With the exception of My Brother Rabbit, this is, in my opinion, the best game released under Artifex Mundi, as publisher, this year; and many accolades go to Sunward Games, the developer.
This fantasy-based game delivers a well-constructed storyline that logically develops as it progresses. Along the way, the storyline is bolstered by a cast of engaging characters who help advance your goals; and all the while, you fight off an evil vixen and her army of menacing monsters that try to thwart your efforts. The settings diversify in appearance to avoid dullness, as you travel through lush forests and climb perilous rocky cliffs that jut out over angry seas. The graphics are mostly satisfactory, although some scenes are not as sharp and clear as other scenes.
The outstanding gameplay steals the show here. The inventory usage is unique and highly interactive, as you often assemble objects, such as statues. Even the tasks are creatively rendered and frequently require some thought to complete, persuading me to think about the next move.
The HOS are cleverly executed and sometimes challenging in that the items can be well hidden. They are mostly composed of interactive word lists, but there are some other formats, such as a "Find and Use" type. I like the twist on the story-driven format in which you manipulate items within various panels in ways that are distinct from each other. The plethora of entertaining puzzles vary in type and difficulty; they are intelligently integrated into the storyline to solve your objectives. I like the one in which you press the stones comprising imprints of animals paws in the numbered order as detailed on the depicted animal shapes. There are maze puzzles in which you find a path to the other side, avoiding obstacles. There is also a multi-level puzzle in which you first arrange, in order, tower pieces in accordance with a view through a microscope; then you turn the tower pieces to their correct sides in the appropriate order. On the flip side, the collectibles are placed within plain sight and couldn't be any bigger in size, thus denying one any challenge of discovery.
Overall, this is a well-rounded, glitch-free game that conveys an interesting storyline and offers top-notch gameplay. The playtime, inclusive of the bonus chapter, is of average length. I strongly suggest you give the free trial a spin.
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