Publisher: Artifex Mundi
What I Paid: $2.19
Verdict: Not Shovelware. Game-Breaking Bug.
What I Say:
On the face of it, this is simply another Artifex Mundi Hidden Object game. You are tasked with investigating the kidnapping of a theatre star by a mysterious illusionist. The usual assortment of hidden object screens, item combining and mini-game solving is included here. One slightly unusual mechanic is the use of a very accident-prone character as a puzzle solving object at times.
Unfortunately, I had to play this through FOUR times due to two game-breaking bugs; one was 2/3rds of the way through the game and the other one was almost at the end of the game. There was very much a vibe with this game that something untoward happened during production, as the usual high quality dialogue and subtitles gave way to frequent spelling errors and “Engrish” during the latter half of the game. For example, one of the hidden objects you need to find at one stage is a “Glob”. Eventually you figure out that this is actually a “Globe”. There are many similar examples in the latter half of this game.
Anyhow, to the two game-breaking bugs.
Game-Breaking Bug 1: See the second last image below. Once you get to this screen, you MUST complete this section of the game before going back. If you don’t you’ll miss out on several essential items for the game to progress and you can never get back to the area again.
Game-Breaking Bug 2: This is right near to the end of the game. Notice the sparkly area on the last image below? You MUST visit and complete this area before completing the very obvious final step. If you don’t, you’ll end up with a weapon with no ammunition and no way to back out of the subsequent weapon close-up to get said ammunition.
What They Say:
“A young journalist witnesses the kidnapping of a theatre star, Beatrice Le Brun. The ambitious girl then undertakes her own investigation.
As it turns out, the main suspect is one Charles Delacroix – a world-famous illusionist who mysteriously vanished some time ago.
When the journalist and her young associate – Beatrice’s brother – follow the kidnapper, more and more of the truth about the abduction and a mysterious romance come to light.
Is it all just smoke and mirrors, or true magic and pure evil? What really hides in the underbelly of the Parisian Theatre? Discover the identity of the kidnapper and thwart his plans before it’s too late!
“
Leave a Reply