very small and harder to read. Also, the items used for the hidden object games are small and harder to find than usual. The graphics aren’t as crisp as I’ve seen in other Mad Head games. Also, the game was pretty short. It seems like they needed to role out a non-PC game quickly and this was the result. I’m sorry this review is harsh but it’s because I’ve always seen such top quality games from Mad Head.
  • Not for me

    I didn’t enjoy this game at all. There was a lot of guess work as to where and what to do. Though some moves were logical, many weren't. Things like "look for a gold square with a wrench on it," was just bizarre. I saw the wrench. I saw a square that was blue, trimmed with gold, and golden x's. But no gold square. Logical jump? Not really.

    Anyway, I didn’t like it.
  • Pretty Good

    I like it.
  • Was good until...

    I too am stuck at the statue. Don’t have an option to turn it plus I don’t have paper in my inventory. Can’t seem to move any farther😕
  • Madhead & Elves & Apocalyptic Destruction, oh my!

    Lest282: I think you are stuck in the same scene that I was pondering over for some time. The same thing happened to me. This is how I, with the help of the Hint Button, figured it out:

    *Access the interactive close-up with the giant golden statue, which is holding the weapon in its hand.
    *If necessary, flip the close-up around to view the side with the pesky, nippy flowers.
    *In your inventory, there is a rag or a piece of paper (I cannot remember if it is crumbled or not. It might have been a sheet of paper that crumbles as you feed it to the flower).
    *Feed the flower this item
    *Then use your lighter (or matches -- sorry that I can't remember exactly which it was) to light up the paper or rag.
    *Goodbye flower!

    Keep in mind that you can apply the Hint button within any close-up area, which will either point to the X ("nothing to do here" message -- close out of the close-up) or point to the exact place of action within that close-up, together with the corresponding inventory item.

    This developer, in my opinion, remains unsurpassed in a field in which gameplay has become repetitive and innovative ideas have become stagnant. No other developer can match the explosive story lines, the pioneering techniques, and the highly engaging gameplay that this developer establishes throughout all of their series. Gameplay is uniquely hyperactive, with a steady flow of action-rendered interactivity incorporated into your adventure.

    The plot takes place during a post-apocalyptic time frame, focusing on the ordeals of the survivors in finding ways to maintain the well-being of both the elven and human races. You are put in the forefront to prevent a further catastrophic event from happening that could ultimately spell the end of the world. However, as you progress, you start to realize that things might not be all like they seem.

    The environment is well-designed, with eye-catching visuals that lure me into this extraordinary world of fantasy. The coloration showcases light and airy tones that complement the whimsical atmosphere. The settings effectively depict the destruction caused by an apocalyptic event; for example, the crumbling and debris-ridden buildings are smothered by overgrown weeds.

    The dialogue is well-written, and the characters are diversified according to their distinct speech and behavioral patterns. For example, Coop, the dwarf, with his gravelly voice and thick accent, is a dear family friend, as well as a mechanic and sculptor who repairs items to benefit your journey. I get a "Lord of the Rings" vibe here, especially with those fair, fair elves. Now, if Gandalf would just show up.......

    You can customize your settings. The inventory is labeled and interactive; items require assembly. In custom mode, the teleport map facilitates brisk travel to labeled locations and indicates available actions. Transition between scenes is smooth and quick. No touch sensitivities in this game, for me!

    This developer's trademark of showcasing looped panels of action sequences, indicative of comic strips, is present. I wish more developers would follow this developer's technique of allowing us to manipulate devices/contraptions to create a palpable experience.

    The formats (ex. word lists) of the HOSs are ordinary; but they are intelligently and creatively designed, using altering themes relative to the storyline. They are action- and story-driven, materializing at moments that relate to certain tasks/predicaments, such as the one in which you prepare food for your father. Some of the puzzles are narrative directed, as you perform tasks in accordance with a character's guidance. Most of the puzzles are too simplistic for my taste, but they are cleverly executed. I am underwhelmed, though, by the repetitive puzzle that resurfaces each time you need to assemble the rope and hook. This particular puzzle feels disconnected from the storyline; thus, the developer could have reflected upon a more thematic type that would have better suited the storyline. The collectibles are blended into the background; pay attention to the HOSs, as well.

    The surprisingly short free trial aroused my curiosity enough to want to continue on this extraordinary journey. One tedium is that the main components, such as the map, are accessible from under the Menu. Other players have groused about this disruption, which causes a break in concentration and in the fluidity of advancement. To sum it up, this is a typical Mad Head game -- one that is full of intriguing drama and mesmerizing twists on gameplay. I suggest you try the free trial.

    Lynx Minx: too many "hotties" in the house this time! I think I've just entered the "Forbidden Zone"! Happy New Year, by the way!

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