Adventure Gamers - Forums

I just finished the newest Phantasmat game, Mournful Loch.  I liked it well enough, especially because there weren’t many hidden object scenes and the ones that were there were nicely varied.  The story was okay but didn’t have the same drama as the first Phantasmat.

I’ve been eyeing Black Veil and will probably download it tonight.

chrissie - 02 May 2017 07:52 AM

I’d be interested in your thoughts Tim as I didn’t remember as it is so far my least favourite MCF game. 

Wow! Worse than “morphing HO” Ravenurst, or the last two Ravenhurst games, or Shadow Lake? All of which I easily classify as worse than this one. But I haven’t finished the demo yet, so there’s still time for things to go South.

I finished it today. Not as good as either of the Dire Grove games. But better than I thought it would be. Comparisons are hard because of the Ravenhurst games. To me, the first two were little more than solving a series of Rube Goldberg-inspired door puzzles. But a lot of other people liked that.

Those puzzles are what I loved in the Ravenhurst games.  I’m playing Black Veil now and have come across one puzzle like it so far.

Lady Kestrel - 04 May 2017 04:44 PM

Those puzzles are what I loved in the Ravenhurst games.

That’s why making comparisons is so “iffy.” I guess the first Ravenhurst games reminded me a bit of Black Dahlia. I loved BD, but there was a section of continuous door puzzles that just wore me out.

For those looking for something a little different, I can recommend trying Vermillion Watch: Moorgate Accord. Set in 1895, with adventurous characters from Phileas Fogg (friend) to Irene Adler (foe), steampunk inventions, and a mix of easy to impossible mini-puzzles. Lots of cutscenes in the latest “movie with some puzzles in it” style. Above-average voiceover and music, very striking scenes. After the opening chapter, you have clues to three locations, which you can take in any order. I hate to admit it, but several puzzles were too difficult for me. Anyway, this is the first in the series, so you don’t have to worry about Rooney’s Law (the longer a series goes, the worse it gets). The second one is out now and I’m about to try the demo.

Thanks. Are all the episodes currently available as a single game. Although I have played them, I really dislike episodic games. I’ve been burned more than once by a company going under before completing the full series.

On another subject, I just finished playing the Vermillion Watch - Moorgate Accord demo. Cluelass recommended it, and it’s an EIPIX game. It looks quite good. The setting is late 19th century England. The “accord” in the title is an agreement between good and evil forces. The Vermillion Watch is the group on the side of good. Your uncle, the leader of the Watch, has recently been murdered. Your objective is, with the assistance of your uncle’s close friends and advisors, to put things right.

There were very few HO scenes in the demo, and those that did appear were quite entertaining. The puzzles are of moderate difficulty. Voice acting is fairly good and the music and effects are non-intrusive. I’m definitely going to buy the game, but I don’t know what the differences are between the SE and CE. Has anyone played the CE?

Side not: There are some interesting references to characters that appeared in the literature of the period. Inspector Lestrtade and Jeckel and Hyde are two examples I’ve found so far. Very entertaining.

Tim, I played the Vermillion Watch: Moorgate Accord CE but it’s not memorable. I reviewed the bonus chapter on YouTube and it doesn’t really advance the story much. Of course you have all the usual Eipix extras—collectibles, puzzle & HOP replay, etc.—and the strategy guide. The bonus chapter does contain one of the niftiest HO scenes I have ever seen—a pop-up of London. (You really have to see it full size to appreciate it.)

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cluelass - 15 May 2017 01:26 PM

Tim, I played the Vermillion Watch: Moorgate Accord CE but it’s not memorable. I reviewed the bonus chapter on YouTube and it doesn’t really advance the story much. Of course you have all the usual Eipix extras—collectibles, puzzle & HOP replay, etc.—and the strategy guide. The bonus chapter does contain one of the niftiest HO scenes I have ever seen—a pop-up of London. (You really have to see it full size to appreciate it.)

I’ll look for it on YouTube. (Is cluelass how you are listed as the author”) That puzzle/HO scene looks fantastic. I wouldn’t spend $7.00 just for that one puzzle. But I might be tempted if there is a REALLY good sale. (I’ve bought the SE earlier today.)

More name dropping. We’ve moved from fictional character to real life ones auch as Isaac Newton. This game is a lot of fun to play.

...you don’t have to worry about Rooney’s Law (the longer a series goes, the worse it gets). The second one is out now and I’m about to try the demo.

BTW, Rooney’s Law usually kicks in after the third game in the series. First three 1000 Doors games were good. The fourth was a dog. Ditto PuppetShow, Secret Order and too many more to mention.