The Chronicles of Emerland Solitaire is the latest in a growing group of games in the pyramid solitaire genre. But where others simply have you removing cards from templates at the top of the screen, Chronicles of Emerland throws in hidden object scenes for depth. The game's soothing music and lovely graphics offer a relaxing setup for card game play, but the game, like so many others in the genre, ultimately relies more on luck than skill.
The Agency of Anomalies: The Last Performance is a hidden-object game that's centered around freaks, monsters, and show business. It sounds like corny county fair stuff, though your experience with The Last Performance will probably feel more authentic than the time you paid a carnival barker $5 to gawk at what turned out to be a shaved goat. In fact, The Last Performance is a genuinely unsettling and engaging game. It won't keep you up with nightmares, but neither will you easily forget making the acquaintance of a man with a snake's body.
Much to the delight of long-time adventure and role-playing fans, the interactive novel's steadily gaining ground in the casual arena. Not quite games and not quite books, these digital diversions enjoy the advantages of both, telling complex stories that allow gamers to play decisive roles. A shining example of the genre, Black Chicken Studios' 1931: Scheherazade at the Library of Pergamum introduces us to a winning new heroine and stylishly demonstrates the endless potential of this unique form of entertainment.
Lots of folks make hidden object games these days. The popularity of the genre means a lot of games on the market, and a lot of competition. It also means fast development times and the premature release of games that to put it bluntly, are not ready for prime time. The Dreamatorium of Dr. Magnus, the new hidden object adventure by Two Desperados, is one of those. Inconsistent in presentation and sloppy in the details, this is one adventure title that was definitely a preemie.
There's a pretty substantial disconnect between Mutant Mudds' vibrant appearance and its tough-as-nails gameplay. Or at least I didn't expect a game whose protagonist is a water gun-totin' kid named Max to be an unforgivingly difficult 2D platformer. My mistake, really. But it doesn't change the fact that it's a ton of fun. In fact, it's that very difficulty that makes it so much fun. Challenge junkies, this one's for you.
The day that scientists crack robotic love is the day the world will change…perhaps for the creepier! Imagine an android that will also show admiration for you, no matter how you treat it. Not just obedience…genuine admiration. With people already hurting other people out there, it gives rise to a whole new perspective to the idea of hurting the ones you love.
Indie gaming has really blown up over the last couple years and has become a very active, very productive community. New titles are always popping up and the things that make titles stand out are almost always something that hasn't been done or executed as well before. That's the good part. The bad part is the barrier of entry is considerably lower than it used to be and the market can become flooded.