It’s been a few weeks now since my last post. So where have I been? I’ve been in adventure game heaven. Over the past two weeks we’ve released not one but three puzzle/casual adventures that each, in their own right bring something special and innovative to the genre.
If you read my reviews then you already know how I feel about Casebook: Episode 1. Following hot on its heels we released Sandlot’s The Legend of Crystal Valley, a bold, third person adventure game that stays very true to the spirit of adventure games of yesteryear without the frustratingly obscure puzzles!
But my pick of this week would have to go to Pahelika, Secret Legends, an epic adventure developed Ironcode, an Indian company founded by brothers Pallav and Gaurav Nawani.
I spend a fair bit of time analysing the point at which games suck you in and what manipulative tactics the developers employ to do this. In the case of Pahelika, I’d have to say that they had me in the opening scene when I was transported through the pages of a magical book. What a great premise on which to build a fantastical adventure! So many possibilities.
This is just a quick-pick recommendation so I’m not going to go into a lengthy review but I just want to make mention of two stand-out features that might mean the difference between you downloading the trial or not. Firstly, the graphics! They are atmospheric and inspiring in their beauty. If one is going to spend a great deal of time scouring scenes for puzzles and inventory items then one should at least have the pleasure of enjoying fine art.
The second key feature is the game’s hint system. There is nothing more frustrating than getting stuck mid-adventure. Pahelika offers useful written hints along with ‘mouse’ effects to help track down the inventory items. The hints make the game very achievable though definitely still challenging.
Download a FREE trial of Pahelika, Secret Legends
Pahelika Screen Shot 1
